WO2022018854A1

WO2022018854A1 - 3-d modeling machine and 3-d modeling system

Info

Publication number: WO2022018854A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/028428
Authority: WO
Inventors: 弘規近藤; 恭輔山崎
Original assignee: 株式会社Fuji
Priority date: 2020-07-22
Filing date: 2020-07-22
Publication date: 2022-01-27
Also published as: JP7375202B2; JPWO2022018854A1

Abstract

This 3-D modeling machine for manufacturing a 3-D object by stacking unit layers comprises: a stage whereon the 3D object being manufactured is placed; a modeling head holding a plurality of modeling nozzles that eject modeling ink to draw the unit layers; a drive unit that drives the modeling head to perform relative movement above the stage; a calculation unit that calculates the usage rate and/or the accumulated usage amount for each of the plurality of modeling nozzles used to eject the modeling ink; and a homogenizing selection unit that selects the modeling nozzle to be used to eject the modeling ink so as to equalize, among the plurality of modeling nozzles, the usage rate and/or the accumulated usage amount thereof.

Description

3D modeling machine and 3D modeling system

This specification relates to a three-dimensional modeling machine that manufactures a three-dimensional model using a plurality of modeling nozzles, and a three-dimensional modeling system.

In the technical field of 3D modeling machines that manufacture 3D models, the additive manufacturing method of stacking unit layers is the mainstream. Many three-dimensional modeling machines include a plurality of modeling nozzles for ejecting modeling ink to draw a unit layer, and a solidifying unit for solidifying the drawn unit layer. The three-dimensional modeling machine may be referred to as a 3D printer. With the widespread use of 3D modeling machines, manufacturing methods for various articles will develop, and in particular, the manufacturing of prototypes will become much more efficient. Patent Document 1 discloses a technical example of this type of three-dimensional modeling machine.

The three-dimensional object modeling apparatus of Patent Document 1 includes a first ejection unit and a second ejection unit having one or more modeling nozzles, and when a portion on which a plurality of voxels are superimposed is formed with the same modeling ink, the first ejection unit is used. The first voxel is formed by using the portion, and the second voxel superimposed on the first voxel is formed by using the second ejection portion. According to this, it is said that the frequency of use of a specific modeling nozzle is prevented from increasing, and the life of the ejection portion is suppressed from being shortened.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-132229

By the way, in the three-dimensional object modeling apparatus of Patent Document 1, it is preferable that the frequency of use of a specific modeling nozzle is avoided. However, in a general three-dimensional modeling machine, the frequency of use of the modeling nozzles tends to be biased depending on the arrangement position of a large number of modeling nozzles and the like. Further, the technique of Patent Document 1 cannot be said to be sufficient for equalizing the frequency of use of a plurality of modeling nozzles. If the frequency of use of a plurality of modeling nozzles is uneven, it is necessary to replace only the modeling nozzles that are frequently used and not to replace the modeling nozzles that are rarely used, which makes the replacement work inefficient and takes a lot of time and effort.

Therefore, in the present specification, it is an issue to be solved to provide a three-dimensional modeling machine and a three-dimensional modeling system that can contribute to the uniform usage rate and cumulative usage amount of a plurality of modeling nozzles.

This specification is a three-dimensional modeling machine that manufactures a three-dimensional model by stacking unit layers, and a stage on which the three-dimensional model being manufactured is placed and a modeling ink is ejected to form the unit layer. A modeling head holding a plurality of modeling nozzles to be drawn, a drive unit for driving the modeling head to move relative to the upper part of the stage, and each of the plurality of modeling nozzles were used for ejecting the modeling ink. Used for ejecting the modeling ink so that at least one of the usage rate and the cumulative usage amount is made uniform between the calculation unit that calculates at least one of the usage rate and the cumulative usage amount and the plurality of the modeling nozzles. Disclosed is a three-dimensional modeling machine including a homogenization selection unit for selecting the modeling nozzle.

Further, the present specification describes a stage on which a three-dimensional model manufactured by stacking unit layers is placed, a modeling head holding a plurality of modeling nozzles for ejecting modeling ink to draw the unit layer, and a control program. A three-dimensional modeling machine having a drive unit that drives the modeling head to move relative to the upper part of the stage based on the above, and the usage rate and accumulation in which each of the plurality of modeling nozzles is used for ejecting the modeling ink. A command to calculate at least one of the usage amounts and select the modeling nozzle to be used for ejecting the modeling ink so as to equalize at least one of the usage rate and the cumulative usage amount among the plurality of modeling nozzles. A three-dimensional modeling system including a program generation unit for generating the control program including the above-mentioned control program is disclosed.

According to the 3D modeling machine and the 3D modeling system disclosed in the present specification, each of the plurality of modeling nozzles calculates at least one of the usage rate and the cumulative usage rate used for ejecting the modeling ink, and the usage rate is calculated. And select the modeling nozzle to be used so as to equalize at least one of the cumulative usage. Therefore, it is possible to contribute to the uniform usage rate and cumulative usage amount of a plurality of modeling nozzles. In addition, since the bias of the deterioration rate among the plurality of modeling nozzles is reduced, the opportunity to replace the plurality of modeling nozzles at the same time is increased, and the labor of the replacement work is reduced.

