JP4857056B2 - Powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus and powder sintering additive manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus and a powder sintering additive manufacturing method, and a powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus and powder sintering for producing a three-dimensional object by laminating a plurality of sintered thin layers on a part table. The present invention relates to an additive manufacturing method.

  In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for modeling apparatuses capable of modeling functional test prototype parts and parts used in a small variety of products.

  There exist an optical shaping | molding apparatus, a powder sintering layered shaping apparatus, etc. as what satisfy | fills this request | requirement. Above all, the powder sintering additive manufacturing equipment is one of the major features that can be used with a wide variety of tough materials, unlike the modeling equipment that uses UV curable resin (hereinafter "Optical modeling equipment"). It has also been used for various purposes.

  Conventionally, a powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus that is commercially available includes a laser beam emitting unit, a modeling unit, and a control device. FIGS. 11A and 11B are a top view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of a modeling portion in a powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus that has been commercially available. In FIGS. 11A and 11B, the laser beam emitting unit and the control device are not shown, but the laser beam emitting unit is installed above the modeling unit.

  In the laser beam emitting section, a laser beam source and a mirror for controlling the laser beam irradiation direction are provided.

  In the modeling part 101, as shown to Fig.11 (a), (b), the modeling container 1 installed in the center part, the powder material containers 2a and 2b installed in the both sides, and the powder material container 2a 2b, and storage containers 3a and 3b for the excessive supply powder material 7c installed at the respective end portions. In the modeling container 1, the thin layer 7a of the powder material formed on the part table 4a is sintered by laser light irradiation to form the sintered thin layer 7b, and the part table 4a is moved downward to sinter the thin layer. The layers 7b are sequentially laminated to produce a three-dimensional structure. The upper opening surface of the modeling container 1 is referred to as a modeling area. In the powder material containers 2a and 2b, the powder material 7 is stored on the feed tables 4b and 4c, and the feed tables 4b and 4c are moved upward to be supplied with the powder material 7. The upper opening surfaces of the powder material containers 2a and 2b are referred to as powder material storage regions.

  Further, an infrared heater (not shown) is provided above the powder material containers 2a and 2b for preheating the powder material 7 accommodated therein, and above the modeling container 1 for preheating the thin layer 7a of the powder material. An infrared heater (not shown) is provided. In order to sinter the thin layer 7a of the powder material uniformly by preheating, the temperature of the powder material or the like is raised in advance to near its melting point, and the temperature of the thin layer 7a of the powder material is quickly raised by laser irradiation. Is called.

The control device lowers the part table 4a by one thin layer, raises the left feed table 4b to project the powder material 7 from the surface of the powder material container 2a, and causes the recoater 5 to remove the powder material 7 from the powder material container 2a. The powder material 7 is supplied onto the part table 4a to form a thin layer 7a of the powder material. Next, the thin layer 7a of the powder material is selectively heated and sintered based on the slice data (drawing pattern) of the three-dimensional structure to be produced by the laser beam and the control mirror, thereby forming the sintered thin layer 7b. Next, the part table 4a is lowered by one thin layer, the right feed table 4c is raised, and the powder material 7 protrudes from the surface of the powder material container 2b. Next, the powder material 7 is carried out of the powder material container 2b by the recoater 5, and the powder material 7 is supplied onto the sintered thin layer 7b on the part table 4a to form the thin layer 7a of the powder material. Next, the thin layer 7a of the powder material is selectively heated and sintered to form the sintered thin layer 7b. By repeating these operations, the sintered thin layer 7b is laminated to form a three-dimensional structure. Finally, the three-dimensional structure is cooled.
Japanese Patent No. 2620353

  By the way, in the conventional powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus, when the thin layer 7a of the powder material formed on the part table 4a in the modeling container 1 is selectively irradiated with laser light and sintered, the sintered portion is obtained. Since the volume is decreased by melting, it is necessary to supply a powder material that only makes up for the volume of the part table 4a lowered and the volume reduced by the sintering.

  However, while the volume of the lowered part table 4a is constant, the volume of the portion reduced by the sintering is largely reduced only by a portion due to the cross-sectional area of the sintered portion of each layer and the deviation of the cross-sectional position. It is difficult to predict.

  In this case, since it is necessary to prevent the shortage of supply of the powder material 7 at worst, it is necessary to always supply a larger amount of the powder material 7. However, if the modeling area is large and the sintering area (the surface of the sintered thin layer 7) is small, the amount of replenishment that is really necessary may be small, but the entire feed tables 4b and 4c rise. The powder material 7 is excessively supplied also to the portion where the volume is not reduced. In such a case, the amount of the excessive powder material 7 increases for each layer, and the powder material 7 overflowing from the modeling container 1 is generated. Therefore, in the conventional apparatus, the feed table 4b or 4c is lowered to form a storage portion in the upper part of the powder material container 2a or 2b, and an excessive supply of the powder material 7 is carried into the storage portion. ) And (b) are provided, and measures are taken such as dropping the excessively supplied powder material 7c into the storage containers 3a and 3b.

  However, if too much powder material 7c is excessively supplied, there may be a situation where the powder material 7 to be supplied is insufficient and the molded article cannot be completed. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to enlarge the powder material containers 2a and 2b, but in that case, it is necessary to enlarge the apparatus, which is not preferable.

  On the other hand, it is sufficient to prevent a shortage of supply of the powder material 7 so that a large amount of supply is not excessive. However, if the powder material 7 is supplied in a small amount, the powder material container having the above-described storage portion is formed. When the remaining powder material 7 is carried into 2a and 2b, only about half of the storage portion is buried, resulting in unevenness. For this reason, uneven heating of the powder material 7 by the infrared heater for preheating occurs. This may cause non-uniformity in the sintering of the thin layer 7a of the powder material in the modeling area.

