Plasticizing device, three-dimensional modeling device, and injection molding device

Abstract

Provided is a plasticizing device, a three-dimensional modeling device, and an injection molding device, which can suppress the occurrence of bridging and smoothly start the device. The plasticizing device includes a drive motor, a flat screw, a cylinder, a heating section, a cooling section, and a control section that performs a plasticizing process for plasticizing and discharging a material supplied between the flat screw and the cylinder by controlling the drive motor, the heating section, and the cooling section; a stopping process for stopping the plasticizing process by at least stopping the drive motor and the heating section after the plasticizing process is performed; and a starting process for controlling at least one of the heating section and the cooling section so that the outer circumference of the flat screw becomes lower than the temperature during the plasticizing process when the plasticizing process is started again after a predetermined time elapses from the stopping process.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a plasticizing device, a three-dimensional modeling device, and an injection molding device. BACKGROUND

[0002] A three-dimensional modeling device is known that models a three-dimensional modeled object by ejecting and layering a material plasticized by a plasticizing device and solidifying it.

[0003] For example, a plasticizing and feeding device is described in Patent Literature 1 that has a cylinder with a material inflow passage open at one end surface, a rotor with an end surface in sliding contact with the one end surface of the cylinder, and a spiral groove formed on the end surface of the rotor. The spiral groove supplies the material from a radially outer end portion, and the radially inner end portion communicates with the open end of the material inflow passage of the cylinder.

[0004] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0005] PATENT LITERATURE

[0006] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-241016

[0007] In the plasticizing and feeding device like that of Patent Literature 1, it is desirable that the material be gradually plasticized from the outer periphery of the rotor toward the center. If the material is plasticized at the outer periphery of the rotor, it is known that the radially outer end portion of the spiral groove is clogged and cannot supply new material, or the material transport force is lost and cannot be sufficiently plasticized, resulting in a bridging phenomenon in which plasticization does not proceed smoothly.

[0008] In the case where the plasticizing and feeding device described above is stopped and then started again after a lapse of time, the material used last time remains in a solid state in the plasticizing and feeding device. Therefore, the start of the plasticizing and feeding device is started from heating the remaining material by the heater, but at this time, the bridging phenomenon occurs, and sometimes the start cannot be performed smoothly. SUMMARY

[0009] One embodiment of the plasticizing device of the present application includes:

[0010] a drive motor;

[0011] a flat head screw having a groove forming surface on which a groove is formed, which is rotated by the drive motor;

[0012] a cylinder having an opposing surface that opposes the groove forming surface, which has a communication hole formed therein;

[0013] a heating portion that heats a material supplied between the flat head screw and the cylinder;

[0014] a cooling portion that cools the outer periphery of the flat head screw; and

[0015] a control section that controls the drive motor, the heating section, and the cooling section,

[0016] The control section performs:

[0017] a plasticizing process that plasticizes and causes the material supplied between the flat screw and the cylinder to flow out from the communication hole by controlling the drive motor, the heating section, and the cooling section;

[0018] a stopping process that stops at least the drive motor and the heating section to stop the plasticizing process after the plasticizing process is performed; and

[0019] a starting process that, in a case where the plasticizing process is started again after a prescribed time elapses from the stopping process, causes the heating section to be turned on and controls at least one of the heating section and the cooling section so that the outer periphery of the flat screw becomes lower than the temperature at the time of the plasticizing process.

[0020] One mode of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the present application includes:

[0021] a plasticizing device that plasticizes a material to become a plasticized material; and

[0022] a nozzle that ejects the plasticized material supplied from the plasticizing device toward a stage,

[0023] The plasticizing device includes:

[0024] a drive motor;

[0025] a flat screw that has a groove formation surface on which a groove is formed and that is rotated by the drive motor;

[0026] a cylinder that has an opposing surface that opposes the groove formation surface and that has a communication hole formed therein;

[0027] a heating section that heats a material supplied between the flat screw and the cylinder;

[0028] a cooling section that cools the outer periphery of the flat screw; and

[0029] a control section that controls the drive motor, the heating section, and the cooling section,

[0030] The control section performs:

[0031] a plasticizing process that plasticizes and causes the material supplied between the flat screw and the cylinder to flow out from the communication hole by controlling the drive motor, the heating section, and the cooling section;

[0032] a stop process of stopping at least the drive motor and the heating section to stop the plasticizing process after the plasticizing process is performed; and

[0033] a start process of starting the plasticizing process again after a predetermined time elapses from the stop process, in which case the heating section is turned on and at least one of the heating section and the cooling section is controlled so that the outer circumference of the flat screw becomes lower than the temperature during the plasticizing process.

