JP2020037217A - Molding device, and manufacturing method of molding - Google Patents

Abstract

To automate a step for peeling off a molding from a table.SOLUTION: A molding device includes a table for forming a three-dimensional molding on the surface, and a formation part for forming the three-dimensional molding on the table by laminating a plurality of material layers comprising a molding material. The table includes a first table area and a second table area constituting its surface, and a lifting mechanism for lifting the height of the second table area to the first table area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a molding apparatus and a method of manufacturing a molded article.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a modeling apparatus (a so-called 3D printer) that generates a three-dimensional model based on given data is known (for example, Patent Document 1). In recent years, 3D printers have been reduced in size and cost so that individual users can use them at home.

  A typical configuration example of the 3D printer includes a relatively movable table and a head. A molding material such as a filamentous ABS resin or PLA resin is supplied to the head, and the molding material is heated to a melting point in the head and discharged from a nozzle of the head in a flowing state. The 3D printer forms a three-dimensional structure by stacking flowable forming materials while relatively moving a table and a head.

JP 03-158228 A

  By the way, since the molding material discharged from the nozzle solidifies and contracts due to a decrease in the temperature, the molding formed on the table is also deformed. The deformation of the modeled object causes, for example, a shift in the stacking position of the modeling material, which leads to a failure in manufacturing the modeled object.

  In order to prevent the above-mentioned failures, generally, fine irregularities are formed on the upper surface of the table (or the upper surface of the pad laid on the table), and the lower surface of the model is fixed to the irregularities. It has been like that. If failure due to shrinkage of the object cannot be prevented, for example, use a heated bed to keep the object at a predetermined temperature to reduce shrinkage, or dry or heat solidify the table top (or pad top). A measure is taken to apply a glue (which may be called an adhesive) in advance so that the bottom surface of the modeled object is more firmly fixed.

  Here, a considerable amount of hand force is required to peel off the molded object fixed on the table upper surface (or the pad upper surface) (or fixed via the glue). In the formation of a three-dimensional structure including such a peeling operation, manual preparation and post-processing exist, which requires time and effort. It has not been realized to automatically and continuously form a plurality of objects.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a 3D printer that automates at least a step of peeling off a model from a table, and desirably automates continuous modeling of a plurality of models. .

  One embodiment of the present invention that solves at least a part of the above-described problem is a modeling device, in which a table for forming a three-dimensional model on a surface thereof and a plurality of material layers including a modeling material are stacked. A forming unit that forms the three-dimensional structure on the table, wherein the table has a first table area and a second table area that configure the surface thereof, and An elevating mechanism for elevating the height of the second table area.

  The above modeling device may include a tilt mechanism for tilting the table in at least one direction.

  Any of the modeling devices described above includes a guide member that is provided below the table and receives the three-dimensional object that has slipped off the inclined table and guides the three-dimensional object to a predetermined area inside or outside the modeling device. Is also good.

  Any of the modeling devices described above is provided in the table, and an outlet thereof is formed on the surface of the table, a flow path for flowing the adhesive, and a flow path of the adhesive from the outlet of the flow path. And a discharge control unit for controlling discharge.

  Any of the modeling devices described above may include an adhesive head that discharges an adhesive onto the surface of the table, and a discharge control unit that controls discharge of the adhesive from the adhesive head.

  Any of the above modeling apparatuses includes a controller that controls the modeling apparatus, wherein the controller causes the forming unit to form the three-dimensional model, and causes the lifting mechanism to move the second table area up and down. And a step of causing the tilt mechanism to tilt the table.

  Any of the modeling apparatuses described above includes a controller that controls the modeling apparatus, wherein the controller causes the discharge control unit to discharge the adhesive from an outlet of the flow channel, and the forming unit to perform the three-dimensional process. A step of forming a modeled object, a step of raising and lowering the second table area by the lifting mechanism, and a step of tilting the table by the tilting mechanism may be executed.

  Any of the above modeling apparatuses includes a controller that controls the modeling apparatus, wherein the controller causes the discharge control unit to discharge the adhesive from the adhesive head, and the forming unit to perform the three-dimensional modeling. A step of forming an object, a step of raising and lowering the second table area by the raising and lowering mechanism, and a step of tilting the table by the tilting mechanism may be executed.