  The present invention was created in view of the problems of the above-described conventional example, so that a sufficient amount of powder material can be supplied to the modeling container at all times to form a thin layer of powder material. In addition, the powder that can be filled with the powder material over a sufficiently wide range in the powder material container on the side of carrying the remaining powder material by the remaining powder material after forming the thin layer of the powder material A sintered additive manufacturing apparatus and a method for using the same are provided.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention relates to a powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus, forming a thin layer of powder material, irradiating a laser beam to sinter the thin layer of powder material, and a plurality of sintering A powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus for producing a three-dimensional structure by laminating thin layers, a first powder material container in which a bottom plate moves up and down, the first powder material container, and a connecting portion The connected modeling container in which the bottom plate moves up and down, the second powder material container in which the bottom plate moves up and down, connected to the modeling container and the connecting portion, and the first or second After carrying out the powder material from the powder material container, bringing the powder material into the modeling container, forming a thin layer of the powder material on the bottom plate of the modeling container, and further forming the thin layer of the powder material The remaining powder material is leveled into the second or first powder material container. It characterized the powder material conveying means to put carry al, further comprising a means for detecting the amount of the residual powder material,
The present invention relates to the powder sintered additive manufacturing apparatus, wherein the means for detecting the amount of the remaining powder material levels the surface of the remaining powder material in the second or first powder material container. It is a means for detecting the position or moving distance of the powder material carrying means when the amount of the remaining powder material being carried is less than a specified amount during carrying,
The present invention relates to the powder sintered additive manufacturing apparatus, (i) to raise the bottom plate of the first powder material container to project the powder material above the surface of the first powder material container, In addition, the bottom plate of the second powder material container is lowered, the bottom plate of the modeling container is lowered, and in this state, the powder material carrying means is moved to move the powder material from the first powder material container. The powder material is carried into the modeling container, a thin layer of the powder material is formed on the bottom plate of the modeling container, and the remaining powder material after forming the thin layer of the powder material (Ii) Next, the bottom plate of the second powder material container is raised so that the powder material protrudes above the surface of the second powder material container. And lower the bottom plate of the first powder material container. And lowering the bottom plate of the modeling container and moving the powder material conveying means in that state to carry the powder material out of the second powder material container, and the powder material is transferred to the modeling container. Carrying in, forming a thin layer of the powder material on the bottom plate of the modeling container, and further carrying the remaining powder material into the first powder material container after forming the thin layer of the powder material It has a control means to perform a series of operations,
The present invention relates to the powder sintered additive manufacturing apparatus, wherein the control means, after causing the operation (ii), further repeats the operations (i) to (ii),
The present invention relates to the powder sintered additive manufacturing apparatus, wherein the control means is based on the amount of the remaining powder material, and the rising amount of the bottom plate of the powder material container on the side next to carry out the powder material, or Next, it is characterized by adjusting at least one of the descending amount of the bottom plate of the powder material container on the side to carry the powder material,
The present invention relates to a powder sinter additive manufacturing method, and is a powder sinter additive manufacturing method using the powder sinter additive manufacturing device, wherein the first powder material container alternately carries out the powder material and After the second powder material container is alternately brought into the side to carry in the powder material and the side to carry out the powder material correspondingly, and the powder material carrying means is moved to form a thin layer of the powder material. The remaining powder material is carried into the second or first powder material container while leveling the surface, and the amount of the remaining powder material is detected, and based on the amount of the remaining powder material, It is characterized by adjusting at least one of the rising amount of the bottom plate of the powder material container on the side to carry out the powder material or the lowering amount of the bottom plate of the powder material container on the side to carry the powder material. ,
The present invention relates to a powder sinter additive manufacturing method, and is a powder sinter additive manufacturing method using the powder sinter additive manufacturing device, wherein the first powder material container alternately carries out the powder material and In the powder material container on the side for carrying in the powder material, the second powder material container is used as the side for carrying the powder material alternately and the side for carrying out the powder material container. In this order, the remaining powder material after the thin layer of the powder material is formed is carried into the shortage region, the appropriate amount region, and the excess region in order from the modeling container side. The position or moving distance of the powder material transport means when the amount of the remaining powder material being transported is less than the specified amount while the surface is being transported into the powder material container on the side. detection The amount of the bottom plate of the powder material container that is the side to carry out the powder material next, depending on which of the shortage region, the appropriate amount region, and the excess region the position or moving distance of the powder material carrying means enters. Alternatively, at least one of the descending amounts of the bottom plate of the powder material container on the side where the powder material is carried next is adjusted.

  In the powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, the powder material is carried out from the first or second powder material container, the powder material is carried into the modeling container, and a thin layer of the powder material is formed on the bottom plate of the modeling container. A powder material transporting means for transporting the remaining powder material after forming and further forming a thin layer of the powder material into the second or first powder material container while leveling the surface; and the amount of the remaining powder material Means for detecting.

  In powder sintering additive manufacturing equipment, sintered thin layers formed by selectively sintering thin layers of powder material are sequentially laminated. The area does not change greatly. Therefore, after the formation of one sintered thin layer, the supply amount of the powder material for producing the next thin layer of the powder material is the supply amount of the powder material when the one sintered thin layer is formed. If the next supply amount needs to be adjusted, the previous supply amount can be used as a reference. In particular, if the amount of residual powder material becomes a problem, the amount necessary for forming the sintered thin layer is considered to be almost the same as before, so the residual powder when forming one sintered thin layer Based on the amount of the material, the increase / decrease amount of the next supply amount (corresponding to the rising amount of the bottom plate of the powder material container on the side carrying the powder material) may be determined.

  In view of the above, in the present invention, the means for detecting the amount of the remaining powder material, for example, the amount of the remaining powder material being transported in the second or first powder material container is less than the specified amount. Means are provided for detecting the position or movement distance of the powder material carrying means at that time. In this case, the supply of the powder material is interrupted at the position of the powder material conveying means when the amount of the remaining powder material being conveyed in the second or first powder material container is less than the specified amount, It may be considered that the unevenness is caused. Also, if the movement distance of the powder material conveying means in the powder material container on the side where the remaining powder material is carried is multiplied by the amount of lowering of the bottom plate of the same powder material container, the amount of the remaining powder material is almost equal to Become. That is, if any two of the amount of the remaining powder material, the lowering amount of the bottom plate, and the moving distance of the powder material transporting means are determined, the other one can be calculated.

  Therefore, with the above apparatus configuration, the following method for adjusting the supply amount of the powder material can be employed. That is, if unevenness occurs after a sufficiently wide range is filled in the second or first powder material container with the remaining powder material, the supply amount of the powder material is an appropriate amount, and the previous powder material And the lowering amount of the bottom plate of the powder material container on the side carrying the remaining powder material. On the other hand, when the range is narrow, the supply amount of the powder material is insufficient, and how much the supply amount of the powder material should be increased next based on the amount of the remaining powder material, or the remaining powder material is used. Based on the amount of descent of the bottom plate of the powder material container on the side of the carry-in side, it will be considered how much the amount of descent should be reduced next, but they are easily found. In addition, when the supply amount of the powder material is excessive, on the contrary, it will be examined how much the supply amount should be reduced next, or how much the bottom plate lowering amount should be increased next. But they are also easy to figure out.

