TW201922600A - Supply apparatus, processing system and processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

A supply apparatus has: a supply source having a supply port configured to supply particulates; a holding member that is configured to be away downwardly from the supply port and to have a holding surface for holding the particulates from the supply port; and a driving apparatus that is configured to move the holding surface. One portion of the particulates that is held on the holding surface while making an angle of repose is allowed to fall from the holding surface by the movement of the holding surface by the driving apparatus.

Description

   Supply device, processing system and processing method   

The present invention relates to the technical field of, for example, a supply device for supplying powder and granules, and a processing system and a processing method using the powder and granules supplied by such a supply device.

An example of a supply device for supplying powder and granules is a supply device that supplies powder to a pipe installed at the front end of an ultrasonic motor and transports the powder in a fixed direction by the elliptical vibration of the ultrasonic motor (see patent) Reference 1). In such a supply device, it is a technical problem to appropriately transfer the powder and granules.

[Prior Art Literature]

[Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] US Patent No. 5,917,266

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a supply device including: a supply source having a supply port for supplying powder and granules; and a holding member located at a position separated downward from the supply port and provided with holding the supply from the supply. A holding surface of the powder and granules; and a driving device driving the holding surface; and driving the holding surface with the driving device so that a part of the powder and particles held by the holding surface forms a rest angle from the holding surface Drop on the holding surface.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a supply device including: a supply source having a supply port for supplying powder and granules; a holding member located at a position separated downward from the supply port; The powder and granules of the mouth are held on a holding surface between the supply port and the holding surface; and a driving device driving the holding surface; and the holding surface is held by driving the holding surface with the driving device. A part of the powder and granules forms an angle formed by the first imaginary plane extending from the edge of the supply port to the end with the horizontal plane below the end of the holding surface and below the rest angle of the powder and granules.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a supply device including: a supply source having a supply port for supplying powder and granules; and a holding member located at a position separated downward from the supply port and provided with holding the supply from the supply. And a driving device for driving the holding surface; and driving the holding surface with the driving device, so that a part of the powder and particles accumulated between the holding surface and the supply port is removed from Drop on the holding surface.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a supply device including: a holding member having a holding surface for holding powder and granules supplied from a supply source; and a driving device for driving the holding surface; The driving device vibrates the holding surface, and a portion of the powder and granules held by forming a rest angle on the holding surface falls from the holding surface, and controls at least one of the amplitude and frequency of the vibration including the holding surface. The holding surface is vibrated to control the carrying amount of the powder and granules dropped from the holding surface per unit time.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a supply device including: a holding member having a holding surface for holding powder and granules; and a conveying member having a conveying surface for receiving the powder falling from the holding surface. And the conveying surface includes an inclined surface inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, and the conveying member supplies the powder and granules from the inclined surface so that each unit of the powder and granules from the conveying surface The change in the carrying amount of time is smaller than the change in the carrying amount per unit time of the powder and granules dropped from the holding surface.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing system including the supply device provided by any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, and using the powder supplied from the supply device. Body for processing.

The function and other benefits of the present invention are made clear by the embodiments described below.

1‧‧‧Shaping System

3‧‧‧ material supply device

31‧‧‧hopper

32‧‧‧ holding member

323‧‧‧ keep face

33‧‧‧Vibration device

34‧‧‧Material delivery member

35‧‧‧Chassis

36a‧‧‧Transport component

361a‧‧‧upper surface

37d‧‧‧Distance adjustment device

38e‧‧‧Angle adjustment device

39f‧‧‧rotating device

W‧‧‧ Workpiece

M‧‧‧Shaping Materials

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a forming system according to this embodiment.

2 (a) to 2 (c) are cross-sectional views respectively showing a state in which light is irradiated to a certain area on a workpiece and a molding material is supplied.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a material supply device according to this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view and a plan view showing a part of the material supply device.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a feeding operation of a shaping material by a material feeding device.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the amplitude of the vibration of the holding member and the supply amount of the molding material.

Fig. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the moving speed of the forming head and the supply amount of the forming material.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing the structure of a material supply device according to a first modification.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing the structure of a material supply device according to a second modification.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing the structure of a material supply device according to a third modification.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view showing the structure of a material supply device according to a fourth modification.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view showing the structure of a material supply device according to a fifth modification.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view showing the structure of a material supply device according to a sixth modification.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view showing the structure of a material supply device according to a seventh modification.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view showing the structure of a material supply device according to an eighth modification.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a supply device, a processing system, and a processing method will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, a laser deposition method (LMD: Laser Metal Deposition) is used, and a forming system 1 capable of forming a shape by performing additional processing using a specific example of powder and granules, that is, a forming material M, is used for the supply device and An embodiment of the system and processing method will be described.

In the following description, the positional relationship of the various constituent elements constituting the shaping system 1 will be described using an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system defined by mutually orthogonal X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. In addition, in the following description, for convenience of explanation, the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are horizontal directions (that is, a predetermined direction in a horizontal plane), and the Z-axis direction is a vertical direction (that is, a direction orthogonal to the horizontal plane). , Essentially up and down). In addition, the rotation directions (in other words, the tilt direction) around the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are referred to as the θX direction, θY direction, and θZ direction, respectively.

(1) Shaping system 1

(1-1) Overall structure of the shaping system 1

First, the overall structure of the shaping system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a configuration of a forming system 1 according to this embodiment.

The shaping system 1 can form shaped objects (specifically, three-dimensional objects). The shaping system 1 can form a shaped object on a workpiece W that becomes a basis for forming an object. The shaping system 1 can form a shaped object by performing additional processing on the workpiece W. When the workpiece W is a platform 43 described later, the shaping system 1 can form a shaped object on the platform 43. When the workpiece W is an existing structure held by the platform 43, the forming system 1 can form a shape on the existing structure. In this case, the shaping system 1 may also form a shaping object integrated with the existing structure. The action of forming a shape integrated with an existing structure is equivalent to the action of adding a new structure to an existing structure. Alternatively, the shaping system 1 may form a shaping object that can be separated from an existing structure. In addition, FIG. 1 shows an example in which the workpiece W is a conventional structure held by the stage 43. In the following description, an example in which the workpiece W is a conventional structure held by the stage 43 will be described.

As described above, the shaping system 1 can form a shaped object by a laser surfacing method. That is, the shaping system 1 can also be referred to as a 3D printer that forms an object using a multilayer shaping technique. In addition, multilayer forming technology is also called: Rapid Prototyping, Rapid Manufacturing, or Additive Manufacturing.

As shown in FIG. 1, the forming system 1 includes a material supply device 3, a forming device 4, a light source 5, a gas supply device 6, and a control device 7 as shown in FIG. 1. The material supply device 3, the shaping device 4, the light source 5, the gas supply device 6, and the control device 7 are housed in a casing C. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the shaping device 4 is accommodated in the upper space UC of the casing C, and the material supply device 3, the light source 5, the gas supply device 6, and the control device 7 are accommodated in a casing located below the upper space UC. C is in the lower space LC. However, the arrangement positions of the material supply device 3, the shaping device 4, the light source 5, the gas supply device 6, and the control device 7 in the casing C are not limited to the arrangement positions shown in FIG.

The material supply device 3 supplies a forming material M to the forming device 4. The material supply device 3 is to supply the molding device 4 with the amount of the shaping material 4 required per unit time in order to form a shaped object, at a required supply rate corresponding to the required quantity. The forming material M is supplied. That is, the material supply device 3 supplies the forming material M so that the supply amount of the forming material M per unit time becomes the supply amount corresponding to the required supply rate. The structure of the material supply device 3 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 3, and therefore detailed descriptions thereof are omitted here.

The molding material M is a material that can be melted by irradiation with light EL having a predetermined intensity or more. As such a shaping material M, for example, at least one of a metallic material and a resinous material can be used. However, as the molding material M, other materials other than metallic materials and resinous materials may be used. The shaping material M is a powdery or granular material. That is, the molding material M is a powder or a granular material.

The shaping device 4 processes the shaping material M supplied from the material supply device 3 to form a shaped object. In order to process the shaping material M, the shaping device 4 includes a shaping head 41, a driving system 42, and a platform 43. Further, the shaping head 41 includes an irradiation system 411 and a material nozzle (that is, a supply system for supplying the shaping material M) 412. The shaping head 41, the driving system 42, and the platform 43 are housed in the cavity 44.

The irradiation system 411 emits light EL from the emitting portion 411a. Specifically, the irradiation system 411 is optically connected to the light source 5 that emits light EL through a light guide path (not shown) such as an optical fiber. The irradiation system 411 emits light EL transmitted from the light source 5 through the light guide path. The irradiation system 411 radiates light EL from the irradiation system 411 downward (that is, the -Z side). A platform 43 is arranged below the irradiation system 411. When the workpiece W is mounted on the stage 43, the irradiation system 411 irradiates the workpiece EL with light EL. That is, the irradiation system 411 irradiates the workpiece EL with light EL. Further, the state of the irradiation system 411 can be switched between a state in which the light EL is irradiated and a state in which the light EL is not irradiated under the control of the control device 7.

The material nozzle 412 has a supply outlet 412a for supplying the molding material M. The material nozzle 412 supplies the molding material M from the supply outlet 412a. The material nozzle 412 is physically connected to the material supply device 3 as a supply source of the molding material M via a pipe or the like (not shown). The material nozzle 412 feeds the shaping material M supplied from the material supply device 3 at a required supply rate through a pipe. In addition, in FIG. 1, the material nozzle 412 is depicted as a tube, but the shape of the material nozzle 412 is not limited to this shape. The material nozzle 412 supplies the molding material M from the material nozzle 412 downward (that is, on the Z side). A platform 43 is arranged below the material nozzle 412. When the workpiece W is mounted on the platform 43, the material nozzle 412 supplies the shaping material M to the workpiece W. The material nozzle 412 is aligned with respect to the irradiation system 411 so that the shaping material M is supplied to the area (or its vicinity) where the irradiation system 411 irradiates the light EL.

The drive system 42 moves the shaping head 41. The driving system 42 moves the shaping head 41 along the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis, respectively. In addition to each of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, the drive system 42 may move it in at least one of the θX direction, θY direction, and θZ direction. The drive system 42 includes, for example, a motor. In addition, the area where the light EL is irradiated and the area where the shaping material M is supplied can be controlled separately. For example, at least a part of the position of the injection portion 411a, the orientation of the injection portion 411a, the position of the supply outlet 412a, and the direction of the supply outlet 412a may be adjusted. In addition, the optical components of the irradiation system 411 may be driven to adjust the position of the area irradiated by the light EL.

The stage 43 can hold the workpiece W. Further, the stage 43 can release the held workpiece W. The above-mentioned irradiation system 411 irradiates light EL in at least a part of the period in which the stage 43 holds the workpiece W. Further, the material nozzle 412 is configured to supply the shaping material M to at least a part of the period while the stage 43 holds the workpiece W. In addition, a part of the forming material M supplied from the material nozzle 412 may be scattered or spilled from the surface of the workpiece W to the outside of the workpiece W (for example, to the periphery of the platform 43). Therefore, the forming system 1 can also be provided with a recycling device around the platform 43, which recovers the scattered or spilled forming material M.

The light source 5 emits at least one of infrared light, visible light, and ultraviolet light as the light EL. However, the light EL may use other types of light. Light EL is laser light. In this case, the light source 5 includes a laser light source (for example, a laser diode (LD: Laser Diode)). However, the light EL may not be laser light, and the light source 5 may include any light source (for example, LED (Light Emitting Diode), discharge lamp, etc.).

The gas supply device 6 is a supply source of an inert gas. Examples of the inert gas include nitrogen and argon. The gas supply device 6 supplies an inert gas in the chamber 44 of the shaping device 4. As a result, the internal space of the chamber 44 becomes a space cleaned by an inert gas. The gas supply device 6 also supplies an inert gas to the material supply device 3. The inert gas supplied to the material supply device 3 is mainly used for pressure-feeding the forming material M as described later. Therefore, the gas supply device 6 supplies a pressurized inert gas to the material supply device 3. In addition, the supply of gas to the chamber 44 and the supply of gas to the material supply device 3 may be controlled separately. For example, the gas supply amount per unit time in the chamber 44 may be different from the gas supply amount per unit time in the material supply device 3. For example, the gas supply to one of the chamber 44 and the material supply device 3 may be stopped while the gas supply to the other is performed. In addition, characteristics (for example, temperature, etc.) between the gas supplied to the chamber 44 and the gas supplied to the material supply device 3 may be different. The composition of the gas supplied to the chamber 44 and the gas supplied to the material supply device 3 may be different. The gas supply device that supplies gas to the chamber 44 may be different from the gas supply device that supplies gas to the material supply device 3.