[0034] One mode of the injection molding apparatus of the present application includes:

[0035] a plasticizing device that plasticizes a material to become a plasticized material; and

[0036] a nozzle that ejects the plasticized material supplied from the plasticizing device toward a molding die,

[0037] The plasticizing device includes:

[0038] a drive motor;

[0039] a flat screw having a groove forming surface in which a groove is formed, which is rotated by the drive motor;

[0040] a cylinder having an opposing surface that opposes the groove forming surface, in which a communication hole is formed;

[0041] a heating section that heats a material supplied between the flat screw and the cylinder;

[0042] a cooling section that cools the outer circumference of the flat screw; and

[0043] a control section that controls the drive motor, the heating section, and the cooling section,

[0044] The control section performs:

[0045] a plasticizing process of plasticizing the material supplied between the flat screw and the cylinder and causing it to flow out from the communication hole by controlling the drive motor, the heating section, and the cooling section;

[0046] a stop process of stopping at least the drive motor and the heating section to stop the plasticizing process after the plasticizing process is performed; and

[0047] a start process of starting the plasticizing process again after a predetermined time elapses from the stop process, in which case the heating section is turned on and at least one of the heating section and the cooling section is controlled so that the outer circumference of the flat screw becomes lower than the temperature during the plasticizing process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0048] Figure 1is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the present embodiment.

[0049] Figure 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a flat screw of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the present embodiment.

[0050] Figure 3 is a plan view schematically showing a cylinder of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the present embodiment.

[0051] Figure 4 is a flowchart for explaining a process of a control section of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the present embodiment.

[0052] Figure 5 is a cross section for explaining plasticizing processing of a control section of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the present embodiment.

[0053] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an injection molding apparatus of the present embodiment.

[0054] Symbol explanation

[0055] 10 … modeling unit, 20 … object table, 22 … deposition surface, 30 … moving mechanism, 32 … motor, 100 … three-dimensional modeling apparatus, 110 … material supply section, 112 … supply passage, 120 … plasticizing apparatus, 122 … screw housing, 124 … drive motor, 126 … shaft, 130 … flat screw, 131 … upper surface, 132 … groove forming surface, 133 … side surface, 134 … first groove, 135 … central portion, 136 … connecting portion, 137 … material introduction portion, 140 … cylinder, 142 … opposing surface, 142a … high temperature region, 142b … low temperature region, 144 … second groove, 146 … communication hole, 148 … outer periphery, 150 … heating section, 160 … cooling section, 162 … cooling flow path, 170 … temperature sensor, 172 … pressure sensor, 180 … nozzle, 182 … nozzle flow path, 190 … control section, 900 injection molding apparatus, 910 … ejection mechanism, 912 … cylinder, 914 … plunger, 916 … plunger drive section, 920 … mold section, 922 … molding die, 924 … cavity, 926 … movable die, 928 … fixed die, 930 … die closing section, 932 … mold drive section, 934 … ball screw section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment does not unduly limit the scope of the present application described in the claims. Furthermore, all the configurations described in the following embodiment are not necessarily essential to the present application.

[0057] 1. Three-dimensional modeling apparatus

[0058] 1.1. Overall configuration

[0059] First, a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. In addition, in Figure 1 , an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are mutually orthogonal three axes are shown. The X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are, for example, horizontal directions. The Z-axis direction is, for example, a vertical direction.

[0060] As shown in Figure 1 , the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 includes a modeling unit 10, a stage 20, and a moving mechanism 30.

[0061] The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 discharges a plasticized material that has been plasticized from a nozzle 180 of the modeling unit 10 toward the stage 20, and drives the moving mechanism 30 to change the relative position of the nozzle 180 to the stage 20. Thus, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 models a three-dimensional modeled object of a desired shape on the stage 20. The detailed configuration of the modeling unit 10 will be described later.

[0062] The stage 20 is moved by the moving mechanism 30. A plasticized material discharged from the nozzle 180 is deposited on a deposition surface 22 of the stage 20 to form a three-dimensional modeled object. The plasticized material can be directly deposited on the deposition surface 22 of the stage 20, or can be deposited on the deposition surface 22 via a test plate provided on the stage 20.

