JP2019089283A - Three-dimensional fabrication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a three-dimensional fabrication apparatus capable of fabricating a comparatively large three-dimensional object and restraining upsizing.SOLUTION: A three-dimensional fabrication apparatus 100 includes: a first powder reservoir 38 arranged on the front side of a fabrication vessel 32 and having a first reservation space 38A in which a powder material 90 is reserved; a second powder reservoir 44 arranged on the upper side than the first powder reservoir 38, provided in a second reservation space 44A, and for discharging the powder material 90 downward; a conveying device 70 for conveying the powder material 90 reserved in the first powder reservoir 38 into the second powder reservoir 44; a third powder reservoir 48 arranged on the lower side of the second powder reservoir 44, provided in a third reservation space 48A, and for supplying the powder material 90 downward; and a spread roller 18A arranged above the fabrication vessel 32 and below the third powder reservoir 48 and for spreading the powder material 90 supplied from the third powder reservoir 48 in a fabrication space 32A of the fabrication vessel 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

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

  Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a powder laminating method is known in which a desired three-dimensional object is formed by discharging a binder liquid (hardening liquid) to a powder material and curing the powder material. There is.

  The three-dimensional shaping apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes, for example, a shaping table on which the powder material is placed, a powder material supply apparatus in which the powder material supplied to the shaping table is stored, and a binder solution to the powder material. And a binder liquid supply device for discharging. The portion of the powder material placed on the molding table from which the binder solution is discharged is cured to form a cured layer corresponding to the cross-sectional shape. And a desired three-dimensional molded article is modeled by laminating a hardening layer one by one.

JP, 2015-196254, A

  By the way, in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the powder material feeding apparatus for storing the powder material is configured to be movable in a predetermined direction above the modeling table. Here, in the powder layering method, the powder material is supplied from the powder material supply device onto the forming table every time the hardened layer is formed into one layer. For this reason, the larger the three-dimensional structure to be formed, the larger the amount of powder material to be stored in the powder material supply device. As a result, while the powder material supply apparatus becomes large, the drive source which moves a powder material supply apparatus also becomes large, and the problem of the enlargement and cost increase of three-dimensional modeling apparatus itself may generate | occur | produce.

  This invention is made in view of this point, The objective is to provide the three-dimensional shaping apparatus which can model a comparatively big three-dimensional model, and the enlargement was suppressed.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the present invention is a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that models a three-dimensional structure by curing a powder material to form a hardened layer and sequentially laminating the same. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus includes a modeling tank having a modeling space in which the powder material is contained and in which the three-dimensional model is modeled, and a modeling table which is disposed in the modeling space and on which the powder material is placed; A first powder storage tank disposed laterally of the modeling tank and having a first storage space for storing the powder material, and the powder material disposed above the modeling tank and mounted on the modeling table A discharge head for discharging the curing liquid, a moving mechanism for moving either one of the shaping tank and the discharge head relative to the other in the first direction, the discharge head, and the first powder storage tank A second storage space disposed at a higher position and storing the powder material and having a smaller volume than the first storage space; an outlet provided at a lower end; and the powder material provided in the second storage space Down from the outlet A second powder storage tank having a discharge device for discharging into the second powder storage tank; a transfer device for transferring the powder material stored in the first powder storage tank to the second powder storage tank; A third storage space disposed below the tank and above the modeling tank, storing the powder material discharged from the second powder storage tank, and having a smaller volume than the second storage space, and a supply provided at the lower end A third powder storage tank having a mouth, and a supply device provided in the third storage space and supplying the powder material from the supply port downward, and a third powder storage tank above the modeling tank and the third powder storage tank And a laying member disposed below and for laying the powder material supplied from the supply port in the modeling space.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the present invention is a third powder having a first powder storage tank having a first storage space in which powder material is stored, a second powder storage tank having a second storage space, and a third storage space. It has a storage tank. The volumes of the first storage space, the second storage space, and the third storage space decrease in the order of the first storage space, the second storage space, and the third storage space. The first powder reservoir is disposed to the side of the shaping tank, and the volume of the first powder reservoir is relatively large, so that more powder material can be stored. Furthermore, since the powder material stored in the first powder storage tank can be transported to the second powder storage tank disposed above the modeling table as needed by the transfer device, the second storage of the second powder storage tank can be performed. The volume of the space may not be so large, and the second powder reservoir may be miniaturized. Furthermore, since the powder material discharged from the second powder storage tank is intermittently stored in the third powder storage tank disposed below the second powder storage tank, the third powder storage tank can be used as the third powder storage tank. The volume of the storage space may not be so large, and the third powder storage tank can be miniaturized. That is, although the powder material is supplied downward from the supply port of the third powder storage tank, the third powder storage tank is able to store at least one powder material capable of forming one hardened layer. It can be miniaturized. For this reason, even if the second powder reservoir and / or the third powder reservoir are moved in the predetermined direction above the modeling table, the second powder reservoir and the third powder reservoir are miniaturized. The power source can also be miniaturized. In addition, since a relatively large amount of powder material can be stored in the first powder storage tank disposed laterally of the modeling tank, the third powder from the first powder storage tank through the second powder storage tank By conveying the powder material to the reservoir at any time, a relatively large three-dimensional object can be shaped.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a three-dimensional modeling apparatus capable of modeling a relatively large three-dimensional model and of which the increase in size is suppressed.

It is a perspective view of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus concerning a 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a top view of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram of a three-dimensional modeling device concerning a 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which has discharged the powder material from the 2nd powder storage tank which concerns on 1st Embodiment to the 3rd powder storage tank. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which is supplying the powder material below from the 3rd powder storage tank which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the covering roller which concerns on 1st Embodiment spread and packed powder material in modeling space. It is a perspective view of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described herein are, of course, not intended to specifically limit the present invention. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to members and portions that exhibit the same action, and the overlapping description is appropriately omitted or simplified.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 100. FIG. The symbol F in the drawings indicates the front, and the symbol Rr indicates the rear. In the present embodiment, the left, right, upper, and lower sides of the three-dimensional structure forming apparatus 100 when viewed from the direction of the symbol F are the left, right, upper, and lower sides of the three-dimensional structure forming apparatus 100, respectively. Here, the symbols L, R, U, and D in the drawings mean left, right, upper, and lower, respectively. In the present embodiment, reference signs X, Y, and Z indicate the longitudinal direction, the lateral direction, and the vertical direction, respectively. The front-rear direction X is a scanning direction X, which corresponds to the "first direction" in the present invention. The left-right direction Y corresponds to the "second direction" in the present invention. The vertical direction Z coincides with the stacking direction in three-dimensional modeling. Moreover, the rear side of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 is called an upstream side, and the front side of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 is called a downstream side. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the direction from the upstream side to the downstream side is taken as the traveling direction X1, and the direction from the downstream side to the upstream side is taken as the return direction X2. However, these directions are only directions determined for the convenience of description, and the installation mode of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 is not limited at all.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 100 solidifies the powder material 90 with a hardening liquid to form a hardened layer 91, and sequentially integrates the three-dimensional object 92 in the vertical direction Z integrally. It is an apparatus for shaping. In the present embodiment, in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100, the curing liquid is discharged to the powder material 90 based on the cross-sectional image showing the cross-sectional shape of the desired three-dimensional structure 92, and the powder material 90 is cured. Form a hardened layer 91 along the And the desired three-dimensional molded article 92 is modeled by laminating | stacking the hardened layer 91 one by one.