The control device 7 controls the operation of the shaping system 1. The control device 7 may include, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a memory. In particular, in this embodiment, the control device 7 controls the emission form of the light EL by the irradiation system 411. The emission form is not limited, but includes at least one of the intensity of the light EL and the emission time of the light EL. In addition, when the light EL is pulsed light, the emission form includes at least one of the emission time of the pulsed light and the ratio (energy rate) of the emission time of the pulsed light to the extinction time. Furthermore, the control device 7 controls the moving form of the shaping head 41 caused by the driving system 42. The movement form is not limited, but includes at least one of a movement amount, a movement speed, a movement direction, and a movement time. Furthermore, the control device 7 controls the supply form of the molding material M by the material supply device 3. The supply pattern is not limited, but includes the supply rate.

(1-2) Forming action caused by the shaping system 1

Next, a description will be given of a forming operation of the shaped object caused by the shaping system 1. As described above, the forming system 1 forms a formed object by a laser surfacing method. Therefore, the forming system 1 can also form a shaped object by performing a conventional forming operation according to the laser surfacing method. Hereinafter, an example of a formation operation of a shape by the laser surfacing method will be briefly described.

The forming system 1 forms a forming object on the workpiece W based on three-dimensional model data (for example, CAD (Computer Aided Design) data) of the desired forming object. The 3D model data can also use CT (Computed Tomography), MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) measurement data. To form a shaped object, the shaped system 1 sequentially forms, for example, a plurality of layered partial structures (hereinafter referred to as "structural layers") arranged along the Z-axis direction. For example, the shaping system 1 sequentially forms a plurality of structural layers obtained by cutting a shaped object into discs along the Z-axis direction one by one. As a result, a shape is formed as an aggregate of a plurality of structural layers. Hereinafter, a flow of an operation of forming a shape by sequentially forming a plurality of structural layers one by one will be described.

First, the operation of forming each structural layer will be described. The shaping system 1 is controlled by the control device 7 to irradiate a desired area on the workpiece W (specifically, an area to form a structure to constitute a certain structural layer) from the emitting portion 411a of the irradiation system 411. Light EL. In this embodiment, the condensing position of the light EL is substantially the same on the surface of the workpiece W. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), a molten pool is formed on the workpiece W by the light EL emitted from the emitting portion 411a of the irradiation system 411 (that is, a pool of a metal that is molten by the light EL ( pool)) MA. The shaping system 1 is under the control of the control device 7, as shown in FIG. 2 (b). For the melting pool MA, the shaping material M is supplied from the material nozzle 412. As a result, the forming material M supplied to the melting pool MA is melted. If the melting head MA is no longer irradiated with light EL as the shaping head 41 moves, the shaping material M melted in the melting pool MA is cooled and solidified again (ie, solidified). As a result, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), the re-cured forming material M is deposited on the workpiece W. That is, a three-dimensional structure formed by the deposit of the re-cured molding material M is formed. As described above, the formation of the molten pool MA irradiated with light by EL and the supply, melting, and re-solidification of the forming material M are performed repeatedly on the workpiece W while the forming head 41 is relatively moved along the XY plane. At this time, the light EL is selectively irradiated to a region where a structure is to be formed on the workpiece W, and on the other hand, a region where the structure is not to be formed on the workpiece W is selectively irradiated. As a result, a structural layer corresponding to the aggregate of the solidified forming material M is formed on the workpiece W.

The shaping system 1 is under the control of the control device 7 and performs operations for forming such a structural layer based on the three-dimensional model data (especially the three-dimensional model data corresponding to the first structural layer # 1). As a result, the first structural layer # 1 is formed on the workpiece W. Then, the forming system 1 forms the second structural layer # 2 on the workpiece W. To form the structural layer # 2, the control device 7 first controls the driving system 42 so that the shaping head 41 moves in the Z-axis direction. Specifically, the control device 7 controls the driving system 42 so that the area where the light EL is irradiated and the area where the forming material M is supplied are set on the surface of the first structural layer # 1 so that the forming head faces the + Z axis side. 41 to move. Thereby, the light-concentrating position of the light EL is substantially uniform on the surface of the structure layer # 1. Then, the shaping system 1 is under the control of the control device 7 and performs the same operation as that of forming the first structural layer # 1, and based on the three-dimensional model data corresponding to the second structural layer # 2, the first The second structural layer # 2 is formed on the structural layer # 1. Hereinafter, the same operation is repeatedly performed until all the structural layers constituting the article to be formed on the workpiece W are formed. As a result, a shape is formed by an assembly of a plurality of structural layers. In addition, in the formation of a certain structural layer, the position of the light EL can be changed in the Z-axis direction of the shaping head 41 in a manner that the light-condensing position of the light EL is substantially consistent with the structure layer below (or the surface of the workpiece W). In addition, the light-condensing position of the light EL may be changed by, for example, not driving the shaping head 41 but by moving the optical member or the like of the irradiation system 411.

(2) Material supply device 3

(2-1) Structure of material supply device 3

Next, the structure of the material supply device 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the material supply device 3. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view and a plan view showing a part of the material supply device 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, the material supply device 3 includes a hopper 31, a holding member 32, a vibration device 33, and a material delivery member 34. The hopper 31, the holding member 32, the vibration device 33, and the material sending member 34 are housed in an internal space 351 of the casing 35. In addition, at least a part of the vibration device 33 may be disposed outside the casing 35.

The hopper 31 is a device for storing the forming material M. The hopper 31 has a funnel-like shape (that is, an inverted conical shape). A space surrounded by a partition wall having a funnel shape is equivalent to a storage space 313 for storing the forming material M. However, the hopper 31 may have other shapes. In addition, the shape of the hopper 31 may be other shapes (for example, an inverted quadrangular pyramid shape).

A supply port 311 is formed at the lower end of the hopper 31 (ie, below the storage space 313). The supply port 311 is an opening (ie, a through hole) penetrating through the partition wall at the bottom of the hopper 31 along the Z-axis direction. The supply port 311 is defined (ie, surrounded) by the lower inner surface 314 of the hopper 31. Although the shape of the cross section of the supply port 311 (specifically, the cross section along the XY plane) is circular, other shapes may be used. The other shapes include at least one of an oval, an oval, and a rectangle. The supply port 311 is an opening for supplying the shaping material M from the hopper 31 to the lower side (ie, the -Z side) of the hopper 31. That is, the forming material M stored in the hopper 31 is supplied to the outside of the hopper 31 (in other words, discharged or dropped) through the supply port 311.

A vent hole 312 is formed in an upper portion of the hopper 31. The ventilation hole 312 is used to store the storage space 313 of the hopper 31 (especially the space above the forming material M stored in the storage space 313) and the internal space 351 of the casing 35 (especially the shape material M is discharged from the hopper 31). A space) connection, an opening (ie, a through hole) penetrating in the partition wall of the hopper 31. By forming the ventilation holes 312, even if the forming material M is stored in the storage space 313, the imbalance between the pressure of the storage space 313 and the pressure of the internal space 351 is prevented, and the forming material M is smoothly supplied from the hopper 31. . As a result, there is no case where the forming material M is suddenly supplied from the hopper 31 due to the imbalance between the pressure of the storage space 313 and the pressure of the internal space 351. In addition, there is no uneven supply of the molding material M from the hopper 31 due to the imbalance between the pressure of the storage space 313 and the pressure of the internal space 351 (or, the molding material M discharged from the hopper 31 does not pass through the supply port 311. To the storage space 313 of the hopper 31). In addition, instead of forming the ventilation holes 312, the storage space 313 of the hopper 31 and the internal space 351 of the casing 35 can be connected by pipes or the like in order to eliminate the imbalance between the pressure of the storage space 313 and the pressure of the internal space 351 . In addition, for example, when the pressure difference between the storage space 313 and the internal space 351 is small, the storage space 313 and the internal space 351 may be connected without passing through the vent hole 312 or the like.

The holding member 32 holds the molding material M supplied from the supply port 311 of the hopper 31 to the outside of the hopper 31. The holding member 32 is disposed below the hopper 31. The holding member 32 is disposed below the supply port 311. The holding member 32 is arranged so that a part of the holding member 32 is located nearest to the lower part of the supply port 311. That is, the holding member 32 is arranged so that a part of the holding member 32 faces the supply port 311 along the Z-axis direction.

The holding member 32 includes a bottom member 321 and a side wall member 322.

The bottom member 321 is disposed below the hopper 31. The bottom member 321 is disposed below the supply port 311. The bottom member 321 is arranged so that a part of the bottom member 321 is located below the supply port 311 and closest. That is, the bottom member 321 is arranged so that a part of the bottom member 321 faces the supply port 311 along the Z-axis direction.

The upper surface (ie, the + Z side surface) of the bottom member 321 becomes a holding surface 323 for holding the molding material M supplied from the supply port 311. Therefore, the holding surface 323 is arranged below the hopper 31. The holding surface 323 is disposed below the supply port 311. The holding surface 323 is arranged such that a part of the holding surface 323 is located below the supply port 311 and closest. That is, the holding surface 323 is arranged so that a part of the holding surface 323 faces the supply port 311 along the Z-axis direction.

The holding surface 323 is a surface along the XY plane (or parallel to the XY plane), and is a horizontal plane. The holding surface 323 is disposed at a position separated from the supply port 311 along the Z-axis direction. The holding surface 323 does not contact the lower end portion 3141 of the lower inner surface 314 of the hopper 31 of the predetermined supply port 311. The holding surface 323 does not contact the lower surface 315 of the hopper 31. The holding surface 323 does not block the supply port 311. In addition, the lower surface 315 of the hopper 31 may be parallel to the plane (or horizontal plane) along the XY plane, and may not be parallel.

The size of the holding surface 323 is a size that satisfies the first condition, the second condition, and the third condition described below.

The first condition is a condition that the size of the holding surface 323 is larger than the cross section of the supply port 311. Here, the cross section of the supply port 311 may be a cross section of a plane parallel to the holding surface 323. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the first condition is a condition that the area S2 of the holding surface 323 is larger than the cross-sectional area S1 of the supply port 311.

As shown in FIG. 4, the second condition is described by an imaginary surface VS2 that expands outward as it goes downward from the lower end portion 3141 of the inner surface 314 of the lower portion of the hopper 31 of the predetermined supply port 311. And the angle formed by the holding surface 323 (or a virtual surface that enlarges the holding surface 323) becomes the surface of the forming material M at a rest angle θr. The second condition is a condition that the size of the holding surface 323 becomes equal to or greater than the size of the circular area 3231. The circular area 3231 is the intersection between the virtual surface VS2 and the holding surface 323 (or a virtual surface that enlarges the holding surface 323). The portion 3230 defines the outer edge (ie, the circumference) and is located at the same height as the holding surface 323. That is, the second condition is a condition that the holding surface 323 is large enough that the holding surface 323 can include the area 3231 (that is, the area 3231 can be set on the holding surface 323). That is, the imaginary plane VS2 extends from the lower end portion 3141 to the holding surface 323 and is inclined with respect to the holding surface 323 so that the angle formed with the holding surface 323 becomes the rest angle θr of the molding material M. In this case, the area 3231 can be substantially referred to as a circular area that expands outward from the reference point 3233 (refer to FIG. 4) on the holding surface 323 located immediately below the supply port 311 and is larger than the supply port Section 311. In addition, the angle of repose θr is a mountain that can maintain the stability of the mountain of the forming material M deposited on the holding surface 323 (ie, does not cause the spontaneous collapse of the mountain of the forming material M) while the holding member 32 is stationary. The maximum angle of the bevel. Therefore, the second condition can also be substantially referred to as a condition where the holding surface 323 is large enough to maintain the stationary angle θr of the mountain of the forming material M deposited on the holding surface 323 while the holding member 32 is stationary. (In other words, the angle of the slope of the mountain of the forming material M can be set to be equal to or less than the angle of repose θr). Generally, since the angle of repose θr is 45 degrees or less, the radius of the circular region 3231 is larger than the distance between the supply port 311 and the holding surface 323. In addition, the area 3231 may not be a circular area. In the case where the area 3231 is not a circular area, the circle inscribed in or out of the area may also be regarded as the area 3231.

