JPH10211656A - Laminate shaping apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a laminate shaping apparatus suitable for massproducing a shaped article. SOLUTION: In a laminate shaping apparatus, a substance solidified by the irradiation with irradiation energy such as laser beam is irradiated with irradiation energy to form a solidified layer and some solidified layers are laminated to shape three-dimensional shaped article. A plurality of arranging apparatuses in which substances possible to solidify are arranged are provided side by side and an irradiation apparatus 8 applying irradiation energy to the substances possible to solidify (sprinkled layers 55) is used for the respective arranging apparatuses in common.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a laminating method for irradiating a solidifiable substance having a property of solidifying when irradiated with an irradiation energy such as a laser beam with the irradiation energy, thereby stacking and molding a three-dimensional modeled object. It relates to a molding device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an additive manufacturing technology (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
No. 530, USP (U.S. Pat. No. 4,247,508)
Is attracting attention. In this additive manufacturing technology, resin-coated sand that functions as a solidifiable substance is used, and the resin-coated sand is scattered to form a scattered layer, and the scattered layer is irradiated with a laser beam to form a thin solidified layer. Irradiation processing is repeated alternately, whereby a large number of solidified layers are sequentially stacked in the thickness direction, whereby a three-dimensional model is formed. In this additive manufacturing technique, there is obtained an advantage that it is possible to accurately mold even a molded article having a complicated shape.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned lamination molding technique, a three-dimensional molded article is formed by successively laminating a large number of solidified layers in the thickness direction, so that a complex molded article is molded. However, the productivity is not always sufficient because the solidified layers are stacked one by one. When the number of solidified layers is several hundred or more, the productivity is further improved.
Not enough. Therefore, the above-described additive manufacturing technology is not suitable for modeling of mass-produced products, and the fact is that the technology is mainly used for modeling of prototypes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and each claim is directed not only to a prototype having a small number of molded articles, but also to an advantage of contributing to mass production of mass-produced molded articles. It is a common task to provide a device.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an additive manufacturing apparatus which uses a solidifiable substance having a property of being solidified when irradiated with an irradiation energy such as a laser beam or an ultraviolet ray, and applies the irradiation energy to the solidifiable substance. By irradiating, to form a solidified layer, a laminate modeling apparatus that laminates this in the thickness direction to form a three-dimensional molded article, a plurality of arrangement devices in which a solidifiable substance is arranged, And a common irradiation device for irradiating the solidifiable substance arranged in each of the plurality of arrangement devices with irradiation energy.

According to the additive manufacturing apparatus of the second aspect,
In claim 1, the common irradiation device is capable of solidifying each of the arrangement devices by distributing the irradiation energy supplied by the energy supply device, which is installed near each of the plurality of arrangement devices, and the energy supply device for irradiating the irradiation energy. A plurality of distributors for supplying the substance.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an additive manufacturing apparatus using a solidifiable substance having a property of being solidified when irradiated with an irradiation energy such as a laser beam or ultraviolet rays, and irradiating the solidifiable substance with the irradiation energy. A layered modeling apparatus for forming a layer and stacking the layers in the thickness direction to form a three-dimensional modeled object, and holding an arrangement apparatus on which a solidifiable substance is arranged and a plurality of masks side by side Possible mask holder and mask for actuating one of the plurality of masks to face the solidifiable material of the placement device and activating the mask holder so that the other mask is not facing the solidifiable material of the placement device. The apparatus includes a holder driving means and a mask changing device for exchanging a non-facing mask with a solidifiable substance of an arrangement device, and is capable of solidifying irradiation energy beyond a mask facing a solidifiable substance. Irradiates the material, it is characterized in that the mask is a non-facing solidifiable substance so as to replace the mask changer.

According to the additive manufacturing apparatus of the fourth aspect,
In claim 3, the mask holder is an even-numbered mask forming an even-numbered solidified layer laminated in the thickness direction,
Odd-numbered masks forming odd-numbered solidified layers stacked in the thickness direction can be held side by side, and the mask exchange device is an even-numbered mask exchange device for exchanging even-numbered masks. , And an odd-numbered mask exchange device for exchanging an odd-numbered mask.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The solidifiable substance used in the present invention is:
It solidifies when irradiated with irradiation energy, and its form is not limited to powder, granule, liquid, fluid and the like. As the irradiation energy, a non-visible light region such as a visible light region, an infrared region, and an ultraviolet region can be adopted, and a laser beam is preferable. The infrared light may be far infrared light or near infrared light. As a laser beam, for example, a CO ₂ laser, a YAG laser,
Known beams such as a ruby laser, an Ar laser, and an excimer laser can be appropriately selected, and may be any of a visible laser beam and an invisible laser beam.

