JP2021030603A - Three-dimensional molding device, material discharge device, and maintenance method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a three-dimensional device which suppresses clogging of a nozzle.SOLUTION: A three-dimensional molding device includes a melting part that melts a material and forms it into a molding material, a supply flow path that communicates with the melting part and passes the molding material, a nozzle having an ejection port, an ejection amount adjustment mechanism that is provided on the supply flow path and adjusts a flow rate of the molding material discharged from the nozzle, a discharge flow path that has a discharge port, is branched on the downstream side of the ejection amount adjustment mechanism in the supply flow path and has a minimum flow path cross-sectional area larger than a minimum flow path cross-sectional area of the nozzle, a discharge control mechanism that switches a state where the supply flow path and the outside communicate with each other through the discharge flow path and a state where they not communicated therewith, and a control part, in which the control part executes maintenance processing of controlling the ejection amount adjustment mechanism, stopping ejection of the molding material from the nozzle, then controlling the discharge control mechanism and making the supply flow path and the outside communicate with each other, taking in a purge material for cleaning the nozzle from the ejection port, and discharging it from the discharge port through the discharge flow path to the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure relates to a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, a material ejection apparatus, and a maintenance method.

Regarding the three-dimensional modeling apparatus, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a three-dimensional modeling apparatus including an extrusion device in which a pellet-shaped resin material is plasticized by an in-line screw and the plasticized resin is discharged from a nozzle. There is.

International Publication No. 2015/129733

When the device described in Patent Document 1 is used for a long time, for example, the modified resin may clog the nozzle and affect the discharge of the resin from the nozzle.

According to one form of the present disclosure, a three-dimensional modeling apparatus is provided. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus communicates with a molten portion that melts the material into a modeling material, a supply flow path through which the modeling material flows, and communicates with the supply flow path, and uses the modeling material as a stage. The supply has a nozzle having a discharge port for discharging toward the outside, a discharge amount adjusting mechanism provided in the supply flow path for adjusting the flow rate of the modeling material discharged from the nozzle, and a discharge port communicating with the outside. A discharge flow path that branches from the downstream side of the flow path where the discharge amount adjusting mechanism is provided and has a flow path cross-sectional area larger than the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of the nozzle, the supply flow path, and the outside. The control unit includes a discharge control mechanism capable of switching between a state of communicating through the discharge flow path and a state of not communicating with the discharge flow path, and a control unit for controlling the discharge amount adjusting mechanism and the discharge control mechanism. Is a state in which the supply flow path and the outside are communicated by controlling the discharge control mechanism after stopping the discharge of the modeling material from the nozzle by controlling the discharge amount adjusting mechanism. In addition, the purge material for cleaning the nozzle is taken in from the discharge port, and a maintenance process is performed to discharge the material from the discharge port to the outside through the discharge flow path.

It is schematic cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the 3D modeling apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural outline of the discharge flow path in 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the structure of the lower surface side of a flat screw. It is a schematic plan view which shows the structure of the upper surface side of the screw facing portion. It is a process diagram of the modeling process of the three-dimensional modeled object in the first embodiment. It is a process diagram of the cleaning process in 1st Embodiment. It is schematic cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the 3D modeling apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which the bypass flow path communicates with a branch flow path and a discharge port. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 3rd state. It is a process diagram of the cleaning process in 2nd Embodiment. It is a process diagram of the cleaning process in 3rd Embodiment.

A. First Embodiment:
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100. In these figures, arrows along the X, Y, and Z directions that are orthogonal to each other are shown. The X direction and the Y direction are directions along the horizontal direction, and the Z direction is a vertically upward direction. In other figures as well, arrows along the X, Y, and Z directions are appropriately represented. The X, Y, Z directions in FIG. 1 and the X, Y, Z directions in other figures represent the same direction.

The three-dimensional modeling device 100 includes a modeling unit 200, a stage 300, a moving mechanism 400, and a control unit 700. Under the control of the control unit 700, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 drives the moving mechanism 400 with the nozzle 65 while ejecting the modeling material from the nozzle 65 having the discharge port 67 toward the modeling surface 310 on the stage 300. By changing the position relative to the modeling surface 310, a three-dimensional model in which the modeling material is laminated on the modeling surface 310 is modeled. The detailed configuration of the modeling unit 200 will be described later. The modeling unit 200 may be referred to as a material discharge device.

As described above, the moving mechanism 400 changes the relative positions of the nozzle 65 and the modeling surface 310. In the present embodiment, the moving mechanism 400 supports the stage 300, and by moving the stage 300 with respect to the modeling unit 200, the relative positions of the nozzle 65 and the modeling surface 310 are changed. The moving mechanism 400 in the present embodiment is composed of a three-axis positioner that moves the stage 300 in the three-axis directions of the X, Y, and Z directions by the driving force of the three motors. Each motor is controlled and driven by the control unit 700. The moving mechanism 400 may be configured to change the relative positions of the nozzle 65 and the modeling surface 310 by moving the modeling unit 200 without moving the stage 300. Further, the moving mechanism 400 may be configured to change the relative positions of the nozzle 65 and the modeling surface 310 by moving both the stage 300 and the modeling unit 200.

In the present embodiment, the discharge material accommodating portion 600 is provided at a position adjacent to the modeling surface 310 on the stage 300, and the purge material accommodating portion 650 is provided at a position adjacent to the discharge material accommodating portion 600. The discharge material accommodating portion 600 is a box-shaped container having an opening at the top. The discharge material accommodating portion 600 stores the purge material P and the modeling material discharged from the discharge port 85, which will be described later. The purge material storage unit 650 is a box-shaped constant temperature bath having an opening at the top. The purge material storage unit 650 stores the purge material P for cleaning the nozzle 65, and the temperature of the purge material P is maintained at a temperature at which the purge material P exhibits fluidity by a heater contained therein. As the purge material P, a cleaning agent in which an additive is mixed with a polyolefin resin, a polypropylene resin, or the like can be used. Further, a material of the same type as the modeling material may be used as the purge material P.

The control unit 700 is configured as a computer, and includes one or more processors, a memory, and an input / output interface for inputting / outputting signals to / from the outside. The processor realizes a modeling process for modeling a three-dimensional model by executing a predetermined program stored in the memory. In the modeling process, the control unit 700 appropriately controls the modeling unit 200 and the moving mechanism 400. A part or all of the functions of the control unit 700 may be realized by a circuit.

The modeling unit 200 includes a material supply unit 20 that is a supply source of the material MR before being converted into a modeling material, a melting unit 30 that melts the material MR into a modeling material, and a modeling material supplied from the melting unit 30. A discharge unit 60 including a nozzle 65 for discharging the material toward the modeling surface 310.