The third condition refers to a condition that the holding surface 323 is large enough that the holding surface 323 may include an area 3232 (see FIG. 4) that extends beyond the area 3231 in addition to the area 3231. That is, the third condition is a condition that the holding surface 323 is large enough that the area 3232 can be set outside the area 3231. When the holding surface 323 is provided with the region 3232, as shown in FIG. 4, the lower end of the hopper 31 (that is, the edge of the supply port 311) 3141 is extended to the outer edge 3234 of the holding surface 323 (that is, the outer edge of the region 3232). And is an end portion of the holding surface 323), that is, an angle θ1 formed by the imaginary surface VS1 and the holding surface 323 becomes equal to or less than the rest angle θr. Therefore, the holding surface 323 can hold the molding material M between the virtual surface VS1 and the supply port 311. In addition, since the first condition that the holding surface 323 is larger than the cross section of the supply port 311 is satisfied, the imaginary surface VS1 becomes a surface inclined with respect to the holding surface 323. Furthermore, when the holding surface 323 includes the region 3232, the virtual surface VS2 becomes a surface that intersects the holding surface 323.

The side wall member 322 is a member (in other words, a part) protruding from the bottom member 321 to the + Z side. In the examples shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the side wall member 322 is formed on the outer edge 3234 (or near) of the holding surface 323. The side wall member 322 functions as a stopper for preventing the molding material M from being spilled from the holding surface 323 (ie, the bottom member 321) (that is, falling, the same below) to the outside of the holding surface 323. Unexpected area. In contrast, the side wall member 322 functions as a guide member in such a manner that the molding material M is spilled from the holding surface 323 (ie, the bottom member 321) to an intended area outside the holding surface 323. Guide the forming material M on the holding surface 323. The area envisioned as the area where the forming material M is dropped is the area where the material sending member 34 is located from the holding surface 323. As will be described later, the forming material M held by the holding surface 323 is dropped from the holding surface 323 and carried out onto the material feeding member 34. Therefore, the side wall member 322 is formed at an appropriate position on the bottom member 321 in such a manner that the shaping material M is carried out from the holding surface 323 to the material feeding member 34, and on the other hand, the shaping material M does not spill from the holding surface 323 To the portion where the non-material sending member 34 is located. Specifically, the side wall member 322 is formed on a region (particularly, the outer edge 3234 or a region adjacent thereto) on the holding surface 323 where the forming material M should not be spilled. On the other hand, the side wall member 322 is not formed on a region (particularly, the outer edge 3234 or a region near it) on the holding surface 323 to which the forming material M should be dropped. In addition, the side wall member 322 may be provided on the + X side portion and the −X side portion of the outer edge 3234 of the holding surface 323. In addition, at least a part of the side wall member 322 may be provided in a region 3231 on the holding surface 323.

Returning to FIG. 3, the vibration device 33 is controlled by the control device 7 to vibrate the holding member 32. Specifically, the vibration device 33 is connected to the holding member 32 (the bottom member 321 in the example shown in FIG. 3) through the vibration transmission member 331. The vibration device 33 transmits vibration to the holding member 32 through the vibration transmission member 331. As a result, the holding member 32 vibrates. The vibration device 33 may vibrate the holding member 32 along the X-axis direction, may also vibrate the holding member 32 along the Y-axis direction, or may vibrate the holding member 32 along the Z-axis direction, or may Vibrate in a direction where at least one of the Y axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis intersect. The vibration device 33 is not limited, but includes an ultrasonic motor or an electromagnetic motor, and an actuator using a laminated piezoelectric element. Depending on the type of the vibration device 33, the holding member 32 may be indirectly vibrated by using a long-distance force such as electromagnetic force or resonance without transmitting the vibration transmission member 331. The vibration caused by the vibration device 33 is not limited to periodic vibration, and may be non-periodic vibration.

The vibration device 33 is controlled by the control device 7, and by vibrating the holding member 32, a part of the molding material M held by the holding surface 323 is dropped to the outside of the holding surface 323 through the outer edge 3234 of the holding surface 323. That is, the vibrating device 33 vibrates the holding member 32 to pass a portion of the forming material M held by the holding surface 323 (that is, stacked on the holding surface 323) from the holding surface 323 to the holding surface 323. On the other hand, it is carried out to the outside of the holding surface 323 (specifically, the material feeding member 34). That is, the vibration device 33 is controlled by the control device 7 to vibrate the holding member 32 in such a manner that a part of the molding material M held by the holding surface 323 is carried out from the holding surface 323 to the holding surface 323 through the holding surface 323. Outside (specifically, the material sending member 34).

As described above, the holding surface 323 is separated from the supply port 311 of the hopper 31 (ie, not in contact). That is, the holding member 32 is separated from the hopper 31 (ie, not in contact). Therefore, the vibration device 33 does not cause the hopper 31 to vibrate.

The material sending-out member 34 receives the shaping material M carried out from the holding surface 323 (that is, dropped, the same applies hereinafter). The material sending-out member 34 is arranged at a position capable of receiving the shaping material M carried out from the holding surface 323 in order to receive the shaping material M carried out from the holding surface 323. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the material feeding member 34 is located at least one of below and obliquely below the holding surface 323. In this case, the forming material M is carried out to the outside of the holding surface 323 by being dropped (ie, dropped) from the holding surface 323, and the material sending member 34 is arranged on the falling path of the forming material M from the holding surface 323.

The material feeding member 34 has a funnel-like shape (for example, an inverted conical shape) in order to appropriately receive the shaping material M carried out from the holding surface 323. The material sending member 34 is received by collecting the forming material M carried out from the holding surface 323 through a partition wall having a funnel shape. However, the material sending-out member 34 may have other shapes (for example, an inverted quadrangular pyramid shape).

The material sending-out member 34 further sends out the shaping material M received from the holding surface 323 to the outside of the material supply device 3 (ie, to the shaping device 4). In order to feed the molding material M into the molding device 4, a feeding port 341 is formed at the lower end of the material feeding member 34. The sending-out port 341 is an opening (ie, a through hole) penetrating from a partition wall at the bottom of the material sending-out member 34 along the Z-axis direction. The shape of the cross-section (specifically, the cross-section along the XY plane) of the delivery port 341 is circular, and may be other shapes. The other shapes include at least one of an oval, an oval, and a rectangle.

A delivery port 352 is formed in the casing 35. The delivery port 352 is in communication with the delivery port 341 of the material delivery member 34. A pipe (not shown) connected to the shaping device 4 is connected to the delivery port 352. Therefore, the forming material M sent from the material sending member 34 is sent to the forming device 4 through the sending ports 341 and 352 and a pipe (not shown).

An inlet 353 is further formed in the casing 35. The inflow port (air supply port) 353 is connected to the gas supply device 6 described above. Therefore, in the internal space 351 of the casing 35, a pressurized inert gas is supplied from the gas supply device 6 through the inflow port 353.

A material replenishing port 354 is formed in the casing 35. The material replenishing port 354 is an opening for replenishing the forming material M in the hopper 31. The material replenishing port 354 is normally closed (specifically, during the period when the forming material M is not replenished in the hopper 31) by a cover (not shown). Therefore, the state of the internal space 351 is usually maintained in a pressurized state. The cover of the material replenishing port 354 is opened during the replenishment of the forming material M in the hopper 31.

In addition, the material replenishing port 354 can also be used for purposes other than replenishing the forming material M (for example, replacement and maintenance of parts arranged in the casing 35).

(2-2) Supply operation of the forming material M by the material supply device 3

Next, the supply operation of the shaping material M by the material supply device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 (and, if necessary, the above-mentioned FIG. 4).

First, as described above, the holding surface 323 is a surface along the XY plane, and is disposed below the supply port 311 from the supply port 311 (in other words, the lower surface 315 of the hopper 31) in the Z-axis direction. . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the molding material M supplied (ie, dropped) from the supply port 311 is deposited on the holding surface 323. The holding surface 323 holds the forming material M such that the forming material M supplied from the supply port 311 is deposited on the holding surface 323. The holding surface 323 holds the forming material M in such a manner that the forming material M is held between the supply port 311 and the holding surface 323 (that is, between the lower surface 315 of the hopper 31 and the holding surface 323). At this time, the holding surface 323 holds the molding material M in an amount corresponding to the distance D between the supply port 311 and the holding surface 323. Specifically, the larger the distance D between the supply port 311 and the holding surface 323 is, the more portions of the forming material M are held by the holding surface 323. That is, the larger the distance D between the supply port 311 and the holding surface 323, the larger the amount of the molding material M held by the holding surface 323.

Furthermore, as described above, the size of the holding surface 323 is a size that satisfies the first condition that the holding surface 323 is larger than the cross section of the supply port 311. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the forming material M supplied from the supply port 311 is stacked on the holding surface 323 so as to form a mountain of the forming material M that expands outward from the supply port 311 downward. The closer to the reference point 3233 (refer to FIG. 4) on the holding surface 323 located below the supply port 311, the holding surface 323 holds more forming material M. The holding surface 323 holds the forming material M by holding the forming material M between the supply port 311, the holding surface 323, and the virtual surface VS1 (see FIG. 4) to form a mountain of the forming material M.

Further, as described above, the size of the holding surface 323 is a size that satisfies the second condition that the holding surface 323 is large enough that a circular area 3231 can be set on the holding surface 323 (that is, on the holding member). (32) In a stationary state, the degree of repose angle θr of the mountain of the forming material M deposited on the holding surface 323 can be maintained). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the holding surface 323 can hold the forming material M in such a manner that an angle formed by the slope of the forming material M supplied from the supply port 311 and the holding surface 323 does not exceed the rest angle θr The state is formed on the holding surface 323. That is, the holding surface 323 can hold the forming material M in a state where the holding member 32 is stationary (that is, the vibration device 33 does not cause the holding member 32 to vibrate) so that the mountain of the forming material M does not collapse spontaneously.

Furthermore, as described above, the size of the holding surface 323 satisfies the third condition that the holding surface 323 is large enough that the holding surface 323 includes a region 3232 extending beyond the region 3231 in addition to the region 3231. Therefore, the holding surface 323 can use not only the area 3231 but also the area 3232 to hold the forming material M. Therefore, the holding surface 323 can hold the mountain formed by the forming material M on the holding surface 323 in a state where the angle formed by the inclined surface and the holding surface 323 is equal to or less than the rest angle θr. As a result, the holding surface 323 can hold the forming material M in such a manner that the mountain of the forming material M supplied from the supply port 311 is more difficult to collapse spontaneously.

As described above, the forming material M supplied from the hopper 31 to the outside of the hopper 31 is temporarily held stably by the holding surface 323. The forming material M deposited on the holding surface 323 is in contact with the supply port 311. When the holding member 32 is stationary, the accumulated forming material M blocks the supply port 311 and inhibits the supply of more than the forming material M to the holding surface 323. In this state, the holding member 32 is vibrated by the vibration device 33. When the stationary holding member 32 starts to vibrate, a portion of the forming material M constituting the mountain gradually starts to collapse from the mountain of the forming material M stably held by the holding surface 323. Alternatively, when the stationary holding member 32 starts to vibrate, a portion of the forming material M constituting the mountain gradually starts to separate from the hill of the forming material M stably held by the holding surface 323.

Furthermore, if the holding member 32 continues to vibrate in the same manner, a portion of the forming material M constituting the mountain from the hill of the forming material M stably held by the holding surface 323 is gradually fixed by a fixed amount per unit time. The ground continued to collapse. If the holding member 32 continues and vibrates continuously in the same manner, from the mountain of the forming material M stably held by the holding surface 323, a part of the forming material M constituting the mountain is gradually continued in a fixed amount per unit time. Separation (ie, continuous shear). The shaping material M which has fallen or separated from the mountain is spilled from the holding surface 323 to the outside of the holding surface 323 (that is, the material feeding member 34). As a result, a fixed amount of the shaping material M is carried out from the holding surface 323 into the material carrying-out device 34 per unit time.