[0010] In some cases, as the irradiation treatment of the irradiation energy, the heater means is disposed outside the solidifiable substance,
Irradiation energy such as far infrared rays may be applied to the solidifiable substance from the heater means. As the solidifiable substance used in the present invention, for example, a powder such as sand coated with a thermosetting resin, a powder formed of a thermosetting resin, a metal powder, and the like can be used. The size of the granular material does not matter.

In the present invention, it is preferable to use a mask when irradiating the irradiation energy. The mask has a function of transmitting the irradiation energy and a function of blocking the transmission of the irradiation energy. Therefore, the mask has a transmission pattern through which the irradiation energy is transmitted, and a blocking unit that blocks the transmission. The transmission pattern can be formed by an opening, but it is sufficient if the irradiation energy can be transmitted without the opening. For example, quartz glass has the property of transmitting YAG laser,
The transmission pattern of the mask may be formed by laminating a light shielding film on quartz glass having no opening.

[0012]

【Example】

(First Embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment is a case where the present invention is applied to an additive manufacturing technique in which a solid is obtained by irradiation with a laser beam of a CO ₂ laser (infrared region) to obtain a model.

(Overall Configuration) First, the overall configuration of the additive manufacturing technology will be described, and then the main configuration will be described. FIG. 1 shows a conceptual diagram of the additive manufacturing technology. In this embodiment, the horizontal two-dimensional direction is X
Direction, the Y direction, and the height direction is the Z direction. X direction,
The Y directions are directions orthogonal to each other. In the present embodiment, as can be understood from FIG. 1, a lifting device 2 having a placement table 1 functioning as a placement device capable of moving up and down in the arrow Z direction,
A first driving means 3 for raising and lowering the placement table 1; a spraying device 5 for receiving resin-coated sand as a solidifiable substance and spraying the resin-coated sand on the placement table 1 to form a spray layer on the placement table 1; Second moving the device 5 in the direction of the arrow Y (the direction of the arrow Y1, Y2) along the guide rail 6
Driving means 7 and laser oscillator 8 for oscillating a laser beam
(CO ₂ laser, invisible light), a mirror device 10 for changing the direction of a laser beam, a mask supply table 13 on which many types of masks 12 are stacked, a mask collection table 15 on which many used masks 12 are stacked, The apparatus has a mask changing device 17 that transports the used mask 12 to the mask collection table 15 and holds the new mask 12 on the mask supply table 13 and arranges the new mask 12 above the arrangement table 1. The laser oscillator 8 oscillates a laser beam as irradiation energy, and thus functions as an energy supply unit.

The mask 12 is made of a steel plate, an aluminum plate or the like having durability against a laser beam. Mask 1
2, a transmission window 11 functioning as a predetermined transmission pattern through which the laser beam passes is formed. Transmission window 11
Should have the property of transmitting a laser beam. The mask 12 is placed on a mask holder 14 that can move along the guide rail 6.

The mask changing device 17 has a suction unit 17r for magnetically or vacuum-suctioning the masks 12 one by one, and a third drive unit 19 for moving the suction unit 17r. FIG.
When the first driving means 3 is driven, the arrangement table 1 of the elevating device 2 is moved up and down in the height direction, that is, along the directions of the arrows Z1 and Z2, and the height position of the scatter layer stacked on the arrangement table 1 is changed. Can be adjusted.

The first driving means 3 is connected via a signal line 3x, and the second driving means 7 is connected via a signal line 7x.
Is controlled by the control device 32 via the signal line 19x. First drive means 3, second drive means 7, third drive means 1
Although a cylinder mechanism such as a hydraulic pressure or a pneumatic pressure can be adopted as 9, a motor mechanism (for example, a stepping motor mechanism) may be used in some cases.

FIG. 2 shows a spray device 5 functioning as a spray layer forming means. As shown in FIG. 2, the spraying apparatus 5 includes a storage container 53 having a storage chamber 51 and discharge ports 52a and 52c,
A cut-out roller 54 rotatably mounted on the bottom of the storage container 53 is provided. The storage chamber 51 is loaded with resin-coated sand HA as a solidifiable substance. The resin-coated sand HA is formed by using a thermosetting resin that is thermoset and solidified when irradiated with a laser beam, and the thermosetting resin is coated on sand particles. The material of the thermosetting resin is a phenolic resin.