The material supply unit 20 supplies the melting unit 30 with the material MR for producing the modeling material. The material supply unit 20 is composed of, for example, a hopper that houses the material MR. The material supply unit 20 is connected to the melting unit 30 via the communication passage 22. The material MR is charged into the material supply unit 20 in the form of pellets, powder, or the like, for example. Details of the material MR will be described later.

The melting unit 30 plasticizes the material MR supplied from the material supply unit 20 to generate a paste-like modeling material exhibiting fluidity, and guides the material MR to the discharge unit 60. The melting portion 30 includes a screw case 31, a drive motor 32, a flat screw 40, and a screw facing portion 50. The flat screw 40 is also called a "scroll". The screw facing portion 50 is also referred to as a "barrel". The melting unit 30 does not have to melt all kinds of substances constituting the modeling material. The melting unit 30 may convert the modeling material into a state having fluidity as a whole by melting at least a part of the substances constituting the modeling material.

The flat screw 40 has a substantially cylindrical shape whose height along the central axis RX is smaller than the diameter. In the present embodiment, the flat screw 40 is arranged so that its central axis RX is parallel to the Z direction.

The flat screw 40 is housed in the screw case 31. The upper surface side of the flat screw 40 is connected to the drive motor 32, and the flat screw 40 rotates about the central axis RX in the screw case 31 by the rotational driving force generated by the drive motor 32. The drive motor 32 is controlled and driven by the control unit 700.

A groove 42 is formed on the lower surface of the flat screw 40. The communication passage 22 of the material supply unit 20 described above communicates with the groove 42 from the side surface of the flat screw 40.

The lower surface of the flat screw 40 faces the upper surface of the screw facing portion 50. A space is formed between the groove 42 on the lower surface of the flat screw 40 and the upper surface of the screw facing portion 50. Material MR is supplied to this space from the material supply unit 20. The specific configuration of the flat screw 40 and the groove 42 will be described later.

A heater 58 for heating the material MR is embedded in the screw facing portion 50. The material MR supplied to the groove portion 42 of the flat screw 40 flows along the groove portion 42 by the rotation of the flat screw 40 while being melted in the groove portion 42, and is guided to the central portion 45 of the flat screw 40 as a modeling material. The paste-like modeling material that has flowed into the central portion 45 is supplied to the discharge portion 60 through the communication hole 56 provided in the center of the screw facing portion 50.

The discharge unit 60 includes a nozzle 65 and a supply flow path 61 that communicates with the melting unit 30 and supplies the modeling material to the nozzle 65. The nozzle 65 has a discharge port 67 at its tip for discharging a modeling material. The supply flow path 61 is provided with a discharge flow path 80 that branches from the supply flow path 61, and a discharge amount adjusting mechanism 70 upstream of the branch point between the supply flow path 61 and the discharge flow path 80.

The discharge amount adjusting mechanism 70 includes a valve portion 71 having a flow passage 72 through which a modeling material can flow. By adjusting the amount of the modeling material flowing in the supply flow path 61 according to the rotation of the valve portion 71, it is possible to adjust the flow rate of the modeling material discharged from the nozzle 65. Further, by rotating the valve portion 71, it is possible to block the flow of the modeling material at the valve portion 71 and stop the discharge of the modeling material from the nozzle 65. The discharge amount adjusting mechanism 70 is controlled by the control unit 700.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the discharge flow path 80 according to the first embodiment. The discharge flow path 80 has a flow path extending in a direction intersecting the direction in which the supply flow path 61 extends, and a discharge port 85 through which the modeling material flowing through the discharge flow path 80 is discharged to the outside.

In the present embodiment, the discharge flow path 80 has a first flow path 81 extending in the + Y direction from the branch point between the supply flow path 61 and the discharge flow path 80, and a first flow path 81 communicating with the first flow path 81 and extending in the −Z direction. It has two flow paths 82 and a discharge port 85 which is the end of the second flow path 82 and is the end of the discharge flow path 80.

The minimum flow path cross-sectional area of the discharge port 85 is larger than the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of the nozzle 65. In the present embodiment, the discharge port 67 has the smallest flow path cross-sectional area of the nozzle 65. In the present embodiment, the discharge flow path 80 has substantially the same flow path cross-sectional area from the start end to the end. Both the discharge port 85 and the flow path cross section of the discharge flow path 80 have a substantially circular shape, and the discharge port 85 has a diameter Ln1 larger than the diameter Dn of the discharge port 67. The discharge flow path 80 may have a portion in which the flow path cross-sectional areas are not substantially the same from the start end to the end and the flow path cross-sectional areas are different.

The discharge flow path 80 is provided with a solenoid valve 95 as a discharge control mechanism for switching between a state in which the supply flow path 61 and the outside of the supply flow path 61 communicate with each other via the discharge flow path 80 and a state in which they do not communicate with each other. .. The solenoid valve 95 is controlled by the control unit 700 to open and close. The solenoid valve 95 of the present embodiment blocks the second flow path 82 from the + Z direction in the closed state.

The discharge flow path 80 is provided with a suction mechanism 90. The suction mechanism 90 drives a cylindrical cylinder 91 that communicates with the first flow path 81 and extends in a direction intersecting the first flow path 81, a plunger 92 that can slide in the cylinder 91, and a plunger 92. It is provided with a plunger drive unit 93 to be operated. The plunger drive unit 93 includes a motor controlled and driven by the control unit 700, and a rack and pinion that converts the rotation of the motor into translational movement along the axial direction of the cylinder 91. The plunger drive unit 93 may be composed of a motor controlled and driven by the control unit 700 and a ball screw that converts the rotation of the motor into translational movement along the axial direction of the cylinder 91. It may be composed of an actuator such as a solenoid mechanism or a piezo element.

When the discharge of the modeling material from the discharge port 67 is stopped, the plunger 92 is moved away from the first flow path 81 in the + Z direction to suck the modeling material in the supply flow path 61 toward the inside of the cylinder 91. can do. Moving the plunger 92 in the + Z direction is sometimes called pulling the plunger 92. On the other hand, when the plunger 92 is moved in the −Z direction approaching the first flow path 81, the modeling material in the cylinder 91 is pushed out to the first flow path 81. Moving the plunger 92 in the −Z direction is sometimes referred to as pushing the plunger 92.

When the discharge of the modeling material from the discharge port 67 is stopped, the plunger 92 is pulled to suck the modeling material discharged from the discharge port 67 toward the first flow path 81, thereby sucking the modeling material from the discharge port 67. It is possible to suppress the tail pulling of the modeling material as if it were pulling a thread. In addition, this suppression of tail pulling may be called tail cutting.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the lower surface side of the flat screw 40. In FIG. 3, the position of the central axis RX of the flat screw 40 is shown by a chain line. A groove 42 is provided on the lower surface of the flat screw 40 facing the screw facing portion 50. Hereinafter, the lower surface of the flat screw 40 is referred to as a “groove forming surface 48”.