[0063] The moving mechanism 30 changes the relative position of the modeling unit 10 to the stage 20. In the illustrated example, the moving mechanism 30 moves the stage 20 relative to the modeling unit 10. The moving mechanism 30 is configured, for example, by a three-axis positioner that moves the stage 20 in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction by driving forces of three motors 32. The motors 32 are controlled by a control section 190.

[0064] In addition, the moving mechanism 30 can be configured to move the modeling unit 10 without moving the stage 20. Alternatively, the moving mechanism 30 can be configured to move both the modeling unit 10 and the stage 20.

[0065] 1.2. Modeling unit

[0066] As shown in Figure 1 , the modeling unit 10 includes, for example, a material supply section 110, a plasticizing device 120, and the nozzle 180.

[0067] A material in a granular or powder form is charged to the material supply part 110. The material supply part 110 supplies the material that becomes a raw material to the plasticizing device 120. The material supply part 110 is constituted by, for example, a hopper. The material supply part 110 and the plasticizing device 120 are connected by a supply passage 112 provided below the material supply part 110. The material charged to the material supply part 110 is supplied to the plasticizing device 120 via the supply passage 112. The kind of the material supplied by the material supply part 110 is described later.

[0068] The plasticizing device 120 has, for example, a screw housing 122, a driving motor 124, a flat head screw 130, a cylinder 140, a heating part 150, a cooling part 160, a temperature sensor 170, a pressure sensor 172, and a control part 190. The plasticizing device 120 plasticizes the material in a solid state supplied from the material supply part 110, generates a plasticized material in a paste form having fluidity, and supplies the plasticized material to a nozzle 180.

[0069] In addition, plasticization is a concept including melting, and is a change from a solid to a state having fluidity. Specifically, in the case of a material in which a glass transition occurs, plasticization means that the temperature of the material is made to be equal to or higher than the glass transition temperature. In the case of a material in which a glass transition does not occur, plasticization means that the temperature of the material is made to be equal to or higher than the melting point.

[0070] The screw housing 122 is a housing that accommodates the flat head screw 130. The cylinder 140 is provided to a lower surface of the screw housing 122. The flat head screw 130 is accommodated in a space surrounded by the screw housing 122 and the cylinder 140.

[0071] The driving motor 124 is provided to an upper surface of the screw housing 122. The driving motor 124 is, for example, a servo motor. A shaft 126 of the driving motor 124 is connected to an upper surface 131 of the flat head screw 130. The driving motor 124 is controlled by the control part 190. In addition, although not illustrated, the shaft 126 of the driving motor 124 and the upper surface 131 of the flat head screw 130 can be connected via a speed reducer.

[0072] The flat head screw 130 has a substantially cylindrical shape in which the size in the direction of the rotational axis RA is smaller than the size in the direction orthogonal to the direction of the rotational axis RA. In the illustrated example, the rotational axis RA is parallel to the Z axis. The flat head screw 130 is rotated with the rotational axis RA as a center by a torque generated by the driving motor 124. The flat head screw 130 has the upper surface 131, a groove formation surface 132 on the opposite side to the upper surface 131, and a side surface 133 connecting the upper surface 131 and the groove formation surface 132. The first groove 134 is formed in the groove formation surface 132. The side surface 133 is, for example, perpendicular to the groove formation surface 132. Here, Figure 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the flat head screw 130. In addition, for convenience, Figure 2the upper and lower positional relationship is reversed from the state shown in Figure 1 Moreover, in Figure 1 the flat head screw 130 is simply illustrated.

[0073] As shown in Figure 2 , a first groove 134 is formed in the groove formation surface 132 of the flat head screw 130. The first groove 134 has, for example, a central portion 135, a connecting portion 136, and a material introduction portion 137. The central portion 135 opposes the communication hole 146 formed in the cylinder 140. The central portion 135 communicates with the communication hole 146. The connecting portion 136 connects the central portion 135 and the material introduction portion 137. In the illustrated example, the connecting portion 136 is provided in a spiral shape from the central portion 135 toward the outer periphery of the groove formation surface 132. The material introduction portion 137 is provided at the outer periphery of the groove formation surface 132. That is, the material introduction portion 137 is provided at the side surface 133 of the flat head screw 130. The material supplied from the material supply portion 110 is introduced from the material introduction portion 137 to the first groove 134, and is transported to the communication hole 146 formed in the cylinder 140 through the connecting portion 136 and the central portion 135. In the illustrated example, two first grooves 134 are provided.