A plurality of cutout grooves 54m are arranged in the cutout roller 54 along the circumferential direction. The cut-out roller 54 has a horizontal axis shape, and extends in a long axis shape in the arrow X direction as can be understood from FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the sprinkling device 5 is equipped with a thickness detection sensor 50t functioning as a non-contact type thickness detecting means. The thickness detection sensor 50t is located between the ejection ports 52a and 52c in the directions of the arrows Y1 and Y2 in which the spraying device 5 moves. The reason is to cope with both the forward movement and the backward movement of the spraying device 5. The thickness detection sensor 50t has a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion, emits detection light such as a laser beam for distance detection from the light-emitting portion toward the scattering layer 55, and detects light reflected by the scattering layer 55 by the light-receiving portion. By receiving the light, the distance h between the light emitting unit and the scattering layer 55 is detected.

The height position of the spraying device 5 guided by the guide rail 6 is defined by the guide rail 6. Therefore, even if the spraying device 5 moves in the directions of the arrows Y1 and Y2,
The height position of the thickness detection sensor 50t is a constant value. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the height position KC of the surface to be sprayed (see FIG. 2)
Is always constant. Therefore, if the distance h is detected, the thickness of the scatter layer 55 is detected in a non-contact manner.

As can be understood from FIG. 2, arrows Y1, Y
Linear potentiometer 70 functioning as a moving distance detecting means for detecting a moving distance of the spraying device 5 in two directions.
Are arranged. The spraying device 5 is equipped with a detector 50x that slides along the linear potentiometer 70. Thereby, the moving distance of the spraying device 5 is detected.

As can be seen from FIG.
Is moved forward and backward by the second driving means 7 while its height position is defined by the guide rail 6. Therefore, at the time of spraying, the spraying device 5 is maintained in a non-contact state with the spraying layer 55.
Therefore, the guide rail 6 and the second driving means 7 are
It functions as a non-contact moving means for moving the spraying device 5 while keeping the spraying device 5 in non-contact.

FIG. 3 shows a laser beam irradiation process. The beam diameter of the laser beam oscillated from the laser oscillator 8 is adjusted by the beam expander 9a, and reaches the rotating mirror device 10 via the mirrors 9b to 9d. The rotating mirror device 10
An X-galvano scanner 22 having an X-rotating mirror 21 oscillating and oscillating in the direction of the arrow XA, and a Y-galvano scanner 25 having a Y-rotating mirror 24 oscillating and oscillating in the YA direction.

When the X rotating mirror 21 vibrates at a predetermined frequency in the direction of arrow XA, the laser beam vibrates at that frequency in the direction of arrow X. Y rotation mirror 24 is arrow YA
When the laser beam oscillates in one of the directions, the laser beam vibrating in the direction of the arrow X moves in the direction Y1 of the direction of the arrow Y. Therefore, the laser oscillator 8 and the rotating mirror device 10 constitute a laser irradiation device 20. The control device 32 is connected to the signal line 1
The X-galvano scanner 22 of the rotary mirror device 10 is controlled via the signal line 10a, the Y-galvano scanner 25 is controlled via the signal line 10b, and the output of the laser oscillator 8 is controlled via the signal line 8a.

In this embodiment, as can be understood from FIG.
During the irradiation, while the laser beam M reciprocates a number of times between the irradiation end Ma and the irradiation end Mc in the direction of the arrow X and oscillates, the oscillating laser beam M is irradiated by the operation of the Y rotation mirror 24. It makes one forward movement from Ma to the irradiation end Me in the direction of arrow Y1. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 3, a continuous wave-like irradiation locus by the laser beam M is formed. In this embodiment, as can be understood from FIG. 3, the continuous wave-shaped irradiation trajectory is a continuous trajectory of a triangular wave or a pseudo-triangular wave in which vertices functioning as irradiation ends Ma and Mc are connected in a substantially triangular shape. In FIG. 3, the spot diameter of the laser beam is indicated by D, and the scan pitch is indicated by P.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a temperature sensor 30 is provided as temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the scatter layer 55 scattered on the arrangement table 1. The temperature sensor 30 detects, in a non-contact manner, a region of the scatter layer 55 corresponding to a portion that is shielded by the mask 12 and is not irradiated with the laser beam. The detection signal of the temperature sensor 30 is transmitted to the control device 32 via the signal line 30f, and the control device 3
Reference numeral 2 controls the irradiation of the laser beam according to the detection signal of the temperature sensor 30.

In this embodiment, a three-dimensional object is formed by additive manufacturing. In this case, first, a sand scattering process is performed. That is, as can be understood from FIG. 2, the sprinkling device 5 is moved forward at a constant speed in the direction of the arrow Y1 along the mounting surface 1w of the placement table 1 while rotating the cutout roller 54 in the direction of the arrow R1. The coated sand HA is sprayed on the placement surface 1 w of the arrangement table 1. Thickness t of the scatter layer 55
Although can be appropriately selected depending on the type of the molded article, for example, 0.1 to 0.4 mm, particularly about 0.2 mm,
It is not limited to this. Thus, the spraying device 5
Moves forward in the direction of arrow Y1, the thickness detection sensor 50t
Irradiates the scattering layer 55 with detection light such as a laser beam for distance measurement every predetermined time, and the distance h between the thickness detection sensor 50t and the scattering layer 55 is detected. As a result, the spray layer 5
5 are detected.