The central portion 45 of the groove forming surface 48 of the flat screw 40 is configured as a recess to which one end of the groove portion 42 is connected. The central portion 45 faces the communication hole 56 of the screw facing portion 50. In the first embodiment, the central portion 45 intersects the central axis RX.

The groove 42 of the flat screw 40 constitutes a so-called scroll groove. The groove portion 42 extends from the central portion 45 in a spiral shape so as to draw an arc toward the outer circumference of the flat screw 40. The groove 42 may be configured to extend spirally. The groove forming surface 48 is provided with a ridge portion 43 that forms a side wall portion of the groove portion 42 and extends along each groove portion 42.

The groove 42 is continuous to the material inflow port 44 formed on the side surface of the flat screw 40. The material inflow port 44 is a portion that receives the material MR supplied through the communication passage 22 of the material supply unit 20.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a flat screw 40 having three groove portions 42 and three ridge portions 43. The number of groove portions 42 and ridge portions 43 provided on the flat screw 40 is not limited to three. The flat screw 40 may be provided with only one groove 42, or may be provided with two or more groove 42s. Further, any number of ridges 43 may be provided according to the number of grooves 42.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a flat screw 40 in which material inflow ports 44 are formed at three locations. The number of material inflow ports 44 provided in the flat screw 40 is not limited to three. The flat screw 40 may be provided with the material inflow port 44 at only one place, or may be provided at a plurality of places of two or more places.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the upper surface side of the screw facing portion 50. As described above, the upper surface of the screw facing portion 50 faces the groove forming surface 48 of the flat screw 40. Hereinafter, the upper surface of the screw facing portion 50 is referred to as a “screw facing surface 52”. A communication hole 56 for supplying the modeling material to the discharge portion 60 is formed at the center of the screw facing surface 52.

The screw facing surface 52 is formed with a plurality of guide grooves 54 that are connected to the communication holes 56 and extend spirally from the communication holes 56 toward the outer circumference. The plurality of guide grooves 54 have a function of guiding the modeling material that has flowed into the central portion 45 of the flat screw 40 to the communication holes 56.

When the flat screw 40 rotates, the material MR supplied from the material inflow port 44 is guided to the groove portion 42 and moves toward the central portion 45 while being heated in the groove portion 42. The material MR melts and becomes more fluid as it approaches the central portion 45, and is converted into a modeling material. The modeling material collected in the central portion 45 flows out from the communication hole 56 to the discharge portion 60 due to the internal pressure generated in the central portion 45.

FIG. 5 is a process diagram of the modeling process of the three-dimensional modeled object in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the control unit 700 executes a modeling program for creating a three-dimensional modeled object, and manufactures the three-dimensional modeled object based on the modeling data. The modeling data is, for example, tool path data obtained by converting data in STL format or AMF format representing the shape of a three-dimensional modeled object by a slicer.

In step S100, the control unit 700 discharges the modeling material from the nozzle 65 by controlling the melting unit 30, the discharge amount adjusting mechanism 70, and the moving mechanism 400, and reaches the modeling surface 310 on the stage 300. Create a three-dimensional model.

In step S200, the control unit 700 determines whether or not all the modeling based on the modeling data has been completed. When the modeling is completed, the control unit 700 ends the modeling program, and the modeling process ends.

If it is determined in step S200 that the modeling has not been completed, in step S300, the control unit 700 determines whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed since the modeling process was started. If the predetermined period has not elapsed, the ejection of the modeling material from the nozzle 65 is continued, and the process returns to step S200 again. The predetermined period is defined as, for example, a period during which the modified material, which is a modified modeling material, does not stick to the nozzle 65, for example, one hour after the above-mentioned modeling process is started.

If it is determined in step S300 that the predetermined period has elapsed, if the modeling process is continued, the modified material may clog the nozzle 65. Therefore, in step S400, the control unit 700 executes the cleaning process. To do. In particular, when a modified material remains in the supply flow path and a new modeling material adheres around the modified material and is modified to cause enlargement, and the enlarged modified material flows to the nozzle 65 and clogs the nozzle 65. There is. In addition, the above-mentioned bloated material may occur in the nozzle 65. The details of the cleaning process will be described later.

In step S200, the control unit 700 restarts the discharge of the modeling material from the nozzle 65 by controlling the melting unit 30, the discharge amount adjusting mechanism 70, and the moving mechanism 400, and returns to step S200 again. At this time, the control unit 700 controls the solenoid valve 95 opened during the cleaning process described later to close the discharge port 85.

FIG. 6 is a process diagram of the cleaning process according to the first embodiment. This cleaning process is executed by the control unit 700 in step S400. The cleaning process may not be performed during the above-mentioned modeling process, but may be performed independently.

In step S402, the control unit 700 stops the discharge of the modeling material from the nozzle 65 by controlling the discharge amount adjusting mechanism 70. Specifically, by rotating the valve portion 71 of the discharge amount adjusting mechanism 70, the valve portion 71 shuts off the flow of the modeling material.

In step S404, the control unit 700 relatively moves the modeling unit 200 to the first position by controlling the moving mechanism 400. In the present embodiment, the control unit 700 moves the stage 300 by controlling the moving mechanism 400, and brings the purge material P in the purge material storage unit 650 into contact with the discharge port 67.

In step S406, the control unit 700 pulls the plunger 92 by controlling the plunger drive unit 93. By pulling the plunger 92, the first flow path 81 becomes a negative pressure, the purge material P in the purge material storage unit 650 is sucked from the discharge port 67, and the sucked purge material P is sucked toward the cylinder 91. Will be done.

In step S408, the control unit 700 controls and opens the solenoid valve 95.

In step S410, the control unit 700 relatively moves the modeling unit 200 to the second position by controlling the moving mechanism 400. In the present embodiment, the control unit 700 moves the stage 300 by controlling the moving mechanism 400, and positions the nozzle 65 above the discharge material accommodating unit 600.

In step S412, the control unit 700 pushes the plunger 92 by controlling the plunger drive unit 93, and sends the purge material P in the cylinder 91 to the first flow path 81. At least a part of the delivered purge material P is delivered to the second flow path 82 having the discharge port 85 via the first flow path 81. At this time, since the flow path cross-sectional area of the discharge flow path 80 is larger than the flow path cross-sectional area of the discharge port 67, the purge material P is efficiently discharged from the discharge port 85 to the outside through the discharge flow path 80.

