JP2023149551A - Three-dimensional molding device and manufacturing method for three-dimensional molding body - Google Patents

Abstract

To obtain a three-dimensional molding device that can suppress deformation of a three-dimensional molding body while suppressing breakage of a flexible plate.SOLUTION: A three-dimensional molding machine comprises a lifting stage, a squeegee, an electron beam emitter, a guide, and a control part. The squeegee spreads powder for molding supplied on a base plate to form a powder layer for molding. The guide holds the squeegee and guides the movement of the squeegee in a direction along a second axis at the top of the lifting stage. The control part irradiates the powder layer for molding with an electron beam based on slice data. The squeegee has a flexible plate, a plate holding part that holds the flexible plate, and a support part that makes the guide support the plate holding part. The plate holding part is held by the support part so that when the squeegee is moved in the direction of the second axis to spread the powder for molding, the flexible plate is inclined at an inclination angle determined on the side opposite to the direction in which the squeegee moves with reference to a direction of a first axis.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure relates to a three-dimensional printing apparatus and a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure, which manufacture a three-dimensional structure by repeating a process of selectively melting and solidifying a powder material.

2. Description of the Related Art A three-dimensional modeling apparatus is known that uses a metal powder material to manufacture a three-dimensional object by stacking a plurality of layers in which the metal powder material is selectively solidified by irradiation with an electron beam. In a three-dimensional printing apparatus, metal powder material is supplied from a hopper to an area called a modeling box where a three-dimensional object is formed, and a powder layer for modeling is formed. The method includes a means that can repeatedly perform a shaping step of irradiating a shaping electron beam to melt and solidify a metal powder material to create a shape.

In the supply process, a certain amount of metal powder material is discharged from the hopper, and then a squeegee with a metal flexible plate is operated to spread the metal powder material on the base plate in the modeling box and flatten it. Forms a powder layer for modeling. Patent Document 1 discloses a method of forming a modeling powder layer by fixing a flexible plate of a squeegee perpendicularly to a base plate and operating the flexible plate.

Patent No. 6885633

In the three-dimensional printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a squeegee having a structure in which a flexible plate perpendicular to the upper surface of the base plate is attached to a powder distributor is attached to a flexible plate in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the base plate. It is moving in a direction perpendicular to the plate. In this case, the squeegee repeatedly interferes with the three-dimensional object or the object powder obtained by temporarily sintering the metal powder material using the electron beam, resulting in deformation of the squeegee. As a result, there was a problem in that the squeegee was damaged and the metal powder material was not evenly supplied onto the base plate, making it impossible to form a modeling powder layer. There is also a problem in that when the squeegee and the three-dimensional structure interfere, stress from the squeegee acts on the three-dimensional structure, causing the three-dimensional structure to deform.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to obtain a three-dimensional printing apparatus that can suppress deformation of a three-dimensional structure while suppressing damage to a flexible plate.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, a three-dimensional printing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes an elevating stage, a squeegee, an electron beam emitting section, a guide, and a control section. The elevating stage is provided within the modeling box and is movable in the direction of the first axis, which is the vertical direction. The squeegee spreads modeling powder supplied onto a base plate, which is a base for modeling a three-dimensional object, on the upper part of an elevating stage that includes the base plate to form a modeling powder layer. The electron beam emitting unit irradiates the base plate or the modeling powder layer with an electron beam. The guide holds the squeegee and guides movement of the squeegee in a direction along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis above the lifting stage. The control unit controls the electron beam for modeling based on slice data that is data obtained by slicing the target 3D model in two dimensions, which is generated based on the 3D data of the target 3D model. Irradiate the powder layer. The squeegee includes a flexible plate that extends in the direction of a third axis perpendicular to both the first axis and the second axis and spreads the modeling powder evenly, and a plate holding section that holds the flexible plate. It has a support part that supports the plate holding part on the guide. When the squeegee is moved in the direction of the second axis to spread the modeling powder, the flexible plate has an inclination angle set on the opposite side to the direction in which the squeegee moves with respect to the direction of the first axis. The plate holding part is held by the support part so as to tilt the plate holding part.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the three-dimensional structure while suppressing damage to the flexible plate.

A cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the configuration of a three-dimensional printing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. A top view schematically showing an example of the configuration of a squeegee provided in the three-dimensional printing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. A cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a squeegee provided in the three-dimensional printing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. A diagram schematically showing the stress acting on the flexible plate when the flexible plate is fixed perpendicularly to the top surface of the base plate. A diagram schematically showing the stress acting on the flexible plate when the flexible plate is tilted with respect to the top surface of the base plate. A cross-sectional view showing an example of the tip shape in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the flexible plate. A cross-sectional view showing an example of the tip shape in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the flexible plate. A cross-sectional view showing an example of the tip shape in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the flexible plate. Flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to Embodiment 1 A flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure for forming a modeling powder layer in step S12 in FIG. 9 A diagram showing an example of the state of a squeegee in a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object A diagram showing an example of the state of a squeegee in a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object A diagram showing an example of the state of a squeegee in a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object A diagram showing an example of the state of a squeegee in a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object A cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the configuration of a three-dimensional printing apparatus according to a second embodiment A cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the configuration of a squeegee provided in the three-dimensional printing apparatus according to Embodiment 2. A partial front view showing an example of the configuration of a squeegee provided in the three-dimensional printing apparatus according to Embodiment 2. A flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure for forming a modeling powder layer in step S12 in FIG. 9 Flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to Embodiment 3 Flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to Embodiment 3 A diagram showing an example of a method for calculating the amount of change in the thickness of the modeling powder layer when the inclination angle is changed from α to α1. A diagram showing an example of a method for calculating the amount of change in the thickness of the modeling powder layer when the inclination angle is changed from α to α1. Flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to Embodiment 4 Flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to Embodiment 5 A diagram showing an example of the relationship between the position of the squeegee and deformation in the three-dimensional printing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment A diagram showing an example of the relationship between the position of the squeegee and deformation in the three-dimensional printing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment A diagram showing an example of a method for adjusting the position of the squeegee in the Z-axis direction in the three-dimensional printing apparatus according to Embodiment 6. A diagram showing another example of a method for adjusting the position of the squeegee in the Z-axis direction in the three-dimensional printing apparatus according to Embodiment 6. Flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to Embodiment 6 Flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to Embodiment 6 A diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control unit of the three-dimensional printing apparatus according to Embodiments 1 to 6.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Below, a three-dimensional printing apparatus and a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail based on the drawings.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the configuration of a three-dimensional printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1A supplies the modeling powder A to the irradiation area C, spreads it out, and then melts and solidifies the modeling powder A by irradiating the modeling powder A with an electron beam B. This is an apparatus that repeatedly performs modeling of a three-dimensional structure O, which is a three-dimensional object on which melted and solidified modeling powder A is deposited.

The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1A according to the first embodiment includes an electron beam emitting section 2, a modeling section 3, and a control section 4. In the following explanation, the vertical direction is a direction parallel to the direction in which the electron beam B is emitted from the electron beam emitting unit 2, corresponds to the vertical direction, and is a direction parallel to the Z axis shown in the figure. It is. Further, the left-right direction is a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the electron beam B is emitted from the electron beam emitting unit 2, corresponds to one direction in the horizontal plane, and is a direction parallel to the X axis indicated in the figure. . Further, the depth direction of the paper surface of FIG. 1 is orthogonal to each of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and is a direction parallel to the Y axis displayed in the figure. The Z axis corresponds to the first axis, the X axis corresponds to the second axis, and the Y axis corresponds to the third axis.

The electron beam emitting section 2 emits an electron beam B. The electron beam B emitted from the electron beam emitting unit 2 is irradiated onto modeling powder A spread over an irradiation area C, which will be described later. By irradiating the modeling powder A with the electron beam B, the modeling powder A is melted and then solidified. Further, the electron beam emitting unit 2 may irradiate the modeling powder A with the electron beam B to preliminarily heat the modeling powder A before modeling the three-dimensional structure O.

The electron beam emitting section 2 includes an electron gun section 21, a converging coil 22, and a deflection coil 23. The electron gun section 21, the converging coil 22, and the deflection coil 23 are installed, for example, inside a column 24 that is a housing of the electron beam emission section 2 and has a cylindrical shape.

The electron gun section 21 is electrically connected to the control section 4. The electron gun section 21 receives a control signal transmitted from the control section 4 and operates based on the received control signal. The electron gun section 21 generates and emits an electron beam B. The electron gun section 21 emits an electron beam B toward the bottom of the electron gun section 21, for example. In the first embodiment, the electron gun section 21 emits the electron beam B vertically downward.

The converging coil 22 is electrically connected to the control section 4. The converging coil 22 converges the electron beam B. Deflection coil 23 is electrically connected to control section 4 . The deflection coil 23 receives a control signal transmitted from the control unit 4 and operates based on the received control signal. The deflection coil 23 adjusts the irradiation position of the electron beam B based on the control signal. The deflection coil 23 performs electromagnetic beam deflection of the electron beam B. Therefore, the deflection coil 23 can increase the scanning speed during irradiation of the electron beam B compared to mechanical beam deflection. As described above, the electron beam emitting unit 2 irradiates the base plate 33 or the modeling powder layer 51 with the electron beam B.

The modeling part 3 is a part in which the modeling powder A is arranged inside the chamber 30, and a desired three-dimensional structure O is modeled using the modeling powder A. The modeling section 3 includes a modeling box 31 , an elevating stage 32 , a base plate 33 , an elevator 34 , a hopper 35 , a squeegee 36 , and a guide 37 inside a chamber 30 . A vacuum pump, which is an exhaust device, is connected to the chamber 30. Illustration of the vacuum pump is omitted. By evacuating the inside of the chamber 30 by the vacuum pump, the inside of the chamber 30 is brought into a vacuum or near-vacuum state.