When the spraying device 5 moves forward in the direction of arrow Y1, the spraying device 5 moves along the linear potentiometer 70.
The detector 50x slides, and the moving distance of the spraying device 5 in the arrow Y1 direction is grasped. Accordingly, the distribution of the thickness of the scatter layer 55 in the direction of the arrow Y1 in which the scatter device 5 moves is detected. When the forward movement of the sand spraying process is completed as described above, as can be understood from FIG. 1, the mask changing device 17 is driven by the third driving means 19 to perform the mask changing process, and the new mask 12 is used to form the spraying layer 55. Cover the top.

Next, a laser beam irradiation process is executed. In the laser beam irradiation process, as can be understood from FIG.
The upper surface of the scattering layer 55 formed on the arrangement table 1 is masked
In the state covered with 2, the scattering layer 55 is scanned and irradiated with the laser beam M through the mask 12. As can be understood from FIG. 3, the scanning irradiation is performed over a wider area than the transmission window 11 of the mask 12.

In the laser beam irradiation process, the irradiated laser beam M passes through the transmission window 11 of the mask 12,
The spray layer 55 is reached and heated. The sand portion of the scattered layer 55 irradiated with the laser beam M is thermally cured and solidified, and a thin solidified layer 55A is formed. On the other hand, the spraying layer 5
Among 5, the portions which are shielded from light by the mask 12 and not irradiated with the laser beam M are not solidified without being thermally cured and can be removed.

As described above, the solidified layer 55A having a plane shape corresponding to the plane shape of the transmission window 11 is formed by the laser beam irradiation processing. When the laser beam irradiation processing is completed, the arrangement table 1 is lowered in the direction of the arrow Z2 by the amount of the lowering pitch K. The descending pitch amount K substantially corresponds to the thickness of the scatter layer 55. Therefore, the newly applied scatter layer 55
Is constant every time.

Then, in order to return to the sand spraying process, FIG.
As can be understood from FIG.
The solidified layer 55 on the arrangement table 1 is rotated in the reverse direction.
The spraying device 5 is moved back in the direction of the arrow Y2 along A, whereby the sand is sprayed and a new spraying layer 55 is formed. When the spraying device 5 moves backward in the direction of the arrow Y2, similarly to the above, the thickness detecting sensor 50t irradiates the scattering layer 55 with detection light such as a laser beam for distance measurement at predetermined time intervals.
Is detected. When the spraying device 5 moves back in the direction of the arrow Y2, the detector 50x of the spraying device 5 slides along the linear potentiometer 70, and the moving distance of the spraying device 5 in the direction of the arrow Y2 is grasped. Therefore, the spraying device 5
Returns in the direction of arrow Y2, the distribution of the thickness of the scatter layer 55 is detected.

After the return of the sand spraying process as described above, the mask replacement process is performed again as can be understood from FIG. 1, and the upper portion of the spraying layer 55 is covered with a new mask 12. After that, a new scattering layer 55 is irradiated with a laser beam through the mask 12 in order to execute the laser beam irradiation processing again.
When such a sand scattering process, a mask exchange process, and a laser beam irradiation process are repeated many times in order, the additive manufacturing proceeds, and a three-dimensional object is formed.

(Principal Configuration) The overall configuration of the additive manufacturing technology according to the present embodiment has been described above. Next, the primary configuration of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, as can be understood from FIG. 4, a plurality of elevating devices 2 having the above-described arrangement table 1 and the first driving means 3 are arranged in parallel on the floor Fp. That is, a plurality of stations (hereinafter, also referred to as S _T) is arranged in series with. The laser oscillator 8 functions as a shared irradiation device is shared S _T 1~S _T 4.

The rotating mirror apparatus 10 is provided above the lifting device 2 of each S _T is provided separately, further dusting device 5 in the vicinity of the lifting device 2 is provided separately. Mirror 9d is provided in each of the S _T 1 to S _T 4 is swingable, and retracted from the laser beam passage when the swing in the arrow U1 to U4, if the swing in the arrow D1~D4 direction The laser beam can be reflected.

