JP2018135548A - Supporting member, molding model generator, controller, and method for molding molded article - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily remove a supporting member after the molding of a three-dimensional-shaped molded article.SOLUTION: Provided is a supporting member comprising a first structural layer and a second structural layer. The first structural layer and the second structural layer are laminated alternately in a vertical direction, and form laminated faces widen in a horizontal direction, respectively. The first structural layer includes a plurality of first structural members. The second structural layer includes a plurality second structural members. The plurality of first structural members stretch in the same direction in the laminated face of the first structural layer. The plurality of second structural members stretch in the same direction in the laminated face of the second structural layer, and further, stretch in a direction crossed with a direction in which the first structural members stretch. The first structural member is arranged at intervals in a direction crossed with a direction in which the first structural members stretch in the laminated face of the first structural layer. The second structural member is arranged at intervals in a direction in which the second structural members stretch in the laminated face of the second laminated layer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a support member, a modeling model generation device, a control device, and a modeling method of a modeled object.

  Patent Document 1 describes a three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus that forms a three-dimensional structure by stacking a molding layer on a base. The three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 irradiates a powder beam with a light beam to melt the powder material to form a molding layer, and laminates the molding layer to create a three-dimensional molding. Shape objects.

JP-A-2015-196265

In the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus described in Patent Literature 1, there is a case where a three-dimensional structure including an overhang portion in which a forming layer is not formed is formed. A three-dimensional molded article having such an overhang portion needs a support member that supports the overhang portion from below so that the overhang portion does not deform downward due to gravity or the like when the molding layers are laminated. It may become.
This support member is usually removed after the overhang portion has been formed. However, depending on the shape of the three-dimensional molded article, manual work or machining using a tool for removing the support member may be difficult. Further, there is a method of removing the support member by ejecting a polishing fluid. However, when the support member is arranged in a narrow portion or the like, there is a possibility that the support member cannot be completely removed, and there is a possibility that the modeled object is also scraped.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a support member, a modeling model generation device, a control device, and a modeling method for a modeling object that can be easily removed after modeling a three-dimensional modeled object. is there.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the support member projects in a horizontal direction provided in the object in the process of forming the object having a three-dimensional shape by laminating materials by the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus. A support member that supports the portion from below, and includes a first structure layer and a second structure layer that are alternately stacked in the vertical direction and form a stacked surface that extends in the horizontal direction, and the first structure layer includes the first structure layer, A plurality of first structural members extending in the same direction within the laminated surface of the first structural layer, wherein the second structural layer extends in the same direction within the laminated surface of the second structural layer, and the first structural member; A plurality of second structural members extending in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the first structural member, and the first structural members are spaced apart in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the first structural member within the laminated surface of the first structural layer. And the second structural member is arranged in the second structure. Are arranged at intervals in a direction intersecting the direction of extension of said second structural member in a stacking plane of the layer.
With this configuration, a plurality of gaps are formed in the first structural layer at intervals in a direction intersecting with the direction in which the first structural member extends, and the second structural layer has the second structural member. A plurality of gaps are formed at intervals in a direction intersecting the extending direction. Therefore, the strength of the support member can be reduced as compared with the case where the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the support member is formed constant in the height direction.
Furthermore, since the first structural members are arranged at intervals in the laminated surface of the first structural layer, and the second structural members are arranged at intervals in the laminated surface of the second structural layer, It becomes a place of escape when thermal expansion occurs. Furthermore, since the surface area can be increased, the heat dissipation performance can be improved and the occurrence of temperature distribution can be suppressed. Therefore, it can suppress that a thermal stress acts.
Furthermore, since the first structure layer and the second structure layer are alternately laminated in the vertical direction, when the overhanging portion of the model is supported from below, the first structure layer and the second structure layer are Thus, only the force in the compression direction can be applied. That is, high rigidity can be achieved in the vertical direction. On the other hand, when there is an input from a direction including a horizontal component different from the vertical direction, or when a force is applied locally even in the vertical direction, the gap between the first structural member and the second structural member. In addition, a force acts in the shearing direction or the peeling direction. That is, the strength can be lowered and weakened with respect to a force other than supporting the overhanging portion.
As a result, the support member can be easily removed after the three-dimensional shaped object is formed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the support member according to the first aspect is configured such that the first structural member and the second structural member have a unit lamination thickness that can be laminated at once by the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus. They may be formed with the same thickness.
By comprising in this way, a precise | minute laminated structure can be formed, having a clearance gap in the up-down direction. Therefore, the rigidity can be increased with respect to the force in the vertical direction.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the support member according to the first or second aspect is such that the first structural member and the second structural member can be laminated at once by the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus. It is formed with the same width as the width.
By comprising in this way, a supporting member can be formed in a precise | minute lattice shape seeing from upper direction. Therefore, when forming an overhang | projection part on a support member, it can suppress that the shape of a support member influences the shape of an overhang | projection part.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the support member according to the third aspect includes an interval between the first structural members adjacent in the same laminated surface and an interval between the second structural members adjacent in the same laminated surface. May have the same dimensions as the unit lamination width.
By comprising in this way, even if it is a case where a 1st structural member is thermally expanded, a thermal expansion part can be escaped to the clearance gap between adjacent 1st structural members. Similarly, even when the second structural member is thermally expanded, the thermal expansion can be released to the gap between the adjacent second structural members.
As a result, it is possible to suppress the contact between the adjacent first structural members and the contact between the adjacent second structural members, and suppress the application of thermal stress due to this contact.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the support member according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the first structural member and the second structural member that are adjacent in the vertical direction are integrally formed. Yes.
By comprising in this way, it can suppress that the position of a 1st structure layer and a 2nd structure layer shifts | deviates.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the support member according to any one of the first to fifth aspects is the portion where the first structural member and the second structural member are not melted in the powdery material. And a semi-sintered body including a portion where the powdery material is cured after melting.
By comprising in this way, a 1st structural member and a 2nd structural member become easy to carry out a brittle fracture. Therefore, the support member can be easily broken.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the support member according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the first structural member and the second structural member are each formed in a straight line, and from above They are arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other.
With this configuration, the distribution of contact points between the first structural member and the second structural member can be made more uniform as viewed from above. Therefore, the overhang | projection part of a molded article can be supported more stably.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the modeling model generation device is a modeling model generation device that generates a modeling model that is three-dimensional graphic data used for modeling control of a three-dimensional modeled object. An acquisition unit that acquires a target object model that is three-dimensional graphic data including a target object graphic indicating a shape; a specifying unit that specifies a protruding part that is a part protruding in a horizontal direction of the target object graphic; and the object A generation unit that generates the modeling model is provided by adding a support member graphic indicating the shape of the support member in contact with the object graphic to the lower side of the projecting part.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the control device is a control device for a three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus that forms a three-dimensional object by laminating materials, and is an object graphic indicating the shape of the object. And dividing a modeling model including a support member figure indicating a range in which a support member for supporting a projecting portion, which is a portion projecting in the horizontal direction in the object, from below is arranged in a height direction. Of the division unit that generates the modeling model, the selection unit that sequentially selects the division modeling model from the lower side of the plurality of division modeling models, and the material layer that is laid on the modeling table, A first instruction generation unit that generates an irradiation instruction for irradiating a portion corresponding to the object graphic with a laser beam, and a part corresponding to the support member graphic of the selected divided modeling model among the materials, To the material layer In a first direction that intersects the sweeping direction of the laser light, and a second instruction generator for generating a sweep command to sweep a plurality of laser beams spaced in a direction intersecting the first direction.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the modeling method is a modeling method of a three-dimensional modeled object by laminating materials with a three-dimensional layered modeling apparatus, which shows the shape of the target object A plurality of divisions by dividing a modeling model including a figure and a supporting member figure indicating a range in which a supporting member for supporting a protruding part, which is a part protruding in the horizontal direction in the object, from below is arranged in the height direction Generating a modeling model, selecting a division modeling model sequentially from a lower side of the plurality of division modeling models, and the purpose of the selected division modeling model among material layers laid on a modeling table Irradiating a portion corresponding to an object figure with laser light, and, in the material, a portion corresponding to the support member figure of the selected divided modeling model, and a sweep direction of the laser light to the previous material layer, Crossing first Direction, and a sweeping a plurality of laser beams spaced in a direction intersecting the first direction.

