JP2015168135A - Manufacturing device and manufacturing method of three-dimensional object - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily manufacture a three-dimension object by melting formation, even when a resin to be used has a high molecular weight.SOLUTION: A manufacturing device of a three-dimensional object comprises: a melting part 2 for melting a solid material; a heating part 3 for heating the melting part 2; a plunger 4 for pressure feeding solid materials to the melting part 2; a storage part 6 for temporarily storing the melted material obtained by melting the solid materials; a discharge part (discharge port 61) for discharging the melted material in the storage part 6; a piston 7 for discharging the melted material in the storage part 6 to the outside; a cylinder 8 having the melting part 2, plunger 4, storage part 6, and piston 7 therein; a lamination table; a moving mechanism; and a control part. The piston 7 discharges the melted material in the storage part 6 to the outside via the discharge part, by penetrating the melting part 2, and the control part controls the moving mechanism so that the melted material which is discharged from the discharge part is laminated on the lamination table, based on a predetermined order and predetermined pattern.

Description

  The present invention relates to a three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus and a three-dimensional object manufacturing method.

  As a three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus, that is, a so-called 3D printer, there are an inkjet type, a type that cures a photocurable resin by laser light irradiation, and a type that performs melt lamination.

  Among these, there is an apparatus described in Patent Document 1, for example, as an apparatus of the melt lamination method. The apparatus of Patent Document 1 manufactures a three-dimensional object of a predetermined shape by sequentially depositing multiple layers of material that solidifies on a substrate in a desired pattern. In the apparatus of Patent Document 1, a solid material formed in a rod shape or the like is gradually supplied to a heating unit and melted to obtain a molten material.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-158228

  By the way, when performing melt lamination in a three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus, it is necessary to use a resin having a low viscosity (more than 100 in terms of MFR), that is, a low molecular weight resin so that it can be easily dropped from a nozzle. For this reason, even though a manufacturing apparatus for a three-dimensional object using a melt lamination method can be used for design purposes such as design confirmation, it is difficult to apply it for purposes such as physical property evaluation of products that are actually mass-produced. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus capable of easily manufacturing a three-dimensional object by melt molding, even if the resin used has a high molecular weight. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object is provided.

The present invention
A melting part for melting the solid material;
A heating section for heating the melting section;
A plunger for pumping the solid material to the melting part;
A storage part for temporarily storing the molten material obtained by melting the solid material in the melting part;
A discharge part that communicates with the storage part and discharges the molten material of the storage part to the outside;
A piston that discharges the molten material of the storage part to the outside through the discharge part;
A cylinder having the melting part, the plunger, the storage part, and the piston inside;
A stacking table on which the molten material discharged from the discharge unit is stacked;
A moving mechanism for relatively moving the discharge unit and the stacking table;
A control unit for controlling the operation of the moving mechanism;
Have
The piston penetrates the melting portion and discharges the molten material of the storage portion to the outside through the discharge portion.
The control unit provides a three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus that controls the moving mechanism such that the molten material discharged from the discharge unit is stacked on the stacking base based on a predetermined order and pattern. .

The present invention also provides:
A step of pumping a solid material to a melting part by a plunger;
Heating and melting the solid material pumped by the plunger in the melting section;
Temporarily storing the molten material obtained by melting the solid material in the storage unit;
A step of discharging the molten material temporarily stored in the storage portion to the outside via a discharge portion communicating with the storage portion by a piston penetrating the melting portion;
Laminating the molten material discharged from the discharge unit on a stacking table;
Have
In the step of laminating the molten material on the lamination table, the discharge unit and the lamination table are arranged such that the molten material discharged from the discharge unit is laminated on the lamination table based on a predetermined order and pattern. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object is provided.

  According to the present invention, even if the resin used has a high molecular weight, a three-dimensional object can be easily produced by melt molding.

It is a schematic diagram of the material supply apparatus of the manufacturing apparatus of the three-dimensional object which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram of the manufacturing apparatus of the three-dimensional object which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a control block diagram of the manufacturing apparatus of the three-dimensional object which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram of the material supply apparatus of the manufacturing apparatus of the three-dimensional object which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram of the material supply apparatus of the manufacturing apparatus of the three-dimensional object which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is typical sectional drawing of the material supply apparatus of the manufacturing apparatus of the three-dimensional object which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the front-end | tip part of the piston of the material supply apparatus of the manufacturing apparatus of the three-dimensional object which concerns on 4th Embodiment. 8A is an enlarged longitudinal side view of the melting member showing a first modification of the melting hole, FIG. 8B is an enlarged longitudinal side view of the melting member showing a second modification of the melting hole, FIG. (C) is an expanded vertical side view of the melting member showing a third modification of the melting hole. It is a bottom view which shows the modification of a piston. It is a typical plane sectional view showing a modification of a material supply device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a material supply apparatus 100 of a three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus (FIG. 2A) according to the first embodiment. 1A is a schematic front sectional view of the material supply device 100, FIG. 1B is a schematic plan sectional view of the material supply device 100, and FIG. It is a typical front view.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment. 2A is a schematic front view of the three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus, and FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating the X driving mechanism 530 and the Y driving mechanism 540 of the moving mechanism 500 of the three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus. It is the typical side view seen from the arrow A direction of (a). In FIG. 2B, the illustration of the configuration other than the X drive mechanism 530 and the Y drive mechanism 540 is omitted.
FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

The three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment includes a melting unit 2 that melts a solid material (for example, a resin pellet 1 obtained by granulation or a granular solid material such as a resin chip obtained by crushing a resin). And a heating part 3 for heating the melting part 2 and a plunger 4 for pumping the solid material to the melting part 2. The three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus further communicates with a storage unit 6 that temporarily stores a molten material (for example, molten resin 5) obtained by melting a solid material in the melting unit 2, and the storage unit 6. And a discharge part (discharge port 61) for discharging the molten material of the storage part 6 to the outside. The three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus further includes a piston 7 that discharges the molten material of the storage unit 6 to the outside through the discharge unit, and a cylinder that has the melting unit 2, the plunger 4, the storage unit 6, and the piston 7 inside. 8. The three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus further includes a stacking table 501 on which the molten material discharged from the discharge unit is stacked, a moving mechanism 500 that relatively moves the discharging unit and the stacking table 501, and the operation of the moving mechanism 500. And a control unit 561 (FIG. 3) that performs control. The piston 7 penetrates the melting part 2 and discharges the molten material in the storage part 6 to the outside through the discharge part. The control unit 561 controls the moving mechanism 500 so that the molten material discharged from the discharge unit is stacked on the stacking table 501 based on a predetermined order and pattern.
A molten material discharged from the discharge unit is stacked in a predetermined pattern on the stacking table 501, thereby forming a three-dimensional object (not shown) on the stacking table 501.