  Here, “cross-sectional shape” refers to a predetermined thickness (eg, 0.1 mm) in a predetermined direction (eg, horizontal direction) of the three-dimensional structure 92 to be formed, and the predetermined thickness is not necessarily limited to a predetermined thickness. It is the shape of the cross section when sliced every).

  The composition, form, and the like of the “powder material” are not particularly limited, and powders made of various materials such as resin materials, metal materials, and inorganic materials can be used. As powder materials, for example, ceramic materials such as alumina, silica, titania, zirconia, etc., iron, aluminum, titanium and their alloys (typically stainless steel, titanium alloys, aluminum alloys), hemihydrate gypsum (alpha type) (Gypsum plaster, β-type plaster plaster), apatite, sodium chloride, plastics and the like. These may be composed of any one of the materials, or two or more of them may be combined.

  The “curing liquid” is not particularly limited as long as it is a material capable of fixing the powder materials 90 to each other. For example, as the curing liquid, a liquid (including a viscous material) capable of binding particles constituting the powder material is used according to the powder material. As a hardening liquid, the liquid containing water, wax, a binder, etc. is mentioned, for example. Moreover, when the powder material 90 has a water-soluble resin as an auxiliary material, a liquid capable of dissolving the water-soluble resin, for example, water can also be used as the curing liquid. The water-soluble resin is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include starch, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), water-soluble acrylic resin, water-soluble urethane resin, water-soluble polyamide and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 includes a main body 10, a moving mechanism 12, a housing member 30, a second powder storage tank 44, a third powder storage tank 48, and a laying roller 18. The ejection head 22, the conveyance device 70, and the control device 80 (see FIG. 2) are provided. The stuffing roller 18 is an example of a stuffing member.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 10 is an exterior body of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 having a long shape in the scanning direction X. The main body 10 accommodates the accommodating member 30. The main body 10 is also a support for supporting the second powder storage tank 44, the third powder storage tank 48, the spreading roller 18, the discharge head 22, and the carriage 15 (see FIG. 2).

  The moving mechanism 12 is a mechanism for moving the discharge head 22, the laying roller 18, and the third powder storage tank 48 relative to the containing member 30 in the scanning direction X, ie, the going direction X1 and the returning direction X2. As shown in FIG. 3, the moving mechanism 12 includes a carriage 15, a left guide rail 13L, a right guide rail 13R, and a motor 14 (see FIG. 4). In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 3, illustration of the conveying apparatus 70 is abbreviate | omitted for convenience of explanation.

  The carriage 15 is configured to be movable in the scanning direction X with respect to the modeling tank 32. As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 15 is slidably engaged with the left guide rail 13L and the right guide rail 13R. The carriage 15 is slidably engaged with the left guide rail 13L, and extends upward, the left wall 15L, and the right guide rail 13R slidably engaged, the upward right wall 15R, in the left-right direction Y The central wall 15C extends across the left wall 15L and the right wall 15R, and includes a pair of suspension arms 17 extending forward from the central wall 15C. On the carriage 15, the discharge head 22, the laying roller 18, and the third powder storage tank 48 are mounted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the left guide rail 13L and the right guide rail 13R guide the movement of the carriage 15 in the scanning direction X. The left guide rail 13L and the right guide rail 13R are provided on the top surface 10A of the main body 10. The right guide rail 13R is disposed to the right of the housing member 30. The left guide rail 13 </ b> L is disposed to the left of the housing member 30. The left guide rail 13L and the right guide rail 13R extend in the scanning direction X. However, the installation position and number of the left guide rail 13L and the right guide rail 13R are not particularly limited. The motor 14 (see FIG. 4) is connected to the carriage 15. The motor 14 is electrically connected to the controller 80. By driving the motor 14 to rotate, the carriage 15 can move in the scanning direction X on the left guide rail 13L and the right guide rail 13R.

  The discharge head 22 is a device that discharges a curing liquid for bonding the powder material 90 to the powder material 90 placed on the shaping table 34. The ejection head 22 is mounted on the carriage 15 so as to be positioned above the accommodation member 30. The discharge head 22 is fixed to the central wall 15 C of the carriage 15. That is, the discharge head 22 does not move in the left-right direction Y. The discharge head 22 is at the home position HP (refer to FIG. 2) at the time of forming standby, that is, when forming of the three-dimensional structure 92 is not performed or when the powder material 90 is not spread in the forming space 32A. Wait for). A maintenance device (not shown) is provided at the home position HP. The discharge mechanism of the curing liquid in the discharge head 22 is not particularly limited, and is, for example, an inkjet method. The ejection head 22 has a plurality of nozzles (not shown) for ejecting the curing liquid. The plurality of nozzles are arranged linearly in the left-right direction Y. That is, the discharge head 22 of the present embodiment corresponds to a so-called line head. The ejection head 22 is electrically connected to the control device 80. The discharge of the hardening liquid from the nozzles of the discharge head 22 is controlled by the control device 80.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the housing member 30 includes a modeling tank 32, a modeling table 34, an elevation mechanism 36, and a first powder storage tank 38. The upper surface 30A of the housing member 30 is formed flat. The formation tank 32 and the first powder storage tank 38 are arranged side by side so as to be recessed downward from 30A.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the modeling tank 32 is a tank in which the powder material 90 is accommodated. The modeling tank 32 has a modeling space 32A in which the three-dimensional model 92 is modeled. Powder material 90 is accommodated in modeling space 32A.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the modeling table 34 is disposed in the modeling space 32A of the modeling tank 32. The powder material 90 is placed on the shaping table 34. The three-dimensional structure 92 is formed on the forming table 34. The modeling table 34 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction Z. The shape of the shaping table 34 is, for example, rectangular in plan view. A table support member 35 is provided on the modeling table 34. The table support member 35 extends downward from the bottom surface of the shaping table 34. The table support member 35 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction Z integrally with the modeling table 34.

