JP6509793B2 - MATERIAL SUPPLY DEVICE FOR LAMINATE FORMING APPARATUS, AND LAMINATE FORMING APPARATUS - Google Patents

Description

  An embodiment of the present invention relates to a material supply device of a lamination molding apparatus, and a lamination molding apparatus.

  A lamination molding apparatus such as a three-dimensional printer is known which forms a layer of flowable material, hardens the material for each layer of the material, and forms a three-dimensional shape.

U.S. Patent No. 6,764,636

  In a lamination molding apparatus that forms a layer of the material by applying the material, the properties of the material may result in insufficient application of the material.

A material supply device of a layered manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a supply unit, a moving unit, and a first application unit. The supply section has a first surface facing the area at a position away from the area configured to be supplied with the flowable material in the first direction, and is configured to receive the material. A portion and a first opening configured to communicate the first surface with the receiving portion to supply the material between the first surface and the region; The moving unit is configured to move the supply unit in a second direction along the region. The first application unit is provided in the supply unit, and when the supply unit is moved in the second direction by the moving unit, the first surface and the area from the first opening Are configured to apply the material supplied during the process to the area. The supply portion is provided with a second opening that supplies the material in a direction that intersects the direction in which the material is supplied from the first opening and is closer to the second direction than the first direction. .

FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing a three-dimensional printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a part of the stage of the first embodiment and a part of the material supply device. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the supply unit of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the supply unit and the counter block of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the rotated supply portion of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a supply unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the supply unit and the counter block of the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a supply unit according to a third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a supply unit according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a supply unit according to a modification of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a supply unit according to the fifth embodiment.

  The first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. In the present specification, basically, vertically upward is defined as upward, and vertically downward as downward. Further, in the present specification, a plurality of expressions may be described for the components according to the embodiment and the descriptions of the components. Components and explanations in which a plurality of expressions are made may be other expressions not described. Furthermore, components and explanations that are not to be plurally represented may also be other expressions that are not described.

  FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing a three-dimensional printer 1 according to the first embodiment. The three-dimensional printer 1 is an example of a layered manufacturing apparatus. The additive manufacturing apparatus is not limited to a three-dimensional printer, and may be another apparatus for forming a three-dimensional object by additive manufacturing. The three-dimensional printer 1 forms the three-dimensional shaped object 5 by repeating the formation of the layer ML of the material 3 and the solidification of the layer ML of the material 3. FIG. 1 shows a shaped object 5 in the process of shaping.

  In the present embodiment, the material 3 is a flowable suspension (slurry). The material 3 has, for example, a liquid and particles of a ceramic and an ultraviolet curable resin dispersed in the liquid. The material 3 is not limited to this, and may be another material such as, for example, a highly viscous liquid or powder.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the three-dimensional printer 1 includes a stage 11, a material supply device 12, a counter block 13, an optical device 14, and a control unit 15. The stage 11 may also be referred to, for example, as a table, a shaping area, or an application area. The material supply device 12 may also be referred to, for example, as a coating device, recoater or blade. The counter block 13 is an example of a member. The optical device 14 is an example of a shaped part, and may be referred to as, for example, a formed part, a solidified part, or a bonded part.

  As shown in the drawings, X, Y and Z axes are defined herein. The X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis are orthogonal to one another. In the present specification, the X-axis is along the width of the material supply device 12, the Y-axis is along the depth (length) of the material supply device 12, and the Z-axis is along the height of the material supply device 12.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a part of the stage 11 of the first embodiment and a part of the material supply device 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the stage 11 has a mounting table 21 and a peripheral wall 22.

  The mounting table 21 is, for example, a square plate. The shape of the mounting table 21 is not limited to this, and it may be a member exhibiting another shape such as another quadrangle (quadrilateral) such as a rectangle, a polygon, a circle, and a geometric shape.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the mounting table 21 has an upper surface 21 a and four end surfaces 21 b. The upper surface 21 a is a substantially square flat surface facing in the positive direction (the direction indicated by the arrow of the Z axis, the upper direction) along the Z axis. The shape of the upper surface 21a is not limited to this. The end surface 21b is a surface orthogonal to the upper surface 21a.

  The peripheral wall 22 extends in the direction along the Z-axis, and is formed in a rectangular tubular shape surrounding the mounting table 21. The four end faces 21 b of the mounting table 21 are in contact with the inner surface of the peripheral wall 22 respectively. The peripheral wall 22 is formed in a rectangular frame shape and has an open upper end 22a. The upper end 22a is a substantially square frame-like surface facing in the positive direction along the Z axis.

  The mounting table 21 can move the inside of the peripheral wall 22 in the direction along the Z axis by various devices such as a hydraulic elevator. When the mounting table 21 is moved most upward, the upper surface 21 a of the mounting table 21 and the upper end 22 a of the peripheral wall 22 form substantially the same plane.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the material supply device 12 includes a supply unit 31, a temperature adjustment unit 32, a moving unit 33, and a pressure adjustment unit 34. The supply unit 31 can also be referred to, for example, as an application unit, a tank, a recoater, or a blade. The moving unit 33 may also be referred to, for example, as a displacement unit or a conveyance unit. The pressure adjustment unit 34 may also be referred to, for example, as a pressure unit or a discharge control unit.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the supply unit 31 of the first embodiment. The supply unit 31 shown in FIG. 3 is made of, for example, metal. The supply unit 31 may be made of another material such as a synthetic resin. The supply unit 31 has a bottom wall 41, an upper wall 42, and a side wall 43.

  The bottom wall 41 is formed in a plate shape extending on the XY plane, and extends in the direction along the Y axis. The bottom wall 41 has a bottom surface 41 a. The bottom surface 41a is an example of a first surface. The bottom surface 41 a is a part of the outer surface of the supply portion 31 and is formed substantially flat and directed in the negative direction (the opposite direction of the arrow of the Z axis, downward) along the Z axis. The bottom surface 41 a faces, for example, the upper surface 21 a of the mounting table 21 or the upper end 22 a of the peripheral wall 22.

  The upper wall 42 is formed in a plate shape extending on the XY plane and extends in the direction along the Y axis. The upper wall 42 has an upper surface 42 a. The upper surface 42 a is a part of the outer surface of the supply portion 31 and is formed substantially flat while facing upward.

  The side wall 43 connects the edge of the bottom wall 41 and the edge of the top wall 42. Thereby, the supply part 31 is formed in a hollow substantially rectangular box shape. Inside the supply portion 31, a housing portion 51 surrounded by the bottom wall 41, the top wall 42, and the side wall 43 is provided. The storage unit 51 is an example of the inside of the supply unit.

  The housing portion 51 is located between the bottom wall 41 and the top wall 42 in the direction along the Z axis. The storage unit 51 stores the material 3. For this reason, the bottom wall 41 supports the material 3 accommodated in the accommodation portion 51.

  A first opening 52 is provided in the bottom wall 41 of the supply unit 31. The first opening 52 communicates with the bottom surface 41 a and the housing portion 51. In other words, the first opening 52 penetrates the bottom wall 41 and opens at the bottom surface 41 a.

  The first opening 52 is, for example, a slit extending in a direction along the Y axis. The first opening 52 is not limited to this. For example, the bottom surface 41a of the bottom wall 41 may be provided with a plurality of first openings 52 aligned in the direction along the Y axis.

  The first opening 52 obliquely extends from the accommodation portion 51 in the positive direction along the X axis (the direction indicated by the arrow of the X axis) and in the negative direction along the Z axis. The positive direction along the X axis is an example of the second direction. The first opening 52 may extend in other directions, such as, for example, the direction along the Z-axis.

  The supply unit 31 is provided with a first application unit 55. The first application unit 55 has a first blade 56. The first blade 56 is an example of a first wall. The first blade 56 is integrally formed with the supply unit 31. The first blade 56 may be a component separate from the supply unit 31.

  The first blade 56 extends from the bottom wall 41 of the supply portion 31 in the negative direction generally along the Z-axis. The first blade 56 is formed in a substantially triangular prism shape extending in a direction along the Y axis. The first blade 56 may be formed in another shape. The length of the first blade 56 in the direction along the Y axis is substantially equal to the length of the upper surface 21 a of the mounting table 21 in the direction along the Y axis.

  The first blade 56 is located in the negative direction (opposite to the arrow of the X axis) along the X axis with respect to the first opening 52. The negative direction along the X axis is an example of the opposite direction to the second direction. The first blade 56 has a front surface 56a, a rear surface 56b, and an end surface 56c. The front surface 56a is a part of the supply unit 31 provided with the first application unit 55, and may also be referred to as a surface. The front surface 56a and the rear surface 56b are names for convenience of description, and the positions and the orientations of the front surface 56a and the rear surface 56b are not limited.