  According to at least one of the above aspects, the support member can be easily removed after the modeling object is modeled.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the three-dimensional layered modeling apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows arrangement | positioning of the supporting member in 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which follows the III-III line of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the supporting member in 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the supporting member shown in FIG. 4 from upper direction. It is a figure equivalent to FIG. 5 in the 2nd modification of a supporting member. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the software structure of the control apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the three-dimensional layered modeling apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the three-dimensional layered modeling apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the computer which concerns on at least 1 embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
《Three-dimensional additive manufacturing equipment》
The three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment forms a sintered layer obtained by baking and solidifying metal powder, and repeatedly forming this sintered layer and stacking them together to form a three-dimensional shaped object. The so-called powder sintering additive manufacturing is performed. The modeling method by the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus is not limited to powder sintering additive manufacturing.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the three-dimensional layered modeling apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment includes a modeling unit 2, a supply unit 3, a recoater 4, an irradiator 5, and a control device 6.
The modeling unit 2 has a box shape. The bottom part 2a of the modeling part 2 can be moved up and down in the vertical direction. The bottom surface portion 2a is provided with a modeling table 2b on which a sintered layer can be laminated. Before the modeling object 10 is modeled, the height of the bottom surface 2 a is the same as the opening surface of the modeling unit 2. The powder material P is supplied into the modeling unit 2 by the recoater 4. As powder material P, metals, such as iron, copper, aluminum, and titanium, can be used, for example. As the powder material P, powders other than metals such as ceramics may be used. The sintered material which comprises the modeling thing 10 is formed because the powder material P in the modeling part 2 fuse | melts with the laser beam which the irradiation machine 5 irradiates, and sinters. And after modeling start of modeling object 10, a bottom layer part 2a descends one by one, and a sintered layer can be laminated one by one.

  The supply unit 3 is provided adjacent to the modeling unit 2. The supply unit 3 has a box shape similar to that of the modeling unit 2. The bottom surface portion 3a of the supply unit 3 can be moved up and down in the vertical direction. Before the modeling object 10 is formed, the bottom surface portion 3 a is located at the lower end of the supply unit 3, and the supply material 3 is filled with the powder material P. Then, after the modeling 10 is started, each time the sintered layer is formed, the bottom surface portion 3a is sequentially raised, so that an amount of the powder material P to be supplied to the modeling portion 2 is supplied from the opening surface of the supply portion 3. Can be pushed up.

  The recoater 4 is a plate-like member that is longer than the inner dimensions of the modeling unit 2 and the supply unit 3. The recoater 4 transfers the powder material P extruded from the supply unit 3 to the modeling unit 2. Thereby, the recoater 4 can form a powder material layer having a predetermined thickness on the modeling portion 2.

  The irradiator 5 irradiates a laser beam (for example, a carbon dioxide laser) from above the modeling unit 2 toward the modeling unit 2. The irradiation position of the laser beam by the irradiator 5 is controlled by the control device 6.

  The control device 6 receives an input of an object model that is three-dimensional graphic data indicating the shape of the object, and controls the operation of the irradiator 5 based on the object model.

  According to the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus 1 described above, the powder material in the molten state is linear (in other words, the irradiation material 5 irradiates the powder material P in the modeling portion 2 with laser light in one direction. For example, a two-dimensional shape) sintered layer (hereinafter simply referred to as a bead) is formed. The three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus 1 forms a three-dimensional three-dimensional object 10 by stacking the beads in the height direction.

