JP7155919B2 - 3D printer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that models a three-dimensional object.

Conventionally, as a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, for example, as described in Japanese Patent No. 4639087, a powder material spread evenly on a table is irradiated with an energy beam, and the powder material is heated and solidified to form a three-dimensional object. Devices for shaping objects are known. This apparatus attempts to reduce the internal stress of a modeled object by dividing an area to be irradiated with an energy beam into a plurality of areas in a grid pattern and performing modeling.

Japanese Patent No. 4639087

In such a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, it is necessary to irradiate an energy beam for each divided area, which complicates the setting and control of beam irradiation. That is, it is necessary to set the trajectory of the beam irradiation for each of the divided regions, and perform the modeling by irradiating the beams to the regions at different positions. Therefore, it is difficult to form a modeled object efficiently.

Therefore, it is desired to develop a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that can efficiently model a modeled object.

A three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that supplies a powder material onto a table and irradiates the powder material with an energy beam to form a three-dimensional object. Acquire the slice data of the horizontal cross section of the modeled object and the rotation drive unit that rotates the table around the rotation axis of the model. and a beam emitting part for emitting the energy beam and for irradiating the powder material with the energy beam according to the irradiation position. According to this three-dimensional modeling apparatus, a plurality of pieces of divided data obtained by dividing the slice data of the modeled object in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis of the table are acquired, and the energy beam is emitted to the powder according to the irradiation position set for each divided data. Modeling is performed by irradiating the material. Therefore, by rotating the table, the areas corresponding to the divided data can be sequentially moved to the same position. Therefore, by irradiating the position with the energy beam, the modeled object can be modeled, and the modeled object can be efficiently modeled.

Further, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure further includes a supply unit that supplies the powder material onto the table, and a heating unit that preheats the powder material supplied onto the table, the supply unit , the heating unit and the beam emitting unit may be arranged along the rotation direction of the table above the table. In this case, by arranging the supply section, the heating section, and the beam emission section along the rotation direction of the table, the powder material is supplied by the supply section, the powder material is preheated by the heating section, and the energy beam is emitted by the beam emission section. Irradiation can be done in different areas. Therefore, the supply of the powder material, the preheating of the powder material, and the irradiation of the energy beam can be performed in parallel. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently form a modeled object, and shorten the modeling time of the modeled object.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that can efficiently model a modeled object.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a processing unit of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of generation of division data and trajectory data in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of division angles of division data in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of generation of trajectory data in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of FIG. 1; 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a modification of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of FIG. 1;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 is a so-called 3D printer that manufactures a three-dimensional object O from a powder material A. For example, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 irradiates the powder material A with an energy beam to melt or sinter the powder material A, thereby modeling the three-dimensional object O. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is applied to a powder bed method in which an electron beam B is applied to an evenly spread powder material A for modeling. The powder material A is metal powder, such as titanium-based metal powder, Inconel powder, and aluminum powder. Further, the powder material A is not limited to metal powder, and may be, for example, resin powder or powder containing carbon fiber and resin such as CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics). Also, the powder material A may be another powder having electrical conductivity. In addition, the powder material in the present invention is not limited to those having conductivity. For example, if a laser is used as the energy beam, the powder material need not be electrically conductive.

A three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 includes a driving section 3 , a control section 4 , a processing section 6 and a housing 8 .
The drive unit 3 realizes various operations required for modeling. For example, the drive unit 3 rotates and raises/lowers the table 13 . The driving section 3 has a rotating unit 31 and a lifting unit 32 . The rotation unit 31 functions as a rotation driving section that rotates the table 13 around a rotation axis in the vertical direction. For example, the upper end of the rotating unit 31 is connected to the table 13, and the lower end of the rotating unit 31 is attached with a drive source (for example, a motor). The elevating unit 32 functions as a linear drive unit that elevates the table 13 relative to the modeling tank 14 . This elevation is along the rotation axis of the rotation unit 31 . In addition, the drive part 3 is not limited to the mechanism described above as long as it is a mechanism capable of rotating and raising and lowering the table 13 .