  The front surface 56a is a substantially flat surface facing in the positive direction along the generally X axis. Specifically, the front surface 56a obliquely faces in the positive direction along the X axis and in the negative direction along the Z axis. The front surface 56 a is connected to the end of the bottom surface 41 a of the bottom wall 41 in the negative direction along the X axis. The front surface 56 a is located in the negative direction along the X axis with respect to the first opening 52. The front surface 56 a of the first blade 56 forms an angle of 90 degrees or more with the bottom surface 41 a of the bottom wall 41 and is less than 180 degrees.

  The rear surface 56b is located on the opposite side of the front surface 56a. The rear surface 56b faces in the negative direction generally along the X axis. The end face 56c connects the end in the negative direction along the Z axis of the front face 56a and the back face 56b. The end face 56c is the end of the first blade 56 in the negative direction along the Z-axis, and faces in the negative direction generally along the Z-axis. In the direction along the Z axis, the position of the end face 56 c is substantially equal to the position of the upper end 22 a of the peripheral wall 22 of the stage 11.

  The front surface 56 a and the end surface 56 c have the property of repelling the material 3. For example, the front surface 56a and the end surface 56c are covered with a water repellent film. The supply unit 31 may have water repellency as a whole.

  The first blade 56 of the supply unit 31 is provided with a second opening 58. The second opening 58 communicates with the front surface 56 a of the first blade 56 and the housing 51. In other words, the second opening 58 opens in the front surface 56a.

  The second opening 58 is, for example, a slit extending in a direction along the Y axis. The second opening 58 is not limited to this. For example, the front face 56a of the first blade 56 may be provided with a plurality of second openings 58 aligned in the direction along the Y axis.

  The second opening 58 has a first portion 58a and a second portion 58b. The first portion 58 a extends in the direction along the X axis and opens at the front surface 56 a of the first blade 56. The first portion 58a may extend in other directions. The second portion 58 b communicates the first portion 58 a with the housing portion 51.

  The upper wall 42 is provided with a first connection port 59. The first connection port 59 communicates the upper surface 42 a of the upper wall 42 with the accommodation portion 51. The first connection port 59 may be provided in another part of the supply portion 31 such as the bottom wall 41 or the side wall 43.

  The temperature adjustment unit 32 is attached to the side wall 43 from the outside of the supply unit 31, for example. The temperature control unit 32 may be provided at another place. The temperature adjustment unit 32 has, for example, a heater and a temperature sensor.

  The temperature adjustment unit 32 can heat the material 3 accommodated in the accommodation unit 51 via, for example, the side wall 43. In other words, the temperature adjustment unit 32 can change the temperature of the storage unit 51. Furthermore, the temperature adjustment unit 32 can operate to detect the temperature of the material 3 in the side wall 43 and the storage unit 51 by a temperature sensor, and maintain the material 3 at a predetermined temperature.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the moving unit 33 has two rails 61 and two moving mechanisms 62. FIG. 1 shows one of the two rails 61 and one of the two moving mechanisms 62. The moving mechanism 62 is an example of a rotating unit. The two rails 61 extend in parallel in the direction along the X axis and face each other. The mounting table 21 is positioned between the two rails 61 in the direction along the Y axis.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the two moving mechanisms 62 are attached to the supply unit 31. In FIG. 2, the two moving mechanisms 62 are schematically shown at a position separated from the supply unit 31. The supply unit 31 is held between the two moving mechanisms 62 in the direction along the Y axis. The moving mechanism 62 is movably attached to the rail 61 in the direction along the X axis.

  The moving mechanism 62 has various parts such as a motor, a roller, and an actuator. The moving mechanism 62 can move the supply unit 31 in parallel along the rail 61. In other words, the moving mechanism 62 moves the supply unit 31 in the direction along the X axis. The direction along the X axis includes a positive direction along the X axis and a negative direction along the X axis.

  Further, the moving mechanism 62 can move the supply unit 31 in the direction along the Z axis and can rotate the supply unit 31 around the Y axis. That is, the moving mechanism 62 can rotate the first blade 56 of the first application unit 55 together with the supply unit 31.

  As described above, the moving unit 33 changes the relative position of the supply unit 31 to the stage 11. The moving unit 33 may move the stage 11 relative to the supply unit 31, for example.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the supply unit 31 and the counter block 13 of the first embodiment. The moving unit 33 moves the supply unit 31 between the first position P1 shown in FIG. 2, the second position P2 shown in FIG. 1, and the third position P3 shown in FIG. The moving unit 33 may arrange the supply unit 31 at another position.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the direction along the X axis, the end face 56 c of the first blade 56 of the supply unit 31 at the first position P 1 is located in the negative direction along the X axis with respect to the mounting table 21. . In other words, in the first position P1, the end face 56c of the first blade 56 is located outside the mounting table 21.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the end face 56 c of the first blade 56 of the supply unit 31 at the second position P 2 faces the upper surface 21 a of the mounting table 21 in the direction along the X axis. In other words, at the second position P2, the end face 56c of the first blade 56 is positioned above the mounting table 21.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the direction along the X axis, the end face 56 c of the first blade 56 of the supply unit 31 at the third position P 3 is located in the positive direction along the X axis with respect to the mounting table 21. . In other words, in the third position P3, the end face 56c of the first blade 56 is located outside the mounting table 21. In the third position P 3, a part of the end face 56 c of the first blade 56 may be positioned above the mounting table 21.

  The second position P2 is not a single position, but includes a plurality of positions between the first position P1 and the third position P3. That is, while the moving unit 33 moves the supply unit 31 from the first position P1 to the third position P3, each position of the supply unit 31 is the second position P2 in the present embodiment.

  The moving mechanism 62 may be capable of moving the supply unit 31 in another direction such as a direction along the Y axis. Furthermore, the moving unit 33 may move the supply unit 31 by other means. For example, the moving unit 33 may have a transfer arm for moving the supply unit 31 instead of the rail 61 and the moving mechanism 62.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pressure adjustment unit 34 has, for example, a pump 65. The pump 65 is connected to the first connection port 59 of the supply 31 by means of a flexible tube 66. The end of the tube 66 is removably connected to the first connection port 59.

  The pump 65 can supply compressed air from the first connection port 59 to the accommodation portion 51 of the supply unit 31 via the tube 66. In other words, the pump 65 can change the pressure of the storage unit 51.

  The pump 65 includes a dual system pump or a pump operable in two directions. For this reason, the pump 65 can not only supply compressed air to the housing portion 51, but can suction the air and the material 3 of the housing portion 51. That is, the pump 65 can increase and decrease the pressure of the storage unit 51.

  When the tube 66 is removed from the first connection port 59, for example, the material 3 can be replenished from the first connection port 59 to the housing portion 51. In addition to the first connection port 59 to which the tube 66 is connected, an opening for replenishing the material 3 may be provided in the supply unit 31.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the counter block 13 is disposed at the upper end 22 a of the peripheral wall 22 of the stage 11. The counter block 13 is disposed in the positive direction along the X axis with respect to the mounting table 21. Furthermore, the counter block 13 is positioned in the positive direction along the X axis with respect to the supply unit 31. The counter block 13 may be located at least in a positive direction along the X axis with respect to a part of the supply unit 31.

  The counter block 13 is made of, for example, metal. The counter block 13 may be made of other materials. The counter block 13 is softer than the first blade 56 of the supply 31. For example, the counter block 13 has a Vickers hardness lower than that of the first blade 56. The counter block 13 is not limited to this.

  The counter block 13 has a substantially trapezoidal cross section and is formed in a rod shape extending in the direction along the Y axis. The counter block 13 may be formed in another shape. The counter block 13 has a side surface 71, an upper surface 72, and two convex walls 73. The convex wall 73 is an example of a second wall. FIG. 4 shows one of the two convex walls 73.

  The side surface 71 is the surface of the counter block 13 that faces in the negative direction generally along the X axis. Specifically, the side surface 71 obliquely faces in the negative direction along the X axis and in the positive direction along the Z axis. The side surface 71 is formed substantially flat, but may be a curved surface.

  The upper surface 72 is a surface of the counter block 13 facing in the positive direction along the Z axis, and is formed substantially flat. In the direction along the Z-axis, the position of the upper surface 72 and the position of the bottom surface 41 a of the supply unit 31 are substantially equal. The upper surface 72 is provided with a plurality of grooves 72a. The groove 72a is an example of a flow path. The groove 72a is a recess opened upward, and extends from the side surface 71 in the direction along the X axis.

  The two convex walls 73 are provided at both ends of the counter block 13 along the Y axis. The distance between the two convex walls 73 is substantially equal to the length of the first blade 56 of the supply 31 in the direction along the Y axis. The convex wall 73 protrudes from the side surface 71 in the negative direction along the X axis.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the optical device 14 includes, for example, an ultraviolet light source having an oscillation element and emitting laser light L in the ultraviolet region, a conversion lens for converting the laser light L into parallel light, and converges the laser light L. It has various parts, such as a focusing lens, and a galvano mirror which moves the irradiation position of the laser light L. That is, the optical device 14 can emit ultraviolet light (laser light L). The optical device 14 can change the power density of the laser light L.