  The elevating mechanism 36 is a mechanism for moving the molding table 34 in the vertical direction Z, that is, a mechanism for moving the modeling table 34 up and down. The configuration of the lifting mechanism 36 is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, the lifting mechanism 36 includes a motor 36A (see FIG. 4), a ball screw (not shown), and the like. For example, the motor 36A is connected to the table support member 35, and is connected to the modeling table 34 via the table support member 35. The table support member 35 moves in the vertical direction Z by driving the motor 36A. Then, with the movement of the table support member 35 in the vertical direction Z, the modeling table 34 moves in the vertical direction Z. The lifting mechanism 36 is electrically connected to the control device 80 and is controlled by the control device 80.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first powder storage tank 38 is a tank in which the powder material 90 is stored. The first powder storage tank 38 is formed in front of the modeling tank 32. When the powder material 90 is spread in the modeling space 32A by the laying roller 18, the powder material 90 that can not be accommodated in the modeling space 32A is collected in the first powder storage tank 38. The first powder storage tank 38 has a first storage space 38A in which the powder material 90 is stored. The first storage space 38A has a predetermined first volume V1. The first volume V1 is, for example, about 200 L to about 400 L.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the second powder storage tank 44 is a tank in which the powder material 90 is stored. The second powder storage tank 44 is disposed rearward of the modeling tank 32. The second powder reservoir 44 is disposed above the first powder reservoir 38. The second powder storage tank 44 is disposed above the discharge head 22. The second powder storage tank 44 has a second storage space 44A in which the powder material 90 is stored. The second storage space 44A has a second volume V2 smaller than the first volume V1 of the first storage space 38A. The second volume V2 is about one tenth to about twenty tenths of the first volume V1. The second volume V2 is, for example, about 10 L to about 40 L. The second powder storage tank 44 is provided with an inlet 47 provided at the upper end. The inlet 47 is in communication with the second storage space 44A. The powder material 90 transferred from the first powder storage tank 38 is transferred into the second storage space 44A via the inlet 47. The second powder storage tank 44 is provided with a discharge port 45 provided at the lower end. The discharge port 45 communicates with the second storage space 44A. As shown in FIG. 3, the outlet 45 extends in the left-right direction Y. The length of the discharge port 45 in the left-right direction Y is the same as the length of the build tank 32 in the left-right direction Y. The length in the left-right direction Y of the discharge port 45 may be shorter than the length in the left-right direction Y of the modeling tank 32. As shown in FIG. 2, the second powder storage tank 44 includes a discharge device 46 provided in the second storage space 44A, and a motor 46A (see FIG. 4) for driving the discharge device 46. The discharge device 46 discharges the powder material 90 provided in the second storage space 44A downward from the discharge port 45. The configuration of the discharge device 46 is not particularly limited. The discharge device 46 is, for example, a rotary valve. The discharge device 46 discharges the powder material 90 downward from the discharge port 45 by stirring the powder material 90 stored in the second storage space 44A. The motor 46A is electrically connected to the control device 80 and is controlled by the control device 80.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the second powder storage tank 44 is supported by a support member 26 provided on the top surface 10 </ b> A of the main body 10. That is, the second powder storage tank 44 is fixed to the main body 10, and the positional relationship between the second powder storage tank 44 and the modeling tank 32 does not change. The support member 26 extends from the upper surface 10A of the main body 10 upward to the left support leg 26L and the right support leg 26R, extends from the upper end of the left support leg 26L to the right, and is connected to the second powder reservoir 44 And a right arm 27R extending leftward from the upper end of the right support leg 26R and connected to the second powder reservoir 44. The left support leg 26 </ b> L is disposed to the left of the modeling tank 32. The right support leg 26R is disposed to the right of the modeling tank 32.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the third powder reservoir 48 is a reservoir in which the powder material 90 is stored. The third powder reservoir 48 is disposed above the first powder reservoir 38. The third powder reservoir 48 is disposed below the second powder reservoir 44. The third powder reservoir 48 is located below the second powder reservoir 44 when the discharge head 22 is located at the home position HP. In the third powder storage tank 48, when the discharge head 22 is located at the home position HP, an opening 49 described later of the third powder storage tank 48 overlaps the discharge port 45 of the second powder storage tank 44 in plan view. The third powder storage tank 48 has a third storage space 48A in which the powder material 90 is stored. The third storage space 48A has a third volume V3 smaller than the second volume V2. The third volume V3 is about one tenth to about twenty tenths of the second volume V2. The third volume V3 is, for example, about 0.5 L to about 4 L. The third powder storage tank 48 is provided with an opening 49 opening upward. The opening 49 is in communication with the third storage space 48A. The opening area of the opening 49 is larger than the opening area of the discharge port 45. The powder material 90 discharged from the discharge port 45 of the second powder storage tank 44 is conveyed into the third storage space 48A through the opening 49. The third powder storage tank 48 includes a supply port 50 provided at the lower end. The supply port 50 is in communication with the third storage space 48A. The supply port 50 extends in the left-right direction Y. The length in the left-right direction Y of the supply port 50 is the same as the length in the left-right direction Y of the modeling tank 32. The length of the supply port 50 in the left-right direction Y may be longer than the length of the build tank 32 in the left-right direction Y. The third powder storage tank 48 includes a supply device 51 provided in the third storage space 48A, and a motor 51A (see FIG. 4) for driving the supply device 51. The supply device 51 discharges the powder material 90 provided in the third storage space 48A downward from the supply port 50. The configuration of the supply device 51 is not particularly limited. The supply device 51 is, for example, a rotary valve. The supply device 51 discharges the powder material 90 downward from the supply port 50 by stirring the powder material 90 stored in the third storage space 48A. The powder material 90 discharged downward from the supply port 50 is, for example, located on the powder material mounting surface 31 or the modeling space 32A of the top surface 30A of the housing member 30. The powder material mounting surface 31 is located rearward of the modeling tank 32. The powder material mounting surface 31 is located below the discharge port 45. The motor 51A is electrically connected to the control device 80, and is controlled by the control device 80.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the third powder storage tank 48 is supported by a suspension arm 17 provided on the carriage 15. The third powder reservoir 48 is configured to be movable in the scanning direction X. That is, the third powder storage tank 48 is not fixed to the main body 10, and the relative positional relationship between the third powder storage tank 48 and the modeling tank 32 is variable.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the spreader roller 18 spreads the powder material 90 supplied from the third powder storage tank 48 in the modeling space 32A. The spreading roller 18 spreads the powder material 90 supplied to the powder material mounting surface 31 and the modeling space 32A in the modeling space 32A. The laying roller 18 flattens the surface of the powder material 90 to form a uniform powder layer in the shaping space 32A. The laying roller 18 is disposed above the upper surface 30 A of the housing member 30. The lower end of the spreader roller 18 is disposed slightly above the receiving member 30 such that a predetermined clearance (gap) is formed between the lower end of the laying roller 18 and the upper surface 30A of the receiving member 30. The laying roller 18 is disposed between the third powder reservoir 48 and the discharge head 22 in the scanning direction X. The laying roller 18 is disposed rearward of the third powder reservoir 48. The filling roller 18 is disposed in front of the discharge head 22. The laying roller 18 is supported by the left wall 15L and the right wall 15R of the carriage 15. The laying roller 18 has a long cylindrical shape. The laying roller 18 has a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction Y. The laying roller 18 is disposed such that the rotation axis is parallel to the left-right direction Y. The laying roller 18 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis. By driving the motor 18A (see FIG. 4) electrically connected to the control device 80, the covering roller 18 can be rotated in the forward direction or the reverse direction.