The processing unit 6 processes the powder material A to obtain a model O. As shown in FIG. The processing of the powder material A includes, for example, supply processing of the powder material A, preheating (preheating) of the powder material A, and shaping processing of the powder material A. Housing 8 is supported by a plurality of columns 7 . The housing 8 functions as a chamber forming the modeling space S. The modeling space S is an airtight space in which the powder material A is accommodated and the powder material A is processed by the processing unit 6 and can be decompressed.

In the modeling space S, a table 13 and a modeling tank 14 are arranged. The table 13 is a processing stand on which modeling processing is performed. For the table 13, for example, a disk-shaped one is used, and the powder material A, which is the raw material of the object O, is arranged. The table 13 is arranged so that its center axis line overlaps with the center axis line of the housing 8 . A driving unit 3 is connected to the table 13 . Accordingly, the table 13 is rotated and linearly moved along the axis of rotation by the drive unit 3 .

FIG. 2 shows the main parts used in the build process. The processing unit 6 is arranged so as to face the table 13 . For example, the processing unit 6 is arranged above the table 13 and faces the modeling surface (main surface or upper surface) 13a of the table 13 . The processing section 6 includes, for example, a feeder 61, a heater 62 and a beam source 63 as processing units. The feeder 61 performs a supply process of the powder material A. The heater 62 preheats the powder material A. The beam source 63 performs the shaping process of the powder material A. As shown in FIG.

The feeder 61 functions as a supply section that supplies the powder material A onto the table 13 . For example, the feeder 61 has a raw material tank (not shown) and a smoothing section. The raw material tank stores the powder material A and supplies the powder material A onto the table 13 . The smoothing unit smoothes the surface of the powder material A on the table 13 . Note that the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 may have a roller section, a rod-like member, a brush section, and the like instead of the leveling section.

The heater 62 functions as a heating unit for preheating the powder material A supplied onto the table 13, and preheats the powder material A before beam irradiation. For example, the heater 62 is arranged above the table 13 and raises the temperature of the powder material A by radiant heat. The heater 62 may be one that heats by another method, such as an infrared heater.

The beam source 63 functions as a beam emitting section that emits an electron beam and irradiates the powder material A with the electron beam. For example, an electron gun is used as the beam source 63 . The beam source 63 generates an electron beam according to the potential difference between the cathode and the anode, converges the electron beam by adjusting the electric field, and irradiates the desired position.

A feeder 61 , a heater 62 and a beam source 63 are arranged along the rotation direction of the table 13 . That is, the feeder 61 , heater 62 and beam source 63 are provided above the table 13 along the rotation direction of the table 13 . In the following description, "upstream" and "downstream" are based on the rotation direction of the table 13. As shown in FIG. For example, when defining an XY coordinate system with the axis of rotation C as the origin, the feeder 61 is arranged along the positive Y-axis in the second quadrant, the heater 62 is arranged in the regions of the second and third quadrants, The beam sources 63 are arranged in the regions of the first and fourth quadrants.

In this manner, the feeder 61, the heater 62, and the beam source 63 that perform the molding process are arranged along the rotation direction of the table 13, and the table 13 is rotated to perform molding, thereby feeding the powder material A onto the table 13. Each process of feeding, preheating of the powder material A and shaping by beam irradiation can be performed in parallel. That is, the powder material A is supplied at the position of the feeder 61, the powder material A is preheated at the position of the heater 62, the beam is irradiated at the position of the beam source 63, and the object O is formed. be. Therefore, compared to the case where the powder material A is supplied, the powder material A is preheated, and the beam irradiation is sequentially performed, the object O can be modeled efficiently, and the modeling time of the object O can be shortened. In particular, it is effective when a large-sized object O is modeled.