[0074] In addition, the number of the first grooves 134 is not particularly limited. Although not illustrated, three or more first grooves 134 can be provided, or only one first groove 134 can be provided.

[0075] As shown in Figure 1 , the cylinder 140 is provided below the flat head screw 130. The cylinder 140 has an opposing surface 142 that opposes the groove formation surface 132 of the flat head screw 130. The communication hole 146 that communicates with the first groove 134 is formed at the center of the opposing surface 142. Here, Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of the cylinder 140. In addition, for convenience, the cylinder 140 is simply illustrated in Figure 1 .

[0076] As shown in Figure 3 , the second grooves 144 and the communication hole 146 are formed in the opposing surface 142 of the cylinder 140. The second grooves 144 are formed in a plurality. In the illustrated example, six second grooves 144 are formed, but the number thereof is not particularly limited. When viewed from the Z-axis direction, the plurality of second grooves 144 are formed around the communication hole 146. One end of the second groove 144 is connected to the communication hole 146 and extends in a spiral shape from the communication hole 146 toward the outer periphery 148 of the cylinder 140. The second groove 144 has a function of guiding the plasticized material to the communication hole 146.

[0077] Further, the shape of the second groove 144 is not particularly limited, and for example, it can be linear. Furthermore, one end of the second groove 144 can not be connected to the communication hole 146. Furthermore, the second groove 144 can not be formed in the opposing surface 142. However, if considering to efficiently guide the plasticized material to the communication hole 146, the second groove 144 is preferably formed in the opposing surface 142.

[0078] The opposing surface 142 of the cylinder 140 has a high-temperature region 142a and a low-temperature region 142b. The high-temperature region 142a is a region that becomes a temperature above a plasticization temperature of the material by the heating section 150 at the time of plasticizing the material. The low-temperature region 142b is a region that becomes a temperature lower than the plasticization temperature of the material at the time of plasticizing the material. That is, the low-temperature region 142b is a region that does not reach the plasticization temperature of the material at the time of plasticizing the material. In the case of plasticizing the material, the temperature of the low-temperature region 142b is lower than the temperature of the high-temperature region 142a. Further, the "plasticization temperature" refers to a temperature at which plasticization starts, and in the case of a material that undergoes glass transition, it is the glass transition temperature, and in the case of a material that does not undergo glass transition, it is the melting point. The low-temperature region 142b surrounds the high-temperature region 142a as viewed in the Z-axis direction. In the illustrated example, the shape of the low-temperature region 142b is annular, and the shape of the high-temperature region 142a is circular. The communication hole 146 is located at the center of the high-temperature region 142a, for example.

[0079] The heating section 150 is provided to the cylinder 140. In the illustrated example, the heating section 150 is constituted by four rod heaters provided to the cylinder 140. The heating section 150 heats the material supplied between the flat head screw 130 and the cylinder 140. The output of the heating section 150 is controlled by the control section 190. The plasticizing device 120 generates a plasticized material by the flat head screw 130, the cylinder 140, and the heating section 150, while transporting the material to the communication hole 146 and heating it, and causes the generated plasticized material to flow out from the communication hole 146.

[0080] The cooling section 160 cools the outer periphery of the flat head screw 130. The "outer periphery of the flat head screw 130" refers to the side surface 133 of the flat head screw 130. As Figure 1The cooling section 160 has a cooling flow path 162 through which refrigerant flows, and a not-illustrated circulation device that circulates the refrigerant. In the illustrated example, the cooling flow path 162 is provided to the screw housing 122. The cooling flow path 162 surrounds the flat head screw 130, for example, as viewed from the Z-axis direction. The cooling flow path 162 surrounds the heating section 150, for example, as viewed from the Z-axis direction. The distance between the cooling section 160 and the side surface 133 is smaller than the distance between the heating section 150 and the side surface 133, as viewed from the Z-axis direction. The refrigerant flowing in the cooling flow path 162 is not particularly limited, and water or the like can be cited as an example. By the heating section 150 and the cooling section 160, a temperature gradient in which the temperature gradually increases from the outer periphery 148 of the cylinder 140 toward the communication hole 146 is formed.