<Modeling>
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the support members in the first embodiment. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the object 11 represented by the object model may have an overhanging portion 11 a that protrudes in the horizontal direction. The overhanging portion 11a in the first embodiment is a portion whose angle with respect to a virtual line K1 (vertical line) extending in the vertical direction exceeds 45 ° (indicated by “45 deg” in FIGS. 2 and 3). In this manner, the overhanging portion 11a having an angle with respect to the imaginary line K1 extending in the vertical direction exceeding 45 ° may be deformed and solidified during cooling after sintering if there is no sintered layer in the lower layer. is there. For example, the overhanging portion 11a may be solidified in a state of being contracted and turned up. Therefore, the support member 12 is usually disposed below the overhang portion 11a. That is, when the target object 11 has the overhang part 11 a, the modeled object 10 generated by the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus 1 includes the target object 11 and the support member 12.

  Here, the angle of the overhanging portion 11a with respect to the virtual line K1 can be, for example, an angle formed between the virtual line K1 and the inner peripheral surface 11b of the overhanging portion 11a in a cross-sectional view including the virtual line K1. Note that FIG. 2 shows the case where the overhanging portion 11a extends obliquely upward with respect to the imaginary line K1 extending in the vertical direction, but the overhanging portion 11a extends obliquely downward. There is also.

《Support member》
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a support member in the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the support member shown in FIG. 4 as viewed from above.
The support member 12 is a member that supports the projecting portion 11a from below in the process of modeling the three-dimensional shaped object 10 described above. The support member 12 includes a first structure layer 13 and a second structure layer 14. The first structure layer 13 and the second structure layer 14 are alternately stacked in the vertical direction. Here, the first structure layer 13 and the second structure layer 14 need only be stacked alternately in the vertical direction. For example, the first structure layer 13 and the second structure layer 14 are formed on the lowermost layer and the uppermost layer of the support member 12. Any of the two structural layers 14 may be disposed.

  The first structural layer 13 includes a plurality of first structural members 13a. The plurality of first structural members 13 a included in one first structural layer 13 extend in the same direction within the stacked surface of the first first structural layers 13. Here, “laminated surface” can be rephrased as, for example, a virtual surface extending in the horizontal direction passing through the center in the thickness direction of one first structural layer 13 (the laminated surface of the second structural layer 14 is also the same). The same).

The first structural member 13a may be formed, for example, with the same width as the unit lamination width that can be laminated at once by the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus 1 described above. In other words, the first structural member 13a may be formed with the same width as the width of the bead formed on the modeling table 2b when the laser beam is irradiated from the irradiator 5 (hereinafter referred to as bead width).
Furthermore, the first structural member 13a may be formed with a unit lamination thickness that can be laminated at once by the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus 1. That is, the first structural member 13a may be formed with the same thickness as that of one bead that can be formed at a time.

  A plurality of first structural members 13a constituting one first structural layer 13 intersects with the direction in which the first structural members 13a extend (direction a in FIG. 3) in the stacked surface of the first structural layers 13. (Hereinafter referred to as the b direction) with a space therebetween. The space | interval of the 1st structural member 13a adjacent in b direction can be made into the same dimension as the unit lamination | stacking width mentioned above.

  The second structural layer 14 includes a plurality of second structural members 14a. The plurality of second structural members 14 a included in one second structural layer 14 extend in the same direction within the stacked surface of the single second structural layers 14. Further, the second structural member 14a extends in the b direction intersecting with the a direction in which the first structural member 13a extends.

  Similar to the first structural member 13a, the second structural member 14a can be formed, for example, with the same width as the unit lamination width described above. In other words, the second structural member 14a can be formed with the same width as the bead width. Furthermore, the second structural member 14a can be formed with the same thickness as the thickness of one bead which is a unit lamination thickness.

  A plurality of second structural members 14a constituting one second structural layer 14 are arranged in the stacking plane of the second structural layer 14 at intervals in the a direction intersecting with the b direction in which the second structural member 14a extends. Has been. The interval between the second structural members 14a adjacent in the a direction can be set to the same dimension as the unit stacking width described above.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first structural member 13a and the second structural member 14a in the first embodiment are each formed in a straight line. The first structural member 13a and the second structural member 14a are disposed so as to be orthogonal to each other when viewed from above. That is, the support member 12 is formed in a lattice shape when viewed from above.

The support member 12 in the first embodiment can be formed by the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus 1 described above. In this case, each of the first structural member 13a and the second structural member 14a can be formed by a single bead. And the supporting member 12 can be formed by repeating the process of laminating | stacking the 2nd structure layer 14 on the 1st structure layer 13, and laminating | stacking the 1st structure layer 13 on the 2nd structure layer 14 similarly.
The support member 12 thus formed is joined at a portion where the first structural member 13a of the first structural layer 13 and the second structural member 14a of the second structural layer 14 that are adjacent in the vertical direction overlap. That is, the first structural member 13a and the second structural member 14a cannot move relative to each other.

  In the first embodiment, the first structural member 13a and the second structural member 14a are formed with the same width as the unit laminated width and the same thickness as the unit laminated thickness. Furthermore, the case where the interval between the first structural members 13a in the b direction and the interval between the second structural members 14a in the a direction are set as unit stack widths has been described. However, the width and thickness of each of the first structural member 13a and the second structural member 14a are not limited to the unit lamination width and unit lamination thickness. Moreover, although the case where the 1st structural member 13a and the 2nd structural member 14a were comprised with the single bead was demonstrated, it was made to comprise the 1st structural member 13a and the 2nd structural member 14a with a some bead. Also good.

