JP7332001B2 - 3D printer and control method for 3D printer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a three-dimensional modeling apparatus and a control method for the three-dimensional modeling apparatus.

A three-dimensional modeling apparatus is known that models a three-dimensional modeled object by ejecting melted resin materials from nozzles, stacking them, and curing them (for example, Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2017-35811 A

In the modeling process in such a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, discharging and stopping of the melted material from the nozzle are usually repeated. However, when stopping the ejection of the material from the nozzle, the outflow of the material from the nozzle is not stopped immediately, and the timing of stopping the ejection of the material may be delayed, or the ejection amount of the material may be reduced. There was a case where it became excessive rather than the amount. Moreover, when restarting the ejection of material from the nozzles, there have been cases where the ejection timing of the material is delayed due to a delay in the supply of the material to the nozzles, or the ejection amount of the material is insufficient. As described above, in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus, there is still room for improvement in increasing the accuracy of the ejection timing and ejection amount of the material from the nozzles.

The present invention has been made to solve at least part of the above problems, and can be implemented as the following modes.
The present invention can also be implemented in the following aspects, for example.
A three-dimensional modeling apparatus for modeling a three-dimensional object,
a nozzle for ejecting molten material;
The molten material has a flat screw provided with a spirally extending groove and a driving motor for rotating the flat screw, and the flat screw is rotated to plasticize a thermoplastic material. to the nozzle through the groove; and
a discharge control mechanism provided in a flow path between the flat screw and the nozzle for controlling the outflow of the molten material from the nozzle;
with
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the ejection control mechanism includes an opening/closing mechanism that opens and closes the flow path by a shutter.
A control method for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that forms a three-dimensional object, comprising:
A discharge step of rotating a flat screw provided with a spirally extending groove by a drive motor, and guiding a molten material obtained by plasticizing a thermoplastic material through the groove to a nozzle and discharging the molten material from the nozzle. ,
an outflow control step of controlling the outflow of the molten material from the nozzle by driving a discharge control mechanism provided in the flow path of the molten material between the flat screw and the nozzle;
with
In the outflow control step, while the molten material is being discharged from the nozzle, the one provided on the upstream side of the discharge control mechanism is driven, and then the one provided on the downstream side is driven. and a discharge stopping step of stopping the flow of the molten material from the nozzle.

[1] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that models a three-dimensional modeled object. This three-dimensional modeling apparatus has a nozzle that discharges a molten material; a flat screw provided with a spirally extending groove; and a drive motor that rotates the flat screw, and rotates the flat screw. a plasticizing section that guides the molten material obtained by plasticizing a material having thermoplasticity to the nozzle through the groove; provided in a flow path between the flat screw and the nozzle; a discharge control mechanism for controlling the outflow of the molten material;
According to this form of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus, the discharge control mechanism provided between the flat screw and the nozzle controls the outflow of the molten material from the nozzle. Therefore, the start timing and stop timing of ejection of the molten material from the nozzle and the ejection amount of the molten material can be controlled with higher accuracy.

[2] In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the aspect described above, the discharge control mechanism may include an opening/closing mechanism that opens and closes the flow path using a shutter.
According to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of this aspect, since the channel is opened and closed by the shutter, the ejection of the molten material from the nozzle can be started and stopped at more appropriate timing. In addition, the closing of the flow path by the shutter suppresses the leakage of the molten material from the nozzle while the discharge of the molten material from the nozzle is stopped.

[3] In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the above aspect, the discharge control mechanism sucks the molten material into a branched flow path connected to the flow path to generate a negative pressure in the flow path. may contain
According to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of this aspect, the discharge of the molten material from the nozzle can be quickly stopped by the generation of negative pressure in the channel between the flat screw and the nozzle. Further, if the discharge control mechanism is configured to have both the shutter and the pressure changer, the controllability of the discharge of the molten material from the nozzle can be further enhanced.

[4] In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the above aspect, the shutter of the opening/closing mechanism may be provided upstream of the branch flow path of the pressure changing section.
According to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of this aspect, the pressure changer can prevent the molten material remaining downstream of the shutter from flowing out of the nozzle after the flow path is closed by the shutter.

[5] In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the aspect described above, the branch flow path of the pressure changing unit may be provided upstream of the shutter of the opening/closing mechanism.
According to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of this aspect, the rise in pressure between the flat screw and the shutter when the flow path is closed by the shutter can be suppressed by generating negative pressure in the pressure changer.

[6] In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the aspect described above, the pressure changing unit may cause the molten material in the branch flow path to flow out to the flow path to increase pressure in the flow path.
According to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of this aspect, the pressure changer causes the molten material to flow from the branched flow path into the flow path, thereby rapidly increasing the pressure in the flow path. Therefore, it is possible to quickly start discharging the molten material from the nozzle.

[7] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that models a three-dimensional modeled object. In this control method, a flat screw provided with a spirally extending groove is rotated by a drive motor, and a molten material obtained by plasticizing a thermoplastic material is guided through the groove to a nozzle, and from the nozzle. and an outflow control step of driving a discharge control mechanism provided in a flow path between the flat screw and the nozzle to control the outflow of the molten material from the nozzle.
According to this control method, the outflow of the molten material from the nozzle can be controlled between the flat screw and the nozzle. , can be controlled with greater precision.

