JP6699287B2 - 3D modeling device and 3D modeling system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a three-dimensional modeling device and a three-dimensional modeling system.

  As a three-dimensional modeling device (three-dimensional modeling device) for modeling a three-dimensional model (three-dimensional model), for example, a model that is manufactured by a layered modeling method is known. For example, flattened metal or non-metal powder is formed in layers on a modeling stage (this is referred to as "powder layer"), and a modeling liquid (also referred to as a binder liquid) is applied to the powder layer. By discharging, forming a layered molded article (this is called "modeling layer") in which powder is combined, forming a powder layer on this modeling layer, and forming the modeling layer again , Modeling a three-dimensional object in which modeling layers are laminated.

  In the conventional three-dimensional modeling apparatus, the powder in the supply tank is supplied to the powder tank while being leveled by the recoat roller, but at that time, the powder may rise into the air. The powder soared may adhere to the surface of the carriage or the print head to cause problems such as ejection failure. There is also a problem that the inside of the device is contaminated by the scattered powder.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional modeling apparatus and a three-dimensional modeling system capable of suppressing ejection failure and contamination in the apparatus due to powder scattering. To do.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and to achieve the object, a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the present invention includes a modeling tank for storing powder and a top surface of the powder stored in the modeling tank from a first position to a second position. A flattening portion for flattening the upper surface by moving along a first direction toward a position; a discharging portion for discharging a molding liquid onto the flattened upper surface of the powder stored in the molding tank; A suction mechanism provided with a suction port arranged on the second position side of the modeling tank, wherein the discharge unit is configured to discharge the modeling liquid onto the upper surface, and the second position of the modeling tank. And a suction port is at a second position side of the modeling tank, the suction port being located at a third position on a side facing the side where the suction port of the modeling tank is arranged. It is characterized in that it is arranged at a fourth position on the opposite side to the third position where the discharging portion is arranged when the molding liquid is not discharged onto the upper surface, with the molding tank interposed therebetween .

In addition, the three-dimensional modeling system according to the present invention moves the molding tank that stores the powder and the upper surface of the powder that is stored in the molding tank from the first position to the second position along the first direction. A flattening portion for flattening the upper surface, a discharging portion for discharging a molding liquid onto the flattened upper surface of the powder stored in the molding tank, and a flattening portion arranged on the second position side of the molding tank. A suction mechanism including a suction port, and a control unit that controls the flattening unit, the discharge unit, and the suction mechanism , wherein the discharge unit does not discharge the modeling liquid onto the upper surface, It is located at the second position side of the modeling tank and at a third position located on the side opposite to the side of the modeling tank where the suction port is arranged, and the suction port is the first position of the modeling tank. The second position is located at a fourth position on the opposite side of the third position where the ejection part is disposed when the modeling liquid is not ejected onto the upper surface with the modeling tank interposed therebetween. and said that you are.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress ejection defects and device contamination due to the scattering of powder.

FIG. 1 is a top view showing a schematic configuration example of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic configuration example of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the printing operation of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the recoating operation of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the powder that rises during the recoating operation. FIG. 6 is a top view showing a schematic configuration example of a part of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a top view for explaining the powder suction operation of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a side view for explaining the powder suction operation of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a schematic operation example of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first embodiment at the time of modeling. FIG. 10 is a side view showing a schematic configuration example of part of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the second embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining the printing operation. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the recoating operation of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a top view showing a schematic configuration example of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a side view showing a schematic configuration example of a powder tank and a recovery unit in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view showing a schematic configuration example of the sieving portion shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining powder that rises and powder that spills during the recoating operation. FIG. 16 is a side view showing another example of the positional relationship between the powder tank, the recovery unit and the head in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a schematic operation example of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 310 according to the third embodiment at the time of modeling.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, a three-dimensional modeling system, and a three-dimensional modeling method will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus described below generally refers to what is called a 3D printer, which creates a three-dimensional model using a powder material. Generally, a three-dimensional modeling device is classified into several types according to a modeling method. The main categories are laser sintering, powder layered modeling, material jet, stereolithography, sheet layering and the like. Therefore, in the following description, a three-dimensional modeling apparatus belonging to the powder layered modeling type will be taken as an example. This type of three-dimensional modeling apparatus repeatedly deposits a powder material (hereinafter referred to as powder) thinly for each layer and prints slice data developed based on three-dimensional data for each deposited layer. Then, the final three-dimensional object is formed.

Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is a top view showing a schematic configuration example of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic configuration example of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 is a powder modeling apparatus (also referred to as a powder modeling apparatus), and a modeling layer that is a layered model in which powder (powder) 20 is bonded is formed. The modeling unit 1 and the modeling unit (discharging unit) 5 that models the three-dimensional model by discharging the modeling liquid into the powder layer spread in layers of the modeling unit 1.

  The modeling unit 1 includes a powder tank 11 and a recoat roller 12 as a rotating body that is a flattening member (recoater). The flattening member may be, for example, a plate-shaped member (blade) instead of the rotating body having a cylindrical shape.

  The powder tank 11 has a box shape and includes a supply tank 21 for supplying the powder 20 and a modeling tank 22 in which modeling layers are stacked to model a three-dimensional molded object. The supply tank 21 and the modeling tank 22 are arranged adjacent to each other, and the respective upper surfaces are open. The size of the modeling tank 22 depends on the size of the three-dimensional model to be modeled, but is a size capable of producing a three-dimensional model of about A4 size, for example. For the powder 20, a material such as a spherical metal having a particle diameter of 20 to 50 μm is used.

  The bottom of the supply tank 21 is vertically movable as a supply stage 23 (height direction). Similarly, the bottom of the modeling tank 22 is vertically movable as a modeling stage 24 in the vertical direction (height direction). The side surface of the supply stage 23 is arranged so as to contact the inner side surface of the supply tank 21. The side surface of the modeling stage 24 is arranged so as to contact the inner surface of the modeling tank 22.

  The supply stage 23 and the modeling stage 24 are moved up and down in the vertical direction (height direction) by a motor (not shown). At that time, the upper surfaces of the supply stage 23 and the modeling stage 24 are kept horizontal.

  A powder supply device (not shown) is arranged on the supply tank 21. The powder 20 in the tank constituting the powder supply device is supplied to the supply tank 21 during the initial operation of modeling or when the amount of powder in the supply tank 21 decreases. Examples of the powder conveying method for supplying powder include a screw conveyor method using a screw and an air transportation method using air.

  The recoat roller 12 supplies the powder 20 supplied onto the supply stage 23 of the supply tank 21 to the modeling tank 22. At that time, the upper layer of the powder 20 supplied to the modeling tank 22 is also leveled and flattened at the same time. As a result, a powder layer, which is a layered powder 20 having a predetermined thickness, is formed in the modeling tank 22.

  The recoat roller 12 is a rod-shaped member that is longer than the inner dimensions of the modeling tank 22 and the supply tank 21 (that is, the width of the portion where the powder 20 is provided or the portion where the powder 20 is charged). Further, the recoat roller 12 is reciprocated in the arrow Y direction (sub-scanning direction: first direction) along the stage surface (the surface on which the powder 20 is loaded) of the modeling stage 24 by a reciprocating mechanism (not shown). .. As a result, the powder 20 is transferred and supplied onto the modeling tank 22.

  The recoat roller 12 horizontally moves so as to pass above the supply tank 21 and the modeling tank 22 from the outside of the supply tank 21 while being rotated by a rotation mechanism such as a motor (not shown). The rotation mechanism rotates the recoat roller 12 so that the contact portion with the powder 20 moves in the Y direction faster than the horizontal movement speed of the recoat roller 12 in the Y direction. As a result, the upper layer of the powder 20 transferred to the modeling tank 22 (that is, the upper surface of the powder layer 31) is flattened. Therefore, the recoat roller 12, the reciprocating mechanism, and the rotating mechanism constitute a flattening portion that flattens the upper surface of the powder 20 in the modeling tank 22.

  Further, the recoat roller 12 is provided with a powder removing plate 13 which is a powder removing member for removing the powder 20 attached to the recoat roller 12. The powder removing plate 13 moves together with the recoat roller 12 while being in contact with the peripheral surface of the recoat roller 12.

  It should be noted that the rotation speed and movement speed of the recoat roller 12 during the recoat operation may be set to optimal values according to the type of the powder 20 and the environmental conditions. This makes it possible to improve the flatness of the upper surface of the powder 20 supplied to the modeling tank 22.

  On the other hand, the modeling unit (discharge unit) 5 includes a liquid discharge unit 50 that discharges the modeling liquid onto the powder layer on the modeling stage 24.

  The liquid ejection unit 50 includes a carriage 51. One or more liquid ejection heads (hereinafter, simply referred to as “head”) are mounted on the carriage 51. The number of heads to be mounted may be determined according to, for example, print resolution. In the example shown in FIG. 1, two heads 52a and 52b are mounted.