The modeling box 31 defines an area in which the three-dimensional structure O is to be modeled, and is arranged at the lower part of the chamber 30 . The modeling box 31 has a shape extending in the Z-axis direction. For example, the modeling box 31 is formed into a rectangular cylinder shape whose horizontal cross section, which is a cross section parallel to the horizontal direction, is rectangular, or a cylindrical shape whose cross section is circular.

The elevating stage 32 is movable up and down within the modeling box 31 in the Z-axis direction. The elevating stage 32 corresponds to the inner shape of the modeling box 31. That is, when the inside shape of the modeling box 31 is rectangular in horizontal section, the outer shape of the elevating stage 32 is also rectangular. As a result, the modeling powder A supplied to the modeling box 31 is less likely to leak downward than the elevating stage 32. Moreover, in order to suppress the modeling powder A from leaking down to the lower part of the elevating stage 32, a sealing material may be provided at the outer edge of the elevating stage 32.

The base plate 33 is placed inside the modeling box 31 and serves as a base for the modeling powder A and the three-dimensional structure O to be modeled. The three-dimensional structure O is modeled on the base plate 33. The base plate 33 is, for example, a rectangular plate. The base plate 33 is not limited to a rectangular plate-like body, but may be a circular plate-like body. In one example, the base plate 33 is provided so that its upper surface is parallel to the horizontal direction. The base plate 33 is supported by a lifting stage 32 installed below the base plate 33 via a supporting powder layer 50. The base plate 33 moves in the vertical direction together with the elevating stage 32.

The elevator 34 is installed below the elevator stage 32, supports the elevator stage 32, and raises and lowers the elevator stage 32. The elevator 34 is electrically connected to the control unit 4. The elevator 34 receives a control signal transmitted from the control unit 4 and operates based on the received control signal. The elevator 34 can adjust the position of the base plate 33 on the elevator stage 32 in the vertical direction by moving the elevator stage 32 in the vertical direction.

For example, the elevator 34 moves the base plate 33 upward together with the elevator stage 32 at the beginning of modeling the three-dimensional structure O in the three-dimensional printer 1A. The elevator 34 lowers the base plate 33 every time the modeling powder A is layered on the base plate 33 by melting and solidifying the modeling powder A. The structure of the elevator 34 is not particularly limited as long as it can move the base plate 33 up and down.

The hopper 35 is a storage tank that is supported at a predetermined height inside the chamber 30 and stores the modeling powder A. The hopper 35 has a powder storage section in which the modeling powder A is stored, and a discharge port 351 that is formed at the lower part of the hopper 35, that is, at the lower part of the powder storage section, and discharges the modeling powder A to the outside of the hopper 35. The hopper 35 has a shutter 352 that opens and closes the discharge port 351. When the shutter 352 is in the open state, the discharge port 351 is opened, and the modeling powder A discharged from the discharge port 351 is supplied onto the base plate 33. When the shutter 352 is in a closed state, the discharge port 351 is in a closed state, and the supply of the modeling powder A from the discharge port 351 can be stopped. The modeling powder A discharged from the discharge port 351 is supplied onto the base plate 33 by the squeegee 36.

The modeling powder A is a powdery material that is melted and solidified to form the three-dimensional structure O. The modeling powder A is melted and solidified or sintered by being irradiated with the electron beam B emitted from the electron beam emitting section 2 . For example, metal powder is used as the modeling powder A. Specifically, titanium, nickel, cobalt, iron, copper, aluminum, and alloys containing these are often used, but the material is not limited thereto. In particular, when a powder such as copper, which is relatively easily sintered in metal materials, is used as the modeling powder A, the effects of Embodiment 1, which will be described later, are remarkable.

The particle size of the modeling powder A is generally 20 μm or more and 150 μm or less in order to be able to sufficiently solidify with the electron beam B and to obtain a three-dimensional model O with high surface precision. Although it is often used, it is not limited to this.

The supporting powder layer 50 is disposed above the elevating stage 32 and is provided to support the base plate 33. The supporting powder layer 50 is composed of the modeling powder A. The outermost surface of the supporting powder layer 50 is located at the same level as or below the outermost surface of the base plate 33. During modeling, the modeling powder A is spread evenly on the outermost surface of the supporting powder layer 50. Further, during each layer, the modeling powder A is spread thinly and evenly over the irradiation area C by the squeegee 36 to form a modeling powder layer 51, and is preheated and solidified by the electron beam B. The modeling powder layer 51 is obtained by spreading the modeling powder A in a layered manner on the upper part of the elevating stage 32 including the base plate 33. When the outermost surface of the supporting powder layer 50 is projected upward from the outermost surface of the base plate 33 due to the solidified modeling powder A, a flexible flexible material attached to the squeegee 36 is used when spreading the modeling powder A with the squeegee 36. There is a possibility that the flexible plate 361 will come into contact with the flexible plate 361 and the flexible plate 361 will be damaged.

The three-dimensional structure O is formed by irradiating the modeling powder A with the electron beam B and melting the modeling powder A. Although the outermost surface of the three-dimensional structure O is heated by the electron beam B, strain accumulates due to the temperature difference with the lower layer, and residual stress is generated in the three-dimensional structure O. Due to the residual stress, layers in the three-dimensional structure O may peel off and the three-dimensional structure O may be deformed. In this case, as the three-dimensional structure O deforms, the outermost surface protrudes from the outermost surface of the base plate 33 and interferes with the flexible plate 361 attached to the squeegee 36, causing damage to the flexible plate 361 or This may lead to deformation of the object O.

The squeegee 36 is a leveling member that spreads the modeling powder A disposed above the base plate 33. The squeegee 36 is movable in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the base plate 33 by a squeegee moving mechanism (not shown) that includes an actuator. The modeling powder A discharged from the discharge port 351 of the hopper 35 is supplied onto the base plate 33 with a predetermined thickness by the squeegee 36. Further, by moving the squeegee 36 in the horizontal direction, the surface of the modeling powder A on the irradiation area C including the base plate 33 is spread evenly. Note that it is assumed here that the squeegee 36 extends in the Y-axis direction and is movable in the X-axis direction. Details of the configuration of the squeegee 36 will be described later.

The guide 37 is a member that supports the squeegee 36 and guides the movement of the squeegee 36 in the direction along the X axis. Since the squeegee 36 is moved in the X-axis direction, the guide 37 extends in the X-axis direction.

The control section 4 is an electronic control unit that controls the entire three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1A. The control unit 4 is realized by a computer including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The control unit 4 performs lift control of the lift stage 32, which is control to lift and lower the lift stage 32, which will be described later, opening/closing control of the shutter 352, which is control to open and close the shutter 352, and operation control of the squeegee 36, which is control to operate the squeegee 36. , executes emission control of the electron beam B, which is control of emission of the electron beam B, and operation control of the deflection coil 23, which is control of operating the deflection coil 23.

The control unit 4 operates the elevator 34 by transmitting a control signal to the elevator 34 to control the elevation of the elevator stage 32 . By operating the elevator 34, the vertical position of the elevator stage 32 is adjusted.

The control unit 4 transmits a control signal to the shutter 352 to control the opening and closing of the shutter 352. The shutter 352 opens and closes by transmitting a control signal from the control unit 4 to the shutter 352. By opening and closing the shutter 352, the modeling powder A flows out from the hopper 35, and a desired amount of modeling powder A is supplied onto the base plate 33 including the irradiation area C and the periphery of the irradiation area C.

The control unit 4 operates the squeegee 36 before emitting the electron beam B to control the operation of the squeegee 36. By operating the squeegee 36, the modeling powder A placed on the base plate 33 is spread out.

The control unit 4 transmits a control signal to the electron gun unit 21 to control the emission of the electron beam B. The electron gun section 21 emits an electron beam B based on a control signal transmitted from the control section 4 to the electron gun section 21 .

The control unit 4 transmits a control signal to the deflection coil 23 to control the operation of the deflection coil 23. The irradiation position of the electron beam B is controlled based on a control signal transmitted from the control unit 4 to the deflection coil 23. For example, three-dimensional CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data, which is three-dimensional data of an object to be modeled, is input to the control unit 4. The control unit 4 generates two-dimensional slice data, which is data obtained by slicing the target three-dimensional structure O in two dimensions, based on the input three-dimensional CAD data. The slice data is, for example, data on a horizontal cross section of the target three-dimensional structure O. Slice data is a collection of a large number of data corresponding to positions in the vertical direction. The control unit 4 determines an irradiation area C, which is an area in which the modeling powder A is irradiated with the electron beam B, based on the slice data. The irradiation area C can be said to be a modeling area where the three-dimensional structure O is formed by irradiating the modeling powder A with the electron beam B. In one example, the irradiation area C is set to be within the area of the base plate 33 when viewed from above the base plate 33. Then, the control unit 4 transmits a control signal to the deflection coil 23 in accordance with the determined irradiation area C.

Next, a specific configuration of the squeegee 36 provided in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1A according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a top view schematically showing an example of the configuration of a squeegee provided in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first embodiment. The squeegee 36 is a member extending in the Y-axis direction, and is a member that spreads the modeling powder A disposed above the base plate 33 evenly on the base plate 33. The squeegee 36 is fastened to a guide 37 that extends in the X-axis direction above the modeling box 31 in which the base plate 33 is placed. The length of the guide 37 in the X-axis direction is made longer than the length of the modeling box 31 in the X-axis direction. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1A has a squeegee moving mechanism (not shown) that moves the squeegee 36 in the X-axis direction, that is, in the right direction R and the left direction L in FIG. The squeegee 36 spreads the modeling powder A evenly by being moved by a squeegee moving mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a squeegee provided in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first embodiment. The squeegee 36 includes a flexible plate 361, a plate holding section 362, and a rotating section 363.

The flexible plate 361 is a flexible plate-like member that extends in the Y-axis direction, which is a direction perpendicular to both the moving direction of the squeegee 36 and the vertical direction. An example of the flexible plate 361 is a thin plate made of metal such as stainless steel, resin, or other material. The flexible plate 361 has a size longer than the size of the elevating stage 32 in the Y-axis direction.