When the vibration of the holding member 32 caused by the vibration device 33 stops, the forming material M deposited on the holding surface 323 stops collapsing, and the forming material M is no longer sprinkled from the holding surface 323. That is, the carrying out of the shaping material M from the holding surface 323 into the material feeding member 34 is stopped. As a result, the supply of the forming material M from the material supply device 3 to the forming device 4 is also stopped. Therefore, the vibration device 33 is under the control of the control device 7 and stops the vibration of the holding member 32 when the molding material M may not be supplied to the molding device 4 (for example, when the material nozzle 412 may not supply the molding material M). .

The amount of the forming material M carried out from the holding surface 323 to the outside of the holding surface 323 per unit time (that is, the amount of the forming material M carried out per unit time) can be controlled under the vibration state of the holding member 32. Therefore, the vibration device 33 is controlled by the control device 7 and the amount of the forming material M carried out from the holding surface 323 to the material feeding member 34 per unit time becomes the amount of the forming material M necessary for the formation of the shaped object. The state of vibration of the holding member 32 is set in a manner of the required carrying-out amount corresponding to the supply rate. Further, the vibration device 33 is under the control of the control device 7 during the formation of the shaped object by the shaping device 4 (more specifically, the period during which the material nozzle 412 continues to supply the shaped material M) so as to be in a set vibration state. In a manner that the holding member 32 continues to vibrate, the holding member 32 is vibrated. As a result, from the holding surface 323 to the material feeding member 34, a fixed amount of the molding material M necessary for forming the molding device 4 into a shaped object per unit time is carried out.

The state of the vibration may include, for example, the amplitude (ie, the intensity) of the vibration. For example, the larger the amplitude of the vibration, the more the holding surface 323 vibrates. Therefore, the larger the amplitude of the vibration, the more the amount of the shape-forming material M that collapses or separates from the mountain of the shape-forming material M held by the holding surface 323 per unit time. That is, the larger the amplitude of the vibration, the larger the amount of the molding material M carried out from the holding surface 323 to the outside of the holding surface 323 per unit time. The greater the amount of the molding material M carried out from the holding surface 323 to the outside of the holding surface 323 in each unit time, the more the molding material M supplied from the material supply device 3 to the molding device 4 per unit time (i.e., , Supply) increased. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the larger the amplitude of the vibration, the greater the amount of the forming material M supplied from the material supplying device 3 to the forming device 4 per unit time. The control device 7 considers the relationship between the amplitude of the vibration of the holding member 32 and the supply amount of the forming material M, and the amount of the forming material M carried out from the holding surface 323 to the material sending member 34 per unit time. The amplitude of the vibration of the holding member 32 is set in such a manner as to be a required carrying-out amount corresponding to the supply rate of the forming material M necessary for the formation of the shaped object. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when it is required to supply the forming material M of the amount M1 from the material supplying device 3 to the forming device 4 per unit time, the control device 7 sets the amplitude of the vibration of the holding member 32 to A1. Similarly, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, when it is required to supply the forming material M in a portion M2 (but M2 <M1) from the material supplying device 3 to the forming device 4 per unit time, the control device 7 holds the member. The amplitude of the vibration of 32 is set to A2 (however, A2 <A1).

However, if the amplitude of the vibration of the holding member 32 is too large, there is a possibility that the mountain of the forming material M held by the holding surface 323 collapses at once. Therefore, the control device 7 can also set the amplitude of the vibration in such a way that the mountain of the forming material M held by the holding surface 323 can be slowly collapsed (that is, collapsed at one breath).

The state of vibration may include, for example, the frequency of vibration. For example, the larger the frequency of vibration, the faster the holding surface 323 vibrates. Therefore, the larger the frequency of the vibration, the more the amount of the shape-forming material M that collapses or separates per unit time from the hill of the shape-forming material M held by the holding surface 323. That is, the larger the frequency of the vibration, the greater the amount of the shaping material M carried out from the holding surface 323 to the outside of the holding surface 323 per unit time. Therefore, as with the amplitude of the vibration, the larger the frequency of the vibration, the greater the amount (ie, the amount of supply) of the molding material M supplied from the material supply device 3 to the molding device 4 per unit time. The control device 7 considers the relationship between the frequency of the vibration of the holding member 32 and the supply amount of the forming material M, and can also be carried out from the holding surface 323 to the forming material M in the material sending member 34 per unit time. The amount is set in such a manner that the frequency of the vibration of the holding member 32 is set in such a manner that the required carrying-out amount corresponds to the supply rate of the shaping material M necessary for the formation of the shaped object.

However, if the frequency of the vibration of the holding member 32 is too high, there is a possibility that the mountain of the forming material M held by the holding surface 323 collapses at once. Therefore, the control device 7 can also set the frequency of the vibration in such a manner that the mountain of the forming material M held by the holding surface 323 can be slowly collapsed (that is, collapsed at one breath).

Furthermore, even if the state of vibration of the holding member 34 is the same, there is a first state of the molding material M removed from the holding surface 323 per unit time, and a second state of the forming material M removed from the holding surface 323 per unit time. (However, the second state is different from the first state) There is a possibility that the weights of the forming materials M may not be the same. That is, there is a possibility that the weight of the first-state molding material M carried out from the holding surface 323 vibrating in a certain state per unit time may be the same as that on the holding surface 323 vibrating in the same state per unit time. The amount of the molding material M in the second state that is carried out is not the same. Specifically, for example, there is a possibility that the weight of the first type of forming material M carried out from the holding surface 323 that vibrates in a certain state per unit time may be the same as that in which the vibration is maintained in the same state per unit time. The amount of the shaping material M of the second type (but the second type is different from the first type) carried out on the surface 323 is not the same. For example, there is a possibility that the weight of the molding material M of the first particle diameter carried out from the holding surface 323 vibrating in a certain state per unit time may be the same as that on the holding surface 323 vibrating in the same state per unit time. The amount of the shaping material M having the second particle diameter (but the second particle diameter is different from the first particle diameter) is not the same. For example, there is a possibility that the amount of the first shape (especially the outer shape) forming material M carried out from the holding surface 323 vibrating in a certain state per unit time may be the same as the amount of the forming material M vibrating in the same state per unit time. The second shape (however, the second shape is different from the first shape) of the molding material M carried on the holding surface 323 does not have the same weight. For example, there is a possibility that the amount of the friction coefficient of the surface carried out from the holding surface 323 that vibrates in a certain state per unit time becomes the first value of the amount of the molding material M, and The amount of the molding material M having the second coefficient (but the second value is different from the first value) of the friction coefficient of the surface carried out on the holding surface 323 is not the same. Therefore, in addition to or instead of considering the relationship between the vibration state of the holding member 32 and the supply amount of the molding material M, the control device 7 may consider the relationship between the state of the molding material M and the supply amount of the molding material M to The amount of the forming material M carried out from the holding surface 323 to the material feeding member 34 per unit time is set to a holding member in such a manner that it corresponds to a required carrying amount corresponding to the supply rate of the forming material M necessary for the formation of the shaped object. 32 state of vibration. Here, the state of the shaping material M may include at least one of the type of the shaping material M, the size (particle diameter) of the shaping material M, the shape of the shaping material M, and the friction coefficient of the surface of the shaping material M.

When the forming material M is carried out from the holding surface 323 into the material feeding member 34, the amount of the forming material M held by the holding surface 323 decreases. On the other hand, since the holding surface 323 is located below the supply port 311 of the hopper 31, if the amount of the molding material M held by the holding surface 323 is reduced, the weight of the molding material M itself passes through the supply port 311 and is removed from the hopper. 31. A new molding material M is supplied onto the holding surface 323. That is, on the holding surface 323, the molding material M of the same amount as the molding material M carried out from the holding surface 323 into the material feeding member 34 is supplied again from the hopper 31. Therefore, the holding surface 323 holds substantially the same amount of the shaping material M. That is, the holding surface 323 retains the forming material M in an amount corresponding to the distance D between the lower surface 315 of the hopper 31 and the holding surface 323 regardless of the removal of the forming material M from the holding surface 323.

The molding material M carried out from the holding surface 323 falls from the holding surface 323 into the material feeding member 34. As a result, the material sending member 34 receives the shaping material M carried out from the holding surface 323. The forming material M received by the material feeding member 34 is sent to the outside of the material supply device 3 (i.e., the forming device 4). Here, as described above, the pressurized inert gas is supplied from the gas supply device 6 through the inflow port 353 in the internal space 351 of the casing 35 in which the material sending member 34 is housed. The material sending-out member 34 sends out the shaping material M to the shaping device 4 by the pressure feeding of the pressurized inert gas. That is, the shaping material M received by the material sending-out member 34 is sent out through the sending-out ports 341 and 352 by being extruded into the pipe by the pressure of the inert gas supplied into the internal space 351. The forming material M sent out through the pipe is supplied from the material nozzle 412.

Since the material sending member 34 sends out the forming material M by pressure feeding, the weight of the forming material M sent by the material sending member 34 per unit time depends on being carried out from the holding surface 323 to the material sending member 34 per unit time. The amount of the shaping material M in. Therefore, the material sending member 34 can send out a fixed amount of the shaping material M to the shaping device 4 every unit time. As a result, the material supply device 3 can supply a fixed amount of the molding material M to the molding device 4 per unit time. That is, the material supply device 3 can supply the amount of the shaping material M supplied from the material supply device 3 to the shaping device 4 per unit time to a fixed required supply corresponding to the supply rate of the shaping material M necessary for the formation of the shaped object. In a measuring manner, the shaping material M is supplied to the shaping device 4.

In this way, the material supply device 3 of this embodiment uses a holding member 32 disposed below the hopper 31 to hold a fixed amount of the forming material M supplied from the hopper 31 and the vibration of the holding member 32, And, a fixed amount of the shaping material M is carried out from the holding surface 323 into the material feeding member 34 every unit time. Therefore, the material supply device 3 can stably supply the forming device 4 with a fixed amount of the forming material M necessary per unit time in order to form the forming device 4 into a forming object. That is, the material supply device 3 can supply the molding material M while maintaining a required supply rate.

In addition, in the above description, the amount of the molding material M carried out from the holding surface 323 to the material feeding member 34 per unit time during the formation of the shape by the molding device 4 is fixed. That is, while the shaping device 4 is forming a shaped object, the amount of the shaping material M supplied from the material supply device 3 to the shaping device 4 per unit time is fixed. However, under the control of the control device 7, the material supply device 3 may change the amount of the molding material M supplied from the material supply device 3 to the molding device 4 per unit time while the molding device 4 forms the shaped object. Specifically, as described above, the amount of the shaping material M carried out from the holding surface 323 into the material feeding member 34 per unit time depends on the state of vibration of the holding member 323. Therefore, the control device 7 may control the vibration device 33 while changing the mode of the vibration state of the holding member 32 while the shape device 4 is forming the shaped object. As a result, as the state of the vibration changes, the amount of the shaping material M carried out from the holding surface 323 to the material feeding member 34 per unit time changes. That is, as the state of the vibration changes, the amount of the shaping material M carried out from the material supply device 3 to the shaping device 4 per unit time changes.

As an example of a case where the amount of the shaping material M supplied from the material supply device 3 per unit time is changed, a case where the moving speed of the shaping head 41 caused by the driving system 42 is changed may be mentioned. In this case, the control device 7 changes the forming material carried out from the material supply device 3 to the forming device 4 per unit time based on the moving speed of the forming head 41 (ie, information related to the moving speed of the forming head 41). Servings of M. Specifically, the faster the moving speed of the shaping head 41 is, the material nozzle 412 faces a unit area on the workpiece W (or a unit area on the structural layer formed on the workpiece W, the same applies hereinafter) to supply the shaping material M The shorter the time. Therefore, the faster the moving speed of the forming head 41 is, the smaller the amount of the forming material M supplied to the unit area is. As a result, if the moving speed of the forming head 41 is changed, the amount of the forming material M supplied to one unit area on the workpiece W and the amount of the forming material M supplied to other unit areas on the workpiece W will not become Same possibility. In this case, there is a possibility that the accuracy of the formed object may be affected. Therefore, the control device 7 can also change the amount of the molding material M supplied to the plurality of unit areas on the workpiece W in the same manner, and change the supply from the material supply device 3 per unit time based on the moving speed of the molding head 41. The amount of molding material M. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the control device 7 can also use the faster the moving speed of the forming head 41, the amount of the forming material M supplied from the material supply device 3 per unit time (i.e., per unit time The supply amount of the molding material M is increased to change the supply amount of the molding material M per unit time.