As can be understood from FIG. 4, S _T 2 to S _T
4 upwardly, ie, arrows U2 to U4
While evacuating swings in the direction of S _T 1 mirror 9d
Is swung downward, that is, in the direction of arrow D1 to enable laser reflection. In this state, when the laser beam M is oscillated from a laser oscillator 8 which functions as an energy supply unit, the laser beam M, as can be understood from FIG. 4, it is reflected downward by the mirror 9d of S _T 1, the laser next beam M1, and reaches the rotating mirror apparatus 10 of S _T 1. As a result, the laser beam M1 is emitted to the distribution layer 55 on the placement table 1 S _T 1, the irradiation process is executed. At this time, the other S _T 2~S _T 4, sand spraying treatment by spraying unit 5, or the mask replacement process is executed.

[0036] After the irradiation treatment with S _T 1 is completed as described above, a laser beam can reflect by swinging the mirror 9d of S _T 2 in the direction of arrow D2. In this state, a laser beam M emitted from the laser oscillator 8, a laser beam M2 next is reflected downward by the mirror 9d of S _T 2, and reaches the rotating mirror apparatus 10 of S _T 2. As a result, the laser beam M2 is irradiated to the distribution layer 55 on the placement table 1 S _T 2. At this time, the other _ST3 , S
In _T 4, S _T 1, sand spraying treatment by spraying unit 5, or the mask replacement process is executed.

[0037] After the irradiation process in S _T 2 as described above has been completed, with retracting the mirror 9d of S _T 2 in the arrow U2 direction, the laser beam by oscillating the mirror 9d of S _T 3 in the direction of an arrow D3 It can be reflected. In this state, a laser beam M emitted from the laser oscillator 8, a laser beam M3 next is reflected downward by the mirror 9d of S _T 3, and reaches the rotating mirror apparatus 10 of S _T 3. As a result, the laser beam M3 is irradiated to the distribution layer 55 on the placement table 1 S _T 3, the irradiation process is performed. At this time, the other S _T 4, the S _T 1, S _T 2, sand spraying treatment by spraying unit 5, or the mask replacement process is executed.

[0038] After the irradiation treatment with S _T 3 as described above has been completed, with retracting the mirror 9d of S _T 3 in the arrow U3 direction, the laser beam by oscillating the mirror 9d of S _T 4 in the arrow direction D4 It can be reflected. In this state, a laser beam M emitted from the laser oscillator 8, next to the laser beam M4, and reaches the rotating mirror apparatus 10 of S _T 4. As a result, the laser beam M4 to scatter layer 55 of S _T 4
Is irradiated, and an irradiation process is performed. At this time, other S
In _{T 1, S T 2, S} T 3, sand spraying treatment by spraying unit 5, or the mask replacement process is executed.

[0039] By this manner in turn swings each mirror 9d of S _T 1~S _T 2, the shaped object is shaped by the respective S _T 1~S _T 2. Therefore, S _T 1~S _T 4
Each mirror 9d in function of the laser beam M supplied from the laser oscillator 8 as distributor for distributing individually S _T 1~S _T 4. FIG. 5 shows a plan view of a main part configuration of FIG. As can be understood from FIG. 5, the mask circulating device 16 for circulating the mask 12 between S _T 1 to S _T 4 are provided. As the mask circulation device 16, for example, a conveyor means such as a belt or a chain can be adopted. Mask 12 used in S _T 1 is being withdrawn from the S _T 1 in the arrow Y1 direction is placed on the mask circulating device 16, the mask circulator 1
Is conveyed to S _T 2 in the arrow Rs direction by 6, further arrow Y
Move in two directions is charged to S _T 2, it is used in S _T 2.

The mask 12, which is used in the S _T 2 is, S _T 2
From the mask circulating device 1
6 is transferred to _ST 3 by the mask circulating device 16 in the direction of arrow Rs, and is used in _ST 3. The same mask 12 as is used by being carried in the order and _{S T 1 → S T 2 →} S T 3 → S T 4. That is, the mask 12 has the _ST 1
It is shared by ~S _T 4.

FIG. 6 shows each of the examples shown in FIGS.
S_T3 shows an operation cycle. As can be understood from FIG.
The laser beam irradiation process by the laser oscillator 8
Time T ₁~ T_Three, T_Three~ T_Five, T_Five~ T₇, T₇~ T₉
… Is performed between. S_TAt 1, the time T₀~ T_FourIn the sand
The spraying process and the mask replacement process are performed, and the time T_Four~ T_Five
And the mask is turned on, and the mask 12 for performing the irradiation process is S
_TCharged to 1. And time T_Five~ T₇Lay over
The beam irradiation process is performed and the time T₇~ T₈Irradiate with
The processed mask 12 becomes “out”, and the irradiation processed
Mask 12 is S_TLeave 1 Then, from FIG.
As can be seen, the time T₈~ T ₁₂Sand over
A spraying process and a mask replacement process are performed.