  Furthermore, the interval between the first structural members 13a adjacent in the b direction and the interval between the second structural members 14a adjacent in the a direction are characteristics of the material of the three-dimensional shaped object 10, for example, specific heat, thermal conductivity. Depending on the density, surface tension, and the like, the interval may be set so that the shape of the lattice does not collapse when modeling with the above-described three-dimensional layered modeling apparatus 1.

Moreover, the case where the 1st structural member 13a and the 2nd structural member 14a mentioned above were formed in the column shape of a cross-sectional square was illustrated on account of illustration. However, since the shape of the first structural member 13a and the second structural member 14a is actually a shape when the bead is solidified, it is not limited to a quadrangular cross section.
Furthermore, the number of first structural members 13a in one first structural layer 13 and the number of second structural members 14a in one second structural layer 14 are not limited to the numbers shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively. . The number of the first structural member 13a and the second structural member 14a is adjusted according to, for example, the shape of the overhanging portion 11a. Specifically, with respect to the upwardly projecting curved protruding portion 11a as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the number of the first structural members 13a and the number of the first structural members 13a are higher in the upper layer of the support member 12. The number of the two structural members 14a is gradually reduced.

  Therefore, according to the first embodiment described above, the first structural layer 13 is formed with a plurality of gaps at intervals in the direction intersecting with the extending direction of the first structural member 13a. A plurality of gaps are formed at intervals in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the second structural member 14a. Therefore, the strength of the support member 12 can be reduced as compared with the case where the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the support member 12 is formed constant in the height direction.

  Further, the first structural members 13a are arranged at intervals in the laminated surface of the first structural layer 13, and the second structural members 14a are arranged at intervals in the laminated surface of the second structural layer 14. Therefore, these gaps serve as a refuge when thermal expansion or the like occurs. Furthermore, since the surface area can be increased by forming these gaps, the heat dissipation performance can be improved, and the temperature distribution in the support member 12 can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress thermal stress from acting on the support member 12.

Furthermore, since the first structural layer 13 and the second structural layer 14 are alternately stacked in the vertical direction, when the overhanging portion 11a of the target object 11 is supported from below, the first structural layer 13 and the second structural layer 14 Only the force in the compression direction can be applied to the structural layer 14. That is, the support member 12 can be formed with high rigidity in the vertical direction. On the other hand, when there is an input from a direction including a horizontal component different from the vertical direction, and when a force is applied locally even in the vertical direction, the first structural member 13a and the second structural member 14a. In between, a force acts in the shearing direction or peeling direction. That is, it is possible to reduce the strength and make it brittle with respect to a force other than supporting the overhanging portion 11a.
As a result, the support member 12 can be easily removed after the three-dimensional shaped object 10 is formed. For example, by subjecting the modeled object 10 to fluid polishing, the support member 12 can be removed from the modeled object 10 to obtain the target object 11. Further, for example, the support member 12 can be peeled from the target object 11 by cooling the model 10 and contracting the model 10. The separation of the support member 12 due to cooling occurs because the surface area of the support member 12 is sufficiently larger than the object 11.

<< First Modification of Support Member >>
In 1st Embodiment mentioned above, the case where the supporting member 12 was formed with the sintered layer which baked and solidified metal powder was demonstrated. However, it is not limited to this configuration. For example, when it is desired to further improve the removal performance of the support member 12, the support member 12 may be formed of a bead made of a semi-sintered body (in other words, a pre-sintered bead). Here, the bead made of a semi-sintered body means a bead that is shaped in a state where a part of the metal powder remains without being melted. That is, the bead made of a semi-sintered body includes a portion where the metal powder is melted and solidified and a portion of the unmelted metal powder. In order to form each of the first structural member 13a and the second structural member 14a with the beads made of the semi-sintered body, for example, the light from the irradiator 5 described above is output with an output such that the metal powder has a temperature near the melting point. You may use the method of irradiating a beam for a short time. By doing in this way, the part which exceeds melting | fusing point and the part which does not exceed melting | fusing point can be produced in metal powder, and the bead which consists of a semi-sintered body mentioned above can be modeled easily.

According to the first modified example, the first structural member 13a and the second structural member 14a are easily brittle fractured. Therefore, the support member 12 can be more easily destroyed.
In addition, in the 1st modification, the case where both the 1st structural member 13a and the 2nd structural member 14a were modeled with the bead which consists of a semi-sintered body was demonstrated. However, only one of the first structural member 13a and the second structural member 14a may be shaped by a bead made of a semi-sintered body. Moreover, you may make it model only the 1st structural member 13a of the hierarchy of the one part hierarchy of the up-down direction, and the 2nd structural member 14a with the bead which consists of a semi-sintered body. Thus, the intensity | strength of the support member 12 can be adjusted suitably by changing the place which uses a semi-sintered body.

<< Second Modification of Support Member >>
FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 in the second modification of the support member.
In 1st Embodiment mentioned above, the case where the supporting member 12 was formed so that the 1st structural member 13a and the 2nd structural member 14a which were each formed linearly may be orthogonally seen seeing from upper direction was demonstrated. However, it is not limited to this configuration. The first structural member 13a and the second structural member 14a only need to be formed so as to intersect when viewed from above. For example, as shown in FIG. In other words, a diamond shape) may be formed.

  According to the second modification of the first embodiment, the strength of the support member 12 can be reduced, particularly with respect to the input from the direction in which the shorter diagonal of the rhombus extends (direction b in FIG. 6). it can. Therefore, the removal performance of the support member 12 can be further improved.

  In addition, in 1st Embodiment and each modification which were mentioned above, the case where the 1st structural member 13a and the 2nd structural member 14a were formed with a linear bead was demonstrated. However, the first structural member 13a and the second structural member 14a are not limited to a linear shape. For example, the first structural member 13a and the second structural member 14a may be curved or wavy when viewed from above. Further, the first structural member 13a and the second structural member 14a may be formed in a lattice shape when viewed from above. For example, the first structural member 13a and the second structural member 14a may be linear shapes obtained by appropriately combining straight lines, curved lines, wavy lines and the like when viewed from above. good.