  The optical device 14 is located above the stage 11. The optical device 14 may be disposed at another place. The optical device 14 converts the laser light L emitted by the ultraviolet light source into parallel light by the conversion lens. The optical device 14 reflects the laser light L to the galvano mirror whose tilt angle can be changed, and causes the laser light L to converge by the converging lens, thereby irradiating the laser light L in the ultraviolet region to a desired position.

  The control unit 15 is electrically connected to the stage 11, the optical device 14, the temperature adjustment unit 32, the moving unit 33, and the pressure adjustment unit 34. The control unit 15 includes, for example, various electronic components such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM.

  The control unit 15 controls the stage 11, the optical device 14, the temperature adjusting unit 32, the moving unit 33, and the pressure adjusting unit 34 by reading and executing a program stored in the ROM or another storage device. The three-dimensional printer 1 forms the object 5 based on the control (program) of the control unit 15.

  Hereinafter, an example of a procedure in which the three-dimensional printer 1 forms the object 5 from the material 3 will be described. In addition, the method in which the three-dimensional printer 1 models the three-dimensional object 5 is not limited to that described below.

  First, data of the three-dimensional shape of the object 5 is input to the control unit 15 of the three-dimensional printer 1 of FIG. 1 from, for example, an external personal computer. The data of the three-dimensional shape is, for example, CAD data, but may be other data.

  Next, the control unit 15 divides the obtained three-dimensional shape of the data into a plurality of layers (slice). The control unit 15 converts the sliced three-dimensional shape into, for example, a collection of a plurality of points and rectangular parallelepipeds (pixels) (rasterization, pixelization). As described above, the control unit 15 generates data of a plurality of layers of two-dimensional shapes from the acquired data of the three-dimensional shapes of the three-dimensional object 5. The generated data is stored, for example, in the RAM or storage device of the control unit 15.

  Next, the moving unit 33 of the material supply device 12 moves the supply unit 31 in the positive direction along the X axis from the first position P1 to the third position P3. When the supply unit 31 moves from the first position P1 to the third position P3 and is positioned at the second position P2, the material supply device 12 supplies the material 3 onto the stage 11 as follows: Do.

  First, the mounting table 21 of the stage 11 is arranged such that the distance between the upper surface 21 a of the mounting table 21 and the upper end 22 a of the peripheral wall 22 in the direction along the Z axis is a predetermined distance. The upper surface 21 a of the mounting table 21 forms a supply area R. The supply region R is an example of a region configured to be supplied with the material. The supply region R is also formed by the layer ML of the material 3 stacked on the mounting table 21 as described later.

  The supply region R is a substantially flat rectangular surface extending in the XY plane and having substantially the same area as the upper surface 21 a of the mounting table 21. The shape of the supply region R may be different from the shape of the upper surface 21 a of the mounting table 21. The supply region R is surrounded by the peripheral wall 22.

  As shown in FIG. 2, first, the supply unit 31 is disposed at the first position P1. In the first position P1, the end face 56c of the first blade 56 is located outside the supply area R. On the other hand, the bottom surface 41 a of the bottom wall 41 is disposed at a position overlapping with the supply region R. The bottom surface 41 a may also be disposed outside the supply region R.

  When the supply unit 31 is at the first position P1, the pump 65 of the pressure adjustment unit 34 may keep the pressure of the storage unit 51 at a negative pressure. Thereby, the material 3 accommodated in the accommodation unit 51 is maintained inside the accommodation unit 51, and the leakage of the material 3 from the first opening 52 and the second opening 58 is suppressed.

  When the moving unit 33 moves the supply unit 31 from the first position P1 to the third position P3, the pump 65 supplies compressed air to the storage unit 51. Thereby, the pressure of the accommodating part 51 rises and the material 3 of the accommodating part 51 is discharged from the 1st opening 52 and the 2nd opening 58. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when moving from the first position P <b> 1 to the third position P <b> 3, the supply unit 31 is located at the second position P <b> 2. When the supply unit 31 is located at the second position P2, the bottom surface 41a of the bottom wall 41 faces the supply region R at a position separated from the supply region R in the positive direction along the Z axis. The positive direction along the Z axis is a direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the supply region R spreading on the XY plane, and is an example of a first direction.

  When the pump 65 raises the pressure of the housing portion 51, the material 3 of the housing portion 51 is discharged from the first opening 52. In other words, the first opening 52 supplies the material 3 to the space S between the bottom surface 41 a and the supply region R.

  The first opening 52 supplies the material 3 obliquely in the positive direction along the X axis and in the negative direction along the Z axis. The positive direction along the X axis and the negative direction along the Z axis are an example of the direction toward the region. Therefore, when viewed in the direction along the Y axis as shown in FIG. 3, the angle between the direction in which the material 3 is supplied from the first opening 52 and the positive direction along the X axis is positive along the Z axis. Less than the angle (90 degrees) between the direction and the positive direction along the X axis. According to another expression, the angle between the direction in which the material 3 is supplied from the first opening 52 and the supply region R is larger than 0 degrees and smaller than 90 degrees.

  The direction along the Y axis is an example of a direction along the region and orthogonal to the second direction. As described above, the positive direction along the X-axis, which is an example of the second direction, is the traveling direction of the supply unit 31 along the supply region R.

  A space S between the bottom surface 41 a and the supply region R is surrounded by the bottom surface 41 a of the bottom wall 41, the supply region R, and the front surface 56 a of the first blade 56. That is, the bottom surface 41 a, the supply region R, and the front surface 56 a face the space S. The space S is opened in the positive direction along the X axis.

  Furthermore, the material 3 of the storage unit 51 is discharged from the second opening 58. In other words, the second opening 58 supplies the material 3 to the space S between the bottom surface 41 a and the supply region R. Thus, the supply unit 31 supplies the material 3 to the space S in parallel from the first opening 52 and the second opening 58. The amount (volume per unit time) of the material 3 supplied from the first opening 52 is larger than the amount of the material 3 supplied from the second opening 58.

  The second opening 58 discharges the material 3 in the positive direction along the X axis. Therefore, when viewed in the direction along the Y axis as shown in FIG. 3, the angle (0 degree) between the direction in which the material 3 is supplied from the second opening 58 and the positive direction along the X axis is The angle between the direction in which the material 3 is supplied from the opening 52 of 1 and the positive direction along the X axis is smaller.

  In other words, the second opening 58 intersects the direction in which the material 3 is supplied from the first opening 52 and is closer to the positive direction along the X axis than the positive direction along the Z axis. Feed the material 3 The angle between the direction in which the material 3 is supplied from the first opening 52 and the bottom surface 41 a of the bottom wall 41 is the angle between the direction in which the material 3 is supplied from the second opening 58 and the bottom surface 41 a (0 Degree) greater.

  The material 3 supplied from the first opening 52 tends to move obliquely downward by gravity. On the other hand, the second opening 58 is located on the opposite side of the first opening 52 in the positive direction along the X axis. In other words, the second opening 58 is located downstream of the first opening 52 in the direction in which the moving unit 33 moves the supply unit 31. The material 3 supplied from the first opening 52 is pushed in the positive direction along the X axis by the material 3 supplied in the positive direction along the X axis from the second openings 58 thus arranged. For this reason, the material 3 supplied from the first opening 52 and the second opening 58 flows in the space S so as to perform the rotational movement shown by the arrow in FIG.

  Specifically, the material 3 supplied from the first opening 52 and the second opening 58 falls in the negative direction along the Z axis by gravity while advancing in the positive direction along the X axis. Thus, in the vicinity of the bottom surface 41 a of the bottom wall 41, the material 3 moves in the positive direction substantially along the X axis. For this reason, it is suppressed that the material 3 supplied to the space S interferes with the movement of the supply unit 31 in the positive direction along the X axis.

  Since the feeding unit 31 moves in the positive direction along the X axis by the moving unit 33, the material 3 moves in the negative direction along the X axis with respect to the feeding unit 31 while falling in the negative direction along the Z axis. For this reason, the material 3 moves in the negative direction along the X axis relatively to the supply unit 31 in the vicinity of the supply region R.

  The first blade 56 extends from the bottom surface 41 a of the bottom wall 41 toward the supply area R. The end face 56 c of the first blade 56 is slightly separated from the supply area R. The distance between the end surface 56c of the first blade 56 and the supply region R in the direction along the Z axis is substantially equal to the distance between the supply region R (the upper surface 21a of the mounting table 21) and the upper end 22a of the peripheral wall 22 Equally.

  As described above, the moving unit 33 moves the supply unit 31 relative to the supply region R in the positive direction along the X axis. At this time, the first opening 52 and the second opening 58 supply the material 3 to the space S. The material 3 falls by gravity and adheres to the supply area R. That is, the material 3 is supplied to the supply region R.