  The carriage 51 is movably held by guide members 54 and 55. The guide members 54 and 55 are held by the side plates 70 on both sides so as to be able to move up and down.

  The carriage 51 is reciprocated in the arrow X direction (see FIG. 1), which is the main scanning direction, by a main scanning movement mechanism including a motor, a pulley and a belt. The moving speed of the carriage 51 may be changeable depending on the print mode or the like.

  Each of the two heads 52a and 52b (hereinafter, referred to as "head 52" when no distinction is made) has two nozzle rows in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid are arranged. The two nozzle rows of the one head 52a discharge the cyan modeling liquid and the magenta modeling liquid. The two nozzle rows of the other head 52b respectively eject the yellow modeling liquid and the black modeling liquid. The head configuration is not limited to this.

  A plurality of tanks 60 containing the cyan modeling liquid, the magenta modeling liquid, the yellow modeling liquid, and the black modeling liquid are mounted on the tank mounting portion 56, and are supplied to the heads 52a and 52b via a supply tube or the like.

  A maintenance mechanism 61 that maintains and recovers the head 52 of the liquid ejection unit 50 is arranged on one side in the X direction.

  The maintenance mechanism 61 mainly includes a cap 62 and a wiper 63. The cap 62 is brought into close contact with the nozzle surface of the head 52 (the surface of the head 52a/52b on which the nozzle is formed), and the modeling liquid is sucked from the nozzle. This is for discharging the powder 20 clogged in the nozzle or discharging the modeling liquid having a high viscosity. After that, in order to form a meniscus of the nozzle (the head 52 is in a negative pressure state), the nozzle surface is wiped (wipe) by the wiper 63. Further, the maintenance mechanism 61 covers the nozzle surface of the heads 52a/52b with the cap 62 to prevent the powder 20 from mixing into the nozzles and the molding liquid from drying when the molding liquid is not discharged. ..

  The modeling unit 5 has a slider portion 72 movably held by a guide member 71 arranged on the base member 7, and the modeling unit 5 as a whole reciprocates in a Y direction (sub-scanning direction) orthogonal to the X direction. It is possible. The modeling unit 5 is entirely reciprocated in the Y direction by a scanning mechanism (not shown).

  The liquid discharge unit 50 is arranged so as to be vertically movable (a direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions) together with the guide members 54 and 55, and is vertically moved by an elevator mechanism (not shown).

  Each unit of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 including the modeling unit 1 and the modeling unit 5 is controlled by the control unit 9 in FIG.

  Subsequently, a schematic operation of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment will be described. In the operation of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10, first, similarly to the operation described later with reference to FIG. 4, the supply stage 23 is raised to raise the powder 20 in the supply tank 21 from the upper opening of the supply tank 21, and The modeling stage 24 is lowered to make an empty space of a predetermined depth above the modeling tank 22. Next, while moving the recoating roller 12 at the standby position (first position) on the supply tank 21 side, it moves in the Y direction (first direction) to a predetermined stop position (position at the end of recoating operation: second position). Let As a result, the powder 20 a rising from the upper opening of the supply tank 21 is supplied to the empty space above the modeling tank 22. This operation is called recoating operation. The thickness of the powder 20a rising from the upper opening of the supply tank 21, the depth of the void formed in the upper portion of the modeling tank 22, and the thickness of the powder layer 31 formed in the void are each about 100 μm, for example. Is.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the recoat roller 12 is returned to the standby position and the head 52 is moved onto the modeling tank 22. Subsequently, the first one of the plurality of slice data developed based on the three-dimensional data is printed on the powder layer 31 newly deposited on the upper layer of the modeling tank 22, which is applicable. A layer shaping layer 30 is formed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the supply stage 23 is raised to lift up the powder 20 in the supply tank 21 from the upper opening of the supply tank 21, and the modeling stage 24 is lowered to a predetermined position above the modeling tank 22. Make an empty space. Subsequently, by performing the same operation as the above-mentioned recoating operation, the powder 20a rising from the upper opening of the supply tank 21 is supplied to the empty space above the modeling tank 22. The thickness, depth, and direction of rotation at that time may be the same as described above.

  Next, similarly to the operation described above with reference to FIG. 3, the head 52 is moved onto the modeling tank 22, and the next slice data is printed on the powder layer 31 newly deposited on the modeling tank 22. To do. As a result, the next modeling layer 30 is formed on the modeling layer 30 previously formed.

