JP2019018382A - Three-dimensional molding apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To mold a three-dimensional molded article which is hard to break.SOLUTION: A three-dimensional molding apparatus 100 comprises: a molding tank 20; a plurality of first nozzles 64 and a plurality of second nozzles 66, arranged in a first direction, which discharge curing liquid; and a control device 90. The control device 90 comprises: a first discharge control unit 94 which discharges curing liquid from the first nozzles 64 to a powder material 5 in a first area 23a inside the molding tank 20, and discharges curing liquid from the second nozzles 66 to the powder material 5 in a second area 23b inside the molding tank 20 while the first nozzles 64 and the second nozzles 66 move in a forward direction D1 relatively to the molding tank 20; and a second discharge control unit 95 which discharges curing liquid from the plurality of first nozzles 64 to the powder material 5 in the second area 23b, and discharges curing liquid from the plurality of second nozzles 66 to the powder material 5 in the first area 23a while the first nozzles 64 and the second nozzles 66 move in a backward direction D2 relatively to the molding tank 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

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

  Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that forms a desired three-dimensional model by discharging a curing liquid such as an adhesive substance to a powder material and curing the powder material is known. ing.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes, for example, a modeling chamber in which a powder material is stored, a material storage chamber in which a powder material supplied to the modeling chamber is stored, and powder from the material storage chamber to the modeling chamber. And a material supply unit for supplying the material. A printing head that discharges an adhesive substance is disposed above the modeling chamber. The printing head discharges an adhesive substance to a portion corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the three-dimensional structure in the powder material accommodated in the modeling chamber. Of the powder material accommodated in the modeling chamber, the portion where the adhesive substance is discharged is cured, and a powder cured layer corresponding to the cross-sectional shape is formed. And a desired three-dimensional structure is modeled by laminating | stacking a powder hardening layer one by one.

JP 2006-137173 A

  By the way, in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, a plurality of nozzles for discharging the curable liquid are formed in the printing head. In these nozzles, ejection failure may occur due to the curing of the curable liquid inside. The curable liquid may be difficult to be discharged from the nozzle in which the discharge failure has occurred. And in the area | region where the hardening liquid was discharged, there existed a possibility that a spot might arise in the discharge amount of a hardening liquid. When unevenness occurs in the discharge amount of the curable liquid, the strength changes for each portion of the three-dimensional modeled object, so that the three-dimensional modeled object may be easily damaged.

  This invention is made | formed in view of this point, The objective is to provide the three-dimensional modeling apparatus which can model the three-dimensional modeling thing which is hard to damage.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the present invention includes a modeling tank, a plurality of first nozzles, a plurality of second nozzles, a moving mechanism, and a control device. The modeling tank has a modeling space in which a powder material is accommodated. The plurality of first nozzles discharge a curable liquid to the powder material accommodated in the modeling space and are arranged in a predetermined first direction. The plurality of second nozzles discharge a curable liquid to the powder material accommodated in the modeling space and are arranged in the first direction. The moving mechanism moves the plurality of first nozzles and the plurality of second nozzles relative to the modeling tank in a predetermined second direction orthogonal to the first direction in plan view. The control device is communicably connected to the moving mechanism. Of the second directions, the direction from one to the other is the going direction, and the second direction from the other to the other is the returning direction. The control device includes a first movement control unit, a first discharge control unit, a second movement control unit, and a second discharge control unit. The first movement control unit controls the movement mechanism so as to move the plurality of first nozzles and the plurality of second nozzles relative to the modeling tank in the direction of travel. While the first discharge control unit moves the plurality of first nozzles and the plurality of second nozzles relative to the modeling tank in the direction of travel by the first movement control unit, Among the powder materials in the modeling space, the powder material in a predetermined first area is caused to discharge a curable liquid from the plurality of first nozzles, and the first area of the powder material in the modeling space is A curable liquid is discharged from the plurality of second nozzles onto the powder material in different predetermined second regions. The second movement control unit controls the movement mechanism to move the plurality of first nozzles and the plurality of second nozzles relative to the modeling tank in the return direction. The second discharge control unit is configured to move the plurality of first nozzles and the plurality of second nozzles relative to the modeling tank in the return direction by the second movement control unit. A curable liquid is discharged from the plurality of first nozzles to the powder material in the second region, and a curable liquid is discharged from the plurality of second nozzles to the powder material in the first region.

  According to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus, the curable liquid is discharged from both the first nozzle and the second nozzle to the powder material in the first region and the powder material in the second region. For example, when a discharge failure occurs in one of the plurality of first nozzles, the portion of the first region where the curable liquid can be discharged from the first nozzle where the discharge failure has occurred is cured. The liquid may not be discharged. However, in the present invention, the curable liquid is discharged from the second nozzle to the portion of the first region where the curable liquid can be discharged from the first nozzle where the discharge failure has occurred. Similarly, for example, when a discharge failure has occurred in one second nozzle among the plurality of second nozzles, the second region where the discharge failure has occurred may be discharged into the portion of the second region where the curable liquid can be discharged. May not discharge the curable liquid. However, the curable liquid is discharged from the first nozzle to the portion of the second region where the curable liquid can be discharged from the second nozzle where the discharge failure has occurred. Therefore, it becomes difficult for spots to occur in the discharge amount of the curable liquid discharged to the first region and the second region. Therefore, it is possible to form a three-dimensional structure that is not easily damaged.

  Another three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the present invention includes a modeling tank, a plurality of first nozzles, a plurality of second nozzles, a plurality of third nozzles, a moving mechanism, and a control device. The modeling tank has a modeling space in which a powder material is accommodated. The plurality of first nozzles discharge a curable liquid to the powder material accommodated in the modeling space and are arranged in a predetermined first direction. The plurality of second nozzles discharge a curable liquid to the powder material accommodated in the modeling space and are arranged in the first direction. The plurality of third nozzles discharge a curable liquid to the powder material accommodated in the modeling space and are arranged in the first direction. The moving mechanism includes a plurality of first nozzles, a plurality of second nozzles, and a plurality of third nozzles in a predetermined second direction orthogonal to the first direction in a plan view with respect to the modeling tank. Move relative. The control device is communicably connected to the moving mechanism. Of the second directions, the direction from one to the other is the going direction, and the second direction from the other to the other is the returning direction. The control device includes a first movement control unit, a first discharge control unit, a second movement control unit, and a second discharge control unit. The first movement control unit is configured to move the modeling tank in the direction of travel relative to the plurality of first nozzles, the plurality of second nozzles, and the plurality of third nozzles. To control. The first discharge control unit is configured to move the modeling tank relative to the direction of travel with respect to the plurality of first nozzles, the plurality of second nozzles, and the plurality of third nozzles by the first movement control unit. During the movement, a curable liquid is discharged from the plurality of first nozzles to the powder material in a predetermined first region of the powder material in the modeling space, and the powder material in the modeling space Among the powder materials in the modeling space, the curing material is discharged from a plurality of the second nozzles to the powder material in a predetermined second region different from the first region. A curable liquid is discharged from the plurality of third nozzles onto the powder material in a predetermined third region that is different and different from the second region. The second movement control unit is configured to move the modeling tank relative to the return direction relative to the plurality of first nozzles, the plurality of second nozzles, and the plurality of third nozzles. To control. The second discharge control unit is configured to move the modeling tank relative to the return direction relative to the plurality of first nozzles, the plurality of second nozzles, and the plurality of third nozzles by the second movement control unit. During the movement, the curable liquid is discharged from one of the second nozzle and the third nozzle to the powder material in the first region, and the powder material in the second region is discharged. In addition, the curable liquid is discharged from one of the first nozzle and the third nozzle, and the powder material in the third region is subjected to any one of the first nozzle and the second nozzle. The curable liquid is discharged from the nozzle.

  According to the other three-dimensional modeling apparatus, the first nozzle, the second nozzle, and the third nozzle are included in the powder material in the first region, the powder material in the second region, and the powder material in the third region. Curing liquid is discharged from two nozzles. For example, when a discharge failure occurs in one of the plurality of first nozzles, the portion of the first region where the curable liquid can be discharged from the first nozzle where the discharge failure has occurred is cured. The liquid may not be discharged. However, in the present invention, the curable liquid is discharged from any one of the second nozzle and the third nozzle to the portion of the first region where the curable liquid can be discharged from the first nozzle where the discharge failure has occurred. . Similarly, for example, when a discharge failure has occurred in one second nozzle among the plurality of second nozzles, the second region where the discharge failure has occurred may be discharged into the portion of the second region where the curable liquid can be discharged. The curable liquid is discharged from any one of the first nozzle and the third nozzle. For example, when a discharge failure has occurred in one third nozzle among the plurality of third nozzles, the third region where the curable liquid can be discharged from the third nozzle in which the discharge failure has occurred The curable liquid is discharged from either the first nozzle or the second nozzle. Therefore, it becomes difficult to produce spots in the discharge amount of the curable liquid. Therefore, it is possible to form a three-dimensional structure that is not easily damaged.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to form a three-dimensional structure that is difficult to break even when a discharge failure occurs in the nozzle.

It is a top view of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus concerning a 1st embodiment. It is front sectional drawing of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus in the II-II cross section of FIG. It is front sectional drawing of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, and is a figure which shows the state in which the modeling tank is located below the powder supply part. It is a bottom view of the 1st modeling head and the 2nd modeling head, and is a figure showing the relation between the length of each order of the 1st nozzle row and the 2nd nozzle row, and the length of the order direction of modeling space. It is front sectional drawing of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, and is a figure which shows the state in which the modeling tank is located below the 1st heating mechanism. It is a block diagram of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus. It is a top view of a modeling tank, and is a mimetic diagram showing a modeling field, the 1st field, and the 2nd field. It is the flowchart which showed the control procedure of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus when modeling one powder hardening layer of a three-dimensional structure. It is a top view of the 1st modeling head in the 2nd embodiment, the 2nd modeling head, the 3rd modeling head, and a modeling tank, and is a mimetic diagram showing the 1st field, the 2nd field, and the 3rd field. It is a perspective sectional view of the three-dimensional modeling device concerning a 3rd embodiment. It is a bottom view of the 1st modeling head and the 2nd modeling head concerning a 3rd embodiment, and shows the relation between the length of each horizontal direction of the 1st nozzle row and the 2nd nozzle row, and the length of the horizontal direction of modeling space. FIG. It is a block diagram of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a top view of the modeling tank concerning a 3rd embodiment, and is a mimetic diagram showing a modeling field, the 1st field, and the 2nd field. In 3rd Embodiment, it is the flowchart which showed the control procedure of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus when modeling a part of one powder hardening layer of a three-dimensional structure.