Here, in the configuration of the three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus, a part that generates a molten material and discharges the molten material onto the stacking base 501 is referred to as a material supply apparatus 100.
Hereinafter, the material supply apparatus 100 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the material supply apparatus 100 includes a material supply unit 9 that supplies the resin pellet 1 to the cylinder 8. The material supply unit 9 includes a storage container 91, a solid material supply pipe 92, a first electromagnetic valve 93, a gas pipe 94, and a second electromagnetic valve 95.

The storage container 91 stores the resin pellet 1. The solid material supply pipe 92 communicates the storage container 91 and the cylinder 8 and supplies the resin pellet 1 from the storage container 91 to the cylinder 8. The first electromagnetic valve 93 is provided at the outlet of the solid material supply pipe 92. The first electromagnetic valve 93 switches between a supply state and a non-supply state of the resin pellet 1 into the cylinder 8 by an opening / closing operation, and adjusts an opening degree to adjust a supply amount of the resin pellet 1 into the cylinder 8. Make adjustments. The gas pipe 94 supplies a high pressure gas such as N ₂ to the storage container 91. The resin pellet 1 in the storage container 91 is supplied to the cylinder 8 through the solid material supply pipe 92 by being pumped by high-pressure gas. The second electromagnetic valve 95 is provided at the outlet of the gas pipe 94. The second electromagnetic valve 95 switches between a supply state and a non-supply state of the high-pressure gas to the storage container 91 by an opening / closing operation.

  The cylinder 8 is formed with an air vent (not shown) for discharging the high-pressure gas supplied together with the resin pellet 1.

  The plunger 4 pumps the resin pellet 1 supplied into the cylinder 8 to the melting part 2. The plunger 4 is disposed around the piston 7. The cross-sectional shape of the plunger 4 is, for example, a donut shape.

  Alternatively, a plurality of plungers 4 may be arranged around the piston 7. For example, a plurality of cylindrical plungers 4 may be arranged side by side on the circumference.

  The plunger 4 includes a main body 41 for pumping the resin pellet 1, a screw screw 42 screwed into the main body 41, and a plunger motor 4 a (not shown in FIG. 1). : See FIG. 3). The longitudinal direction of the screw screw 42 extends in the movement direction (for example, the vertical direction) of the plunger 4. The rotation transmission unit 43 is disposed on the opposite side (for example, the upper side) from the melting unit 2 with the main body unit 41 as a reference. The rotation transmission part 43 is connected with the rotating shaft of the plunger motor 4a via a timing belt (not shown).

  When the motor rotates in one direction, the screw screw 42 rotates in one direction, and the main body portion 41 moves in a direction (for example, downward) in which the resin pellet 1 is pumped to the melting portion 2. When the motor rotates in the reverse direction, the screw screw 42 rotates in the reverse direction, and the main body portion 41 moves in a direction away from the melting portion 2 (for example, upward). As shown in FIG. 1, the main body portion 41 can be moved away from the melting portion 2 to a position where the first electromagnetic valve 93 is not closed. The resin pellet 1 is supplied from the material supply unit 9 to the cylinder 8 in a state where the main body 41 is present at that position.

  The plunger 4 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the piston 7 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 8, and is guided by the outer peripheral surface of the piston 7 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 8 when moving.

  The melting part 2 is formed inside the cylinder 8. In the case of this embodiment, the melting part 2 is constituted by a gap between the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 8 and the outer peripheral surface of the piston 7. That is, the melting part 2 has a donut shape in cross section and is arranged around the piston. The resin pellet 1 in the melting part 2 is heated and melted by the heating part 3 described later.

  The reservoir 6 is configured by an area adjacent to the side opposite to the plunger 4 with respect to the melting part 2 in the lumen area of the cylinder 8. In the case of this embodiment, the storage part 6 is adjacent to the lower side of the melting part 2.

  A discharge port 61 communicating with the storage unit 6 is formed at the end of the storage unit 6 opposite to the melting unit 2. The discharge port 61 discharges the molten resin 5 in the storage unit 6 to the outside of the storage unit 6 (specifically, on the stacking table 501). In addition, the discharge nozzle 60 including the discharge port 61 is detachably provided on the tip end (lower end) of the cylinder 8 and can be replaced. You may be able to change it.

  The piston 7 is formed in a columnar shape (specifically, for example, a columnar shape). In order to suppress the shearing force applied to the material (solid material, molten material) from the piston 7 as much as possible, the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the piston 7 that contacts the material is uneven (for example, a groove in a general screw). It is preferable that no unevenness is formed. However, unevenness may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the piston 7 in contact with the material as necessary, and reduction of shear is not essential. A part of the piston 7 is disposed in the cylinder 8, and the other part protrudes outside the cylinder 8. For example, the upper part of the piston 7 projects upward from the upper end of the cylinder 8.

  For example, the upper portion of the piston 7 is held by the holding member 72 by being screwed into the holding member 72. That is, a male screw portion 71 is formed on the upper portion of the piston 7, and the male screw portion 71 is screwed with a female screw portion 73 formed on the holding member 72.

  Further, the piston 7 is connected to the hydraulic cylinder 19 (not shown in FIG. 1; see FIG. 3) above the holding member 72. By this hydraulic cylinder 19, the piston 7 is moved in the axial direction of the piston 7. The hydraulic cylinder 19 and the piston 7 are connected to each other so that the piston 7 can rotate around its axis. Further, as described above, the piston 7 is held by the holding member 72 by being screwed to the holding member 72. For this reason, when the hydraulic cylinder 19 moves the piston 7 in the axial direction, the piston 7 rotates relative to the holding member 72.

  When the hydraulic cylinder 19 presses the piston 7 toward the storage unit 6, that is, when the hydraulic cylinder 19 lowers the piston 7, the piston 7 enters the storage unit 6 while rotating in one direction, and stores. The molten resin 5 in the section 6 is pushed out from the discharge port 61.

Here, an example in which the piston 7 rotates around the axis has been described, but the piston 7 may move linearly in the axial direction by the hydraulic cylinder 19 without rotating around the axis. In this case, the piston 7 can be configured to be held by the hydraulic cylinder 19, and the male screw portion 71 of the piston 7 is unnecessary and the holding member 72 including the female screw portion 73 is unnecessary.
Further, here, an example has been described in which when the piston 7 is moved in the axial direction by the hydraulic cylinder 19, the male thread portion 71 of the piston 7 rotates with respect to the female thread portion 73 of the holding member 72. Not exclusively. For example, by rotating the piston 7 around the axis by a motor (not shown), the piston 7 linearly moves in the axial direction while the male screw portion 71 of the piston 7 rotates with respect to the female screw portion 73 of the holding member 72. Anyway.

  Here, in the case of the present embodiment, at least the outer diameter of the portion that enters the reservoir 6 in the piston 7 is equal to the inner diameter of the reservoir 6. For this reason, the resin in the storage unit 6 can be efficiently discharged to the outside through the discharge port 61. Specifically, the outer diameter of the piston 7 is constant except for the tapered portion at the tip.

  On the other hand, when the hydraulic cylinder 19 raises the piston 7, the piston 7 is pulled out of the storage portion 6 while rotating in the reverse direction, and returns to the original position (FIG. 1).