[0081] The temperature sensor 170 is provided to the cylinder 140. The temperature sensor 170 detects the temperature of the opposite face 142 of the cylinder 140. The temperature sensor 170 is, for example, a thermocouple, a thermistor, an infrared sensor, or the like. In addition, although not illustrated, the temperature sensor 170 can also be provided to the flat head screw 130. In this case, the temperature sensor 170 detects the temperature of the groove forming face 132.

[0082] The pressure sensor 172 is provided to the communication hole 146. The pressure sensor 172 detects the pressure of the communication hole 146.

[0083] The nozzle 180 is provided below the cylinder 140. The nozzle 180 ejects the plasticized material supplied from the plasticizing device 120 toward the stage 20. The nozzle 180 is provided with a nozzle flow path 182. The nozzle flow path 182 communicates with the communication hole 146. The plasticized material supplied from the communication hole 146 is ejected from the nozzle 180 through the nozzle flow path 182.

[0084] The control section 190 is constituted by, for example, a computer having a processor, a main storage device, and an input / output interface that inputs and outputs signals to and from the outside. The control section 190 functions in various ways, for example, by the processor executing a program read into the main storage device. Specifically, the control section 190 controls the drive motor 124, the heating section 150, the cooling section 160, and the motor 32 of the moving mechanism 30. In addition, the control section 190 can also be constituted not by a computer but by a combination of a plurality of circuits. Hereinafter, the processing of the control section 190 will be described.

[0085] 1.3. Processing of Control Section

[0086] Figure 4 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of the control section 190.

[0087] For example, a user operates an operation unit (not shown) to output a processing start signal to the control unit 190 to begin processing. The operation unit may be implemented using a mouse, keyboard, touch panel, etc. The control unit 190 begins processing upon receiving the processing start signal. The various processes will be described below.

[0088] 1.3.1. Modeling Data Acquisition and Processing

[0089] First, such as Figure 4 As shown, as step 1, the control unit 190 performs a modeling data acquisition process to acquire modeling data for modeling a three-dimensional model. The modeling data includes information related to the movement path of the nozzle 180 relative to the stage 20, the amount of plastic material ejected from the nozzle 180, etc. The modeling data is created, for example, by having slicing software installed on a computer connected to the three-dimensional modeling device 100 read shape data. Shape data is data representing the target shape of a three-dimensional model created using 3D CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software, 3D CG (Computer Graphics) software, etc. Shape data may be in formats such as STL (Standard Triangulated Language) or AMF (Additive Manufacturing File Format). The slicing software divides the target shape of the three-dimensional model into layers of a specified thickness and creates modeling data for each layer. The modeling data is represented by G-code or M-code, etc. The control unit 190 acquires modeling data from a computer, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or other recording medium connected to the 3D modeling device 100.

[0090] Alternatively, the shaping data acquisition process can be performed after determining whether the prescribed time has elapsed and before the plasticizing process.

[0091] 1.3.2. Determination of whether the prescribed time has elapsed

[0092] Next, as step S2, the control unit 190 performs a determination process that determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the last plasticizing process was performed and the stop process was executed. This predetermined time is not specifically limited, but may be, for example, one hour. The plasticizing process is as follows: by controlling the drive motor 124, the heating unit 150, and the cooling unit 160, the material supplied between the flat-head screw 130 and the barrel 140 is plasticized and flows out from the connecting hole 146. The stop process is as follows: after performing the plasticizing process, at least the drive motor 124 and the heating unit 150 are stopped to halt the plasticizing process.

[0093] 1.3.3. Start-up processing

[0094] In step S2, in a case where it is determined that the prescribed time has elapsed (in a case where "YES" in step S2), the control section 190 executes start-up processing as step S3 before starting the plasticizing processing again.

[0095] In addition, in the above example, in a case where it is determined that the prescribed time has elapsed in step S2, the start-up processing is executed, but instead of step S2, in a case where it is determined that the detected value of the temperature sensor 170 is less than the prescribed value, the control section 190 can execute the start-up processing as step S3 before starting the plasticizing processing again.

[0096] In the start-up processing, no new material is supplied from the material supply section 110 to the material introduction section 137 of the first tank 134. The start-up processing is started in a state where the material used in the last plasticizing processing remains in the first tank 134. The material remaining in the first tank 134 is in a solid state.