[0042] As can be understood from FIG. 6, the S _T 2 is provided adjacent to S _T 1, sand spraying treatment at time T ₂ through T _6, mask exchange is executed at time T ₆ through T ₇ mask " on ", and the mask 12 for irradiation treatment is charged to S _T 2. The irradiation process of laser beams to time T ₇ through T ₉ is executed, irradiation treated mask to time T ₉ through T ₁₀ is "out", and the mask 1 of the irradiation processed
2 is withdrawn from the S _T 2. After that, spraying sand again
A mask replacement process is performed. In other S _T 3, S _T 4, the operation cycle proceeds as shown in FIG.

As can be understood from FIG. 6, the times T _{5 to} T ₅
When irradiation with S _T 1 is running over the _7, the S _T 2 and S _T 3, sand spraying treatment, charged and exit of the mask, the mask replacement process is executed. Also at time T ₈
When sand spraying treatment and mask exchange process in S _T 1 over the T ₁₂ is running, the S _T 2 and S _T 3, the irradiation process is performed. As described above, in the present embodiment, since a plurality of stations are installed, the irradiation process and the sand spraying process / mask replacement process can be performed in parallel at the same time, thus contributing to an improvement in productivity.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, one laser oscillator 8
It is shared by S _T 1 to S _T 4, the laser oscillator 8
Is being used effectively. Therefore, while saving the number of installation of the very expensive laser oscillator 8, S _T. 1 to
It can be shaped in parallel shaped object in S _T 4. Therefore, it is advantageous for securing productivity while suppressing a sharp rise in equipment costs. (Second Embodiment) A second embodiment is shown in FIGS. Second
The embodiment has basically the same configuration as the first embodiment, and basically has the same operation and effect. In this embodiment, FIG.
As can be understood from FIG. 2, two lifting devices 2 each having the above-described arrangement table 1 and the first driving means 3 are arranged in parallel on the floor Fp. That is, two stations ( _ST ) are provided. Sprinkling device 5 is provided separately for each S _T.

The laser oscillator 8 and the rotating mirror apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is shared by two S _T, which functions as a shared illumination apparatus. The laser oscillator 8 is extremely expensive as described above. Further, the rotating mirror device 10 is shown in FIG.
As can be understood from the above, the X-galvano scanner 22 and the Y-galvano scanner 25 are similarly expensive and cause a rise in equipment costs. Therefore, in this embodiment, as can be understood from FIG. 7, both the expensive laser oscillator 8 and the rotary mirror device 10 are shared by two stations ( _ST ). That is, the laser oscillator 8 and the rotating mirror device 10
It functions as a common irradiation device shared by two stations. For this reason, it is possible to individually shape the objects at the two stations ( _ST ) while saving the number of expensive laser oscillators 8 and expensive rotary mirror devices 10 to be installed. Therefore, it is advantageous to secure productivity while suppressing a rise in equipment costs.

In this embodiment, as can be understood from FIG.
While irradiation of the laser beam is running in S _T 1, sand spraying process is executed in S _T 2. Conversely, while the irradiation process in S _T 1 is running, sand spraying process is performed by sprinkling device 5 at S _T 2. FIG. 8 shows _ST 1, S
₅ shows the trajectory of the laser beam M irradiated over _T2 .
As can be understood from FIG. 9, the mask 1 used in this embodiment
Numeral 2 is for putting four, and has four transmission windows 11. Therefore, at each station (ST), four models are formed, which can further contribute to improvement in productivity.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, three mask changing devices 75, 76 and 77 are provided. Mask changer 75, a mask 12 that is stacked on the mask supply table 13 is sucked and held by the suction unit 75k, and conveyed in the arrow E1 direction, in which change was transferred to the mask holder 14 of S _T 1. Mask changer 76, a mask 12 which is held in a mask holder 14 of S _T 1 is sucked and held by the suction unit 76k, and conveyed in the arrow E2 direction, in which change was transferred to the mask holder 14 of S _T 2. Mask changing device 77
It is one in which the mask 12 is held in a mask holder 14 of S _T 2 is sucked and held by the suction unit 77k, and conveyed in the arrow E3 direction, transferring the mask collection base 15.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 11 shows a main part of the third embodiment.
12 to FIG. The third embodiment has basically the same configuration as the first embodiment, and basically has the same operation and effect. As described above, the layered molding technique is to laminate and form a large number of solidified layers 55A in the thickness direction.
Therefore, the modeled object is configured by stacking the solidified layer 55A in the thickness direction in the order of odd number → even number → odd number → even number.