  The heating unit 3 includes, for example, a first heater 31 disposed around the melting unit 2 in the cylinder 8 and a second heater 32 incorporated in the piston 7. The second heater 32 may be built in the piston 7, or a part of the surface of the second heater 32 may be exposed from the piston 7.

  The first heater 31 is, for example, a band heater, a cartridge heater, or an IH (induction heating) heater. The second heater 32 is, for example, a cartridge heater.

  Of these, the IH heater will be described. The IH heater is an electromagnetic induction device that induction-heats the melting part 2. The IH heater is configured by winding an IH (Induction Heating) coil around a heat insulating material coil bobbin made of resin or ceramic. By inputting AC power to the IH coil, the magnetic flux in the arrangement region of the melting portion 2 changes, and Joule heat is generated in the portion due to the eddy current generated in the portion located around the melting portion 2 in the cylinder 8. . That is, the part around the melting part 2 in the cylinder 8 generates heat. The part around the melting part 2 in the cylinder 8 is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting temperature of the resin pellet 1 by heating with an IH heater.

  The cylinder 8 has a circular cross-sectional shape. In the cylinder 8, the part opposite to the storage part 6 with respect to the melting part 2 is formed to have a constant diameter.

  On the other hand, the fusion | melting part 2 is diameter-reduced in the taper shape toward the storage part 6 side, for example. Here, the shape is not limited to a linear taper, but may be a curved taper. As shown in FIG. 1, the diameter may be reduced in a tapered manner in stages. Moreover, the melting part 2 may be diameter-reduced stepwise toward the storage part 6 side. In other words, the melting area of the melting part 2 gradually decreases toward the storage part 6 side.

Here, the temperature of the material in the melting part 2 gradually increases from the inlet side of the melting part 2 toward the outlet side (storage part 6 side).
As described above, since the cross-sectional area of the melting part 2 gradually decreases toward the storage part 6 side, for example, the heating ability of the material in the melting part 2 by the heating part 3 is set uniformly regardless of the position. Thus, such a temperature gradient can be realized.

  The resin pellet 1 in the melting part 2 is gradually melted and becomes smaller as it approaches the outlet side of the melting part 2, and finally becomes a molten resin 5. The molten resin 5 flows out from the melting portion 2 to the storage portion 6 through a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the piston 7 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 8.

  Here, a groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip of the piston 7 as shown in FIG. 1 (c) so that the molten resin 5 can easily flow from the melted portion 2 to the storage portion 6 through the gap between the piston 7 and the cylinder 8. 74 is preferably formed. This groove 74 extends in the axial direction of the piston 7.

FIG. 10A is a schematic plan sectional view showing a modification of the material supply apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.
The melting part 2 formed between the cylinder 8 and the piston 7 may be a cavity, but as shown in FIG. 10 (a), it protrudes from the inner surface of the cylinder 8 toward the piston 7 and extends vertically. One or a plurality of partition plates 18 may be partitioned into a plurality of regions in the horizontal direction. The partition plate 18 is supported in a cantilever manner by the inner surface of the cylinder 8. Further, a clearance is provided between the piston 7 and the partition plate 18 so as not to hinder the operation of the piston 7. Since the partition plate 18 is heated by heat transfer from the cylinder 8 and the piston 7, the heat is more easily transferred to the resin pellet 1, and the resin pellet 1 can be efficiently dissolved. Further, irregularities may be formed on the surface of at least one of the cylinder 8 and the partition plate 18 to increase the contact area between the resin pellet 1 and at least one of the cylinder 8 and the partition plate 18.

  Further, for example, the distal end portion of the storage portion 6 is tapered in a tapered shape toward the discharge port 61 side. In accordance with this, it is also preferable that the tip of the piston 7 is formed in a tapered projection shape. Thereby, the molten resin 5 of the storage part 6 can be more efficiently injected.

  The material supply apparatus 100 further includes a heater 12 disposed around the storage unit 6. Thereby, it can suppress that the molten resin 5 in the storage part 6 solidifies, and can maintain the molten resin 5 in the storage part 6 in a fluid state.

  The material supply device 100 further includes a cooling unit 11 that cools a portion in the vicinity of the inlet (for example, the upper end) of the melting unit 2 in the material supply device 100. Thereby, it can suppress that the resin pellet 1 fuse | melts in the vicinity of the inlet_port | entrance of the fusion | melting part 2. FIG. As a result, it is possible to suppress the molten resin from adhering to the plunger 4.

  Examples of the material of the cylinder 8 include metals such as iron, stainless steel, and aluminum. From the viewpoint of thermal conductivity, copper or beryllium copper is preferable. Examples of the material of the piston 7 include metals such as nitride steel, wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant chromium (Cr) steel, and stainless steel. However, the material of the piston 7 is not limited to these, and any material may be used as long as it satisfies the required heat resistance, durability (wear resistance), and corrosion resistance. It doesn't matter. The material of the plunger 4 is the same as that of the piston 7.

The material supply device 100 as described above generates a molten material by melting the resin pellet 1 and discharges the molten material from the discharge port 61 onto the stacking table 501.
Note that the discharge speed of the molten material from the discharge port 61 is adjusted by the size of the discharge port 61, the temperature of the molten material, the moving speed of moving the piston 7 downward, and the like. Further, switching between the state in which the molten material is discharged from the discharge port 61 and the state in which the discharge is stopped is a state in which the piston 7 is moved downward and a state in which the downward movement of the piston 7 is stopped. Can be switched by a control unit 561 described later.
Although the dimension of the material supply apparatus 100 is not specifically limited, As an example, it can be made compact about 50 cm or less.

  Next, the moving mechanism 500 will be described in detail.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the moving mechanism 500 includes, for example, a stage 502 that supports a stacking base 501 disposed below the discharge port 61 and a Z drive mechanism 520 that moves the stage 502 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). An X drive mechanism 530 that moves the stage 502 in the first direction (X-axis direction) in the horizontal direction, and a second direction in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction). A Y drive mechanism 540 to be moved and a base 550 are provided.