It is a top view which shows typically the structure of the 3D modeling machine of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control of a 3D modeling machine. It is a figure which schematically showed the modeling data which shows the shape of the 1st to 6th unit layers, and the 10th to 12th unit layers of a three-dimensional model which is exemplified. It is a figure which showed the modeling data which shows the shape of the 7th to 9th unit layers of a three-dimensional model typically. It is a figure of the operation flow explaining the operation of a 3D modeling machine. It is a figure which showed the modeling nozzle to be used when the 1st to 3rd unit layers of a 3D model are used as the 1st homogenizing element. It is a figure of the list which shows the usage rate of each modeling nozzle calculated at the time of completion of modeling of the 3rd unit layer. Following FIG. 5A, it is a figure which showed the modeling nozzle which uses 4th to 6th unit layer as a 2nd homogenization element. It is a figure of the list which shows the usage rate of each modeling nozzle calculated at the time of completion of modeling of the 6th unit layer. Following FIG. 6A, it is a figure which showed the modeling nozzle which uses the 7th-9th unit layer as a 3rd homogenization element. It is a figure of the list which shows the usage rate of each modeling nozzle calculated at the time of completion of modeling of the 9th unit layer. It is a figure of the list which shows the usage rate of each modeling nozzle calculated at the time of completion of modeling of the twelfth unit layer. It is a figure which showed the modeling nozzle to be used when the first 3D model is a homogenizing element. It is a figure of the list which shows the usage rate of each modeling nozzle calculated at the time of the end of manufacturing of the first 3D modeling object. Following FIG. 9A, it is a figure which showed the modeling nozzle which uses the 2nd three-dimensional model as a homogenizing element. It is a figure of the list which shows the usage rate of each modeling nozzle calculated at the time of the end of manufacturing of the second 3D modeling object. Following FIG. 10A, it is a figure which showed the modeling nozzle which uses the 3rd three-dimensional model as a homogenizing element. It is a figure of the list which shows the usage rate of each modeling nozzle calculated at the time of the end of manufacturing of the third three-dimensional modeling object. It is a figure which shows the case where the modeling nozzle to be used is different from FIG. 7A according to the instruction of an operator. It is a figure which shows the state which adjusted the place | placing position of the 3D modeling object to the right side of a stage in the 3D modeling machine of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state which adjusted the placement position of a 3D object to the left side of a stage. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the 3D modeling system of 3rd Embodiment.

1. 1. Configuration of the Three-dimensional Modeling Machine 1 of the First Embodiment The configuration of the three-dimensional modeling machine 1 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown by the arrow on the upper left of FIG. 1, the front, back, left, and right of the three-dimensional modeling machine 1 are conveniently determined. The three-dimensional modeling machine 1 manufactures a three-dimensional model by a layered manufacturing method in which unit layers are stacked. The shape of the three-dimensional model is defined by the model data representing the shape of each of the plurality of unit layers. The three-dimensional modeling machine 1 includes a drive unit 2, a stage 3, a modeling head 4, a plurality of modeling nozzles 5, an adjusting mechanism 6, a solidifying unit 7, a control device 8 (see FIG. 2), and the like.

The drive unit 2 is configured by using a conveyor device extending in the front-rear direction. The conveyor belt of the conveyor device is capable of switching the rotation direction. The drive unit 2 is divided into a carry-in / out area 21, a solidification area 22, and a drawing area 23 in order from the front side. The stage 3 is carried into the carry-in / out area 21 from outside the machine. The drive unit 2 conveys the stage 3 between the areas according to a command from the control device 8. The drive unit 2 may be configured by using an arm robot device capable of gripping and transporting the stage 3.

The stage 3 is formed of a rectangular plate whose width dimension in the left-right direction is smaller than the width dimension of the drive unit 2. The stage 3 is first carried into the carry-in / out area 21. Subsequently, the stage 3 is reciprocated many times between the solidification area 22 and the drawing area 23, and a three-dimensional model in the process of being manufactured is placed on the stage 3. When the production of the three-dimensional model is completed, the stage 3 is carried out of the machine from the loading / unloading area 21 together with the three-dimensional model.

The modeling head 4 is arranged above the drawing area 23. The modeling head 4 relatively moves above the stage 3 conveyed to the drawing area 23. “Relative movement” means that the modeling head 4 may move or the stage 3 may move. In the first embodiment, the drive unit 2 moves the stage 3 in the front-rear direction in the drawing area 23. That is, the stage 3 moves in the front-rear direction below the modeling head 4 that does not move.

Therefore, the front-rear direction of the drive unit 2 is the movement direction of the relative movement, and the left-right direction of the drive unit 2 is the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the movement direction. The modeling head 4 holds a plurality of modeling nozzles 5 in a row in the orthogonal direction. In FIG. 1, eight modeling nozzles 5 are shown, and in reality, a larger number of modeling nozzles 5 are held by the modeling head 4.