The mask holder 14 used in this embodiment is an odd-numbered holder portion 14 for holding an odd-numbered mask 12 _Odd forming an odd-numbered one of the solidified layers 55A.
_Odd and an even-numbered holder portion 14 _even for holding an _even- numbered mask 12 _even forming an even-numbered one of the solidified layers 55A. In this embodiment, the mask holder 14 is integrally connected to the spraying device 5 and is moved by the second driving means 7 in the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2.

The second driving means 7 sprays the mask holder 14
It is moved in the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2 together with the device 5.
And functions as a mask holder driving unit. From FIG.
As can be understood, the mask holder 14 moves in the direction of the arrow Y2.
When moved, the even-numbered holder 14_evenHeld in
Even numbered mask 12_evenIs a station (S
_T) And faces the scatter layer 55 of the arrangement table 1.
And the odd-numbered holder 14_OddIs held in
Odd number mask 12_OddIs a station (S _TFrom)
It retreats and becomes non-facing with the scatter layer 55.

Conversely, when the mask holder 14 moves in the direction of the arrow Y1, the odd-numbered mask 12 _Odd held in the odd-numbered holder section 14 is moved to the station (ST).
And the even-numbered mask 12 which faces the scatter layer 55 and is held by the _even- numbered holder 14 _even.
even leaves the station (ST) and becomes non-facing with the scatter layer 55.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, on one side of the arrangement table 1, there is provided an even-numbered mask exchange device 81 for exchanging the even-numbered mask 12 _even . On the other side of the arrangement table 1, an odd number mask is provided.
Odd mask changer 82 to exchange the _Odd is provided. As can be understood from FIG. 12, the even-numbered mask exchange device 81 has an attraction portion 81k capable of adsorbing a mask, adsorbs the mask 12 _even of the mask supply table 13, conveys the mask 12 _even in the direction of arrow F1, and carries out the even-numbered mask exchange device 81k. a function of transferring to the holder portion 14 _{the even,} even-numbered holder portion 14 _{the even} mask 12
_The mask collecting table 1 is transported in the direction of arrow F2 by sucking _even.
5 and a function to transfer it. The odd-numbered mask changing device 82 has the same configuration and functions as those of the even-numbered mask changing device 81.

In this embodiment, the even-numbered holder 1
When the irradiation process is being performed over the even-numbered mask 12 _{even of} 4 _even , the mask replacement process of replacing the odd-numbered mask 12 _Odd of the odd-numbered holder unit 14 _Odd can be performed in parallel. Therefore, it is advantageous for improving productivity. FIG.
3 shows an operation cycle in the example shown in FIGS. As can be understood from FIG. 13, the times T _{0 to} T ₂
During this time, the origin is moved to return the laser beam M to the irradiation start position, and the lowering of the arrangement table 1 and the sand spraying process by the spraying device 5 are executed. Further, the time T _{0 to} T ₂
At the exit of the mask 12 _Odd for odd-numbered from S _T,
And loading of the mask 12 _{the even} of S _T for even numbered is executed. At time T ₂ through T _6, the laser beam M is irradiated from the laser oscillator 8 irradiation process using a mask 12 _{the even} for even-numbered runs, further, a mask 12 for the odd-numbered
Are performed in parallel.

From time T _{6 to} T ₈ , the origin movement of the laser beam is executed, and at the same time, the disposition table 1 is lowered and the sand spraying process by the spraying device 5 is executed. Further, at times T _{6 to} T
And charged to the S _T of the mask 12 _Odd for odd-numbered At _8, S
_Withdrawal of the even-numbered mask 12 _even from _T is executed. Hereinafter, the operation cycle is repeated as shown in FIG.

As described above, in this embodiment, FIG.
As can be understood from the above, the laser beam irradiation process is performed on the _even- numbered mask 12 _even in parallel with the mask replacement process on the odd-numbered mask 12 _Odd . Conversely, the mask replacement process is performed on the _even- numbered mask 12 _even in parallel with the execution of the laser beam irradiation process on the odd-numbered mask 12 _Odd . Therefore, it is advantageous to effectively use one laser oscillator 8 and can contribute to improvement in productivity.

[0056]

According to the apparatus of the first aspect, the common irradiation apparatus for irradiating the solidifiable substance with irradiation energy is shared by a plurality of arrangement apparatuses. For this reason, it is advantageous to secure the productivity of forming a model while saving the number of shared irradiation devices. A common irradiation device that irradiates irradiation energy such as a laser beam is generally quite expensive, and is therefore advantageous in securing productivity while reducing equipment costs.