In addition, not limited to the above, the control device 7 may change the material supply device per unit time based on at least one of the information related to the moving speed of the shaping head 41 and the information related to the irradiation of the light EL. 3 The amount of the shaping material M carried out into the shaping device 4. In addition, as another example of the information related to the irradiation of the light EL, the intensity of the light EL, the irradiation position of the light EL, or the irradiation time of the light EL may be mentioned. For example, the control device 7 may change the amount of the shaping material M carried out from the material supply device 3 to the shaping device 4 per unit time according to the change in the intensity of the light EL. For example, the control device 7 may change the amount of the molding material M carried out from the material supply device 3 to the molding device 4 per unit time in accordance with a change in the irradiation time of the light EL.

In addition, in the above description, the vibration of the holding surface 323 is changed under the control of the control device 7 so that the faster the moving speed of the forming head 41 is, the more the amount of the forming material M supplied from the material supply device 3 per unit time increases. Of the state. However, based on the upper limit of the amplitude or frequency of the vibration of the holding surface 323 by the vibrating device 33, the amount of the forming material M per unit time that the material supplying device 3 can supply to the forming device 4 can be inversely calculated. The upper limit of the moving speed of the shaping head 41 in the shaping device 4 is determined by the amount.

(3) Modifications

Next, a modification of the shaping system 1 will be described.

(3-1) First modification

The forming system 1a of the first modification is different from the forming system 1 described above in that a material supply device 3a is provided instead of the material supply device 3. The other configurations of the shaping system 1 a may be the same as the other configurations of the shaping system 1. Therefore, the material supply device 3a according to the first modification will be described below with reference to FIG. 8.

As shown in FIG. 8, the material supply device 3 a is different from the above-mentioned material supply device 3 in that an internal space 351 of the casing 35 is further provided with a conveying member 36 a. The other configurations of the material supply device 3a may be the same as the other configurations of the material supply device 3.

The transfer member 36 a receives the molding material M carried out from the holding surface 323. Further, the conveyance member 36 a conveys the molding material M received from the holding surface 323 into the material conveyance member 34. Therefore, in the first modification, the forming material M is supplied from the hopper 31 to the outside of the material supply device 3 (that is, the forming device 4) via the holding member 32, the conveying member 36a, and the material feeding member 34 in this order.

The conveying member 36 a is arranged at a position where the forming material M carried out from the holding surface 323 can be received in order to receive the forming material M carried out (ie, spilled) from the holding surface 323. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the conveyance member 36 a is located at least one of below and obliquely below the holding surface 323. In this case, the forming material M is carried out to the outside of the holding surface 323 by being dropped (ie, dropped) from the holding surface 323, and the conveying member 36a is arranged on the falling path of the forming material M from the holding surface 323.

The conveying member 36a receives the shaping material M on the upper surface (that is, the surface facing the + Z side) 361a. That is, the molding material M is sprinkled from the holding surface 323 onto the upper surface 361a. The upper surface 361a is a surface that is inclined with respect to the XY plane that is a horizontal plane (that is, that intersects the XY plane). The upper surface 361a is a surface inclined with respect to the holding surface 323. Because the upper surface 361a is inclined, the forming material M received by the upper surface 361a rolls off from the upper surface 361a. A material feeding member 34 is arranged at least one of the lower surface and the obliquely lower portion of the upper surface 361a. That is, a material feeding member 34 is disposed on a path where the forming material M rolls off from the upper surface 361a. Therefore, the material sending-out member 34 receives the shaping material M rolled down from the upper surface 361a. That is, in the first modification, the conveying member 36a can drop the forming material M by the inclination of the upper surface 361a, and the forming material M received from the holding surface 323 on the upper surface 361a can be carried out from the upper surface 361a. Outside the surface 361a (that is, outside the conveying member 36a, the material conveying member 34).

Such a material supply device 3a can enjoy the same effects as those described above for the material supply device 3. Furthermore, in the first modification, the forming material M carried out from the holding surface 323 into the conveying member 36a is rolled off from the upper surface 361a by the inclination of the upper surface 361a of the conveying member 36a. At this time, the frictional force from the upper surface 361a acts on the shaping material M. Therefore, the forming material M is stably rolled off the upper surface 361a at a substantially constant speed. As a result, even if it is assumed that the amount of the shaping material M carried out from the holding surface 323 to the conveying member 36a changes per unit time, the change is caused by the friction of the shaping material M from the upper surface 361 in the conveying member 36a Force to ease, suppress or counteract. That is, the transfer member 36a can change the amount of the shaping material M carried out from the upper surface 361a to the material sending member 34 per unit time, which is smaller than the shaping material carried from the holding surface 323 to the carrying member 36a per unit time. Changes in M's weight (in other words, pulsation). In other words, the conveying member 36a can remove (or suppress, or offset) the change in the amount of the forming material M carried out from the holding surface 323 into the conveying member 36a per unit time, and the conveying member 36a can be taken out. As a result, the material supply device 3a can mitigate a change in the amount of the molding material M supplied from the material supply device 3a to the molding device 4 per unit time. Therefore, the material supply device 3 can supply the shaping material M while maintaining the required supply rate more appropriately.

However, if the inclination angle of the upper surface 361a with respect to the XY plane (that is, the inclination angle of the upper surface 361a with respect to the horizontal plane or the holding surface 323) is too large, there is a molding material M_ Possibility of rolling down. In this case, as the force acting on the forming material M, there is a possibility that gravity may exert a larger effect than the frictional force from the upper surface 361a. As a result, there is a possibility that the effect of mitigating the change in the amount of the molding material M carried out from the holding surface 323 to the conveying member 36a per unit time can be reduced. Therefore, the inclination angle of the upper surface 361a with respect to the XY plane can also be set to an appropriate angle such that a change in the amount of the molding material M carried out from the holding surface 323 to the conveying member 36a per unit time can be exhibited The extent to which the effect is mitigated. An example of such an angle is an angle of 30 degrees or less (especially an angle of 20 degrees or less).

On the other hand, if the inclination angle of the upper surface 361a with respect to the XY plane is too small, there is a possibility that the shaping material M carried out from the holding surface 322 into the conveying member 36a will stagnate (in other words, stay) on the upper surface 361a. That is, there is a possibility that the forming material M is not easily rolled off from the upper surface 361a. As a result, there is a possibility that the material supply device 3 cannot supply the forming material M in a state where the required supply rate is more appropriately maintained. Therefore, the inclination angle of the upper surface 361a with respect to the XY plane can also be set to an appropriate angle at which the molding material M carried out from the holding surface 322 into the conveying member 36a appropriately rolls off from the upper surface 361a. An example of such an angle is an angle of 5 degrees or more (especially an angle of 15 degrees or more). The surface of the upper surface 361a may also be subjected to surface processing for adjusting the friction coefficient with the forming material M, so that the forming material M can be appropriately rolled off. This surface processing includes at least a process of changing the friction coefficient between the forming material M and the surface of the upper surface 361a.

In addition, a part of the upper surface 361 of the conveyance member 36a may be a plane (ie, a horizontal plane) along the XY plane. At least a part of the upper surface 361a may be a curved surface. The conveying member 36 a may be arranged at any position as long as it can receive the shaping material M carried out from the holding surface 323 and carry out the received shaping material M into the material feeding member 34.

The material supply device 36a may include a plurality of conveyance members 36a. In this case, the shaping material M is supplied from the hopper 31 to the outside of the material supply device 3 (that is, the shaping device 4) via the holding member 32, the conveying member 36a, and the material feeding member 34 in this order. The plurality of conveyance members 36a may include a first conveyance member 36a inclined at a first inclination angle with respect to the holding surface 323, and a second conveyance member 36a inclined at a second inclination angle different from the first inclination angle with respect to the holding surface 323. 2 conveying member 36a. The plurality of conveyance members 36 a may include at least two conveyance members 36 a inclined at the same inclination angle with respect to the holding surface 323.

(3-2) Second modification

The forming system 1 b according to the second modification is different from the forming system 1 described above in that a material supply device 3 b is provided instead of the material supply device 3. The other configurations of the shaping system 1b may be the same as the other configurations of the shaping system 1. Therefore, the material supply device 3b according to the second modification will be described below with reference to FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 9, the material supply device 3 b is different from the above-mentioned material supply device 3 a in that the vibration device 33 vibrates the conveyance member 36 a. The other configuration of the material supply device 3b may be the same as the other configuration of the material supply device 3a. The vibration device 33 is connected to the conveyance member 32 through the vibration transmission member 332b. The vibration device 33 transmits vibration to the conveyance member 36a through the vibration transmission member 332b. As a result, the conveyance member 36a vibrates. The vibration device 33 may vibrate the conveyance member 36a along the X-axis direction, may vibrate the conveyance member 36a along the Y-axis direction, or may vibrate the conveyance member 36a along the Z-axis direction.

Even with such a material supply device 3b, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned material supply device 3a can be enjoyed. In addition, in the second modification, since the conveying member 36a vibrates, compared with the case where the conveying member 36a does not vibrate, the possibility that the molding material M carried out from the holding surface 322 into the conveying member 36a stagnates on the upper surface 361a Get smaller. That is, in the second modified example, the conveying member 36a can carry out the forming material M in such a manner that the forming material M is appropriately rolled off from the upper surface 361a.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, the vibration device 33 that vibrates the holding member 32 vibrates the conveying member 36 a. However, in addition to the vibration device 33 that vibrates the holding member 32, the material supply device 3b may be separately provided with a vibration device 33b that vibrates the conveying member 36a.

(3-3) Third modification

The forming system 1c according to the third modification is different from the forming system 1 described above in that a material supply device 3c is provided instead of the material supply device 3. The other configurations of the shaping system 1 c may be the same as the other configurations of the shaping system 1. Therefore, a material supply device 3c according to a third modification will be described below with reference to FIG. 10.

As shown in FIG. 10, the material supply device 3c is different from the above-mentioned material supply device 3b in that the holding member 32 and the conveying member 36a are integrated. The other configuration of the material supply device 3b may be the same as the other configuration of the material supply device 3b. Even with such a material supply device 3c, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned material supply device 3b can be enjoyed.

(3-4) Fourth modification

The forming system 1d according to the fourth modification is different from the forming system 1 described above in that a material supply device 3d is provided instead of the material supply device 3. The other configurations of the shaping system 1 d may be the same as the other configurations of the shaping system 1. Therefore, the material supply device 3d according to the fourth modification will be described below with reference to FIG. 11.

As shown in FIG. 11, the material supply device 3d differs from the above-mentioned material supply device 3 in that it includes a distance adjustment device 37d. The other configurations of the material supply device 3 d may be the same as the other configurations of the material supply device 3.

The distance adjusting device 37d can adjust the distance D between the supply port 311 of the hopper 31 and the holding surface 323 of the holding member 32 under the control of the control device 7. That is, the distance adjusting device 37d can adjust the distance between the lower surface 315 of the hopper 31 and the holding surface 323 (ie, the distance between the lower end portion 3141 of the hopper 31 and the holding surface 323) D under the control of the control device 7.

The distance adjustment device 37 d can adjust the distance D by moving the holding member 32 relative to the hopper 31 under the control of the control device 7. For example, the distance adjustment device 37d may adjust the distance D by moving the holding member 32 along the Z axis. In this case, when the holding member 32 moves to the + Z side, the distance D decreases. On the other hand, when the holding member 32 moves to the -Z side, the distance D increases. Alternatively, the distance adjustment device 37d may adjust the distance D by moving the holding member 32 along the Z axis in addition to or instead of moving the holding member 32 along the Z axis. In this case, when the hopper 31 moves to the + Z side, the distance D increases. On the other hand, when the hopper 31 moves to the -Z side, the distance D decreases. The distance adjustment device 37 d is provided to move at least one of the holding member 32 and the hopper 31, and may include, for example, an actuator or the like. The distance adjusting device 37d may include a measuring device for measuring the distance D in order to adjust the distance D. The measuring device for measuring the distance D is not limited, and examples thereof include an optical sensor, an electrostatic sensor, and a magnetic sensor.