The modeling nozzle 5 ejects modeling ink downward to draw a unit layer on the stage 3 or on the upper side of the three-dimensional model in the process of manufacturing. The eight modeling nozzles 5 use the same modeling ink. The work of replenishing the modeling ink from the ink container to the modeling nozzle 5 is performed fully or semi-automatically using the maintenance mechanism shown in the figure. Since the modeling ink has different physical properties such as components and viscosity as compared with general printing ink, it tends to accelerate the deterioration of the modeling nozzle 5. Therefore, the cycle for replacing the modeling nozzle 5 is shorter than that for a general printing nozzle.

Note that a flattening portion of the drawing may be provided in the drawing area 23. The flattening portion flattens the surface of the liquid unit layer immediately after being drawn. As a result, the unevenness of the surface of the unit layer is adjusted, the height is made uniform, and the molding accuracy is improved.

The adjustment mechanism 6 adjusts the relative positional relationship between the stage 3 and the modeling head 4 in the orthogonal direction. In the first embodiment, the stage 3 does not move in the orthogonal direction. The adjusting mechanism 6 moves the modeling head 4 in the orthogonal direction as shown by the arrow A in FIG. The adjusting mechanism 6 is used for changing the position of the modeling nozzle 5 in the orthogonal direction with respect to the stage 3 and for moving the modeling head 4 to the maintenance position. As shown in FIG. 1, the position where all the modeling nozzles 5 move above the stage 3 is referred to as a standard position of the modeling head 4. As the adjusting mechanism 6, a ball screw feeding mechanism or a linear motor mechanism can be used, and the adjustment mechanism 6 is not limited thereto.

The solidification unit 7 is arranged above the solidification area 22. The solidifying unit 7 solidifies the drawn unit layer. More specifically, first, the three-dimensional model in the process of being manufactured with the unit layer drawn on the upper part is conveyed to the solidification area 22 together with the stage 3. Next, the solidifying section 7 descends until it approaches the upper liquid unit layer, and then solidifies the unit layer. As a method of solidification, an ultraviolet irradiation method can be exemplified, and a modeling ink suitable for this can be used.

The control device 8 is configured by using a computer device. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 8 controls the drive unit 2, the plurality of modeling nozzles 5, the adjusting mechanism 6, and the solidifying unit 7. Further, the control device 8 has three functional units realized by using software, that is, a calculation unit 81, a homogenization selection unit 82, and a control unit 83.

The calculation unit 81 calculates at least one of the usage rate and the cumulative usage amount of each of the plurality of modeling nozzles 5 used for ejecting the modeling ink. The homogenization selection unit 82 selects the modeling nozzle 5 to be used for ejecting the modeling ink so as to equalize at least one of the usage rate and the cumulative usage amount among the plurality of modeling nozzles 5.

Further, the homogenization selection unit 82 sets the modeling nozzle 5 used for ejecting the modeling ink for the first homogenizing element composed of one or a plurality of unit layers, and sets the modeling nozzle 5 for the second homogenizing element. A modeling nozzle 5 different from the first homogenizing element is set. Further, the homogenization selection unit 82 automatically selects the modeling nozzle 5 to be used for ejecting the modeling ink based on at least one of the usage rate and the cumulative usage amount of each of the plurality of modeling nozzles 5.

Further, the homogenization selection unit 82 selects the modeling nozzle 5 to be used for ejecting the modeling ink by adjusting the relative positional relationship between the three-dimensional modeled object and the plurality of modeling nozzles 5 in the orthogonal direction. Specifically, the homogenization selection unit 82 controls the adjustment mechanism 6 to select the modeling nozzle 5 to be used. Further, the homogenization selection unit 82 selects the modeling nozzle 5 to be used for ejecting the modeling ink, provided that the number of movements of the modeling head 4 relative to the upper stage 3 is not increased. The function of the homogenization selection unit 82 can be applied and modified in various ways, and will be described in detail later.

The control unit 83 switches the function of the homogenization selection unit 82 on and off based on a command from the operator. By using the function of the homogenization selection unit 82 as described later, it is possible to solve the problem of contributing to the homogenization of the usage rate and the cumulative usage amount of the plurality of modeling nozzles. However, the homogenization selection unit 82 slows down the production speed of the three-dimensional model, albeit slightly. Therefore, the operator is instructed to turn on the function of the homogenization selection unit 82 in the normal case and turn off the function of the homogenization selection unit 82 when the manufacturing speed is prioritized.