  By repeating the above operation until printing for all slice data is completed, a three-dimensional object is molded in the modeling tank 22. The three-dimensional modeled object is taken out from the modeling tank 22, and the powder material adhering to the three-dimensional object is removed, followed by a drying step to obtain a finished product.

  Here, when the powder 20 having a small particle size is moved from the supply tank 21 to the modeling tank 22 by using the rotating recoat roller 12, the powder 20 may fly up into the air. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the recoat roller 12 moves to the stop position on the modeling tank 22 side (position at the end of the recoat operation) and stops its rotation, the powder 20 is discharged on the advancing direction side of the recoat roller 12. Soaring in a cloud 20b. When the printing operation is performed with the powder 20 rising in the air as described above, the powder 20 adheres to the head surface of the head 52, which causes problems such as ejection failure and clogging, which makes printing difficult. May be

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the suction port 101 is arranged on the stop position side of the recoat roller 12 at the end of the recoating operation, and the rising powder 20 is sucked and removed from the suction port 101. To do. This suppresses the occurrence of defects such as ejection failure and clogging.

  The configurations of the modeling unit 1 and the suction mechanism 100 in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment are extracted and shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the suction mechanism 100 has a configuration in which a suction port 101, a suction pump 102, and a powder tank 103 are connected via a pipe 104 or 105, respectively. The suction mechanism 100 is controlled by the control unit 9 in FIG.

  The suction port 101 is arranged on the stop position side of the recoat roller 12 at the end of the recoat operation. Here, the carriage 51 is on the stop position side of the recoat roller 12 with respect to the modeling tank 22 when the modeling liquid is not discharged to the powder layer 31 of the modeling tank 22 (that is, when the printing operation is not performed). And is located at a position (third position) on one side of the modeling tank 22. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the suction port 101 is arranged at a position (fourth position) opposite to the standby position (third position) of the carriage 51 with respect to the modeling tank 22.

  The opening shape of the suction port 101 is not limited to a circle, but a combination of an ellipse, a polygon such as a triangle and a quadrangle (square, rectangle, rhombus, trapezoid, etc.), one or more arcs and one or more straight lines. Various modifications such as the shape are possible. Further, the size of the opening shape may be appropriately designed according to the size of the powder 20 having a cloud shape. Regarding the shape and size of the suction port 101, it is preferable that the shape and size are such that an effective wind flow can be formed with respect to the existing range of the powder 20 spreading in the cloud shape 20b. Further, in order to form an effective wind flow with respect to the existing range of the cloud-shaped powder 20, the opening that serves as the suction port 101 is provided in a specific portion such as a hood or a housing that surrounds the modeling unit 1. Good. The specific portion may be, for example, near the standby position of the head 52, or on the opposite side of the suction port 101 with the powder tank 11 interposed therebetween.

  The suction pump 102 starts suction, for example, when the recoating operation of each layer is completed, that is, when the recoating roller 12 reaches the stop position and stops rotating. As a result, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the powder 20 that has risen in the cloud shape 20b toward the advancing direction side of the stop position of the recoat roller 12 is sucked from the suction port 101. The sucked powder 20 is introduced into the suction pump 102 via the pipe 104, separated from the gas by the suction pump 102, and then sent to the powder tank 103 via the pipe 105 and stored therein. Alternatively, the powder 20 sucked from the suction port 101 may be sent together with the gas to the powder tank 103 via the suction pump 102, and may be separated from the gas and stored in the powder tank 103.

  Then, when the powder 20 in the air is sufficiently reduced, the suction operation by the suction pump 102 is stopped and the printing operation by the head 52 is started.

  Thus, when the recoating operation is completed, the powder 20 soared in the air is sucked from the position opposite to the standby position of the carriage 51, so that the powder 20 soared adheres to the carriage 51 and the head 52. Can be prevented. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of defects such as defective ejection and clogging, and it is possible to manufacture a stable modeled object.

  The amount of the powder 20 scattered varies depending on the type and particle size of the powder 20. Further, the amount of the powder 20 scattered greatly changes depending on the length of time of use. Further, the amount of the powder 20 scattered may be affected by environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, the suction amount from the suction port 101 can be adjusted according to the type and particle size of the powder 20 used, environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, and the like.