In FIG. 1, the control section 4 is an electronic control unit that controls the entire apparatus of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1, and includes, for example, a computer including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The control unit 4 performs elevation control and rotation control of the table 13, operation control of the feeder 61, operation control of the heater 62, operation control of the beam source 63, and the like. In addition, the control unit 4 acquires slice data of a horizontal cross section of the modeled object O, acquires a plurality of divided data obtained by dividing the slice data in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis C, and uses the electron beam for each of the divided data. It functions as a setting unit that sets the irradiation position.

The control section 4 is electrically connected to the rotation unit 31 , outputs a control signal to the rotation unit 31 , and controls the rotation of the table 13 through the operation of the rotation unit 31 . For example, the controller 4 operates the rotation unit 31 to rotate the table 13 around the rotation axis C. As shown in FIG. The rotation axis C is set in the vertical direction, for example, in the vertical direction. Further, the rotation axis C is set at a position passing through the table 13 . As a result, the table 13 rotates around the rotation axis C due to the operation of the rotation unit 31 .

Specifically, the controller 4 rotates the table 13 counterclockwise at a constant rotational speed. This rotation speed may be determined, for example, according to the temperature rise rate of the powder material A or the like during preheating and shaping. That is, the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of powder material A before preheating to a predetermined temperature after preheating is obtained, and the required time required to apply the amount of energy to powder material A is determined. Then, the rotational speed of the table 13 is determined according to the required time and the length of the trajectory that passes through the preheating region 34 .

The control unit 4 is electrically connected to the lifting unit 32 , outputs a control signal to the lifting unit 32 , and controls the lifting of the table 13 through the operation of the lifting unit 32 . For example, the controller 4 operates the lifting unit 32 to lift the table 13 . Specifically, the control unit 4 arranges the table 13 at a position above the modeling tank 14 at the beginning of modeling, and lowers the table 13 as the modeling of the object O progresses. The descending speed of the table 13 is determined according to the rotational speed of the table 13, for example.

The control unit 4 is electrically connected to the feeder 61, outputs a control signal to the feeder 61, and controls the supply of the powder material A. As shown in FIG. For example, the control unit 4 operates the feeder 61 to supply the powder material A onto the table 13 and spread the powder material A evenly.

The control unit 4 is electrically connected to the heater 62, outputs a control signal to the heater 62, and performs preheating control of the powder material A. As shown in FIG. For example, the control unit 4 operates the heater 62 to heat the powder material A on the table 13 and preheat the powder material A. As shown in FIG. The amount of heating of the powder material A may be set according to the material and type of the powder material A, the rotation speed of the table 13, and the like.

The controller 4 is electrically connected to the beam source 63, outputs a control signal to the beam source 63, and controls beam emission. For example, the controller 4 operates the beam source 63 to emit an electron beam and irradiate a predetermined position of the powder material A with the electron beam. The position to be irradiated with the electron beam is the region where the object O is to be formed, and the electron beam is irradiated according to the preset irradiation position.

The control unit 4 functions as a setting unit that sets the irradiation position of the electron beam. That is, the control unit 4 acquires the slice data D1 of the horizontal cross section of the object O, acquires a plurality of divided data D2 obtained by dividing the slice data D1 in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis C, and obtains the divided data D2 for each divided data D2. Set the irradiation position of the electron beam. Specifically, slice data D1 of the object O is generated based on three-dimensional CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data of the object O, as shown in (a) of FIG. The slice data D1 is, for example, horizontal cross-sectional data of the modeled object O to be modeled, and a plurality of slice data D1 is generated according to the vertical position of the modeled object O. FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 3B, divided data D2 is generated based on the slice data D1. The divided data D2 is data obtained by dividing one slice data D1 into a plurality of pieces, and has a data amount smaller than that of the slice data D1. The divided data D2 are generated by dividing the slice data D1 in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis C of the table 13 . That is, the divided data D2 is generated as data for the fan-shaped area. The division angle of the division data D2 is, for example, a constant angle. In this case, the division angle of the division data D2 is, for example, an angle smaller than half the angle of the modeling area. As shown in FIG. 4, the modeling area F is an area that can be irradiated with an electron beam. For example, when the angle θF of the modeling area _F on the table 13 is 60 degrees, the division angle θ of the division data D2 is set at an angle smaller than 30 degrees. By setting the dividing angle θ in this way, when the area of the divided data D2 rotates due to the rotation of the table 13, the area of the divided data D2 is subjected to the molding process while the area of the divided data D2 passes through the molding area F. can be completed. In other words, it is possible to prevent the area of the divided data D2 from passing through the modeling area F before the molding process of the area of the divided data D2 is completed. It is also possible to continuously process the divided data D2 entering the modeling area F next.