  The Y drive mechanism 540 includes a Y drive actuator 541 provided on the base 550, a holding bracket 545 provided on the base 550 in an arrangement facing the Y drive actuator 541 (FIG. 2B), A drive screw 542 that is held horizontally between the drive actuator 541 and the holding bracket 545 is provided. The drive screw 542 is held so as to be rotatable around the axis of the drive screw 542. The longitudinal axis of the drive screw 542 extends in the Y-axis direction. The Y drive actuator 541 is configured by a motor or the like, and rotates the drive screw 542 around the axis. The Y drive mechanism 540 further includes a Y movement block 543 that is screwed with the drive screw 542 between the Y drive actuator 541 and the holding bracket 545, and a Y movement stage 548. The Y moving block 543 is fixed to the lower surface of the Y moving stage 548. The Y drive mechanism 540 further includes a guide shaft 544 disposed in parallel with the drive screw 542, a pair of holding brackets 547 that hold both ends of the guide shaft 544, and a Y movement guide block 546. Yes. Each of the pair of holding brackets 547 is fixed on the base 550. The Y movement guide block 546 is disposed between the pair of holding brackets 547, and a guide shaft 544 is inserted through the Y movement guide block 546. As a result, the Y movement guide block 546 is movable along the guide shaft 544. The Y movement guide block 546 is fixed to the lower surface of the Y movement stage 548. The Y drive actuator 541 rotates the drive screw 542 in the forward direction around the axis, so that the Y moving block 543 moves along the drive screw 542 in one direction in the Y axis direction. Further, the Y drive actuator 541 rotates the drive screw 542 in the opposite direction around the axis, so that the Y moving block 543 moves along the drive screw 542 in the opposite direction to the one direction in the Y axis direction. As the Y movement block 543 moves, the Y movement stage 548 and the Y movement guide block 546 also move relative to the base 550 in one direction or the opposite direction in the Y axis direction. Here, since the Y moving block 543 and the Y moving guide block 546 fixed to the lower surface of the Y moving stage 548 move along the drive screw 542 and the guide shaft 544 arranged parallel to each other and horizontally, respectively, The moving stage 548 moves relative to the base 550 in one direction or the opposite direction in the Y-axis direction while being kept horizontal.

  The X drive mechanism 530 includes an X drive actuator 531 provided on the Y movement stage 548, a holding bracket 535 provided on the Y movement stage 548 in an arrangement facing the X drive actuator 531, and the X drive actuator 531. A drive screw 532 that is held horizontally between the bracket 535 and the bracket 535; The drive screw 532 is held so as to be rotatable around the axis of the drive screw 532. The longitudinal axis of the drive screw 532 extends in the X-axis direction. The X drive actuator 531 is configured by a motor or the like, and rotates the drive screw 532 around the axis. The X drive mechanism 530 further includes an X movement block 533 screwed with a drive screw 532 between the X drive actuator 531 and the holding bracket 535, and an X movement stage 538. The X movement block 533 is fixed to the lower surface of the X movement stage 538. The X drive mechanism 530 further includes a guide shaft 534 disposed in parallel with the drive screw 532, a pair of holding brackets 537 that hold both ends of the guide shaft 534, and an X movement guide block 536. Yes. Each of the pair of holding brackets 537 is fixed on the Y moving stage 548. The X movement guide block 536 is disposed between the pair of holding brackets 537, and a guide shaft 534 is inserted through the X movement guide block 536. As a result, the X movement guide block 536 can move along the guide shaft 534. The X movement guide block 536 is fixed to the lower surface of the X movement stage 538. When the X drive actuator 531 rotates the drive screw 532 in the forward direction around the axis, the X moving block 533 moves along the drive screw 532 in one direction in the X axis direction. Further, when the X drive actuator 531 rotates the drive screw 532 in the reverse direction around the axis, the X moving block 533 moves along the drive screw 532 in the direction opposite to the one direction in the X axis direction. As the X movement block 533 moves, the X movement stage 538 and the X movement guide block 536 move relative to the Y movement stage 548 in one direction or the opposite direction in the X axis direction. Here, since the X movement block 533 and the X movement guide block 536 fixed to the lower surface of the X movement stage 538 move along the drive screw 532 and the guide shaft 534 arranged parallel to each other and horizontally, respectively, The moving stage 538 moves relative to the Y moving stage 548 in one direction or the opposite direction in the X-axis direction while being kept horizontal.

  The Z drive mechanism 520 includes an opposing holding body 525 disposed above the X movement stage 538 so as to face the X movement stage 538, and a drive screw held between the X movement stage 538 and the opposite holding body 525. 522 and a guide shaft 524. The drive screw 522 and the guide shaft 524 are arranged in parallel to each other so that the longitudinal direction of each of them is the Z-axis direction (vertical direction). The drive screw 522 is held by the X moving stage 538 and the opposing holding body 525 so as to be rotatable around the axis of the drive screw 522. The counter holder 525 is supported by the X moving stage 538 via the guide shaft 524. Note that a support body other than the guide shaft 524 may be further provided as a member for the X movement stage 538 to support the counter holder 525. The Z drive mechanism 520 further includes a Z moving block 523, a support body 526 erected from the Z moving block 523, and a Z drive actuator 521. The Z moving block 523 is screwed with the driving screw 522 between the X moving stage 538 and the opposing holding body 525. Further, a guide shaft 524 is inserted through the Z moving block 523. The Z drive actuator 521 is composed of a motor or the like, and rotates the drive screw 522 around the axis. When the Z drive actuator 521 rotates the drive screw 522 in the forward direction around the axis, the Z moving block 523 moves upward along the drive screw 522 while being guided by the guide shaft 524. Further, when the Z drive actuator 521 rotates the drive screw 522 in the reverse direction around the axis, the Z moving block 523 moves downward along the drive screw 522 while being guided by the guide shaft 524. The support body 526 supports the stage 502 horizontally above the opposing holding body 525. As the Z moving block 523 moves up and down, the support 526, the stage 502, and the stacking table 501 also move up and down.

The movement of the stage 502 relative to the base 550 includes horizontal movement of the Y movement stage 548 relative to the base 550, horizontal movement of the X movement stage 538 relative to the Y movement stage 548, and vertical movement of the stage 502 relative to the X movement stage 538. , Will be synthesized.
Since the stacking table 501 is provided on the stage 502, the stacking table 501 is moved to the base 550 by moving the stage 502 in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction relative to the base 550. It can be moved relative to 550 in the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction.

  Furthermore, the three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus includes a support body 505 erected on a base 550 and a holding bracket 506 supported by the support body 505, and the material supply apparatus 100 holds the holding bracket 506. Has been. Here, the material supply apparatus 100 is fixedly held by the holding bracket 506 so that the discharge port 61 is positioned above the stacking table 501 and in the vicinity of the stacking table 501.

  Therefore, by moving the stacking table 501 relative to the base 550 in a predetermined operation pattern, the stacking table 501 is moved relative to the discharge port 61 in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction. Can be moved arbitrarily.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus includes a control unit 561. The control unit 561 includes a plunger motor 4a, a hydraulic cylinder 19, a first heater 31, a second heater 32, a heater 12, a first electromagnetic valve 93, a second electromagnetic valve 95, an X drive actuator 531, a Y drive actuator 541, Operation control of the Z drive actuator 521 and the like is performed. The control unit 561 controls the X drive actuator 531, the Y drive actuator 541, and the Z drive actuator 521 so that the molten material discharged from the discharge port 61 is stacked on the stacking base 501 based on a predetermined order and pattern. To do.

  The three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus accommodates the material supply apparatus 100 and the moving mechanism 500 in order to prevent the molten material scattered from the discharge port 61 from being scattered around the three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus. A housing (not shown) is preferably provided.

  Next, a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to the present embodiment will be described.