  Next, a schematic operation example at the time of modeling of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a schematic operation example of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment during modeling. Note that in FIG. 9, attention is paid to the operation of the control unit 9.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 9 first executes initial setting of the modeling operation (step S101). In this initial setting, the type of powder 20 used (material, particle size, etc.), print mode (color/monochrome, resolution, rotation speed and/or moving speed of the recoat roller 12, etc.), environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. Etc. are set. Of these, the type (material, particle size, etc.) of the powder 20 and the print mode may be set and input by the user using an input interface (not shown). Further, the environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity may be obtained by the control unit 9 from a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor (not shown).

  Next, the control unit 9 determines the amount of suction and/or suction from the suction port 101, which is necessary to remove the powder 20 that has risen up, based on the type of the powder 20, the print mode, the environmental conditions, etc. that have been set. The suction strength such as time is set (step S102).

  Next, the controller 9 raises the supply stage 23 by a predetermined distance and lowers the modeling stage 24 by a predetermined distance (step S103). Subsequently, the control unit 9 starts the rotation of the recoat roller 12 (step S104), and moves the rotating recoat roller 12 from the standby position to a predetermined stop position (step S105). As a result, the powder 20 is flattened and supplied from the supply tank 21 to the modeling tank 22.

  Next, the control unit 9 stops the rotation of the recoat roller 12 (step S106), and further drives the suction pump 102 based on the suction strength (suction amount and/or suction time, etc.) set in step S102. The suction from the suction port 101 is executed (step S107). Subsequently, the control unit 9 moves the recoat roller 12 to the standby position on the side of the supply tank 21 (step S108). The suction from the suction port 101 may be continued until the recoat roller 12 moves to the standby position, or may be stopped before the recoat roller 12 starts moving to the standby position.

  Next, the control unit 9 reads the slice data to be printed from a memory (not shown) (step S109), and then drives the modeling unit 5 to execute the slice data printing process (step S110). After that, the control unit 9 determines whether or not the printing process of all the slice data is completed (step S111), and when it is completed (step S111; YES), this operation is ended. On the other hand, if not completed (step S111; NO), the control unit 9 returns to step S103 and executes the subsequent operations.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the suction port 101 is arranged on the stop position side of the recoat roller 12 at the end of the recoat operation, and the rising powder 20 is sucked and removed from the suction port 101. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of defects such as ejection failure and clogging. As a result, it becomes possible to manufacture a stable modeled object.

Embodiment 2
In the above-described first embodiment, the powder tank 11 of the modeling unit 1 is configured to have two tanks, the supply tank 21 and the modeling tank 22, but the supply tank 21 can be omitted. In that case, the powder 20 may be supplied from the powder supply device to the modeling tank 22, and the supplied powder 20 may be flattened by the flattening means. Hereinafter, a configuration in which the supply tank 21 is omitted will be described in detail as a second embodiment with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 10 is a side view showing a schematic configuration example of a modeling unit in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the second embodiment. The configuration other than that shown in FIG. 10 may be the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the modeling unit 2 according to the second embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the modeling unit 1 according to the first embodiment but with the supply tank 21 omitted. The powder 20 is supplied to the modeling tank 22 directly from a powder supply device (not shown).

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the modeling layer 30 is printed by performing printing on the powder layer 31 located in the upper layer of the modeling tank 22 in a process similar to the process described above with reference to FIG. Is formed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, in supplying the powder 20 to the modeling tank 22, first, the modeling stage 24 is lowered to create a void of a predetermined depth in the upper portion of the modeling tank 22, and the powder is placed in this void. A predetermined amount of powder 20 is directly supplied from the supply device. The supply position of the powder 20 from the powder supply device may be near the standby position of the recoat roller 12 or may be the entire opening of the modeling tank 22.

  Subsequently, the recoating roller 12 in the standby position is rotated and moved in the Y direction to flatten the upper surface of the powder 20 rising from the upper opening of the modeling tank 22 and form a new powder layer 31. .. At this time, when the excess powder 20 spills from the modeling tank 22, a tray or the like for receiving the spilled powder 20 may be arranged.

  After that, when the recoat roller 12 moves to the stop position (the position at the end of the recoat operation), the rotation of the recoat roller 12 is stopped and the suction from the suction port 101 is started. Then, after the powder 20 in the air is sufficiently reduced, the suction from the suction port 101 is stopped, the recoat roller 12 is moved to the standby position, the printing process is performed once or more, and the desired three-dimensional object is formed. Is modeled.