[8] In the control method of the above aspect, the discharge control mechanism includes an opening/closing mechanism that opens and closes the flow path using a shutter, and a branch flow path that is connected to the flow path to suck the molten material into the flow path. a pressure changer for generating a negative pressure in the passage; said outflow control step is performed by the discharge control mechanism provided upstream of said discharge control mechanism while said molten material is being discharged from said nozzle. A discharge stop step may be included in which, after the driving, the one provided on the downstream side is driven to stop the outflow of the molten material from the nozzle.
According to this aspect of the control method, when the shutter of the opening/closing mechanism is provided on the upstream side of the branch flow path of the pressure changer, after closing the flow path with the shutter, the pressure changer controls the downstream of the shutter. Negative pressure can be generated on the side. Therefore, the molten material is prevented from leaking from the nozzle after the shutter is closed. When the branch flow path of the pressure changing unit is provided on the upstream side of the shutter of the opening/closing mechanism, the shutter can be closed after the molten material is allowed to flow into the branch flow path. The resulting leakage of molten material from the nozzle is suppressed.

All of the plurality of constituent elements of each aspect of the present invention described above are not essential, and in order to solve some or all of the above problems, or some or all of the effects described in this specification In order to achieve the above, it is possible to change, delete, replace with new other components, or partially delete the limited contents of some of the plurality of components as appropriate. In addition, in order to solve part or all of the above-described problems or achieve part or all of the effects described in this specification, the technical features included in the above-described one embodiment of the present invention It is also possible to combine some or all of the technical features included in the above-described other forms of the present invention to form an independent form of the present invention.

The present invention can also be realized in various forms other than the three-dimensional modeling apparatus and its control method. For example, it can be realized in the form of a discharge unit for discharging a molten material, a method for discharging a molten material, a method for forming a three-dimensional object using a molten material, and the like. In addition, it can also be realized in the form of a control method for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, a computer program for realizing the various methods described above, a non-temporary recording medium recording the computer program, or the like.

Schematic which shows the structure of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus in 1st Embodiment. A schematic perspective view of a flat screw. The schematic plan view of a screw facing part. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the three-dimensional modeled object and the tip of the nozzle; FIG. 4 is a first schematic view showing the opening/closing operation of the channel by the opening/closing mechanism; FIG. 4 is a second schematic view showing the opening/closing operation of the channel by the opening/closing mechanism; Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the flow of the modeling process in 1st Embodiment. The 1st schematic which shows the structure of the pressure change part with which the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of 2nd Embodiment is provided. The 2nd schematic which shows the structure of the pressure change part with which the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of 2nd Embodiment is provided. Schematic which shows the structure of the discharge control mechanism with which the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of 3rd Embodiment is provided. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the flow of the modeling process in 3rd Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the discharge control mechanism with which the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of 4th Embodiment is provided.

1. First embodiment:
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100A according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 shows arrows indicating the mutually orthogonal X, Y and Z directions. The X direction and the Y direction are directions parallel to the horizontal plane, and the Z direction is the direction opposite to the gravitational direction (vertical direction). Arrows indicating the X, Y, and Z directions are also shown in other reference drawings as necessary so as to correspond to FIG.

The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100A includes a discharge unit 110A, a modeling stage section 200, and a control section 300. Under the control of the control unit 300, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100A ejects a molten material obtained by plasticizing a thermoplastic material from the nozzle 61 of the ejection unit 110A onto the modeling table 220 of the modeling stage section 200 and hardens it. A three-dimensional modeled object is formed by "Plasticized" means that heat is applied to a material to melt it.

110 A of discharge units are provided with the material supply part 20, the plasticizing part 30, and 60 A of head parts. The material supply section 20 is composed of a hopper, and a lower discharge port is connected to the plasticization section 30 via a communication passage 22 . The material supply unit 20 supplies a thermoplastic material to the plasticization unit 30 .

Materials supplied to the material supply unit 20 include, for example, polypropylene resin (PP), polyethylene resin (PE), polyacetal resin (POM), polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC), polyamide resin (PA), acrylonitrile-butadiene- Styrene resin (ABS), polylactic acid resin (PLA), polyphenylene sulfide resin (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polycarbonate (PC) and the like can be used. These materials are put into the material supply section 20 in the form of solid materials such as pellets and powders. Further, the thermoplastic material supplied to the material supply unit 20 may contain pigments, metals, ceramics, and the like.

The plasticizing section 30 plasticizes the above material and causes it to flow into the head section 60A. The plasticizing section 30 has a screw case 31 , a drive motor 32 , a flat screw 40 and a screw facing portion 50 .

The flat screw 40 is a substantially cylindrical screw whose height in the axial direction (direction along the central axis) is smaller than its diameter. ing. The communication passage 22 of the material supply section 20 described above is connected to the groove section 42 from the side surface of the flat screw 40 . A specific shape of the flat screw 40 will be described later.