In step S414, the control unit 700 controls and closes the solenoid valve 95.

By controlling the discharge control mechanism, the supply flow path 61 and the outside are communicated with each other, and the purge material P is taken in from the discharge port 67 and is taken from the discharge port 85 to the outside through the discharge port 80. The process of discharging is sometimes called maintenance process. In the present embodiment, in the above cleaning process, the process of executing steps S404 to S412 corresponds to the maintenance process.

Further, the control unit 700 may repeatedly execute steps S404 to S414. In this case, since the maintenance process is executed a plurality of times, more modified materials can be discharged from the discharge port 85 together with the purge material P to the outside than when the maintenance process is executed only once.

Further, even if the suction mechanism 90 is not provided in the discharge flow path 80, the maintenance process can be executed. Specifically, for example, by using a pump from the outside, the purge material P sent from the purge material storage unit 650 to the discharge port 67 is taken in from the discharge port 67, and the purge material P taken in from the discharge port 67. Can be pumped to the discharge flow path 80 and discharged to the outside from the discharge port 85. In this case, the purge material P may be pressure-fed to the discharge flow path 80 before the solenoid valve 95 is opened, or the purge material P may be pressure-fed to the discharge flow path 80 after the solenoid valve 95 is opened.

According to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 of the present embodiment described above, the purge material P for cleaning the nozzle 65 is taken in from the discharge port 67, and the taken-in purge material P is taken in from the discharge port 85 via the discharge flow path 80. Discharge to the outside. Therefore, the modified material remaining in the nozzle 65 can be efficiently discharged from the discharge port 85 together with the purge material P to the outside, and it is possible to prevent the modified material from clogging the nozzle 65.

Further, in the present embodiment, the purge material P for cleaning the nozzle 65 is taken in from the external purge material storage unit 650. Therefore, the purge material P can be taken in from the discharge port 67 with a simple configuration.

Further, in the present embodiment, the discharge flow path 80 is provided with a suction mechanism 90 that sucks the purge material P into the discharge flow path 80, and by controlling the suction mechanism 90, the purge material P is brought into the discharge flow path 80. After suction, the solenoid valve 95 is opened and the suction mechanism 90 is controlled to pump the purge material P to the discharge port 85 and discharge it to the outside. Therefore, the suction mechanism 90 can efficiently take in the purge material P from the discharge port 67, pump it to the discharge port 85, and discharge it to the outside.

Further, in the present embodiment, the suction mechanism 90 is a plunger 92. Therefore, with a simple configuration, it is possible to suck and pump the purge material P in the maintenance process and to cut the tail of the modeling material discharged from the nozzle 65 during modeling.

In addition, a check valve that allows the movement of the modeling material from the supply flow path 61 to the discharge flow path 80 at the start end of the discharge flow path 80 and regulates the movement of the modeling material from the discharge flow path 80 to the supply flow path 61. Can also be provided. In this case, it is possible to prevent the modified material that has moved from the supply flow path 61 to the discharge flow path 80 from moving again from the discharge flow path 80 to the supply flow path 61.

Here, the material of the three-dimensional model used in the above-mentioned three-dimensional model device 100 will be described. In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100, for example, a three-dimensional model can be modeled using various materials such as a thermoplastic material, a metal material, and a ceramic material as main materials. Here, the "main material" means a central material forming the shape of the three-dimensional model, and means a material having a content of 50% by weight or more in the three-dimensional model. The above-mentioned modeling materials include those obtained by melting these main materials alone and those in which some of the components contained together with the main materials are melted into a paste.

When a material having thermoplasticity is used as the main material, a modeling material is produced by plasticizing the material in the molten portion 30. "Plasticization" means that a material having thermoplasticity is heated and melted.

As the material having thermoplasticity, for example, the following thermoplastic resin material can be used.
<Example of thermoplastic resin material>
Polypropylene resin (PP), polyethylene resin (PE), polyacetal resin (POM), polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC), polyamide resin (PA), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS), polylactic acid resin (PLA), polyphenylene General-purpose engineering plastics such as sulfide resin (PPS), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polycarbonate (PC), modified polyphenylene ether, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylate, polyimide, Engineering plastics such as polyamideimide, polyetherimide, and polyetheretherketone.

The thermoplastic material may contain pigments, metals, ceramics, and other additives such as waxes, flame retardants, antioxidants, and heat stabilizers. The thermoplastic material is plasticized and converted into a molten state in the melting portion 30 by the rotation of the flat screw 40 and the heating of the heater 58. The modeling material produced by melting the thermoplastic material is discharged from the nozzle 65 and then cured by a decrease in temperature.

It is desirable that the thermoplastic material is injected from the nozzle 65 in a state where it is heated above the glass transition point and completely melted. For example, it is desirable that the ABS resin has a glass transition point of about 120 ° C. and is about 200 ° C. at the time of ejection from the nozzle 65. A heater may be provided around the nozzle 65 in order to discharge the modeling material in such a high temperature state.

In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100, for example, the following metal materials may be used as the main material instead of the above-mentioned material having thermoplasticity. In this case, it is desirable that the powder material obtained by powdering the following metal material is mixed with a component that melts when the modeling material is produced, and is charged into the melting unit 30 as a material MR.
<Example of metal material>
A single metal of magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), or these metals. An alloy containing one or more.
<Example of the alloy>
Malaging steel, stainless steel, cobalt chrome molybdenum, titanium alloy, nickel alloy, aluminum alloy, cobalt alloy, cobalt chrome alloy.

In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100, a ceramic material can be used as a main material instead of the above-mentioned metal material. As the ceramic material, for example, oxide ceramics such as silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide and zirconium oxide, and non-oxide ceramics such as aluminum nitride can be used. When a metal material or a ceramic material as described above is used as the main material, the modeling material discharged to the modeling surface 310 may be cured by sintering.

The powder material of the metal material or the ceramic material to be input to the material supply unit 20 as the material MR may be a mixed material obtained by mixing a plurality of types of a single metal powder, an alloy powder, or a ceramic material powder. .. Further, the powder material of the metal material or the ceramic material may be coated with, for example, a thermoplastic resin as exemplified above or another thermoplastic resin. In this case, the thermoplastic resin may be melted in the melted portion 30 to exhibit fluidity.