  In the above-described operation, for example, step S103 in FIG. 9 is set to “raise the shaping stage by a predetermined distance”, and step S105 is set to “planarize the upper surface of the powder supplied by moving the rotating recoat roller”. Can be realized with. The other operations may be the same as the operations described with reference to FIG. 9.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the suction port 101 is arranged on the stop position side of the recoat roller 12 at the end of the recoating operation, and the rising powder 20 is sucked from the suction port 101. And remove. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of defects such as ejection failure and clogging. As a result, it becomes possible to manufacture a stable modeled object.

Embodiment 3
In the above-described embodiment, when the recoat roller 12 is stopped, the powder 20 that has risen in the cloud shape 20b in the traveling direction of the recoat roller 12 is collected from the suction port 101 provided near the stop position of the recoat roller 12. did. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, in addition to the powder 20 rising in the shape of a cloud 20b near the stop position of the recoat roller 12, the top surface of the modeling tank 22 spills from the end of the modeling tank 22 when the recoat roller 12 flattens the surface. A configuration in which the surplus powder 20 can also be collected will be described with an example.

  FIG. 12 is a top view showing a schematic configuration example of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a side view showing a schematic configuration example of a powder tank and a recovery unit in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 310 according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 (see FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment, and has a suction mechanism 100 including a suction port 101 (see FIG. 6 ). ) Is replaced with the recovery unit 300.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the recovery unit 300 includes a recovery unit 301, a sieving unit 303, and a powder tank 304. The recovery unit 300 is arranged on the modeling tank 22 at the stop position side of the recoat roller 12 when the recoat operation is completed.

  The recovery unit 301 is an inverted frustum-shaped structure whose top and bottom surfaces are open and whose horizontal cross section decreases in diameter from the top surface to the bottom surface. The recovery unit 301 is arranged at the end of the recoating roller 12 at the stop position side at the end of the recoating operation among the four ends on the upper surface side of the modeling tank 22. At this time, the collection unit 301 and the modeling tank 22 are preferably in close contact with each other so that there is no gap therebetween. The excess powder 20 extruded from the modeling tank 22 by the recoat roller 12 enters the inside through the opening on the upper surface side of the collection unit 301, and is collected by the collection unit 300.

  The recovery unit 301 is provided with a fan 302 for forming a flow of gas (air) from the inside of the recovery unit 301 to the outside of the recovery unit 301. The fan 302 is provided with a filter 305 for removing the powder 20 and other dust contained in the gas passing through the fan 302.

  A sieving portion 303 is connected to the opening on the lower surface side of the collecting portion 301. FIG. 14 shows a schematic configuration example of the sieving unit 303. As shown in FIG. 14, the sieving unit 303 has a hollow casing 321 that is open at the top and bottom and is continuous with the opening on the lower face of the collecting unit 301, a sieve 322 disposed inside the casing 321, and a sieve oscillates. And a shaking unit 323 for giving The opening on the upper surface side of the housing 321 is aligned with the opening on the lower surface side of the collecting portion 301 so that the powder 20 falling through the collecting portion 301 can smoothly enter the inside of the housing 321.

  The sieve 322 is arranged so as to block the cavity inside the housing 321. Therefore, the powder 20 that has entered the inside of the housing 321 is temporarily blocked by the sieve 322. As the sieve 322, it is desirable to use an appropriate one according to the type of the powder 20 used and the like. Further, the sieve 322 is not limited to one sheet, and a plurality of sheets can be used in a stacked manner.

  The shaking section 323 vibrates the sieve 322 by vibrating itself. The vibration, the amplitude, and the like given to the sieve 322 by the shaking section 323 can be appropriately set depending on the type and particle size of the powder 20 used and the conditions such as the ambient temperature and humidity.

  The powder 20 that has passed through the sieve 322 enters and is stored in the powder tank 304 disposed below the gravity of the sieve portion 303. The powder 20 stored in the powder tank 304 can be returned to the supply tank 21 and reused as it is.

  In the above-described configuration, as shown in FIG. 15, when the recoat roller 12 moves from the supply tank 21 to the stop position on the modeling tank 22 side (position at the end of the recoat operation) and stops rotating, the recoat roller 12 The powder 20 soars in a cloud shape 20b toward the advancing direction, and the surplus powder 20c spills from the end of the modeling tank 22 at the stop position of the recoat roller 12.

  The powder 20 soared is guided by the air flow formed by the fan 302 to enter the collection unit 301, and then captured by the filter 305 provided on the fan 302. As a result, the gas (air) from which the powder 20 that has risen is removed is discharged from the fan 302. It should be noted that the powder 20 captured by the filter 305 may be configured to fall into the recovery unit 301.