  Further, with the above apparatus configuration, a simpler method can be adopted as follows. That is, in the powder material container on the side where the powder material is carried, it is preliminarily divided into a deficient area, an appropriate amount area and an excess area in order from the modeling container side along the moving direction of the powder material conveying means, and each of these areas is divided into these areas. Correspondingly, regarding the supply amount of the next powder material, the amount to be increased or decreased with respect to the previous supply amount, or the decrease amount of the bottom plate of the powder material container on the side next carrying the powder material, the decrease amount of the previous bottom plate If the amount to be increased / decreased in advance is determined in advance, the position or moving distance of the powder material transport means at the time when the transport amount of the remaining powder material becomes less than the specified amount in the powder material container. By detecting whether it enters, the supply amount of the next powder material (corresponding to the rising amount of the bottom plate of the powder material container on the side next to carry out the powder material) or the powder material on the side next into which the powder material is carried next Lowering the bottom plate of the container It can be determined at least any one of the.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to always supply a sufficient amount of powder material to the modeling container to form a thin layer of powder material and to form a thin layer of powder material. After that, the remaining powder material can be filled with the powder material over a sufficiently wide range in the powder material container on the side where the remaining powder material is carried.

  As a result, the powder material in the powder material container can be preheated uniformly, thereby keeping the temperature of the thin layer of the powder material uniform in the modeling region, and thus uniformly sintering the thin layer of the powder material. Can do. Thereby, since generation | occurrence | production of a thermal stress can be suppressed, an accurate molded article can be produced.

  In addition, the control means is allowed to control the powder material transport means, control the rising or lowering amount of the bottom plate of each powder material container based on the positional information of the powder material transport means, and control the irradiation of the laser light source. Thus, the operations necessary for the powder sintering additive manufacturing method of the present invention can be automatically performed.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Description of powder sintering additive manufacturing equipment)
The powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a laser beam emitting unit, a modeling unit 111, and a control device 112.

  Fig.1 (a) is a top view which shows the structure of the modeling part 111 among the powder sintering layered modeling apparatuses which concern on embodiment of this invention. FIG.1 (b) is sectional drawing which follows the II line | wire of Fig.1 (a) similarly.

  Fig.2 (a) is a side view which shows the structure of the modeling part 111 which looked at the powder sintering lamination molding apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention from the horizontal direction. FIG. 2B is a front view of the same viewed from the front.

  In the powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention, although not shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the laser beam emitting part is disposed above the modeling container 11 of the modeling part 111. Have the following functions. Details of each part will be described below.

(A) Configuration of Laser Light Emitting Unit First, the configuration of the laser light emitting unit will be described.

  In the laser beam emitting section, a laser beam source and a mirror for controlling the laser beam irradiation direction are provided. The laser light emitted from the light source is selectively irradiated onto the thin layer 16a of the powder material on the part table 13a of the modeling unit 111 by mirror control by a computer. For example, mirror control by a computer is performed based on slice data (drawing pattern) of a three-dimensional structure to be produced.

(B) Structure of modeling part 111 Next, the structure of the modeling part 111 is demonstrated.

  In the modeling part 111, as shown to Fig.1 (a), (b), the square cylindrical modeling container 11 by which a three-dimensional molded item is produced, and the square cylindrical 1st installed in the both sides And second powder material containers 12a and 12b.

  In the modeling container 11, a thin layer 16a of a powder material is formed on a part table (bottom plate) 13a, and the thin layer 16a of the powder material is sintered by laser light irradiation to form a sintered thin layer 7b. . Then, the part table 13 is moved downward to sequentially laminate the sintered thin layers 16b, thereby producing a three-dimensional structure. In the first and second powder material containers 12a and 12b, the powder material 16 is stored on the feed table (bottom plate) 13b or 13c, and the feed table (bottom plate) 13b or 13c is moved upward to supply the powder material 7. The remaining powder material 16 after the feed tables 13c and 13b are moved downward to form the thin layer 16a of the powder material is carried in. The upper opening surface surrounded by the inner wall of the modeling container 11 is referred to as a modeling region, and the upper opening surfaces surrounded by the inner walls of the first and second powder material containers 12a and 12b are stored in the first and second powder materials. This is called a region.

  Further, the first powder material container 12a and the modeling container 11 are connected by a connecting portion 17a, and the modeling container 11 and the second powder material container 12b are connected by a connecting portion 17b. The upper surfaces of the connecting portions 17a and 17b are referred to as connecting regions. Each of the first powder material container 12a and the second powder material container 12b has flange portions 17 on the left side and the right side of the second powder material container 12b. The first powder material container 12a, the connecting portion 17a, the modeling container 11, the connecting portion 17b, A flange portion 17 is provided on the front side and the back side over the entire region of the second powder material container 12b.

  In the modeling container 11, a part table 13 a that can be moved up and down along the inner wall is installed. On the part table 13a, a thin layer 16a of the powder material is sequentially formed, and each thin layer 16a of the powder material is heated and sintered. Further, in the first and second powder material containers 12a and 12b, first and second feed tables 13b and 13c which are moved up and down along the inner walls of the containers 12a and 12b and supply the powder material 16 are respectively installed. ing.

  Although not shown in the drawings, when the part table 13a is set in the modeling container 11, there is no gap between the part table 13a and the inner wall of the container 11 so that the powder material 16a does not leak. In order to maintain the adhesion between the part table 13a and the inner wall of the container 11, packing rubber or the like is attached over the entire side surface of the part table 13a.

  Also, the first and second feed tables 13b and 13c are not shown in the figure, as with the part table 13a, but when the tables 13b and 13c are set in the powder material containers 12a and 12b, the table 13b. 13c and the inner walls of the storage containers 12a and 12b, the table 13b is used to maintain the adhesiveness between the tables 13b and 13c and the inner walls of the storage containers 12a and 12b so that no gap is generated between the inner walls of the storage containers 12a and 12b. , 13c is provided with packing rubber over the entire side surface.

  A drive device (not shown) for moving the table up and down is connected to the part table 13a and the first and second feed tables 13b and 13c.

  The part table 13a can be freely attached to and detached from the modeling container 11. The first and second feed tables 13b and 13c can be freely attached to and detached from the first and second powder material containers 12a and 12b.

  Furthermore, a recoater (powder material conveying means) 15 is provided that moves along the surface of the first powder material storage area, connection area, modeling area, connection area, and second powder material storage area. ing.