By dividing the table 13 in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis C of the table 13 in this manner to generate the divided data D2, the divided data D2 are generated for the powder material A moving below the beam source 63 as the table 13 rotates. can be used for sequential modeling, and efficient modeling can be performed. In addition, by dividing the slice data D1 into divided data D2 with a small amount of data, the modeling process can be performed using data with a small amount of data when modeling the object O, and the processing load can be reduced. In particular, when a large modeled object O is modeled, it can be modeled smoothly.

Then, as shown in (c) and (d) of FIG. 3, a plurality of divided data D2 are stored in the control unit 4, and the irradiation position of the electron beam is set and stored for each of the plurality of divided data D2. For example, the irradiation positions are set as irradiation points arranged at predetermined intervals along the trajectory data T1 set for each divided data D2. As shown in (d) of FIG. 3, the trajectory data T1 is data of trajectories arranged along a certain direction. The electron beam irradiation position is a target position for electron beam irradiation. The irradiation position may be set corresponding to the actual irradiation position, or may be set as a command position for electron beam irradiation control. FIG. 5 shows irradiation positions set as irradiation points along the trajectory data T1. In the example of FIG. 5, the irradiation position data consists of trajectory data T1 and point data groups. That is, in FIG. 5, irradiation points (black dots) are set at predetermined intervals on the trajectory data T1, and these irradiation points are set as irradiation positions of the electron beam. The trajectory data T1 and the irradiation point on the trajectory data T1 indicate the irradiation position on the area of the divided data D2. Note that the setting of the irradiation position for the divided data D2 is not limited to this. That is, the setting of the irradiation position for the divided data D2 is not limited to setting the trajectory data T1 and the point data group. good. For example, as the irradiation position setting, one irradiation point may be set for one trajectory data T1. Moreover, as the setting of the irradiation position, only the trajectory data T1 may be set, and the electron beam may be scanned and irradiated along the trajectory data T1.

Further, as the trajectory data for molding the object O, the trajectory data T2 whose coordinates are transformed according to the rotation of the table 13 may be set. That is, since the area corresponding to the division data D2 moves as the table 13 rotates, the position set in the division data D2 is irradiated with the electron beam. Data T2 may be generated and stored. At this time, by using the divided data D2 obtained by dividing the slice data D1 in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis C, calculation or setting of the trajectory data T2 is facilitated. Note that the generation and storage of the trajectory data T2 may be performed in advance before modeling, or may be performed during modeling. When the trajectory data T2 is generated during modeling, there is an advantage that even if modeling is interrupted during modeling, the modeling can be resumed smoothly.

As described above, the control unit 4 determines the position at which the powder material A is irradiated with the electron beam based on the division data D2 and the trajectory data T2 of the object O, and the electron beam is irradiated according to the position. A control signal is output to the beam source 63 as follows.

Next, the operation of the 3D modeling apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

First, in FIG. 1, the table 13 is moved upward and placed above the modeling tank 14 . That is, a control signal is output from the controller 4 to the lifting unit 32 , and the table 13 is moved upward by the operation of the lifting unit 32 to be positioned above the modeling tank 14 .

Then, in FIG. 2, the table 13 is rotated around the rotation axis C. As shown in FIG. That is, a control signal is output from the control section 4 to the rotation unit 31, and the table 13 rotates about the rotation axis C by the operation of the rotation unit 31. As shown in FIG.