  Another embodiment of the present invention that solves at least a part of the above-described problem is a method for manufacturing a modeled object, in which a three-dimensional modeled object is formed on a table by stacking a plurality of material layers made of a modeling material. Forming the third table area by raising and lowering the height of the second table area with respect to the first table area among the first table area and the second table area constituting the surface of the table. And a peeling step of peeling the original object from the surface of the table.

  The method for manufacturing a modeled object described above may include an unloading step of causing the separated three-dimensional modeled object to slide off the table by tilting the table.

  The method for manufacturing a modeled product according to any one of the above may further include, before the forming step, a step of forming a fixing layer by discharging an adhesive onto the table surface.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the 3D printer which automated the process of peeling at least a modeling thing from a table can be provided.

It is a mimetic diagram showing the example of composition of the modeling device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the inclination operation | movement of the table of a shaping apparatus. It is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a table. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a structure of the raising / lowering mechanism of a table. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation example of the raising / lowering mechanism of a table. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of a shaping apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a structure of the discharge mechanism of an adhesive material. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other example of a structure of the discharge mechanism of an adhesive material. It is a flow chart which shows other examples of operation of a modeling device. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of shapes and arrangement patterns of a first table area and a second table area. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of shapes and arrangement patterns of a first table area and a second table area.

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

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a modeling apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, the horizontal direction of the modeling apparatus 1 is defined as an X axis, the vertical direction is defined as a Y axis, and the front and rear direction is defined as a Z axis. The XZ plane is horizontal and the ZY plane is vertical.

  The shaping apparatus 1 stacks a material layer made of a shaping material on the table 3 according to shaping data (for example, tool path data generated by slicing STL data) input from a data output device such as a personal computer. A three-dimensional object P. The modeling device 1 can also be called a 3D printer.

  Specifically, the modeling apparatus 1 includes a housing 2, a table 3, a table moving mechanism 4, a guide member 5, a head 6, a head moving mechanism 7, a cartridge 8, a molding material 9, and a controller 10. The head 6 and the head moving mechanism 7 correspond to a modeling part (forming part).

  The housing 2 is, for example, a box for the purpose of preventing a temperature drop inside the housing. A door may be provided in a part of the housing 2, for example, in the front. An opening (not shown) in which a guide member 5 described later is inserted and disposed is provided in a partial region of the housing 2, for example, a side surface.

  The table 3 is a base for forming the modeled object P by laminating the melted modeling material thereon. The table 3 may be provided with a heater for heating the upper surface and function as a heated bed. The table 3 can also be called a stage, a bed, a platform, or the like.

  In the present embodiment, the table 3 includes an elevating mechanism 34 (FIG. 4) that changes the height of a part of the upper surface. By changing the height of a part of the area by the elevating mechanism 34, the bottom surface of the object P fixed to the table 3 can be automatically peeled off. The lifting mechanism 34 will be described later in detail.

  The table moving mechanism 4 is a mechanism that supports the table 3 from below and moves the table 3. The table moving mechanism 4 can move the table 3 in the Y-axis direction. Although the configuration of the table moving mechanism 4 is not particularly limited, for example, the table moving mechanism 4 can be configured by mechanical parts such as a motor, a gear, a rail, and a belt.

  In the present embodiment, the table moving mechanism 4 can tilt the table 3 in at least one direction with respect to a reference plane parallel to the XZ plane (tilting mechanism). For example, as shown in FIG. 2 (a schematic diagram showing an example of the tilting operation of the table 3), the table moving mechanism 4 tilts the table 3 to the lower left or lower right by a rotating operation about an axis parallel to the Z axis. You can tilt it. Thus, the modeled object P, which has been released from being fixed to the table 3, can be slid outside the table 3 and dropped. Note that the larger the inclination angle, the more easily the shaped object 3 is likely to slide down. Therefore, it is desirable that the maximum inclination angle of the table 3 be 90 degrees (relative to the reference plane 0 degree).

  The guide member 5 is a plate-shaped member arranged below the table 3, receives the modeled object P that has slid down by tilting the table 3, and receives a predetermined area in the modeling apparatus 1 or outside the modeling apparatus 1. To a predetermined area. The predetermined area is, for example, a case for storing the modeled object P, a conveyor for transporting the modeled object P, and the like.