For example, the following solvent can be added to the powder material of the metal material or the ceramic material that is input to the material supply unit 20 as the material MR. As the solvent, one kind or a combination of two or more kinds selected from the following can be used.
<Example of solvent>
Water; (poly) alkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether; ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, iso-propyl acetate, n acetate Acetate esters such as -butyl and iso-butyl acetate; aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and xylene; ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone, acetone, methyl isobutyl ketone, ethyl-n-butyl ketone, diisopropyl ketone and acetylacetone; ethanol Alcohols such as propanol and butanol; tetraalkylammonium acetates; sulfoxide solvents such as dimethylsulfoxide and diethylsulfoxide; pyridine solvents such as pyridine, γ-picolin and 2,6-rutidine; tetraalkylammonium acetates (eg, for example) Tetrabutylammonium acetate, etc.); Ionic liquids such as butylcarbitol acetate, etc.

In addition, for example, the following binder can be added to the powder material of the metal material or the ceramic material that is input to the material supply unit 20 as the material MR.
<Example of binder>
Acrylic resin, epoxy resin, silicone resin, cellulose resin or other synthetic resin or PLA (polylactic acid), PA (polylactic acid), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PEEK (polyetheretherketone) or other thermoplastic resin.

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100b according to the second embodiment. The portion of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100b according to the second embodiment, which is not particularly described, has the same configuration as the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

The discharge unit 60b includes a branch flow path 62 that branches from the supply flow path 61 and extends in a direction intersecting the supply flow path 61. In the present embodiment, the branch flow path 62 extends in the −X direction from the branch point between the supply flow path 61 and the branch flow path 62 and communicates with the outside, and a connecting portion 63 is provided at the end of the branch flow path 62. It is provided. The connection portion 63 may be provided with a valve that opens in the + X direction by connecting the bypass inlet 810 of the bypass flow path 800, which will be described later, from the −X direction. In this case, in a state where the bypass inlet 810 is not connected to the connecting portion 63, it is possible to restrict the purging material P and the modeling material in the branch flow path 62 from flowing to the outside through the connecting portion 63.

In this embodiment, the bypass flow path 800 is provided on the stage 300. The bypass flow path 800 can communicate the branch flow path 62 and the discharge port 67 without passing through the supply flow path 61. In the present embodiment, the bypass flow path 800 is L-shaped from the bypass inlet 810, which is the start end of the bypass flow path 800, toward the −Z direction, and then toward the bypass outlet 820, which is the end end of the bypass flow path 800, in the + X direction. It has a mold flow path. The bypass inlet 810 is inserted into the connecting portion 63 from the −X direction and connected to the branch flow path 62. The bypass outlet 820 has a smooth surface in the + Z direction and an opening formed in the smooth surface, so that the smooth surface and the tip surface of the nozzle 65 are brought into contact with each other without a gap, and the discharge port 67 and the opening are opened. It is possible to communicate with the department. In other cases, for example, the bypass outlet 820 may have a structure that engages with the tip surface of the nozzle 65. Further, the bypass flow path 800 may be provided with a heater for maintaining the temperature of the purge material P and the modeling material flowing inside.

The discharge unit 60b of the present embodiment includes a discharge flow path 80 and a suction mechanism 90 similar to the discharge unit 60 of the first embodiment. Since these configurations are the same as the configurations shown in FIG. 2, description thereof will be omitted.

The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100b of the present embodiment may include a discharge material accommodating portion 600. In this case, in a state where the bypass flow path 800 communicates the branch flow path 62 and the discharge port 67, the discharge material accommodating unit is located at a position where the purge material P and the modeling material discharged from the discharge port 85 can be accommodated. It is preferable to provide 600. In this embodiment, the purge material storage unit 650 is not provided.

A three-way valve 86 is provided at the branch point between the supply flow path 61 and the branch flow path 62 as a discharge amount adjusting mechanism. The three-way valve 86 includes a shaft portion 87 having a valve internal flow passage 88 through which a modeling material can flow. The control unit 700 can switch between the first state, the second state, and the third state by controlling and rotating the shaft portion 87 of the three-way valve 86. The first state is a state in which the melting unit 30 and the nozzle 65 communicate with each other via the supply flow path 61, and the melting unit 30 and the branch flow path 62 do not communicate with each other via the supply flow path 61. The three-way valve 86 shown in FIG. 7 is in the first state. The second state is a state in which the melting unit 30 and the nozzle 65 do not communicate with each other through the supply flow path 61, and the melting unit 30 and the branch flow path 62 communicate with each other through the supply flow path 61. The three-way valve 86 shown in FIG. 8 is in the second state. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a third state. The third state is a state in which the melting unit 30 and the nozzle 65 do not communicate with each other through the supply flow path 61, and the melting unit 30 and the branch flow path 62 do not communicate with each other through the supply flow path 61.

In the first state, the flow rate of the modeling material discharged from the nozzle 65 can be adjusted by rotating the shaft portion 87 of the three-way valve 86. Further, in the second state, it is possible to adjust the flow rate of the modeling material flowing from the supply flow path 61 to the branch flow path 62 by rotating the shaft portion 87.

FIG. 10 is a process diagram of the cleaning process according to the second embodiment. Similar to the cleaning process in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6, this cleaning process may be executed during the modeling process shown in FIG. 5, or may be executed independently.

In the present embodiment, the modeling material produced in the molten section 30 is used as the purge material P. As the purge material P, a material other than the modeling material generated in the melting unit 30 may be used. Even in that case, by supplying the material for generating the purge material P to the material supply unit 20, the cleaning process can be performed in the same manner as in the present embodiment.

In step S422, the control unit 700 controls the three-way valve 86 to switch to the second state, thereby stopping the discharge of the modeling material from the nozzle 65 and communicating the melting unit 30 and the branch flow path 62. Let me.

In step S424, the control unit 700 controls the moving mechanism 400 to communicate the branch flow path 62 and the discharge port 67 via the bypass flow path 800. In step S426, the control unit 700 starts the rotation of the flat screw 40 by controlling the drive motor 32, and starts heating by controlling the heater 58. In step S428, the control unit 700 controls and opens the solenoid valve 95. If the rotation of the flat screw 40 and the operation of the heater 58 are not stopped, the step S426 may be omitted.

By executing the steps S422 to S428, the melting unit 30 generates a modeling material as a purge material, and the generated modeling material passes through the branch flow path 62 and the bypass flow path 800 to the discharge port. Incorporated from 67. The modeling material taken in from the discharge port 67 flows into the discharge flow path 80 and is discharged to the outside from the discharge port 85. At this time, for example, when the discharge material accommodating portion 600 is provided at a position facing the discharge port 85 on the stage 300, the modeling material is ejected toward the discharge material accommodating portion 600. After the modeling material is discharged from the discharge port 85 to the outside, the solenoid valve 95 may be controlled and closed.

Note that step S424, step S426, and step S428 do not have to be executed in this order. For example, step S428 may be executed, then step S424 may be executed, and then step S426 may be executed. In the present embodiment, the process of executing step S424, step S426, and step S428 corresponds to the maintenance process.