The plate holding section 362 is a member that holds the flexible plate 361. The plate holding part 362 extends in the Y-axis direction and holds the upper part of the flexible plate 361. In one example, the plate holding portion 362 is made of rod-shaped resin extending in the Y-axis direction. In FIG. 3, a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the plate holding portion 362 has a triangular shape. The cross-sectional shape of the plate holding portion 362 is not limited to this, and may be any shape including a circle, an ellipse, a quadrangle, a polygon, and other two-dimensional shapes. In the example of FIG. 3, the plate holding section 362 holds one flexible plate 361.

The rotating part 363 fixes the plate holding part 362, is held by the guide 37, and rotates around a rotating shaft 363b parallel to the Y-axis direction, which is a direction perpendicular to both the moving direction of the squeegee 36 and the vertical direction. It is possible. By rotating the rotating part 363, the plate holding part 362 and the flexible plate 361 also rotate with the rotation of the rotating part 363. The rotating portion 363 corresponds to a support portion that supports the plate holding portion 362 on the guide 37, and rotates the plate holding portion 362 around an axis parallel to the Y axis. Here, the flexible plate 361 is located on the Z-axis negative direction side of the plate holding part 362 and overlaps the vertical line, that is, the direction in which the flexible plate 361 rotates clockwise around the rotation axis 363b with the Z-axis direction as a reference. is defined as the positive direction, and the direction of counterclockwise rotation is defined as the negative direction. As a result of the rotation of the rotating portion 363, the flexible plate 361 is tilted by the tilt angle α from the reference position. In other words, the plate holding section 362 holds the flexible plate 361 in a tilted state by the inclination angle α. Furthermore, the flexible plate 361 is not perpendicular to the upper surface of the elevating stage 32, but is arranged at an angle of 90°-α. This inclination angle α is determined in accordance with the amount by which the rotating portion 363 rotates. Therefore, by controlling the amount of rotation of the rotating portion 363, it is possible to adjust the inclination angle α of the squeegee 36.

Note that FIG. 3 illustrates a case where the squeegee 36 moves in the right direction R. That is, with respect to the right direction R, which is the moving direction of the squeegee 36, the tip of the flexible plate 361 is located on the opposite side, and the rotating portion 363 rotates counterclockwise until the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 becomes α. Rotate to .

The rotating portion 363 is rotated using an actuator. An example of an actuator is an external driver such as a motor. Specific motor power includes electric power, oil pressure, gas pressure, etc., but is not limited to these. Furthermore, the actuator is not limited to a motor. In FIG. 3, illustration of the actuator is omitted. The actuator attached to the rotating part 363 is electrically connected to the control part 4. The rotating section 363 receives a control signal transmitted from the control section 4, and rotates based on the received control signal. In other words, the amount of rotation of the rotating section 363 is controlled by the control section 4.

In addition to the above-described control, the control unit 4 executes rotation control of the rotation unit 363, which is control of the operation of the actuator that rotates the rotation unit 363. The control unit 4 controls the rotation of the rotation unit 363 by rotating the rotation unit 363 before moving the squeegee 36 . Specifically, as described above, the control unit 4 moves the flexible plate 361 from the reference position at a predetermined inclination angle α such that the tip of the flexible plate 361 is located on the opposite side to the moving direction in which the squeegee 36 is moved. The rotation of the rotating portion 363 is controlled so that the flexible plate 361 is in an inclined state. As a result, the flexible plate 361 moves over the modeling powder A while being tilted by the inclination angle α from the reference position.

Next, the stress that acts on the flexible plate 361 when the squeegee 36 is moved with the flexible plate 361 tilted by the tilt angle α from the reference position will be explained. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the stress acting on the flexible plate when the flexible plate is fixed perpendicularly to the upper surface of the base plate. FIG. 4 shows the stress S that acts on the flexible plate 361 due to contact between the flexible plate 361 and the temporary sintered body 55 of the modeling powder A when the squeegee 36 is moved. . As shown in FIG. 4, when the flexible plate 361 is fixed perpendicularly to the upper surface of the base plate 33, the shear stress generated in the flexible plate 361 due to contact with the temporary sintered body 55 is All of this acts on the flexible plate 361 as bending stress. Therefore, the stress S acting on the flexible plate 361 increases, the amount of bending deformation of the flexible plate 361 increases, and the possibility of breakage increases.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the state of stress acting on the flexible plate when the flexible plate is inclined with respect to the upper surface of the base plate. As shown in FIG. 5, when the flexible plate 361 comes into contact with the temporary sintered body 55 while being tilted by the inclination angle from the reference position, the stress S acting on the flexible plate 361 is The portions Sa are distributed in the compression direction with respect to the flexible plate 361. Therefore, the shear stress component Sb acting on the flexible plate 361 becomes smaller than in the case of FIG. 4. Therefore, the bending stress acting on the flexible plate 361 is reduced, and the amount of bending deformation of the flexible plate 361 is reduced. As a result, the effect of suppressing damage to the flexible plate 361 can be obtained compared to the case of FIG. Although the stress S acting on the flexible plate 361 from the temporary sintered body 55 has been described here, the same applies to the stress acting on the temporary sintered body 55 from the flexible plate 361. That is, the magnitude of the horizontal component of the stress acting on the temporary sintered body 55 from the flexible plate 361 is equal to the magnitude of the stress acting on the temporary sintered body 55 when the flexible plate 361 is vertically provided. It becomes smaller compared to the size of the horizontal component. As a result, deformation of the three-dimensional structure O can be suppressed.

In the example of FIG. 3, the squeegee 36 includes one flexible plate 361, but as shown in FIG. It is also possible to prepare at a later date. In the case of FIG. 1, when moving the squeegee 36 in the right direction R, the flexible plate 361 on the right side in FIG. 51, and the modeling powder A is spread evenly. At this time, the flexible plate 361 on the rear side with respect to the traveling direction does not contact the three-dimensional structure O and the modeling powder layer 51. Furthermore, when moving the squeegee 36 in the left direction L, the flexible plate 361 on the left side in FIG. , the modeling powder A is spread evenly. At this time, the flexible plate 361 on the rear side with respect to the traveling direction does not contact the three-dimensional structure O and the modeling powder layer 51. In this way, the modeling powder A is carried not only when moving in the right direction R but also when moving in the left direction L, thereby making the powder bed uniform. Therefore, by providing two flexible plates 361 on the squeegee 36, compared to the case where only one flexible plate 361 is provided, it is possible to create a three-dimensional structure by using one flexible plate 361. The number of times of contact with O and the modeling powder layer 51 can be reduced by half. In other words, by attaching two flexible plates 361, the frequency that each flexible plate 361 interferes with the three-dimensional structure O and the modeling powder layer 51 is reduced. Therefore, the effect of suppressing damage to the flexible plate 361 of the three-dimensional printing apparatus 1A according to the first embodiment can be further obtained.

Moreover, since the squeegee 36 has two flexible plates 361, damage to the flexible plate 361 can be suppressed compared to the case where the squeegee 36 has one flexible plate 361. This is because the length of the flexible plate 361 required to obtain the same laminated thickness is shorter in the case of two flexible plates than in the case of one. Specifically, when the flexible plate 361 is arranged parallel to the YZ plane, if there is only one flexible plate 361, the plate holding part 362 The flexible plate 361 is attached to the center position in the X-axis direction of This is because it can be held and attached. As a result, when the moving direction of the squeegee 36 switches from the right direction R to the left direction L, that is, when the rotating portion 363 rotates so that the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 changes from α to -α, the flexible The amount of deformation of the flexible plate 361 caused by contact with the modeling box 31 can be suppressed in the case of two flexible plates 361 compared to the case of one flexible plate. This also applies when the moving direction of the squeegee 36 switches from the left direction L to the right direction R, that is, when the rotating part 363 rotates so that the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 changes from -α to α. . In this way, when the flexible plate 361 is rotated, the flexible plate 361 comes into contact with the modeling box 31 more easily when there are two flexible plates 361 than when there is only one flexible plate 361. Since the amount by which the flexible plate 361 deforms can be suppressed, damage to the flexible plate 361 can be suppressed. Note that the squeegee 36 may include two or more flexible plates 361.

6 to 8 are cross-sectional views showing an example of the tip shape in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the flexible plate. In FIGS. 6 to 8, a line passing through the center of the flexible plate 361 in the thickness direction is indicated by a broken line. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, in the cross section of the flexible plate 361, by making the tip shape of the flexible plate 361 symmetrical with respect to the line passing through the center of the flexible plate 361, The effect of uniformly forming a powder bed can be obtained both when the squeegee 36 moves in the right direction R and in the left direction L. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, by making the cross-sectional shape of the flexible plate 361 rectangular, the rigidity of the flexible plate 361 can be improved. As a result, the effect of suppressing damage to the flexible plate 361 can be obtained. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the tip of the flexible plate 361 may have a circular shape, or as shown in FIG. 8, the tip of the flexible plate 361 may have a wedge-shaped tip. It may also have a sharp shape. Note that the shape of the tip of the flexible plate 361 shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 is an example, and the shape is not limited thereto.

Next, a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure O using the above-mentioned three-dimensional structure apparatus 1A will be explained. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing procedure of the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the first embodiment. First, by opening and closing the shutter 352, a desired amount of powder A for modeling is supplied from the hopper 35 to the irradiation area C (step S11). The irradiation area C is set on the elevating stage 32 in the modeling box 31, and is provided on the base plate 33 that serves as a base for modeling the three-dimensional object O. The process of step S11 corresponds to a powder supply process.