The flat screw 40 is arranged so that its axial direction is parallel to the Z direction, and rotates along the circumferential direction. In FIG. 1, the rotation axis RX of the flat screw 40 is illustrated with a dashed line. In the first embodiment, the central axis of the flat screw 40 and its rotation axis RX coincide.

The flat screw 40 is housed inside the screw case 31 . The flat screw 40 is connected to the driving motor 32 on the upper surface 47 side, and is rotated within the screw case 31 by the rotational driving force generated by the driving motor 32 . The drive motor 32 is driven under the control of the controller 300 .

The lower surface 48 of the flat screw 40 faces the upper surface 52 of the screw facing portion 50 , and a space is formed between the groove portion 42 of the lower surface 48 of the flat screw 40 and the upper surface 52 of the screw facing portion 50 . In the discharge unit 110A, material is supplied from the material supply section 20 to this space between the flat screw 40 and the screw facing section 50 .

A heater 58 for heating the material is embedded in the screw facing portion 50 . The material supplied into the groove portion 42 of the flat screw 40 is plasticized and converted into a molten material by the rotation of the flat screw 40, and flows along the groove portion 42 to the central portion 46 of the flat screw 40. It is guided (details will be described later). The molten material that has flowed into the central portion 46 is supplied to the head portion 60A through the communication hole 56 provided at the center of the screw facing portion 50. As shown in FIG.

The head section 60A has a nozzle 61, a flow path 65, and an ejection control mechanism 70A. The nozzle 61 ejects the molten material from an ejection port 62 at its tip. A discharge port 62 of the nozzle 61 has a hole diameter Dn. The nozzle 61 is connected to the communication hole 56 of the screw facing portion 50 through the flow path 65 . Channel 65 is the molten material flow path between flat screw 40 and nozzle 61 . The molten material plasticized in the plasticizing section 30 flows from the communication hole 56 to the flow path 65 and is discharged from the discharge port 62 of the nozzle 61 toward the modeling table 220 of the modeling stage section 200 .

The molten material is injected from the nozzle 61 in a completely melted state by being heated to a temperature higher than its glass transition point. For example, ABS resin has a glass transition point of about 120° C., and reaches about 200° C. when injected from the nozzle 61 . A heater may be provided around the nozzle 61 in order to inject the molten material in such a high temperature state.

The ejection control mechanism 70A is provided in the flow path 65 and controls the outflow of the molten material from the nozzle 61. As shown in FIG. In the first embodiment, the ejection control mechanism 70A includes an opening/closing mechanism 71 that opens and closes the flow path 65. As shown in FIG. The opening/closing mechanism 71 includes a shutter 72 and a shutter drive section 73 . The shutter 72 is configured by a plate-like member, and is arranged so that its plate surface intersects with the flow path 65 . The shutter 72 has a through hole 72 o that penetrates in its thickness direction and is connectable to the flow path 65 .

The shutter driving section 73 moves the shutter 72 in a direction intersecting with the channel 65 . Under the control of the control unit 300 , the shutter drive unit 73 displaces the shutter 72 to displace the arrangement position of the through hole 72 o with respect to the flow channel 65 to open and close the flow channel 65 . The shutter driving section 73 can be composed of, for example, a piezo element that expands and contracts to displace the shutter 72 . The shutter driving section 73 is not limited to a piezo element, and may be configured by an actuator such as a solenoid, an air cylinder, or a motor. The opening and closing operation of the channel 65 by the shutter 72 will be described later.

The modeling stage section 200 includes a table 210 , a modeling table 220 placed on the table 210 , and a moving mechanism 230 that displaces the modeling table 220 . The moving mechanism 230 is composed of a three-axis positioner that moves the modeling table 220 in three axial directions of X, Y, and Z directions by driving force of three motors. The modeling stage section 200 changes the relative positional relationship between the nozzle 61 and the modeling table 220 under the control of the control section 300 .

The control unit 300 can be implemented by, for example, a computer including a processor such as a CPU, a main memory, and a nonvolatile memory. A nonvolatile memory in the control unit 300 stores a computer program for controlling the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100A. The control unit 300 drives the discharge unit 110A and the discharge control mechanism 70A to discharge and harden the molten material to the coordinate position on the modeling table 220 according to the modeling data, thereby forming a three-dimensional object. Executes the modeling process.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the lower surface 48 side of the flat screw 40. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the position of the rotation axis RX of the flat screw 40 when rotating in the plasticizing section 30 is illustrated by a dashed line. As described above, the groove portion 42 is provided in the lower surface 48 of the flat screw 40 facing the screw facing portion 50 (FIG. 1). Below, the lower surface 48 is also referred to as the "grooved surface 48".

A central portion 46 of the groove forming surface 48 of the flat screw 40 is configured as a recess to which one end of the groove portion 42 is connected. The central portion 46 faces the communication hole 56 ( FIG. 1 ) of the screw facing portion 50 . In the first embodiment, the central portion 46 intersects the rotation axis RX.