  Hereinafter, a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described here are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, members / parts having the same action are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are omitted or simplified as appropriate.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 in the II-II section in FIG. 1. Reference sign F in the drawing indicates the front, and reference sign Rr indicates the rear. In the present embodiment, the left, right, top, and bottom when viewing the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 from the direction of symbol F are the left, right, top, and bottom of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100, respectively. Here, symbols L, R, U, and D in the drawings mean left, right, top, and bottom, respectively. In the present embodiment, the front-rear direction corresponds to the “first direction” of the present invention, and the left-right direction corresponds to the “second direction” of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the left side of the 3D modeling apparatus 100 is referred to as an upstream side, and the right side of the 3D modeling apparatus 100 is referred to as a downstream side. In the present embodiment, the direction from the upstream side to the downstream side is defined as the going direction D1, and the direction from the downstream side toward the upstream side is defined as the return direction D2. However, these directions are only directions determined for convenience of description, and do not limit the installation mode of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 and do not limit the present invention at all.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the 3D modeling apparatus 100 is an apparatus that models a desired 3D model 3. Here, the 3D modeling apparatus 100 is an apparatus that models the 3D model 3 that is not colored. However, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 may be an apparatus that models a colored three-dimensional modeled object, for example, a full-color three-dimensional modeled object. In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, based on the cross-sectional image showing the cross-sectional shape of the desired three-dimensional model 3, the curable liquid is discharged to the powder material 5 to cure the powder material 5, and the cross-sectional image To form a powder hardened layer. And the desired three-dimensional structure 3 is modeled by laminating | stacking a powder hardening layer one by one.

  Here, the “cross-sectional shape” is a predetermined thickness (for example, 0.1 mm) in a predetermined direction (for example, the horizontal direction) of the three-dimensional structure 3 to be modeled. The predetermined thickness is not necessarily limited to a constant thickness. ) Is a cross-sectional shape when sliced. Examples of the “powder material” include gypsum, ceramics, metal, plastic, and the like. The “curing liquid” is not particularly limited as long as it is a material capable of fixing the powder materials 5 to each other. For example, the curable liquid is a binder. Examples of the binder include a liquid mainly composed of water such as an aqueous pigment ink.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 includes a main body 10, a modeling tank 20, a modeling table 24, an elevating mechanism 28, an excess powder storage tank 30, and a powder supply unit 40. The laying roller 50, the first modeling head 61, the second modeling head 62, the first heating mechanism 70a, the second heating mechanism 70b, the moving mechanism 80, and the control device 90 (see FIG. 6). I have.

  The shape of the main body 10 is a quadrangular prism shape. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the main body 10 has a bottom wall 11, a front wall 12, a rear wall 13, a left wall 14, and a right wall 15. The front wall 12 extends upward from the front end of the bottom wall 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the rear wall 13 extends upward from the rear end of the bottom wall 11. The rear wall 13 is disposed so as to face the front wall 12 in the front-rear direction. The left wall 14 extends upward from the left end of the bottom wall 11. The right wall 15 extends upward from the right end of the bottom wall 11. The right wall 15 is disposed so as to face the left wall 14 in the left-right direction. Here, the bottom wall 11, the front wall 12, the rear wall 13, the left wall 14, and the right wall 15 are integrally formed. In the present embodiment, the space surrounded by the bottom wall 11, the front wall 12, the rear wall 13, the left wall 14, and the right wall 15 is a modeling movement space 16.

  The modeling tank 20 is a tank to which the powder material 5 is supplied. A three-dimensional structure 3 is formed inside the forming tank 20. In the present embodiment, the modeling tank 20 is disposed in the modeling movement space 16 of the main body 10. Here, the modeling tank 20 has a modeling space 21 and a support space 22 inside. In the modeling space 21, the powder material 5 is supplied, and the three-dimensional model 3 is modeled. The shape of the modeling space 21 is, for example, a quadrangular prism shape. The support space 22 extends in the vertical direction below the modeling space 21 and is continuous with the modeling space 21.

  The modeling table 24 is disposed in the modeling space 21 of the modeling tank 20. The modeling table 24 is slidable in the vertical direction with respect to the modeling space 21. On the modeling table 24, the powder material 5 is supplied. The powder material 5 is placed on the modeling table 24. On the modeling table 24, the three-dimensional structure 3 is modeled. The three-dimensional structure 3 is placed on the modeling table 24. Here, the shape of the modeling table 24 is a shape corresponding to the modeling space 21 of the modeling tank 20. For example, the shape of the modeling table 24 is rectangular in plan view. In the present embodiment, a table support member 25 extending in the vertical direction is provided on the bottom surface of the modeling table 24. Here, the table support member 25 is disposed in the support space 22 of the modeling tank 20 and is slidable in the vertical direction with respect to the support space 22.

  The lifting mechanism 28 is a mechanism that moves the modeling table 24 in the vertical direction, that is, a mechanism that moves the modeling table 24 up and down. In the present embodiment, the lifting mechanism 28 includes a servo motor and a ball screw (not shown). For example, the servo motor is connected to the table support member 25 and is connected to the modeling table 24 via the table support member 25. When the servo motor is driven, the table support member 25 moves in the vertical direction in the support space 22. As the table support member 25 moves in the vertical direction, the modeling table 24 moves in the vertical direction.

  The surplus powder storage tank 30 is a tank in which the powder material 5 that could not be stored in the modeling tank 20 when the powder material 5 supplied to the modeling tank 20 was spread on the modeling tank 20 by the laying roller 50 is stored. It is. The surplus powder storage tank 30 stores the powder material 5 removed by the laying roller 50. In the present embodiment, the surplus powder container 30 has a surplus space 31 in which the powder material 5 removed by the laying roller 50 is accommodated. The surplus powder storage tank 30 is disposed in the modeling movement space 16 of the main body 10. In the present embodiment, the surplus powder storage tank 30 is provided on the upstream side (here, the left side) of the modeling tank 20. Here, the modeling tank 20 and the surplus powder storage tank 30 are integrally formed. However, the modeling tank 20 and the surplus powder storage tank 30 may be formed separately.

  The powder supply unit 40 supplies the powder material 5 into the modeling tank 20. In the present embodiment, the powder supply unit 40 is disposed above the modeling movement space 16. In the present embodiment, the powder supply unit 40 includes a supply container 42 and a supply mechanism 44. The supply container 42 accommodates the powder material 5. The supply container 42 is disposed above the modeling movement space 16. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, two supply support members 45 extending upward are provided on the upper surface of the main body 10. The two supply support members 45 are arranged so as to face each other with the modeling movement space 16 in plan view. Here, a erection member 47 is bridged between the two supply support members 45. The supply container 42 is provided on the erection member 47. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper part of the supply container 42 is opened. The supply container 42 is tapered from the upper part toward the lower part. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a rectangular supply port 46 is formed on the bottom surface of the supply container 42. As shown in FIG. 2, the supply port 46 is located above the modeling movement space 16. The powder material 5 is supplied onto the modeling table 24 in the modeling tank 20 through the supply port 46.

  The supply mechanism 44 is a mechanism that supplies the powder material 5 in the supply container 42 to the modeling tank 20. In the present embodiment, the supply mechanism 44 includes a rotary valve 48 and a first drive motor 49. The rotary valve 48 is disposed inside the supply container 42. Here, the rotary valve 48 is arranged in the supply container 42 in a state of being buried in the powder material 5 in the supply container 42. The first drive motor 49 rotates the rotary valve 48 and is connected to the rotary valve 48. FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 and shows a state where the modeling tank 20 is positioned below the powder supply unit 40. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, when the modeling tank 20 is positioned below the supply port 46 of the supply container 42, the rotary valve 48 is rotated by driving the first drive motor 49. As the rotary valve 48 rotates, the powder material 5 is stirred in the supply container 42, and a part of the powder material 5 is supplied to the modeling space 21 of the modeling tank 20 through the supply port 46.

  The filling roller 50 spreads the powder material 5 supplied to the modeling tank 20 in the modeling space 21, and removes excess powder material 5 from the powder material 5 supplied to the modeling tank 20. The laying roller 50 smoothes the upper surface formed by the powder material 5 in the modeling tank 20. In the present embodiment, the laying roller 50 is disposed above the modeling movement space 16 of the main body 10. The laying roller 50 is arranged on the downstream side (here, the right side) of the supply port 46 of the supply container 42. When the modeling tank 20 is located below the laying roller 50, the laying roller 50 is disposed at a height at which a part of the powder material 5 in the modeling tub 20 can contact. Here, the laying roller 50 is disposed below the supply port 46 of the supply container 42. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, two support members 54 are provided at a position downstream of the supply port 46 on the upper surface of the main body 10. The two support members 54 are arranged so as to face each other with the modeling movement space 16 in between. The laying roller 50 is rotatably supported by the support member 54. As shown in FIG. 2, the laying roller 50 has a rotating shaft 52 extending in the front-rear direction. The laying roller 50 rotates around the rotation shaft 52.

  FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the first modeling head 61 and the second modeling head 62. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the lengths L1 and L2 in the front-rear direction of the first nozzle row 65 and the second nozzle row 67 and the length L3 in the front-rear direction of the modeling space 21. As shown in FIG. 4, the first modeling head 61 and the second modeling head 62 discharge the curable liquid onto the powder material 5. In the present embodiment, the first modeling head 61 and the second modeling head 62 are so-called line heads. Here, the “line head” means that when the first modeling head 61 and the second modeling head 62 move once in a predetermined direction relative to the modeling tank 20, the curing liquid is discharged. It refers to a head on which one powder hardened layer is formed.