As described above, the holding surface 323 holds the molding material M in an amount corresponding to the distance D between the supply port 311 and the holding surface 323. That is, as the distance D between the supply port 311 and the holding surface 323 increases, the amount of the molding material M held by the holding surface 323 increases. Therefore, the control device 7 can also adjust the amount of the molding material M held by the holding member 32 by controlling the distance adjusting device 37d in a manner of adjusting the distance D.

When the vibration state of the holding member 32 is fixed, if the amount of the forming material M held by the holding member 32 is fixed, the amount of the forming material M carried out from the holding surface 323 to the material sending member 34 per unit time is fixed. Become fixed. On the other hand, when the state of vibration of the holding member 32 is changed, if the amount of the shaping material M held by the holding member 32 changes with the state of the vibration, the material is removed from the holding surface 323 to the material per unit time. The amount of the forming material M in the feeding member 34 can be fixed. Therefore, based on the state of vibration of the holding member 32, the control device 7 can also be the amount of the forming material M carried out from the holding surface 323 into the material feeding member 34 per unit time as the forming material necessary for forming the shape. The distance D is set in such a manner that the supply rate of M corresponds to the required unloading amount. At this time, the control device 7 may also consider the distance D and the supply amount of the molding material M (that is, from the material per unit time) in the same manner as when the vibration state (for example, amplitude or frequency) of the holding member 32 is set. The distance D is set by at least one of the relationship between the amount of the molding material M supplied by the supply device 3 to the molding device 4 and the relationship between the state of the molding material M and the supply amount of the molding material M. Further, the control device 7 may control the distance adjustment device 37d in a manner that the supply port 311 and the holding surface 323 are separated along the Z axis by a set distance D.

Alternatively, if the amount of the shaping material M held by the holding member 32 is changed, the amount of the shaping material M carried out from the holding surface 323 to the material sending member 34 per unit time by the vibration of the holding member 32 can also be changed again. change. Therefore, the control device 7 can also adjust (ie, change) the distance D during the formation of the shaped object by the shaping device 4 to change the amount of the shaped material M carried out from the holding surface 323 to the material sending member 34 per unit time. . As a result, as the distance D is changed, the amount of the molding material M carried out from the material supply device 3 to the molding device 4 per unit time is changed. An example of the case where the amount of the shaping material M supplied from the material supply device 3 per unit time is changed has been described above.

Even if it is such a material supply device 3d, the same effect as the effect which the said material supply device 3 can enjoy can be enjoyed. Furthermore, the material supply device 3d can more appropriately supply the forming material M to the forming device 4 by adjusting the distance D.

(3-5) Fifth modification

The forming system 1e according to the fifth modification is different from the forming system 1 described above in that a material supply device 3e is provided instead of the material supply device 3. The other configurations of the forming system 1e may be the same as the other configurations of the forming system 1. Therefore, the material supply device 3e according to the fifth modification will be described below with reference to FIG. 12.

As shown in FIG. 12, the material supply device 3e is different from the above-mentioned material supply device 3a in that it includes an angle adjustment device 38e. The other configuration of the material supply device 3e may be the same as the other configuration of the material supply device 3a.

The angle adjusting device 38e can adjust the inclination angle of the upper surface 361a with respect to the XY plane (ie, the inclination angle of the upper surface 361a with respect to the horizontal plane or the holding surface 323) θ under the control of the control device 7. The angle adjusting device 38e is controlled by the control device 7 and adjusts the inclination angle θ by moving the conveying member 36a relative to the holding member 32. For example, the angle adjustment device 38e may adjust the tilt angle θ by rotating the conveying member 36a about a rotation axis along the XY plane (for example, a rotation axis along the X axis). For example, the angle adjustment device 38e can adjust the tilt angle θ adjustment by moving the conveyance member 36a in at least one of the θX direction and the θY direction. In order to move the conveyance member 36a, the angle adjustment device 38e may be equipped with an actuator etc., for example. In order to adjust the inclination angle θ, the angle adjustment device 38e may be provided with a measurement device for measuring the inclination angle θ. Examples of the measurement device for measuring the tilt angle θ include a tilt sensor or a rotary potentiometer.

When the vibration state of the holding member 32 is fixed, if the inclination angle θ of the conveying member 36 a is fixed, the forming material M is conveyed from the holding surface 323 through the conveying member 36 a to the material conveying member 34 per unit time. The weight becomes fixed. On the other hand, when the state of vibration of the holding member 32 is changed, if the inclination angle θ of the conveying member 36a changes with the state of the vibration, the conveying member 36a is carried out from the holding surface 323 per unit time to the The amount of the forming material M in the material feeding member 34 can be fixed. Therefore, based on the state of vibration of the holding member 32, the control device 7 can also form the amount of the forming material M transferred from the holding surface 323 to the material sending member 34 through the carrying member 36a per unit time. The inclination angle θ is set in such a manner that the required supply rate of the forming material M corresponding to the required supply rate of the shaping material M is set. At this time, the control device 7 may also consider the inclination angle θ and the supply amount of the molding material M (that is, from the material per unit time) in the same manner as in the case of setting the vibration state (for example, amplitude or frequency) of the holding member 32. The inclination angle θ is set by at least one of the relationship between the amount of the molding material M supplied by the supply device 3 to the molding device 4 and the relationship between the state of the molding material M and the supply amount of the molding material M. Furthermore, the control device 7 may control the angle adjustment device 38e so that the upper surface 361a is inclined with respect to the XY plane at a set inclination angle θ.

Alternatively, if the inclination angle θ is changed, the amount of the molding material M carried out from the holding surface 323 through the carrying member 36 a to the material sending member 34 may be changed again per unit time. Therefore, the control device 7 can also change (i.e., change) the tilt angle θ while the forming device 4 is forming the shaped object, so as to change from the holding surface 323 through the carrying member 36a to the material sending member per unit time. The amount of the shaping material M in 34. As a result, as the inclination angle θ is changed, the amount of the molding material M carried out from the material supply device 3 to the molding device 4 per unit time is changed. An example of the case where the amount of the shaping material M supplied from the material supply device 3 per unit time is changed is as described above.

Even with such a material supply device 3e, the same effects as those obtained by the material supply device 3a can be enjoyed. Furthermore, the material supply device 3e can more appropriately supply the forming material M to the forming device 4 by adjusting the inclination angle θ.

(3-6) Sixth modification

The forming system 1f according to the sixth modification is different from the forming system 1 described above in that a material supply device 3f is provided instead of the material supply device 3. The other configurations of the shaping system 1f may be the same as the other configurations of the shaping system 1. Therefore, the material supply device 3f according to the sixth modification will be described below with reference to FIG. 13.

As shown in FIG. 13, the material supply device 3 f is different from the material supply device 3 described above in that a rotation device 39 f is provided instead of the vibration device 33. The other configuration of the material supply device 3f may be the same as the other configuration of the material supply device 3. In addition, at least a part of the rotation device 39f may be disposed outside the casing 35.

The rotation device 39f is controlled by the control device 7 to rotate the holding member 32 around a rotation axis that intersects (for example, is orthogonal to) the holding surface 323. Specifically, the rotation device 39f is connected to the holding member 32 (the bottom member 321 in the example shown in FIG. 13) through the connection member 391f. The rotation device 39f rotates the connection member 391f to rotate the holding member 32.

The rotating device 39f is under the control of the control device 7 and rotates the holding member 32 to move a part of the molding material M held by the holding surface 323 out of the holding surface 323 to the outside of the holding surface 323 (specifically, The material feed member 34). That is, the rotation device 39f is controlled by the control device 7 so that a part of the molding material M held by the holding surface 323 is carried out from the holding surface 323 to the outside of the holding surface 323 (specifically, the material feeding member 34). , The holding member 32 is rotated.

As described above, the holding surface 323 is separated from the supply port 311 of the hopper 31 (ie, not in contact). That is, the holding member 32 is separated from the hopper 31 (ie, not in contact). Therefore, the rotating device 39f does not rotate the hopper 31.

When the stationary holding member 32 starts to rotate, a portion of the forming material M constituting the mountain gradually starts to collapse from the mountain of the forming material M stably held by the holding surface 323. Alternatively, when the stationary holding member 32 starts to rotate, a portion of the forming material M constituting the mountain gradually starts to separate from the mountain of the forming material M stably held by the holding surface 323. Further, if the holding member 32 continues and continues to rotate in the same manner, from the mountain of the forming material M stably held by the holding surface 323, a part of the forming material M constituting the mountain is gradually fixed at a fixed amount per unit time. The ground continued to collapse. If the holding member 32 continues and continues to rotate in the same manner, from the mountain of the forming material M stably held by the holding surface 323, a part of the forming material M constituting the mountain is gradually and continuously separated by a fixed amount per unit time. . The forming material M which has fallen or separated from the mountain is sprinkled (ie, carried out) from the holding surface 323 to the outside of the holding surface 323 (ie, the material feeding member 34). As a result, a fixed amount of the shaping material M is carried out from the holding surface 323 into the material carrying-out device 34 per unit time.

The amount of the forming material M carried out from the holding surface 323 to the outside of the holding surface 323 per unit time (that is, the amount of the forming material M carried out per unit time) can be controlled in a state where the holding member 32 is rotated. Therefore, the rotating device 39f is under the control of the control device 7, and the amount of the forming material M carried out from the holding surface 323 to the material sending member 34 per unit time becomes the amount of the forming material M necessary for the formation of the forming object. The state of rotation of the holding member 32 is set in a manner of the required unloading amount corresponding to the supply rate. Further, the rotation device 39f is under the control of the control device 7 during the formation of the shape by the forming device 4 (more specifically, the period during which the material nozzle 412 continues to supply the shape material M) to keep the member 32 at the set rotation In this state, the holding member 32 is rotated in a manner of continuing to rotate. As a result, a fixed amount of the shaping material M necessary for forming the shaped object 4 per unit time is carried out from the holding surface 323 to the material feeding member 34.

The state of rotation may include, for example, the speed of rotation. For example, the faster the rotation speed, the greater the amount of the forming material M that has fallen or separated from the mountain of the forming material M held by the holding surface 323 per unit time. Therefore, the faster the rotation speed, the greater the amount of the molding material M carried out from the holding surface 323 to the outside of the holding surface 323 per unit time. That is, the faster the rotation speed, the greater the amount (ie, the supply amount) of the molding material M supplied from the material supply device 3 to the molding device 4 per unit time. The control device 7 considers the relationship between the rotation speed of the holding member 32 and the supply amount of the forming material M, and the amount of the forming material M carried out from the holding surface 323 to the material sending member 34 per unit time. The speed of the rotation of the holding member 32 is set in such a manner as to be a necessary carrying-out amount corresponding to the supply rate of the forming material M necessary for forming the forming object.

However, if the rotation speed of the holding member 32 is too high, there is a possibility that the mountain of the forming material M held by the holding surface 323 collapses at once. Therefore, the control device 7 can also set the rotation speed in a manner that satisfies the restriction that the mountain of the forming material M held by the holding surface 323 collapses slowly (that is, collapses at one breath).

Furthermore, even if the rotation speed of the holding member 34 is the same, there is a possibility that the weight of the first-state molding material M carried out from the holding surface 323 per unit time and the carrying amount of the forming material M from the holding surface 323 per unit time may be removed. In the second state (however, the second state is different from the first state), the weights of the forming materials M are not the same. Therefore, in the sixth modification, the control device 7 may also consider or consider the relationship between the state of rotation of the holding member 32 and the supply amount of the shaping material M, and consider the state of the shaping material M and the shape of the shaping material M. The relationship between the supply amounts is such that the amount of the shaping material M carried out from the holding surface 323 into the material feeding member 34 per unit time becomes the required removal rate corresponding to the supply rate of the shaping material M necessary for the formation of the shaped object. The quantity is used to set the rotation state of the holding member 32.

The molding material M carried out from the holding surface 323 falls from the holding surface 323 into the material feeding member 34. However, since the holding surface 323 rotates, the shaping material M does not fall from the holding surface 323 all the way in the same direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, as the holding surface 323 rotates, there is a possibility that the shaping material M falls from the holding surface 323 radially, in all directions, or in all directions of 360 degrees. Therefore, in the sixth modification, the material sending member 34 has an appropriate size and is disposed at an appropriate position so as to receive the forming material M dropped radially, in all directions, or 360 degrees from the holding surface 323. In addition, when the material sending member 34 can receive the forming material M falling radially, in all directions, or 360 degrees from the holding surface 323, the holding member 32 may not be provided with the forming material as a guide on the holding surface 323 The guide member of M functions as a side wall member 322.