The groove portion 42 of the flat screw 40 constitutes a so-called scroll groove. The groove portion 42 spirally extends from the central portion 46 toward the outer circumference of the flat screw 40 so as to draw an arc. The groove 42 may be configured to extend spirally. FIG. 2 shows an example of a flat screw 40 having three ridges 43 forming side walls of three grooves 42 and extending along each groove 42 . The number of grooves 42 and ridges 43 provided in flat screw 40 is not limited to three. The flat screw 40 may be provided with only one groove portion 42 or may be provided with two or more groove portions 42 . Any number of ridges 43 may be provided according to the number of grooves 42 .

The groove portion 42 continues to a material inlet 44 formed on the side surface of the flat screw 40 . This material inlet 44 is a portion that receives the material supplied through the communication passage 22 of the material supply section 20 . Note that FIG. 2 shows an example of a flat screw 40 in which material inlets 44 are formed at three locations. The number of material inlets 44 provided in the flat screw 40 is not limited to three. The flat screw 40 may be provided with the material inlet 44 only at one location, or may be provided at two or more locations.

When the flat screw 40 rotates, the material supplied from the material inlet 44 is heated and plasticized in the groove 42 to be melted and converted into a molten material. The molten material then flows through the grooves 42 to the central portion 46 .

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing the upper surface 52 side of the screw facing portion 50. As shown in FIG. The upper surface 52 of the screw facing portion 50 faces the groove forming surface 48 of the flat screw 40 as described above. Hereinafter, this upper surface 52 is also called "screw facing surface 52". At the center of the screw facing surface 52, the above-described communication hole 56 for supplying the molten material to the nozzle 61 is formed.

The screw facing surface 52 is formed with a plurality of guide grooves 54 connected to the communication hole 56 and spirally extending from the communication hole 56 toward the outer periphery. The multiple guide grooves 54 have the function of guiding the molten material to the communication holes 56 . As described above, the heater 58 for heating the material is embedded in the screw facing portion 50 (Fig. 1). Plasticization of the material in the plasticizing section 30 is realized by heating by the heater 58 and rotation of the flat screw 40 .

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the three-dimensional structure OB and the ejection port 62 at the tip of the nozzle 61. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 schematically shows how the three-dimensional structure OB is formed on the forming table 220 .

In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100A, a gap G is maintained between the discharge port 62 at the tip of the nozzle 61 and the top surface OBt of the three-dimensional modeled object OB being modeled. Here, the “upper surface OBt of the three-dimensional structure OB” means a planned portion in the vicinity of the position directly below the nozzle 61 where the molten material discharged from the nozzle 61 is deposited.

The size of the gap G is desirably equal to or larger than the hole diameter Dn (FIG. 1) of the discharge port 62 of the nozzle 61, and more preferably equal to or larger than 1.1 times the hole diameter Dn. In this way, the molten material ejected from the ejection port 62 of the nozzle 61 is deposited on the upper surface OBt of the three-dimensional structure OB in a free state without being pressed against the upper surface OBt of the three-dimensional structure OB being manufactured. As a result, it is possible to prevent the cross-sectional shape of the molten material discharged from the nozzle 61 from being crushed, and to reduce the surface roughness of the three-dimensional structure OB. In addition, in a configuration in which a heater is provided around the nozzle 61, by forming the gap G, overheating of the material by the heater can be prevented, and discoloration and deterioration of the material deposited on the three-dimensional structure OB due to overheating can be prevented. is suppressed.

On the other hand, the size of the gap G is preferably 1.5 times or less the hole diameter Dn, and particularly preferably 1.3 times or less. This suppresses a decrease in the accuracy of the planned site where the molten material is to be placed and a decrease in adhesion of the molten material to the upper surface OBt of the three-dimensional structure OB being manufactured.

The opening/closing operation of the flow path 65 by the opening/closing mechanism 71 of the ejection control mechanism 70A will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B. 5A shows a state in which the channel 65 is opened by the shutter 72 of the opening/closing mechanism 71. FIG. When the shutter 72 opens the channel 65 , the through hole 72 o of the shutter 72 overlaps the opening region of the channel 65 . As a result, the molten material can flow into the nozzle 61 through the through hole 72o, and the molten material can flow out from the discharge port 62 of the nozzle 61. As shown in FIG.

FIG. 5B shows a state in which the channel 65 is closed by the shutter 72 . When the shutter 72 closes the channel 65 , the through hole 72 o of the shutter 72 is positioned away from the opening region of the channel 65 . Therefore, the inflow of the molten material from the flow path 65 to the nozzle 61 is blocked by the shutter 72 and the outflow of the molten material from the discharge port 62 of the nozzle 61 is stopped.

As described above, in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100A, the size of the discharge unit 110A in the Z direction is reduced by using the flat screw 40 . In addition, the surface roughness of the three-dimensional structure OB is reduced by setting the gap G between the tip of the nozzle 61 and the three-dimensional structure OB to a small range as described above. In addition, the accuracy of the arrangement positions of the materials is improved, and the decrease in adhesion between the materials in the three-dimensional structure OB is suppressed.