Next, by moving the squeegee 36 using the squeegee moving mechanism, the modeling powder A is spread evenly on the base plate 33 and the supporting powder layer 50, and the modeling powder layer 51 is formed in the modeling box 31 (step S12). The control unit 4 transmits a control signal to the squeegee moving mechanism and the rotating unit 363, thereby controlling the operation of the squeegee 36 and controlling the rotation of the rotating unit 363. The process of step S12 corresponds to a modeling powder layer forming process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure for forming the modeling powder layer in step S12 of FIG. Moreover, FIGS. 11 to 14 are diagrams showing an example of the state of the squeegee in the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure. It is assumed here that the initial position of the squeegee 36 is at the left end of the modeling box 31 in the X-axis direction in FIG. Further, it is assumed that at the initial position, the flexible plate 361 of the squeegee 36 is inclined by α from the reference position.

First, as shown in FIG. 11, the squeegee moving mechanism moves the squeegee 36 in the right direction R along the guide 37 while fixing the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 to α (step S31). As a result, the squeegee 36 moves above the modeling box 31 and the modeling powder A placed above the modeling box 31 is spread evenly until it reaches the right end.

After the squeegee 36 reaches the end in the right direction R, as shown in FIG. 12, the rotating part 363 is rotated so that the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 of the squeegee 36 becomes -α (step S32). ). That is, the rotating portion 363 rotates so that the flexible plate 361 has an inclination angle α on the opposite side to the left direction L, which is the moving direction. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 13, the squeegee moving mechanism moves the squeegee 36 in the left direction L along the guide 37 while fixing the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 to -α (step S33). As a result, the squeegee 36 moves above the modeling box 31 and the modeling powder A placed above the modeling box 31 is spread evenly until it reaches the left end.

After the squeegee 36 reaches the end in the left direction L, that is, the initial position, the rotating part 363 is rotated so that the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 of the squeegee 36 becomes α, as shown in FIG. (Step S34). As described above, by rotating the rotating part 363 during powder supply, the absolute value of the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 can be kept constant during the reciprocating operation. Furthermore, in the above explanation, the absolute value of the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 is the same when the squeegee 36 moves in the right direction R and when the squeegee 36 moves in the left direction L, but The absolute value of the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 may be made different when moving in the R direction and when moving in the left direction L. With this, the forming process of the modeling powder layer 51 is completed, and the process returns to FIG. 9.

Returning to FIG. 9, the irradiation area C is irradiated with a preheating electron beam to preheat the modeling powder layer 51 (step S13). In the irradiation with the preheating electron beam in step S13, the powder material is heated in advance before the three-dimensional structure O is formed. By outputting a control signal from the control section 4 to the electron beam emitting section 2, emission of the electron beam B from the electron gun section 21 and control of the irradiation position of the electron beam B by the deflection coil 23 are performed. Since the modeling powder A on the base plate 33 is irradiated with the electron beam B, the modeling powder A is heated. In one example, in the preheating treatment, the modeling powder A is heated at a temperature at which the modeling powder A does not melt. Note that the irradiation with the preheating electron beam may be performed as necessary.

Thereafter, the control unit 4 irradiates the modeling powder layer 51 with a melting electron beam based on the generated slice data, thereby modeling one layer of the three-dimensional structure O (step S14). In one example, the control unit 4 determines a modeling region in which the modeling powder A is to be irradiated with the electron beam B, based on the slice data. Then, the control section 4 causes the electron beam B to be irradiated from the electron beam emitting section 2 according to the modeling area. The modeling powder A in the modeling area that was irradiated with the electron beam B melts and solidifies, and unlike the modeling powder A that was not irradiated with the electron beam B, it becomes a part of the layer that constitutes the three-dimensional object O. . The step S14 corresponds to an electron beam irradiation step.

After that, the control unit 4 determines whether or not the modeling of the three-dimensional structure O is completed (step S15). In one example, when the three-dimensional structure O has not reached a desired height, it is determined that the modeling is not completed.

If the modeling of the three-dimensional structure O is not completed (No in step S15), the control unit 4 lowers the elevating stage 32 by the height of one layer (step S16), and the process returns to step S15. Return to S11. The step S16 corresponds to a stage lowering step. Then, the procedure from step S11 to step S16 is repeated until all layers of the three-dimensional structure O are completed.

When the modeling of all the layers has been completed, that is, when the modeling of the three-dimensional structure O has been completed (Yes in step S15), the control unit 4 determines that the manufacturing of the three-dimensional structure O has been completed. and the process ends.

In the first embodiment, after supplying the powder material to the modeling box 31, the flexible plate 361 is tilted by a predetermined tilt angle in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the squeegee 36 when the vertically downward direction is a reference. The squeegee 36 fixed in a fixed state is moved on the modeling box 31. This reduces the stress received from the temporary sintered body 55 or the three-dimensional structure O when the flexible plate 361 interferes with the temporary sintered body 55 or the three-dimensional structure O while the squeegee 36 is moving. portions are dispersed in a direction that compresses the flexible plate 361. Therefore, the shear stress component acting on the flexible plate 361 can be made smaller than when the flexible plate 361 is fixed perpendicularly to the upper surface of the base plate 33. As a result, damage to the flexible plate 361 is suppressed, a situation in which the modeling powder A is not evenly supplied onto the base plate 33 is suppressed, and the desired modeling powder layer 51 can be formed. . Furthermore, due to the interference between the flexible plate 361 and the three-dimensional structure O, stress acts on the three-dimensional structure O from the flexible plate 361, but the stress acting on the three-dimensional structure O in the horizontal direction is large. Since the height is smaller than that in the case where the flexible plate 361 is fixed perpendicularly to the upper surface of the base plate 33, deformation of the three-dimensional structure O can also be suppressed. In other words, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the three-dimensional structure O while suppressing damage to the squeegee 36.

Embodiment 2.
FIG. 15 is a sectional view schematically showing an example of the configuration of a three-dimensional printing apparatus according to the second embodiment. Note that the same components as those in Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof will be omitted, and the different parts will be explained.

The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1B has a first positioning pin 38a at the right end of the movement path of the squeegee 36 along the X-axis direction within the chamber 30, and a second positioning pin 38b at the left end. The first positioning pin 38a and the second positioning pin 38b are fixed within the chamber 30. The first positioning pin 38a and the second positioning pin 38b are members that change the angle of the flexible plate 361 of the squeegee 36, as described later.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view schematically showing an example of the configuration of a squeegee provided in the three-dimensional printing apparatus according to the second embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a partial front view showing an example of the configuration. The squeegee 36 includes a flexible plate 361, a plate holding section 362, and a fixing section 364.

The plate holding part 362 holds the flexible plate 361 and is rotatable with respect to the fixed part 364 about a rotation axis 364a parallel to the Y-axis. The plate holding part 362 is arranged in a direction opposite to the flexible plate 361 so that it comes into contact with the first positioning pin 38a or the second positioning pin 38b when it reaches the end in the X-axis direction inside the chamber 30. It extends to In this example, the plate holding portion 362 extends in the height direction of the flexible plate 361, and has an hourglass shape in which the central portion has a constricted portion narrower than the end portions in the extending direction. The plate holding part 362 is rotatably held by the fixing part 364 at constricted portions at both ends of the plate holding part 362 in the Y-axis direction. The position where the plate holding part 362 is rotatably held by the fixed part 364 will also be referred to as a fixed position below. Further, the plate holding portion 362 has a groove portion 362a on the end surface in the Y-axis direction. The groove portion 362a is used to fix the state of the plate holding portion 362. In addition, although the case where the side surface shape of the plate holding part 362 is hourglass-shaped was mentioned here as an example, it may be other shapes, such as a rectangular shape.

The fixing part 364 is supported by the guide 37 and rotatably holds both ends of the plate holding part 362 in the Y-axis direction. The fixing part 364 has two fixing pins 364b and 364c on the side surface that holds the plate holding part 362. The fixing pins 364b and 364c can fit into a groove 362a provided on the end surface of the plate holding section 362 in the Y-axis direction. The fixing pin 364b is provided at a position where, when the fixing pin 364b is fitted into the groove 362a of the plate holding part 362, the flexible plate 361 is tilted clockwise from the reference position by an inclination angle α. That is, when the fixing pin 364b fits into the groove 362a of the plate holding part 362, the flexible plate 361 is tilted by the tilt angle α from the reference position. The fixing pin 364c is provided at a position where, when the fixing pin 364c is fitted into the groove 362a of the plate holding portion 362, the flexible plate 361 is tilted by an inclination angle −α from the reference position. That is, when the fixing pin 364c fits into the groove 362a of the plate holding part 362, the flexible plate 361 is tilted by the tilt angle -α from the reference position. The fixing part 364 corresponds to a support part that supports the plate holding part 362 on the guide 37, and holds the plate holding part 362 rotatably around the fixed position with the fixing part 364. The groove 362a of the plate holding part 362 and the fixing pins 364b and 364c of the fixing part 364 correspond to a fixing mechanism that fixes the plate holding part 362 to the fixing part 364.

When the squeegee 36 moves in the right direction R, the fixing pin 364b of the fixing part 364 and the groove part 362a of the plate holding part 362 are in a fitted state. That is, the flexible plate 361 is rotated by an inclination angle α from the vertical direction in a direction opposite to the moving direction. When the squeegee 36 is moved in the right direction R in this state, the plate holder 362 comes into contact with the first positioning pin 38a provided at the right end of the chamber 30 near the right end of the chamber 30, as shown in FIG. do. When the squeegee 36 further moves in the right direction R in this state, a bending moment acts on the plate holding portion 362. That is, the plate holding part 362 is pushed by the fixed first positioning pin 38a and receives a force that rotates counterclockwise around the fixed position with the fixed part 364. Then, when the squeegee 36 further moves in the right direction R, the fixing pin 364b of the fixing part 364 comes off from the groove 362a of the plate holding part 362, and the fixing pin 364c of the fixing part 364 comes into contact with the groove 362a of the plate holding part 362. Get into it. At this time, the first positioning pin 38a is fixed within the chamber 30 and does not move in conjunction with the squeegee 36. Further, at this time, the squeegee 36 that was moving in the right direction R stops. When the fixing pin 364c enters the groove 362a and comes into contact with it, a frictional force is generated between the fixing pin 364c and the plate holding part 362. This frictional force suppresses rotation of the plate holder 362 due to gravity acting on the flexible plate 361 and the plate holder 362, and has the effect of maintaining the inclination angle α. As a result, the flexible plate 361 is rotated by an inclination angle -α from the vertical direction. As described above, when the squeegee 36 reaches the right end, which is the first end, and contacts the first positioning pin 38a, the flexible plate 361 moves toward the right end with an inclination angle of - It is fixed at an angle of α.