  The recoater 15 includes a transport mechanism 15a for scraping and transporting the powder material 16 projected on the surface of the powder material container 12a or 12b. As shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and (b), the recoater 15 moves along the surface of the powder material container 12a or 12b and in contact with the surface of the powder material container 12a or 12b. The powder material 16 stored on the feed table 13b or 13c is carried out and supplied onto the part table 13a, and the surface of the powder material 16 is leveled to form a thin layer 16a of the powder material on the part table 13a. Further, the remaining powder material 16 after forming the thin layer 16a of the powder material is carried into the second or first powder material container 12b or 12a while leveling the surface. The supply amount of the powder material 16 is determined by the rising amount of the first or second feed table 13b or 13c, and the thickness of the thin layer 16a of the powder material is determined by the lowering amount of the part table 13a.

  As powder material 16, nylon, polypropylene, polylactic acid, polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), acrylic, tolyl-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), styrene -At least 1 sort (s) selected from the group which consists of an acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) and polycaprolactone, or metal powder etc. can be used.

(C) Detailed configuration and function of the recoater 15 As shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the recoater 15 is placed horizontally at two positions on the front and rear of the vertical transport plate 15a and at appropriate intervals from the lower end. 15d is provided. The detection plate 15d is horizontally held at the lower end of the second support plate 15c that is vertically attached at the two front and rear ends of the first support plate 15b that is attached to the upper end of the transport plate 15a and projects horizontally. The holding portion serves as a fulcrum and rotates upward from the horizontal position around the fulcrum. The recoater 15 further includes a sensor switch (not shown), and the sensor switch is turned on when the detection plate 15d is lifted even slightly from the horizontal position. For example, the sensor switch is attached to the first support plate 15b or the second support plate 15c, and operates by detecting the movement of a component attached to the detection plate 15d or the detection plate 15d.

  The recoater 15 detects the position or movement distance of the recoater 15 along the moving direction of the recoater 15 from the modeling container 11 side in the powder material container 12a or 12b on the side where the powder material 16 is carried. It has a sensor. As the sensor, means for detecting a pulse generated in synchronization with the movement of the recoater 15 is used. For example, the position or moving distance of the recoater 15 is detected by generating a pulse train according to the rotation of a servo motor that controls the movement of the recoater 15 and detecting the number of pulses.

  When the remaining powder material is carried into the first or second powder material container 12a or 12b by the recoater 15 having the above-described configuration, the amount of the powder material being transported is less than the specified amount. The position or moving distance of the recoater 15 can be detected. Furthermore, if the amount of lowering of the first or second feed table 13b or 13c is known in the first or second powder material container 12a or 12b, the amount of the lowering is multiplied by the moving distance of the recoater 15 to obtain the powder material. The approximate amount of the remaining powder material after forming the thin layer can be calculated.

(I) One Detection Method of Remaining Powder Material Using Recoater 15 Next, with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C, one detection method of the remaining powder material using the recoater 15 explain. 3 (a) to 3 (c) show the remaining powder in the powder material container 12b by moving the recoater 15 when the amount of the remaining powder material is different in the powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus of FIG. It is a side view which shows a mode that the material is carried in.

  Immediately after the thin layer of powder material is formed, it is assumed that sufficient powder material 16 remains on the front side of the transport plate 15a in the traveling direction, and the sensor switch is turned on. Further, in order to carry the remaining powder material 16 into the upper part of the powder material container 12b by moving the feed table 13c downward by a predetermined lowering amount in the powder material container 12b on the side where the remaining powder material is carried. Storage section 12c is opened.

  In such a state, the recoater 15 moves on the surface of the powder material container 12b to carry the powder material 16 into the powder material container 12b while leveling the surface of the powder material 16. As the recoater 15 moves, the powder material 16 being transported gradually decreases, and the detection plate 15d gradually approaches horizontal. Then, when the detection plate 15d is completely horizontal, the sensor switch is turned off. The position or moving distance of the recoater 15 at this time is detected.

  Based on the detected position or moving distance of the recoater 15, it is determined that the powder material 16 does not cover a sufficiently wide range, and therefore the moving distance of the recoater 15 (indicated by the P1 position in FIG. 3A). Is determined to be insufficient, the next powder material can be filled so that the remaining powder material 16 can fill a sufficiently wide range in the powder material container 12a on the side next carrying the remaining powder material. Feed amount (corresponding to the rising amount of the feed table 13c of the powder material container 12b on the side next to carry out the powder material), or the feed table 13b of the powder material container 12a on the side next to carry the remaining powder material Either one or both of the reductions in the descent amount are calculated. The calculation method is as follows.

  That is, the amount of the remaining powder material 16 is obtained by multiplying the descending amount of the feed table of the powder material container on the side carrying the remaining powder material and the moving distance of the recoater 15 in the same powder material container. There is a relationship of quantity. Also, the amount of powder material required for forming the next thin layer of powder material is substantially the same as the amount of powder material required for forming the previous thin layer of powder material. Thereby, the increase amount of the supply amount of the next powder material becomes the same as the increase amount of the remaining powder material. Therefore, if the increase amount of the required moving distance of the recoater 15 is set, the descending amount of the feed table 13b is reduced. If it is the same as before, the increase in the supply amount of the corresponding next powder material can be calculated. In addition, if the supply amount of the next powder material is the same as the supply amount of the previous powder material, the amount of the next remaining powder material is almost the same as the amount of the previous remaining powder material, and therefore the necessary recoater is required. If an increase amount of 15 movement distances is set, a reduction amount of the descent amount of the feed table 13b can be calculated. Also, if the required increase amount of the recoater 15 is set, considering both the increase amount of the powder material supply amount and the decrease amount of the descent amount of the feed table 13b, they are adjusted to an appropriate ratio. It can be calculated as follows.

  If it is determined that the powder material 16 fills a sufficiently wide range, and therefore it is determined that the moving distance of the recoater 15 (indicated by the position P2 in FIG. 3B) is appropriate, Are instructed to supply the same amount of powdered material as before, and the amount of descent of the table 13b on the next side to carry the powdered material is the same as before.

  Further, if it is determined that the powder material 16 is excessive, and therefore it is determined that the moving distance of the recoater 15 (indicated by the position P3 in FIG. 3 (c)) is excessive, the next supply amount reduction amount or Next, either one or both of the increase amounts of the descending amount of the table 13b on the side where the powder material is carried are calculated.