In addition, a discharge control mechanism 70A is provided in the flow path 65 between the flat screw 40 and the nozzle 61, and controls the outflow of the molten material at a position near the discharge port 62 of the nozzle 61. Therefore, occurrence of response delay in starting/stopping the outflow of the molten material from the ejection port 62 of the nozzle 61 with respect to the opening/closing timing of the flow path 65 by the ejection control mechanism 70A is controlled. Therefore, the start timing and stop timing of ejection of the molten material from the nozzle 61 and the ejection amount of the molten material can be controlled with higher accuracy.

According to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100A, since the channel 65 is closed by the shutter 72 of the opening/closing mechanism 71, the molten material leaks from the nozzle 61 while the outflow of the molten material from the nozzle 61 is stopped. It is suppressed. Further, according to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100A, since the flow path 65 is blocked by the shutter 72, even if the rotation of the flat screw 40 by the drive motor 32 is continued, the discharge of the molten material from the nozzle 61 is stopped. can be made

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the flow of modeling processing executed by the control unit 300. As shown in FIG. Step S<b>10 is a discharge step of discharging the molten material from the nozzle 61 . In step S10, the control unit 300 drives the drive motor 32 of the plasticizing unit 30 to rotate the flat screw 40, and executes a discharge process in which the molten material is continuously discharged from the nozzle 61 toward the modeling table 220. do. While executing the ejection process, the control section 300 controls the moving mechanism 230 of the modeling stage section 200 to displace the modeling table 220 according to the modeling data. As a result, the molten material is deposited on the target position on the modeling table 220 .

The control unit 300 determines whether or not the timing for temporarily interrupting the ejection of the molten material has arrived during the ejection process of step S10 (step S20). The control unit 300 may make the determination based on the modeling data. The control unit 300 temporarily suspends ejection of the molten material from the nozzle 61, for example, when separating and depositing the molten material at a position a predetermined distance away from the position at which the molten material has been ejected. It is determined that the timing for discontinuing the processing has arrived. Alternatively, the control unit 300 may determine that the timing to temporarily suspend the discharge of the molten material from the nozzle 61 has arrived when a temporary stop interrupt command is received from the user or a higher-level control unit. .

If it is not the timing to interrupt the ejection of the molten material and the modeling process has not yet been completed, the controller 300 continues the ejection process of the molten material in step S10 (step S50). On the other hand, when the timing to interrupt the ejection of the molten material has arrived, the control section 300 executes the processes of steps S30 to S40.

Steps S30 to S40 are outflow control steps for controlling the outflow of the molten material from the nozzle 61. FIG. The controller 300 controls the ejection control mechanism 70A to close the flow path 65 with the shutter 72 and stop the molten material from flowing out from the nozzle 61 (step S30). While stopping the outflow of the molten material from the nozzle 61, the controller 300 controls the molding table 220 so that, for example, the nozzle 61 is positioned at the coordinates on the molding table 220 where the discharge of the molten material should be resumed next time. You may change the position of the nozzle 61 with respect to.

After that, when it is time to restart the ejection of the molten material from the nozzle 61 , the control unit 300 moves the shutter 72 to open the flow path 65 to prevent the molten material from flowing out from the nozzle 61 . Start (step S40), and return to the ejection process of step S10 (step S50). In step S30, when the flow path 65 is closed by the shutter 72 to temporarily interrupt the ejection of the molten material from the nozzle 61, the control unit 300 does not stop the rotation of the flat screw 40. It is desirable to continue. As a result, in step S40, the discharge of the molten material from the nozzle 61 can be restarted more quickly.

As described above, according to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100A of the first embodiment, by using the flat screw 40, it is possible to reduce the size of the apparatus and improve the modeling accuracy. Further, an opening/closing mechanism 71 provided as a discharge control mechanism 70A in the flow path 65 between the flat screw 40 and the nozzle 61 enhances the precision of the discharge timing and discharge amount of the melted material from the nozzle 61 . In addition, according to the 3D modeling apparatus 100A of the first embodiment, it is possible to achieve various effects described in the first embodiment.

2. Second embodiment:
7A and 7B, the configuration of the pressure changing unit 75 provided as the ejection control mechanism 70B of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100B of the second embodiment will be described. The configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100B of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the ejection control mechanism 70B of the second embodiment is provided instead of the ejection control mechanism 70A of the first embodiment. The configuration is substantially the same as that of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100A. In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100B of the second embodiment, the control unit 300 executes modeling processing similar to that described in the first embodiment (FIG. 6).

The head portion 60B of the ejection unit 110B in the second embodiment has the ejection control mechanism 70B of the second embodiment. The discharge control mechanism 70B of the second embodiment includes a pressure changer 75 that changes the pressure of the flow path 65. As shown in FIG. The pressure changing section 75 has a branch flow path 76 , a rod 77 and a rod driving section 78 . The branch channel 76 is a channel into which part of the molten material of the channel 65 flows. The branch channel 76 is configured by a through hole extending linearly and crossing the channel 65 . The rod 77 is a shaft-like member arranged inside the branch flow path 76 . The rod driving section 78 generates a driving force for instantaneously reciprocating the rod 77 in the branch flow path 76 under the control of the control section 300 . The rod drive unit 78 is configured by an actuator such as a solenoid mechanism, piezo element, or motor, for example.