  The transfer device 70 is configured to transfer the powder material 90 stored in the first powder storage tank 38 to the second powder storage tank 44. That is, the powder material 90 stored in the first storage space 38A of the first powder storage tank 38 is transferred by the transfer device 70 to the second storage space 44A of the second powder storage tank 44. As shown in FIG. 2, the transport device 70 includes a transport pipe 71, a helical member 72, a case 73, and a motor 74. The transport pipe 71 is made of, for example, a flexible tube. One end 71 A of the transfer pipe 71 is disposed in the first storage space 38 A of the first powder storage tank 38. One end 71A of the transfer pipe 71 is buried in the powder material 90 stored in the first storage space 38A. The other end 71 B of the transport pipe 71 is connected to the case 73. The other end 71 B of the transfer pipe 71 is in communication with the second storage space 44 A of the second powder storage tank 44 via a case 73. A through hole 71H is formed at one end 71A of the transfer pipe 71. The powder material 90 stored in the first storage space 38A flows into the transfer pipe 71 from the through hole 71H. The spiral member 72 is disposed in the transport pipe 71. The helical member 72 is configured to be rotatable in the transport pipe 71. One end of the spiral member 72 is connected to a motor 74 disposed in the case 73. The helical member 72 is, for example, a screw conveyor or a helical coil. The case 73 is disposed above the second powder reservoir 48. The case 73 has an internal space 73A through which the powder material 90 can pass. An opening 73 B is formed at the lower end of the case 73, and the opening 73 B communicates with the second storage space 44 A of the second powder storage tank 44. In the present embodiment, the case 73 is connected to the second powder storage tank 44. The case 73 and the second powder storage tank 44 may be located apart from each other. The motor 74 is electrically connected to the control device 80 and is controlled by the control device 80. The controller 80 drives the motor 74 to rotate the helical member 72. Thereby, the powder material 90 which has flowed in from the through hole 71H of the transport pipe 71 is transported by the spiral member 72 toward one end 71A to the other end 71B of the spiral member 72, and the second powder storage tank It is transported to 44.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the control device 80. As shown in FIG. The control device 80 controls the formation of the three-dimensional structure 92 in the formation tank 32. The configuration of the control device 80 is not particularly limited. The control device 80 is configured by, for example, a microcomputer. The control device 80 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a ROM storing a program executed by the CPU, a RAM, and the like. Here, the control device 80 performs control relating to modeling using a program stored in the microcomputer.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 80 includes the motor 36A of the elevating mechanism 36, the motor 14 for driving the carriage 15, the discharge head 22, the motor 18A for driving the laying roller 18, the motor 74 of the conveyance device 70, and the discharge device 46. The motor 46A and the motor 51A of the supply device 51 are communicably connected. The control device 80 controls the motor 36A, the motor 14, the discharge head 22, the motor 18A, the motor 74, the motor 46A and the motor 51A. Here, the control device 80 controls the movement of the modeling table 34 in the vertical direction in the modeling space 32A of the modeling tank 32 by controlling the motor 36A. The control device 80 controls the movement of the carriage 15 in the traveling direction X1 and the returning direction X2 by controlling the driving of the motor 14. The controller 80 controls the timing at which the curing liquid is discharged by the discharge head 22 and the amount of the curing liquid. The control device 80 controls the rotation of the filling roller 18 by controlling the motor 18A. The control device 80 controls the drive of the motor 74 to control the helical member 72, thereby conveying and conveying the powder material 90 conveyed from the first powder storage tank 38 to the second powder storage tank 44. Control the timing. The control device 80 controls the drive of the motor 46A to control the discharge device 46, thereby controlling the discharge amount and timing of discharging the powder material 90 discharged downward from the discharge port 45. The control device 80 controls the drive of the motor 51A to control the supply device 51, thereby controlling the supply amount and timing of the powder material 90 supplied downward from the supply port 50.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 80 includes a storage unit 81, an elevation control unit 82, a transport control unit 83, a discharge control unit 84, a supply control unit 85, a carriage control unit 86, and a head control unit. 87, and. Each part of the control device 80 is realized by a program. This program may be read from a recording medium such as a CD or a DVD, for example. Note that this program may be downloaded via the Internet. Also, these units may be realized by a processor, a circuit, and the like.

  The storage unit 81 stores cross-sectional images obtained by slicing the three-dimensional structure 92 to be formed into a plurality of continuous layers in a predetermined direction (for example, the horizontal direction).

  The elevation control unit 82 controls the elevation mechanism 36 so that the modeling table 34 is lifted and lowered in the modeling space 32A of the modeling tank 32. Here, the lift control unit 82 controls the lift mechanism 36 to lower the modeling table 34 by a predetermined thickness (for example, 0.1 mm) of the hardened layer 91 to be modeled.