2. 2. Example of 3D Model M Prior to the explanation of the operation of the 3D model 1, an example of the conceptual 3D model M will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. The illustrated three-dimensional model M is represented by modeling data of 12 layers from the first to the twelfth unit layers. Further, the shape of each unit layer shall be represented by using a total of 64 voxels of 8 × 8. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, the voxels in the left front corner of stage 3 are represented by B (1,1) and the voxels in the right front corner are represented by B (1,8). Further, the voxels in the left rear corner are represented by B (8, 1), and the voxels in the right rear corner are represented by B (8, 8). The actual 3D model is represented by modeling data using a larger number of unit layers and a larger number of voxels, and the shape accuracy is improved.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the shape M1 of the first to sixth unit layers at the lower part of the three-dimensional model M is substantially circular. This shape M1 is formed in the center of the stage 3. This shape M1 is represented by 12 voxels arranged in rows 3 to 6 and columns 3 to 6, as shown in the small circle of FIG. 3A. Further, the shape M3 of the upper tenth to twelfth unit layers of the three-dimensional model M is the same as the shape M1 of the lower part. There is a restriction that four continuously arranged modeling nozzles 5 are used to model the shape M1 and the shape M3.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the shape M2 of the 7th to 9th unit layers in the middle part of the three-dimensional model M is larger than the shape M1 in the lower part. Moreover, the shape M2 is line-symmetrical in the front-rear direction of the drive unit 2 (vertically symmetrical in FIG. 3B), and the left side is larger than the right side. This shape M2 is represented by 24 voxels arranged in rows 1-8 and columns 2-6, as shown in the small circle of FIG. 3B. There is a restriction that five continuously arranged modeling nozzles 5 are used to model the shape M2.

In the above-mentioned conceptual example, the large shape M2 of the 7th unit layer is formed immediately above the shape M1 of the 6th unit layer, but it is actually difficult to form. In actual manufacturing, a method of gradually increasing the shape of the unit layer from the lower side to the upper side, or a method of forming a temporary support column together and cutting the temporary support column after the modeling is completed is used.

3. 3. Operation of the three-dimensional modeling machine 1 of the first embodiment Next, regarding the operation of the three-dimensional modeling machine 1 for manufacturing the illustrated three-dimensional modeling object M, the operation flow of FIG. 4 and the modeling progress status from FIGS. 5A to 8 Will be explained with reference to. At the start of the operation flow, it is assumed that the eight modeling nozzles 5 are unused products immediately after being replaced. Further, in the following description, the eight modeling nozzles 5 will be referred to as the first nozzle 51 to the eighth nozzle 58 in order from left to right. In step S1 of FIG. 4, the stage 3 is carried from outside the machine to the drawing area 23 by the drive unit 2.

In the next step S2, the homogenization selection unit 82 of the control device 8 sets the first homogenization element. Here, a case where three unit layers are used as the homogenization element will be described. In this case, the first to third unit layers are set as the first homogenization element. Hereinafter, the 4th to 6th unit layers are set as the second homogenization element, the 7th to 9th unit layers are set as the third homogenization element, and the 10th to 12th unit layers are set as the fourth homogenization element. The unit layer is set.

In the next step S3, the homogenization selection unit 82 automatically selects the modeling nozzle 5 to be used for ejecting the modeling ink so that at least one of the usage rate and the cumulative usage amount is uniform among the plurality of modeling nozzles 5. do. Here, the first nozzle 51 to the eighth nozzle 58 are all unused products, and there is no difference in the usage rate and the cumulative usage amount. Therefore, the homogenization selection unit 82 automatically selects the standard position of the modeling head 4 shown in FIG. 5A, in other words, automatically selects the third nozzle 53 to the sixth nozzle 56. Therefore, the first nozzle 51, the second nozzle 52, the seventh nozzle 57, and the eighth nozzle 58 are not used for modeling the first homogenizing element.

In the next step S4, the stage 3 is driven by the drive unit 2 and moves in the front-rear direction, and the third nozzle 53 to the sixth nozzle 56 draw on the stage 3. More specifically, the third nozzle 53 draws two voxels, B (3,4) and B (3,5). The fourth nozzle 54 draws four voxels B (4,3) to B (4,6). The fifth nozzle 55 draws four voxels B (5, 3) to B (5, 6). The sixth nozzle 56 draws two voxels, B (6, 4) and B (6, 5). This completes the drawing of the liquid first unit layer.

After that, the stage 3 is driven by the drive unit 2 and conveyed to the solidification area 22. Then, the liquid first unit layer on the stage 3 is solidified by the solidifying unit 7, and the modeling of the first unit layer is completed. Further, drawing and solidification are performed on the upper side of the first unit layer to form the second unit layer. Further, drawing and solidification are performed on the upper side of the second unit layer to form the third unit layer, and the modeling from the first unit layer to the third unit layer is completed. The homogenization selection unit 82 selects the same modeling nozzle 5 for the shape M1 without moving the modeling head 4 in the homogenization element.

In the next step S5, the calculation unit 81 calculates the usage rate of each of the plurality of modeling nozzles 5 used for ejecting the modeling ink. At the time of calculation, the cumulative usage amount expressed by the number of uses is first obtained. The calculation method will be described in detail by taking the third nozzle 53 as an example. Among the first homogenizing elements, the third nozzle 53 has 24 opportunities to eject the modeling ink (= 8 voxels × 3 unit layers), and the cumulative usage amount of actually ejecting the modeling ink is 6 times (= 8 voxels × 3 unit layers). = 2 voxels x 3 unit layers). Therefore, the usage rate of the third nozzle 53 is 25% (= 6 times ÷ 24 times × 100%). As the cumulative usage amount, parameters other than the number of times of use, for example, the time during which the modeling ink is ejected, the amount of the ejected modeling ink, and the like may be used.