Even with such a configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100b, the modified material remaining in the nozzle 65 can be efficiently discharged to the outside from the discharge port 85 together with the purge material P, and the modified material suppresses clogging of the nozzle 65. it can. In the present embodiment, the purge material that has flowed from the melting portion 30 to the bypass flow path 800 via the branch flow path 62 is taken in from the discharge port 67, so that the flow of the purge material P that flows through the bypass flow path 800 is used. Therefore, the modified material remaining in the nozzle 65 can be efficiently discharged to the outside from the discharge port 85 together with the purge material.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the maintenance process is executed using the modeling material as the purge material P, the modeling process and the maintenance process can be performed without changing the materials used in the modeling process and the maintenance process.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the discharge amount adjusting mechanism is the three-way valve 86 provided at the branch point between the supply flow path 61 and the branch flow path 62, the molding material to be discharged from the nozzle 65 has a simple configuration. The flow rate can be adjusted and the flow rate of the purge material P flowing from the supply flow path 61 to the branch flow path 62 can be adjusted.

C. Third Embodiment FIG. 11 is a process diagram of a cleaning process in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100c of the third embodiment. This embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the suction mechanism 90 is used in the cleaning process. The other configurations are the same as those of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100b of the second embodiment.

Similar to the cleaning process in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 10, this cleaning process may be executed during the modeling process shown in FIG. 5, or may be executed independently. Further, in the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment, a modeling material is used as the purge material P.

Since step S442, step S444, and step S446 are the same as step S422, step S424, and step S426, respectively, description thereof will be omitted.

In step S448, the control unit 700 pulls the plunger 92 by controlling the plunger drive unit 93.

In step S450, the control unit 700 controls and opens the solenoid valve 95. In step S452, the control unit 700 pushes the plunger 92 by controlling the plunger drive unit 93. Note that steps S450 and S452 may be executed in the reverse order.

In step S454, the control unit 700 controls and closes the solenoid valve 95.

In the present embodiment, in the above cleaning process, the process of executing steps S444 to S452 corresponds to the maintenance process.

By executing steps S442 to S442, a modeling material as a purge material is generated by the melting unit 30, and the generated modeling material passes through the branch flow path 62 and the bypass flow path 800 to the discharge port 67. Incorporated from. The modeling material taken in from the discharge port 67 flows into the discharge flow path 80 and is discharged to the outside from the discharge port 85. At this time, by pulling the plunger 92, the purge material taken in from the discharge port 67 can be sucked into the discharge flow path 80. Further, by pushing the plunger 92, the modeling material sucked into the discharge flow path 80 can be pressure-fed to the discharge port 85.

Further, the control unit 700 may repeatedly execute steps S448 to S454. In this case, since the above-mentioned suction and pumping of the modeling material are performed a plurality of times, the modeling material can be discharged to the outside from the discharge port 85 more efficiently.

Even with such a configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100b, the modified material remaining in the nozzle 65 can be efficiently discharged to the outside from the discharge port 85 together with the purge material P, and the modified material suppresses clogging of the nozzle 65. it can. In the present embodiment, the purge material P taken in from the discharge port 67 is sucked into the discharge flow path 80 by pulling the plunger 92, and the purge sucked into the discharge flow path 80 by pushing the plunger 92. The material P is pumped to the discharge port 85. Therefore, the modified material remaining in the nozzle 65 can be efficiently discharged from the discharge port 85 to the outside together with the purge material P.

D. Other embodiments:
(D-1) In the above embodiment, the discharge flow path 80 has a first flow path 81 toward the + Y direction and a second flow path 82 toward the −Z direction. On the other hand, for example, the discharge flow path 80 may be composed of a flow path that intersects the supply flow path 61 and a discharge port 85 provided at the end of the flow path. Further, the discharge flow path 80 may be a curved flow path instead of a linear flow path.

(D-2) In the above embodiment, the discharge material accommodating portion 600 is provided on the stage 300. On the other hand, the discharge material accommodating portion 600 may not be provided. In this case, in the cleaning process, for example, the modeling material may be discharged from the discharge port 85 toward a position on the modeling surface 310 where the modeling material is not laminated.

(D-3) In the first embodiment, a purge material storage unit 650 is provided on the stage 300. On the other hand, the purge material storage unit 650 may not be provided. For example, a flexible tube may be connected to the discharge port 67, and the purge material P may be pumped from the outside through the flexible tube.

(D-4) In the above embodiment, the suction mechanism 90 includes a cylinder 91, a plunger 92, and a plunger drive unit 93. On the other hand, as the suction mechanism 90, for example, a pump that sucks the modeling material from the supply flow path 61 and pumps the modeling material to the supply flow path 61 may be provided in the discharge flow path 80.

(D-5) In the above embodiment, the modeling unit 200 is made of plastic by a flat screw 40. On the other hand, the modeling unit 200 may plasticize the material by, for example, rotating an in-line screw. Further, as the modeling unit 200, a unit used in FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) may be adopted.

(D-6) In the second embodiment, the bypass flow path 800 is provided on the stage 300. On the other hand, the bypass flow path 800 may be provided independently of the stage 300. Further, a mechanism for moving the bypass flow path 800 may be provided separately from the moving mechanism 400. Further, by manually moving the bypass flow path 800, the branch flow path 62 and the discharge port 67 may be communicated with each other via the bypass flow path 800.

(D-7) In the second and third embodiments, the discharge amount adjusting mechanism is a three-way valve 86 provided at a branch point between the supply flow path 61 and the branch flow path 62. On the other hand, for example, the discharge amount adjusting mechanism has a branch point between the supply flow path 61 and the branch flow path 62 and a branch point between the supply flow path 61 and the discharge flow path 80 among the supply flow paths 61. It may be provided between them. At this time, for example, a valve that regulates the flow of the modeling material or the purge material flowing through the branch flow path 62 may be provided in the branch flow path 62.