  The first blade 56 is located on the opposite side of the first opening 52 in the positive direction along the X axis. In other words, the first blade 56 is located downstream of the first opening 52 in the direction in which the moving unit 33 moves the supply unit 31. Therefore, while the material 3 is supplied to the space S from the first opening 52 and the second opening 58, the first blade 56 receives the space S from the first opening 52 and the second opening 58. The supplied material 3 is applied to the supply area R.

  Specifically, in the direction along the Z-axis, the thickness of the material 3 supplied to the space S is larger than the distance between the end surface 56 c of the first blade 56 and the supply region R. For example, when the material 3 accumulates in the space S, the thickness of the material 3 supplied to the space S becomes substantially equal to the distance between the bottom surface 41 a of the bottom wall 41 and the supply region R.

  When the feeding unit 31 is moved in the positive direction along the X axis by the moving unit 33, the front surface 56a and the end surface 56c of the first blade 56 face the material 3 of the space S toward the feeding region R and along the Z axis. Press in the negative direction. Furthermore, the end face 56 c of the first blade 56 smoothes the material 3. Thereby, the material 3 is applied to the supply area R.

  In the direction along the Y axis, the length of the first opening 52 and the length of the supply area R are substantially equal. Furthermore, in the direction along the Y axis, the length of the second opening 58 and the length of the supply area R are substantially equal. Thereby, the material 3 is supplied to the entire region of the supply region R in the direction along the Y axis.

  The front surface 56a and the end surface 56c of the first blade 56 are covered with a water repellent film, and are less likely to adhere to the material 3 than the upper surface 21a of the mounting table 21 that forms the supply region R. For this reason, the material 3 slides on the front surface 56a and the end surface 56c and is easily applied to the supply region R.

  The control unit 15 controls the temperature adjustment unit 32 to adjust the temperature of the storage unit 51 according to, for example, the type of the material 3. Information on the type of the material 3 is included in, for example, data of the three-dimensional shape of the object 5.

  As the temperature of the material 3 changes, the flowability (viscosity) of the material 3 changes. The temperature adjustment unit 32 sets the temperature of the material 3 of the storage unit 51 to a temperature at which the material 3 is easily applied to the supply region R.

  For example, the temperature (set temperature) of the storage unit 51 corresponding to the type of the material 3 is stored in the ROM or the storage device of the control unit 15. Control part 15 will read the above-mentioned preset temperature, if information concerning a kind of material 3 is acquired from data of three-dimensional shape of modeling thing 5. The control unit 15 controls the temperature adjustment unit 32 so that the temperature of the storage unit 51 becomes the set temperature.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the rotated supply portion 31 of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 shows the rotated supply part 31 by a solid line, and shows the supply part 31 before being rotated by a two-dot chain line. The control unit 15 controls the moving mechanism 62 to rotate the supply unit 31 according to, for example, the type of the material 3.

  The angle between the front face 56a of the first blade 56 and the delivery area R makes the material 3 easy to apply or difficult to apply to the delivery area R. The moving mechanism 62 sets the angle between the front surface 56 a of the first blade 56 and the supply area R to an angle at which the material 3 is easily applied to the supply area R. The angle between the front surface 56a and the supply area R is set to, for example, 90 degrees or less.

  For example, the angle (set angle) between the front surface 56 a of the first blade 56 and the supply area R according to the type of the material 3 is stored in the ROM or the storage device of the control unit 15. Control part 15 will read the above-mentioned setting angle, if information concerning a kind of material 3 is acquired from data of three-dimensional shape of modeling thing 5. The control unit 15 controls the moving mechanism 62 such that the angle between the front surface 56a of the first blade 56 and the supply region R becomes the above-mentioned set angle.

  The moving mechanism 62 rotates the supply unit 31 and moves the supply unit 31 in the direction along the Z axis. For this reason, the distance between the first blade 56 and the supply area R in the direction along the Z axis is kept constant.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the supply unit 31 moves from the first position P1 to the third position P3, the first blade 56 of the supply unit 31 applies the material 3 to the entire area of the supply region R. . Thereby, the material 3 is supplied substantially uniformly to the supply region R, and the layer ML of the material 3 is stacked on the supply region R. The surface of the layer ML forms substantially the same plane as the upper end 22 a of the peripheral wall 22.

  Of the material 3 supplied by the first opening 52 and the second opening 58 between the volume of the material 3 forming the layer ML and the movement of the supply unit 31 from the first position P1 to the third position P3. Volume is about the same. The control unit 15 controls the pump 65 to control the volume of the material 3 applied to the supply region R per unit time and the material 3 discharged from the first opening 52 and the second opening 58 per unit time. The pressure of the storage unit 51 is adjusted so that the volume is substantially the same.

  When the supply unit 31 reaches the third position P3, the front surface 56a of the first blade 56 contacts the counter block 13. That is, the first blade 56 is moved out of the supply area R to contact the counter block 13 disposed outside the supply area R.

  When the supply unit 31 approaches the counter block 13 outside the supply area R, the counter block 13 contacts the material 3 accumulated in the space S. The space S is narrowed by moving the supply unit 31 in the positive direction along the X axis by the movement unit 33, and the material 3 supplied to the space S is the front surface 56a of the first blade 56 and the side surface of the counter block 13. 71 and pressed by.

  The material 3 in the space S pressed by the first blade 56 and the counter block 13 is moved to the receiving portion 51 through the first opening 52 and the second opening 58. At this time, the pump 65 sucks the material 3 from the first opening 52 and the second opening 58 by reducing the pressure of the housing portion 51.

  When the supply unit 31 reaches the third position P3, the front surface 56a of the first blade 56 contacts the side surface 71 of the counter block 13. This restricts the movement of the supply unit 31 in the direction along the X axis.

  The shape (inclination angle) of the front surface 56 a of the first blade 56 and the shape (inclination angle) of the side surface 71 of the counter block 13 are different from each other. Thus, when the supply unit 31 is at the third position P3, the space S remains between the first application unit and the counter block 13. In other words, when the supply unit 31 is at the third position P3, a space S is formed between the first blade 56 of the first application unit 55 and the counter block 13. Furthermore, the first opening 52 is not closed by the counter block 13 and communicates with the space S. The first opening 52 may be closed by the counter block 13. In this case, since the second opening 58 communicates with the space S, the material 3 is moved to the accommodating portion 51 through the second opening 58.

  When the material 3 is pushed by the first blade 56 and the counter block 13, the convex wall 73 of the counter block 13 blocks the space S from the direction along the Y axis. The direction along the Y axis is an example of a direction along the region and orthogonal to the second direction. For this reason, the material 3 pushed by the first blade 56 and the counter block 13 does not leak in the direction along the Y axis, and is moved to the accommodating portion 51 through the first opening 52 and the second opening 58. Be

  When the material 3 is pushed by the first blade 56 and the counter block 13, the top surface 72 of the counter block 13 and the bottom surface 41 a of the bottom wall 41 contact each other. For this reason, the material 3 pushed by the first blade 56 and the counter block 13 does not leak from between the upper surface 72 of the counter block 13 and the bottom surface 41 a of the bottom wall 41, and the first opening 52 and the second opening It is moved to the accommodating portion 51 through the opening 58.

  When the material 3 is pushed by the first blade 56 and the counter block 13, the groove 72 a of the upper surface 72 of the counter block 13 is closed from above by the bottom wall 41, and the inside of the space S and the space S It communicates with the outside. The cross-sectional area of the groove 72a is set to a size that makes it difficult for the material 3 which is a slurry to pass, and allows the gas to pass. Therefore, when the material 3 is pushed by the first blade 56 and the counter block 13, the gas in the space S is discharged to the outside of the space S through the groove 72a. On the other hand, the material 3 in the space S is moved to the accommodating portion 51 through the first opening 52 and the second opening 58 without passing through the groove 72a.

  When the material 3 in the space S is moved to the storage unit 51, the moving unit 33 moves the supply unit 31 to the first position P1. At this time, the first blade 56 of the supply unit 31 is separated from the layer ML of the material 3 in the direction along the Z-axis. When the supply unit 31 moves toward the first position P1, the first blade 56 may even the surface of the layer ML.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 15 controls the optical device 14 to irradiate the laser light L in the ultraviolet region of the optical device 14 onto the material 3 forming the layer ML. The control unit 15 determines the irradiation position of the laser beam L based on the input three-dimensional data of the object 5.

  The portion of the layer ML of the material 3 irradiated with the laser light L is hardened by the curing action of the ultraviolet curable resin. That is, the optical device 14 at least partially hardens the material 3 applied to the supply region R. Thereby, a part (one layer) of the object 5 is formed in the layer ML of the material 3. Note that a part of the formed object 5 corresponds to the data of the two-dimensional shaped layer generated by the control unit 15.