The result of the calculation is shown in FIG. 5B. As shown, the usage rate of the first nozzle 51, the second nozzle 52, the seventh nozzle 57, and the eighth nozzle 58 is 0%. The usage rate of the third nozzle 53 and the sixth nozzle 56 is 25%. The usage rate of the 4th nozzle 54 and the 5th nozzle 55 is 50%. In addition, when modeling the temporary support mentioned above, the number of times of use used for drawing the temporary support is naturally taken into consideration.

In the next step S6, the control device 8 determines whether or not the modeling is completed, that is, whether or not the modeling of the 12th unit layer is completed, and determines the branch destination of the operation flow. At this point, since the modeling up to the third unit layer is completed, the operation flow proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the homogenization selection unit 82 sets the second homogenization element (shape M1 of the fourth to sixth unit layers), and returns the operation flow to step S3.

In the second step S3, the homogenization selection unit 82 refers to the usage rate shown in FIG. 5B and automatically selects the modeling nozzle 5 so as to make the usage rate uniform. Here, the first nozzle 51, the second nozzle 52, the seventh nozzle 57, and the eighth nozzle 58 have a lower usage rate than the others and are preferentially selected. The homogenization selection unit 82 selects the modeling nozzle 5 used for drawing the shape M1 of the 4th to 6th unit layers from two options. That is, the homogenization selection unit 82 sets the first nozzle 51 to the fourth nozzle 54 or the fifth nozzle 55 to the eighth nozzle 58.

FIG. 6A shows the case where the first nozzle 51 to the fourth nozzle 54 are selected. As shown in the figure, the adjusting mechanism 6 adjusts the position of the modeling head 4 from the standard position to the right by two of the modeling nozzles 5 according to the control from the homogenization selection unit 82. Therefore, in the second step S4, drawing and solidification using the first nozzle 51 to the fourth nozzle 54 are repeated three times. The detailed operation of drawing and solidification is the same as the first time.

As described above, the homogenization selection unit 82 can move the modeling head 4 when the homogenization element is switched, and can select different modeling nozzles 5 for the same shape M1. It should be noted that making the usage rate uniform means reducing the bias of the usage rate. The homogenization selection unit 82 gives priority to the use of the modeling nozzle 5 having a low usage rate and refrains from using the modeling nozzle 5 having a high usage rate within the range permitted by the restrictions of the modeling data.

Further, in the second step S5, the calculation unit 81 recalculates the usage rate of each of the plurality of modeling nozzles 5. Here, the cumulative usage amount of the modeling nozzle 5 is obtained by adding the number of times of use in the first homogenization element and the number of times of use in the second homogenization element. Further, the opportunity for each of the modeling nozzles 5 to eject the modeling ink increases to 48 times.

The result of the calculation is shown in FIG. 6B. As shown, the utilization of the 7th nozzle 57 and the 8th nozzle 58 remains 0%. The usage rate of the first nozzle 51 and the sixth nozzle 56 is 12.5%. The usage rate of the second nozzle 52 and the fifth nozzle 55 is 25%. The usage rate of the third nozzle 53 and the fourth nozzle 54 is 37.5%. After that, the operation flow proceeds from step S6 to step S7. In step S7, the homogenization selection unit 82 sets a third homogenization element (shape M2 of the seventh to ninth unit layers), and returns the operation flow to step S3.

In the third step S3, the homogenization selection unit 82 refers to the usage rate shown in FIG. 6B and automatically selects the modeling nozzle 5 so as to make the usage rate uniform. Here, the 7th nozzle 57 and the 8th nozzle 58 have a usage rate of 0%, which is lower than the others, and are preferentially selected. The homogenization selection unit 82 sets the modeling nozzle 5 used for drawing the shape M2 of the 7th to 9th unit layers to the 4th nozzle 54 to the 8th nozzle 58.

FIG. 7A shows a case where the fourth nozzle 54 to the eighth nozzle 58 are selected as the modeling nozzle 5 to be used. As shown in the figure, the adjusting mechanism 6 adjusts the position of the modeling head 4 from the standard position to the left by two of the modeling nozzles 5 according to the control from the homogenization selection unit 82. Therefore, in the third step S4, drawing and solidification using the fourth nozzle 54 to the eighth nozzle 58 are repeated three times. The detailed operation of drawing and solidification is the same as the first and second times.

Further, in the third step S5, the calculation unit 81 recalculates the usage rate of each of the plurality of modeling nozzles 5. The result of the calculation is shown in FIG. 7B. As shown, the usage rate of the first nozzle 51 is 8.3%. The usage rate of the second nozzle 52 and the eighth nozzle 58 is 16.7%. The usage rate of the third nozzle 53 is 25%. The usage rate of the 4th nozzle 54 to the 7th nozzle 57 is 33.3%. After that, the operation flow proceeds from step S6 to step S7. In step S7, the homogenization selection unit 82 sets the fourth homogenization element (shape M3 = M1 of the ninth to twelfth unit layers), and returns the operation flow to step S3.