When the squeegee 36 is moved in the left direction L in this state, the plate holder 362 comes into contact with the second positioning pin 38b provided at the left end of the chamber 30 near the left end of the chamber 30. When the squeegee 36 further moves in the left direction L in this state, a bending moment acts on the plate holding portion 362. That is, the plate holding part 362 is pushed by the fixed second positioning pin 38b and receives a force that rotates clockwise around the fixed position with the fixed part 364. Then, when the squeegee 36 further moves in the left direction L, the fixing pin 364c of the fixing part 364 comes off from the groove 362a of the plate holding part 362, and the fixing pin 364b of the fixing part 364 comes into contact with the groove 362a of the plate holding part 362. Get into it. At this time, the second positioning pin 38b is fixed within the chamber 30 and does not move in conjunction with the squeegee 36. Also, at this time, the squeegee 36 that was moving in the left direction L stops. When the fixing pin 364b enters the groove 362a and comes into contact with it, a frictional force is generated between the fixing pin 364b and the plate holding part 362. This frictional force suppresses rotation of the plate holder 362 due to gravity acting on the flexible plate 361 and the plate holder 362, and has the effect of maintaining the inclination angle -α. As a result, the flexible plate 361 is rotated by the inclination angle α from the vertical direction. As described above, when the squeegee 36 reaches the left end, which is the second end, and contacts the second positioning pin 38b, the flexible plate 361 moves toward the left end with an inclination angle α with respect to the Z-axis direction. It is fixed in a tilted position.

In the first embodiment, the flexible plate 361 is rotated around the rotating shaft 363b using the rotating part 363 using an actuator such as a motor, but as described above, in the second embodiment, the flexible plate 361 is rotated around the rotating shaft 363b. The plate holding part 362 is rotated by the force received when it comes into contact with the attached first positioning pin 38a and second positioning pin 38b. Therefore, there is no need to provide an actuator to rotate the rotating portion 363, and no electric power is required to maintain the tilt angle at a predetermined angle. Note that the mechanism for maintaining the inclination angle α is not limited to the examples shown in FIGS. 16 and 17.

The method for manufacturing the three-dimensional structure O using the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1B according to the second embodiment is basically the same as the procedure described in FIG. 9 of the first embodiment. However, the detailed procedure of forming the modeling powder layer 51 in step S12 is partially different. Therefore, detailed procedures for forming the modeling powder layer 51 will be described below.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure for forming the modeling powder layer in step S12 of FIG. First, the squeegee moving mechanism moves the squeegee 36 in the right direction R along the guide 37 with the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 fixed at α (step S51). That is, the squeegee moving mechanism moves the squeegee 36 in the right direction R along the guide 37 with the fixing pin 364b of the fixing part 364 fitted into the groove 362a of the plate holding part 362. As a result, the squeegee 36 moves above the modeling box 31 and the modeling powder A placed above the modeling box 31 is spread evenly until it reaches the right end.

After the squeegee 36 reaches the end in the right direction R, as shown in FIG. 16, the plate holding part 362 of the squeegee 36 is brought into contact with the first positioning pin 38a fixed in the chamber 30 to fix the fixed position. The plate holder 362 is rotated counterclockwise around the center, and the plate holder 362 is fixed to the fixed part 364 so that the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 is −α from the reference position (step S52). That is, the fixing pin 364b of the fixing part 364 is removed from the groove 362a of the plate holding part 362, and the fixing pin 364c is inserted. Thereafter, the squeegee moving mechanism moves the squeegee 36 in the left direction L along the guide 37 while fixing the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 to -α (step S53). As a result, the squeegee 36 moves above the modeling box 31 and the modeling powder A placed above the modeling box 31 is spread evenly until it reaches the left end.

After the squeegee 36 reaches the end in the left direction L, that is, the initial position, the plate holding part 362 is brought into contact with the second positioning pin 38b fixed in the chamber 30, and the plate is held clockwise around the fixed position. The plate holding part 362 is fixed to the fixed part 364 by rotating the part 362 so that the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 becomes α from the reference position (step S54). That is, the fixing pin 364c of the fixing part 364 is removed from the groove 362a of the plate holding part 362, and the fixing pin 364b is inserted. As described above, the plate holding part 362 is brought into contact with the first positioning pin 38a and the second positioning pin 38b at both ends in the X-axis direction, the plate holding part 362 is mechanically rotated, and the fixed pin of the fixed part 364 is By fitting 364b, 364c into the groove 362a of the plate holding part 362, the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 can be kept constant during reciprocation. Furthermore, in the above explanation, the absolute value of the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 is the same when the squeegee 36 moves in the right direction R and when the squeegee 36 moves in the left direction L, but the fixed By changing the positions of 364b and 364c, the absolute value of the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 can be made different when the squeegee 36 moves in the right direction R and when the squeegee 36 moves in the left direction L. good. This completes the process and returns to FIG. 9.

The second embodiment can also provide the same effects as the first embodiment.

Embodiment 3.
In the first embodiment, the rotating part 363 is rotated using an actuator such as a motor so that the flexible plate 361 has a predetermined inclination angle, and the flexible plate 361 maintains the inclination angle. The squeegee 36 was being driven. In Embodiment 3, a case will be described in which the control unit 4 manufactures the three-dimensional structure O while controlling the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 during the modeling process.

The configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1A according to the third embodiment is the same as that described in the first embodiment, but the control unit 4, unlike the first embodiment, further has the following functions. That is, the control unit 4 controls the actuator constituting the squeegee moving mechanism to move the squeegee 36 to the guide 37 during the forming process of the modeling powder layer 51 using the squeegee 36 after supplying the modeling powder A to the modeling box 31 Obtain the load during movement along the slope, and if the load is larger than a predetermined reference value, increase the absolute value of the inclination angle so that the load becomes smaller than the reference value. The reference value is a load value that may cause damage to the flexible plate 361. The control unit 4 can use the value of the drive current output from the actuator as the load.

The control unit 4 also controls the thickness of the modeling powder layer 51 that has changed by increasing the absolute value of the inclination angle, the height of the three-dimensional structure O that has been modeled, and the remaining height of the three-dimensional structure O. Then, the remaining number of modeling layers is calculated. The control unit 4 generates slice data by redividing the three-dimensional CAD data of the three-dimensional structure O in the portion that has not been modeled yet based on the number of remaining modeling layers.

Next, a method for manufacturing the three-dimensional structure O will be explained. 19 and 20 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the processing procedure of the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the third embodiment. First, by opening and closing the shutter 352, a desired amount of powder A for modeling is supplied from the hopper 35 to the irradiation area C (step S71). The process of step S71 corresponds to a powder supply process. Next, by moving the squeegee 36 by the actuator of the squeegee moving mechanism, the modeling powder A is spread evenly on the base plate 33 and the supporting powder layer 50, and the modeling powder layer 51 is formed in the modeling box 31 (step S72 ). The process of step S72 corresponds to a modeling powder layer forming process. Note that the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 that is initially set is the reference inclination angle α.

After that, the control unit 4 acquires the value of the drive current output from the actuator of the squeegee moving mechanism (step S73). It is considered that the magnitude of the drive current output from the actuator indirectly represents the load that the flexible plate 361, that is, the squeegee 36 receives. The control unit 4 determines whether the value of the output drive current is greater than or equal to a predetermined reference value (step S74). The reference value is the minimum value of the drive current when the flexible plate 361 is damaged or the three-dimensional structure O is damaged, based on past experimental results. In one example, the reference value is determined based on a plurality of pieces of information, including the value of the drive current, the state of the flexible plate 361, the appearance of the modeling powder layer 51, the uniformity of the thickness, etc., based on past experimental results. It will be done.

If the value of the drive current is equal to or greater than the reference value (Yes in step S74), it is determined that there is a possibility that the squeegee 36 is overloaded and the flexible plate 361 is damaged, and the control unit 4 The squeegee 36 is temporarily stopped via the moving mechanism (step S75). After that, the control unit 4 moves the squeegee 36 to the drive start position via the squeegee moving mechanism (step S76). Further, the control unit 4 sets the tilt angle α1 to be a tilt angle α1 whose absolute value is increased from the current tilt angle (step S77). This is because, as shown in FIG. 5, by increasing the absolute value of the inclination angle, the bending stress acting on the flexible plate 361 can be reduced. This makes it possible to reduce the drive current for the squeegee 36 compared to before increasing the absolute value of the inclination angle.

After increasing the absolute value of the inclination angle, the control unit 4 determines whether the current inclination angle α1 is greater than or equal to the upper limit inclination angle γ, which is the upper limit of the inclination angle at which the modeling powder layer 51 can be formed. (Step S78). The upper limit inclination angle γ is determined based on past experimental results and a plurality of pieces of information regarding the case where the modeling powder layer 51 could not be formed. If the current inclination angle α1 is greater than or equal to the upper limit inclination angle γ (Yes in step S78), it is not possible to form the modeling powder layer 51 with the current inclination angle α1 of the flexible plate 361. Processing ends. Further, if the current tilt angle α1 is less than the upper limit tilt angle γ (No in step S78), the processes from step S71 to step S77 are performed until the value of the drive current becomes less than the reference value in step S74. is executed repeatedly.

If the drive current value is less than the reference value in step S74 (No in step S74), the squeegee 36 is moved without increasing the absolute value of the current tilt angle in step S72, and A state is reached in which a modeling powder layer 51 is formed.