E. Other forms:
The present disclosure is not limited to each of the above-described embodiments, and can be realized by various forms without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the present disclosure can be realized in the following forms. The technical features in each of the above embodiments that correspond to the technical features in each of the embodiments described below are for solving some or all of the problems of the present disclosure, or part of the effects of the present disclosure. Or, in order to achieve all of them, it is possible to replace or combine them as appropriate. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in the present specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

(1) According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, a three-dimensional modeling apparatus is provided. This three-dimensional modeling apparatus communicates with a molten portion that melts a material into a modeling material, a supply flow path through which the modeling material flows, and communicates with the supply flow path, and stages the modeling material. It has a nozzle having a discharge port for discharging toward, a discharge amount adjusting mechanism provided in the supply flow path for adjusting the flow rate of the modeling material discharged from the nozzle, and a discharge port communicating with the outside. A discharge flow path that branches from a downstream side of the supply flow path where the discharge amount adjusting mechanism is provided and has a flow path cross-sectional area larger than the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of the nozzle, the supply flow path, and the above The control includes a discharge control mechanism capable of switching between a state in which the outside communicates with the outside through the discharge flow path and a state in which the discharge control mechanism does not communicate with the outside, and a control unit for controlling the discharge amount adjusting mechanism and the discharge control mechanism. The unit stopped the discharge of the modeling material from the nozzle by controlling the discharge amount adjusting mechanism, and then communicated the supply flow path with the outside by controlling the discharge control mechanism. A maintenance process is performed in which the purge material for cleaning the nozzle is taken in from the discharge port and discharged from the discharge port to the outside through the discharge flow path.
According to such a form, the purge material for cleaning the nozzle is taken in from the discharge port, and the taken-in purge material can be discharged from the discharge port to the outside through the discharge flow path. Therefore, the modified material remaining in the nozzle can be efficiently discharged from the discharge port to the outside together with the purge material, and it is possible to prevent the modified material from clogging the nozzle.

(2) In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the above-described embodiment, the control unit may take in the external purge material from the discharge port in the maintenance process. According to such a form, the modified material remaining in the nozzle can be efficiently discharged from the discharge port to the outside together with the purge material by a simple configuration.

(3) The three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the above-described form further has a branch flow path that branches from the upstream of the position where the discharge flow path branches in the supply flow path, and the branch flow path and the discharge port. The control unit includes a bypass flow path that can be communicated without passing through the supply flow path, and the control unit communicates the melting unit and the branch flow path through the supply flow path in the maintenance process. However, the purge material is in a state where the branch flow path and the discharge port are communicated with each other via the bypass flow path, and the purge material flows from the melted portion to the bypass flow path via the branch flow path. May be taken in from the discharge port and discharged from the discharge port to the outside through the discharge flow path.
According to such a form, the modified material remaining in the nozzle can be efficiently discharged from the discharge port to the outside together with the purge material by utilizing the flow of the purge material P flowing through the bypass flow path.

(4) In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the above-described embodiment, the modeling material produced in the molten portion may be used as the purge material. According to such a form, the modeling process and the maintenance process can be performed without changing the materials used in the modeling process and the maintenance process.

(5) In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the above embodiment, the discharge amount adjusting mechanism is a three-way valve provided at a branch point between the supply flow path and the branch flow path, and the melting portion and the nozzle are the same. The first state in which the molten portion and the branch flow path do not communicate with each other through the supply flow path and the molten portion and the nozzle communicate with each other through the supply flow path. The second state in which the melted portion and the branch flow path communicate with each other through the supply flow path, and the melted portion and the nozzle do not communicate with each other through the supply flow path, and the melted portion does not communicate with each other. The branch flow path can be switched to a third state in which the branch flow path does not communicate with the supply flow path, and the control unit switches the discharge amount adjusting mechanism to the second state from the nozzle. The discharge of the modeling material may be stopped. According to such a form, it is possible to adjust the flow rate of the modeling material discharged from the nozzle and the flow rate of the purge material flowing from the supply flow path to the branch flow path with a simple configuration.

(6) The three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the above embodiment further includes a suction mechanism for sucking the purge material in the supply flow path into the discharge flow path in the discharge flow path, and the control unit is the control unit. By controlling the suction mechanism, the purge material taken in from the discharge port is sucked into the discharge flow path, and then by controlling the discharge control mechanism, the purge material is brought into the supply flow path via the discharge flow path. The purge material may be pumped to the discharge port and discharged to the outside by keeping the state of communication with the outside and controlling the suction mechanism. According to such a form, by controlling the suction mechanism, the purge material can be efficiently taken in from the discharge port and discharged from the discharge port through the discharge flow path.

(7) In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the above-described embodiment, the suction mechanism may be a plunger. According to such a form, it is possible to suck and pump the purge material in the maintenance process and to cut the tail of the modeling material during the modeling with a simple configuration.

(8) In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the above-described embodiment, the molten portion may have a flat screw. According to the material discharge device of such a form, since the modeling material is generated by a small flat screw, the material discharge device can be miniaturized.

(9) According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, a material discharge device used for three-dimensional modeling is provided. This material discharge device communicates with a melting portion that melts the material into a modeling material, communicates with the melting portion, communicates with a supply flow path through which the modeling material flows, and communicates with the supply flow path, and discharges the modeling material. Of the supply flow paths, the nozzle having a discharge port, a discharge amount adjusting mechanism provided in the supply flow path and adjusting the flow rate of the modeling material discharged from the nozzle, and a discharge port communicating with the outside are provided. The discharge flow path, which branches from the downstream side from the position where the discharge amount adjusting mechanism is provided and has a flow path cross-sectional area larger than the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of the nozzle, and the supply flow path and the outside are the same. A discharge control mechanism capable of switching between a state of communicating through a discharge flow path and a state of not communicating with each other, and a control unit for controlling the discharge amount adjusting mechanism and the discharge control mechanism are provided, and the control unit comprises the discharge. By controlling the amount adjusting mechanism, the discharge of the modeling material from the nozzle is stopped, and then by controlling the discharge control mechanism, the supply flow path and the outside are made to communicate with each other. A maintenance process is performed in which the purge material for cleaning the nozzle is taken in from the discharge port and discharged from the discharge port to the outside through the discharge flow path.
According to the material discharge device of such a form, the purge material for cleaning the nozzle is taken in from the discharge port, and the taken-in purge material can be discharged from the discharge port to the outside through the discharge flow path. Therefore, the modified material remaining in the nozzle can be efficiently discharged from the discharge port to the outside together with the purge material, and it is possible to prevent the modified material from clogging the nozzle.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned three-dimensional modeling apparatus and material ejection apparatus, and can be realized in various aspects. For example, recording a 3D modeling method, a 3D modeling device control method, a 3D modeling device maintenance method, a material discharge device maintenance method, a computer program for modeling a 3D model, and a computer program. It can be realized in the form of a non-temporary tangible recording medium or the like.