  The transport control unit 83 controls the transport device 70 to transport the powder material 90 from the first powder reservoir 38 to the second powder reservoir 44. Here, the transport control unit 83 drives the motor 74 to control the rotation of the spiral member 72. The conveyance control unit 83 drives the conveyance device 70 when the carriage 15 moves in the scanning direction X (for example, the going direction X1) and the third powder storage tank 48 is not positioned below the second powder storage tank 44. The powder material 90 stored in the first powder storage tank 38 is transported to the second powder storage tank 44. For example, when the third powder storage tank 48 is positioned above the modeling tank 32, the transfer control unit 83 drives the transfer device 70 to store the powder material 90 stored in the first powder storage tank 38, 2) Transport to the powder storage tank 44. The transport control unit 83 drives the transport device 70 each time a predetermined number of hardened layers 91 are formed. When the third powder storage tank 48 is located below the second powder storage tank 44, the powder material 90 stored in the first powder storage tank 38 is driven by driving the transfer device 70, as a second powder storage. It may be transported to the tank 44.

  The discharge control unit 84 controls the discharge device 46 to discharge the powder material 90 from the discharge port 45 of the second powder storage tank 44 to the third powder storage tank 48. Here, the discharge control unit 84 drives the motor 46A to control the discharge device 46. The discharge control unit 84 discharges when the third powder storage tank 48 is positioned below the second powder storage tank 44 (that is, when the discharge head 22 is positioned at the home position HP), as shown in FIG. 5. The apparatus 46 is driven to discharge the powder material 90 stored in the second powder storage tank 44 into the third powder storage tank 48. The discharge control unit 84 drives the discharge device 46 each time a predetermined number of hardened layers 91 are formed. In the example shown in FIG. 5, for convenience of description, illustration of the transport device 70 is omitted.

  The supply control unit 85 controls the supply device 51 to supply the powder material 90 downward from the supply port 50 of the third powder storage tank 48. Here, the supply control unit 85 drives the motor 51A to control the supply device 51. As shown in FIG. 6, the supply control unit 85 drives the supply device 51 to store the powder stored in the third powder storage tank 48 when the third powder storage tank 48 is positioned above the modeling tank 32. The material 90 is supplied to the modeling space 32A of the modeling tank 32. The supply control unit 85 drives the supply device 51 to store the powder stored in the third powder storage tank 48 when the third powder storage tank 48 is positioned above the powder material mounting surface 31 of the storage member 30. The material 90 may be supplied onto the powder material mounting surface 31. The supply control unit 85 drives the supply device 51 to supply the powder material 90 stored in the third powder storage tank 48 downward when the carriage 15 moves in the traveling direction X1. As shown in FIG. 7, the supply control unit 85 does not supply the powder material 90 downward when the third powder storage tank 48 is positioned downstream of the modeling tank 32, for example, above the first powder storage tank 38. . In the examples shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, for convenience of explanation, illustration of the transport device 70 is omitted.

  The carriage control unit 86 controls the movement of the carriage 15 in the scanning direction X (that is, the traveling direction X1 and the returning direction X2). The carriage control unit 86 drives the motor 14 when the powder material 90 is supplied downward from the supply port 50 of the third powder storage tank 48 so that the laying roller 18 passes above the shaping tank 32. The carriage 15 is moved as follows. The carriage control unit 86 performs filling by driving the motor 14 after the powder material 90 for one layer is supplied at a time from the supply port 50 of the third powder storage tank 48 to the powder material mounting surface 31 at one time. The carriage 15 may be moved so that the roller 18 passes above the formation tank 32.

  The head control unit 87 causes the discharge head 22 to discharge the curing liquid to the powder material 90 placed on the modeling table 34 based on the cross-sectional image stored in the storage unit 81. The head control unit 87 places the discharge head 22 on the shaping table 34 when the carriage 15 moves in the scanning direction X and the powder material 90 is supplied downward from the supply port 50 of the third powder storage tank 48. The curing liquid is discharged onto the powder material 90 thus prepared. The head control unit 87 discharges the curing liquid from the discharge head 22 when the carriage 15 moves in the traveling direction X1. The head control unit 87 may discharge the curing liquid from the discharge head 22 when the carriage 15 moves in the return direction X2, or when the carriage 15 moves in the direction X1 of the traveling direction and the return direction X, The curing liquid may be discharged from the discharge head 22.

  The configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 has been described above. Next, the operation of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 when modeling the three-dimensional structure 92 will be described. In the present embodiment, the desired three-dimensional structure 92 is formed by sequentially laminating a cured powder layer along a cross-sectional image showing the cross-sectional shape of the desired three-dimensional structure 92.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the transfer control unit 83 controls the transfer device 70 to transfer the powder material 90 from the first powder storage tank 38 to the second powder storage tank 44. Next, as shown in FIG. 5, when the third powder storage tank 48 is positioned below the second powder storage tank 44, as shown in FIG. The powder material 90 is discharged to the third powder reservoir 48. Then, when the powder material 90 necessary to form the hardened layer 91 of at least one layer is stored in the third powder storage tank 48, as shown in FIG. The carriage control unit 86 moves the carriage 15 in the traveling direction X1 while controllingly supplying the powder material 90 downward from the third powder storage tank 48. As a result, the powder material 90 is spread in the modeling space 32A of the modeling tank 32 by the laying roller 18. At this time, the head control unit 87 discharges the curing liquid toward the powder material 90 placed on the modeling table 34 based on the cross-sectional image stored in the storage unit 81. Thereby, the powder material 90 is hardened to form a hardened layer 91. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7, the supply control unit 85 stops the driving of the supply device 51 before the third powder storage tank 48 is positioned above the first powder storage tank 38, and the third powder storage tank 48 is stopped. Stop the supply of the powder material 90 from the The carriage control unit 86 moves the carriage 15 in the traveling direction X1 until, for example, the laying roller 18 is positioned above the first powder storage tank 38. At this time, the powder material 90 that can not be accommodated in the modeling space 32A of the modeling tank 32 is pushed out by the laying roller 18 and collected in the first powder storage tank 38. The position of the discharge head 22 when the laying roller 18 is positioned above the first powder storage tank 38 is taken as the stop position SP. The ejection of the curing liquid from the ejection head 22 is completed before the ejection head 22 reaches the stop position SP. Thereafter, the carriage control unit 86 moves the carriage 15 in the return direction X2, and returns the discharge head 22 from the stop position SP to the home position HP. When the carriage 15 moves in the return direction X2, the curing liquid is not discharged from the discharge head 22, and the powder material 90 is not supplied from the third powder storage tank 48. The transport control unit 83 controls the transport device 70 to move the carriage 15 from the first powder storage tank 38 to the second powder before the carriage 15 moves from the home position HP to the stop position SP and returns to the home position HP. The powder material 90 may be transported to the reservoir 44. And after discharge head 22 arrives at home position HP, modeling of the following hardening layer 91 is performed because operation mentioned above is performed one by one. Thus, the desired three-dimensional structure 92 is formed by sequentially laminating the hardened layers 91.