  In the example of FIG. 2, two guide members 5 on the left and right are provided, each of which extends through an opening (not shown) formed in the housing 2 to the outside. Each guide member 5 forms an inclined surface that becomes lower toward the outside. The modeled object P that has slid down from the table 3 inclined to the left is received by the guide member 5 on the left side, slides on the guide member 5 and is guided to the outside of the left side of the housing 2. The object P slid down from the table 3 tilted to the right is received by the right guide member 5, slides down on the guide member 5, and is guided to the outside of the right side of the housing 2.

  The head 6 heats the modeling material 9 supplied from the cartridge 8 and discharges the dissolved modeling material in a flowing state from the nozzle at the tip. A feed mechanism (not shown) for supplying the filamentous modeling material 9 to the head 6 is provided inside the head 6 or outside the head 6. Although the configuration of the feed mechanism is not particularly limited, for example, the feed mechanism can be configured by mechanical parts such as a motor, a gear, and a roller.

  The head moving mechanism 7 is a mechanism that holds the head 6 and moves the head 6. The head moving mechanism 7 can move the head 6 in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The head moving mechanism 7 may be capable of moving the head 6 in the Y-axis direction. Although the configuration of the head moving mechanism 7 is not particularly limited, for example, it can be configured by mechanical parts such as a motor, a gear, a rail, and a belt.

  The cartridge 8 has a molding material 9 such as a filamentous ABS resin or PLA resin wound thereon, and is configured so that the molding material 9 can be pulled out. The tip of the modeling material 9 is pulled out of the cartridge 8 and is loaded in the above-described feeding mechanism.

  The controller 10 controls the overall operation of the modeling apparatus 1 in an integrated manner. For example, the controller 10 may control the head moving mechanism 7 and the table based on modeling data transmitted from a data output device (a personal computer, a smartphone, a server computer, a computer on a cloud, or the like) or read from a recording medium. The moving mechanism 4 is controlled to move the modeling position of the head 6 above the table 3 (the relative position between the head 6 and the table 3). Further, the controller 10 controls the head 6 to melt and stack the modeling material at the modeling position. By repeating such processing, the modeling materials are stacked, and the modeled object P is modeled.

  In addition, after the modeling of the modeled object P is completed, the controller 10 controls the elevating mechanism 34 described below to peel off the bottom surface of the modeled object P from the table 3. Then, the controller 10 controls the table moving mechanism 4 to incline the table 3 and slide the object P down. By such a process, the produced modeled object P is carried out from the table 3, so that the modeling of the next modeled object P can be started.

  The controller 10 can be realized by, for example, a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a communication interface, a display, an input device, a recording medium reading device, and the like. The controller 10 may include a circuit such as a dedicated image processing circuit other than the CPU. The functions and processing of the controller 10 can be realized, for example, by the CPU executing a predetermined program.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the external appearance of the table 3. The table 3 includes a frame body 31, a plurality of first table areas 32, and a plurality of second table areas 33. In the example of the drawing, the area around the plurality of second table areas 33 is a continuous integrated area. However, this area can be understood as a plurality of first table areas 32 divided for convenience. The plurality of first table areas 32 and the plurality of second table areas 33 are provided inside the frame body 31 and constitute the upper surface of the table 3. The plurality of first table areas 32 and the plurality of second table areas 33 have a geometric shape and are alternately arranged in a two-dimensional direction (X-axis direction and Z-axis direction).

  Note that the ratio of the area of the first table region 32 to the area of the second table region 33 is desirably the same so that the area separated by a lifting operation described later is substantially the same.

  The geometric shapes of the first table area 32 and the second table area 33 are not limited to the quadrangles shown in FIGS. 3 and 10A, but may be the triangles shown in FIG. It may be a good shape, a polygon having more shapes, or a shape with rounded corners. Further, the numbers of the first table area 32 and the second table area 33 are not limited to the illustrated example, and their arrangement may be random.