The pressure changer 75 of the discharge control mechanism 70B controls the rod 77 so that the tip portion 77e of the rod 77 diverges from the flow path 65 while the molten material is being discharged from the nozzle 61 in the discharge process of step S10 (FIG. 6). It is placed in an initial position at the junction with channel 76 (FIG. 7A). Then, in step S30 (FIG. 6), when the ejection of the molten material from the nozzle 61 is temporarily interrupted, The rod driving portion 78 instantaneously pulls the rod 77 from the initial position into the branch channel 76 (FIG. 7B). As a result, the pressure changer 75 draws part of the molten material in the flow path 65 into the branched flow path 76, generates a negative pressure in the flow path 65, and temporarily prevents the outflow of the molten material from the nozzle 61. can be stopped at

When the discharge of the molten material from the nozzle 61 is restarted (step S40 in FIG. 6), the control section 300 causes the rod driving section 78 to return the rod 77 to the initial position, and the molten material in the branch flow path 76 is diverted to the flow path 65. to increase the pressure in the channel 65 . This quickly resumes the outflow of molten material from nozzle 61 .

As described above, according to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100B of the second embodiment, the pressure changing unit 75 generates negative pressure in the flow path 65, thereby quickly stopping the discharge of the molten material from the nozzle 61. be able to. In addition, when restarting the outflow of the molten material from the nozzle 61, the pressure changer 75 increases the pressure in the flow path 65. Therefore, the accuracy of the start timing of ejection of the molten material and the ejection timing at which the ejection of the molten material is started can be improved. Quantitative precision is enhanced. In addition, according to the 3D modeling apparatus 100B of the second embodiment, it is possible to achieve various effects similar to those described in the first embodiment.

3. Third embodiment:
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a head section 60C included in a discharge unit 110C of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100C according to the third embodiment. The configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100C of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the ejection control mechanism 70C of the third embodiment is provided instead of the ejection control mechanism 70A of the first embodiment. The configuration is substantially the same as that of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100A.

A discharge control mechanism 70C of the third embodiment includes an opening/closing mechanism 71 similar to that described in the first embodiment, and a pressure changer 75 similar to that described in the second embodiment. In the discharge control mechanism 70</b>C, the opening/closing mechanism 71 is provided upstream of the pressure changer 75 . In other words, in the ejection control mechanism 70C, the shutter 72 of the opening/closing mechanism 71 is provided at a position closer to the flat screw 40 than the branch flow path 76 of the pressure changing portion 75 is. The opening/closing operation of the channel 65 by the opening/closing mechanism 71 is the same as that described in the first embodiment (FIGS. 5A and 5B). Also, the operation of changing the pressure in the flow path 65 by the pressure changing unit 75 is the same as that described in the second embodiment (FIGS. 7A and 7B).

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the flow of modeling processing executed by the control unit 300 in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100C of the third embodiment. The flow of the modeling process of the third embodiment is the same as that of the modeling process described in the first embodiment, except that the outflow control process of steps S31, S32, and S40 is provided instead of the flow rate control process of step S30. It is almost the same as the flow (Fig. 6).

In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100C, when the timing of temporarily interrupting the ejection of the molten material arrives during the execution of the ejection process of step S10, the outflow control process of steps S31 to S40 is performed. The outflow control process includes a discharge stop process of executing steps S31 and S32 for stopping the discharge of the molten material from the nozzle 61 . The control unit 300 drives the opening/closing mechanism 71 of the ejection control mechanism 70C and the pressure changing unit 75 provided on the upstream side of the flow path 65 in step S31, and drives the one provided on the downstream side in step S32. to drive the

In the discharge stop process of the third embodiment, the controller 300 closes the flow path 65 by the shutter 72 on the upstream side in step S31, and then the pressure changer 75 on the downstream side causes the flow path 65 to be negatively charged in step S32. generate pressure. According to this ejection stop step, the molten material pushed out from the flow path 65 to the nozzle 61 when the shutter 72 closes the flow path 65 can be sucked into the branch flow path 76 of the pressure changing portion 75 . Therefore, the residual pressure on the downstream side of the shutter 72 can be reduced, and the molten material remaining downstream of the shutter 72 flows out from the nozzle 61 while the ejection of the molten material from the nozzle 61 is stopped. It is suppressed to do.

In step S40, the ejection of the molten material from the nozzle 61 is resumed. In step S40, either the opening/closing mechanism 71 or the pressure changer 75 may be driven first, or both may be driven simultaneously. In step S40, when the flow path 65 is opened by the shutter 72, the pressure changer 75 pushes the molten material in the branch flow path 76 into the flow path 65 by the rod 77, thereby increasing the pressure in the flow path 65. It is desirable that As a result, the ejection of molten material from the nozzle 61 is quickly resumed.