  The first modeling head 61 and the second modeling head 62 discharge the curable liquid to the powder material 5 in the modeling space 21 of the modeling tank 20. Here, the 1st modeling head 61 and the 2nd modeling head 62 discharge a hardening liquid to the area | region corresponding to the cross-sectional shape along a cross-sectional image among the powder materials 5 accommodated in the modeling tank 20. FIG. In the present embodiment, a first nozzle 64 that is a plurality of nozzles arranged in the front-rear direction is formed on the bottom surface of the first modeling head 61. Curing liquid is discharged from the plurality of first nozzles 64. Here, the row of the plurality of first nozzles 64 is referred to as a first nozzle row 65. The plurality of first nozzles 64 belonging to the first nozzle row 65 may be arranged in a straight line or may be arranged in a staggered manner. A second nozzle 66 that is a plurality of nozzles arranged in the front-rear direction is formed on the bottom surface of the second modeling head 62. Here, the row of the plurality of second nozzles 66 is referred to as a second nozzle row 67. In addition, the several 2nd nozzle 66 which belongs to the 2nd nozzle row 67 may be arrange | positioned at linear form, and may be arrange | positioned at zigzag form. In the present embodiment, the number of first nozzles 64 and the number of second nozzles 66 are the same. The position in the front-rear direction of the first nozzle 64 in the first nozzle row 65 from the front (n = 1 to the number of first nozzles 64) is the nth second nozzle from the front in the second nozzle row 67. 66 is the same as the position in the front-rear direction.

  In the present embodiment, the first modeling head 61 and the second modeling head 62 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The first modeling head 61 is disposed on the upstream side of the second modeling head 62. However, the first modeling head 61 may be disposed on the downstream side of the second modeling head 62. As shown in FIG. 2, the first modeling head 61 and the second modeling head 62 are arranged above the modeling movement space 16 of the main body 10. The first modeling head 61 and the second modeling head 62 are disposed downstream of the supply port 46 of the supply container 42 and downstream of the laying roller 50. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a head erection member 58 is stretched over a portion of the two support members 54 that is downstream of the portion that supports the laying roller 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the head erection member 58 is disposed above the modeling movement space 16. A head case 59 is fixed to the central portion of the head erection member 58. As shown in FIG. 4, the first modeling head 61 and the second modeling head 62 are accommodated in a head case 59 so that the first nozzle 64 and the second nozzle 66 are exposed downward, respectively.

  As described above, the first nozzle row 65 and the second nozzle row 67 are rows extending in the front-rear direction. Here, the length L1 in the front-rear direction of the first nozzle row 65 and the length L2 in the front-rear direction of the second nozzle row 67 are the same. The length L1 of the first nozzle row 65 and the length L2 of the second nozzle row 67 are not more than the length L3 in the front-rear direction of the modeling space 21 of the modeling tank 20. Here, the length L1 of the first nozzle row 65 and the length L2 of the second nozzle row 67 are longer than the length in the front-rear direction of the three-dimensional structure 3 to be shaped in plan view. The length L1 of the first nozzle row 65 and the length L2 of the second nozzle row 67 are not more than the length L4 in the front-rear direction of the surplus space 31 of the surplus powder storage tank 30. Here, although illustration is omitted, the length L1 of the first nozzle row 65 and the length L2 of the second nozzle row 67 are equal to or longer than the length in the front-rear direction of the supply port 46 (see FIG. 1). It is below the length of the roller 50 (refer FIG. 1) in the front-back direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first heating mechanism 70 a and the second heating mechanism 70 b are mechanisms for drying the powder material 5 to which the curable liquid is applied, out of the powder material 5 in the modeling space 21. The first heating mechanism 70 a and the second heating mechanism 70 b are disposed above the modeling movement space 16 of the main body 10. In the present embodiment, the first heating mechanism 70 a is provided on the downstream side of the powder supply unit 40, the laying roller 50, the first modeling head 61, and the second modeling head 62. The second heating mechanism 70 b is provided on the upstream side of the supply port 46 of the powder supply unit 40, the laying roller 50, the first modeling head 61, and the second modeling head 62. In FIG. 1, the second heating mechanism 70b is indicated by a broken line. The first heating mechanism 70a and the second heating mechanism 70b can be omitted. Here, the first heating mechanism 70a and the second heating mechanism 70b have the same configuration. Therefore, the first heating mechanism 70a will be described, and the description of the second heating mechanism 70b will be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the first heating mechanism 70 a includes a cover 72 and a microwave irradiation mechanism 74. FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 and shows a state where the modeling tank 20 is positioned below the first heating mechanism 70a. As shown in FIG. 5, the cover 72 covers the modeling tank 20 when the modeling tank 20 is positioned below the first heating mechanism 70 a. The cover 72 plays a role of shielding microwaves. Further, the cover 72 plays a role of preventing diffusion of high-temperature water vapor generated when the powder material 5 to which the curable liquid is applied is dried. The microwave irradiation mechanism 74 is a mechanism that generates microwaves in the cover 72. The microwave irradiation mechanism 74 causes the powder material 5 in the modeling space 21 to be irradiated with microwaves when the modeling tank 20 is located below the first heating mechanism 70a. The microwave irradiation mechanism 74 is disposed inside the cover 72.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, in the plan view, the modeling tank 20, the modeling table 24 (see FIG. 2), the surplus powder storage tank 30, the supply port 46 of the powder supply unit 40, the laying roller 50, and the head The case 59 (specifically, the first modeling head 61 and the second modeling head 62), the first heating mechanism 70a, and the second heating mechanism 70b are arranged on a predetermined straight line L10 extending in the left-right direction. This straight line L10 is a line arranged on the modeling movement space 16 of the main body 10 in plan view.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the moving mechanism 80 has a modeling tank for the powder supply unit 40, the laying roller 50, the first modeling head 61, the second modeling head 62, the first heating mechanism 70 a, and the second heating mechanism 70 b. 20 is a mechanism that relatively moves 20 in the left-right direction, that is, the going direction D1 and the returning direction D2. In the present embodiment, the moving mechanism 80 moves the modeling tank 20 in the left-right direction in the modeling moving space 16, so that the powder supply unit 40, the laying roller 50, the first modeling head 61, the second modeling head 62, The modeling tank 20 is moved relative to the first heating mechanism 70a and the second heating mechanism 70b. Here, the moving mechanism 80 moves the surplus powder storage tank 30 together with the modeling tank 20 in the left-right direction. The specific configuration of the moving mechanism 80 is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, the moving mechanism 80 includes a guide rail 82 and a second drive motor 84.

  The guide rail 82 guides the movement in the left-right direction in the modeling tank 20 and the surplus powder storage tank 30. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, two guide rails 82 are provided on the bottom wall 11 of the main body 10. However, the installation position and number of the guide rails 82 are not particularly limited. As shown in FIG. 2, the guide rail 82 extends in the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, the modeling tank 20 and the excess powder storage tank 30 are slidably provided on the guide rail 82. Therefore, the modeling tank 20 and the surplus powder storage tank 30 are movable along the guide rail 82 in the going direction D1 and the returning direction D2. The second drive motor 84 is electrically connected to the modeling tank 20 via the surplus powder storage tank 30. When the second drive motor 84 is driven, the modeling tank 20 and the excess powder storage tank 30 both move in the going direction D1 and the return direction D2.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 6, the control device 90 controls the modeling of the three-dimensional structure 3 in the modeling tank 20. The configuration of the control device 90 is not particularly limited. The control device 90 is constituted by a microcomputer, for example. The control device 90 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a ROM storing a program executed by the CPU, a RAM, and the like. Here, the control apparatus 90 performs control regarding modeling using the program preserve | saved in the microcomputer. In the present embodiment, the control device 90 is provided inside the main body 10.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 90 includes the lifting mechanism 28, the first drive motor 49 of the supply mechanism 44 of the powder supply unit 40, the first modeling head 61, the second modeling head 62, and the microwave irradiation of the heating mechanisms 70a and 70b. The mechanism 74 and the second drive motor 84 of the moving mechanism 80 are communicably connected. The control device 90 controls the lifting mechanism 28, the first drive motor 49, the first modeling head 61, the second modeling head 62, the microwave irradiation mechanism 74 of the heating mechanisms 70a and 70b, and the second drive motor 84. Here, the control device 90 controls the vertical movement of the modeling table 24 in the modeling tank 20 by controlling the lifting mechanism 28. The control device 90 controls the drive of the first drive motor 49 to control the rotation of the rotary valve 48, thereby controlling the supply amount of the powder material 5 in the supply container 42 (see FIG. 2) to the modeling tank 20. Control. The control device 90 controls the timing of discharging the curable liquid and the discharge amount of the curable liquid in the first modeling head 61 and the second modeling head 62. The control device 90 controls the microwave irradiation mechanism 74 of the heating mechanisms 70a and 70b, thereby controlling the timing and intensity of microwave irradiation. Moreover, the control apparatus 90 controls the movement to the going direction D1 and the return direction D2 of the modeling tank 20 and the excess powder storage tank 30 by controlling the drive of the 2nd drive motor 84. FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 90 includes a storage unit 91, a first movement control unit 92, a second movement control unit 93, a first discharge control unit 94, a second discharge control unit 95, and a lift control unit. 97, a supply control unit 98, and a heating control unit 99. Each unit of the control device 90 is realized by a program. This program may be read from a recording medium such as a CD or a DVD. This program may be downloaded through the Internet. These units may be realized by a processor, a circuit, and the like. A specific description of each part will be described later.

  The configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to this embodiment has been described above. By the way, as shown in FIG. 4, in the 1st nozzle 64 of the 1st modeling head 61, and the 2nd nozzle 66 of the 2nd modeling head 62, a hardening liquid hardens | cures inside etc., and discharge failure arises. There can be. There is a possibility that the curable liquid is not discharged from the first nozzle 64 and the second nozzle 66 in which the discharge failure has occurred, or a desired amount of the curable liquid cannot be discharged. As a result, in the region where the curable liquid is discharged to the powder material 5 in the modeling space 21 of the modeling tank 20, there is a possibility that unevenness is generated in the discharge amount of the curable liquid. And, when unevenness occurs in the discharge amount of the curable liquid, the strength of each part of the molded powder hardened layer changes, so that the three-dimensional model 3 that is modeled is compared with the three-dimensional model that has a constant strength. Sometimes it was easily damaged. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even if any one of the first nozzle 64 and the second nozzle 66 has a discharge failure, the formed three-dimensional structure 3 is hardly damaged.