The method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to the present embodiment includes a step of feeding a solid material to the melting part 2 by a plunger 4, a step of heating and melting the solid material fed by the plunger 4 in the melting part 2, and The step of temporarily storing the molten material obtained by melting the solid material in the storage portion 6 and the piston 7 penetrating the molten material temporarily stored in the storage portion 6 through the melting portion 2 A step of discharging to the outside via a discharge unit communicating with the storage unit 6; and a step of stacking the molten material discharged from the discharge unit on the stacking base 501. In the step of laminating the molten material on the stacking table 501, the discharge unit and the stacking table 501 are relatively positioned so that the molten material discharged from the discharge unit is stacked on the stacking table 501 based on a predetermined order and pattern. Move.
Details will be described below.

  First, in the material supply apparatus 100, the solid material is supplied from the storage container 91 through the solid material supply pipe 92 to the cylinder.

Here, as the solid material, for example, a thermoplastic resin can be used. Various thermoplastic resins can be used. For example, polyolefin, polyester, poly (meth) acrylic ester, polyacetal, polystyrene, styrene copolymer, polycarbonate, polyphenylene oxide, and polyvinyl chloride are used. .
That is, the solid material includes at least one resin selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyester, poly (meth) acrylic ester, polyacetal, polystyrene, styrene copolymer, polycarbonate, polyphenylene oxide, and polyvinyl chloride. .
Specific examples of polyolefins include ethylene polymers, propylene polymers, butene polymers, 4-methyl-1-pentene polymers, 3-methyl-1-butene polymers, and hexene polymers. Can be mentioned.
Specific examples of the polyester include aromatic polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate; polycaprolactone, polyhydroxybutyrate, and the like.
Specific examples of poly (meth) acrylic acid esters include methyl (meth) acrylate, polyethyl (meth) acrylate, polypropyl (meth) acrylate, poly n-butyl (meth) acrylate, polyisobutyl (meth) acrylate, poly tert -Butyl (meth) acrylate, poly 2-ethylhexyl (meth) acrylate, polystearyl (meth) acrylate, polytridecyl (meth) acrylate, polylauroyl (meth) acrylate, polycyclohexyl (meth) acrylate, polybenzyl (meth) acrylate, poly Examples thereof include phenyl (meth) acrylate, polydimethylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate, polydiethylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate, and the like.
Specific examples of the polyacetal include polyformaldehyde (polyoxymethylene), polyacetaldehyde, polypropionaldehyde, polybutyraldehyde and the like.
Specific examples of the styrene copolymer include acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene copolymer (ABS).
Examples of polycarbonate include bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) methane, 1,1-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) ethane, 2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, and 2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl). A polymer obtained from butane and the like can be mentioned.
Examples of polyphenylene oxide include poly (2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide).
As described above, the solid material can be in the form of, for example, a resin pellet 1 or a resin chip.

Next, the solid material is pumped to the melting part 2 by the plunger 4.
Next, the solid material pumped by the plunger 4 is heated and melted in the melting part 2.
Next, the molten resin 5 obtained by melting the solid material is temporarily stored in the storage unit 6.
Next, the molten resin 5 temporarily stored in the storage unit 6 is discharged onto the stacking base 501 outside the storage unit 6 through the discharge port 61 by the piston 7 penetrating the melting unit 2. Let

  While discharging the molten resin 5 from the discharge port 61 to the laminated table 501, the layer made of the molten resin 5 is moved in a predetermined order by moving the laminated table 501 with an operation pattern corresponding to the shape of the three-dimensional object to be manufactured. Further, a three-dimensional object having an arbitrary shape can be formed on the stacking table 501 based on the pattern.

  Here, parameters corresponding to the shape of the three-dimensional object to be manufactured are input to the control unit 561 in advance, and the control unit 561 controls the operation of the moving mechanism 500 according to the parameters. Thereby, the molten resin 5 is laminated | stacked on the lamination | stacking base 501 with a predetermined | prescribed order and pattern, and the three-dimensional object of a desired shape is produced.

  According to the first embodiment as described above, the three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus includes a melting unit 2 that melts a solid material, a heating unit 3 that heats the melting unit 2, and a solid material that is pumped to the melting unit 2. The plunger 4 that performs the storage, the storage unit 6 that temporarily stores the molten material obtained by melting the solid material in the melting unit 2, the discharge unit that discharges the molten material of the storage unit 6 to the outside, and the storage A piston 7 that discharges the molten material of the portion 6 to the outside through the discharge portion, a melting portion 2, a plunger 4, a storage portion 6, a cylinder 8 having the piston 7 therein, and a molten material discharged from the discharge portion Are stacked, a moving mechanism 500 that relatively moves the discharge unit and the stacking table 501, and a control unit 561 that controls the operation of the moving mechanism 500. And the piston 7 penetrates the fusion | melting part 2, and discharges the molten material of the storage part 6 outside via a discharge part. In addition, the control unit 561 controls the moving mechanism 500 so that the molten material discharged from the discharge unit is stacked on the stacking table 501 based on a predetermined order and pattern.

  According to the three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus having such a configuration, since the molten material of the storage portion 6 is discharged by the piston 7, even if the resin used as the solid material has a high molecular weight, the three-dimensional object is obtained by melt molding. An object can be easily manufactured. For this reason, by manufacturing a three-dimensional object using a high molecular weight resin, the three-dimensional object can be used for design purposes such as design confirmation, as well as for the purpose of evaluating the physical properties of products that are actually mass-produced. Also, it can be suitably used.

  In the technique of Patent Document 1, since it is necessary to supply a solid rod material (or strand material) by gradually moving it toward the heating unit to obtain a molten material, the solid material transport operation and the molten material are required. It is considered that the synchronous control with the discharge operation (XYZ drive or the like) becomes complicated and difficult. On the other hand, in the technique of the present embodiment, the molten material generated in the melting unit 2 is temporarily stored in the storage unit 6, and the stored molten material is pumped by the piston 7 from the discharge unit to the stacking table 501. Therefore, the accuracy of the synchronous control between the operation of supplying the solid material to the melting unit 2 and the operation of discharging the molten material from the storage unit 6 may be low.

  Further, the solid resin pellet 1 is pumped to the melting part 2 by the plunger 4, and the molten resin 5 in the storage part 6 is pumped to the outside of the storage part 6 by the piston 7. Therefore, decomposition of the material due to shear as in the case of the screw type can be suppressed. Further, since the piston 7 passes through the melting part 2 and pumps the molten resin 5 in the storage part 6, the cylinder 8 that accommodates the plunger 4 and the melting part 2 and the cylinder 8 that accommodates the piston 7 are common. Can be Therefore, the enlargement of the material supply apparatus 100 can be suppressed. Therefore, decomposition of the material due to shear and increase in size of the apparatus can be suppressed.

  In addition, a molded body obtained by the three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment, that is, a three-dimensional object, is expected to have excellent physical properties because it has a small heat history associated with melting. It is expected to be excellent in impact strength.