As described above, according to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100</b>C of the third embodiment, the flow path 65 is provided with the shutter 72 of the opening/closing mechanism 71 and the pressure changer 75 so that the melted material from the nozzle 61 is The accuracy of the ejection control is enhanced. In particular, in the third embodiment, since the pressure changer 75 is provided downstream of the opening/closing mechanism 71, the pressure near the discharge port 62 of the nozzle 61 can be changed more quickly by the pressure changer 75. . Therefore, the ejection of the molten material from the nozzle 61 can be controlled with higher precision than the configuration in which the pressure changer 75 is provided on the upstream side of the opening/closing mechanism 71 . In addition, according to the 3D modeling apparatus 100C of the third embodiment, it is possible to achieve various effects described in the above embodiments.

4. Fourth embodiment:
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a head section 60D included in a discharge unit 110D of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100D according to the fourth embodiment. The configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100D of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the third embodiment except that the ejection control mechanism 70D of the fourth embodiment is provided instead of the ejection control mechanism 70C of the third embodiment. The configuration is substantially the same as that of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100C. The configuration of the ejection control mechanism 70D of the fourth embodiment is similar to that of the ejection control of the third embodiment, except that the branch flow path 76 of the pressure changer 75 is provided upstream of the shutter 72 of the opening/closing mechanism 71. It is almost the same as the structure of the mechanism 70C.

In the 3D modeling apparatus 100D of the fourth embodiment, the control unit 300 executes modeling processing in the same flow as described in the third embodiment (FIG. 9). When temporarily stopping the process of discharging the molten material in step S10, the control unit 300 first drives the pressure changing unit 75 provided on the upstream side of the flow path 65 to Negative pressure is generated (step S31). Then, the opening/closing mechanism 71 is driven to close the channel 65 with the shutter 72 (step S32).

As described above, in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100D of the fourth embodiment, when temporarily stopping the discharge of the molten material from the nozzle 61 in the discharge stop step, the pressure inside the flow path 65 is reduced and , the channel 65 is closed by the shutter 72 . Therefore, the movement of the shutter 72 for closing the flow path 65 is facilitated. Further, the movement of the shutter 72 suppresses the molten material from being pushed out of the nozzle 61 and leaking from the nozzle 61 . Furthermore, the rise in pressure between the flat screw 40 and the shutter 72 when the flow path 65 is closed by the shutter 72 is suppressed. In addition, according to the 3D modeling apparatus 100D of the fourth embodiment, it is possible to achieve various effects described in the above embodiments.

5. Other embodiments:
Various configurations described in the above embodiments can be modified, for example, as follows. All of the other embodiments described below are positioned as examples of modes for carrying out the invention, like each of the above-described embodiments.

5-1. Alternative Embodiment 1:
In each of the above embodiments, the gap G between the tip of the nozzle 61 and the three-dimensional structure OB may be smaller than the hole diameter Dn of the outlet 62 of the nozzle 61 . Alternatively, the gap G may be larger than 1.5 times the diameter Dn of the outlet 62 of the nozzle 61 .

5-2. Alternative Embodiment 2:
In the opening/closing mechanism 71 of each of the embodiments described above, the through hole 72o of the shutter 72 may be omitted. The shutter 72 may open and close the channel 65 by moving its end across the channel 65 . The shutter of the opening/closing mechanism 71 may be composed of a plurality of plate-like members arranged in an overlapping manner. The shutter may be configured to open and close the channel 65 by moving in different directions so as to change the opening area of the channel 65, for example. The opening/closing mechanism 71 may be composed of a butterfly valve. In this case, the shutter of the opening/closing mechanism 71 is composed of a disk plate arranged so that the direction of the central axis rotates within the channel 65 .

5-3. Alternative Embodiment 3:
In each of the above embodiments, the pressure changer 75 generates a negative pressure in the channel 65 by moving the rod 77 within the branch channel 76 . On the other hand, the pressure changer 75 may generate a negative pressure in the flow path 65 with another configuration. The pressure changer 75 may generate a negative pressure in the flow path 65 by sucking the molten material into the branch flow path 76 by, for example, a suction force of a pump. In addition, in the case of this configuration, the molten material sucked into the branch flow path 76 may be circulated to the flat screw 40 and reused, or may be directly discharged to the outside of the apparatus.

5-4. Alternative Embodiment 4:
In each of the above embodiments, the pressure changer 75 is not configured to be driven to increase the pressure in the flow path 65 when the molten material starts to flow out from the discharge port 62 of the nozzle 61. good too. The pressure changer 75 may slowly move the rod 77 to the initial position after the molten material starts to flow out from the nozzle 61 so that the pressure in the flow path 65 is not substantially changed.

5-5. Alternative Embodiment 5:
The flow of the modeling process described in each of the above embodiments is merely an example. In the three-dimensional modeling apparatuses 100A to 100D of each embodiment, a control method based on another modeling process flow may be employed. For example, in the above-described first embodiment, before step S10, the flat screw 40 is started to rotate with the flow path 65 closed by the shutter 72, and when the discharge process of step S10 is started, , the shutter 72 may be opened. Further, in the second embodiment, when the rotation of the flat screw 40 is stopped and the modeling process is terminated, the pressure changer 75 generates a negative pressure in the flow path 65 to remove excess molten material from the nozzle 61. It is good also as what suppresses an outflow. In the discharge stopping process in the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment, the opening/closing mechanism 71 and the pressure changer 75 may be driven simultaneously. Alternatively, of the opening/closing mechanism 71 and the pressure changer 75, the one provided on the downstream side may be driven before the one provided on the upstream side.