  Therefore, the applicant of the present application, for example, when a discharge failure occurs in one of the plurality of first nozzles 64, the first nozzle 64 in which the discharge failure has occurred is positioned at a position in the modeling space 21 where the curable liquid can be discharged. It was found that the curable liquid is discharged from the second nozzle 66. As a result, it is possible to prevent the curable liquid from being discharged to the position where the curable liquid is to be discharged in the modeling space 21 due to the discharge failure.

  So, in this embodiment, when the modeling tank 20 is moving in the going direction D1 (see FIG. 2), the curing liquid is discharged, and the modeling tank 20 is moved in the returning direction D2 (see FIG. 2). During this time, the curable liquid is discharged. Then, when the modeling tank 20 is moving in the going direction D1, the modeling tank 20 is moved in the return direction D2 with respect to the area where the curable liquid is discharged from the first nozzle 64 of the first modeling head 61. During this time, the curable liquid is discharged from the second nozzle 66 of the second modeling head 62. On the other hand, when the modeling tank 20 is moving in the return direction D1, the first time when the modeling tank 20 is moving in the return direction D2 with respect to the region where the curable liquid is discharged from the second nozzle 66. A curable liquid is discharged from the nozzle 64.

  FIG. 7 is a plan view of the modeling tank 20, and is a schematic diagram showing the modeling area 23, the first area 23a, and the second area 23b. As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, a region in the modeling space 21 where the curable liquid can be discharged is referred to as a modeling region 23. For example, the modeling area 23 may be an area corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the three-dimensional structure 3. Here, in the modeling region 23, when the modeling tank 20 is moving in the going direction D1, a region where the curable liquid is discharged from the first nozzle 64 is referred to as a first region 23a. When the modeling tank 20 moves in the return direction D <b> 2 to the first region 23 a, the curable liquid is discharged from the second nozzle 66. On the other hand, in the modeling area 23, the area where the curable liquid is discharged from the second nozzle 66 when the modeling tank 20 moves in the going direction D1 is referred to as a second area 23b. When the modeling tank 20 is moving in the return direction D <b> 2, the curable liquid is discharged from the first nozzle 64 to the second region 23 b.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of first areas 23 a and a plurality of second areas 23 b are set in the modeling area 23. The first region 23a and the second region 23b are regions that extend in the direction in which the first nozzle row 65 and the second nozzle row 67 extend, that is, regions that extend in the front-rear direction. The length L11 in the front-rear direction of the first region 23a is longer than the length L12 in the left-right direction of the first region 23a. The length L21 in the front-rear direction of the second region 23b is longer than the length L22 in the left-right direction of the second region 23b. In the present embodiment, the size of one first region 23a and the size of one second region 23b are the same. The area S11 of one first region 23a is the same as the area S21 of one second region 23b. However, the area S11 of the first region 23a and the area S21 of the second region 23b may be different.

  In the present embodiment, the first region 23a and the second region 23b are set so as to be alternately arranged in the left-right direction. Here, the length L11 in the front-rear direction of the first region 23a is the same as the length L21 in the front-rear direction of the second region 23b. The length L12 in the left-right direction of the first region 23a is the same as the length L22 in the left-right direction of the second region 23b. In addition, the length L11 in the front-rear direction between the first regions 23a may be different. The length L12 in the left-right direction between the first regions 23a may be different. The length L21 in the front-rear direction between the second regions 23b may be different. The length L22 in the left-right direction between the second regions 23b may be different. The length L11 in the front-rear direction of the first region 23a and the length L21 in the front-rear direction of the second region 23b may be different. The length L12 in the left-right direction of the first region 23a and the length L22 in the left-right direction of the second region 23b may be different.

  In the present embodiment, the length L11 in the front-rear direction of the first region 23a is the same as the length L1 in the front-rear direction of the first nozzle row 65, and is the same as the length L2 in the front-rear direction of the second nozzle row 67. is there. The length L21 of the second region 23b in the front-rear direction is the same as the length L1 of the first nozzle row 65 in the front-rear direction, and is the same as the length L2 of the second nozzle row 67 in the front-rear direction. However, the length L11 in the front-rear direction of the first region 23a may be equal to or shorter than the length L1 in the front-rear direction of the first nozzle row 65, or may be equal to or shorter than the length L2 in the front-rear direction of the second nozzle row 67. May be. The length L21 in the front-rear direction of the second region 23b may be equal to or shorter than the length L1 in the front-rear direction of the first nozzle row 65, or may be equal to or shorter than the length L2 in the front-rear direction of the second nozzle row 67. Good.

  Note that the positional relationship between the first region 23a and the second region 23b in the modeling region 23 is not particularly limited. For example, the first region 23a and the second region 23b are regions extending in the left-right direction, and may be set to be alternately arranged in the front-rear direction. For example, the modeling region 23 is divided into a lattice shape, and a first region 23a is set in some of the plurality of regions divided in the lattice shape, and a second region 23b is set in the remaining regions. May be. Further, one of the first region 23a and the second region 23b may be omitted. For example, the modeling area | region 23 may be comprised only by the 1st area | region 23a. In this case, when the modeling tank 20 moves in the going direction D1, the curable liquid is discharged from the first nozzle 64 to the modeling region 23, and the curable liquid is not discharged from the second nozzle 66. When the modeling tank 20 moves in the return direction D2, the curable liquid is discharged from the second nozzle 66 to the modeling region 23, and the curable liquid is not discharged from the first nozzle 64.

  Next, the operation of the 3D modeling apparatus 100 when modeling the 3D model 3 will be described. Here, operation | movement of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 at the time of modeling one powder hardened layer among the three-dimensional molded objects 3 is demonstrated along the flowchart of FIG. In the modeling area 23 described here, it is assumed that the first area 23a and the second area 23b are set at positions as shown in FIG. The storage unit 91 stores a cross-sectional image obtained by slicing a plurality of layers in which the three-dimensional structure 3 to be formed is continuous in a predetermined direction (for example, the horizontal direction). The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 models a powder hardened layer based on the cross-sectional image stored in the storage unit 91.

  In the following description, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the position of the modeling tank 20 when the modeling tank 20 is disposed at the left end portion of the modeling movement space 16 is referred to as a first position P1. As shown in FIG. 5, the position of the modeling tank 20 when the modeling tank 20 is disposed at the right end portion of the modeling movement space 16 is referred to as a second position P2. In this embodiment, when modeling of one powder hardening layer is started, as shown in FIG. 2, the modeling tank 20 is located in the 1st position P1.

  First, in step S101 of FIG. 8, the lifting control unit 97 controls the lifting mechanism 28 so as to lower the modeling table 24 by the thickness of the powder cured layer to be modeled. Thus, a space having a height corresponding to the thickness of the powder cured layer is formed above the modeling table 24.

  Next, in step S103 of FIG. 8, the first movement control unit 92 controls the moving mechanism 80 so that the modeling tank 20 moves from the upstream side to the downstream side, that is, moves in the direction of travel D1. In other words, the first movement control unit 92 moves the modeling tank 20 from the first position P1 to the second position P2. In this embodiment, the 1st movement control part 92 moves the surplus powder storage tank 30 with the modeling tank 20 to the going direction D1. Here, the process of step S105 and step S107 of FIG. 8 is performed by the first movement control unit 92 while the modeling tank 20 is moving in the going direction D1.

  In step S <b> 105, the supply control unit 98 controls the driving of the first drive motor 49 of the supply mechanism 44 so as to supply the powder material 5 from the supply port 46 of the powder supply unit 40 to the modeling tank 20. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, when the modeling tank 20 passes below the supply port 46, the supply control unit 98 drives the first drive motor 49 to rotate the rotary valve 48 to supply The powder material 5 in the container 42 is supplied from the supply port 46 to the modeling space 21 of the modeling tank 20. Thereafter, the powder material 5 is spread in the space above the modeling table 24 in the modeling space 21 by the laying roller 50 while the modeling tank 20 moves downstream. At this time, the spreading roller 50 spreads the powder material 5 while rotating. The powder material 5 removed from the space above the modeling table 24 by the spreading roller 50 is accommodated in the surplus powder accommodating tank 30 while being pushed by the spreading roller 50.

  Next, in step S <b> 107 of FIG. 8, the first ejection control unit 94 ejects the curable liquid from the first modeling head 61 and the second modeling head 62. In the present embodiment, after the powder material 5 is spread by the spread roller 50, the first discharge control unit 94 uses the first modeling head 61 and the second modeling head based on the cross-sectional image stored in the storage unit 91. The curable liquid is discharged from 62. Here, when the first area 23 a of the modeling area 23 passes below the first modeling head 61, the first discharge control unit 94 uses the first nozzle 64 of the first modeling head 61 to powder the first area 23 a. A curable liquid is discharged onto the material 5. Then, when the second region 23b of the modeling region 23 passes below the second modeling head 62, the first discharge control unit 94 causes the powder material of the second region 23b from the second nozzle 66 of the second modeling head 62. 5 to discharge the curable liquid. As described above, after the curable liquid is discharged from the first modeling head 61 and the second modeling head 62 to the powder material 5 in the modeling region 23 by the first discharge control unit 94, as illustrated in FIG. Moves to the second position P2. At this time, the modeling tank 20 is disposed below the cover 72 of the first heating mechanism 70a.

  In a state where the modeling tank 20 is disposed below the cover 72, in step S109 of FIG. The microwave irradiation mechanism 74 is controlled. The heating control unit 99 controls the microwave irradiation mechanism 74 in order to cure the portion where the curable liquid of the powder material 5 in the modeling space 21 is discharged.

  Next, in step S111 of FIG. 8, the second movement control unit 93 controls the moving mechanism 80 so that the modeling tank 20 moves from the downstream side to the upstream side, that is, moves in the return direction D2. The second movement control unit 93 moves the modeling tank 20 from the second position P2 to the first position P1. In this embodiment, the process of step S113 in FIG. 8 is performed by the second movement control unit 93 while the modeling tank 20 is moving in the return direction D2.