  As shown in FIG. 10C, a plurality of quadrangular second table regions 33 may be arranged obliquely to the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 11A, a plurality of second table regions 33 which are polygons (polygons formed by cutting out diagonal corners of a rectangle) are formed in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. May be arranged obliquely. Further, as shown in FIG. 11B, the second table area 33, which is a set in which two line-symmetric triangles are displaced in the Z-axis direction, is inclined in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. May be arranged. Further, as shown in FIG. 11C, the second table area 33, which is a set in which two triangles are arranged line-symmetrically, may be arranged obliquely to the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. . In these arrangement patterns, there is no linearly continuous region in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction between the plurality of second table regions 33. Therefore, for example, when the elongated object P is arranged along the X-axis direction or the Z-axis direction, the bottom surface contacts both the plurality of first table regions 32 and the plurality of second table regions 33.

  FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams illustrating a configuration example of the lifting mechanism 34 of the table 3. FIG. 4A illustrates a state in which the second table region 33 is located at the reference height, and FIG. (C) shows a state in which the second table area 33 has risen. FIG. 4 shows an XY cross section of the table 3 of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the plurality of first table regions 32 are fixed to the frame body 31 such that the upper surfaces thereof match the reference height position H of the upper surface of the table 3. Have been.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the heights of the upper surfaces of the plurality of second table areas 33 can be raised and lowered. For example, the plurality of second table areas 33 are held by an elevating mechanism 34 disposed below the second table areas 33, and can be moved up and down by the elevating operation of the elevating mechanism 34. Although the configuration of the lifting mechanism 34 is not particularly limited, for example, it can be configured by mechanical parts such as a motor, a gear, a rail, and a cylinder.

  In FIG. 4A, the plurality of second table regions 33 are positioned such that the upper surfaces thereof match the reference height position H of the upper surface of the table 3. There is no step between the upper surface of the second table region 33 and the upper surface of the first table region 32, and the upper surface of the table 3 is flat. In FIG. 4B, the plurality of second table regions 33 are positioned such that the upper surface thereof is lower than the reference height position H of the upper surface of the table 3. A step G1 is formed between the upper surface of the second table region 33 and the upper surface of the first table region 32. In FIG. 4C, the plurality of second table regions 33 are positioned such that the upper surface thereof is higher than the reference height position H of the upper surface of the table 3. A step G2 is formed between the upper surface of the second table region 33 and the upper surface of the first table region 32.

  FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing an operation example of the lifting mechanism 34 of the table 3, wherein FIG. 5A shows a state in which the second table area 33 is located at the reference height, and FIG. (C) shows a state in which the second table area 33 has risen.

  First, in the state shown in FIG. 5A, the bottom surface of the modeled object P is fixed to the upper surfaces of the plurality of first table regions 32 and the upper surfaces of the plurality of second table regions 33. If glue (which may be referred to as an adhesive) which solidifies by drying or heat is applied to the upper surface of the table 3 in advance, the glue will be further firmly fixed via the fixing layer.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the plurality of second table areas 33 are lowered below the reference height position H, a step G1 is generated. The upper surface of the table area 33 is peeled off. In this state, the bottom surface of the modeled object P is still fixed to the upper surfaces of the plurality of first table regions 32.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5C, when the plurality of second table regions 33 are raised higher than the reference height position H, a step G2 is generated. Of the table area 32 is peeled off. In this manner, the bottom surface of the modeled object P is released from being fixed to the upper surfaces of the plurality of first table regions 32 and the upper surfaces of the plurality of second table regions 33.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the modeling device 1. This flowchart is started, for example, after the power of the modeling apparatus 1 is turned on.

  First, the controller 10 determines whether or not a molding instruction for a molded object P to be molded next has been received (step S1). For example, the controller 10 determines whether or not a modeling instruction including the modeling data has been received from the data output device via the communication interface. Until it is determined that the molding instruction has been received, the controller 10 repeats the process of step S1 (NO in step S1).

  When it is determined that the next molding instruction has been received (YES in step S1), the controller 10 executes a molding process (step S2). For example, the controller 10 controls the head moving mechanism 7 and the table moving mechanism 4 based on the shaping data received in step S1, and forms the shaping position of the head 6 above the table 3 (the relative position of the head 6 and the table 3). Move). Further, the controller 10 controls the head 6 to melt and stack the modeling material at the modeling position. By repeating such processing, the modeling materials are laminated, and the modeling object P instructed in step S1 is modeled.

  Next, the controller 10 performs a peeling process of the modeled object P (Step S3). For example, the controller 10 controls the elevating mechanism 34 to repeat the elevating operation of the second table area 33 (FIGS. 5B and 5C) at least once. Thereby, the bottom surface of the modeled object P is separated from the upper surface of the table 3. Thereafter, the controller 10 returns the second table area 33 to the reference height position H (FIG. 5A).