Then, the powder material A is supplied onto the table 13 by the feeder 61 . That is, a control signal is output from the controller 4 to the feeder 61 to operate the feeder 61, and the feeder 61 supplies the powder material A onto the table 13 and spreads it evenly.

Also, the powder material A is preheated by the heater 62 . That is, the controller 4 outputs a control signal to the heater 62 to operate the heater 62, and the powder material A moving below the heater 62 due to the rotation of the table 13 is heated.

Further, the beam source 63 irradiates the powder material A with an electron beam, and the modeled object O is formed. That is, a control signal is output from the controller 4 to the beam source 63 to operate the beam source 63, and the electron beam is irradiated onto the powder material A below the beam source 63 as the table 13 rotates. As a result, the powder material A is melted or sintered, and the object O is formed.

Further, the table 13 is lowered as the molding of the object O progresses. That is, a control signal is output from the control section 4 to the lifting unit 32 , and the table 13 is lowered along the rotation axis C by the operation of the lifting unit 32 . This lowering of the table 13 may be synchronized with the rotation of the table 13, but need not be perfectly synchronized.

The irradiation position of the electron beam is set for each division data D2 of the object O. FIG. For example, the irradiation position of the electron beam is determined according to the trajectory data T2 set for each division data D2 of the object O. FIG. As shown in (c) of FIG. 3, the division data D2 is data obtained by dividing the slice data D1 of the horizontal cross section of the object O in the circumferential direction, and is the data of the cross section of the object O for the fan-shaped region. . Trajectory data T1 is set for each divided data D2. The trajectory data T1 is data indicating the trajectory of the irradiation position of the electron beam in the divided data D2. For example, the trajectory data T1 is set by arranging linear data horizontally in the same direction. Here, the area of the divided data D2 moves as the table 13 rotates. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, in order to irradiate the electron beam along the trajectory data T1 of the divided data D2, it is necessary to correct the trajectory data T1 according to the rotation of the table 13. FIG. The corrected data is the trajectory data T2. The trajectory data T2 is, for example, a curved trajectory. A number of pieces of track data T2 corresponding to the number of pieces of track data T1 are set in the divided data D2. The irradiation position of the electron beam is set along this trajectory data T2.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a modeling operation in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1. FIG. A series of control processing in FIG. 6 is performed by the control unit 4, for example.

First, as shown in step S10 of FIG. 6 (hereinafter simply referred to as "S10"; the same applies to the following steps), data reading processing is performed. This reading process is a process of reading preset modeling data. The data related to modeling includes the division data D2 of the model O, the trajectory data T1, and the like.

Then, the processing shifts to S12, and the trajectory generation processing is performed. The trajectory generation process is a process of generating trajectory data T2. In this trajectory generation process, the trajectory data T2 is generated based on the divided data D2, the trajectory data T1, and the rotation speed of the table 13. FIG. At this time, the trajectory data T2 may be generated in consideration of the scanning speed of the electron beam, the beam current, the beam focus, and the like.

Then, the process proceeds to S14, and the irradiation position setting process is performed. This setting process is a process of setting the irradiation position of the electron beam. For example, as indicated by black circles in FIG. 5, a plurality of electron beam irradiation positions are set along the trajectory data T2.