  In step S <b> 113, the second ejection control unit 95 ejects the curable liquid from the first modeling head 61 and the second modeling head 62. In the present embodiment, the second ejection control unit 95 ejects the curable liquid from the first modeling head 61 and the second modeling head 62 based on the cross-sectional image referred to in the first ejection control unit 94. Here, when the second area 23b of the modeling area 23 passes below the first modeling head 61, the second discharge control unit 95 uses the powder from the first nozzle 64 of the first modeling head 61 to the powder in the second area 23b. A curable liquid is discharged onto the material 5. In the second region 23b, the curable liquid is discharged from the first nozzle 64 to the position of the curable liquid discharged from the second nozzle 66. Then, when the first region 23 a of the modeling region 23 passes below the second modeling head 62, the second discharge control unit 95 performs the powder material of the first region 23 a from the second nozzle 66 of the second modeling head 62. 5 to discharge the curable liquid. In the first region 23a, the curable liquid is discharged from the second nozzle 66 to the position of the curable liquid discharged from the first nozzle 64. As described above, after the curable liquid is discharged from the first modeling head 61 and the second modeling head 62 to the powder material 5 in the modeling region 23 by the second ejection control unit 95, as illustrated in FIG. Moves to the first position P1. At this time, the modeling tank 20 is disposed below the cover 72 of the second heating mechanism 70b.

  In a state where the modeling tank 20 is disposed below the cover 72 of the second heating mechanism 70b, the heating control unit 99 applies the powder material 5 accommodated in the modeling space 21 of the modeling tank 20 in step S115 of FIG. The microwave irradiation mechanism 74 of the second heating mechanism 70b is controlled so as to apply heat. Thus, in this embodiment, modeling of one powder hardening layer is performed while moving the modeling tank 20 to the going direction D1 and the return direction D2. After that, step S101 to step S115 in FIG. 8 are repeatedly performed, so that the subsequent powder hardened layer is formed. And the desired three-dimensional structure 3 is modeled by sequentially laminating the modeled powder hardened layer.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the first nozzle 64 and the second nozzle 66 are provided for the powder material 5 in the first region 23a (see FIG. 7) and the powder material 5 in the second region 23b (see FIG. 7). The curable liquid is discharged from both nozzles. For example, when a discharge failure occurs in one of the plurality of first nozzles 64, the portion of the first region 23a where the curable liquid can be discharged from the first nozzle 64 where the discharge failure occurs. In such a case, the curable liquid may not be discharged. However, in the present embodiment, when the modeling tank 20 moves in the return direction D2 in the portion of the first region 23a where the curable liquid can be discharged from the first nozzle 64 in which the discharge failure has occurred, The curable liquid is discharged from the two nozzles 66. For example, when a discharge failure occurs in one second nozzle 66 among the plurality of second nozzles 66, the portion of the second region 23b where the curable liquid can be discharged from the second nozzle 66 where the discharge failure occurs. In such a case, the curable liquid may not be discharged. However, in the portion of the second region 23b where the curing liquid can be ejected from the second nozzle 66 where ejection failure has occurred, the curing is performed from the first nozzle 64 when the modeling tank 20 is moving in the return direction D2. Liquid is discharged. Therefore, spots are less likely to occur in the discharge amount of the curable liquid discharged to the modeling region 23. Therefore, the three-dimensional structure 3 that is not easily damaged can be formed.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, there are a plurality of first regions 23a and second regions 23b. The size of one first region 23a is the same as the size of one second region 23b. The area S11 of one first region 23a and the area S21 of one second region 23b are the same. Thus, the modeling region 23 is divided into a plurality of first regions 23a and a plurality of second regions 23b having the same area, so that the area S11 of the first region 23a and the second region 23b Compared with the case where the area S21 is different, the control of the control device 90 is easier.

  In the present embodiment, the first regions 23a and the second regions 23b are alternately arranged in the left-right direction. This makes it possible to disperse the region of the curable liquid ejected from the ejection failure nozzle even when there is a nozzle in which ejection failure has occurred. Therefore, it is possible to form a three-dimensional structure 3 that is more difficult to break.

  In the present embodiment, the length L1 in the front-rear direction of the first nozzle row 65 is the same as the length L11 in the front-rear direction of the first region 23a and the length L21 in the front-rear direction of the second region 23b. The length L2 in the front-rear direction of the second nozzle row 67 is the same as the length L11 in the front-rear direction of the first region 23a and the length L21 in the front-rear direction of the second region 23b. In this embodiment, the 1st modeling head 61 in which the 1st nozzle row 65 was formed, and the 2nd modeling head 62 in which the 2nd nozzle row 67 was formed are what is called a line head. In the line head, when there are nozzles in which ejection failure has occurred, the region of the curable liquid that can be ejected by the nozzles in which ejection failure has occurred in the modeling region 23 is the same position in the front-rear direction, and left and right The region extends in the direction. For this reason, when a three-dimensional structure is formed with a line head in which a nozzle having a discharge failure is present, the formed three-dimensional structure is easily damaged. However, in the present embodiment, for example, in the region of the curable liquid that can be discharged by the first nozzle 64 in which the discharge failure has occurred, the discharge failure occurs when the modeling tank 20 moves in the return direction D2. The curable liquid is discharged from the second nozzle 66 that is not. Therefore, the three-dimensional structure 3 that is not easily damaged can be formed. Therefore, it is particularly useful in a line head.

  In the present embodiment, the length L11 in the front-rear direction of the first region 23a is longer than the length L12 in the left-right direction of the first region 23a. The length L21 in the front-rear direction of the second region 23b is longer than the length L22 in the left-right direction of the second region 23b. Here, the first region 23a and the second region 23b are regions extending in the front-rear direction. Thus, since the first region 23a and the second region 23b are regions extending in the same direction as the first nozzle row 65 and the second nozzle row 67, ejection control is performed in units of nozzle rows. Can do. Therefore, the control of the control device 90 is easy.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment has been described above. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, and can be implemented in various other forms. Next, another embodiment will be briefly described. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations as those already described, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

Second Embodiment
Next, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment will be described. In the above embodiment, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 200 includes two modeling heads, the first modeling head 61 and the second modeling head 62. However, the number of modeling heads may be three or more. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 200 according to this embodiment includes three modeling heads.

  FIG. 9 is a plan view of the first modeling head 61, the second modeling head 62, the third modeling head 63, and the modeling tank 20. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the first region 23a, the second region 23b, and the third region 23c. As in the first embodiment, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 200 includes a main body 10, a modeling tank 20, a modeling table 24, a lifting mechanism 28, a surplus powder storage tank 30, and a powder supply, as shown in FIG. Part 40, laying roller 50, first modeling head 61, second modeling head 62, first heating mechanism 70a, second heating mechanism 70b, moving mechanism 80, and control device 90 (see FIG. 6). ). In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 200 further includes a third modeling head 63.

  The first modeling head 61 has a plurality of first nozzles 64 arranged in the front-rear direction. The second modeling head 62 has a plurality of second nozzles 66 arranged in the front-rear direction. The 3rd modeling head 63 discharges hardening liquid to the area | region corresponding to the cross-sectional shape along a cross-sectional image among the powder materials 5 accommodated in the modeling tank 20. FIG. The third modeling head 63 is a so-called line head. The third modeling head 63 is accommodated in the head case 59 so that the bottom surface is exposed downward. The third modeling head 63 is arranged side by side with the first modeling head 61 and the second modeling head 62 in the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, the third modeling head 63 is disposed on the downstream side of the first modeling head 61 and the second modeling head 62. However, the positional relationship among the first modeling head 61, the second modeling head 62, and the third modeling head 63 is not particularly limited. For example, the third modeling head 63 may be arranged on the upstream side of the first modeling head 61 and the second modeling head 62. The third modeling head 63 is disposed above the modeling movement space 16 (see FIG. 2) of the main body 10. In the present embodiment, the third modeling head 63 is downstream of the supply port 46 (see FIG. 2) and the laying roller 50 (see FIG. 2) of the supply container 42 and upstream of the first heating mechanism 70a. Arranged on the side.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, third nozzles 68 that are a plurality of nozzles arranged in the front-rear direction are formed on the bottom surface of the third modeling head 63. Curing liquid is discharged from the plurality of third nozzles 68. Here, the row of the plurality of third nozzles 68 is referred to as a third nozzle row 69. The plurality of third nozzles 68 belonging to the third nozzle row 69 are arranged in a straight line, but may be arranged in a staggered manner. In the present embodiment, the number of third nozzles 68 is the same as the number of first nozzles 64 and is the same as the number of second nozzles 66. The position in the front-rear direction of the n-th third nozzle 68 from the front (n = 1 to the number of third nozzles 68) in the third nozzle row 69 is the position of the n-th first nozzle 64 from the front in the first nozzle row 65. It is the same as the position in the front-rear direction, and is the same as the position in the front-rear direction of the nth second nozzle 66 from the front in the second nozzle row 67.

  The length L5 of the third nozzle row 69 in the front-rear direction is the same as the length L1 of the first nozzle row 65 and the same as the length L2 of the second nozzle row 67 in the front-rear direction. The length L5 of the third nozzle row 69 is equal to or less than the length L3 (see FIG. 4) in the front-rear direction of the modeling space 21 of the modeling tank 20, and the length in the front-rear direction of the surplus space 31 of the surplus powder storage tank 30. It is below L4 (refer FIG. 4). Further, the length L5 of the third nozzle row 69 is not less than the length in the front-rear direction of the supply port 46 (see FIG. 1) and not more than the length in the front-rear direction of the laying roller 50 (see FIG. 1).

  In the present embodiment, the control device 90 is communicably connected to the third modeling head 63 and controls the third modeling head 63. The control device 90 controls the timing at which the curable liquid is discharged from the third modeling head 63 and the discharge amount of the curable liquid.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the modeling area 23 is divided into a first area 23a, a second area 23b, and a third area 23c. The first region 23a is a region where the curable liquid is discharged from the first nozzle 64 when the modeling tank 20 is moving in the direction of travel D1, and when the modeling tank 20 is moving in the return direction D2, This is a region where the curable liquid is discharged from either one of the second nozzle 66 and the third nozzle 68. The second region 23b is a region where the curable liquid is discharged from the second nozzle 66 when the modeling tank 20 is moving in the going direction D1, and when the modeling tank 20 is moving in the return direction D2, This is an area where the curable liquid is discharged from either one of the first nozzle 64 and the third nozzle 68. The third region 23c is a region where the curable liquid is discharged from the third nozzle 68 when the modeling tank 20 is moving in the going direction D1, and when the modeling tank 20 is moving in the return direction D2, In this region, the curable liquid is discharged from either one of the first nozzle 64 and the second nozzle 66.