20 ... Material supply part, 22 ... Communication passage, 30 ... Melting part, 31 ... Screw case, 32 ... Drive motor, 40 ... Flat screw, 42 ... Groove part, 43 ... Convex part, 44 ... Material inlet, 45 ... Center Part, 48 ... Groove forming surface, 50 ... Screw facing portion, 52 ... Screw facing surface, 54 ... Guide groove, 56 ... Communication hole, 58 ... Heater, 60, 60b, 61 ... Supply flow path, 62 ... Branch flow path, 63 ... Connection part, 65 ... Nozzle, 67 ... Discharge port, 70 ... Discharge amount adjustment mechanism, 71 ... Valve part, 72 ... Flow passage, 80 ... Discharge flow path, 81 ... First flow path, 82 ... Second flow path , 85 ... Discharge port, 86 ... Three-way valve, 87 ... Shaft, 88 ... Valve internal flow path, 90 ... Suction mechanism, 91 ... Cylinder, 92 ... Plunger, 93 ... Plunger drive, 95 ... Solenoid valve, 100 , 100b, 100c ... Three-dimensional modeling device, 200 ... Modeling unit, 300 ... Stage, 310 ... Modeling surface, 400 ... Moving mechanism, 600 ... Discharge material storage unit, 650 ... Purge material storage unit, 700 ... Control unit, 800 ... Bypass flow path, 810 ... Bypass inlet, 820 ... Bypass exit

Claims (10)

A melted part that melts the material into a modeling material,
A supply flow path that communicates with the molten portion and allows the modeling material to flow,
A nozzle having a discharge port that communicates with the supply flow path and discharges the modeling material toward the stage.
A discharge amount adjusting mechanism provided in the supply flow path and adjusting the flow rate of the modeling material discharged from the nozzle.
It has a discharge port that communicates with the outside, branches from the downstream of the position where the discharge amount adjusting mechanism is provided in the supply flow path, and has a flow path cross-sectional area larger than the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of the nozzle. Discharge flow path and
An discharge control mechanism capable of switching between a state in which the supply flow path and the outside communicate with each other via the discharge flow path and a state in which the outside does not communicate with each other.
The discharge amount adjusting mechanism and the control unit for controlling the discharge control mechanism are provided.
The control unit
After stopping the discharge of the modeling material from the nozzle by controlling the discharge amount adjusting mechanism,
By controlling the discharge control mechanism, the supply flow path and the outside are communicated with each other, and the purge material for cleaning the nozzle is taken in from the discharge port and discharged through the discharge flow path. Execute the maintenance process to discharge from the outlet to the outside,
Three-dimensional modeling device. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1.
The control unit is a three-dimensional modeling device that takes in the external purge material from the discharge port in the maintenance process. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1.
Of the supply flow paths, a branch flow path that branches from the upstream of the position where the discharge flow path branches, and
A bypass flow path capable of communicating the branch flow path and the discharge port without passing through the supply flow path is provided.
In the maintenance process, the control unit communicates the melting unit and the branch flow path through the supply flow path, and communicates the branch flow path and the discharge port via the bypass flow path. The purge material that has flowed from the molten portion to the bypass flow path through the branch flow path is taken in from the discharge port, and is taken in from the discharge port to the outside through the discharge flow path. A three-dimensional modeling device that discharges. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 3.
A three-dimensional modeling apparatus using the modeling material generated in the molten portion as the purge material. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 3 or 4.
The discharge amount adjusting mechanism is a three-way valve provided at a branch point between the supply flow path and the branch flow path, and the melting portion and the nozzle communicate with each other via the supply flow path, and the discharge amount adjusting mechanism is described. The first state in which the melting part and the branch flow path do not communicate with each other through the supply flow path, and the melting part and the nozzle do not communicate with each other through the supply flow path, and the melting part and the branch flow path do not communicate with each other. In the second state in which the melted portion and the nozzle communicate with each other through the supply flow path, the molten portion and the nozzle do not communicate with each other through the supply flow path, and the molten portion and the branch flow path pass through the supply flow path. It is possible to switch to the third state, which does not communicate with each other.
The control unit is a three-dimensional modeling device that stops the discharge of the modeling material from the nozzle by switching the discharge amount adjusting mechanism to the second state. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The discharge flow path is provided with a suction mechanism for sucking the purge material in the supply flow path into the discharge flow path.
The control unit
By controlling the suction mechanism, the purge material taken in from the discharge port is sucked into the discharge flow path, and then the purge material is sucked into the discharge flow path.
By controlling the discharge control mechanism, the supply flow path and the outside are communicated with each other via the discharge flow path, and by controlling the suction mechanism, the purge material is brought into the discharge port. A three-dimensional modeling device that is pumped to the outside and discharged to the outside. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 6.
The suction mechanism is a three-dimensional modeling device that is a plunger. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
The molten portion is a three-dimensional modeling apparatus having a flat screw. A material discharge device used for three-dimensional modeling.
A melted part that melts the material into a modeling material,
A supply flow path that communicates with the molten portion and allows the modeling material to flow,
A nozzle having a discharge port that communicates with the supply flow path and discharges the modeling material,
A discharge amount adjusting mechanism provided in the supply flow path and adjusting the flow rate of the modeling material discharged from the nozzle.
It has a discharge port that communicates with the outside, branches from the downstream of the position where the discharge amount adjusting mechanism is provided in the supply flow path, and has a flow path cross-sectional area larger than the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of the nozzle. Discharge flow path and
An discharge control mechanism capable of switching between a state in which the supply flow path and the outside communicate with each other via the discharge flow path and a state in which the outside does not communicate with each other.
The discharge amount adjusting mechanism and the control unit for controlling the discharge control mechanism are provided.
The control unit
After stopping the discharge of the modeling material from the nozzle by controlling the discharge amount adjusting mechanism,
By controlling the discharge control mechanism, the supply flow path and the outside are communicated with each other, and the purge material for cleaning the nozzle is taken in from the discharge port and discharged through the discharge flow path. A material discharge device that executes a maintenance process for discharging from an outlet to the outside. A melted part that melts the material into a modeling material,
A supply flow path that communicates with the molten portion and allows the modeling material to flow,
A nozzle having a discharge port that communicates with the supply flow path and discharges the modeling material,
A discharge amount adjusting mechanism provided in the supply flow path and adjusting the flow rate of the modeling material discharged from the nozzle.
It has a discharge port that communicates with the outside, branches from the downstream of the position where the discharge amount adjusting mechanism is provided in the supply flow path, and has a flow path cross-sectional area larger than the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of the nozzle. Discharge flow path and
It is a maintenance method of a material discharge device used for three-dimensional modeling, which has a discharge control mechanism capable of switching between a state in which the supply flow path and the outside communicate with each other through the discharge flow path and a state in which the outside does not communicate with each other. hand,
After stopping the discharge of the modeling material from the nozzle,
A state in which the supply flow path and the outside are communicated with each other, and a purge material for cleaning the nozzle is taken in from the discharge port and discharged from the discharge port to the outside through the discharge flow path.
Maintenance method.

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