  Furthermore, you may form the support member 12 of the 2nd modification of 1st Embodiment with the bead which consists of a semi-sintered body of the 1st modification of 1st Embodiment.

"Control device"
The control device 6 of the three-dimensional layered modeling apparatus 1 controls the irradiator 5 so as to form the above-described support member 12 below the projecting portion 11a when modeling the model 10.
FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the control device according to the first embodiment.
The control device 6 includes an acquisition unit 61, a specification unit 62, a model generation unit 63, a division unit 64, a selection unit 65, a first instruction generation unit 66, a second instruction generation unit 67, and an output unit 68.

The acquisition unit 61 acquires an object model that is three-dimensional graphic data including an object graphic indicating the shape of the object 11. The object model may be, for example, three-dimensional graphic data created by CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software.
The specifying unit 62 specifies the position of the projecting portion 11a of the object graphic included in the object model.
The model generation unit 63 generates a modeling model by adding a support member figure indicating the shape of the support member 12 in contact with the lower side of the overhanging part 11a to the object figure included in the object model. The modeling model is three-dimensional graphic data used for modeling control of the model 10. In addition, the support member figure which shows the shape of the support member 12 is an example of the support member figure which shows the range which arrange | positions the support member 12. FIG.
That is, the control device 6 according to the first embodiment is an example of a modeling model generation device.

The dividing unit 64 generates a plurality of divided modeling models by dividing the modeling model generated by the model generating unit 63 in the height direction. The width of division by the dividing unit 64 (the height of the divided modeling model) is a length corresponding to the unit stacking width.
The selection unit 65 selects a divided modeling model corresponding to the stacked layer to be formed by the irradiator 5 among the plurality of divided modeling models.
The first instruction generation unit 66 irradiates the portion corresponding to the target figure of the divided modeling model selected by the selection unit 65 in the powder material layer laid on the modeling table 2b with an irradiation instruction. Is generated. For example, the first instruction generation unit 66 divides a portion corresponding to the object graphic of the divided modeling model into a plurality of lattice areas, and determines the order of irradiating the laser light to each lattice area based on a random number, thereby irradiating Generate instructions.
The second instruction generation unit 67 sweeps a plurality of laser beams to a portion corresponding to the support member figure of the divided modeling model selected by the selection unit 65 in the layer of the powder material laid on the modeling table 2b. Generate sweep instructions. For example, the second instruction generation unit 67 applies laser light from one end to the other end of each part corresponding to the graphic corresponding to the first structural member 13a or the graphic corresponding to the second structural member 14a among the support member graphic. Generate a sweep instruction that sweeps. That is, the second instruction generating unit 67 is spaced in a direction (for example, the b direction) that intersects the direction (for example, the a direction) that intersects the direction (for example, the b direction) that intersects the sweep direction (for example, the a direction) of the laser beam to the previous material layer. A sweep instruction for sweeping a plurality of laser beams having a gap is generated.
The output unit 68 outputs the irradiation instruction generated by the first instruction generation unit 66 and the sweep instruction generated by the second instruction generation unit 67 to the irradiator 5.

<Operation of 3D additive manufacturing equipment>
The operation of the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus in the first embodiment.
When making the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus 1 model the model 10, the user inputs an object model to the control device 6. The acquisition unit 61 of the control device 6 acquires an object model from the user (step S1). Next, the specifying unit 62 specifies the position of the overhanging portion 11a of the object graphic included in the object model (step S2). Next, the model generation unit 63 generates a modeling model by adding a support member graphic indicating the shape of the support member 12 in contact with the lower side of the overhanging portion 11a to the object graphic included in the target object model ( Step S3). Next, the dividing unit 64 generates a plurality of divided modeling models by dividing the modeling model generated by the model generating unit 63 in the height direction (step S4).

  Next, the selection unit 65 selects a divided modeling model corresponding to the lowest layer among the plurality of divided modeling models that have not yet been modeled (step S5). The first instruction generating unit 66 generates an irradiation instruction for irradiating the portion corresponding to the object graphic of the divided modeling model selected in step S5 with laser light (step S6). Next, the output unit 68 outputs an irradiation instruction to the irradiator 5 (step S7). The irradiator 5 irradiates the powder material P with laser light in accordance with the irradiation instruction. Thereby, a sintered layer corresponding to the object 11 is formed.

  The second instruction generating unit 67 determines whether or not the support member graphic of the divided modeling model selected in step S5 is a graphic related to the first structure layer 13 (step S8). When the portion corresponding to the support member graphic of the divided modeling model is a graphic related to the first structure layer 13 (step S8: YES), the second instruction generating unit 67 corresponds to the first structural member 13a of the divided modeling model. A sweep instruction for sweeping the laser beam from one end to the other end of the portion is generated (step S9). When the portion corresponding to the support member graphic of the divided modeling model is a graphic related to the second structure layer 14 (step S8: NO), the second instruction generating unit 67 corresponds to the second structural member 14a of the divided modeling model. A sweep instruction for sweeping the laser beam from one end to the other end of the portion is generated (step S10). When the second instruction generating unit 67 generates the sweep instruction, the output unit 68 outputs the sweep instruction to the irradiator 5 (step S11). The irradiator 5 sweeps the laser light a plurality of times in the same direction toward the powder material P according to the sweep instruction. Thereby, a sintered layer corresponding to the support member 12 is formed.

  Next, the selection unit 65 determines whether or not the divided modeling model selected in Step S5 constitutes the uppermost part of the modeling model (Step S12). This is equivalent to the determination as to whether or not laser beams have been applied to the stacked layers corresponding to all of the plurality of divided modeling models.