Next, the irradiation area C is irradiated with a preheating electron beam to preheat the modeling powder layer 51 (step S79). Thereafter, the control unit 4 irradiates the modeling powder layer 51 with a melting electron beam based on the generated slice data, thereby modeling one layer of the three-dimensional structure O (step S80). The process of step S80 corresponds to an electron beam irradiation process. Through the above steps, one layer of the three-dimensional structure O is modeled.

After that, the control unit 4 calculates the thickness of the modeling powder layer 51 formed by the above process from the reference inclination angle α and the current inclination angle α1 (step S81). FIGS. 21 and 22 are diagrams showing an example of a method for calculating the amount of change in the thickness of the modeling powder layer when the inclination angle is changed from α to α1. When the flexible plate 361 is tilted at the standard inclination angle α, as shown in FIG. 21, the modeling powder layer 51 formed by the movement of the squeegee 36 has the standard thickness d. Here, d depends on the particle size of the modeling powder A. As described above, the modeling powder A often uses powder with a particle size of about 20 μm or more and about 150 μm or less, so the range of d is preferably 20 μm or more and 150 μm or less, but is not limited thereto.

As shown in FIG. 22, when the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 is increased from α to α1, the thickness of the modeling powder layer 51 formed by the movement of the squeegee 36 is the standard thickness d. d1 is larger than . The amount of change Δd in the thickness of the formed powder layer 51 for modeling is, as shown in the following formula (1), the thickness d1 when the inclination angle α1 of the powder layer 51 for modeling and the reference thickness d. It is expressed using Furthermore, if the length of the flexible plate 361 is L, then the gap between the top surface of the base plate 33 or the top surface of the modeling powder layer 51 formed immediately before and the base of the flexible plate 361 in the plate holding part 362 Since the distance in the Z-axis direction is the same even if the inclination angle is changed, the following equation (2) holds true. Using equations (1) and (2), the amount of change Δd in the thickness of the modeling powder layer 51 is expressed by the following equation (3). Then, by adding the thickness variation Δd to the reference thickness d, the thickness of the modeling powder layer 51 at the current inclination angle α1 can be determined.

Δd=d1-d...(1)
d1+Lcosα1=d+Lcosα...(2)
Δd=L(cosα−cosα1) (3)

Returning to FIG. 20, the control unit 4 calculates the height of the remaining three-dimensional structure O from the thickness of the modeling powder layer 51 at the calculated current inclination angle α1 (step S82), and In O, slice data of the three-dimensional structure O that has not yet been modeled is regenerated (step S83). Specifically, the control unit 4 records the amount of change Δd of the formed powder layer for modeling 51, and records the reference thickness d, the amount of change Δd of the powder layer for modeling 51, and the total number of models. From , the height of the modeling powder layer 51 that has been modeled up to now, that is, the height of the three-dimensional structure O that has been manufactured up to now can be determined. The control unit 4 can obtain the heights of the remaining three-dimensional structures O by subtracting the heights of the three-dimensional structures O manufactured to date from the height of the target three-dimensional structures O. can. Further, the control unit 4 calculates the remaining number of modeling layers N _layer required to obtain the target three-dimensional structure O based on the following equation (4). However, the height of the three-dimensional structure O is expressed as H, the height of the three-dimensional structure O on the three-dimensional model is H _model , and the height of the three-dimensional structure O that has been modeled up to now is Let H _current be expressed, and the current lamination thickness be expressed as d _current .

N _layer = (H _model - H _current )/d _current ... (4)

The control unit 4 re-divides the 3D CAD data of the 3D object O that has not yet been modeled based on the remaining number of building layers N _layer calculated by equation (4), Regenerate slice data. In this way, by calculating the remaining number of modeling layers _Nlayer and regenerating the slice data, even if the inclination angle is changed during modeling and the thickness of the modeling powder layer 51 per layer increases. Also, it is possible to obtain a three-dimensional structure O with a desired height.

The control unit 4 determines whether modeling of the three-dimensional structure O is completed (step S84). In one example, when the three-dimensional structure O has not reached a desired height, it is determined that the modeling is not completed. If the modeling of the three-dimensional structure O is not completed (No in step S84), the control unit 4 lowers the elevating stage 32 by the height of one layer (step S85). In this case, the elevating stage 32 is lowered by the current lamination thickness d _current =d+Δd. The step S85 corresponds to a stage lowering step. Then, the process returns to step S71. Then, the procedure from step S71 to step S84 is repeated until all layers of the three-dimensional structure O are completed.

When the modeling of all the layers has been completed, that is, when the modeling of the three-dimensional structure O has been completed (Yes in step S84), the control unit 4 determines that the manufacturing of the three-dimensional structure O has been completed. and the process ends.

In the third embodiment, the control unit 4 acquires the load on the squeegee moving mechanism while moving the squeegee 36 along the guide 37 during the modeling process, and determines whether the flexible plate 361 is damaged based on the magnitude of the load. Determine the possibility of The control unit 4 increases the absolute value of the inclination angle when there is a possibility of damage to the flexible plate 361. Furthermore, the control unit 4 regenerates slice data for the three-dimensional structure O that has not been modeled in response to the change in the thickness of the modeling powder layer 51 due to the increase in the absolute value of the inclination angle. Specifically, the control unit 4 controls the thickness of the modeling powder layer 51 changed by increasing the absolute value of the inclination angle, the height of the three-dimensional structure O, and the height of the three-dimensional structure O. The remaining height is calculated, and the remaining number of modeling layers is also calculated. Then, the control unit 4 re-divides the three-dimensional CAD data of the three-dimensional structure O in the portion that has not yet been modeled based on the remaining number of modeling layers to regenerate slice data. Thereby, damage to the flexible plate 361 and damage to the three-dimensional structure O can be suppressed. Further, when the thickness of the modeling powder layer 51 changes and the slice data is not changed, the shape of the three-dimensional structure O changes from the target three-dimensional structure O. However, according to the embodiment 3, it is possible to suppress changes in the shape of the three-dimensional structure O due to changes in the thickness of the modeling powder layer 51.

Embodiment 4.
In the third embodiment, when there is a possibility of damage to the flexible plate 361 during modeling, the control unit 4 controls to increase the absolute value of the tilt angle, and increases the absolute value of the tilt angle. The slice data was regenerated depending on the change in the thickness of the modeling powder layer 51. However, in the third embodiment, the irradiation conditions of the electron beam B due to the change in the thickness of the modeling powder layer 51, specifically the amount of heat input to the electron beam B, are not changed. In Embodiment 4, a case will be described in which the irradiation conditions of the electron beam B are controlled by changing the thickness of the modeling powder layer 51.

The configuration of the three-dimensional printing apparatus 1A according to the fourth embodiment is similar to that described in the third embodiment, but the control unit 4, unlike the third embodiment, further has the following functions. That is, the control unit 4 increases the absolute value of the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 and recalculates the irradiation conditions of the preheating electron beam and the melting electron beam based on the change in the thickness of the modeling powder layer 51. Then, the control unit 4 performs irradiation with the electron beam B according to the recalculated irradiation conditions for the preheating electron beam and the melting electron beam.

Next, a method for manufacturing the three-dimensional structure O will be explained. FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing procedure of the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the fourth embodiment. Note that steps S71 to S78 are the same as those in FIG. 19, so illustration is omitted. Further, the same step numbers are given to the same processes as in FIG. 20, and the description thereof will be omitted. Steps S71 to S78 are the same as in the third embodiment, and the absolute value of the inclination angle is increased until the drive current output from the actuator that constitutes the squeegee movement mechanism becomes less than the reference value during the modeling process. Perform processing.

In step S74, if the drive current is less than the reference value (No in step S74), the control unit 4 controls the one-layer modeling powder layer 51 formed by increasing the absolute value of the inclination angle. The amount of increase Δd in the thickness of is calculated (step S91). The amount of increase Δd in the thickness of the modeling powder layer 51 is calculated using equations (1) to (3). Further, the control unit 4 calculates the amount of increase in the amount of heat input to the preheating electron beam due to the increase in the thickness of the modeling powder layer 51 (step S92). Examples of the calculation method include, but are not limited to, a method of calculating based on past experimental results, a method of calculating based on material properties inputted to the control unit 4 in advance, and the like. Methods for increasing the amount of heat input to the preheating electron beam include, but are not limited to, methods for increasing the current, voltage, or irradiation time of the electron beam B during preheating.

Next, the control unit 4 calculates the amount of increase in the amount of heat input by the melting electron beam due to the increase in the thickness of the modeling powder layer 51 (step S93). Examples of the calculation method include, but are not limited to, a method of calculating based on past experimental results, a method of calculating based on material physical properties input into the control unit 4 in advance, and the like. Methods for increasing the amount of heat input into the melting electron beam include increasing the current or voltage of the electron beam B during melting, decreasing the scanning speed of the electron beam B during melting, etc. Not limited.

After that, the processes from step S79 in FIG. 20 are executed. However, in step S79, the preheating electron beam corrected using the increase in the input heat amount of the preheating electron beam calculated in step S92 is used. Further, in step S80, the melting electron beam corrected using the increase in the input heat amount of the melting electron beam calculated in step S93 is used.

In the fourth embodiment, the control unit 4 calculates the amount of increase in the input heat amount of the electron beam B due to the change in the thickness of the modeling powder layer 51 due to the increase in the absolute value of the inclination angle, and calculates the amount of increase in the amount of input heat of the electron beam B. The electron beam emitting unit 2 is controlled so as to irradiate the electron beam B corrected using the amount of increase in heat amount. Thereby, even if the thickness of the modeling powder layer 51 changes, a constant heat input can be given to the modeling powder layer 51, and the modeling quality can be stabilized.