  When the optical device 14 finishes irradiating the material 3 of the layer ML with the laser light L, the mounting table 21 moves downward by a predetermined distance. The distance traveled by the mounting table 21 is substantially equal to the thickness of the layer ML. Thereby, the distance between the surface of the layer ML and the upper end 22a of the circumferential wall 22 is substantially equal to the thickness of the layer ML.

  The surface of the material 3 forming the layer ML and the surface of a part of the three-dimensional object 5 formed in the layer ML form a new supply region R. The moving unit 33 moves the supply unit 31 from the first position P1 toward the third position P3 again. Thereby, the supply unit 31 supplies the material 3 to the supply region R formed by the layer ML.

  The first blade 56 applies the material 3 to the feed region R formed by the layer ML of the material 3. The front surface 56 a and the end surface 56 c of the first blade 56 adhere to the material 3 less easily than the supply region R formed by the layer ML of the material 3.

  The material supply device 12 applies the material 3 to the supply region R and forms a plurality of layers ML of the material 3 as shown in FIG. 1 sequentially as in the above description. In FIG. 1, the plurality of layers ML are separated by a two-dot chain line. The optical device 14 partially hardens the material 3 of the layer ML each time the layer ML is formed, and forms a part of the object 5.

  The three-dimensional printer 1 forms the three-dimensional shaped object 5 by repeating the formation of the layer ML of the material 3 by the material supply device 12 and the solidification of the material 3 by the optical device 14.

  When each portion (each layer) of the three-dimensional object 5 corresponding to the data of all the two-dimensional shaped layers generated by the control unit 15 is formed, the material 3 around the three-dimensional object 5 is removed. The material 3 around the object 5 is a slurry and can be easily removed.

  The shaped object 5 solidified by the laser light L in the ultraviolet region is, for example, transported to a furnace and heated in the furnace. As a result, the liquid of the object 5 and the ultraviolet curable resin evaporate, and the ceramic of the material 3 is fired. Thus, the formation of the object 5 made of ceramic is completed.

  In the three-dimensional printer 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the first opening 52 communicates with the bottom surface 41 a facing the supply region R to which the material 3 is supplied. The first opening 52 supplies the material 3 stored in the storage unit 51 in the direction toward the supply region R. For this purpose, the material 3 supplied by the first opening 52 pushes the material 3 already supplied towards the supply area R. While the material 3 is being supplied from the first opening 52 between the bottom surface 41 a and the supply region R, the first application unit 55 supplies the material 3 supplied from the first opening 52 to the supply region R. Apply Since the material 3 is pushed by the material 3 newly supplied from the first opening 52, the material 3 adheres more easily to the supply region R than to the first application portion 55. Thereby, adhesion of the material 3 to the first application part 55 is suppressed. Furthermore, since the material 3 is supplied from the first opening 52 when the first application unit 55 applies the material 3, the shortage of the material 3 applied by the first application unit 55 is suppressed. . Therefore, the material 3 can be more reliably applied to the supply region R by the first application unit 55, and the three-dimensional printer 1 can more reliably model the object 5. Furthermore, for example, the step of previously supplying the material 3 to the supply region R by the dispenser is not necessary, and the formation time of the object 5 is further shortened.

  The first application unit 55 has a first blade 56 located on the opposite side of the first opening 52 in the positive direction along the X axis, and extending from the supply unit 31 toward the supply region R. Thereby, by moving the supply unit 31 by the moving unit 33, the material 3 supplied between the bottom surface 41a and the supply region R by the first opening 52 can be easily applied to the supply region R. Become. Furthermore, separation of the first blade 56 from the first opening 52 suppresses adhesion of the material 3 supplied from the first opening 52 to the first blade 56.

  The pressure adjustment unit 34 can change the pressure of the storage unit 51. For this reason, when the pressure adjustment part 34 makes the pressure of the accommodating part 51 higher, more material 3 is supplied from the 1st opening 52. As shown in FIG. On the other hand, the amount of the material 3 supplied from the first opening 52 is reduced as the pressure adjusting unit 34 lowers the pressure in the housing unit 51. As a result, shortage of the material 3 supplied to the supply region R can be suppressed, and the material 3 can be more reliably applied to the supply region R.

  A second opening 58 for supplying the material 3 to the supply unit 31 in a direction closer to the positive direction along the X axis than the positive direction along the Z axis that intersects the direction in which the material 3 is supplied from the first opening 52 Is provided. The second opening 58 is located on the opposite side of the first opening 52b in the positive direction along the X axis. The angle between the direction in which the material 3 is supplied from the first opening 52 and the bottom surface 41a is larger than the angle between the direction in which the material 3 is supplied from the second opening 58 and the bottom surface 41a. For this reason, the material 3 supplied from the second opening 58 in a direction close to the positive direction along the X axis is pushed toward the supply region R by the material 3 supplied from the first opening 52. Therefore, the material 3 performs a substantially rotational movement between the bottom surface 41 a and the supply region R so as to move toward the gap between the first application portion 55 and the supply region R along the supply region R. Thereby, the material 3 can be more reliably applied to the supply area R.

  The amount of material 3 supplied from the first opening 52 is larger than the amount of material 3 supplied from the second opening 58. As a result, the substantially rotationally moving material 3 can be pushed more toward the supply region R, and the material 3 can be more reliably applied to the supply region R.

  The angle between the direction in which the material 3 is supplied from the first opening 52 and the bottom surface 41 a is larger than 0 degrees and smaller than 90 degrees. The material 3 supplied from the first opening 52 toward the supply region R is pushed by the material 3 newly supplied from the first opening 52 in a direction close to the positive direction along the X axis. Therefore, the material 3 performs a substantially rotational movement between the bottom surface 41 a and the supply region R so as to move toward the gap between the first application portion 55 and the supply region R along the supply region R. Thereby, the material 3 can be more reliably applied to the supply area R.

  The moving mechanism 62 rotates the first blade 56 of the first application unit 55. This makes it possible to set the angle between the first blade 56 and the supply area R in accordance with various conditions such as the viscosity of the material 3, and the material 3 is more reliably applied to the supply area R. obtain.

  The temperature adjustment unit 32 can change the temperature of the accommodation unit 51. The flowability of the material 3 changes with temperature. That is, the temperature control unit 32 changes the fluidity of the material 3 stored in the storage unit 51. Therefore, the material 3 can be more reliably applied to the supply region R by setting the temperature of the material 3 to the desired fluidity by the temperature control unit 32.

  The first application unit 55 adheres less easily to the material 3 than the supply region R. Thereby, adhesion of the material 3 to the first application portion 55 is suppressed, and the material 3 can be more reliably applied to the supply region R by the first application portion 55.

  The material 3 supplied between the bottom surface 41 a and the supply region R outside the supply region R is moved by the moving unit 33 in the positive direction along the X-axis, whereby the first application unit 55 is moved. And the counter block 13 and is moved to the accommodating portion 51 through the first opening 52. Thereby, the material 3 supplied between the bottom surface 41 a and the supply area R can be reused.

  The convex wall 73 blocks the space S between the first application portion 55 and the counter block 13 in the direction along the Y axis. Thereby, the material 3 pressed by the first application portion 55 and the counter block 13 is prevented from leaking to the outside, and is more reliably moved to the storage portion 51 through the first opening 52. Be

  The groove 72 a of the counter block 13 is a space S between the first application portion 55 and the counter block 13 and the outside of the space S when the material 3 is pushed by the first application portion 55 and the counter block 13. And communicate with each other. As a result, the gas present in the space S between the first application portion 55 and the counter block 13 escapes to the outside of the space S through the groove 72a. Therefore, it is suppressed that the gas moves to the accommodating part 51 with the material 3.

  The second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In the following description of a plurality of embodiments, components having the same functions as the components already described are denoted by the same reference numerals as the components already described, and further description may be omitted. . In addition, a plurality of components given the same reference numerals may not have all functions and properties in common, and may have different functions and properties according to each embodiment.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the supply unit 31 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, in the three-dimensional printer 1 of the second embodiment, the supply unit 31 and the first blade 56 are provided separately from each other.

  The material supply device 12 has a hinge portion 81. The hinge unit 81 is an example of a rotating unit. The hinge portion 81 is located in the negative direction along the X axis with respect to the first opening 52. The hinge portion 81 connects the first blade 56 to the supply portion 31 rotatably around the Y axis.

  The hinge portion 81 rotates the first blade 56 with respect to the supply portion 31. The control unit 15 controls the hinge unit 81 such that the angle between the front surface 56 a of the first blade 56 and the supply region R becomes the above-described set angle.

  The moving mechanism 62 moves the supply unit 31 in the direction along the Z axis when the first blade 56 rotates. For this reason, the distance between the first blade 56 and the supply area R in the direction along the Z axis is kept constant.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the supply unit 31 and the counter block 13 of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, when the supply unit 31 reaches the third position P <b> 3, the supply unit 31 contacts the counter block 13.