In the fourth step S3, the homogenization selection unit 82 refers to the usage rate shown in FIG. 7B and automatically selects the modeling nozzle 5 so as to make the usage rate uniform. Here, the first nozzle 51 has a usage rate of 8.3%, which is lower than the others, and is preferentially selected. The homogenization selection unit 82 sets the modeling nozzle 5 used for drawing the shape M3 (= M1) of the 10th to 12th unit layers to the 1st nozzle 51 to the 4th nozzle 54. Similar to FIG. 6A, the adjusting mechanism 6 adjusts the position of the modeling head 4 from the standard position to the right by two of the modeling nozzles 5. Therefore, in the fourth step S4, drawing and solidification using the first nozzle 51 to the fourth nozzle 54 are repeated three times.

Further, in the fourth step S5, the calculation unit 81 recalculates the usage rate of each of the plurality of modeling nozzles 5. The result of the calculation is shown in FIG. In the fourth step S6, the modeling of the twelfth unit layer is completed, the production of the three-dimensional model M is completed, and the operation flow is branched to the step S8. In step S8, the stage 3 and the manufactured three-dimensional model M are carried out of the machine by the drive unit 2. After this, the operation flow is returned to step S1.

In the second step S1, the new stage 3 is carried into the drawing area 23 by the drive unit 2. In step S3 for the new stage 3, the homogenization selection unit 82 refers to the usage rate shown in FIG. 8 and selects the modeling nozzle 5 so as to make the usage rate uniform. In FIG. 8, the first nozzle 51 and the eighth nozzle 58 have a lower utilization rate than the others and are preferentially selected. Moreover, since the fifth nozzle 55 and the sixth nozzle 56 have a lower usage rate than the third nozzle 53 and the fourth nozzle 54, they are preferentially selected. Therefore, the homogenization selection unit 82 sets the modeling nozzle 5 used for drawing the shape M1 of the first to third unit layers in the new stage 3 to the fifth nozzle 55 to the eighth nozzle 58.

According to the three-dimensional modeling machine 1 of the first embodiment, each of the plurality of modeling nozzles 5 calculates at least one of the usage rate and the cumulative usage amount used for ejecting the modeling ink, and the usage rate and the cumulative usage amount are calculated. Select the modeling nozzle 5 to be used so as to homogenize at least one of the above. Therefore, it is possible to contribute to the uniformity of the usage rate and the cumulative usage amount of the plurality of modeling nozzles 5. In addition, since the bias of the deterioration rate among the plurality of modeling nozzles 5 is reduced, the chances of replacing the plurality of modeling nozzles 5 at the same time are increased, and the labor of the replacement work is reduced.

On the other hand, in the conventional technology, the modeling head 4 is fixed and used in the standard position. Therefore, the first nozzle 51, the seventh nozzle 57, and the eighth nozzle 58 are not used at all while the production of the three-dimensional model M is continued. On the other hand, the fifth nozzle 55 has a higher usage rate than the others, so that deterioration progresses and the fifth nozzle 55 is frequently replaced. According to the three-dimensional modeling machine 1, by selecting the first nozzle 51 to the eighth nozzle 58 to be used, the usage rate thereof can be made uniform and the deviation of the deterioration rate can be reduced.

The modeling data of the three-dimensional model M is known. Therefore, the homogenization selection unit 82 can simulate the modeling progress from FIG. 5A to FIG. 8 before actually performing the modeling. That is, the homogenization selection unit 82 previously uses the modeling nozzle 5 used for ejecting the modeling ink in each of the plurality of unit layers based on the modeling data representing the shapes of the plurality of unit layers constituting the three-dimensional modeled object M. You can choose. According to this, a series of arithmetic processing can be executed in advance, and it is not necessary to perform arithmetic processing every time the modeling of the homogenization element is completed.

4. First Application Form with Different Uniformization Elements In step S2 of the first embodiment, the homogenization selection unit 82 uses three unit layers as the homogenization element, but uses one three-dimensional model M as the homogenization element. You may. In this case, in the first step S3, the uniformization selection unit 82 selects the standard position of the modeling head 4 shown in FIG. 9A because the first nozzle 51 to the eighth nozzle 58 are all unused products. do. Then, the homogenization selection unit 82 does not change the standard position of the modeling head 4 until the modeling of the homogenization element (manufacturing of the three-dimensional model M) is completed. That is, the homogenization selection unit 82 automatically selects the second nozzle 52 to the sixth nozzle 56. Therefore, the first nozzle 51, the seventh nozzle 57, and the eighth nozzle 58 are not used.

In the next step S4, drawing and solidification for modeling each of the first to twelfth unit layers is repeated 12 times. In the next step S5, the calculation unit 81 calculates the usage rate of each of the plurality of modeling nozzles 5 used for ejecting the modeling ink. The result of the calculation is shown in FIG. 9B. As shown, the usage rate of the first nozzle 51, the seventh nozzle 57, and the eighth nozzle 58 is 0%. In the next step S6, since the modeling of the twelfth unit layer is completed and the three-dimensional model M is manufactured, the operation flow is branched to step S8. In step S8, the stage 3 and the manufactured three-dimensional model M are carried out of the machine by the drive unit 2. After this, the operation flow is returned to step S1.