  On the other hand, the powder 20c spilled from the modeling tank 22 in a form of being pushed out by the recoat roller 12 enters the collecting section 301 by free fall and reaches the sieving section 303. In the sieving unit 303, the vibration of the shaking unit 323 is started based on a control signal from the outside or an intrusion detection of the powder 20 by a sensor (not shown). By vibrating the sieve 322, among the powder 20 blocked by the sieve 322, the non-aggregated powder 20 passes through the sieve 322 and falls downward in gravity, and is collected in the powder tank 304. It On the other hand, the undesired material 20d such as powder that has agglomerated to have a large diameter or other dust or dust remains blocked by the sieve 322. In this way, the sieving unit 303 classifies the non-aggregated powder 20 and the unwanted matter 20d based on the particle size.

  Note that FIG. 15 illustrates a configuration in which the head 52 retracts to the opposite side of the supply tank 21 with the modeling tank 22 interposed therebetween during the recoating operation, but the configuration is not limited to such a configuration, and as illustrated in FIG. The head 52 may be retracted to the side opposite to the modeling tank 22 with the supply tank 21 interposed therebetween during the recoating operation. For example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 12, the position of the supply tank 21 and the position of the modeling tank 22 may be interchanged. In that case, the recovery unit 300 is arranged on the opposite side of the supply tank 21 with the modeling tank 22 interposed therebetween. As described above, the recovery unit 300 according to the third embodiment can be arranged at the end where the powder 20 spills at the end of the recoating operation, regardless of the positional relationship between the supply tank 21 and the modeling tank 22.

  Subsequently, a schematic operation example at the time of modeling of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 310 according to the third embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a schematic operation example of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 310 according to the third embodiment at the time of modeling. Note that in FIG. 17, the operation of the control unit 9 is focused on, and the same operation as the operation described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the control unit 9 performs the initial setting of the modeling operation, similarly to the operation shown in step S101 of FIG. Subsequently, the control unit 9 controls the rotation amount (suction amount, suction time, etc.) of the fan 302 and the vibration of the shaking unit 323 based on the type and particle size of the powder 20 to be used, and environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. The amount (amplitude, frequency, etc.) is set (step S201).

  Next, the control unit 9 raises the supply stage 23 and lowers the modeling stage 24 (step S103), and starts rotation of the recoat roller 12 (step S104) and moves, similarly to the operations shown in steps S103 to S106 of FIG. (Step S105) is executed, and when this causes the recoat roller 12 to move to the predetermined stop position, the rotation of the recoat roller 12 is stopped (step S106).

  Next, the control unit 9 starts driving the fan 302 and the shaking unit 323 based on the rotation amount and the vibration amount set in Step S201 (Step S202), and the suction and collection unit 301 for the powder 20 that has risen up. Separation of the powder 20 recovered in step 1 is started.

  Subsequently, the control unit 9 moves the recoating roller 12 to the standby position (step S108), reads the slice data to be printed (step S109), and slices, as in the operations shown in steps S108 to S111 of FIG. After performing the data printing process (step S110), it is determined whether the printing process of all slice data is completed (step S111). The driving of the fan 302 and the shaking unit 323 may be continued until the recoat roller 12 moves to the standby position, or may be stopped before the recoat roller 12 starts moving to the standby position. Good.

  After that, when the printing process of all slice data is completed (step S111; YES), the control unit 9 ends this operation. On the other hand, if not completed (step S111; NO), the control unit 9 returns to step S103 and executes the subsequent operations.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, the collection unit 300 for collecting the excess powder in the modeling tank 22 reuses the suction mechanism (fan 302) that collects the powder 20 that has risen and the excess powder 20. And a sieving portion 303 for taking out possible powder 20. With such a configuration, since the powders 20 that have risen during the recoating operation are collected by the fan 302, the powders inside the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 310 such as the carriage 51 and the head 52 are collected as in the first embodiment. It is possible to reduce the pollution caused by 20. In addition, a surplus powder 20 such as the powder 20c spilled from the modeling tank 22 or the powder 20 collected by the fan 302 is sieved to automatically classify the non-aggregated powder 20 and other unnecessary substances 20d. Therefore, the reusable powder 20 can be easily taken out from the surplus powder 20.

  In the above configuration, the number of fans 302 is not limited to one, and a plurality of fans may be used. In the powder tank 304 connected to the sieving unit 303, the powder 20 that has been separated is automatically returned to the supply tank 21 or the tank of the powder supply device that supplies the powder 20 to the supply tank 21. A transport mechanism may be provided.