  When the divided modeling model selected in step S5 does not constitute the uppermost part of the modeling model (step S12: NO), the output unit 68 sends a new powder material on the modeling table 2b to the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus 1. A stacking instruction for forming a layer is output (step S13). When the stacking instruction is output, the bottom surface portion 2a of the modeling unit 2 is lowered by the thickness of the powder material layer. Further, the bottom surface portion 3a of the supply unit 3 increases by the thickness of the powder material layer. Thereby, the powder material P is extruded above the opening surface of the supply part 3. Then, the recoater 4 transfers the powder material P extruded from the supply unit 3 to the modeling unit 2. Thereby, a new powder material layer is formed on the modeling table 2b. When outputting the stacking instruction, the control device 6 returns the process to step S5, and selects the divided modeling model related to the next stacked layer.

  On the other hand, when the division | segmentation modeling model selected at step S5 comprises the uppermost part of a modeling model (step S12: YES), the control apparatus 6 complete | finishes control of the three-dimensional layered modeling apparatus 1. FIG. Thereby, the three-dimensional layered modeling apparatus 1 can model the molded article 10 in which the support member 12 can be easily removed.

Second Embodiment
The three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus of the second embodiment differs from the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment in the operation of the control device 6.
The support member figure included in the modeling model generated by the control device 6 of the first embodiment indicates the shape of the support member 12. On the other hand, the support member figure contained in the modeling model which the control apparatus 6 of 2nd Embodiment produces | generates shows the range which arrange | positions the support member 12. FIG. That is, the supporting member figure of the second embodiment may be a filled three-dimensional figure that does not have a figure corresponding to the first structural member 13a and the second structural member 14a. However, in the modeling model of the second embodiment, identification information for distinguishing between the object graphic and the support member graphic is attached.

<Operation of 3D additive manufacturing equipment>
The operation of the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus in the second embodiment.
When making the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus 1 model the model 10, the user inputs an object model to the control device 6. The acquisition unit 61 of the control device 6 acquires an object model from the user (step S101). Next, the specifying unit 62 specifies the position of the projecting portion 11a of the object graphic included in the object model (step S102). Next, the model generation unit 63 generates a modeling model by adding a support member graphic indicating a range in which the support member 12 is disposed below the projecting portion 11a to the object graphic included in the target object model. (Step S103). Next, the dividing unit 64 generates a plurality of divided modeling models by dividing the modeling model generated by the model generating unit 63 in the height direction (step S104).

  Next, the selection unit 65 selects a divided modeling model corresponding to the lowest positioned layer among the plurality of divided modeling models that have not yet been modeled (step S105). The first instruction generating unit 66 generates an irradiation instruction for irradiating a portion corresponding to the object graphic of the divided modeling model selected in step S105 with laser light (step S106). Next, the output unit 68 outputs an irradiation instruction to the irradiator 5 (step S107). The irradiator 5 irradiates the powder material P with laser light in accordance with the irradiation instruction. Thereby, a sintered layer corresponding to the object 11 is formed.

The second instruction generating unit 67 determines whether or not the sweep direction of the previous sweep instruction to the powder material layer is the a direction (step S108). When the divided modeling model selected in step S105 corresponds to the lowermost part of the modeling model, the second instruction generation unit 67 determines that the sweep direction of the previous sweep instruction to the powder material layer is not the a direction.
When the sweep direction of the previous sweep instruction to the powder material layer is not the a direction (step S108: NO), the second instruction generation unit 67 uses a plurality of laser beams spaced in the direction intersecting the a direction as a A sweep instruction for sweeping in the direction is generated (step S109). A plurality of first structural members 13a are formed by sweeping the laser light in accordance with the sweep instruction.
On the other hand, when the sweep direction of the previous sweep instruction to the powder material layer is the a direction (step S108: YES), the second instruction generation unit 67 has a plurality of laser beams spaced in a direction intersecting the b direction. Is generated in the b direction (step S110). A plurality of second structural members 14a are formed by sweeping the laser light in accordance with the sweep instruction.
When the second instruction generating unit 67 generates the sweep instruction, the output unit 68 outputs the sweep instruction to the irradiator 5 (step S111).

  Next, the selection unit 65 determines whether or not the divided modeling model selected in Step S105 constitutes the uppermost part of the modeling model (Step S112). When the divided modeling model selected in step S105 does not constitute the uppermost part of the modeling model (step S112: NO), the output unit 68 sends a new powder material on the modeling table 2b to the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus 1. A stacking instruction for forming a layer is output (step S113). When outputting the stacking instruction, the control device 6 returns the process to step S105, and selects the divided modeling model related to the next stacked layer.

  On the other hand, when the division | segmentation modeling model selected by step S105 comprises the uppermost part of a modeling model (step S112: YES), the control apparatus 6 complete | finishes control of the three-dimensional layered modeling apparatus 1. FIG. Thereby, the three-dimensional layered modeling apparatus 1 can model the molded article 10 in which the support member 12 can be easily removed, as in the first embodiment.

<Other embodiments>
As described above, the embodiment has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that described above, and various design changes and the like can be made.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the control device 6 performs generation of a modeling model and control of the three-dimensional additive manufacturing device 1, but is not limited to this in other embodiments. For example, the control device 6 according to another embodiment may be one that does not generate a modeling model. In this case, the control apparatus 6 acquires a modeling model from a user or an external apparatus (modeling model production | generation apparatus).

<Computer configuration>
FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of a computer according to at least one embodiment.
The computer 100 includes a CPU 101, a main storage device 102, an auxiliary storage device 103, and an interface 104.
The control device 6 described above is mounted on the computer 100. The operation of each processing unit described above is stored in the auxiliary storage device 103 in the form of a program. The CPU 101 reads out the program from the auxiliary storage device 103, expands it in the main storage device 102, and executes the above processing according to the program.