  In the present embodiment, there are a plurality of first regions 23a, second regions 23b, and third regions 23c. The third region 23c is a region extending in the front-rear direction. The length L31 in the front-rear direction of the third region 23c is longer than the length L32 in the left-right direction of the third region 23c. In the present embodiment, the size of one first region 23a, the size of one second region 23b, and the size of one third region 23c are the same. The area S31 of one third region 23c is the same as the area S11 of one first region 23a, and is the same as the area S21 of one second region 23b. However, the area S11 of the first region 23a, the area S21 of the second region 23b, and the area S31 of the third region 23c may be different.

  In the present embodiment, the first region 23a, the second region 23b, and the third region 23c are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. Here, in the left-right direction, the first region 23a, the second region 23b, and the third region 23c are arranged in this order, and the third region 23c is disposed between the first region 23a and the second region 23b. Has been. Here, the length L31 in the front-rear direction of the third region 23c is the same as the length L11 in the front-rear direction of the first region 23a, and is the same as the length L21 in the front-rear direction of the second region 23b. The length L32 in the left-right direction of the third region 23c is the same as the length L12 in the left-right direction of the first region 23a, and is the same as the length L22 in the left-right direction of the second region 23b. Note that the length L31 in the front-rear direction between the third regions 23c may be different. The length L32 in the left-right direction between the third regions 23c may be different. The length L11 in the front-rear direction of the first region 23a, the length L21 in the front-rear direction of the second region 23b, and the length L31 in the front-rear direction of the third region 23c may be different. The left-right length L12 of the first region 23a, the left-right length L22 of the second region 23b, and the left-right length L32 of the third region 23c may be different.

  In the present embodiment, the length L31 in the front-rear direction of the third region 23c is the same as the length L1 in the front-rear direction of the first nozzle row 65, and is the same as the length L2 in the front-rear direction of the second nozzle row 67. Yes, and the same as the length L5 of the third nozzle row 69 in the front-rear direction. Note that the length L31 in the front-rear direction of the third region 23c may be equal to or less than the length L1 in the front-rear direction of the first nozzle row 65, or less than the length L2 in the front-rear direction of the second nozzle row 67. Alternatively, it may be the length L5 or less of the third nozzle row 69 in the front-rear direction. Here, the length L11 in the front-rear direction of the first region 23a and the length L21 in the front-rear direction of the second region 23b are the same as the length L5 in the front-rear direction of the third nozzle row 69.

  In the present embodiment, in the entire area of the modeling area 23, the curing liquid is discharged when the modeling tank 20 is moving in the going direction D1, and the curing is performed when the modeling tank 20 is moving in the return direction D2. Liquid is discharged. The curable liquid is discharged twice in the entire area of the modeling area 23.

  Next, in this embodiment, the operation of the 3D modeling apparatus 200 when modeling the 3D model 3 will be described. Here, control in the same order as in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is performed. In the present embodiment, the control performed in Step S101, Step S103, Step S105, Step S109, Step S111, and Step S115 in FIG. 8 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  In this embodiment, while the modeling tank 20 is moving from the first position P1 (see FIG. 2) to the second position P2 (see FIG. 5), in step S107 in FIG. The curing liquid is discharged from the first modeling head 61, the second modeling head 62, and the third modeling head 63. Here, after the powder material 5 is spread by the spread roller 50, the first ejection control unit 94 performs the first modeling head 61, the second modeling head 62, and the second modeling head 62 based on the cross-sectional image stored in the storage unit 91. A curable liquid is discharged from the third modeling head 63. Here, when the first area 23 a (see FIG. 9) of the modeling area 23 passes below the first modeling head 61, the first discharge control unit 94 starts from the first nozzle 64 of the first modeling head 61. The curable liquid is discharged onto the powder material 5 in one region 23a. When the second area 23 b (see FIG. 9) of the modeling area 23 passes below the second modeling head 62, the first discharge control unit 94 moves from the second nozzle 66 of the second modeling head 62 to the second area 23 b. The curable liquid is discharged onto the powder material 5. Further, when the third region 23 c (see FIG. 9) of the modeling region 23 passes below the third modeling head 63, the first discharge control unit 94 performs the third ejection from the third nozzle 68 of the third modeling head 63. A curable liquid is discharged onto the powder material 5 in the region 23c. As described above, after the curable liquid is discharged from the first modeling head 61, the second modeling head 62, and the third modeling head 63 to the powder material 5 in the modeling region 23 by the first discharge control unit 94, the modeling tank 20 is As shown in FIG. 5, it moves to the second position P2.

  In the present embodiment, while the modeling tank 20 is moving from the second position P2 to the first position P1, the second discharge control unit 95 is referred to by the first discharge control unit 94 in step S113 of FIG. Based on the obtained cross-sectional image, the curable liquid is discharged from the first modeling head 61, the second modeling head 62, and the third modeling head 63. The second discharge control unit 95 applies the second nozzle 66 of the second modeling head 62 and the third nozzle of the third modeling head 63 to the powder material 5 in the first region 23 a (see FIG. 9) of the modeling region 23. The curable liquid is discharged from one of the nozzles 68. In the present embodiment, for example, the second discharge control unit 95 discharges the curable liquid from the second nozzle 66 to the powder material 5 in the first region 23 a when the first region 23 a passes below the second modeling head 62. . Note that the curable liquid may be discharged from the second nozzle 66 to one area of the first area 23 a and the curable liquid may be discharged from the third nozzle 68 to the other area.

  The second discharge controller 95 causes the powder material 5 in the second region 23b (see FIG. 9) in the modeling region 23 to discharge the curable liquid from one of the first nozzle 64 and the third nozzle 68. . In the present embodiment, for example, the second ejection control unit 95 ejects the curable liquid from the third nozzle 68 to the powder material 5 in the second region 23b when the second region 23b passes below the third modeling head 63. . In the second region 23b, the curable liquid may be discharged from the first nozzle 64 to one region, and the curable liquid may be discharged from the third nozzle 68 to the other region. In addition, the second discharge control unit 95 applies the curable liquid to the powder material 5 in the third region 23c (see FIG. 9) in the modeling region 23 from one of the first nozzle 64 and the second nozzle 66. Discharge. In the present embodiment, for example, the second discharge control unit 95 discharges the curable liquid from the first nozzle 64 to the powder material 5 in the third region 23c when the third region 23c passes below the first modeling head 61. . Note that the curable liquid may be discharged from the first nozzle 64 to one region of the third region 23c and the curable liquid may be discharged from the second nozzle 66 to the other region.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the first nozzle 64 and the second nozzle 66 are provided for the powder material 5 in the first region 23a, the powder material 5 in the second region 23b, and the powder material 5 in the third region 23c. The curable liquid is discharged from two of the third nozzles 68. For example, when a discharge failure occurs in one of the plurality of first nozzles 64, the portion of the first region 23a where the curable liquid can be discharged from the first nozzle 64 where the discharge failure occurs. In such a case, the curable liquid may not be discharged. However, in this embodiment, the portion of the first region 23a where the curable liquid can be discharged from the first nozzle 64 in which the discharge failure has occurred is cured from either the second nozzle 66 or the third nozzle 68. Liquid is discharged. Similarly, for example, when a discharge failure occurs in one second nozzle 66 among the plurality of second nozzles 66, the second region in which the curable liquid can be discharged from the second nozzle 66 in which the discharge failure has occurred. The curable liquid is discharged from either the first nozzle 64 or the third nozzle 68 to the portion 23b. For example, when a discharge failure has occurred in one third nozzle 68 among the plurality of third nozzles 68, the portion of the third region 23c in which the curable liquid can be discharged from the third nozzle 68 in which the discharge failure has occurred The curable liquid is discharged from either the first nozzle 64 or the second nozzle 66. Therefore, it becomes difficult to produce spots in the discharge amount of the curable liquid. Therefore, the three-dimensional structure 3 that is not easily damaged can be formed. In the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

<Third Embodiment>
In the above embodiments, the first modeling head 61 and the second modeling head 62 are so-called line heads. However, the first modeling head 61 and the second modeling head 62 are not limited to line heads.

  Next, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a perspective sectional view of the 3D modeling apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment. In the present embodiment, the left-right direction corresponds to the “first direction” of the present invention, and the front-rear direction corresponds to the “second direction” of the present invention. Moreover, in this embodiment, the direction which goes to the back from the front among the front-back directions is set as the going direction D11, and the direction which goes to the front from the back is set as the return direction D12.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 300 includes a main body 210, a modeling tank 220, a modeling table 224, an elevating mechanism 228, an excess powder storage tank 230, a powder supply unit 240, and a laying roller 250. A first modeling head 261 (see FIG. 11), a second modeling head 262 (see FIG. 11), a heating mechanism 270, a first moving mechanism 281, a second moving mechanism 282, and a control device 290 (see FIG. 12).

  In the present embodiment, the main body 210 has a storage space 216 in which the modeling tank 220, the surplus powder storage tank 230, and the powder supply unit 240 are stored. The modeling tank 220 has a modeling space 221 in which the powder material 5 is accommodated, and a support space 222 arranged below the modeling space 221. The modeling table 224 is disposed so as to be movable upward in the modeling space 221. In the present embodiment, a table support member 225 extending in the vertical direction is provided on the bottom surface of the modeling table 224. The table support member 225 is movable in the vertical direction with respect to the support space 222. The lifting mechanism 228 is connected to the modeling table 224 via the table support member 225, and is a mechanism that moves the modeling table 224 in the vertical direction together with the table support member 225. The surplus powder storage tank 230 has a surplus space 231 in which the powder material 5 that could not be stored in the modeling tank 220 is stored. The surplus powder storage tank 230 is disposed on the upstream side of the modeling tank 220.

  In the present embodiment, the powder supply unit 240 includes a supply tank 242 and a supply mechanism 244. In the supply tank 242, the powder material 5 supplied to the modeling tank 220 is accommodated. The supply tank 242 is disposed on the downstream side of the modeling tank 220 in the accommodation space 216 of the main body 210. The supply tank 242 has a supply space 242a in which the powder material 5 is accommodated, and a support space 242b disposed below the supply space 242a.