Even if it is such a material supply device 3f, the same effect as the effect which the said material supply device 3 can enjoy can be enjoyed.

In addition, the material supply device 3f may be provided with an arbitrary driving device instead of the rotation device 39f, and a part of the molding material M held by the holding surface 323 can be carried out from the holding surface 323 to the outside of the holding surface 323 (specifically, The material feeding member 34) drives the holding member 32. Furthermore, in this case, the control device 7 may also control the operation state of the holding member 32 to control the amount of the molding material M carried out from the holding surface 323 to the outside of the holding surface 323 per unit time. Even in this case, the material supply device 3f can enjoy the same effects as those described above for the material supply device 3.

The material supply device 3f may include the vibration device 33 described above in addition to the rotation device 39f. Alternatively, the rotating device 39f may vibrate the holding member 32 in the same manner as the vibration device 33 described above. In this case, the holding member 32 may also rotate while vibrating.

(3-7) Seventh modification

The forming system 1g of the seventh modification is different from the forming system 1 described above in that a material supply device 3g is provided instead of the material supply device 3. The other configurations of the shaping system 1g may be the same as the other configurations of the shaping system 1. Therefore, a material supply device 3g according to a seventh modification will be described below with reference to FIG. 14.

As shown in FIG. 14, the material supply device 3g differs from the above-mentioned material supply device 3f in that it includes a conveying member 36a. The other configuration of the material supply device 3g may be the same as the other configuration of the material supply device 3f. In addition, since the conveyance member 36a was already demonstrated in 1st modification etc., detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. However, in the seventh modification, the conveying member 36a is capable of receiving the forming material M that is dropped from the holding surface 323 radially, in all directions, or in all directions of 360 degrees, and has an appropriate size and is arranged at an appropriate position. .

Even with such a material supply device 3g, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned material supply devices 3a and 3f can be enjoyed.

(3-8) Eighth modification

The forming system 1h according to the eighth modification is different from the forming system 1 described above in that a material supply device 3h is provided instead of the material supply device 3. The other configurations of the shaping system 1h may be the same as the other configurations of the shaping system 1. Therefore, the material supply device 3h according to the eighth modification will be described below with reference to FIG. 15.

As shown in FIG. 15, the material supply device 3 h is compared with the above-mentioned material supply device 3 with the difference that the bottom member 321 may also face the supply port 311 not along the Z-axis direction. The material supply device 3h is different from the material supply device 3 described above in that the holding surface 323 may also face the supply port 311 not along the Z-axis direction. However, when the holding surface 323 is not opposed to the supply port 311, the forming material M supplied (ie, dropped) from the supply port 311 is not directly supplied to the holding surface 323. Therefore, the material supply device 3h includes a guide member 30h that guides the molding material M supplied from the supply port 311 onto the holding surface 323. The other configuration of the material supply device 3h may be the same as the other configuration of the material supply device 3.

The guide member 30h includes an upper surface 301h. A part of the upper surface 301h faces the supply port 311 along the Z-axis direction. An end portion 302h of the upper surface 301h is disposed above the holding surface 323. The upper surface 301h is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane so as to descend from the supply port 311 toward the holding surface 323. As a result, the forming material M supplied from the supply port 311 drops onto the upper surface 301h, then slides down from the upper surface 301h, and then falls from the end portion 302h of the upper surface 301h to the holding surface 323. Even in this case, since the end portion 302h of the upper surface 301h is above the holding surface 323, the forming material M falling from the upper surface 301h is a forming material that expands outward as the end portion 302h goes downward. The way of M Mountain is stacked on the holding surface 323. As a result, the holding surface 323 can hold the forming material M in such a manner that the mountain of the forming material M dropped from the upper surface 301h with its slope (specifically, from the lower end portion 3141 of the supply port 311 to the holding surface 323). The inclined surface is formed on the holding surface 323 in a state where the angle formed by the holding surface 323 does not exceed the rest angle θr. That is, the holding surface 323 can hold the forming material M in a state where the holding member 32 is stationary, so that the mountain of the forming material M does not collapse spontaneously. Furthermore, since the mountain of the molding material M does not collapse spontaneously when the holding member 32 is stationary, the molding material M deposited on the upper surface 301h and the holding surface 323 blocks the supply opening while the holding member 32 is stationary. 311, it is possible to suppress the supply of the above-mentioned forming material M to the upper surface 301h (and further to suppress the supply of the forming material M to the holding surface 323 through the upper surface 301h). On the other hand, when the holding member 32 vibrates, similar to the material supply device 3 described above, a part of the forming material M constituting the mountain is dropped from the mountain of the forming material M stably held by the holding surface 323 to the material carrying-out device 34. in. As a result, a fixed amount of the shaping material M is carried out from the holding surface 323 into the material carrying-out device 34 per unit time.

Even with the material supply device 3h of the eighth modification, the same effects as those of the material supply device 3 described above can be enjoyed. Furthermore, in the material supply device 3h, as compared with the above-mentioned material supply device 3, the holding member 32 does not have to be opposed to the supply port 311, so the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the holding member 32 is increased.

In addition, the structure, shape, or arrangement of the guide member 30h shown in FIG. 16 is only an example, and the guide member 30h having an arbitrary structure and shape may be arranged at an arbitrary position. Even in this case, as long as the guide member 30h can guide the molding material M supplied from the supply port 311 onto the holding surface 323, the above-mentioned effect can be enjoyed.

(3-9) Other modifications

In the above description, the size of the holding surface 323 satisfies the third condition that the holding surface 323 is increased to the extent that the holding surface 323 may include an area 3232 extending beyond the area 3231 in addition to the area 3231. However, the size of the holding surface 323 may not satisfy the third condition. In other words, the holding surface 323 may not include the area 3232 extending outward from the area 3231. Even in this case, as long as a region 3231 can be specified on the holding surface 323, the holding surface 323 can make a mountain formed by the molding material M on the holding surface 323, and become stationary at an angle formed by the slope of the mountain and the holding surface 323. The state of the angle θr is maintained. Therefore, the holding surface 323 can also hold the forming material M in such a manner that the mountain of the forming material M formed on the holding surface 323 supplied from the supply port 311 does not collapse spontaneously.

In the above description, the holding member 32 includes the side wall member 322. However, the holding member 32 may not include the side wall member 322. However, in this case, with the vibration of the holding surface 323, the shaping material M may fall radially from the holding surface 323, in all directions, or in all directions of 360 degrees. Therefore, in this case, the material sending member 34 has an appropriate size and is disposed at an appropriate position so as to receive the forming material M falling radially, in all directions, or 360 degrees from the holding surface 323.

In addition, in the above description, the holding member 32 (or the bottom member 321) is also referred to as a material receiving member because it receives the forming material M supplied from the hopper 31. The holding surface 323 may be referred to as a material receiving surface.

In the above description, the holding surface 323 is a surface parallel to the XY plane. However, the holding surface 323 may be a curved surface or may have unevenness.

In the above description, the shaping device 4 includes a drive system 42 for moving the shaping head 41. However, in addition to or instead of the drive system 42, the shaping device 4 may be provided with a drive system for moving the platform 43. The stage 43 is movable in at least one of an X-axis direction, a Y-axis direction, a Z-axis direction, a θX direction, a θY direction, and a θZ direction. In this case, the control device 7 can also change the amount of the molding material M supplied to the plurality of unit areas on the workpiece W in the same manner, and change the material supply device 3 per unit time based on the moving speed of the platform 43. The amount of the forming material M supplied to the forming device 4. Specifically, the control device 7 can also move the platform 43 faster, and the amount of the molding material M supplied from the material supply device 3 to the molding device 4 per unit time (that is, the supply of the molding material M per unit time) The greater the amount, the more the supply amount of the forming material M per unit time is changed.

In the above description, the material sending member 34 sends out the forming material M by pressure feeding, so that the weight of the forming material M sent by the material sending member 34 per unit time is carried out from the holding surface 323 to the unit surface time. The amount of the shaping material M in the material feeding member 34. However, by arranging the material supply device 3 above the shaping device 4, the material sending member 34 sends the shaping material M by gravity, and the amount of the shaping material M sent by the material sending member 34 per unit time depends on The amount of the shaping material M carried out from the holding surface 323 into the material feeding member 34 per unit time.

In the above description, the shaping device 4 irradiates the shaping material M with light EL to melt the shaping material M. However, the shaping device 4 may melt the shaping material M by irradiating the shaping material M with an arbitrary energy beam. In this case, the shaping device 4 may be provided with a beam irradiation device capable of irradiating an arbitrary energy beam in addition to or instead of the irradiation system 411. The arbitrary energy beam is not limited, and includes a charged particle beam such as an electron beam, an ion beam, or an electromagnetic wave.

In the above description, the shaping system 1 can form a shaped object by a laser surfacing method. However, the shaping system 1 may also use other methods of forming the shaped object from the powdered or granular shaped material M, and the shaped material M may be used to form the shaped object. Other methods include, for example, a powder bed fusion method (SLS: Selective Laser Sintering), a powder bed fusion method (Powder Bed Fusion), a binder jetting method (Binder Jetting), or a laser metal fusion method (LMF: Laser Metal Fusion). In this case, in order to supply the powdery or granular forming material M, the above-mentioned material supply device 3 may be used.

In the above description, the shaping system 1 that can form a shaped object from the shaping material M includes the material supply device 3. However, a processing system that can use any powder or granular material for processing can be provided with a material supply device 3 that supplies the arbitrary powder or granular material instead of the molding material M. An example of such a processing system is a pharmaceutical manufacturing system for manufacturing pharmaceutical products from granular or powdery raw materials. In this case, the material supply device 3 supplies granular or powdery materials. Alternatively, as an example of such a processing system, a food production system for producing food from granular or powdery raw materials can be mentioned. In this case, the material supply device 3 supplies granular or powdery raw materials. Alternatively, as an example of such a processing system, a recycling manufacturing system for manufacturing a PET bottle or glass container (or other various products) using recycled particles obtained by pulverizing the PET bottle or glass container may be mentioned. In this case, the material supply device 3 supplies recycled particles. Alternatively, as an example of such a processing system, an electronic product manufacturing system for manufacturing electronic products from minute parts can be cited. In this case, the material supply device 3 supplies minute parts.

At least a part of the constituent elements of each of the above-mentioned embodiments may be appropriately combined with at least another part of the constituent elements of each of the above-mentioned embodiments. Some of the constituent elements of the above-mentioned embodiments may not be used. In addition, as long as the statute permits, all the publications cited in the above-mentioned embodiments and the disclosure of the US patent are cited as part of the description herein.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and may be appropriately modified within a range that does not violate the spirit or idea of the invention read from the scope of the patent application and the entire specification. In addition, the supply device, processing system, and The processing method is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Claims (75)