  Examples of the auxiliary storage device 103 include HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only). Memory), semiconductor memory, and the like. The auxiliary storage device 103 may be an internal medium directly connected to the bus of the computer 100 or may be an external medium connected to the computer 100 via the interface 104 or a communication line. When this program is distributed to the computer 100 via a communication line, the computer 100 that has received the distribution may develop the program in the main storage device 102 and execute the above processing. In at least one embodiment, the auxiliary storage device 103 is a tangible storage medium that is not temporary.

  Further, the program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Further, the program may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that realizes the above-described function in combination with another program already stored in the auxiliary storage device 103.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 3D additive manufacturing apparatus 2 Modeling part 3 Supply part 4 Recoater 5 Irradiator 6 Control apparatus 10 Modeling object 11 Target object 11a Overhang | projection part 12 Support member 13 1st structure layer 13a 1st structure member 14 2nd structure layer 14a 1st 2 structural members 61 acquisition unit 62 identification unit 63 model generation unit 64 division unit 65 selection unit 66 first instruction generation unit 67 second instruction generation unit 68 output unit P powder material

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the support member projects in a horizontal direction provided in the object in the process of forming the object having a three-dimensional shape by laminating materials by the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus. A support member that supports the portion from below, and includes a first structure layer and a second structure layer that are alternately stacked in the vertical direction and form a stacked surface that extends in the horizontal direction, and the first structure layer includes the first structure layer, A plurality of first structural members extending in the same direction within the laminated surface of the first structural layer, wherein the second structural layer extends in the same direction within the laminated surface of the second structural layer, and the first structural member; A plurality of second structural members extending in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the first structural member, and the first structural members are spaced apart in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the first structural member within the laminated surface of the first structural layer. And the second structural member is arranged in the second structure. Are arranged at intervals in a direction intersecting the direction of extension of said second structural member in a stacking plane of the layer. The first structural member and the second structural member have a unit lamination width that can be laminated at one time by the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus based on a unit laminate thickness that can be laminated at a time by the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus. Formed on the basis of.
With this configuration, a plurality of gaps are formed in the first structural layer at intervals in a direction intersecting with the direction in which the first structural member extends, and the second structural layer has the second structural member. A plurality of gaps are formed at intervals in a direction intersecting the extending direction. Therefore, the strength of the support member can be reduced as compared with the case where the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the support member is formed constant in the height direction.
Furthermore, since the first structural members are arranged at intervals in the laminated surface of the first structural layer, and the second structural members are arranged at intervals in the laminated surface of the second structural layer, It becomes a place of escape when thermal expansion occurs. Furthermore, since the surface area can be increased, the heat dissipation performance can be improved and the occurrence of temperature distribution can be suppressed. Therefore, it can suppress that a thermal stress acts.
Furthermore, since the first structure layer and the second structure layer are alternately laminated in the vertical direction, when the overhanging portion of the model is supported from below, the first structure layer and the second structure layer are Thus, only the force in the compression direction can be applied. That is, high rigidity can be achieved in the vertical direction. On the other hand, when there is an input from a direction including a horizontal component different from the vertical direction, or when a force is applied locally even in the vertical direction, the gap between the first structural member and the second structural member. In addition, a force acts in the shearing direction or the peeling direction. That is, the strength can be lowered and weakened with respect to a force other than supporting the overhanging portion.
As a result, the support member can be easily removed after the three-dimensional shaped object is formed.

Further, with this configuration, a dense laminated structure can be formed with a gap in the vertical direction. Therefore, the rigidity can be increased with respect to the force in the vertical direction. Moreover, by comprising in this way, a supporting member can be formed in a precise | minute lattice shape seeing from upper direction. Therefore, when forming an overhang | projection part on a support member, it can suppress that the shape of a support member influences the shape of an overhang | projection part.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the supporting member according to the first aspect is such that the first structural member and the second structural member can be laminated at once by the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus. N times (N is a natural number), or M times the unit laminated width (M is a natural number) that can be laminated at once by the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the control device is a control device for a three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus that forms a three-dimensional object by laminating materials, and is an object graphic indicating the shape of the object. And dividing a modeling model including a support member figure indicating a range in which a support member for supporting a projecting portion, which is a portion projecting in the horizontal direction in the object, from below is arranged in a height direction. Of the division unit that generates the modeling model, the selection unit that sequentially selects the division modeling model from the lower side of the plurality of division modeling models, and the material layer that is laid on the modeling table, A first instruction generation unit that generates an irradiation instruction for irradiating a portion corresponding to the object graphic with a laser beam, and a part corresponding to the support member graphic of the selected divided modeling model among the materials, To the material layer In a first direction that intersects the sweeping direction of the laser light, the at first be swept a plurality of laser beams spaced in a direction crossing the direction, are alternately stacked in the vertical direction, it extends in the horizontal direction, respectively A plurality of layers on the basis of a unit lamination thickness that can be laminated at once by the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus or a unit laminate width that can be laminated at a time by the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus. And a second instruction generation unit that generates a sweep instruction for forming a surface .
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the control device is a control device for a three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus that forms a three-dimensional object by laminating powdery materials, and the shape of the object A modeling model including a target object graphic indicating a range and a support member graphic indicating a range in which a support member for supporting a projecting portion that is a portion projecting in a horizontal direction in the target object from below is disposed. The division unit that generates a plurality of division modeling models, the selection unit that selects the division modeling models in order from the lower side of the plurality of division modeling models, and the material layer laid on the modeling table are selected. Corresponds to the first instruction generation unit that generates an irradiation instruction for irradiating a portion corresponding to the object graphic of the divided modeling model with laser light, and the support member graphic of the selected divided modeling model among the materials Before the part A second instruction generation unit that generates a sweep instruction for sweeping a plurality of laser beams spaced in a direction intersecting the first direction in a first direction intersecting a sweep direction of the laser light to the material layer of And the second instruction generation unit generates the sweep instruction so that the material is a semi-sintered body including an unmelted portion and a portion cured after melting.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the modeling method is a modeling method of a three-dimensional modeled object by laminating materials with a three-dimensional layered modeling apparatus, and shows a target object shape. A plurality of divisions by dividing a modeling model including a figure and a supporting member figure indicating a range in which a supporting member for supporting a protruding part, which is a part protruding in the horizontal direction in the object, from below is arranged in the height direction Generating a modeling model, selecting a division modeling model sequentially from a lower side of the plurality of division modeling models, and the purpose of the selected division modeling model among material layers laid on a modeling table Irradiating a portion corresponding to an object figure with laser light, and, in the material, a portion corresponding to the support member figure of the selected divided modeling model, and a sweep direction of the laser light to the previous material layer, Crossing first Direction, the by sweeping a first direction a plurality of laser beams spaced in a direction crossing the, are alternately stacked in the vertical direction, a laminated surface, each extending horizontally, the three-dimensional laminate molding Forming a plurality of laminated surfaces on the basis of the unit lamination thickness that can be laminated at once by the apparatus or on the basis of the unit lamination width that can be laminated at once by the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus .
According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the modeling method for a model is a method for modeling a three-dimensional model by laminating powdery materials with a three-dimensional layered modeling apparatus, A modeling model including an object graphic indicating a shape and a support member graphic indicating a range in which a support member for supporting a protruding portion that is a portion protruding in the horizontal direction in the target object from below is arranged in a height direction. Generating a plurality of division modeling models, selecting a division modeling model in order from the lower side of the plurality of division modeling models, and the selected division among the material layers laid on the modeling table Irradiating a portion corresponding to the object graphic of the modeling model with laser light, and applying a laser to the previous material layer on the portion of the material corresponding to the supporting member graphic of the selected divided modeling model Light sweep direction A plurality of laser beams spaced apart in a direction intersecting the first direction are swept in a first intersecting direction so as to form a semi-sintered body including an unmelted portion and a portion cured after melting. Including .