  The side surface 71 of the counter block 13 according to the second embodiment is a curved surface that is recessed in a positive direction along the X axis. Thereby, the supply unit 31 contacts the side surface 71 of the counter block 13 regardless of the position of the supply unit 31 in the direction along the Z axis. The side surface 71 may be formed in another shape.

  Further, the hinge portion 81 rotates the first blade 56 so as to approach the counter block 13. Thereby, the first blade 56 also contacts the side surface 71 of the counter block 13.

  As the first blade 56 is rotated to approach the counter block 13, the space S is narrowed, and the material 3 supplied to the space S is pushed by the first blade 56 and the side surface 71 of the counter block 13. . The material 3 in the space S pressed by the first blade 56 and the counter block 13 is moved to the receiving portion 51 through the first opening 52.

  In the three-dimensional printer 1 of the second embodiment described above, the first blade 56 pushes the material 3 in the space S by being rotated so as to approach the counter block 13. As a result, the material 3 in the space S can easily move to the accommodating portion 51 through the first opening 52.

  The third embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the supply unit 31 according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the supply portion 31 of the third embodiment is provided with a third opening 85, a second connection port 86, and a suction passage 87.

  The third opening 85 is provided on the front surface 56 a of the first blade 56. Therefore, the third opening 85 is located on the opposite side of the first opening 52 in the positive direction along the X axis. According to another expression, the third opening 85 is located on the downstream side in the direction in which the moving unit 33 moves the supply unit 31. The third opening 85 is, for example, a slit extending in a direction along the Y axis. The third opening 85 is not limited to this. For example, the first blade 56 may be provided with a plurality of third openings 85 aligned in the direction along the Y axis.

  The second connection port 86 opens in the upper surface 42 a of the upper wall 42. The second connection port 86 may be provided in another part of the supply portion 31 such as the bottom wall 41 or the side wall 43. The suction passage 87 is provided inside the supply unit 31 and communicates the third opening 85 with the second connection port 86.

  In the third embodiment, the material supply device 12 further includes a suction pump 88. The suction pump 88 is an example of a suction unit. The suction pump 88 is connected to the second connection port 86 of the supply unit 31 by a flexible tube 89. Thus, the suction pump 88 is connected to the third opening 85 via the tube 89, the second connection port 86, and the suction passage 87.

  When the moving unit 33 moves the supply unit 31 from the first position P1 to the third position P3, the pump 65 supplies compressed air to the storage unit 51. Thereby, the first opening 52 supplies the material 3 to the space S between the bottom surface 41 a and the supply region R.

  On the other hand, the suction pump 88 decompresses the suction passage 87 through the tube 89 and the second connection port 86. Thereby, the material 3 in the space S is sucked into the suction passage 87 from the third opening 85. In other words, the suction pump 88 sucks the material 3 supplied to the space S from the first opening 52 through the third opening 85.

  The material 3 supplied from the first opening 52 tends to move obliquely downward by gravity. Furthermore, the material 3 supplied from the first opening 52 is sucked by the third opening 85 in the negative direction along the X axis. For this reason, the material 3 supplied from the first opening 52 flows in the space S so as to perform the rotational movement shown by the arrow in FIG.

  Specifically, the material 3 supplied from the first opening 52 falls in the negative direction along the Z axis by gravity while proceeding in the positive direction along the X axis. Since the third opening 85 sucks the material 3 while the supply unit 31 is moved by the moving unit 33 in the positive direction along the X axis, the material 3 falls in the negative direction along the Z axis while the supply unit 31 Move in the negative direction along the X axis. For this reason, the material 3 moves in the negative direction along the X axis relatively to the supply unit 31 in the vicinity of the supply region R.

  For example, the material 3 located near the third opening 85 is sucked into the suction pump 88 through the third opening 85. On the other hand, the material 3 separated from the third opening 85 is accelerated in the negative direction along the X axis by the third opening 85, and thus moves toward the gap between the first blade 56 and the supply region R. It's easy to do. The material 3 moving towards the gap between the first blade 56 and the delivery area R is applied to the delivery area R by the first blade 56.

  The material 3 sucked by the suction pump 88 is stored, for example, in a tank. The material 3 of the tank is returned by the operator from the first connection port 59 to the containing portion 51 when the formation of the object 5 is completed. That is, the material 3 sucked by the suction pump 88 is reused.

  In the three-dimensional printer 1 of the third embodiment described above, the suction pump 88 is connected to the first opening 52 through the third opening 85 opposite to the positive direction along the X axis. The material 3 supplied from the opening 52 of the Thereby, the material 3 supplied from the first opening 52 is pulled by the third opening 85 in the negative direction along the X axis. As the material 3 is pulled by the third opening 85, the relative velocity of the material 3 to the supply unit 31 and the first application unit 55 moved by the moving unit 33 becomes higher. Thereby, the material 3 can be more reliably applied to the supply area R. Further, the material 3 supplied from the first opening 52 is accumulated in the space S between the bottom surface 41 a and the supply region R, and overflow of the space S is suppressed.

  The fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the supply unit 31 according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the material supply device 12 of the fourth embodiment further includes a second application unit 91.

  The second application unit 91 is provided in the supply unit 31 as with the first application unit 55. The second application unit 91 has a second blade 92. The second blade 92 is integrally formed with the supply unit 31. The second blade 92 may be a component separate from the supply unit 31.

  The second blade 92 extends from the bottom wall 41 of the supply portion 31 toward the supply region R in a negative direction substantially along the Z-axis. The length of the second blade 92 in the direction along the Y axis is substantially equal to the length of the supply area R in the direction along the Y axis.

  The second blade 92 is located in the negative direction along the X axis with respect to the first opening 52. Further, the second blade 92 is located in the negative direction along the X axis with respect to the first blade 56. That is, the first blade 56 is located between the first opening 52 and the second blade 92 in the direction along the X-axis.

  The second blade 92 has a front surface 92a and a tip 92b. The front surface 92a is a name for convenience of description, and does not limit the position and orientation of the front surface 92a. The front surface 92 a and the tip 92 b have the property of repelling the material 3. For example, the front surface 92a and the tip 92b are covered with a water repellent film.

  The front surface 92a is a substantially flat surface facing in the positive direction along the generally X axis. Specifically, the front surface 92a is obliquely directed in the positive direction along the X axis and in the negative direction along the Z axis. The rear surface 56 b of the first blade 56 faces the front surface 92 a at a position spaced apart from the front surface 92 a of the second blade 92.

  The tip 92b is the end of the second blade 92 in the negative direction along the Z-axis. In the direction along the Z-axis, the position of the tip 92 b is substantially equal to the position of the upper end 22 a of the peripheral wall 22 of the stage 11.

  In the fourth embodiment, the first blade 56 further has a curved surface 56d. The curved surface 56d is interposed between the front surface 56a and the end surface 56c. The curved surface 56 d is formed to be convex in the negative direction along the X axis.

  The first blade 56 of the fourth embodiment is shorter than the second blade 92. Therefore, in the direction along the Z-axis, the position of the end face 56c of the first blade 56 is located in the positive direction along the Z-axis than the position of the upper end 22a of the peripheral wall 22 of the stage 11. That is, the distance between the end face 56 c of the first blade 56 and the supply area R is longer than the distance between the tip 92 b of the second blade 92 and the supply area R.

  As in the third embodiment, the supply unit 31 is provided with a third opening 85, a second connection port 86, and a suction passage 87. In the fourth embodiment, the third opening 85 is provided on the bottom surface 41 a of the bottom wall 41. The third opening 85 is located between the first blade 56 and the second blade 92 in the direction along the X-axis.

  When the moving unit 33 moves the supply unit 31 in the positive direction along the X axis, the first blade 56 of the first application unit 55 receives the material 3 supplied from the first opening 52 to the space S, Apply to the supply area R. The curved surface 56 d presses the material 3 in the space S toward the supply region R in the negative direction along the Z axis. On the other hand, the second blade 92 of the second application unit 91 smooths the material 3 applied to the supply region R by the first application unit 55.

  Specifically, the thickness T1 of the material 3 applied to the supply area R by the first application unit 55 in the direction along the Z axis is the distance between the tip 92 b of the second blade 92 and the supply area R. Greater than. For this reason, the material 3 applied to the supply area R by the first application unit 55 contacts the second blade 92.

  When the feeding unit 31 is moved in the positive direction along the X axis by the moving unit 33, the front surface 92a and the tip 92b of the second blade 92 scrape off a part of the material 3 applied to the feeding region R ). Thus, the second blade 92 levels the material 3 applied to the supply area R.