  That is, as in the case where the moving distance of the recoater 15 is insufficient, the amount of powder material supplied or the lowering of the feed table 13b is shortened to shorten the moving distance of the recoater 15 by an appropriate amount. Any one of the increase amounts can be calculated, or both can be calculated in an appropriate proportion, taking into account both the reduction in the feed rate of the powder material and the increase in the descent amount of the feed table 13b.

  Thus, in the above method, the movement distance of the next recoater 15 can be adjusted relatively accurately from the current movement distance of the recoater 15.

(Ii) Other detection methods of residual powder material using recoater 15 Next, FIGS. 4 (a) to (c), FIGS. 5 (a) to (c), and FIGS. 6 (a) to (c). With reference to this, another method for detecting the remaining powder material using the recoater 15 will be described. 4 (a) to (c), FIGS. 5 (a) to (c), and FIGS. 6 (a) to (c), the amount of the remaining powder material in the powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 11 is a side view showing a state in which the powder material is carried into the powder material container 12b on the side where the recoater 15 is moved to carry the remaining powder material when they are different.

  First, in the powder material container 12b on the side where the remaining powder material is carried, along the moving direction of the recoater 15, a shortage region (from the left end to A) and an appropriate amount region (from A to B) in order from the modeling container 11 side. ) And excess area (from B to the right end). In this case, the above-described sensor that detects the position or movement distance of the recoater 15 may be used. However, it is not necessary to directly detect the position or movement distance of the recoater 15 but to specify in which region the recoater 15 is located. A sensor may be installed for each region. For example, a signal source is installed at the boundary of each region, and the region where the recoater 15 is located can be specified by detecting how many signals the recoater 15 detects while the recoater 15 moves.

  Then, with respect to the supply amount of the next powder material corresponding to these regions, the amount to be increased, the same amount, and the amount to be reduced with respect to the previous supply amount are determined in advance. Alternatively, with respect to the lowering amount of the table 13b on the side next to carry in the remaining powder material corresponding to these regions, the amount to be increased, the same amount, and the amount to be reduced with respect to the lowering amount of the previous table 13c. Decide in advance.

  Further, immediately after the thin layer of the powder material is formed, it is assumed that a sufficient amount of the powder material 16 remains on the front side of the transport plate 15a of the recoater 15 and the sensor switch is turned on. Further, in the powder material container 12b on the side where the remaining powder material is carried, the feed table 13c is moved downward by a predetermined lowering amount to open the storage portion 12c above the powder material container 12b.

  In such a state, the recoater 15 moves on the surface of the powder material container 12b to carry the powder material 16 into the powder material container 12b while leveling the surface of the powder material 16.

  In the case shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the sensor switch of the recoater 15 is turned on at the position A and turned off at the position B. Therefore, the detected position of the recoater 15 corresponds to the appropriate amount region, and the powder material 16 is determined to fill a sufficiently wide range. In this case, the supply amount of the next powder material is the same as the current supply amount, and the lowering amount of the table 13b on the side next carrying the remaining powder material is the same as before.

  5A to 5C, since the sensor switch of the recoater 15 is on at both the position A and the position B, the detected position of the recoater 15 corresponds to the excessive region, and the amount of the powder material 16 Is judged excessive. Therefore, next, the powder material 16 is reduced by a predetermined amount with respect to the current supply amount, or the descending amount of the table 13b on the side next carrying the powder material is increased by a predetermined amount. Take at least one of these.

  6 (a) to 6 (c), since the sensor switch of the recoater 15 has already been turned off at the position A, the detected position of the recoater 15 corresponds to the shortage region, and the powder material 16 is sufficient. Judged not to fill a wide range. Therefore, next, the powder material 16 is increased by a predetermined amount with respect to the current supply amount, or the lowering amount of the table 13b on the side next carrying the remaining powder material is set to the current lowering amount. At least one of reducing the amount by a predetermined amount is taken.

  As described above, in the above method, by detecting in which region the recoater 15 position or moving distance when the amount of the remaining powder material transported is less than the specified amount in the powder material container 12b. It is possible to easily determine at least one of the supply amount of the next powder material or the lowering amount of the table 13b on the side where the powder material 16 is next carried.

  In the above (i) and (ii), when both the supply amount of the next powder material 16 and the lowering amount of the feed table 13b or 13c on the side where the powder material 16 is carried next are adjusted together, The adjustment is combined so that a sufficiently wide area is filled with the powder material 16 in the powder material container 12a or 12b on the side where the remaining powder material 16 is carried next.

(D) Other structure of modeling part 111 In modeling part 111, as shown in Drawing 1 (a), Drawing 2 (a), and (b) further, the 1st powder material storage field, connection field, modeling field In addition, the entire area of the connection area and the second powder material storage area is provided with an outflow protection wall 18 for the powder material 16 with the moving area of the recoater 15 sandwiched between the front and rear flange portions 17. Since the powder material 16 has fluidity, the powder material 16 scraped by the moving recoater 15 and raised on the surface of the modeling area or the like on the front side in the traveling direction of the recoater 15 tends to flow around the modeling area or the like. The outflow protective wall 18 can prevent the powder material 16 from flowing out to the surroundings. Thereby, the recycling rate of the powder material 16 can be further improved.

(E) Configuration and Function of Control Device 112 Next, the configuration and function of the control device 112 will be described.

  The control device 112 has the following configuration and functions. That is, the first feed table 13b on which the powder material is placed is raised, the part table 13a is lowered by one thin layer, the recoater 15 is moved, and the powder is transferred from the first powder material container 12a to the modeling container 11 The material 16 is supplied, a thin layer 16a of the powder material is formed on the part table 13a, the second feed table 13c in the second powder material container 12b is lowered, and the surface of the second powder material container 12b is The remaining powder material 16 after the recoater 15 is moved while forming the thin layer 16a of the powder material is stored on the second feed table 13c. Next, the thin layer 16a of the powder material is selectively heated and sintered based on the slice data (drawing pattern) of the three-dimensional structure to be produced by the laser beam and the control mirror (heating and sintering means).

  Contrary to the above, the second feed table 13c on which the powder material 16 is placed is raised, the part table 13a is lowered by one thin layer, and the recoater 15 is moved to move from the second powder material container 12b. The powder material 16 is supplied to the modeling container 11, and a new thin layer 16a of the powder material is formed on the thin layer 16a of the powder material on the part table 13a, so that the first powder material container 12a has the first powder material 16a. The feed table 13b is lowered and the recoater 15 is moved while leveling the surface of the first powder material container 12a to form a new powder material thin layer 16a. 13b. Next, the thin layer 16a of the powder material is selectively heated and sintered based on the slice data (drawing pattern) of the three-dimensional structure to be produced by the laser beam and the control mirror (heating and sintering means).