5-6. Alternative Embodiment 6:
In each of the embodiments described above, the material supply section 20 does not have to be configured with a hopper. The material supply section 20 may be omitted from the discharge units 110A to 110D. Also, the material supply unit 20 may not be configured to supply the material in a solid state to the flat screw 40 . The material supply unit 20 may be configured to supply the flat screw 40 with a molten material that has already been plasticized or a semi-molten material in which a part of the material is plasticized.

5-7. Alternative Embodiment 7:
In each of the above-described embodiments, the three-dimensional modeling apparatuses 100A to 100D have a moving mechanism that three-dimensionally moves the nozzles 61 of the ejection units 110A to 110D instead of the moving mechanism 230 that three-dimensionally moves the modeling table 220. may be adopted. Alternatively, a moving mechanism may be adopted that moves one of the nozzle 61 and the modeling table 220 in one or two axial directions and moves the other in the remaining axial directions.

5-8. Alternative Embodiment 8:
Some or all of the functions and processes implemented by software in the above embodiments may be implemented by hardware including circuits. Also, part or all of the functions and processes implemented by hardware may be implemented by software. As the hardware, various circuits such as integrated circuits, discrete circuits, or circuit modules combining these circuits can be used.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments (including other embodiments) and examples, and can be implemented in various configurations without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the technical features in the embodiments and examples corresponding to the technical features in each form described in the Summary of the Invention are used to solve some or all of the above problems, or In order to achieve some or all of the effects, it is possible to appropriately replace or combine them. In addition, not limited to those whose technical features are described as not essential in this specification, and if the technical features are not described as essential in this specification, delete them as appropriate is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20... Material supply part, 22... Communication path, 30... Plasticizing part, 31... Screw case, 32... Drive motor, 40... Flat screw, 42... Groove part, 43... Protruding part, 44... Material inlet, 46... Central portion 48 Lower surface (groove forming surface) 50 Screw facing portion 52 Upper surface (screw facing surface) 54 Guide groove 56 Communication hole 58 Heater 60A Head portion 60B Head portion , 60C... Head part 60D... Head part 61... Nozzle 62... Ejection port 65... Flow path 70A... Ejection control mechanism 70B... Ejection control mechanism 70C... Ejection control mechanism 70D... Ejection control mechanism 71 Opening and closing mechanism 72 Shutter 72o Through hole 73 Shutter drive unit 75 Pressure change unit 76 Branch flow path 77 Rod 77e Tip end 78 Rod drive unit 100A Three-dimensional Modeling apparatus 100B...Three-dimensional shaping apparatus 100C...Three-dimensional shaping apparatus 100D...Three-dimensional shaping apparatus 110A...Discharge unit 110B...Discharge unit 110C...Discharge unit 110D...Discharge unit 200...Shaping stage section 210...Table, 220...Modeling table, 230...Moving mechanism, 300...Control unit, G...Gap, OB...Three-dimensional object, OBt...Upper surface, RX...Rotating axis

Claims (8)

a plasticizing unit that plasticizes a material having thermoplasticity to generate a modeling material;
a nozzle having a nozzle opening for discharging the modeling material;
a first discharge control unit provided in a channel through which the modeling material flows, and controlling the outflow of the modeling material from the nozzle opening by opening and closing the channel ;
a second discharge control section provided downstream of the first discharge control section in the flow path and controlling outflow of the modeling material from the nozzle opening;
a control unit;
When stopping the outflow of the modeling material from the nozzle opening, the control unit drives the second discharge control unit after driving the first discharge control unit.
Three-dimensional modeling device. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the first discharge control unit includes an opening/closing mechanism that opens and closes the flow path by a valve that rotates within the flow path . The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the second discharge control section includes a pressure changing section that sucks the modeling material into a branch flow path connected to the flow path. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 3,
When stopping the outflow of the modeling material from the nozzle opening, the control section drives the pressure changing section after driving the first discharge control section to cause the modeling material to flow into the branch flow path. A three-dimensional modeling device that sucks in. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 4,
When starting the outflow of the modeling material from the nozzle opening, the control section drives the pressure changing section after driving the first discharge control section to control the modeling material in the branch flow path. into the flow channel. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The plasticizing part is
a drive motor;
a flat screw provided with a groove extending in a spiral shape and rotated around a rotation axis by the drive motor;
a screw-facing portion facing the flat screw and formed with a communication hole through which the modeling material flows;
and a screw case that houses the flat screw,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the flat screw has a length in a direction along the rotation axis shorter than a length in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 6,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the depth of the groove portion of the flat screw becomes shallower from the outer circumference toward the center of the flat screw. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 6 or claim 7,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the flat screw has a plurality of grooves.

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