  Next, the controller 10 executes a process of unloading the modeled object P (Step S4). For example, the controller 10 controls the table moving mechanism 4 to tilt the table 3. Thus, the modeled object P slides from the table 3 and slides onto the guide member 5, and is conveyed by the guide member 5 to a predetermined area. Thereafter, the controller 10 returns the inclination of the table 3 to the initial posture (horizontal), and returns the processing to step S1.

  Note that the peeling process and the transport process are not limited to the example shown in the above-described flowchart. For example, after tilting the table 3, the controller 10 may perform a peeling process in that state, and then return the table 3 to the initial posture. Also in this case, the modeled object P can be slid down.

  In step S4, the controller 10 may sort the modeled object P such that the modeled object P is carried out from any one of the plurality of guide members 5. As a specific example, the controller 10 selects a guide member 5 different from the guide member 5 from which the previously formed object P was slid down, and tilts the table 3 toward the selected guide member 5. As another specific example, the identifier of one of the guide members 5 is included in the modeling instruction, and the controller 10 tilts the table 3 toward the guide member 5 specified by the modeling instruction.

  Hereinabove, one embodiment of the present invention has been described. According to the modeling apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the step of peeling the molded object P from the table 3 can be automated. In addition, it is possible to automate continuous modeling of the plurality of modeling objects P.

  In the above-described embodiment, the user needs to apply the adhesive to the upper surface of the table 3. In order to automate this work, the table 3 of the modeling apparatus 1 may be provided with an adhesive discharging mechanism. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an adhesive discharge mechanism. Inside the table 3, a flow path 35 for flowing a liquid or gel adhesive is provided. The inlet 36 of the channel 35 is connected to an adhesive cartridge (not shown) filled with an adhesive, which is provided outside the table 3. The channel 35 is branched into a plurality of portions, and the outlet 37 of each branch is formed on the upper surface of the second table region 33. For example, a pump (not shown) is provided between the adhesive cartridge and the flow path 35, and the adhesive flows through the flow path 35 by the force of the pump, and is discharged from each outlet 37. The operation of this pump is controlled by the controller 10.

  Of course, the discharge of the adhesive is not limited to the pump mechanism, and may be controlled by, for example, a piezo element or a heater provided in the vicinity of the outlet 37 by applying the technology of a printer using ink. Therefore, a mechanism for discharging these adhesives can be called, for example, a discharge control unit. When the adhesive is in a liquid or gel state that cannot maintain its shape, the adhesive cartridge functions as an adhesive tank. On the other hand, when the adhesive is a gel that can maintain its shape, the adhesive cartridge is configured such that, for example, a filamentous adhesive is wound and the adhesive can be pulled out. I have. The pulled out adhesive is supplied to the inlet 36 of the flow path 35.

  The adhesive discharged from each outlet 37 is melted by the heat of the head 6 approaching the table 3, spreads on the upper surface of the table 3 by its weight, and is then radiated and solidified, thereby forming a fixing layer. The adhesive used here can be a solid material having a property of melting by heat at a predetermined temperature or higher and solidifying by heat radiation. By forming the modeled object P on the upper surface of the table 3 via the fixing layer, it is possible to more firmly fix the object.

  The arrangement of the plurality of outlets 37 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. For example, it may be provided in the plurality of first table areas 32, or may be provided in both the plurality of first table areas 32 and the plurality of second table areas 33.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing another configuration example of the adhesive discharge mechanism. The molding apparatus 1 further includes an adhesive head 11 and an adhesive cartridge 12 as compared with FIG. The adhesive head 11 discharges the adhesive supplied from the adhesive cartridge 12 from the nozzle at the tip. For example, a pump (not shown) is provided between the adhesive material cartridge 12 and the adhesive material head 11, and the adhesive is supplied to the adhesive material head 11 by the force of the pump. The operation of the pump and the operation of the adhesive head 11 are controlled by the controller 10. The head moving mechanism 7 can hold the adhesive material head 11 and move the adhesive material head 11 in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction.