  And these operation | movement is repeated and the some sintered thin layer 16b is laminated | stacked, and a three-dimensional molded item is produced.

  Further, the control device is detected by the sensor provided in the recoater 15 along the moving direction of the recoater 15 from the modeling container 11 side in the powder material container 12b or 12a on the side where the powder material is carried. Based on the position or moving distance of the recoater 15, the rising amount of the feed table 13 c or 13 b in the powder material container 12 b or 12 a on the side next carrying out the powder material 16 (corresponding to the supply amount of the powder material), and then the powder material At least one of the descending amounts of the feed table 13b or 13c in the powder material container 12a or 12b on the side of carrying the 16 is adjusted. As a result, the powder material is supplied in a supply amount sufficient to form a thin layer of the powder material, and the powder material is carried over a sufficiently wide range in the powder material container on the side where the powder material is carried. it can.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to always supply a sufficient amount of powder material to the modeling container 11 to form a thin layer of powder material, and to carry the remaining powder material. The powder material container can be filled with the remaining powder material over a sufficiently wide range.

  As a result, the powder material in the powder material container can be preheated uniformly. For this reason, the temperature of the thin layer of the powder material is kept uniform near the melting point in the modeling region, and the powder material is selectively heated by laser light. The thin layer can be quickly heated to uniformly sinter the thin layer of powdered material. Thereby, since generation | occurrence | production of a thermal stress can be suppressed, an accurate molded article can be created.

  Further, the control device 112 controls the recoater 15, controls the amount of rise or fall of the tables 13 b and 13 c of the powder material containers 12 a and 12 b based on the position information of the recoater 15, and controls the irradiation of the laser light source. By doing, operation | movement required for the powder sintering lamination molding method of this invention can be performed automatically.

(Description of powder sintering additive manufacturing method)
Next, a powder sintering additive manufacturing method using the powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10 are sectional views.

  First, the modeling container 11, the first and second containers 13a, 13b, and 13c are movable up and down along the inner walls of the modeling container 11 and the first and second powder material containers 12a and 12b. It attaches to the powder material container 12a, 12b.

  Next, in the modeling part 111, the left and right feed tables 13b and 13c are lowered, and a sufficient amount of the powder material 16 is stored on the feed tables 13b and 13c.

  FIG. 7A shows a state after such a preparation and after a single layer of the sintered layer 16b is formed and before the next thin layer 16a of the powder material is formed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, the part table 13a is lowered by an amount corresponding to one thin layer. Next, the left feed table 13b is raised so that the powder material 16 comes out from the surface of the first powder material container 12a. At this time, the right feed table 13c is lowered, and the storage portion 12c is opened so that the remaining powder material 16 after forming the thin layer 16a of the powder material can be stored.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), the recoater 15 is moved to scrape away the powder material 16 from the surface of the first powder material container 12a on the left feed table 13b, while forming the container. 11 on the part table 13a. At this time, it is confirmed that a sufficient amount of the powder material 16 is supplied by a sensor installed in the recoater 15 that detects the powder material 16.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8B, the powder material is carried onto the part table 13 a while leveling the surface of the modeling container 11. Thereby, a thin layer 16a of a new layer of powder material is formed on the first sintered thin layer 16b on the part table 13a. At this time, the surface of the thin layer 16a of the powder material is powdered by a heater (not shown) installed on the inner wall of the modeling container 11 or an infrared heating device (not shown) provided obliquely above the modeling container 11. Preheat to a temperature about 5-15 ° C. below the melting point of the material.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b), the recoater 15 is moved to carry the remaining powder material 16 into the second powder material container 12b while leveling the surface, and the second powder material container. It is stored on the second feed table 13c in 12b. At this time, the position or moving distance of the recoater 15 at the time when the amount of the powder material being transported is less than the specified amount is detected.

  Next, the laser beam is emitted from the light source of the laser beam emitting unit, and the mirror is controlled by a computer based on the slice data of the three-dimensional structure to be produced, so that the laser beam is selectively applied to the thin layer 16a of the powder material. Irradiate. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 9B, the thin layer 16b of the powder material is heated and sintered.

  Next, based on the detected position information of the recoater 15 in the second powder material container 12b, the inside of the first powder material container 12a on the side where the remaining powder material is carried over a sufficiently wide range. Calculate at least one of the supply amount of the next powder material (corresponding to the increase amount of the second feed table 13c) or the decrease amount of the first feed table 13b so that it can be filled with the powder material To do.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), the part table 13a is lowered by one thin layer, the second feed table 13c is raised based on the calculated rise amount and the fall amount, and the first table The feed table 13b is lowered.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10B, the recoater 15 is moved from the right side to the left side, contrary to the case described above. Then, a new powder material 16 is supplied from the second powder material container 12b onto the part table 13a, and a new powder material thin layer 16a is formed on the sintered thin layer 16b.

  Further, the recoater 15 is moved to carry the remaining powder material 16 into the first powder material container 12a while leveling the surface, and accommodated on the first feed table 13b in the first powder material container 12a. . At this time, the position or moving distance of the recoater 15 at the time when the amount of the powder material becomes smaller than the specified amount is detected while the remaining powder material 16 is being transported in the first powder material container 12a.

  Next, the new powder material thin layer 16a is heated and sintered to form a new sintered thin layer 16b on the sintered thin layer 16b.

  Next, on the basis of the detected position information of the recoater 15 in the first powder material container 12a, the powder in the second powder material container 12b on the side where the remaining powder material is carried next is spread over a sufficiently wide range. At least one of the next supply amount (corresponding to the rising amount of the first feed table 13b) or the lowering amount of the second feed table 13c is calculated so that it can be filled with the material.

  Next, as in the method shown in FIG. 7B, the part table 13a is lowered by one thin layer, and the first feed table 13b is raised based on the calculated rise amount and the drop amount. Then, the second feed table 13c is lowered.

  Subsequently, the formation of the thin layer 16a of powder material → heat sintering → formation of the thin layer 16a of powder material → heat sintering ·· is repeated by the method described above.