  In this embodiment, the supply mechanism 244 includes a supply table 248 and a first drive motor 249. The supply table 248 is disposed in the supply space 242a and is movable in the vertical direction. The powder material 5 is placed on the supply table 248. The shape of the supply table 248 is a shape corresponding to the supply space 242a, and here is a rectangular shape in plan view. In the present embodiment, a table support member 248 a extending in the vertical direction is provided on the bottom surface of the supply table 248. The table support member 248a is disposed in the support space 242b and is movable in the vertical direction with respect to the support space 242b. The first drive motor 249 is connected to the supply table 248 via a table support member 248a. When the first drive motor 249 is driven, the supply table 248 and the table support member 248a move in the vertical direction.

  FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the first modeling head 261 and the second modeling head 262. The 1st modeling head 261 and the 2nd modeling head 262 discharge a hardening liquid to the area | region corresponding to the cross-sectional shape along a cross-sectional image among the powder materials 5 accommodated in the modeling tank 220. FIG. In the present embodiment, the first modeling head 261 and the second modeling head 262 are so-called shuttle type heads. Here, the “shuttle type head” means that the head is moved in a predetermined direction relative to the modeling tank 220 while the modeling tank 220 is moved relative to the head in a predetermined direction. It refers to a head in which one powder cured layer is formed by discharging a curable liquid while being moved a plurality of times.

  In the present embodiment, the first modeling head 261 and the second modeling head 262 are disposed above the accommodation space 216 of the main body 210. The first modeling head 261 and the second modeling head 262 are accommodated in a second carriage 287 described later. In the present embodiment, the first modeling head 261 and the second modeling head 262 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. Here, the first modeling head 261 is disposed in front of the second modeling head 262. However, the first modeling head 261 may be disposed behind the second modeling head 262. In the present embodiment, a plurality of first nozzles 264 arranged in the left-right direction are formed on the bottom surface of the first modeling head 261. A plurality of second nozzles 266 arranged in the left-right direction are formed on the bottom surface of the second modeling head 262. The number of first nozzles 264 is the same as the number of second nozzles 266. In the present embodiment, a first nozzle row 265 that is a row of a plurality of first nozzles 264 and a second nozzle row 267 that is a row of a plurality of second nozzles 266 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction.

  In the present embodiment, the length L201 in the left-right direction of the first nozzle row 265 is the same as the length L202 in the left-right direction of the second nozzle row 267. The length L201 of the first nozzle row 265 and the length L202 of the second nozzle row 267 are less than the length L203 in the left-right direction of the modeling space 221 of the modeling tank 220. The length L201 of the first nozzle row 265 and the length L202 of the second nozzle row 267 are less than the length L204 in the left-right direction of the surplus space 231 of the surplus powder storage tank 230, and the supply of the supply tank 242 It is less than the length L205 in the left-right direction of the space 242a.

  In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the heating mechanism 270 includes a first heater 271, a second heater 272, and a third heater 273. The first heater 271 is disposed above the modeling tank 220. The first heater 271 heats the powder material 5 in the modeling tank 220 from the upper surface side of the modeling tank 220. The first heater 271 is, for example, a halogen lamp heater, a far infrared heater, a near infrared heater, or the like. There may be one first heater 271 or a plurality of first heaters 271. The second heater 272 is disposed on a pair of left and right side surfaces in the left-right direction of the modeling tank 220. The second heater 272 heats the powder material 5 in the modeling tank 220 from the side of the modeling tank 220. The second heater 272 is, for example, a band-shaped silicon band heater, a silicon belt heater, a ceramic heater, or the like. The third heater 273 is disposed inside the modeling table 224. The third heater 273 heats the powder material 5 in the modeling space 221 from below. The third heater 273 is, for example, a plate-like silicon rubber heater or an aluminum foil heater.

  The first moving mechanism 281 is a mechanism that moves the laying roller 250, the first modeling head 261, and the second modeling head 262 in the left-right direction. Here, the first moving mechanism 281 includes a first guide rail 283, a first carriage 284, and a second drive motor 285. The first guide rail 283 is a member disposed on the upper surface of the main body 210 and extending in the left-right direction. The first carriage 284 is engaged with the first guide rail 283. The first carriage 284 is movable in the left-right direction along the first guide rail 283. Here, the first carriage 284 is provided with a filling roller 250 and a second carriage 287 in which the first modeling head 261 and the second modeling head 262 are accommodated. The second drive motor 285 is electrically connected to the first carriage 284. When the second drive motor 285 is driven, the first carriage 284 moves in the left-right direction. As the first carriage 284 moves in the left-right direction, the laying roller 250, the first modeling head 261, and the second modeling head 262 move in the left-right direction.

  The second moving mechanism 282 is a mechanism that moves the first modeling head 261 and the second modeling head 262 in the front-rear direction. Here, the second moving mechanism 282 includes a second guide rail 286, a second carriage 287, and a third drive motor 288. The second guide rail 286 extends in the front-rear direction and engages with the first guide rail 283. A first modeling head 261 and a second modeling head 262 are accommodated in the second carriage 287. The second carriage 287 is engaged with the second guide rail 286 and is movable in the front-rear direction. Here, the third drive motor 288 is electrically connected to the second carriage 287. When the third drive motor 288 is driven, the second carriage 287 moves in the front-rear direction along the second guide rail 286. As the second carriage 287 moves in the front-rear direction, the first modeling head 261 and the second modeling head 262 move in the front-rear direction.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a 3D modeling apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, the control device 290 includes a storage unit 291, a first movement control unit 292, a second movement control unit 293, a first discharge control unit 294, and a second discharge control. Unit 295, head movement control unit 296, supply control unit 298, and heating control unit 299. A specific description of each part will be described later.

  FIG. 13 is a plan view of the modeling tank 220 and is a schematic diagram showing the modeling region 223, the first region 223a, and the second region 223b. In FIG. 13, the positional relationship among the modeling tank 220, the first modeling head 261, and the second modeling head 262 is a positional relationship for convenience of explanation. As shown in FIG. 13, in this embodiment, a modeling area 223 is set in the modeling space 221. The modeling region 223 is divided into a plurality of first regions 223a and a plurality of second regions 223b. The first region 223a and the second region 223b are regions extending in the left-right direction. The length L211 in the left-right direction of the first region 223a is longer than the length L212 in the front-rear direction of the first region 223a. The length L221 in the left-right direction of the second region 223b is longer than the length L222 in the front-rear direction of the second region 23b. The area S211 of one first region 223a is the same as the area S221 of one second region 223b.

  In the present embodiment, the first region 223a and the second region 223b are set to be alternately arranged in the front-rear direction. Here, the length L211 in the left-right direction of the first region 223a is the same as the length L221 in the left-right direction of the second region 223b. The length L212 in the front-rear direction of the first region 223a is the same as the length L222 in the front-rear direction of the second region 223b. In the present embodiment, the length L211 in the left-right direction of the first region 223a is the same as the length L201 in the left-right direction of the first nozzle row 265, and is the same as the length L202 in the left-right direction of the second nozzle row 267. is there. The length L221 in the left-right direction of the second region 223b is the same as the length L201 in the left-right direction of the first nozzle row 265, and is the same as the length L202 in the left-right direction of the second nozzle row 267.

  The configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 300 according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, operation | movement of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 300 at the time of modeling one powder hardening layer of the three-dimensional structure 3 is demonstrated along the flowchart of FIG. In the modeling region 223 described here, it is assumed that the first region 223a and the second region 223b are set at positions as shown in FIG. Here, at the start of modeling, the second carriage 287 in which the first modeling head 261 and the second modeling head 262 are accommodated is located at the front end portion of the second guide rail 286. Further, the first carriage 284 is located at the right end portion of the first guide rail 283.

  In this embodiment, in step S301 of FIG. 14, the supply control unit 298 controls the lifting mechanism 228 to lower the modeling table 224 by the thickness of the powder cured layer to be modeled. Further, the supply control unit 298 controls the first drive motor 249 of the supply mechanism 244 so as to raise the supply table 248 by the thickness of the powder cured layer to be modeled. Thus, a part of the powder material 5 accommodated in the supply tank 242 rises above the upper surface of the supply tank 242 and becomes clogged.

  Next, in step S303 of FIG. 14, the head movement control unit 296 controls the first movement mechanism 281 so as to move the first modeling head 261, the second modeling head 262, and the laying roller 250 in the left direction. . Thus, the first modeling head 261, the second modeling head 262, and the laying roller 250 integrally move toward the left. When the laying roller 250 passes above the supply tank 242, the powder material 5 swelled upward from the upper surface of the supply tank 242 is pushed leftward by the laying roller 250, and the modeling space of the modeling tank 220 is reached. 221 is supplied. At the same time, the surface of the modeling tank 220 is leveled by the laying roller 250 moving horizontally on the modeling tank 220. Thus, the powder material 5 can be spread uniformly on the modeling table 224 with a predetermined thickness in the modeling space 221 of the modeling tank 220. The powder material 5 that could not be accommodated in the modeling space 221 is pushed to the left by the laying roller 250 and accommodated in the surplus powder accommodating tank 230.

  When the first modeling head 261 and the second modeling head 262 are moved above the modeling tank 220 by the head movement control unit 296, in step S305 in FIG. 14, the first movement control unit 292 includes the first modeling head 261 and The second moving mechanism 282 is controlled so that the second modeling head 262 is moved in the going direction D11. While the 1st modeling head 261 and the 2nd modeling head 262 are moving to the going direction D11, control of step S307 of FIG. 14 is performed.

  In step S <b> 307, the first ejection control unit 294 ejects the curable liquid from the first modeling head 261 and the second modeling head 262. In the present embodiment, while the first modeling head 261 and the second modeling head 262 are moving in the going direction D11, the first ejection control unit 294 is based on the cross-sectional image stored in the storage unit 291. The curing liquid is discharged from the first modeling head 261 and the second modeling head 262. Here, when the first area 223a of the modeling area 223 passes below the first modeling head 261, the first discharge control unit 294 uses the powder in the first area 223a from the first nozzle 264 of the first modeling head 261. A curable liquid is discharged onto the material 5. Then, when the second region 223b of the modeling region 223 passes below the second modeling head 262, the first discharge control unit 294 causes the powder material of the second region 223b from the second nozzle 266 of the second modeling head 262. 5 to discharge the curable liquid. As described above, after the curable liquid is discharged from the first modeling head 261 and the second modeling head 262 to the powder material 5 in the modeling region 223 by the first ejection control unit 294, the first modeling head 261 and the second modeling head are used. 262 is located at the rear end portion of the second guide rail 286.