  Other configurations, operations, and effects are similar to those of the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

  Although the present embodiment has been described above, the above embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The above-described embodiments are included in the scope and the gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and an equivalent range thereof.

1, 2 modeling unit 5 modeling unit 7 base member 9 control unit 10 three-dimensional modeling device 11 powder tank 12 recoat roller 13 powder removal plate 20 powder (powder)
20b Cloud-shaped 20c Spilled powder 20d Unwanted material 21 Supply tank 22 Modeling tank 23 Supply stage 24 Modeling stage 30 Modeling layer 31 Powder layer 50 Liquid ejection unit 51 Carriage 52, 52a, 52b Head 54, 55 Guide member 56 Tank mounting Part 60 Tank 61 Maintenance mechanism 62 Cap 63 Wiper 70 Side plate 71 Guide member 72 Slider part 100 Suction mechanism 101 Suction port 102 Suction pump 103 Powder tank 104, 105 Pipe 300 Collection unit 310 Three-dimensional modeling device 301 Collection part 302 Fan 303 Sieve part 304 powder tank 305 filter 321 housing 322 sieve 323 shaker

JP, 2014-104683, A JP, 2003-231182, A JP-A-2002-205338 Patent No. 5751118

Claims (7)

A molding tank that stores powder,
A flattening portion that flattens the upper surface by moving the upper surface of the powder stored in the modeling tank from the first position to the second position in the first direction;
A discharge unit that discharges a molding liquid onto the flattened upper surface of the powder stored in the molding tank,
A suction mechanism having a suction port arranged on the second position side of the modeling tank;
Equipped with
When the molding liquid is not discharged onto the upper surface, the discharging portion is located on the second position side of the molding tank, the side facing the side where the suction port of the molding tank is arranged. Located in the third position,
The suction port is on the second position side of the modeling tank, and sandwiches the modeling tank with respect to the third position where the discharging unit is arranged when the molding liquid is not discharged onto the upper surface. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus is disposed at the fourth position on the opposite side . Further comprising a control unit that controls the flattening unit, the discharge unit, and the suction mechanism,
The control unit is
Controlling the flattening unit to move the upper surface of the powder stored in the modeling tank along the first direction from the first position to the second position,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after the flattening unit stops at the second position, the suction mechanism is controlled to start suction from the suction port. The control unit controls the amount of the powder from the suction port by the suction mechanism based on at least one of the material of the powder, the particle size of the powder, the printing mode of the printing operation performed by the discharging unit, the temperature, and the humidity. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the suction amount is set. The flattening unit includes a cylindrical recoat roller that moves the upper surface of the powder along the first direction from the first position to the second position, and the recoat roller from the first position to the first position. A moving mechanism that moves along the first direction toward two positions and a contact portion of the recoat roller with the powder move in the first direction faster than the moving speed of the recoat roller in the first direction. And a rotating mechanism to rotate the
The control unit is
Controlling the moving mechanism and the rotating mechanism so as to rotate the recoat roller when moving the recoat roller from the first position to the second position along the first direction,
Controlling the moving mechanism and the rotating mechanism so that the rotation of the recoat roller stops when the recoat roller is stopped at the second position,
According to claim 2, wherein the Ricoh controller controls the suction mechanism so as intake starts from the suction port by controlling the suction mechanism after the rotation of the Ricoh controller stops the second position is stopped 3D modeling device.   The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the suction mechanism includes a powder tank that stores powder that has been sucked together with gas from the suction port. Further comprising a supply tank disposed adjacent to the modeling tank, for storing the powder supplied to the modeling tank,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first position is a position opposite to the modeling tank with respect to the supply tank. A molding tank that stores powder,
A flattening portion that flattens the upper surface by moving the upper surface of the powder stored in the modeling tank from the first position to the second position in the first direction;
A discharge unit that discharges a molding liquid onto the flattened upper surface of the powder stored in the molding tank,
A suction mechanism having a suction port arranged on the second position side of the modeling tank;
A control unit that controls the flattening unit, the discharge unit, and the suction mechanism;
Equipped with
When the molding liquid is not discharged onto the upper surface, the discharging portion is located on the second position side of the molding tank, the side facing the side where the suction port of the molding tank is arranged. Located in the third position,
The suction port is on the second position side of the modeling tank, and sandwiches the modeling tank with respect to the third position where the discharging unit is arranged when the molding liquid is not discharged onto the upper surface. The three-dimensional modeling system is arranged at the opposite fourth position .

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