Then, the process proceeds to S16, and the modeling process is performed. The modeling process is a process of irradiating the irradiation position set in S14 with an electron beam. That is, a control signal is output from the controller 4 to the beam source 63, the electron beam is emitted from the beam source 63, and the set irradiation position is irradiated with the electron beam. As a result, the modeled object O is modeled for each piece of divided data D2. This molding process is performed by irradiating the powder material A on the rotating table 13 with an electron beam, and is performed by irradiating the electron beam for each divided data D2. At this time, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, modeling in the divided data D2 may be started when the table 13 is rotationally moved to a predetermined start position P. This starting position P is a fixed position corresponding to the installation position of the beam source 63 . That is, the start position P is set to a position where the entire divided data D2 is within the modeling area F, which is a position that does not rotate. The divided data D<b>2 may be set for any rotational position of the table 13 or may be set corresponding to the rotational position of the table 13 . When the divided data D2 is set corresponding to the rotational position of the table 13, when the rotational position of the table 13 corresponding to the divided data D2 is moved to the start position P, molding in the divided data D2 is started. Just start. By performing the modeling process in this manner, each piece of divided data D2 is modeled at the same starting position P, and the starting position of modeling for each piece of divided data D2 can be synchronized with the rotation angle of the table 13. Processing can be performed with high accuracy. The rotational position of the table 13 may be detected by an angle detection sensor such as an encoder. It should be noted that modeling of the divided data D2 may be started when a part of the divided data D2 enters the modeling area F. That is, the electron beam is applied to the area of the divided data D2 that is included in the modeling area F, and the area that is included in the modeling area is sequentially irradiated with the electron beam, thereby performing the modeling of the entire divided data D2. can be done.

Then, the process proceeds to S18, and it is determined whether or not the end condition of the control process is satisfied. The case where the end condition of the control process is met is, for example, the case where the modeling of the object O is completed. In other words, this is the case where the modeling process is completed for all of the divided data D2, and the modeling of the modeled object O is completed. On the other hand, the case where the end condition of the control process is not satisfied is, for example, the case where the modeling of the object O has not been completed.

If it is determined in S18 that the condition for ending the control process is not satisfied, the process returns to S12. On the other hand, if it is determined in S18 that the condition for ending the control process is satisfied, the series of control processes in FIG. 6 ends.

By performing the processes of S10 to S18 in FIG. 6 in this way, the modeled object O is formed by being gradually layered, and finally the desired modeled object O is formed.

As described above, according to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of divided data D2 obtained by dividing the slice data D1 of the object O in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis C of the table 13 are acquired. , and the powder material A is irradiated with the electron beam according to the irradiation position set for each of the division data D2, and modeling is performed. Therefore, by rotating the table 13, the areas corresponding to the divided data D2 can be sequentially moved to the same position. Therefore, by irradiating the position with the electron beam, the modeled object O can be modeled, and the modeled object can be efficiently modeled.

For example, if the slice data D1 is divided into a grid, if the table 13 is rotated, it is difficult to irradiate the desired position of the divided area with the electron beam, resulting in complicated control. On the other hand, in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of pieces of divided data D2 obtained by dividing the slice data D1 of the object O in the circumferential direction are used, and the table 13 is rotated to perform modeling. The powder material A can be irradiated with the electron beam without greatly moving the irradiation position of the beam, and the object O can be efficiently formed.

Further, according to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, by performing modeling using the divided data D2 obtained by dividing the slice data D1 of the object O in the circumferential direction, it is easy to set the irradiation position of the electron beam. becomes.

In addition, in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, by dividing the slice data D1 for modeling the object O, modeling can be performed using divided data with a small amount of data, and the burden of modeling processing can be reduced. can be reduced. Therefore, modeling can be performed smoothly without using a control device with high control processing capability.

In addition, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can model the object O even if a beam emitting unit that cannot irradiate the entire surface of the table 13 with an electron beam is used. Therefore, it is possible to use a small-sized beam emitting unit.