Claims (10)

In the process of forming a three-dimensional object by laminating materials with a three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus, a support member that supports a projecting portion that projects in a horizontal direction provided for the object from below,
Comprising a first structure layer and a second structure layer that are alternately stacked in the vertical direction and each form a stacked surface extending in the horizontal direction;
The first structural layer includes a plurality of first structural members extending in the same direction within a stacking surface of the first structural layer,
The second structural layer includes a plurality of second structural members that extend in the same direction within the stacked surface of the second structural layers and extend in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the first structural member,
The first structural member is disposed with a gap in a direction intersecting a direction in which the first structural member extends in a stacking surface of the first structural layer,
The second structural member is a support member that is disposed with a gap in a direction intersecting a direction in which the second structural member extends within a stacked surface of the second structural layer.   2. The support member according to claim 1, wherein the first structural member and the second structural member are formed with the same thickness as a unit laminated thickness that can be laminated at once by the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus.   The support member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first structural member and the second structural member are formed to have the same width as a unit laminated width that can be laminated at once by the three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus.   The support member according to claim 3, wherein an interval between the first structural members adjacent in the same lamination plane and an interval between the second structural members adjacent in the same lamination plane are the same as the unit lamination width.   The support member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first structural member and the second structural member adjacent in the up-down direction are integrally formed.   The said 1st structural member and the said 2nd structural member consist of a semi-sintered body containing the part which the said powdery material has not melt | dissolved, and the part which the said powdery material hardened | cured after fuse | melting. The support member according to claim 1.   The support member according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first structural member and the second structural member are each formed in a linear shape and are disposed so as to be orthogonal to each other when viewed from above. A modeling model generation device that generates a modeling model that is three-dimensional graphic data used for modeling control of a three-dimensional modeled object,
An acquisition unit that acquires an object model that is three-dimensional graphic data including an object graphic indicating the shape of the object;
A specifying unit for specifying a protruding portion that is a portion protruding in the horizontal direction in the object graphic;
The said modeling model is produced | generated by adding the supporting member figure which shows the shape of the supporting member of any one of Claims 1-7 in contact with the downward direction of the said overhang | projection part to the said object figure. A modeling model generation device comprising: a generation unit. A control device of a three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus that laminates materials to form a three-dimensional object,
A modeling model including an object graphic indicating the shape of the object and a support member graphic indicating a range in which a support member for supporting a projecting portion which is a portion projecting in the horizontal direction in the object from below is disposed. A dividing unit that generates a plurality of divided modeling models by dividing in a direction;
A selection unit that selects a division modeling model in order from the lower side of the plurality of division modeling models,
A first instruction generating unit that generates an irradiation instruction for irradiating a portion corresponding to the object graphic of the selected divided modeling model among the material layers laid on the modeling table;
A direction intersecting the first direction in a first direction intersecting a sweep direction of a laser beam to the previous material layer in a portion corresponding to the support member figure of the selected divided modeling model among the materials. And a second instruction generation unit that generates a sweep instruction for sweeping a plurality of laser beams spaced apart from each other. A method for forming a three-dimensional shaped object by laminating materials with a three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus,
A modeling model including an object graphic indicating the shape of the object and a support member graphic indicating a range in which a support member for supporting a projecting portion that is a portion projecting in the horizontal direction in the object from below is disposed. Generating a plurality of divided modeling models by dividing into
Selecting a division modeling model in order from the lower side of the plurality of division modeling models;
Irradiating a portion corresponding to the object figure of the selected divided modeling model among the material layers laid on the modeling table,
A direction intersecting the first direction in a first direction intersecting a sweep direction of a laser beam to the previous material layer in a portion corresponding to the support member figure of the selected divided modeling model among the materials. And sweeping a plurality of laser beams spaced apart from each other.

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