  Further, the melting part 2 has a donut shape in cross section and is arranged around the piston 7. With such a structure, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the piston 7 passes through the melting portion 2 and pumps the molten material in the storage portion 6.

  Moreover, when the outer diameter of the front-end | tip part of piston 7 is equal to the internal diameter of the storage part 6, the molten resin 5 of the storage part 6 can be inject | emitted efficiently.

  By moving the piston 7 in the axial direction while rotating, adhesion of the molten resin 5 to the piston 7 can be suppressed even if the resin used as the solid material has a high molecular weight.

  The heating unit 3 has not only the first heater 31 disposed around the melting unit 2 but also the second heater 32 incorporated in the piston 7. Thereby, the material in the melting part 2 can be efficiently and smoothly heated and melted from both the outside and the inside.

  Further, the material supply apparatus 100 includes a cooling unit 11 that cools a portion in the vicinity of the inlet side of the melting unit 2 in the material supply apparatus 100. Thereby, it is possible to suppress melting of the resin pellet 1 in a portion near the entrance side of the melting portion 2 and to prevent the molten resin 5 from adhering to the plunger 4.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a material supply apparatus 200 of the three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment. 4A is a schematic front sectional view of the material supply apparatus 200, and FIG. 4B is a schematic plan sectional view of the material supply apparatus 200.

  The three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment is different from the three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment in that it includes a material supply apparatus 200 instead of the material supply apparatus 100. In other respects, the configuration is the same as that of the three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  The material supply apparatus 200 is different from the material supply apparatus 100 of the three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment in the points described below, and is configured in the same manner as the material supply apparatus 100 in other points. Has been.

  In the case of this embodiment, a cylindrical inner cylinder portion 81 is disposed inside the cylinder 8. The inner cylinder portion 81 is fixed to the cylinder 8. FIG. 4 shows an example in which the inner cylinder portion 81 and the cylinder 8 are fixed to each other at their upper end portions. However, the inner cylinder portion 81 and the cylinder 8 are, for example, part of the melting portion 2. Specifically, they may be fixed to each other (in a state where they can pass through the material), or may be partially fixed to each other at a portion above the melting portion 2. Although FIG. 4 shows an aspect in which the diameter of the inner cylinder portion 81 is constant and the cylinder 8 is tapered, the opposite shape, that is, the cylinder 8 may have a constant diameter, and the inner cylinder portion 81 may be tapered. More specifically, the inner cylinder part 81 can be expanded in diameter toward the storage part 6 side so that the cross-sectional area of the melting part 2 decreases toward the storage part 6 side. In this case, since the cylinder 8 is straight, there is an advantage that the first heater 31 can be easily attached.

  The inner cylinder portion 81 extends, for example, from the outlet side portion (lower end portion) of the melting portion 2 to the end portion of the cylinder 8 opposite to the discharge port 61.

FIG. 10B is a schematic plan sectional view showing a modification of the material supply apparatus 200.
The melting part 2 formed between the cylinder 8 and the inner cylinder part 81 may be a cavity, but as shown in FIG. 10B, a plurality of regions in the horizontal direction are formed by the partition plates 18 arranged vertically. You may partition. In the present embodiment, the partition plate 18 is constructed from the inner surface of the cylinder 8 to the outer surface of the inner cylinder portion 81. Since the partition plate 18 is heated by heat transfer from the cylinder 8 and the inner cylinder portion 81, the contact area between the resin pellet 1 and the heat source increases, and heat is more easily transferred to the resin pellet 1. Can dissolve efficiently. Further, irregularities may be formed on at least one of the surfaces of the cylinder 8, the inner cylinder portion 81, and the partition plate 18, and the contact area between at least one of these and the resin pellet 1 may be increased. .

In the case of this embodiment, the melting part 2 is constituted by a gap between the outer peripheral surface at the lower part of the inner cylinder part 81 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 8.
A check valve (not shown) that restricts the flow direction of the molten resin 5 in one direction may be provided between the cylinder 8 and the inner cylinder portion 81 in the vicinity of the lower end of the inner cylinder portion 81. As the piston 7 descends, pressure is applied to push back the molten resin 5 in the reservoir 6 in the direction of the molten portion 2 (upward in FIG. 4), but the check valve prevents the molten resin 5 from flowing back. can do.

  A third heater 33 is provided inside the lower portion of the inner cylinder portion 81. The third heater 33 is, for example, a band heater, a cartridge heater, or an IH heater.

In the case of this embodiment, the second heater 32 (FIG. 1) may not be incorporated into the piston 7 or may be incorporated.
In the former case, the third heater 33 heats the melting part 2 from the inside instead of the second heater 32. In the latter case, the third heater 33 heats the melting part 2 together with the second heater 32 from the inside.

  In the case of this embodiment, a part of the piston 7 is disposed inside the inner cylinder portion 81.

  Further, the inner cylinder portion 81 also functions as the holding member 72 in the first embodiment. That is, the inner cylinder portion 81 has, for example, a female screw portion 82 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the upper portion thereof, and the male screw portion 71 of the piston 7 is screwed to the female screw portion 82.

  Examples of the material of the inner cylinder portion 81 include metals such as iron, stainless steel, and aluminum. From the viewpoint of thermal conductivity, copper or beryllium copper is preferable.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the molten resin 5 flows out from the melting portion 2 to the storage portion 6 through a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder portion 81 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 8, for example.

  Here, an example of a specific operation will be described. First, the solid resin pellet 1 is pumped to the melting part 2 by the plunger 4. The resin melted in the melting part 2, that is, the molten resin 5 is sent to the storage part 6. A required amount of the molten resin 5 is discharged from the discharge port 61 by moving the piston 7 forward (moving downward in the drawing). By retracting the piston 7 after discharge (moving upward in the figure), the reservoir 6 becomes negative pressure, so that the molten resin 5 in the melted portion 2 is drawn toward the reservoir 6. That is, the retraction operation of the piston 7 promotes the filling of the molten resin into the storage portion 6 and provides an advantage that the molding cycle can be performed efficiently.

  According to the second embodiment as described above, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a material supply apparatus 300 of the three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to the third embodiment. 5A is a schematic front sectional view of the material supply apparatus 300, and FIG. 5B is a schematic plan sectional view of the material supply apparatus 300.

  The three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment is different from the three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment in that a material supply apparatus 300 is provided instead of the material supply apparatus 100. In other respects, the configuration is the same as that of the three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  The material supply apparatus 300 is different from the material supply apparatus 200 of the three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment in the points described below, and is configured similarly to the material supply apparatus 200 in other points. Has been.

  The material supply apparatus 300 has a melting member 15 for heating the material in the melting part 2. The melting member 15 has a donut shape in cross section, and is fixed between the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 81 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 8.