  The thickness T2 of the material 3 leveled by the second application portion 91 is substantially equal to the distance between the supply region R and the upper end 22a of the peripheral wall 22 in the direction along the Z-axis. That is, the thickness T2 of the material 3 leveled by the second application portion 91 is substantially equal to the predetermined thickness of the layer ML of the material 3.

  When the second blade 92 scrapes the material 3, the front surface 92 a and the tip 92 b of the second blade 92 urge the material 3 toward the supply region R in the negative direction along the Z axis. Therefore, the second blade 92 applies the material 3 to the supply area R substantially uniformly. The force by which the material 3 is pushed by the second blade 92 is smaller than the force by which the material 3 is pushed by the first blade 56.

  As described above, the thickness T1 of the material 3 applied to the supply region R by the first application portion 55 is thicker than the thickness T2 of the material 3 leveled by the second application portion 91. The larger the thickness of the material 3 applied to the supply area R, the smaller the force with which the material 3 is pushed by the first blade 56, and the material 3 is more reliably applied to the supply area R. That is, after the material supply device 12 of the fourth embodiment provisionally applies the material 3 to the supply region R temporarily by the first application unit 55, the second application unit 91 obtains a desired thickness of the material 3 .

  The material 3 scraped off by the second blade 92 travels along the front face 92 a of the second blade 92 toward the third opening 85. The suction pump 88 sucks the material 3 through the third opening 85.

  FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a supply unit 31 according to a modification of the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the first application section 55 may have a first roller 95 instead of the first blade 56.

  The first roller 95 is provided on the supply unit 31 so as to be rotatable around the Y axis. The first roller 95 is located between the bottom surface 41 a of the bottom wall 41 and the supply area R, and has an outer circumferential surface 95 a facing the first opening 52. That is, the first roller 95 is provided in the space S. The outer circumferential surface 95a is covered with, for example, a water repellent film.

  The first opening 52 supplies the material 3 toward the outer peripheral surface 95 a of the first roller 95. In other words, the first opening 52 supplies the material 3 between the bottom surface 41 a of the bottom wall 41 and the outer peripheral surface 95 a of the first roller 95.

  When the feeding unit 31 is moved in the positive direction along the X axis by the moving unit 33, the first roller 95 rotates around the Y axis. The material 3 supplied to the outer peripheral surface 95 a of the first roller 95 is applied to the supply region R by the rotation of the first roller 95. The second blade 92 levels the material 3 applied to the feed area R by the first roller 95.

  The temperature adjustment unit 32 is provided to the first roller 95. The temperature adjustment unit 32 adjusts the temperature of the material 3 supplied to the outer circumferential surface 95 a of the first roller 95 by, for example, heating the first roller 95.

  In the three-dimensional printer 1 of the fourth embodiment described above, when the moving unit 33 causes the second application unit 91 to move the supply unit 31 in the positive direction along the X axis, the second application unit 91 performs the first application unit. It is arranged to level the material 3 applied to the supply area R by 55. The thickness T1 of the material 3 applied to the supply region R by the first application portion 55 is thicker than the thickness T2 of the material 3 leveled by the second application portion 91. The thickness of the material 3 applied to the supply region R can be set more accurately by such a second application unit 91. Furthermore, by applying the material 3 relatively thickly by the first applying portion 55, adhesion of the material 3 to the first applying portion 55 is suppressed, and the material 3 is more reliably achieved by the first applying portion 55. It can be applied to the supply area R. In addition, since the material 3 is first applied by the first application unit 55, an increase in the force acting on the supply region R when the second application unit 91 smoothes the material 3 is suppressed.

  The fifth embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the supply unit 31 according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, a third application unit 101 is provided in the supply unit 31 of the fifth embodiment.

  The third application unit 101 has a third blade 103. The third blade 103 is integrally formed with the supply unit 31. The third blade 103 may be a component separate from the supply unit 31.

  The third blade 103 extends from the bottom wall 41 of the supply portion 31 in the negative direction generally along the Z-axis. The length of the third blade 103 in the direction along the Y axis is substantially equal to the length of the upper surface 21 a of the mounting table 21 in the direction along the Y axis.

  The third blade 103 is located in the positive direction along the X axis with respect to the first opening 52. The third blade 103 has a front surface 103a and an end surface 103b. The front surface 103a is a name for convenience of description, and does not limit the position and orientation of the front surface 103a.

  The front surface 103a is a substantially flat surface facing in the negative direction along the generally X axis. The front surface 103 a is connected to the end of the bottom surface 41 a of the bottom wall 41 in the positive direction along the X axis. The front surface 103 a is located in the positive direction along the X axis with respect to the first opening 52. The end face 103 b is an end of the third blade 103 in the negative direction along the Z-axis. The front surface 103 a and the end surface 103 b have the property of repelling the material 3. For example, the front surface 103a and the end surface 103b are covered with a water repellent film.

  In the fifth embodiment, the second opening 58 is provided on the front surface 103 a of the third blade 103. The second opening 58 communicates the front surface 103 a with the housing portion 51. The second opening 58 is, for example, a slit extending in a direction along the Y axis.

  The first application unit 55 has a second roller 105 instead of the first blade 56. The second roller 105 is an example of a roller. The second roller 105 is provided on the supply unit 31 so as to be rotatable around the Y axis.

  The second roller 105 is located between the bottom surface 41 a of the bottom wall 41 and the supply region R, and has an outer circumferential surface 105 a facing the first opening 52. That is, the second roller 105 is provided in the space S between the bottom surface 41 a and the supply area R. The outer circumferential surface 105 a is covered with, for example, a water repellent film. The end surface 103 b of the third blade 103 faces the outer circumferential surface 105 a at a position separated from the outer circumferential surface 105 a of the second roller 105.

  The first opening 52 supplies the material 3 toward the outer circumferential surface 105 a of the second roller 105. In other words, the first opening 52 supplies the material 3 between the bottom surface 41 a of the bottom wall 41 and the outer peripheral surface 105 a of the second roller 105.

  When the feeding unit 31 is moved in the positive direction along the X axis by the moving unit 33, the second roller 105 rotates around the Y axis. The second roller 105 rotates so that the portion (upper half of the outer circumferential surface 105 a) of the outer circumferential surface 105 a facing the bottom surface 41 a of the bottom wall 41 moves in the positive direction along the X axis. The material 3 supplied to the outer peripheral surface 105 a of the second roller 105 is moved toward the third blade 103 by the rotation of the second roller 105. The third blade 103 uses the material 3 supplied from the first opening 52 between the bottom surface 41 a of the bottom wall 41 and the outer peripheral surface 105 a of the second roller 105 to the outer peripheral surface 105 a of the second roller 105. Apply

  Specifically, the thickness of the material 3 supplied between the bottom surface 41 a of the bottom wall 41 and the outer peripheral surface 105 a of the second roller 105 is the same as the end surface 103 b of the third blade 103 and the outer periphery of the second roller 105. It is larger than the distance between the surface 105a. When the second roller 105 rotates, the front surface 103 a and the end surface 103 b of the third blade 103 press the material 3 toward the outer circumferential surface 105 a of the second roller 105. Furthermore, the end face 103 b of the third blade 103 smoothes the material 3. Thereby, the material 3 is applied to the outer peripheral surface 105 a of the second roller 105.

  The second roller 105 applies the material 3 applied on the outer circumferential surface 105 a by the third application unit 101 to the supply region R. That is, the second roller 105 transfers the material 3 applied by the third application unit 101 to the supply region R. The thickness of the material 3 applied to the outer circumferential surface 105 a of the second roller 105 by the third application unit 101 is substantially equal to the thickness of the material 3 applied to the supply region R.

  The temperature adjustment unit 32 is provided to the second roller 105. The temperature adjustment unit 32 adjusts the temperature of the material 3 applied to the outer peripheral surface 105 a of the second roller 105 by, for example, heating the second roller 105.

  The material supply device 12 further includes a fixing unit 108. The fixing unit 108 is, for example, a knife edge. The fixing unit 108 pushes the material 3 applied to the supply area R by the second roller 105 toward the supply area R. Thereby, the material 3 is more reliably applied to the supply region R. The fixing unit 108 may push the material 3 toward the supply region R by blowing air onto the material 3 applied to the supply region R.

  In the three-dimensional printer 1 of the fifth embodiment described above, the third coating unit 101 is configured to move the first opening 52 when the moving unit 33 moves the supply unit 31 in the positive direction along the X axis. The material 3 supplied between the bottom surface 41 a and the outer circumferential surface 105 a of the second roller 105 is applied to the outer circumferential surface 105 a of the second roller 105. The second roller 105 applies the material 3 applied on the outer circumferential surface 105 a by the third application unit 101 to the supply region R. When the material 3 is applied thinner, the pressure pressing the material 3 on the object to which the material 3 is applied acts more. For example, because the second roller 105 is made of a relatively hard material, the second roller 105 deforms even if the third application unit 101 applies the material 3 thinner to the second roller 105. Is suppressed. The second roller 105 applies the thinner applied material 3 to the supply area R thinner. As described above, by applying the material 3 to the supply region R via the second roller 105, it becomes possible to apply the material 3 thinner to the supply region R.