According to the apparatus of the second aspect, the irradiation energy supplied by the energy supply means is supplied to the solidifiable substance of each arrangement device by the distributor. Therefore, while reducing the number of energy supply means that are the main elements of the common irradiation device,
This is advantageous for securing the productivity of forming a molded article. According to the apparatus according to the third aspect, the irradiation energy is applied to the solidifiable substance beyond the mask facing the solidifiable substance, and the mask not facing the solidifiable substance is exchanged by the mask exchange device. That is, while the irradiation process of irradiating the irradiation energy to one of the plurality of masks is being performed, the mask replacement process of replacing the mask that is not facing the solidifiable substance can be performed in parallel. In other words, both the irradiation process and the mask replacement process can be performed in parallel, which is advantageous for improving productivity.

According to the apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the mask holder comprises: an even-numbered mask forming an even-numbered solidified layer laminated in the thickness direction; and an odd-numbered solidified layer laminated in the thickness direction. The odd-numbered masks to be formed can be held side by side. Further, the mask changing device is composed of an even-number mask changing device for changing an even-number mask and an odd-number mask changing device for changing an odd-number mask. Therefore, the odd-numbered mask and the even-numbered mask can be replaced independently.

In other words, according to the device of claim 4,
This is advantageous in that the irradiation process is performed using the odd-numbered mask and the mask replacement process for replacing the even-numbered mask is performed in parallel. Therefore, it is advantageous for improving productivity.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the concept of the additive manufacturing technology.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a sand spraying process.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a form in which scanning irradiation is performed by a rotating mirror device.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a side surface in a state where a plurality of stations (S _T ) are arranged side by side according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state in which a plurality of stations (S _T ) are arranged side by side according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cycle diagram showing an operation cycle according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a side surface in a state where a plurality of stations (S _T ) are arranged side by side according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a mode of irradiating a plurality of stations ( _ST ) with a laser beam according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a state where a plurality of stations (S _T ) are arranged side by side according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing mask replacement in a plurality of stations according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a plan view schematically showing a mode in which irradiation processing is performed using an even-numbered mask according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a side view schematically showing a mask replacement process for an even-numbered mask according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a cycle diagram showing an operation cycle according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the figure, 1 is a placement table (placement device), 8 is a laser oscillator (shared irradiation device, energy supply means), 9d is a mirror (distributor), 10 is a mirror device, 11 is a transmission window, 12 is a mask, and 12 _Odd. Is an odd-numbered mask, 12 _even is an _even- numbered mask, 14 is a mask holder, 17 is a mask changing device, 55 is a scatter layer, 55 A is a solidified layer, 81 is an even-numbered mask changing device, and 82 is an odd-numbered mask. 1 shows a mask replacement device for use.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A solidifiable substance having a property of solidifying when irradiated with irradiation energy such as a laser beam or ultraviolet light,
A layered modeling apparatus for forming a solidified layer by irradiating the solidifiable substance with irradiation energy and stacking the solidified layer in a thickness direction to form a three-dimensional modeled object, wherein a plurality of solidifiable substances are arranged. A stacking device, comprising: a common irradiation device that is shared by a plurality of the positioning devices and irradiates the solidifiable substance arranged in each of the plurality of the positioning devices with irradiation energy. Modeling equipment. 2. The irradiating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
Energy supply means for irradiating the irradiation energy, and a plurality of distributions installed near each of the plurality of arrangement devices and distributing the irradiation energy supplied by the energy supply means to supply to the solidifiable material of each arrangement device An additive manufacturing apparatus characterized by comprising a container. 3. A solidifiable substance having a property of solidifying when irradiated with irradiation energy such as a laser beam or ultraviolet light,
A solid-state molding apparatus that forms a solidified layer by irradiating an irradiation energy to a solidifiable substance and stacks the solidified layer in a thickness direction to form a three-dimensional modeled object, wherein an arrangement in which the solidifiable substance is arranged An apparatus, a mask holder capable of holding a plurality of masks in a side-by-side state, and facing one of the plurality of masks to the solidifiable material of the placement apparatus and solidifying another mask of the placement apparatus. Mask holder driving means for operating the mask holder so as not to face the possible material; and a mask exchange device for exchanging the non-facing mask with the solidifiable material of the placement device, wherein the mask exchanging device faces the solidifiable material. And irradiating the solidifiable substance with the irradiation energy through the mask, and exchanging the mask not facing the solidifiable substance by the mask exchanging apparatus. Laminate molding apparatus according to. 4. The mask holder according to claim 3, wherein
An even-numbered mask that forms an even-numbered solidified layer stacked in the thickness direction and an odd-numbered mask that forms an odd-numbered solidified layer stacked in the thickness direction can be held in a side-by-side state. Wherein the mask exchanging device comprises an even-numbered mask exchanging device for exchanging an even-numbered mask and an odd-numbered mask exchanging device for exchanging an odd-numbered mask. apparatus.