Embodiment 5.
In Embodiment 4, control of the electron beam B is added in addition to control of the tilt angle, but the thickness of one layer of the modeling powder layer 51 formed by changing the tilt angle increases, so There is a possibility that the number of slice data to be used is reduced, and the dimensional accuracy of the three-dimensional structure O is reduced. Therefore, in Embodiment 5, a description will be given of a 3D printing apparatus 1A and a method for manufacturing the 3D structure O, which can suppress a decrease in the dimensional accuracy of the 3D structure O compared to the case of Embodiment 4. do.

The configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1A according to the fifth embodiment is similar to that described in the fourth embodiment, but the control unit 4, unlike the fourth embodiment, further has the following functions. That is, after the modeling of the modeling layer by one layer of modeling powder layer 51 is completed, that is, after irradiation with the electron beam B, the control unit 4 controls the inclination angle when the inclination angle is different from the reference inclination angle α. is returned to the standard inclination angle α, and the slice data is regenerated. Slice data can be regenerated using the same procedure as described in the third embodiment.

Next, a method for manufacturing the three-dimensional structure O will be explained. FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing procedure of the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the fifth embodiment. Note that steps S71 to S78 are the same as those in FIG. 19, so illustration is omitted. Further, the same steps as those in FIG. 23 are given the same step numbers, and the description thereof will be omitted. Steps S71 to S82 are the same as in the fourth embodiment. After calculating the height of the remaining three-dimensional structure O in step S82, the control unit 4 determines whether the current tilt angle is different from the reference tilt angle α (step S111). If the inclination angle is the reference inclination angle α (No in step S111), the process proceeds to step S84.

If the inclination angle is different from the reference inclination angle α (Yes in step S111), the control unit 4 returns the inclination angle to the reference inclination angle α (step S112). After that, the control unit 4 calculates the remaining number of building layers necessary to obtain the target three-dimensional structure O, and reproduces the slice data by combining it with the height of the remaining three-dimensional structure O calculated in step S82. (Step S113). Specifically, let H _model be the height of the 3D object O on the 3D model, H _current be the height of the 3D object O built up to now, and d be the standard lamination thickness. Then, the remaining number of modeling layers N _layer required to obtain the target three-dimensional structure O is expressed by the following equation (5).

N _layer = (H _model - H _current )/d...(5)

After that, the processing from step S84 onwards is executed.

In the fifth embodiment, after forming one layer of modeling powder layer 51 by increasing the absolute value of the inclination angle, the control unit 4 increases the inclination angle based on the reference value before forming the next modeling powder layer 51. The inclination angle is returned to α, and slice data is regenerated for the height of the remaining object. This has the effect that the dimensional accuracy of the three-dimensional structure O can be maintained while preventing damage to the flexible plate 361.

Embodiment 6.
In the third embodiment, by increasing the absolute value of the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361, the thickness d of the modeling powder layer 51 is increased, and the stress acting on the flexible plate 361 is reduced. However, in Embodiment 3, when the inclination angle is equal to or greater than the upper limit inclination angle γ, the modeling powder layer 51 cannot be formed, so the method for manufacturing the three-dimensional structure O is terminated. In the sixth embodiment, even when the inclination angle becomes equal to or greater than the upper limit inclination angle γ, the stress acting on the flexible plate 361 is reduced without terminating the manufacturing method of the three-dimensional structure O as much as possible. A three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1A and a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure O that can perform the following will be described.

The configuration of the three-dimensional printing apparatus 1A according to the sixth embodiment is the same as that described in the first and third to fifth embodiments, but the control unit 4 is different from the first and third to fifth embodiments. It further has the following functions. That is, when the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 becomes equal to or greater than the upper limit inclination angle γ, the control unit 4 controls the forming process of the modeling powder layer 51 by changing the position of the squeegee 36 in the Z-axis direction. This reduces the stress acting on the flexible plate 361.

25 and 26 are diagrams showing an example of the relationship between the position of the squeegee and deformation in the three-dimensional printing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 25 shows a case where the squeegee 36 is placed closer to the temporary sintered body 55 in the Z-axis direction, and FIG. 26 shows a case where the squeegee 36 is placed closer to the temporary sintered body 55 in the Z-axis direction than in the case of FIG. This shows the case where it is placed far away from the Assuming that the distance along the flexible plate 361 from the base of the flexible plate 361 attached to the plate holding part 362 to the temporary sintered body 55 is L1, as shown in FIG. 25, L1 is relatively small. In other words, when the flexible plate 361 comes into contact with the temporary sintered body 55 near the center in the length direction, the deformable length of the flexible plate 361 becomes short. Therefore, the flexible plate 361 is likely to be plastically deformed, and the flexible plate 361 is likely to be damaged. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 26, by raising the position of the squeegee 36 so that the tip of the flexible plate 361 comes into contact with the temporary sintered body 55, L1 becomes longer. Therefore, even if the flexible plate 361 comes into contact with the temporary sintered body 55, the deformation of the flexible plate 361 is within the elastic deformation range. As a result, the effect of suppressing damage to the flexible plate 361 can be obtained. From the above, L1 is determined so that the flexible plate 361 contacts the temporary sintered body 55 at a position where the deformation of the flexible plate 361 falls within the elastic deformation region.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for adjusting the position of the squeegee in the Z-axis direction in the three-dimensional printing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment. A method for raising and lowering the squeegee 36 in the Z-axis direction, that is, in the vertical direction, includes a method of raising and lowering a guide 37 fastened to the squeegee 36 in the vertical direction, as shown in FIG. In this case, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1A includes an actuator that drives the guide 37 in the vertical direction. Further, the actuator moves the guide 37 up and down in response to a control signal from the control unit 4.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing another example of the method for adjusting the position of the squeegee in the Z-axis direction in the three-dimensional printing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment. In addition to the method shown in FIG. 27, there is a method of raising and lowering the squeegee 36 in the vertical direction by vertically raising and lowering the arm portion 371 that connects the guide 37 and the squeegee 36, as shown in FIG. In this case, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1A includes an actuator that drives the arm portion 371 in the vertical direction. Further, the actuator moves the arm section 371 up and down in response to a control signal from the control section 4. In addition, although the above two examples were given as the method of raising and lowering the squeegee 36 up and down, the method of raising and lowering the squeegee 36 in the vertical direction is not limited to these.

Next, a method for manufacturing the three-dimensional structure O will be explained. 29 and 30 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the processing procedure of the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the sixth embodiment. Note that the same step numbers are given to the same processes as in FIGS. 19 and 24, and the description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, at the start of the method for manufacturing the three-dimensional structure O, the position of the squeegee 36 in the Z-axis direction is at a predetermined reference position, and the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 is the reference inclination angle α. shall be. The reference position is the position of the squeegee 36 in Embodiments 1, 3 to 5, in which the position of the squeegee 36 in the Z-axis direction was not changed, and is a position determined in advance through experiments or the like.

After moving the squeegee 36 to the drive start position in step S76, in the sixth embodiment, it is determined whether the current tilt angle is greater than or equal to the upper limit tilt angle γ (step S131). If the current inclination angle is smaller than the upper limit inclination angle γ (No in step S131), the inclination angle α1 is increased in absolute value from the current inclination angle (step S132), and the process proceeds to step S71. return.

If the current inclination angle is greater than or equal to the upper limit inclination angle γ (Yes in step S131), the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 is set as the reference inclination angle α (step S133), and the squeegee 36 is raised ( Step S134).

Next, it is determined whether the current stacking thickness d1 is greater than or equal to the upper limit stacking thickness d _limit (step S135). If the current stacking thickness d1 is equal to or greater than the upper limit stacking thickness d _limit (Yes in step S135), the control unit 4 stops modeling. That is, the method for manufacturing the three-dimensional structure O ends. Here, the upper limit stacking thickness d _limit is determined based on past experimental results, the stacking thickness when the modeling powder layer 51 could not be formed, multiple pieces of information regarding the accuracy of the three-dimensional model O, etc. It will be done. The current lamination thickness d1 is calculated based on the following equation (6). However, let d be the standard laminated thickness, and let x be the amount of rise of the squeegee 36.

d1=d+L(cosα−cosγ)+x (6)

If the current stacking thickness d1 is less than the upper limit stacking thickness d _limit (No in step S135), the process returns to step S71. In this way, even if the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 exceeds the upper limit inclination angle γ, steps S71 to S135 are performed until the current lamination thickness d1 becomes equal to or greater than the upper limit lamination thickness d _limit . The process is executed repeatedly. In other words, the vertical position of the squeegee 36 and the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 at which the driving current of the squeegee moving mechanism is less than the reference value until the current lamination thickness d1 becomes equal to or greater than the upper limit lamination thickness d _limit . It becomes possible to change the

If the value of the drive current is less than the reference value in step S74 (No in step S74), the control unit 4 calculates the amount of change Δd in the thickness of the modeling powder layer 51 from the current lamination thickness d1. Calculate (step S136). The amount of change Δd in the laminated thickness is calculated by the following equation (7) using equation (6).

Δd=d1-d
=L(cosα−cosγ)+x (7)

Next, the control unit 4 calculates the amount of increase in the amount of heat input by the preheating electron beam due to the change in the thickness of the modeling powder layer 51 (step S137). This is performed in the same manner as described in step S92 of FIG. 23 of the fourth embodiment.

Further, the control unit 4 calculates the amount of increase in the amount of heat input to the melting electron beam due to the change in the thickness of the modeling powder layer 31 (step S138). This is performed in the same manner as described in step S93 of FIG. 22 of the fourth embodiment.

Next, in step S79, the irradiation region C is irradiated with the preheating electron beam corrected using the increase in the input heat amount of the preheating electron beam calculated in step S137, to preheat the modeling powder layer 51. In addition, in step S80, the modeling powder layer 51 is irradiated with the melting electron beam corrected using the increase in the input heat amount of the melting electron beam calculated in step S138 based on the slice data. A three-dimensional object O is created.