  Of course, the discharge of the adhesive is not limited to the pump mechanism, and may be controlled by a piezo element or a heater provided at a nozzle of the adhesive head 11, for example, by applying a printer technology using ink. Therefore, a mechanism for discharging these adhesives can be called, for example, a discharge control unit.

  The adhesive discharged from the nozzle of the adhesive head 11 is melted by the heat of the head 6 disposed close to the adhesive, and is applied to the upper surface of the table 3. Then, the weight spreads over the upper surface of the table 3 and is then radiated and solidified, thereby forming a fixing layer. The adhesive used here can be a solid material having a property of melting by heat at a predetermined temperature or higher and solidifying by heat radiation. By forming the modeled object P on the upper surface of the table 3 via the fixing layer, it is possible to more firmly fix the object.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the operation of the modeling device 1. 9 is different from FIG. 6 in that step S5 is inserted between steps S1 and S2.

  When it is determined that the modeling instruction has been received (YES in Step S1), the controller 10 executes a fixing layer forming process (Step S5).

  For example, a case where the modeling apparatus 1 includes the ejection mechanism illustrated in FIG. 7 will be described. The controller 10 controls the discharge control unit to flow the adhesive into the flow path 35 and discharge a predetermined amount from each outlet 37. Further, the controller 10 moves the position of the head 6 above the table 3 (the relative position between the head 6 and the table 3) and heats the head 6 near the outlet 37, thereby melting the discharged adhesive. By stopping the heating of the head 6 and moving it away from the outlet 37, the molten adhesive is solidified. By performing such processing for each outlet 37, a fixing layer is formed.

  For example, a case where the modeling apparatus 1 includes the ejection mechanism illustrated in FIG. 8 will be described. The controller 10 controls the head moving mechanism 7 and the table moving mechanism 4 to move the position of the adhesive head 11 above the table 3 (the relative position of the adhesive head 11 and the table 3). Further, the controller 10 controls the ejection control unit and the adhesive head 11 to eject a predetermined amount of the adhesive at the position. Further, the controller 10 heats the head 6 disposed in proximity to the adhesive head 11 to melt the discharged adhesive, stop heating the head 6, and move the head 6 away from the position. Then, the molten adhesive is solidified. By performing such processing for each position, a fixing layer is formed. The plurality of positions at which the adhesive is discharged may be arranged at intervals in a fixed area that is the same as or wider than the bottom surface of the modeled object P.

  By using the above-described ejection mechanism, the step of forming the fixing layer can also be automated.

  In the above-described ejection mechanism, a solid adhesive is used, melted by the heat of the head 6, and solidified by heat radiation. In a modified example of the ejection mechanism, an adhesive having a property of being solidified by heat or drying may be used. Specifically, for example, a gel or liquid adhesive is used, discharged onto the upper surface of the table 3, and the adhesive spread by its weight is solidified by heating with the heat of the head 6.

  In the above-described ejection mechanism, the adhesive is heated using the heat of the head 6. In a modified example of the ejection mechanism, a heater for heating the upper surface of the table 3 may be provided (the table 3 has a function of a heated bed), and the heat may be used to heat the adhesive.

  In the above-described ejection mechanism, the adhesive is heated using the heat of the head 6. In a modified example of the ejection mechanism, a heater may be provided in the adhesive head 11 and the adhesive may be heated using the heater.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention, and these embodiments are included. Some components of one embodiment may be added to another embodiment, or may be replaced with some components of another embodiment. Some of the components of an embodiment may be omitted.

  For example, the modeling device 1 may include one guide member 5 or may include three or more guide members 5. In this case, the table moving mechanism 4 may have a mechanical structure for inclining the table 3 toward one or more guide members 5.

  Further, for example, the modeling apparatus 1 may include a mechanical structure for performing modeling in a plurality of colors instead of a single color.

  In the modeling apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the table moving mechanism 4 can move the table 3 in the Y-axis direction, and the head moving mechanism 7 moves the head 6 in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. Can be. However, the configuration is not limited as long as the modeling position can be moved in the three-dimensional direction. For example, the table moving mechanism 4 can move the table 3 in the XYZ axis directions, and the head moving mechanism 7 may be fixed. Further, for example, the table moving mechanism 4 may be fixed, and the head moving mechanism 7 may move the head 6 in the XYZ directions. Further, the table moving mechanism 4 may be capable of rotating the table 3 around an axis parallel to the Y axis.