    A supply device includes a supply source having a supply port for supplying powder and granules, and a holding member located at a position away from the supply port and having a holding surface for holding the powder and granules from the supply port. And a driving device that drives the holding surface; and drives the holding surface with the driving device so that a part of the powder and granules held by forming a rest angle on the holding surface falls from the holding surface.         For example, the supply device according to the scope of patent application, wherein the holding surface is driven by the driving device, so that a part of the powder and granules held by the holding surface is lowered from the end of the holding surface and from the supply port The angle formed by the imaginary plane extending from the edge to the end portion and the horizontal plane is equal to or less than the rest angle of the powder and granules.         A supply device includes a supply source including a supply port for supplying powder and granules, and a holding member located at a position away from the supply port and holding the powder and granules from the supply port. A holding surface between the supply port and the holding surface; and a driving device that drives the holding surface; and by driving the holding surface with the driving device, a part of the powder and granules held by the holding surface is removed from the above Below the end of the holding surface, the angle formed by the imaginary surface extending from the edge of the supply port to the end and the horizontal plane is below the rest angle of the powder and granules.         For example, in the supply device according to the second or third aspect of the patent application, the holding surface holds the powder and granules from the supply port between an imaginary surface extending from an edge of the supply port to the end and the supply port. .         For example, in the supply device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, the holding member has a side wall on at least a part of an end portion where a part of the powder and granules does not fall.         For example, the supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the powder and granules are supplied by the supply source, and the powder and granules can be held at a rest angle on the holding surface.         The supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the driving device drives the holding surface so that a part of the powder and granules accumulated between the holding surface and the supply port is lifted from the holding surface. Falling down.         A supply device includes a supply source having a supply port for supplying powder and granules, and a holding member located at a position away from the supply port and having a holding surface for holding the powder and granules from the supply port. And a driving device that drives the holding surface; and drives the holding surface with the driving device so that a part of the powder and granules deposited between the holding surface and the supply port fall from the holding surface.         For example, the supply device according to the seventh or eighth aspect of the patent application, wherein the powder system is deposited on the holding surface in a manner of diffusing from the supply port.         For example, the supply device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the size of the holding surface can maintain the powder and granules accumulated between the supply port and the holding surface when the holding surface is stationary. The angle of repose.         For example, the supply device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the powder and granules deposited on the holding surface are in contact with the supply port.         The supply device according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein when the driving device does not drive the holding surface, the powder and granules deposited on the holding surface in a manner contacting the supply port are suppressed from coming from the above. Supply of the powder and granules at the supply port.         For example, the supply device according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the powder and granules are supplied by the supply source, and the powder and granules of a predetermined amount are held on the holding surface.         For example, the supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the holding surface includes: a circular first area, which is outward from a reference point on the holding surface located below the supply port nearest to the holding surface. Diffuse, and the radius is larger than the distance between the supply port and the holding surface.         For example, in the supply device of the scope of application for a patent, the imaginary surface extending from the supply port to the outer edge of the first region is inclined with respect to the holding surface.         For example, in the supply device of claim 14 or 15, the imaginary surface extending from the supply port to the outer edge of the first region intersects the holding surface.         For example, the supply device of the patent application No. 15 or 16, wherein the angle formed by the imaginary surface extending from the supply port to the outer edge of the first region and the holding surface is the rest angle of the powder and granules.         For example, the supply device according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the holding surface includes a second region that diffuses to the outside of the first region.         For example, if the supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 18 of the patent application scope, the closer the reference point of the holding surface to the holding surface closest to the bottom of the supply port is, the more the powder and granules are held. .         For example, the supply device of claims 1 to 19, wherein the driving device does not drive the supply port.         For example, in the supply device of the scope of claims 1 to 20, the amount of the powder and granules carried out from the holding surface per unit time is equal to that of each of the powders and granules supplied from the supply port to the holding surface. The supply amount per unit time is equal, and the falling of the powder and granules is caused by the driving device driving the holding surface.         For example, in the supply device of the scope of patent application No. 21, between the supply port and the holding surface, the powder and granules can be deposited in an amount capable of maintaining a rest angle of the powder and granules when the holding surface is stationary.         For example, the supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the bread keeps the water level of the bread.         For example, the supply device according to any of claims 1 to 23 of the patent application scope, wherein the falling of the powder and granules from the holding surface is stopped by stopping the operation of the holding surface caused by the driving device.         For example, the supply device according to any of claims 1 to 24 of the patent application scope further includes a distance adjustment device that adjusts the distance between the supply port and the holding surface, and uses the distance adjustment device to adjust the distance to control the distance from The carrying amount of the powder and granules dropped from the holding surface per unit time.         For example, the supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the operation of the holding surface caused by the driving device is controlled to control the removal of the powder and granular material per unit time from the holding surface. the amount.         For example, the supply device of the 26th aspect of the patent application, wherein the driving device rotates the holding surface about a rotation axis that intersects the holding surface, and the control of the action includes control of the rotation of the holding surface.         For example, the supply device of the scope of application for patent No. 27, wherein the control of the rotation includes the control of the rotation speed of the holding surface.         For example, the supply device according to any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein the driving device vibrates the holding surface, and the control of the operation includes controlling the vibration of the holding surface.         For example, the supply device according to the scope of patent application No. 29, wherein the control of the vibration includes control of at least one of the amplitude and frequency of the vibration.         A supply device includes: a holding member having a holding surface for holding powder and granules supplied from a supply source; and a driving device for driving the holding surface; and vibrating the holding surface with the driving device to cause the holding surface to vibrate. A part of the powder and granules held by forming a rest angle on the holding surface is dropped from the holding surface, and the vibration of the holding surface including at least one of the amplitude and frequency of the vibration of the holding surface is controlled, so that The amount of the powder and granules dropped from the holding surface per unit time is controlled.         For example, in the supply device according to the 31st aspect of the application, wherein the powder and granules are supplied by the supply source, the powder and granules can be held at a rest angle on the holding surface.         The supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 32 of the patent application scope, wherein the powder and granules are dropped from the holding surface by vibrating the holding surface with the driving device.         For example, in the supply device of claim 33, at least one of the amplitude and frequency of the vibration of the holding surface caused by the driving device is variable.         For example, the supply device according to any of claims 1 to 34 of the scope of patent application, in which the holding surface is rotated about a rotation axis intersecting the holding surface by using the driving device, so that the powder and granules are moved from the holding surface. Falling down.         For example, the supply device of the scope of patent application No. 35, wherein the rotation speed of the holding surface caused by the driving device is variable.         For example, the supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 36, wherein the action of the holding surface caused by the driving device is controlled based on information related to the powder and granules.         For example, the supply device of the 37th scope of the patent application, wherein the information related to the powder and granules includes the type of the powders and granules, the particle size of the powders and granules, the friction coefficient of the surface of the powders and granules, and the powders and granules. At least one of the shapes of the body.         For example, the supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 38, wherein the drive device is controlled based on information related to processing using the powder and granules supplied to the outside of the supply device. The operation of the above holding surface.         The supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 39 of the scope of patent application, further comprising a distance adjustment device that adjusts a distance between the supply port and the holding surface.         For example, the supply device of the scope of application for patent No. 40, wherein the distance adjustment device is used to adjust the distance between the supply port and the holding surface based on the information related to the powder and granules.         For example, the supply device for item 41 of the scope of patent application, wherein the information related to the powder and granule includes the type of the powder and granule, the particle size of the powder and granule, the friction coefficient of the surface of the powder and granule, and the powder and granule. At least one of the shapes of the body.         For example, the supply device according to any one of claims 40 to 42 of the scope of patent application, wherein the distance adjustment device is used to adjust the above-mentioned information based on information related to processing using the powder and granules supplied to the outside of the supply device. The distance between the supply port and the holding surface.         For example, the supply device according to any one of the scope of claims 1 to 43 further includes a conveying member having a conveying surface including a surface for receiving the powder and granules falling from the holding surface, and the conveying surface including a relative surface. On the inclined surface inclined on the horizontal plane, the conveying member supplies the powder and granules from the inclined surface to the material feeding member, so that the change in the amount of the powder and granules from the conveying surface per unit time is less than the change Changes in the carrying amount of the powder and granules dropped from the holding surface per unit time.         For example, the supply device according to item 44 of the patent application, wherein the driving device is a first driving device and includes a second driving device that drives the conveying surface.         For example, the supply device according to item 45 of the patent application, wherein the second driving device vibrates the conveying surface.         A supply device comprising: a holding member having a holding surface for holding powder and granules; and a carrying member having a conveying surface including a surface for receiving the powder and granules dropped from the holding surface; and the carrying surface Including the inclined surface inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, the conveying member supplies the powder and granules from the inclined surface, so that the change in the amount of the powder and granules from the conveying surface per unit time is smaller than that maintained from the above. Changes in the amount of the powder and granules dropped out of the surface per unit time.         For example, the supply device according to item 47 of the patent application, wherein the powder and granules are supplied by the supply source, and a predetermined amount of the powders and granules are held on the holding surface.         For example, the supply device according to item 47 or 48 of the patent application scope further includes a drive device that drives at least one of the holding surface and the conveying surface.         For example, the supply device according to any one of claims 44 to 49 of the scope of patent application, further comprising an angle adjustment device for adjusting the inclination angle of the inclined surface.         For example, the supply device of the scope of application for patent No. 50, wherein the above-mentioned angle adjusting device is used to adjust the above-mentioned inclination angle, and the amount of the powder and granular materials from the above-mentioned conveying surface per unit time is controlled.         For example, the supply device of the scope of patent application No. 50 or 51, wherein the tilt angle is adjusted based on the information related to the powder and granules.         For example, the supply device of the 52th scope of the patent application, wherein the information related to the powder and granules includes the type of the powders and granules, the particle size of the powders and granules, the friction coefficient of the surface of the powders and granules, and the powders and granules. At least one of the shapes of the body.         For example, the supply device according to any one of claims 50 to 53 of the scope of patent application, wherein the above-mentioned angle is used based on information related to processing using the powder and granules supplied to the outside of the supply device through the conveying surface. The adjusting device adjusts the above-mentioned inclination angle.         For example, the supply device according to any of claims 1 to 54 of the patent application scope further includes a storage device that stores the supply source and the holding member in an internal space.         The supply device according to any one of claims 44 to 54 of the scope of patent application, further comprising a storage device that stores the supply source, the holding member, and the transport surface in an internal space.         For example, the supply device according to the 55th or 56th of the scope of the patent application may further include a pressurizing device for pressurizing the internal space.         For example, the supply device according to claim 57, wherein the pressurizing device supplies gas to the internal space and pressurizes the internal space.         For example, the supply device according to item 58 of the patent application, wherein the above-mentioned gas is an inert gas.         For example, the supply device according to any one of claims 57 to 59, wherein the powder and granules dropped from the holding surface are sent to the outside of the device by the pressure of the internal space.         For example, the supply device according to any one of claims 57 to 59 may further include a conveying member having a conveying surface accommodated in the internal space, and the conveying surface includes a surface for receiving the powder and granules falling from the holding surface. And the powder and granules supplied from the conveying surface are sent to the outside of the device by the pressure of the internal space.         For example, the supply device of claim 39, 43 or 54 includes a supply system for supplying the powder and granules, an irradiation system for irradiating an energy beam, and at least one of the supply system and the irradiation system and an object. A driving system for relative movement of objects, and for supplying the powder and granules supplied to the outside of the device with a processing system, the processing system performs the supply from the irradiation system in parallel with the supply of the powder and granules from the supply system. The energy beam is irradiated to perform additional processing on the object, and the information related to the processing using the powder and granules includes at least one of the information related to the relative movement and the information related to the energy beam irradiation. One.         For example, in the supply device of the scope of application for patent No. 62, the greater the relative speed of the relative movement, the more the above-mentioned supply amount per unit time of the powder and granules supplied to the outside of the device increases.         A processing system includes a supply device as set forth in any of claims 1 to 63 in the scope of patent application, and uses the powder and granules supplied from the supply device to perform processing.         For example, the processing system of the scope of application for a patent No. 64, wherein the processing using the above-mentioned powder and granules includes a process of performing additional processing on the object using the above-mentioned powder and granules.         For example, the processing system with the scope of patent application No. 64 or 65, wherein the above processing system is a 3D printer using powder sintering and lamination to perform additional processing.         For example, the processing system according to any one of claims 64 to 66, wherein the processing system is a laser metal deposition method in which the powder and granules are supplied and melted in a melting pool formed on the object. 3D printer for additional processing.         For example, the processing system according to any one of claims 64 to 67 includes a supply system that supplies the powder and granules from the supply device, an irradiation system that irradiates an energy beam, and a drive system, It moves at least one of the supply system and the irradiation system relative to the object.         For example, the processing system of the scope of application for patent No. 68, wherein the supply amount of the powder and granules from the supply device per unit time is controlled based on the information related to the processing.         For example, the processing system of the scope of application for patent No. 69, wherein the information related to the processing includes at least one of information related to the relative movement and information related to the irradiation of the energy beam performed by the irradiation system.         For example, the processing system of the scope of patent application No. 70, wherein the information related to the relative movement includes the speed of the relative movement.         For example, the processing system of the 71st scope of the patent application, in which the greater the speed of the relative movement is, the more the above-mentioned supply amount per unit time is increased.         For example, the processing system according to any one of claims 70 to 72, wherein the information related to the above-mentioned irradiation includes the intensity of the above-mentioned energy beam.         A processing method that uses the above-mentioned powder and granules supplied from a supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 63 for processing.         For example, the processing method of the scope of application for patent No. 74, wherein the processing using the above-mentioned powder and granules includes a process of using the above-mentioned powder and granules to perform additional processing on the object.