  As described above, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is the second powder storage tank having the first powder storage tank 38 having the first storage space 38A in which the powder material 90 is stored, and the second storage space 44A. 44 and a third powder storage tank 48 having a third storage space 48A. The volume V1 of the first storage space 38A is larger than the volume V2 of the second storage space 44A. The volume V2 of the second storage space 44A is larger than the volume V3 of the third storage space 48A. The first powder storage tank 38 is disposed in front of the modeling tank 32, and since the volume V1 of the first powder storage tank 38 is relatively large, more powder material 90 can be stored. Furthermore, since the powder material 90 stored in the first powder storage tank 38 can be transported to the second powder storage tank 44 disposed above the modeling table 34 at any time by the transport device 70, the second powder storage The volume V2 of the second storage space 44A of the tank 44 may not be so large, and the second powder storage tank 44 can be miniaturized. Furthermore, since the powder material 90 discharged from the second powder storage tank 44 is intermittently stored in the third powder storage tank 48 disposed below the second powder storage tank 44, the third powder storage The volume V3 of the third storage space 48A of the tank 48 may not be so large, and the third powder storage tank 48 can be miniaturized. That is, although the powder material 90 is supplied downward from the supply port 50 of the third powder storage tank 48, the third powder storage tank 48 stores the powder material 90 which can form at least one hardened layer 91. It can be miniaturized to the extent that it can. Therefore, even if the second powder storage tank 44 and / or the third powder storage tank 48 is moved in a predetermined direction above the modeling table 34, the second powder storage tank 44 and the third powder storage tank 48 are compact. The power source can be miniaturized as well. In addition, since a relatively large amount of powder material 90 can be stored in the first powder storage tank 38 disposed in front of the modeling tank 32, the first powder storage tank 38 to the second powder storage tank 44 are interposed. By conveying the powder material 90 to the third powder storage tank 48 as needed, a relatively large three-dimensional structure 92 can be formed.

  According to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, one end 71A of the transfer device 70 is disposed in the first storage space 38A of the first powder storage tank 38, and the other end 71B is the second of the second powder storage tank 44. A transport pipe 71 communicating with the storage space 44A and a spiral member 72 disposed in the transport pipe 71 are provided. The powder material 90 stored in the first powder storage tank 38 is conveyed by the spiral member 72 to the second powder storage tank 44. For this reason, the powder material 90 is conveyed to the second powder storage tank 44 in a state where the powder material 90 is appropriately stirred, and generation of deviation in particle size distribution of the powder material 90 is suppressed. When the particle size distribution of the powder material 90 is uneven, there is a possibility that the quality of the three-dimensional structure 92 may be deteriorated due to the formation of a portion which is hard to be partially cured.

  According to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the moving mechanism 12 is mounted with the discharge head 22 and the laying roller 18, and the carriage 15 and the carriage 15 are movable in the scanning direction X with respect to the modeling tank 32. And a motor 14 for driving. Since the powder material 90 is accommodated in the shaping tank 32, the weight tends to be heavier than the discharge head 22. In this embodiment, in order to move the carriage 15 on which the relatively lightweight discharge head 22 is mounted, a small-sized motor 14 is used to move the carriage 15 as compared to the case where the modeling tank 32 is moved. it can. Further, since the discharge head 22 and the filling roller 18 are mounted on the carriage 15, control and structure are simplified as compared with the case of moving them individually.

  According to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the control device 80 drives the supply device 51 to supply the powder material 90 downward from the supply port 50, and the powder material 90 has the supply port 50. The carriage control unit 86 is configured to move the carriage 15 so that the spreader roller 18 passes above the modeling tank 32 by driving the motor 14 when supplied downward. Thus, while the powder material 90 is supplied downward from the supply port 50 of the third powder storage tank 48, the powder material 90 supplied by the laying roller 18 can be spread in the modeling space 32A of the modeling tank 32. The powder material 90 can be spread more uniformly in the modeling space 32A, as compared with the case where the powder material 90 necessary to model the single-layered hardened layer 91 is supplied at once.

  According to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, when the carriage 15 moves in the scanning direction X and the third powder storage tank 48 is not positioned below the second powder storage tank 44 (e.g. The powder material 90 stored in the first powder storage tank 38 by driving the transfer device 70 when the third powder storage tank 48 is positioned above the modeling tank 32). Transport As described above, since the powder material 90 can be transported to the second powder storage tank 44 while the powder material 90 is spread in the modeling space 32A by the laying roller 18, a sufficient amount of the second powder storage tank 44 can be obtained. Powdered material 90 can be stored constantly. As a result, the powder material 90 of the first powder storage tank 38 can be efficiently transported to the third powder storage tank 48.

  According to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, when the carriage 15 moves in the scanning direction X and the powder material 90 is supplied downward from the supply port 50, the head control unit 87 The curing liquid is discharged onto the powder material 90 placed on the shaping table 34. As described above, since the curing liquid can be immediately discharged to the spread powder material 90 while the powder material 90 is spread by the spread roller 18, the time required for forming the three-dimensional structure 92 can be shortened. it can.

  According to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the discharge device 46 discharges the powder material 90 downward from the discharge port 45 by stirring the powder material 90 stored in the second storage space 44A. Thereby, the deviation of the particle size distribution of the discharged powder material 90 is reduced. Further, the supply device 51 supplies the powder material 90 downward from the supply port 50 by stirring the powder material 90 stored in the third storage space 48A. Thereby, the deviation of the particle size distribution of the supplied powder material 90 is reduced.