  According to at least one embodiment described above, the first application part applies the material supplied from the first opening to the area. The material is more likely to adhere to the area than the first application portion because the material is pushed by the material newly supplied from the first opening. Thereby, the material is prevented from adhering to the first application portion, and is more reliably applied to the area.

While certain embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and the gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.
The contents of the claims at the beginning of the application will be appended below.
[1]
The first surface facing the region at a position separated in a first direction intersecting the region to which the material is supplied, the first surface being in communication with the first surface and the material contained therein is A supply section provided with a first opening capable of supplying in a direction towards the area;
A moving unit capable of moving the supply unit relative to the area in a second direction along the area;
A first application unit provided in the supply unit and configured to apply the material supplied from the first opening to the region;
The material supply apparatus of the lamination-modeling apparatus which comprises.
[2]
The first application portion is located on the opposite side of the second direction with respect to the first opening, extends from the supply portion toward the region, and forms an angle of 90 degrees with the first surface. The material supply apparatus of the layered modeling apparatus of [1], having the first wall which is less than 180 degrees.
[3]
The material supply device of the layered modeling apparatus of [1] or [2], further comprising a pressure adjustment unit capable of changing the pressure inside the supply unit.
[4]
The supply portion is provided with a second opening which supplies the material in a direction which intersects the direction in which the material is supplied from the first opening and is closer to the second direction than the first direction. Moreover, the material supply apparatus of the laminate shaping apparatus in any one of [1] thru | or [3].
[5]
The second opening is located opposite to the second direction with respect to the first opening, and between the direction in which the material is supplied from the first opening and the first surface The angle is larger than the angle between the direction in which the material is supplied from the second opening and the first surface.
The material supply apparatus of the layered modeling apparatus of [4].
[6]
The material supply apparatus of the layered shaping apparatus of [5], wherein the amount of the material supplied from the first opening is larger than the amount of the material supplied from the second opening.
[7]
The lamination molding according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the angle between the direction in which the material is supplied from the first opening and the first surface is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees Equipment supply device.
[8]
The suction unit is further provided,
The supply portion is provided with a third opening located opposite to the second direction with respect to the first opening,
The suction unit is connected to the third opening, and can suction the material supplied from the first opening through the third opening.
The material supply apparatus of the layered modeling apparatus of [1].
[9]
The material supply device of the layered modeling apparatus of [2], further comprising: a rotating unit configured to rotate the first application unit.
[10]
A second application unit provided in the supply unit and configured to level the material applied to the area by the first application unit when the supply unit is moved in the second direction. , Further equipped,
The thickness of the material applied to the area by the first application portion is greater than the thickness of the material leveled by the second application portion,
The material supply apparatus of the laminate molding apparatus according to any one of [1] to [9].
[11]
The first application portion is located between the first surface and the region, and the outer peripheral surface facing the first surface is the first surface when the supply portion is moved in the second direction. The material supply apparatus of the layered modeling apparatus of [1], further comprising: a roller rotatably provided to move in the second direction.
[12]
A third application unit provided in the supply unit and positioned in the second direction with respect to the first opening;
The first application portion is located between the first surface and the region, and the outer peripheral surface facing the first surface is the first surface when the supply portion is moved in the second direction. A roller rotatable to move in the second direction;
The third application unit is configured to apply the material supplied from the first opening to the outer peripheral surface of the roller;
The roller is configured to apply the material applied to the outer peripheral surface by the third application unit to the area.
The material supply apparatus of the layered modeling apparatus of [1].
[13]
The material supply apparatus for a layered modeling apparatus according to any one of [1] to [12], further comprising: a temperature control unit capable of changing the temperature inside the supply unit.
[14]
The material supply device of any one of [1] to [13], wherein the first application unit is configured to be less likely to adhere to the material than the region.
[15]
The material supply device according to any one of [1] to [14],
A shaped part configured to at least partially harden the material applied to the area;
Additive manufacturing apparatus equipped with
[16]
The material supply device according to any one of [1] to [10],
A shaped part configured to at least partially harden the material applied to the area;
Equipped with
A member located in the second direction with respect to the first application unit and disposed outside the area;
A space is formed between the first application part and the member,
Stacking device.
[17]
The member has a second wall configured to close a space between the first application portion and the member from a direction along the region and orthogonal to the second direction, [16] Additive manufacturing equipment.
[18]
A channel is provided in the member,
When the material is pushed by the first application portion and the member, the flow path communicates the space between the first application portion and the member with the outside of the space.
The layered production apparatus of [16] or [17].

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Three-dimensional printer, 3 ... Material, 12 ... Material supply apparatus, 13 ... Counter block, 14 ... Optical apparatus, 31 ... Supply part, 32 ... Temperature adjustment part, 33 ... Moving part, 34 ... Pressure adjustment part, 41 ... Bottom wall, 41a: bottom surface, 51: housing portion, 52: first opening, 55: first application portion, 56: first blade, 56a: front surface, 58: second opening, 62: moving mechanism, 72: upper surface, 72a: groove, 73: convex wall, 81: hinge portion, 85: third opening, 88: suction pump, 91: second application portion, 101: third application portion, 105: second Rollers 105a: outer circumferential surface R: supply area S: space T1, T2: thickness.

Claims (14)

The first surface facing the region at a position separated in a first direction intersecting the region to which the material is supplied, the first surface being in communication with the first surface and the material contained therein is A supply section provided with a first opening capable of supplying in a direction towards the area;
A moving unit capable of moving the supply unit relative to the area in a second direction along the area;
A first application unit provided in the supply unit and configured to apply the material supplied from the first opening to the region;
Equipped with
The supply portion is provided with a second opening which supplies the material in a direction which intersects the direction in which the material is supplied from the first opening and is closer to the second direction than the first direction. ,
Material supply device for layered modeling device.   The first application portion is located on the opposite side of the second direction with respect to the first opening, extends from the supply portion toward the region, and forms an angle of 90 degrees with the first surface. The material supply apparatus of the layered manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, having the first wall which is not less than 180 degrees.   The material supply apparatus of the layered manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure adjustment unit capable of changing the pressure inside the supply unit. The second opening is located opposite to the second direction with respect to the first opening, and between the direction in which the material is supplied from the first opening and the first surface The angle is larger than the angle between the direction in which the material is supplied from the second opening and the first surface.
The material supply apparatus of the laminate shaping apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The material supply apparatus of the lamination molding apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the amount of the material supplied from the first opening is larger than the amount of the material supplied from the second opening. The layered structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein an angle between a direction in which the material is supplied from the first opening and the first surface is larger than 0 degrees and smaller than 90 degrees. Equipment supply device. The first surface facing the region at a position separated in a first direction intersecting the region to which the material is supplied, the first surface being in communication with the first surface and the material contained therein is A supply section provided with a first opening capable of supplying in a direction towards the area;
A moving unit capable of moving the supply unit relative to the area in a second direction along the area;
A first application unit provided in the supply unit and configured to apply the material supplied from the first opening to the region;
Equipped with a suction unit and,
The supply portion is provided with a third opening located opposite to the second direction with respect to the first opening,
The suction unit is connected to the third opening, and can suction the material supplied from the first opening through the third opening.
Material supply device for layered modeling device . The material supply apparatus of the lamination molding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , further comprising a temperature control unit capable of changing the temperature inside the supply unit. The material supply apparatus of the lamination molding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the first application unit is configured to be less likely to adhere to the material than the region. A material supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 .
A shaped part configured to at least partially harden the material applied to the area;
Additive manufacturing apparatus equipped with A material supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 .
A shaped part configured to at least partially harden the material applied to the area;
Equipped with
A member located in the second direction with respect to the first application unit and disposed outside the area;
A space is formed between the first application part and the member,
Stacking device.       The first surface facing the region at a position separated in a first direction intersecting the region to which the material is supplied, the first surface being in communication with the first surface and the material contained therein is A supply section provided with a first opening capable of supplying in a direction towards the area;
      A moving unit capable of moving the supply unit relative to the area in a second direction along the area;
      A first application unit provided in the supply unit and configured to apply the material supplied from the first opening to the region;
  A material supply device comprising
  A shaped part configured to at least partially harden the material applied to the area;
  Equipped with
  A member located in the second direction with respect to the first application unit and disposed outside the area;
  A space is formed between the first application part and the member,
  Stacking device. The member, the direction orthogonal to the second direction along the region, having a second wall configured to close the space between the member and the first coating portion, claim 11 The layered manufacturing apparatus according to claim 12 . A channel is provided in the member,
When the material is pushed by the first application portion and the member, the flow path communicates the space between the first application portion and the member with the outside of the space.
The layered manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 13 .

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