  Next, in step S309 of FIG. 14, the second movement control unit 293 controls the second movement mechanism 282 so as to move the first modeling head 261 and the second modeling head 262 in the return direction D12. While the first modeling head 261 and the second modeling head 262 are moving in the return direction D12, the control in step S311 in FIG. 14 is performed.

  In step S <b> 311, the second discharge control unit 295 discharges the curable liquid from the first modeling head 261 and the second modeling head 262. In the present embodiment, the second ejection control unit 295 ejects the curable liquid from the first modeling head 261 and the second modeling head 262 based on the cross-sectional image referred to by the first ejection control unit 294. Here, when the first modeling head 261 passes above the second area 223b in the modeling area 223, the second discharge control unit 295 performs the powder in the second area 223b from the first nozzle 264 of the first modeling head 261. A curable liquid is discharged onto the material 5. In the second region 223b, the curable liquid is discharged from the first nozzle 264 to the position of the curable liquid discharged from the second nozzle 266. Then, when the second modeling head 262 passes above the first area 223a in the modeling area 223, the second discharge control unit 295 uses the second nozzle 266 of the second modeling head 262 to powder the first area 223a. 5 to discharge the curable liquid. In the first region 223a, the curable liquid is discharged from the second nozzle 266 to the position of the curable liquid discharged from the first nozzle 264. As described above, after the curable liquid is discharged from the first modeling head 261 and the second modeling head 262 to the powder material 5 in the modeling region 223 by the second ejection control unit 295, the first modeling head 261 and the second modeling head. 262 is located at the front end portion of the second guide rail 286.

  Next, the head movement control unit 296 moves the first modeling head 261 and the second modeling head 262 in the left direction by the length of the first nozzle row 265. Then, by repeatedly performing the control from step S305 to step S311 in FIG. 14, the first modeling head 261 and the second modeling head 262 are performed on the entire modeling region 223 corresponding to the cross-sectional image stored in the storage unit 291. The curable liquid is discharged from. The curable liquid discharged to the powder material 5 in the modeling region 223 is dried by the heat generated from the first heater 271, the second heater 272, and the third heater 273 controlled by the heating control unit 299. Promoted. As described above, modeling of one powder hardened layer is performed. And the desired three-dimensional structure 3 is modeled by sequentially laminating the modeled powder hardened layer.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the curable liquid is discharged from both the first nozzle 264 and the second nozzle 266 to the powder material 5 in the first region 223a and the powder material 5 in the second region 223b. The Therefore, even when a discharge failure occurs in any one of the first nozzle 264 and the second nozzle 266, spots are hardly generated in the discharge amount of the curable liquid discharged to the modeling region 223. Therefore, the three-dimensional structure 3 that is not easily damaged can be formed.

  In the third embodiment, the number of modeling heads is two, that is, the first modeling head 261 and the second modeling head 262, but the number of modeling heads may be three or more. For example, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 300 may include a first modeling head 261, a second modeling head 262, and a third modeling head. In this case, the modeling area 223 includes a first area 223a, a second area 223b, and a third area different from the first area 223a and the second area 223b. In this case, the first discharge control unit 294 and the second discharge control unit 295 of the control device 290 perform the same control as the first discharge control unit 94 and the second discharge control unit 95 of the second embodiment, respectively. As a result, the same effect as in the second embodiment can be obtained.

  In the first embodiment, one nozzle row is provided in one modeling head. For example, in the first embodiment, the first modeling head 61 is provided with one first nozzle row 65, and the second modeling head 62 is provided with one second nozzle row 67. However, a single modeling head may be provided with a plurality of nozzle rows. For example, in the first embodiment, the second modeling head 62 is omitted, and the first modeling head 61 includes a first nozzle row 65 that is a row of a plurality of first nozzles 64 and a row of a plurality of second nozzles 66. A second nozzle row 67 may be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Powder material 20 Modeling tank 21 Modeling space 64 1st nozzle 65 1st nozzle row 66 2nd nozzle 67 2nd nozzle row 68 3rd nozzle 69 3rd nozzle row 80 Movement mechanism 90 Control apparatus 92 1st movement control part 93 1st 2 movement control part 94 1st discharge control part 95 2nd discharge control part 100,200,300 3D modeling apparatus

Claims (10)

A modeling tank having a modeling space in which the powder material is accommodated;
A plurality of first nozzles that discharge a curing liquid to the powder material accommodated in the modeling space and are arranged in a predetermined first direction;
A plurality of second nozzles that discharge the curable liquid to the powder material accommodated in the modeling space and are arranged in the first direction;
A moving mechanism for moving the plurality of first nozzles and the plurality of second nozzles relative to the modeling tank in a predetermined second direction orthogonal to the first direction in plan view;
A control device communicably connected to the moving mechanism;
With
When the direction from one of the second directions toward the other is the direction of travel, and the direction from the other of the second directions toward the other is the return direction,
The control device includes:
A first movement control unit that controls the moving mechanism to move the plurality of first nozzles and the plurality of second nozzles relative to the modeling tank in the direction of travel;
While the plurality of first nozzles and the plurality of second nozzles move in the direction of travel relative to the modeling tank, the first movement control unit moves the powder material in the modeling space. Among the powder materials in the modeling space, the powder material in the predetermined first region is discharged from a plurality of the first nozzles, and the powder material in the modeling space is in a predetermined second region different from the first region. A first discharge controller that discharges a curable liquid from the plurality of second nozzles to the powder material;
A second movement control unit that controls the movement mechanism to move the plurality of first nozzles and the plurality of second nozzles relative to the modeling tank in the return direction;
The powder material in the second region while the plurality of first nozzles and the plurality of second nozzles move in the return direction relative to the modeling tank by the second movement control unit. A second discharge controller that discharges the curable liquid from the plurality of first nozzles, and discharges the curable liquid from the plurality of second nozzles to the powder material in the first region;
A three-dimensional modeling apparatus. There are a plurality of the first region and the second region,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an area of one of the first regions and an area of one of the second regions are the same.   The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first region and the second region are alternately arranged in the second direction. When a plurality of first nozzle rows are first nozzle rows and a plurality of second nozzle rows are second nozzle rows,
The length of the first nozzle row in the first direction is the same as the length of the first region in the first direction and the length of the second region in the first direction, respectively.
2. The length of the second nozzle row in the first direction is the same as the length of the first region in the first direction and the length of the second region in the first direction, respectively. 3D modeling apparatus described in any one of 1 to 3. The length of the first region in the first direction is longer than the length of the first region in the second direction,
5. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a length of the second region in the first direction is longer than a length of the second region in the second direction. A modeling tank having a modeling space in which the powder material is accommodated;
A plurality of first nozzles that discharge a curing liquid to the powder material accommodated in the modeling space and are arranged in a predetermined first direction;
A plurality of second nozzles that discharge the curable liquid to the powder material accommodated in the modeling space and are arranged in the first direction;
A plurality of third nozzles that discharge the curable liquid to the powder material accommodated in the modeling space and are arranged in the first direction;
The plurality of first nozzles, the plurality of second nozzles, and the plurality of third nozzles are moved relative to the modeling tank in a predetermined second direction orthogonal to the first direction in plan view. A moving mechanism;
A control device communicably connected to the moving mechanism;
With
When the direction from one of the second directions toward the other is the direction of travel, and the direction from the other of the second directions toward the other is the return direction,
The control device includes:
A first movement control unit that controls the moving mechanism to move the modeling tank relatively in the direction of travel with respect to the plurality of first nozzles, the plurality of second nozzles, and the plurality of third nozzles. When,
While the molding tank is relatively moved in the direction of travel with respect to the plurality of first nozzles, the plurality of second nozzles, and the plurality of third nozzles by the first movement control unit, Among the powder materials in the modeling space, the powder material in the predetermined first region is caused to discharge a curable liquid from the plurality of first nozzles, and the first region of the powder material in the modeling space is the first region. The powder material in a different predetermined second region is caused to discharge a curable liquid from the plurality of second nozzles, and is different from the first region in the powder material in the modeling space, and the second region A first discharge control unit that discharges the curable liquid from the plurality of third nozzles to the powder material in a predetermined third region different from
A second movement control unit that controls the moving mechanism to move the modeling tank in the return direction relative to the plurality of first nozzles, the plurality of second nozzles, and the plurality of third nozzles. When,
While the modeling tank is relatively moved in the return direction with respect to the plurality of first nozzles, the plurality of second nozzles, and the plurality of third nozzles by the second movement control unit, The powder material in the first region is caused to discharge a curable liquid from one of the second nozzle and the third nozzle, and the first nozzle and the powder material in the second region are discharged to the powder material in the first region. A curable liquid is discharged from any one of the third nozzles, and a curable liquid is discharged from any one of the first nozzle and the second nozzle to the powder material in the third region. Two discharge control units;
A three-dimensional modeling apparatus. There are a plurality of the first region, the second region, and the third region,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 6, wherein an area of one of the first regions, an area of one of the second regions, and an area of one of the third regions are the same.   The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the first region, the second region, and the third region are arranged side by side in the second direction. When the plurality of first nozzle rows are first nozzle rows, the plurality of second nozzle rows are second nozzle rows, and the plurality of third nozzle rows are third nozzle rows,
The length of the first nozzle row in the first direction is the length of the first region in the first direction, the length of the second region in the first direction, and the length of the third region. It is the same as the length in one direction,
The length of the second nozzle row in the first direction is the length of the first region in the first direction, the length of the second region in the first direction, and the length of the third region. It is the same as the length in one direction,
The length of the third nozzle row in the first direction is the length of the first region in the first direction, the length of the second region in the first direction, and the length of the third region. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, which has the same length in one direction. The length of the first region in the first direction is longer than the length of the first region in the second direction,
The length of the second region in the first direction is longer than the length of the second region in the second direction,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein a length of the third region in the first direction is longer than a length of the third region in the second direction.

Images