  In the melting member 15, a large number of (a plurality of) melting holes 16 through which the material passes from the upstream side to the downstream side are formed penetrating from the upper end to the lower end of the melting member 15. Each of the melting holes 16 may be, for example, a tapered shape such as a frustum shape (for example, a truncated cone shape), but may be a straight shape having no taper. Further, the molten hole 16 may be formed with a stepped portion or a curved portion. Examples of the material of the melting member 15 include metals such as iron, stainless steel, and aluminum. From the viewpoint of thermal conductivity, copper or beryllium copper is preferable.

For convenience of disposing the melting member 15, in the case of this embodiment, the cylinder 8 is formed in a straight shape in the disposition region of the melting portion 2 without being tapered in diameter.
As the piston 7 descends, pressure is applied to push the molten resin 5 in the reservoir 6 back toward the molten portion 2. In order to prevent this, a check valve (not shown) may be provided near the lower end of the melting member 15.

  In the case of this embodiment, the resin pellet 1 is pumped into the melt hole 16 by the plunger 4, and gradually decreases in diameter when passing through the melt hole 16, and finally becomes the melt resin 5 in the melt hole 16. .

  According to the third embodiment as described above, the same effects as those of the first or second embodiment can be obtained.

[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 6 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of a material supply apparatus 400 of the three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the tip of the piston 7 of the material supply device 400. 7 (a) is a front view, FIGS. 7 (b) and 7 (c) are plan sectional views along the line AA in FIG. 7 (a), and FIG. 7 (d) is a bottom view. . FIGS. 7B and 7D show a state when the opening / closing part 170 is in a closed state, and FIG. 7C shows a state when the opening / closing part 170 is in an open state. Show.

  The three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment is different from the three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to the third embodiment in that a material supply apparatus 300 is provided instead of the material supply apparatus 100. In other respects, it is configured in the same manner as the three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to the third embodiment.

  The material supply apparatus 400 is different from the material supply apparatus 300 of the three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to the third embodiment in the points described below, and is configured in the same manner as the material supply apparatus 300 in other points. Has been.

In the first to third embodiments, the example in which the outer diameter of the piston 7 is equal to the inner diameter of the storage portion 6 has been described. However, in the case of this embodiment, the piston 7 has a columnar (for example, columnar) main body. 700 and an opening / closing part 170 provided at the tip of the main body 700.
The outer diameter of the main body 700 is smaller than the inner diameter of the reservoir 6.
Instead, the opening / closing part 170 is configured to be switchable between a closed state in which the cross section of the storage part 6 is closed and an open state in which the storage part 6 is not closed. The opening / closing part 170 is in a closed state.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the opening / closing portion 170 has a plurality of blade portions each formed in a fan shape. The opening / closing part 170 has, for example, eight blade parts 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178. Each blade portion 171 to 178 is formed in a plate shape, and each plate surface is orthogonal to the axial direction of the piston 7.

  In a state where these blade portions 171 to 178 do not overlap each other, these blade portions 171 to 178 cooperate to close the cross section of the storage portion 6 (FIG. 7B). That is, the opening / closing part 170 is closed.

  When the piston 7 is lowered in this open state, the molten resin 5 in the reservoir 6 can be efficiently injected from the discharge port 61. In the closed state, the blade portions 171, 173, 175, 177, 172, 174, 176, 178 are arranged in this order on the circumference.

  On the other hand, for example, when the blade portions 171, 173, 175, and 177 overlap each other and the blade portions 172, 174, 176, and 178 overlap each other, the opening / closing portion 170 is opened (FIG. 7C).

  By raising the piston 7 in this open state, the piston 7 can be easily pulled out from the reservoir 6 without resistance. In the open state, the molten resin 5 can be allowed to flow from the melting part 2 to the storage part 6 through the opening / closing part 170.

  The body portion 700 of the piston 7 includes a first shaft portion 75, a second shaft portion 76, a third shaft portion 77, and a fourth shaft portion 78. The first shaft portion 75 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the second shaft portion 76 is disposed inside the first shaft portion 75. The second shaft portion 76 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a third shaft portion 77 is disposed inside the second shaft portion 76. The third shaft portion 77 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a fourth shaft portion 78 is disposed inside the third shaft portion 77. The 1st axial part 75, the 2nd axial part 76, the 3rd axial part 77, and the 4th axial part 78 are mutually arrange | positioned coaxially.

  For example, the blade portion 171 and the blade portion 172 are fixed to the front end (for example, the lower end) of the first shaft portion 75 at intervals of 180 degrees. Similarly, the blade portion 173 and the blade portion 174 are fixed to the distal end (for example, the lower end) of the second shaft portion 76 at intervals of 180 degrees, and the blade portion 175 and the blade portion are disposed at the distal end (for example, the lower end) of the third shaft portion 77. 176 is fixed at an interval of 180 degrees, and a blade portion 177 and a blade portion 178 are fixed at an end of the fourth shaft portion 78 (for example, the lower end) at an interval of 180 degrees.

  In the case of this embodiment, the 1st axial part 75 is connected with the hydraulic cylinder 19 (FIG. 3), and the 1st axial part 75 moves to an axial direction (lifting / lowering) with the hydraulic cylinder 19. As shown in FIG.

  The base end (for example, the upper end) of the second shaft portion 76 protrudes further to the base end side (for example, upward) than the base end (for example, the upper end) of the first shaft portion 75 (FIG. 6). A driving force of a motor (not shown) is applied to the projecting portion, so that the second shaft portion 76 rotates around the axis relative to the first shaft portion 75. By this rotation (for example, 45 ° rotation), the blade portion 173 can be stacked on the blade portion 171 and the blade portion 174 can be stacked on the blade portion 172.

  Similarly, the base end (for example, the upper end) of the third shaft portion 77 protrudes to the base end side (for example, upward) from the base end (for example, the upper end) of the second shaft portion 76. A driving force of a motor (not shown) is applied to the protruding portion, so that the third shaft portion 77 rotates around the axis relative to the first shaft portion 75. By this rotation (for example, 90 ° rotation), the blade portion 175 can be stacked on the blade portion 171 and the blade portion 176 can be stacked on the blade portion 172.

  Similarly, the base end (for example, the upper end) of the fourth shaft portion 78 protrudes further to the base end side (for example, upward) than the base end (for example, the upper end) of the third shaft portion 77. A driving force of a motor (not shown) is applied to the protruding portion, so that the fourth shaft portion 78 rotates around the axis relative to the first shaft portion 75. With this rotation (for example, 135 ° rotation), the blade portion 177 can be overlapped with the blade portion 171, and the blade portion 178 can be overlapped with the blade portion 172.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a ring-shaped protrusion 78 a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the fourth shaft portion 78, and this protrusion 78 a is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the third shaft portion 77. Yes. Similarly, a ring-shaped protrusion 77 a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the third shaft portion 77, and this protrusion 77 a is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the second shaft portion 76. Similarly, a ring-shaped protrusion 76 a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second shaft portion 76, and this protrusion 76 a is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the first shaft portion 75. As a result, the first shaft portion 75, the second shaft portion 76, the third shaft portion 77, and the fourth shaft portion 78 are rotatable around each other and integrally move in the axial direction. Are interconnected.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the material supply device 400 has a second inner cylinder portion 81 a integrated with the inner cylinder portion 81 around the inner cylinder portion 81. The third heater 33 is provided outside the inner cylinder part 81 and inside the second inner cylinder part 81a. The melting member 15 is fixed between the outer peripheral surface of the second inner cylinder portion 81 a and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 8.