After that, the control unit 4 calculates the height of the remaining three-dimensional structure O from the calculated current stacked thickness d1 (step S139). Next, the control unit 4 determines whether the current tilt angle is different from the reference tilt angle α (step S111), and if the tilt angle is different from the reference tilt angle α (Yes in step S111), The control unit 4 returns the tilt angle to the reference tilt angle α (step S112).

After that, or if the inclination angle is the reference inclination angle α (No in step S111), the control unit 4 determines whether the position of the squeegee 36 is different from the reference position (step S140). If the position of the squeegee 36 is the reference position (No in step S140), the process advances to step S84 and continues modeling. If the position of the squeegee 36 is different from the reference position (Yes in step S140), the position of the squeegee 36 is returned to the reference position (step S141).

After that, the control unit 4 calculates the remaining number of modeling layers necessary to obtain the target three-dimensional model O, and calculates the number of remaining modeling layers necessary to obtain the target three-dimensional model O, and calculates the remaining number of modeling layers by combining it with the height of the remaining three-dimensional model O calculated in step S139. Slice data of the three-dimensional structure O that has not been completed is regenerated (step S142). Specifically, the control unit 4 sets the height of the three-dimensional structure O on the three-dimensional model as H _model , the height of the three-dimensional structure O that has been modeled up to now as H _current , and sets the standard stacked structure. When the thickness is set to d, the remaining number N _layers required to obtain the target three-dimensional structure O is calculated based on the following equation (8).

N _layer = (H _model - H _current )/d...(8)

The control unit 4 re-divides the 3D CAD data of the 3D object O that has not yet been modeled based on the remaining number of building layers N _layer calculated by equation (8), Regenerate slice data. After that, the process moves to step S84.

Note that although FIGS. 29 and 30 show an example in which the elevation of the squeegee 36 is controlled after controlling the inclination angle in the procedure for manufacturing the three-dimensional structure O with the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1A, this is the order in which the control is performed. but not limited to. Moreover, as described above, since the effect of suppressing damage to the squeegee 36 can be obtained only by raising and lowering the squeegee 36, the squeegee 36 may be raised and lowered without having an inclination angle.

In the sixth embodiment, the control unit 4 changes the position of the squeegee 36 in the Z-axis direction when the inclination angle of the flexible plate 361 becomes equal to or greater than the upper limit value. This makes it possible to form the modeling powder layer 51 by changing the height of the squeegee 36 even when the inclination angle exceeds the upper limit inclination angle γ, and reduces the stress acting on the flexible plate 361. can be done. As a result, damage to the flexible plate 361 can be suppressed.

The methods for manufacturing the three-dimensional structure O shown in Embodiments 1 to 6 do not need to be performed individually, and the respective embodiments may be combined.

Here, the hardware configuration of the control section 4 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatuses 1A and 1B will be explained. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control unit of the three-dimensional printing apparatus according to the first to sixth embodiments.

The control unit 4 can be realized by a control circuit 400 shown in FIG. 31, that is, a processor 401 and a memory 402. An example of the processor 401 is a CPU (also referred to as a central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, processor, or DSP (Digital Signal Processor)) or a system LSI (Large Scale Integration). Examples of memory 402 are RAM or ROM.

The functions of the control unit 4 are realized by the processor 401 reading and executing a control program stored in the memory 402, which is a program for executing processing in the control unit 4. Further, it can be said that this control program causes the computer to execute a method for controlling the three-dimensional modeling apparatuses 1A and 1B in the control section 4. The control program executed by the control unit 4 includes lifting control of the lifting stage 32, opening/closing control of the shutter 352, operation control of the squeegee 36, output control of the electron beam B, operation control of the deflection coil 23, and control of the rotation unit 363. It has a modular configuration in which rotation control is modularized, and these are loaded onto the main memory and generated on the main memory.

Memory 402 stores slice data. The memory 402 is also used as temporary memory when the processor 401 executes various processes.

The control program executed by the processor 401 may be an installable or executable file stored in a computer-readable storage medium and provided as a computer program product. Further, the control program executed by the processor 401 may be provided to the control unit 4 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatuses 1A and 1B via a network such as the Internet.

Further, the control unit 4 may be realized by dedicated hardware. Furthermore, some of the functions of the control unit 4 may be realized by dedicated hardware, and some may be realized by software or firmware.

The configurations shown in the embodiments above are merely examples, and can be combined with other known techniques, or can be combined with other embodiments, within the scope of the gist. It is also possible to omit or change part of the configuration.

1A, 1B three-dimensional modeling device, 2 electron beam emission unit, 3 modeling unit, 4 control unit, 21 electron gun unit, 22 converging coil, 23 deflection coil, 24 column, 30 chamber, 31 modeling box, 32 lifting stage, 33 base plate, 34 elevator, 35 hopper, 36 squeegee, 37 guide, 38a first positioning pin, 38b second positioning pin, 50 support powder layer, 51 modeling powder layer, 55 temporary sintered body, 351 discharge port, 352 shutter , 361 flexible plate, 362 plate holding part, 362a groove part, 363 rotating part, 363b, 364a rotating shaft, 364 fixed part, 364b, 364c fixing pin, 371 arm part, A modeling powder, B electron beam, C Irradiation area, O 3D object.

Claims (10)

an elevating stage provided in the modeling box and movable in the direction of a first axis, which is the vertical direction;
a squeegee that spreads modeling powder supplied onto a base plate, which is a base for modeling a three-dimensional object, on the upper part of the elevating stage including the base plate to form a modeling powder layer;
an electron beam emitting unit that irradiates the base plate or the modeling powder layer with an electron beam;
a guide that holds the squeegee and guides movement of the squeegee in a direction along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis above the lifting stage;
The electron beam is applied to the modeling powder based on slice data that is data obtained when the target three-dimensional model is sliced in two dimensions, which is generated based on the three-dimensional data of the target three-dimensional model. a control unit that irradiates the layer;
A three-dimensional printing device comprising:
The squeegee is
a flexible plate extending in the direction of a third axis perpendicular to both the first axis and the second axis, and spreading the modeling powder evenly;
a plate holding part that holds the flexible plate;
a support portion that supports the plate holding portion on the guide;
has
When moving the squeegee in the direction of the second axis to spread the modeling powder, an inclination angle that is set on the opposite side to the direction in which the squeegee moves with respect to the direction of the first axis. A three-dimensional printing apparatus, wherein the plate holding section is held by the supporting section so as to tilt the flexible plate. a first positioning pin that is provided at a first end that is one end in the direction of the second axis of the guide and contacts the plate holding part;
a second positioning pin that is provided at a second end that is the other end in the direction of the second axis of the guide and comes into contact with the plate holding part;
Furthermore,
The plate holding part is held rotatably around a fixed position with the support part,
The squeegee is configured such that when the squeegee reaches the first end and contacts the first positioning pin, the flexible plate moves toward the first end with reference to the direction of the first axis. When the squeegee reaches the second end and comes into contact with the second positioning pin, the squeegee moves toward the second end with reference to the direction of the first axis. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing mechanism that fixes the plate holding part to the support part so that the flexible plate is fixed in a state inclined at the inclination angle. The support part is a rotating part that rotates the plate holding part around an axis parallel to the third axis,
Before moving the squeegee along the second axis, the control unit controls the flexible plate at the inclination angle in a direction opposite to the direction in which the squeegee is moved with respect to the direction of the first axis. 2. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotating part is rotated so that the angle of inclination is maintained, and the squeegee is moved while maintaining the inclination angle. further comprising a squeegee moving mechanism that moves the squeegee along the guide,
When the load on the squeegee moving mechanism while moving the squeegee along the guide is larger than a predetermined reference value, the control unit controls the control unit so that the load becomes smaller than the reference value. 4. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the absolute value of the inclination angle is increased. The control unit regenerates the slice data for the three-dimensional structure that has not been modeled in response to a change in the thickness of the modeling powder layer caused by increasing the absolute value of the inclination angle. The three-dimensional printing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that: The control unit calculates an amount of increase in the input heat amount of the electron beam due to a change in the thickness of the modeling powder layer due to an increase in the absolute value of the inclination angle, and calculates the calculated increase amount of the input heat amount. 6. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the electron beam emitting unit is controlled to emit the electron beam corrected using the following. After irradiating the electron beam, if the tilt angle is different from a reference tilt angle, the control unit is configured to return the tilt angle to the reference tilt angle when processing a next modeling powder layer. The three-dimensional printing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that: 2. The control unit changes the position of the squeegee in the direction of the first axis when the inclination angle is larger than a predetermined upper limit inclination angle of the tip of the flexible plate. 8. The three-dimensional printing apparatus according to any one of 3 to 7. The shape of the tip of the flexible plate in a cross section perpendicular to the direction of the third axis is symmetrical with respect to an axis parallel to the first axis passing through the center in the direction of the second axis. The three-dimensional printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. a powder supply step of supplying modeling powder onto a base plate that is placed on an elevating stage movable in the direction of a first axis, which is the vertical direction within the modeling box, and serves as a base for modeling a three-dimensional object;
The modeling powder on the base plate can be extended in a direction along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and in a direction of a third axis perpendicular to both the first axis and the second axis. a modeling powder layer forming step of moving a squeegee having a plate holding part that holds a flexible plate and leveling out the modeling powder to form a modeling powder layer;
Based on the slice data, which is the data obtained when the target three-dimensional model is sliced in two dimensions, the electron beam is generated based on the three-dimensional data of the target three-dimensional model. an electron beam irradiation step to irradiate the
a stage lowering step of lowering the elevating stage by the height of the modeling powder layer;
including;
In the modeling powder layer forming step, when the modeling powder is spread evenly by moving the squeegee in the direction of the second axis, the direction in which the squeegee moves is based on the direction of the first axis. the plate holder is held so as to tilt the flexible plate at a predetermined inclination angle on the opposite side;
A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure, characterized in that processes from the powder supply step to the stage lowering step are executed until the target three-dimensional structure is modeled.

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