Further, according to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the feeder 61, the heater 62, and the beam source 63 are arranged along the rotation direction of the table 13, so that the powder material A is supplied by the feeder 61, the heater The preheating of the powder material A by 62 and the irradiation of the electron beam by the beam source 63 can be done in different areas. Therefore, the supply of the powder material A, the preheating of the powder material A, and the irradiation of the electron beam can be performed in parallel. Therefore, the modeled object O can be modeled efficiently, and the modeling time of the modeled object O can be shortened. In particular, it is effective when a large-sized object O is modeled.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The present invention can take various modifications without departing from the gist of the claims.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 including one feeder 61, one heater 62 and one beam source 63 was described. good. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, two feeders 61, two heaters 62 and two beam sources 63 may be provided. That is, two sets of the feeder 61, the heater 62 and the beam source 63 may be provided in the circumferential direction of the table 13. FIG. In this case, one half of the table 13 can supply the powder material A, preheat the powder material A, and irradiate the beam. Preheating and beam irradiation of material A can be performed. Therefore, the modeled object O can be modeled more efficiently. Moreover, the feeder 61, the heater 62, and the beam source 63 may each be provided with three or more.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, one beam source 63 irradiates the powder material A on the table 13 with an electron beam, but a plurality of beam sources 63 may irradiate the electron beam. For example, a plurality of beam sources 63 may irradiate a region corresponding to one piece of divided data D2. Specifically, a beam source 63 that irradiates a radially inner region of the table 13 and a beam source 63 that irradiates a radially outer region of the table 13 may be provided.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the division angle θ is constant for the plurality of divided data D2 of the object O has been described. good too. In this case, it becomes easy to set so that the position of the boundary D21 between the adjacent divided data D2 and the divided data D2 does not match above and below the divided data D2. Therefore, by shifting the positions of the boundaries D21 above and below the divided data D2 in the circumferential direction, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the modeling accuracy of the modeled object O. FIG.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the rotation speed of the table 13 is kept constant has been described, but the rotation speed of the table 13 may be changed according to the shape of the object O or the like. For example, depending on the shape of the object O, there are layers with a large cross-sectional area and layers with a small cross-sectional area. Also, in the same layer, there are regions with a large cross-sectional area and regions with a small cross-sectional area. In this case, by making the rotational speed of the table 13 slower when forming a layer with a large cross-sectional area or a region with a large cross-sectional area, the object O can be formed reliably. Further, by increasing the rotation speed of the table 13 when forming a layer with a small cross-sectional area or a region with a small cross-sectional area, the time for forming the object O can be shortened.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where an electron beam is used as an energy beam to shape the object O has been described, but energy beams other than the electron beam may be used for shaping. For example, the modeled object O may be modeled by irradiating an ion beam, a laser beam, an ultraviolet ray, or the like. Also, the modeled object O may be modeled by a method other than the powder bed method.

1 three-dimensional modeling apparatus 3 drive unit 4 control unit (setting unit)
6 processing unit 7 column 8 housing 13 table 13a modeling surface 14 modeling tank 31 rotation unit (rotation drive unit)
32 lift unit 61 feeder (supply unit)
62 heater (heating part)
63 beam source (beam emission part)
A powder material C axis of rotation D1 slice data D2 division data D21 boundary F modeling area O modeled object S modeling space T1 trajectory data T2 trajectory data θ division angle

Claims (2)

In a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that supplies a powder material onto a table and irradiates the powder material with an energy beam to form a three-dimensional object,
a rotary drive unit that rotates the table about a rotation axis in the vertical direction;
Obtaining slice data of a horizontal cross section of the object corresponding to a circular area centered on the rotation axis on the modeling surface of the table, and obtaining slice data around the circular area centered on the rotation axis from the slice data A setting for obtaining a plurality of divided data corresponding to each of a plurality of fan-shaped regions divided in a direction, and setting an irradiation position , which is a target position for irradiating the fan-shaped region with the energy beam, for each of the divided data. Department and
When the fan-shaped region that rotates along with the rotation of the table enters a modeling area that can be irradiated with the energy beam, the powder material in the region of the fan-shaped region that corresponds to the irradiation position is applied to the powder material. a beam emitting unit that irradiates an energy beam ;
with
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus , wherein a center angle of one of the two fan-shaped regions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction is different from a center angle of the other fan-shaped region . a supply unit that supplies the powder material onto the table;
a heating unit that preheats the powder material supplied on the table,
The supply unit, the heating unit, and the beam emission unit are arranged above the table along the rotation direction of the table,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1.

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