In the second step S1, the second stage 3 is carried into the drawing area 23 by the drive unit 2. In the second step S3, the homogenization selection unit 82 refers to the usage rate shown in FIG. 9B, and the fourth nozzle 54 to the fourth nozzle 54 to include the seventh nozzle 57 and the eighth nozzle 58 having low usage rates. 8 Nozzles 58 are selected. After that, in the second step S4, the second three-dimensional model M is manufactured. Further, in the second step S5, the calculation unit 81 calculates the usage rate shown in FIG. 10B. As shown, the utilization of the first nozzle 51 remains at 0%.

After that, the operation flow is returned to step S1 via step S8, and the third stage 3 is carried into the drawing area 23. In the third step S3, the homogenization selection unit 82 refers to the usage rate shown in FIG. 10B, and includes the first nozzle 51 having a usage rate of 0%, so that the first nozzle 51 to the fifth nozzle 55 are included. Select. In the third step S5 after this, the calculation unit 81 calculates the usage rate shown in FIG. 11B. As shown, the usage rate of the first nozzle 51 has increased to 6%, but it is still low compared to the others. Therefore, for the fourth stage 3, the homogenization selection unit 82 selects the first nozzle 51 to the fifth nozzle 55, as in FIG. 11B.

5. According to the operator's instruction, in step S3 of the second application embodiment, the homogenization selection unit 82 automatically selects the modeling nozzle 5 to be used based on the usage rate of each of the plurality of modeling nozzles 5. You may follow the operator's instructions. In this case, in the second step S3, the homogenization selection unit 82 presents the usage rate shown in FIG. 5B to the operator, and selects the modeling nozzle 5 to be used according to the operator's instruction.

For example, assume that the operator gives an instruction to prohibit the use of the eighth nozzle 58 which is not in good condition. In this case, the homogenization selection unit 82 inevitably selects the former of the two options in the first embodiment, that is, the first nozzle 51 to the fourth nozzle 54, or the fifth nozzle 55 to the eighth nozzle 58. select. Further, in the third step S3, the homogenization selection unit 82 selects the third nozzle 53 to the seventh nozzle 57, excluding the eighth nozzle 58, as shown in FIG. As can be seen by comparing FIGS. 12 and 7A, the modeling nozzle 5 to be used is shifted by one according to the operator's instruction.

6. The three-dimensional modeling machine of the second embodiment Next, the differences between the three-dimensional modeling machine of the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly described with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B. In the three-dimensional modeling machine of the second embodiment, the presence / absence of the adjusting mechanism 6 and the function of the homogenization selection unit 82 are different from those of the first embodiment, and other parts are the same as those of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the adjusting mechanism 6 is omitted, and the modeling head 4 is fixedly provided on the head mounting seat 61 and is always located at the standard position.

Further, the homogenization selection unit 82 adjusts the placement position of the three-dimensional model M in the orthogonal direction of the stage 3. Specifically, the homogenization selection unit 82 moves the mounting position of the three-dimensional model M to be manufactured in the odd-numbered position to the right side of the stage 3. According to this, the homogenization selection unit 82 has selected the fourth nozzle 54 to the eighth nozzle 58 as shown in FIG. 13A. Further, the homogenization selection unit 82 moves the placement position of the even-numbered three-dimensional model M to the left side of the stage 3. According to this, the homogenization selection unit 82 has selected the first nozzle 51 to the fifth nozzle 55 as shown in FIG. 13B. In this way, by adjusting the placement position of the three-dimensional model M on the stage 3 in the orthogonal direction without fixing it, the effect of using all eight modeling nozzles 5 to equalize the usage rate can be obtained. Occurs.

7. 3D modeling system 1S of the third embodiment
Next, the three-dimensional modeling system 1S of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The three-dimensional modeling system 1S is composed of a three-dimensional modeling machine 1A and a program generation unit 9. The three-dimensional modeling machine 1A includes a drive unit 2, a stage 3, a modeling head 4, a plurality of modeling nozzles 5, an adjusting mechanism 6, and a solidifying unit 7 similar to those in the first embodiment, and the function of the control device 8A is first. Different from the embodiment. The control device 8A controls the drive unit 2 and the like according to the control program 91 generated by the program generation unit 9. The drive unit 2 drives the modeling head 4 so as to move relatively above the stage 3 based on the control program 91.

The program generation unit 9 is configured by using a computer device separate from the three-dimensional modeling machine 1A. The program generation unit 9 generates a control program 91 having at least the functions of the calculation unit 81 and the homogenization selection unit 82 described in the first embodiment. The control program 91 is transferred to the three-dimensional modeling machine 1A and executed. Alternatively, the three-dimensional modeling machine 1A accesses and executes the control program 91 in the program generation unit 9. In the three-dimensional modeling system 1S of the third embodiment, the three-dimensional modeling machine 1A can perform the same operations as those of the first embodiment, the first application form, and the second application form.

8. Application and Modification of the Embodiment As the homogenization element, other than three unit layers and one three-dimensional model M can be used. For example, when one unit layer is used as the homogenization element, the modeling nozzle 5 for drawing the first unit layer and the modeling nozzle 5 for drawing the second unit layer can be different. Further, when two three-dimensional model M are used as the homogenization element, the modeling nozzle 5 for modeling the two three-dimensional model M is standardized, and the modeling nozzle 5 for modeling the third three-dimensional model M is used. Will be different.