  According to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, when the powder material 90 is spread in the modeling space 32A by the spreading roller 18, the powder material 90 that can not be accommodated in the modeling space 32A is stored in the first powder storage tank 38. It will be collected. The powder material 90 collected in the first powder storage tank 38 is supplied downward from the supply port 50 again from the first powder storage tank 38 via the second powder storage tank 44 and the third powder storage tank 48.

  According to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the laying roller 18 is configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction Y. Thereby, since the powder material 90 can be spread in the modeling space 32A of the modeling tank 32 while rotating the laying roller 18, a flatter surface can be formed on the upper layer plane of the modeling space 32A.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 includes a main body 10, a moving mechanism 12, a housing member 30, a second powder storage tank 144, a third powder storage tank 48, and a laying roller 18. The ejection head 22, the transport device 170, and the control device 80 (see FIG. 9) are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the second powder storage tank 144 is a tank in which the powder material 90 is stored. The second powder storage tank 144 is disposed rearward of the modeling tank 32. The second powder storage tank 144 is disposed above the first powder storage tank 38. The second powder storage tank 144 is disposed above the discharge head 22. The second powder storage tank 144 has a second storage space 144A in which the powder material 90 is stored. The second storage space 144A has a second volume V2 smaller than the first volume V1 of the first storage space 38A. The second powder storage tank 144 includes an inlet 147A provided at the top and a suction port 147B. The inlet 147A and the suction port 147B communicate with the second storage space 144A. The suction port 147B is disposed rearward of the inlet 147A. The powder material 90 transferred from the first powder storage tank 38 is transferred into the second storage space 144A via the inlet 147A.

  The transfer device 170 is configured to transfer the powder material 90 stored in the first powder storage tank 38 to the second powder storage tank 144. As shown in FIG. 9, the transport device 170 includes a transport pipe 171, a suction pipe 172, and a suction pump 173 (see FIG. 8). The transport pipe 171 and the suction pipe 172 are configured by, for example, flexible tubes. The transfer pipe 171 is disposed forward of the second powder storage tank 144. One end 171A of the transfer pipe 171 is disposed in the first storage space 38A of the first powder storage tank 38. One end 171A of the transfer pipe 171 is buried in the powder material 90 stored in the first storage space 38A. The other end 171 B of the transfer pipe 171 is connected to the inlet 147 A of the second powder storage tank 144. The other end 171 B of the transfer pipe 171 is in communication with the second storage space 144 A of the second powder storage tank 144. The suction pipe 172 is disposed rearward of the second powder reservoir 144. One end 172A of the suction pipe 172 is connected to the suction port 147B of the second powder storage tank 144. One end 172A of the suction pipe 172 is in communication with the second storage space 144A of the second powder storage tank 144. The other end 172B of the suction pipe 172 is connected to the suction pump 173 (see FIG. 8). A filter 148 is provided at one end 172A of the suction pipe 172. The filter 148 is configured, for example, to pass air but not the powder material 90. The filter 148 is detachably provided to the suction pipe 172. The suction pump 173 sucks the air in the transport pipe 171 and the suction pipe 172. The suction pump 173 is disposed on the top surface 10 A of the main body 10. The suction pump 173 is disposed rearward of the support member 26. The suction pump 173 is disposed to the right of the second powder reservoir 144. The suction pump 173 is electrically connected to the control device 80 and is controlled by the control device 80.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the present embodiment, the control device 80 is communicably connected to the suction pump 173. The controller 80 controls the suction pump 173. Here, the controller 80 controls the suction pump 173 to suck the air in the transport pipe 171 and the suction pipe 172. Thereby, the powder material 90 is conveyed from the first powder storage tank 38 to the second powder storage tank 144 via the transfer pipe 171.

  The transport control unit 83 controls the suction pump 173. The conveyance control unit 83 drives the suction pump 173 when the carriage 15 moves in the scanning direction X (for example, the traveling direction X1) and the third powder storage tank 48 is not positioned below the second powder storage tank 144. The powder material 90 stored in the first powder storage tank 38 is transported to the second powder storage tank 144. For example, when the third powder storage tank 48 is located above the modeling tank 32, the transfer control unit 83 drives the suction pump 173 to store the powder material 90 stored in the first powder storage tank 38, 2) Transport to the powder storage tank 44. The transport control unit 83 drives the suction pump 173 each time a predetermined number of hardened layers 91 are formed. When the third powder storage tank 48 is located below the second powder storage tank 44, the powder material 90 stored in the first powder storage tank 38 is driven by driving the suction pump 173, the second powder storage It may be transported to the tank 44.

  According to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, one end 171A of the transfer device 170 is disposed in the first storage space 38A of the first powder storage tank 38, and the other end 171B is the second of the second powder storage tank 144. 2) The transfer pipe 171 communicating with the storage space 144A, the suction pump 173 for sucking the air in the transfer pipe 171 and the suction pipe 172, and one end 172A communicate with the second storage space 144A of the second powder storage tank 144 And a suction pipe 172 connected to the suction pump 173 at the end 172 B. Thus, the powder material 90 stored in the first powder storage tank 38 is conveyed to the second powder storage tank 144 by the suction pump 173. Therefore, by appropriately adjusting the output of the suction pump 173, the transport amount of the powder material 90 can be easily adjusted.

  According to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the filter 148 is provided at one end 172A of the suction pipe 172. Thus, suction of the powder material 90 by the suction pump 173 can be suppressed.

Third Embodiment
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the carriage 15 is disposed forward of the third powder storage tank 48. As shown in FIG. 12, the third powder reservoir 48 is disposed below the second powder reservoir 144. The third powder reservoir 48 includes a left suspension arm 28L (see FIG. 11) provided on the left arm 27L of the support member 26 and a right suspension arm 28R (see FIG. 11) provided on the right arm 27R of the support member 26. And is supported by. That is, the second powder storage tank 144 and the third powder storage tank 48 are fixed to the support member 26. The third powder storage tank 48 is not mounted on the carriage 15 and is provided immovably in the scanning direction X.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, the powder material 90 is supplied to the powder material mounting surface 10B of the main body 10 from the supply port 50 of the third powder storage tank 48. The powder material mounting surface 10 </ b> B is located below the supply port 50. From the supply port 50 of the third powder storage tank 48, the powder material 90 necessary to form the hardened layer 91 of one layer is collectively supplied at one time. Thereafter, the carriage 15 moves in the traveling direction X1, and the laying roller 18 packs the powder material 90 in the shaping space 32A of the shaping tank 32. The ejection head 22 ejects the curing liquid onto the powder material 90 placed on the modeling table 34, for example, when the carriage 15 moves in the return direction X2. In the present embodiment, the curing liquid is not discharged from the discharge head 22 when the laying roller 18 lays the powder material 90 in the modeling space 32A.