  In this way, the sintered thin layer 16b is sequentially laminated to complete a three-dimensional structure. Finally, the preliminary heating is stopped and natural cooling is performed. When the temperature reaches around room temperature, the three-dimensional structure buried in the powder material 16 is taken out of the modeling container 11.

  As described above, according to the powder sintering additive manufacturing method of the present invention, the second feed table 13c in the second powder material container 12b is lowered, the recoater 15 is moved, and the thin layer 16a of the powder material is formed. The remaining powder material 16 after being formed is stored on the second feed table 13c. Further, after that, the second feed table 13 c in the second powder material container 12 b is raised, and the powder material 16 is supplied from the second powder material container 12 b to the modeling container 11 by the recoater 15.

  As a result, it becomes possible to reuse the excessive powder material immediately, so that the recycling rate of the powder material can be improved.

  Further, by adjusting at least one of the supply amount of the next powder material or the descending amount of the first feed table 13b in the first powder material container 12a, a thin layer of the powder material is used in any case. A sufficient amount of the powder material is always supplied to form the powder material, and the remaining powder material container is filled with the remaining powder material over a sufficiently wide range.

  As a result, the powder material in the powder material containers 12a and 12b can be preheated uniformly. For this reason, the temperature of the thin layer of the powder material is kept close to the melting point in the modeling region and is selectively heated by laser light. The thin layer of powder material can be quickly heated to uniformly sinter the thin layer of powder material. Thereby, since generation | occurrence | production of a thermal stress can be suppressed, an accurate molded article can be created.

(Description of another embodiment of the present invention)
The powder sintered additive manufacturing apparatus and the powder sintered additive manufacturing method of the present invention have been described above in detail according to the embodiment, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples specifically shown in the above embodiment. Without departing from the spirit of the present invention, the modifications of the above embodiment are included in the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the powder sinter molding apparatus of this embodiment, the sensor 15d that is installed in the recoater 15 and detects the supply amount of the powder material is configured such that the detection plate 15d rotates around the fulcrum and the sensor is switched on. However, the detection plate 15d may be lifted up and down in an elevator manner to turn on the sensor switch.

  Further, the configuration of the sensor of the above embodiment is not limited as long as the amount of the remaining powder material after the thin layer of the powder material can be detected. If the amount of the remaining powder material after forming the thin layer of the powder material can be detected, the powder material container next to the side where the powder material is carried is sufficiently wide in relation to the descending amount of the feed table. It is possible to set the supply amount of the next powder material to be filled with the material.

(A) is a top view which shows the structure of a modeling part among the powder sintering lamination-modeling apparatuses which are embodiment of this invention, (b) is sectional drawing similarly. (A) is a side view which shows a mode that the recoater is moved and the powder material is supplied in the powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1, (b) is also a front view. (A)-(c) is the powder material container on the side which moves the recoater 15 and carries the powder material when the amount of the remaining powder material is different in the powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus of FIG. It is a side view which shows a mode that the powder material is carried in. (A)-(c) is a side view which shows a mode that the powder material is carried in the powder material container of the side which moves the recoater 15 and carries the powder material in the powder sinter additive manufacturing apparatus of FIG. Part 1). (A)-(c) is a side view which shows a mode that the powder material is carried in the powder material container of the side which moves the recoater 15 and carries the powder material in the powder sinter additive manufacturing apparatus of FIG. Part 2). (A)-(c) is a side view which shows a mode that the powder material is carried in the powder material container of the side which moves the recoater 15 and carries the powder material in the powder sinter additive manufacturing apparatus of FIG. Part 3). (A), (b) is sectional drawing (the 1) which shows the powder sintering lamination molding method which is embodiment of this invention. (A), (b) is sectional drawing (the 2) which shows the powder sintering lamination molding method which is embodiment of this invention. (A), (b) is sectional drawing (the 3) which shows the powder sintering lamination molding method which is embodiment of this invention. (A), (b) is sectional drawing (the 4) which shows the powder sintering lamination molding method which is embodiment of this invention. (A), (b) is the top view and sectional drawing which show the powder sintering modeling apparatus of a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

11 Modeling container 12a First powder material container 12b Second powder material container 13a Part table 13b First feed table 13c Second feed table 15 Recoater 15a Transport plate 15d Detection plate 16 Powder material 16a Thin layer of powder material 16b Sintered thin layer 17 Flange part 17a, 17b Connection part 18 Outflow protection wall 111 of powder material Modeling part 112 Control apparatus

Claims (11)

A powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus that forms a thin layer of a powder material, irradiates a laser beam to sinter the thin layer of the powder material, and stacks a plurality of sintered thin layers to produce a three-dimensional structure. There,
A first powder material container whose bottom plate moves up and down;
A modeling container connected to the first powder material container via a connecting portion, the bottom plate moving up and down;
A second powder material container that is connected to the modeling container via a connecting part and whose bottom plate moves up and down;
The powder material is carried out from the first or second powder material container, the powder material is carried into the modeling container, a thin layer of the powder material is formed on the bottom plate of the modeling container, and the powder material A powder material transporting means for transporting the remaining powder material after forming the thin layer into the second or first powder material container while leveling the surface;
And a means for detecting the amount of the remaining powder material.   The means for detecting the amount of the residual powder material is configured to convey the residual powder material while transporting the residual powder material into the second or first powder material container while leveling the surface. 2. The powder sintered additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the powder material conveying means is a means for detecting a position or a moving distance of the powder material carrying means when the amount of the material is less than a specified amount. (I) Raising the bottom plate of the first powder material container to cause the powder material to protrude above the surface of the first powder material container and lowering the bottom plate of the second powder material container The bottom plate of the modeling container is lowered, and in that state, the powder material carrying means is moved to carry out the powder material from the first powder material container, and carry the powder material into the modeling container Forming a thin layer of the powder material on the bottom plate of the modeling container, and further carrying the remaining powder material after forming the thin layer of the powder material into the second powder material container,
(Ii) Next, the bottom plate of the second powder material container is raised so that the powder material protrudes above the surface of the second powder material container, and the bottom plate of the first powder material container is While lowering, the bottom plate of the modeling container is lowered, and in that state, the powder material carrying means is moved to carry out the powder material from the second powder material container, and the powder material is transferred to the modeling container A thin layer of the powder material is formed on the bottom plate of the modeling container, and the remaining powder material after the formation of the thin layer of the powder material is carried into the first powder material container. The powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that performs a series of operations of putting in.   4. The powder sintered additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein after the operation of (ii) is performed, the control unit further repeats the operations of (i) to (ii). 5.   The control means, based on the amount of the remaining powder material, the rising amount of the bottom plate of the powder material container that will be the next side to carry out the powder material, or the powder material container that will next be the side to carry in the powder material 5. The powder sintered additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the descending amounts of the bottom plate is adjusted. A powder sintering additive manufacturing method using the powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The first powder material container is alternately the side to carry out the powder material and the side to carry it in, and the second powder material container is alternately brought into the side to carry in the powder material and the side to carry it out.
The residual powder material after forming the thin layer of the powder material by moving the powder material conveying means is carried into the second or first powder material container while leveling the surface, and the residual powder Detect the amount of material,
Based on the amount of the remaining powder material, the amount of rise of the bottom plate of the powder material container that will be the next side to carry out the powder material, or the amount of fall of the bottom plate of the powder material container that will be the side next to carry in the powder material A powder sinter additive manufacturing method characterized by adjusting at least one of them. A powder sintering additive manufacturing method using the powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
(1) Place the powder material on the bottom plate of the first powder material container, and place the powder material on the bottom plate of the second powder material container,
(2) Raising the first powder material container to project the powder material on the surface of the first powder material container;
(3) Move the powder material conveying means to carry out the portion of the powder material protruding to the surface of the first powder material container;
(4) The powder material carrying means is moved to carry the carried powder material into the modeling container, and a thin layer of the powder material is formed on the bottom plate of the modeling container,
(5) Lower the bottom plate of the second powder material container,
(6) The remaining powder material after the powder material carrying means is moved to form a thin layer of the powder material is carried onto the bottom plate of the lowered second powder material container while the surface is leveled. Detecting the amount of the remaining powder material;
(7) Based on the amount of the remaining powder material, the rising amount of the bottom plate of the second powder material container that will be the next side to carry out the powder material, or the second side that will next be the side to carry the powder material Deciding to adjust at least one of the descending amount of the bottom plate of the powder material container of 1;
(8) Raising the second powder material container to project the powder material on the surface of the second powder material container,
(9) Move the powder material conveying means to carry out the portion of the powder material protruding to the surface of the second powder material container;
(10) The powder material carrying means is moved to carry the carried powder material into the modeling container, and a thin layer of the powder material is formed on the bottom plate of the modeling container,
(11) Lower the bottom plate of the first powder material container,
(12) The remaining powder material after the powder material carrying means is moved to form the thin layer of the powder material is carried on the bottom plate of the lowered first powder material container while the surface is leveled. A powder sintering additive manufacturing method characterized by the above. In the operation of (12), the amount of the remaining powder material is further detected.
(13) Based on the amount of the remaining powder material, the rising amount of the bottom plate of the first powder material container which is the next side to carry out the powder material, or the second side which is next the side to carry in the powder material Deciding to adjust at least one of the descending amounts of the bottom plate of the powder material container of 2,
(14) The method of powder sintering additive manufacturing according to claim 7, wherein the steps (2) to (13) are repeated. A powder sintering additive manufacturing method using the powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
The first powder material container is alternately the side to carry out the powder material and the side to carry it in, and the second powder material container is alternately brought into the side to carry in the powder material and the side to carry it out.
In the powder material container on the side for carrying the powder material, in advance along the moving direction of the powder material transport means, in order from the modeling container side in advance, divided into a shortage region, an appropriate amount region and an excess region,
While the remaining powder material after forming the thin layer of the powder material is carried in a powder material container on the side where the powder material is carried while the surface is leveled, the remaining powder material being carried Detecting the position or moving distance of the powder material carrying means when the amount of is less than the prescribed amount,
The rising amount of the bottom plate of the powder material container which is the side to carry out the powder material next, or the next, depending on which of the shortage region, the appropriate amount region and the excess region the position or moving distance of the powder material carrying means enters. And adjusting at least one of the descending amounts of the bottom plate of the powder material container on the side for carrying the powder material. A powder sintering additive manufacturing method using the powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
(1) In the second powder material container, in advance along the moving direction of the powder material transport means, in order from the modeling container side in order into a deficient region, an appropriate amount region and an excess region,
(2) Place the powder material on the bottom plate of the first powder material container, and place the powder material on the bottom plate of the second powder material container,
(3) Raising the first powder material container to project the powder material on the surface of the first powder material container;
(4) Move the powder material conveying means to carry out the portion of the powder material protruding to the surface of the first powder material container;
(5) The powder material carrying means is moved to carry the carried powder material into the modeling container, and a thin layer of the powder material is formed on the bottom plate of the modeling container,
(6) Lower the bottom plate of the second powder material container,
(7) The remaining powder material after the powder material carrying means is moved to form the thin layer of the powder material is carried on the bottom plate of the lowered second powder material container while the surface is leveled. Detecting the position or moving distance of the powder material transport means when the amount of the remaining powder material being transported is less than the specified amount;
(8) Depending on which of the shortage region, the appropriate amount region, and the excess region the position or movement distance of the powder material transport means enters, the second powder material container that is the side to carry out the powder material next Deciding to adjust at least one of the rising amount of the bottom plate, or the lowering amount of the bottom plate of the first powder material container that will be the side next carrying the powder material,
(9) Raise the second powder material container to project the powder material on the surface of the second powder material container,
(10) The powder material carrying means is moved to carry out the portion of the powder material protruding to the surface of the second powder material container,
(11) Move the powder material carrying means to carry the carried powder material into the modeling container, and form a thin layer of the powder material on the bottom plate of the modeling container,
(12) Lower the bottom plate of the first powder material container,
(13) The remaining powder material after the powder material carrying means is moved to form a thin layer of the powder material is carried on the bottom plate of the lowered first powder material container while the surface is leveled. A powder sintering additive manufacturing method characterized by the above. In addition to the operation of (1) above, in the first powder material container, along the moving direction of the powder material transporting means, in order from the modeling container side in order to the deficient area, appropriate amount area and excess area in advance. In addition to the operation of (13), the position of the powder material transporting means in the first powder material container when the remaining powder material being transported is less than the specified amount, or Detect the distance traveled,
(14) The first powder material container which is the side to carry out the powder material next, depending on which of the shortage region, the appropriate amount region, and the excess region the position or movement distance of the powder material carrying means enters. Deciding to adjust at least one of the rising amount of the bottom plate or the lowering amount of the bottom plate of the second powder material container that will be the side to carry the powder material next,
(15) The powder sintered additive manufacturing method according to claim 10, wherein the steps (3) to (14) are repeated.

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