Further, the homogenization selection unit 82 is conditioned on the condition that the number of movements of the modeling head 4 relative to the upper side of the stage 3 is not increased, but this condition may be removed. In this case, for example, the drawing of the first unit layer is divided into two times, half of the first unit layer is drawn using the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 in the first time, and the seventh nozzle 57 and the second time. The other half of the first unit layer is drawn using the eighth nozzle 58. According to this, the degree of uniformity of the usage rate of the plurality of modeling nozzles 5 can be remarkably improved, while the time required for manufacturing increases. In addition, the first to third embodiments can be applied and modified in various ways.

1, 1A: 3D modeling machine 1S: 3D modeling system 2: Drive unit 21: Carry-in / out area 22: Solidification area 23: Drawing area 3: Stage 4: Modeling head 5: Modeling nozzle 51-58: 1st nozzle- 8th nozzle 6: Adjustment mechanism 61: Head mounting seat 7:

Solidification unit

8, 8A: Control device 81: Calculation unit 82: Uniformization selection unit 83: Control unit 9: Program generation unit 91: Control program

Claims

It is a 3D modeling machine that manufactures 3D models by stacking unit layers.
A stage on which the three-dimensional model in the process of manufacturing is placed, and
A modeling head that holds a plurality of modeling nozzles that eject modeling ink to draw the unit layer, and
A drive unit that drives the modeling head to move relative to the upper part of the stage,
A calculation unit that calculates at least one of the usage rate and the cumulative usage amount used for ejecting the modeling ink by each of the plurality of modeling nozzles.
A homogenization selection unit that selects the modeling nozzle to be used for ejecting the modeling ink so as to homogenize at least one of the usage rate and the cumulative usage amount among the plurality of modeling nozzles.
A three-dimensional modeling machine equipped with.
The homogenization selection unit sets the modeling nozzle used for ejecting the modeling ink on the first homogenizing element composed of one or a plurality of the unit layers, and sets the modeling nozzle on the second homogenizing element. The three-dimensional modeling machine according to claim 1, wherein the modeling nozzle different from the first homogenizing element is set.
The homogenization selection unit sets the modeling nozzle used for ejecting the modeling ink for the first homogenizing element composed of one or more of the three-dimensional models, and sets the second homogenization. The three-dimensional modeling machine according to claim 1, wherein the modeling nozzle different from the first homogenizing element is set for the element.
The uniforming selection unit automatically selects the modeling nozzle to be used for ejecting the modeling ink based on at least one of the usage rate and the cumulative usage amount of each of the plurality of modeling nozzles. The three-dimensional modeling machine according to any one of 3.
The homogenization selection unit presents at least one of the usage rate and the cumulative usage amount of each of the plurality of modeling nozzles to the operator, and uses the modeling nozzle for ejecting the modeling ink according to the operator's instructions. The three-dimensional modeling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 to be selected.
The homogenization selection unit uses the modeling nozzle used for ejecting the modeling ink in each of the plurality of unit layers based on the modeling data representing the shapes of the plurality of unit layers constituting the three-dimensional model. The three-dimensional modeling machine according to claim 1, which is selected in advance.
The modeling head holds a plurality of the modeling nozzles in a row in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to a moving direction that moves relative to the upper part of the stage.
The homogenization selection unit selects the modeling nozzle to be used for ejecting the modeling ink by adjusting the relative positional relationship between the three-dimensional modeled object and the plurality of modeling heads in the orthogonal direction.
The three-dimensional modeling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
The three-dimensional modeling machine further includes an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the relative positional relationship between the stage and the modeling head in the orthogonal direction.
The homogenization selection unit controls the adjustment mechanism.
The three-dimensional modeling machine according to claim 7.
The three-dimensional modeling machine according to claim 7, wherein the homogenization selection unit adjusts the placement position of the three-dimensional modeling object in the orthogonal direction of the stage.
The uniforming selection unit selects the modeling nozzle to be used for ejecting the modeling ink, provided that the number of movements of the modeling head relative to the upper part of the stage is not increased, according to claims 1 to 9. The three-dimensional modeling machine described in any one of the items.
The three-dimensional modeling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a control unit for switching the function of the homogenization selection unit on and off based on a command from the operator.
A stage on which a three-dimensional model manufactured by stacking unit layers is placed, a modeling head holding a plurality of modeling nozzles for drawing the unit layer by ejecting modeling ink, and the modeling head based on a control program. A three-dimensional modeling machine having a drive unit that drives the stage so as to move relative to each other.
Each of the plurality of modeling nozzles calculates at least one of the usage rate and the cumulative usage amount used for ejecting the modeling ink, and among the plurality of the modeling nozzles, at least one of the usage rate and the cumulative usage amount is calculated. A program generation unit that generates the control program including a command for selecting the modeling nozzle to be used for ejecting the modeling ink so as to be uniform.
A three-dimensional modeling system equipped with.