  The timing at which the transport control unit 83 drives the suction pump 173 to transport the powder material 90 stored in the first powder storage tank 38 to the second powder storage tank 144 is not particularly limited. The transport control unit 83 drives the suction pump 173 while the transport controller 83 is positioned on the modeling tank 32.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative, and the present invention can be embodied in other various forms.

  In each embodiment mentioned above, although discharge head 22 was a line head, it is not limited to this. For example, the ejection head 22 may have a plurality of nozzles arranged linearly in the scanning direction X, and may be configured to be movable in the left-right direction Y.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 includes the ejection head 22 that ejects the curing liquid, but in addition to this, another ejection head that ejects ink such as process color ink may be provided. It is also good.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the carriage 15 is moved relative to the housing member 30 housed in the main body 10 in the scanning direction X, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the carriage 15 may be fixed to the main body 10, and the housing member 30 may be moved relative to the carriage 15 in the scanning direction X.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the hardening liquid is discharged from the discharge head 22 to the powder material 90 placed on the modeling table 34 while the powder material 90 is spread over the modeling space 32A by the laying roller 18 However, after the work of laying the powder material 90 in the shaping space 32A by the laying roller 18 is finished, the curing liquid may be discharged from the discharge head 22 to the powder material 90 placed on the shaping table 34.

  In the above-described embodiments, the second powder storage tank 44 discharges the discharge device 46 that discharges the powder material 90 downward from the discharge port 45 by stirring the powder material 90 stored in the second storage space 44A. The third powder storage tank 48 includes the supply device 51 that discharges the powder material 90 downward from the supply port 50 by stirring the powder material 90 stored in the third storage space 48A. It is not limited to this. For example, the second powder reservoir 44 may not include the discharge device 46, and the third powder reservoir 48 may not include the supply device 51. In addition, the second powder storage tank 44 may not include the discharge device 46, and the third powder storage tank 48 may include the supply device 51.

Reference Signs List 15 carriage 18 spreading roller 22 discharge head 32 modeling tank 32A modeling space 34 modeling table 38 first powder storage tank 38A first storage space 44 second powder storage tank 44A second storage space 45 discharge port 48 third powder storage tank 48A Third storage space 50 Supply port 70 Transport device 90 Powder material 100 Three-dimensional modeling device

Claims (12)

A three-dimensional forming apparatus for forming a three-dimensional structure by curing a powder material to form a hardened layer and sequentially laminating the layers,
A modeling tank having a modeling space in which the powder material is accommodated and the three-dimensional model is modeled;
A forming table which is disposed in the forming space and on which the powder material is placed;
A first powder storage tank disposed laterally of the modeling tank and having a first storage space in which the powder material is stored;
A discharge head disposed above the modeling tank and discharging the curing liquid to the powder material placed on the modeling table;
A moving mechanism that moves either one of the modeling tank and the discharge head relative to the other in the first direction;
A second storage space disposed above the discharge head and the first powder storage tank, the powder material being stored, and having a smaller volume than the first storage space, an outlet provided at a lower end, and the second storage A second powder storage tank provided in a space and having a discharge device discharging the powder material downward from the discharge port;
A conveying device for conveying the powder material stored in the first powder storage tank to the second powder storage tank;
A third storage space disposed below the second powder storage tank and above the modeling tank, storing the powder material discharged from the second powder storage tank, and having a smaller volume than the second storage space, and a lower end A third powder storage tank having a supply port provided in the third storage space, and a supply device provided in the third storage space and supplying the powder material downward from the supply port;
A three-dimensional modeling apparatus comprising: a laying member disposed above the modeling tank and below the third powder storage tank and laying the powder material supplied from the supply port in the modeling space.   The transfer device has a transfer pipe whose one end is disposed in the first storage space of the first powder storage tank and whose other end communicates with the second storage space of the second powder storage tank, and in the transfer pipe. The three-dimensional shaping apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: a helical member disposed.   The transfer device has a transfer pipe whose one end is disposed in the first storage space of the first powder storage tank and whose other end is in communication with the second storage space of the second powder storage tank; The suction pump according to claim 1, further comprising: a suction pump for suctioning air; and a suction pipe having one end connected to the second storage space of the second powder storage tank and the other end connected to the suction pump. Three-dimensional modeling device.   The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a filter is provided at the one end of the suction pipe.   The moving mechanism includes a carriage on which the discharge head and the covering member are mounted and which can move in the first direction with respect to the modeling tank, and a driving source which drives the carriage. The three-dimensional shaping apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 4. A control device communicably connected to the supply device and the drive source;
The third powder reservoir is provided on the carriage so as to be located on the opposite side of the discharge head with respect to the covering member in the first direction.
The controller is
A supply control unit which drives the supply device to supply the powder material downward from the supply port;
A carriage control unit for moving the carriage so that the covering member passes above the modeling tank by driving the driving source when the powder material is supplied downward from the supply port; The three-dimensional shaping apparatus according to claim 5, comprising: The transport device is communicably connected to the control device;
The control device drives the transfer device to store the first powder when the carriage moves in the first direction and the third powder reservoir is not located below the second powder reservoir. The three-dimensional shaping apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a transport control unit configured to transport the powder material stored in a tank to the second powder storage tank. The transport device is communicably connected to the discharge head,
The control device controls the powder material placed on the molding table from the discharge head when the carriage moves in the first direction and the powder material is supplied downward from the supply port. The three-dimensional shaping apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a head control unit that discharges the curing liquid.   The discharge device is configured to discharge the powder material downward from the discharge port by stirring the powder material stored in the second storage space. The three-dimensional shaping apparatus according to any one of the items.   The said supply apparatus is comprised so that the said powder material may be supplied downward from the said discharge port by stirring the said powder material stored in the said 3rd storage space. The three-dimensional shaping apparatus according to any one of the items.   11. The powder material can not be stored in the modeling space when the powder material is laid in the modeling space by the padding member, and the powder material is collected in the first powder storage tank. The three-dimensional shaping apparatus described in the section.   12. The covering roller according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the covering member is a covering roller rotatable around a rotation axis extending in a predetermined second direction intersecting the first direction in a plan view. Three-dimensional modeling device described in.

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