  6 and 9 are divided according to the main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the processing operation of the modeling apparatus 1. The present invention is not limited by the division method or the name of the step unit. The processing operation of the modeling apparatus 1 can be divided into more steps according to the contents. Further, it is also possible to divide one step unit so as to include more processing operations.

  Further, the configuration such as the arrangement, dimensions, and shape of each component of the modeling apparatus 1 is not limited to the examples described or illustrated above as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved. Further, for example, a word indicating a relation or a shape of a component such as “horizontal” is not limited to a strict meaning as long as the object and effect of the present invention can be achieved, and is substantially the same as the meaning. Cases can also be included.

  The present invention can be applied not only to the molding apparatus of the type in which the molding material is melted and laminated as described above. For example, the present invention can be applied to other types of molding apparatuses such as optical molding and powder molding. Therefore, the direction in which the modeling materials are stacked, the arrangement of the components of the modeling device, and the like can be appropriately determined according to the type of the 3D printer, and the present invention provides various types of modeling devices that can cause similar problems. It can be understood that it also includes.

  The present invention is not limited to a modeling device and a method of manufacturing a molded article, but can be provided in various modes such as a computer-readable control program for a modeling device and a table device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Modeling apparatus, 2 ... Case, 3 ... Table, 4 ... Table moving mechanism, 5 ... Guide member, 6 ... Head, 7 ... Head moving mechanism, 8 ... Cartridge, 9 ... Modeling material, 10 ... Controller, 11 ... Adhesive head, 12 Adhesive cartridge, 31 Frame body, 32 First table area, 33 Second table area, 34 Elevating mechanism, 35 Flow path, 36 Inlet, 37 Outlet, P … Model

Claims (11)

A table for forming a three-dimensional structure on the surface,
A forming unit that forms the three-dimensional structure on the table by stacking a plurality of material layers made of a forming material,
A shaping apparatus comprising: a first table area and a second table area forming a surface of the table; and an elevating mechanism for elevating the height of the second table area with respect to the first table area. The modeling device according to claim 1,
A shaping apparatus including a tilt mechanism for tilting the table in at least one direction. It is a modeling device according to claim 2,
A modeling apparatus provided below the table and provided with a guide member that receives the three-dimensional object that has slipped off the inclined table and guides the three-dimensional object to a predetermined area inside or outside the modeling apparatus. The molding apparatus according to claim 3,
A flow path for flowing an adhesive, which is provided in the table and an outlet of which is formed on the surface of the table,
And a discharge control unit configured to control discharge of the adhesive from an outlet of the flow path. The molding apparatus according to claim 3,
An adhesive head for discharging an adhesive on the surface of the table,
And a discharge control unit configured to control discharge of the adhesive from the adhesive head. The molding apparatus according to claim 3,
With a controller that controls the modeling device,
The controller is
Forming the three-dimensional structure on the forming unit;
Raising and lowering the second table area by the lifting mechanism;
Tilting the table by the tilting mechanism. The molding apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
With a controller that controls the modeling device,
The controller is
Discharging the adhesive from the outlet of the flow path to the discharge control unit,
Forming the three-dimensional structure on the forming unit;
Raising and lowering the second table area by the lifting mechanism;
Tilting the table by the tilting mechanism. The molding apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
With a controller that controls the modeling device,
The controller is
Discharging the adhesive from the adhesive head to the discharge control unit;
Forming the three-dimensional structure on the forming unit;
Raising and lowering the second table area by the lifting mechanism;
Tilting the table by the tilting mechanism. A method of manufacturing a molded article,
By laminating a plurality of material layers composed of modeling materials, a forming step of forming a three-dimensional modeled object on a table,
By raising and lowering the height of the second table region with respect to the first table region among the first table region and the second table region constituting the surface of the table, the three-dimensional structure is formed by the A method for producing a shaped article, comprising: a peeling step of peeling from a surface of a table. It is a manufacturing method of the molded article according to claim 9,
A method for manufacturing a modeled object, comprising: carrying out an unloading step in which the three-dimensional modeled object peeled off from the table by tilting the table. It is a manufacturing method of the molded article according to claim 9,
A method of manufacturing a molded article, comprising a step of forming a fixing layer by discharging an adhesive onto the table surface before the forming step.

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