  Also by the fourth embodiment as described above, the same effects as those of the first to third embodiments can be obtained.

In the third and fourth embodiments, the example in which the shape of the melting hole 16 is a truncated cone shape such as a truncated cone shape has been described. However, the melting hole 16 is directed from the inlet side toward the outlet side. Other shapes may be selected as the thinning shape.
For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the melting hole 16 may have a shape in which the inner diameter becomes narrower stepwise (stepwise). Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, the inner diameter may be narrowed to a quadratic curve. Of these, in the example of FIG. 8B, the melt hole 16 has a tornado shape with a large amount of change in diameter at a portion close to the entrance side. In the example of FIG. 8C, the fusion hole 16 has an inverted bell shape with a large amount of change in diameter at a portion close to the outlet side.

  FIG. 9 is a bottom view showing a modified example of the piston 7. As shown in FIG. 9, a radial rib 7a protruding downward may be formed at the tip of the piston 7 in the first to third embodiments. In this case, when the piston 7 rotates, the rib 7 a agitates the molten resin 5 in the storage portion 6, and the temperature of the molten resin 5 in the storage portion 6 can be made uniform.

  Moreover, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, you may form a rib also in the front-end | tip of piston 7 in 4th Embodiment. In this case, for example, ribs may be formed on the lowermost blade portions 171 and 172.

  Further, the piston 7 may include a backflow prevention mechanism that prevents the backflow of the molten resin 5. The backflow prevention mechanism can be the same as the backflow prevention device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-169899, for example. Or, the backflow prevention mechanism is edited by the Editorial Committee for Practical Plastics Molding and Processing, “Practical Plastics Molding and Processing Encyclopedia”, Sangyo Kenkyukai Publishing Publishing Co., Ltd., published on June 30, 1997, pages 256 to 257. It can be the same as the backflow prevention ring.

  In each of the above embodiments, the example in which the X drive mechanism 530, the Y drive mechanism 540, and the Z drive mechanism 520 are provided on the stacking base 501 side has been described. However, the X drive mechanism 530, the Y drive mechanism 540, and the Z drive are described. Each of the mechanisms 520 may be provided on either the discharge unit (discharge port 61) side or the stacking base 501 side.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Resin pellet 2 Melting part 3 Heating part 4 Plunger 4a Plunger motor 5 Molten resin 6 Storage part 7 Piston 7a Rib 8 Cylinder 9 Material supply part 11 Cooling part 12 Heater 15 Melting member 16 Melting hole 18 Partition plate 19 Hydraulic cylinder 31 1st heater 32 2nd heater 33 3rd heater 41 Main body part 42 Screw screw 43 Rotation transmission part 60 Discharge nozzle 61 Discharge port 71 Male screw part 72 Holding member 73 Female screw part 74 Groove 75 1st axis part 76 2nd axis Part 76a Projection 77 Third shaft part 77a Projection 78 Fourth shaft part 78a Projection 81 Inner cylinder part 81a Second inner cylinder part 82 Female thread part 91 Storage container 92 Solid material supply pipe 93 First solenoid valve 94 Gas pipe 95 Second Solenoid valve 100 Material supply device 170 Opening / closing part 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178 Blade part 00 Material supply device 300 Material supply device 400 Material supply device 500 Movement mechanism 501 Stacking stage 502 Stage 505 Support body 506 Holding bracket 520 Z drive mechanism 521 Z drive actuator 522 Drive screw 523 Z movement block 524 Guide holder 526 Supporting support body 526 Support Body 530 X drive mechanism 531 X drive actuator 532 Drive screw 533 X movement block 534 Guide shaft 535 Holding bracket 536 X movement guide block 537 Holding bracket 538 X movement stage 540 Y drive mechanism 541 Y drive actuator 542 Drive screw 543 Y movement block 544 Guide shaft 545 Holding bracket 546 Y moving guide block 547 Holding bracket 548 Y moving stage 550 Base 561 Control unit 700 Main body

Claims (13)

A melting part for melting the solid material;
A heating section for heating the melting section;
A plunger for pumping the solid material to the melting part;
A storage part for temporarily storing the molten material obtained by melting the solid material in the melting part;
A discharge part that communicates with the storage part and discharges the molten material of the storage part to the outside;
A piston that discharges the molten material of the storage part to the outside through the discharge part;
A cylinder having the melting part, the plunger, the storage part, and the piston inside;
A stacking table on which the molten material discharged from the discharge unit is stacked;
A moving mechanism for relatively moving the discharge unit and the stacking table;
A control unit for controlling the operation of the moving mechanism;
Have
The piston penetrates the melting portion and discharges the molten material of the storage portion to the outside through the discharge portion.
The control unit is a three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus that controls the moving mechanism such that the molten material discharged from the discharge unit is stacked on the stacking base based on a predetermined order and pattern.   The three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the melting part has a donut shape in cross section and is arranged around the piston.   The three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plunger is arranged around the piston.   The three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the plunger has a donut shape in cross section.   The three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an outer diameter of a tip portion of the piston is equal to an inner diameter of the storage portion.   The piston has a columnar main body, and an opening / closing part that is provided at a tip of the main body, and that can be switched between a closed state that closes a cross section of the storage part and an open state that does not close the storage part, The apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the opening / closing portion is closed when the molten material is pumped by the piston.   The three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the piston moves in the axial direction while rotating.   The three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the heating unit includes a first heater arranged around the melting unit.   The apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to claim 8, wherein the heating unit includes a second heater incorporated in the piston.   The three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a cooling unit that cools a portion near the inlet side of the melting unit in the three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus. manufacturing device. A storage container for storing the granular solid material;
A solid material supply pipe for supplying the solid material from the storage container to the cylinder;
The apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to claim 1, comprising: A step of pumping a solid material to a melting part by a plunger;
Heating and melting the solid material pumped by the plunger in the melting section;
Temporarily storing the molten material obtained by melting the solid material in the storage unit;
A step of discharging the molten material temporarily stored in the storage portion to the outside via a discharge portion communicating with the storage portion by a piston penetrating the melting portion;
Laminating the molten material discharged from the discharge unit on a stacking table;
Have
In the step of laminating the molten material on the lamination table, the discharge unit and the lamination table are arranged such that the molten material discharged from the discharge unit is laminated on the lamination table based on a predetermined order and pattern. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object.   The solid material includes at least one resin selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyester, poly (meth) acrylate, polyacetal, polystyrene, styrene copolymer, polycarbonate, polyphenylene oxide, and polyvinyl chloride. Item 13. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to Item 12.

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