[0097] In the start-up processing, the control section 190 starts up the heating section 150 and the cooling section 160, and controls the cooling section 160 so that the outer periphery of the flat screw 130 becomes lower than the temperature in the plasticizing processing. The control section 190 can make the temperature of the outer periphery of the flat screw 130 in the start-up processing equal to the temperature of the outer periphery of the flat screw 130 in the plasticizing processing, or can make the temperature of the outer periphery of the flat screw 130 in the start-up processing lower than the temperature of the outer periphery of the flat screw 130 in the plasticizing processing, by controlling the cooling section 160.

[0098] In the start-up processing, after starting up the heating section 150 and the cooling section 160 and rotating the flat screw 130, the period during which the outer periphery of the flat screw 130 is lower than the temperature in the plasticizing processing is 3 seconds or more. This period is not particularly limited as long as it is 3 seconds or more, and can be, for example, 5 minutes or 10 minutes.

[0099] The control section 190 also controls the cooling section 160 so that the area of the high-temperature region 142a of the opposing surface 142 in the start-up processing is lower than the area of the high-temperature region 142a in the plasticizing processing.

[0100] Specifically, the control section 190 controls the cooling section 160 so that the temperature of the refrigerant flowing in the cooling section 160 in the startup process is lower than the temperature of the refrigerant flowing in the cooling section 160 in the plasticizing process. Thereby, it is possible to make the temperature of the outer circumference of the flat head screw 130 in the startup process be lower than the temperature of the outer circumference of the flat head screw 130 in the plasticizing process. Further, it is possible to make the area of the high temperature region 142a in the startup process be lower than the high temperature region 142a in the plasticizing process. The control section 190 can change the temperature of the refrigerant, for example, by controlling the output of the circulating device that circulates the refrigerant. The difference between the temperature of the refrigerant in the startup process and the temperature of the refrigerant in the plasticizing process is, for example, 10°C or more and 50°C or less, preferably 20°C or more and 40°C or less, and more preferably 30°C.

[0101] The control section 190 controls the cooling section 160 in the startup process, for example, based on the detection value of the temperature sensor 170. In other words, the control section 190 controls the cooling section 160 so that the detection value of the temperature sensor 170 becomes a predetermined value.

[0102] The control section 190 controls the cooling section 160 in the startup process, for example, based on the detection value of the pressure sensor 172. In other words, the control section 190 controls the cooling section 160 so that the detection value of the pressure sensor 172 becomes a predetermined value.

[0103] The control section 190 rotates the flat head screw 130 after a predetermined time elapses from the startup of the heating section 150 in the startup process. The predetermined time is not particularly limited and is, for example, 1 minute or more and 30 minutes or less. The control section 190 rotates the flat head screw 130 by controlling the drive motor 124.

[0104] The control section 190 rotates the flat head screw 130 at a lower rotation speed than in the plasticizing process, for example, in the startup process. Specifically, the control section 190 controls the drive motor 124 so that the rotation speed of the flat head screw 130 in the startup process is lower than the rotation speed of the flat head screw 130 in the plasticizing process. The rotation speed of the flat head screw 130 in the startup process is, for example, 1 / 3 or less of the rotation speed of the flat head screw 130 in the plasticizing process.

[0105] The control section 190 controls the drive motor 124 in the startup process, for example, based on the detection value of the temperature sensor 170. Specifically, in a case where the detection value of the temperature sensor 170 becomes a predetermined value, the control section 190 drives the drive motor 124 to rotate the flat head screw 130.

[0106] The control section 190 rotates the flat head screw 130 in the startup process, for example, and controls the moving mechanism 30 based on the acquired modeling data. Thereby, it is possible to form a modeling layer that constitutes a three-dimensional modeled object on the object table 20.

[0107] The control section 190 ends the startup processing after a prescribed time elapses, for example, after driving the drive motor 124. Information related to the prescribed time is included in the molding data, for example.

[0108] In the above example, the control section 190 controls the cooling section 160 in the startup processing to make the outer circumference of the flat screw 130 be below the temperature at the time of plasticizing processing.

[0109] In this regard, the control section 190 can control the heating section 150 instead of the cooling section 160 to make the temperature of the outer circumference of the flat screw 130 be below the temperature at the time of plasticizing processing in the startup processing. The control section 190 can control the heating section 150 in the startup processing to make the temperature of the material be above the plasticizing temperature of the material and below the temperature at the time of plasticizing processing. For example, the control section 190 can make the temperature of the outer circumference of the flat screw 130 be below the temperature at the time of plasticizing processing by making the temperature of the heating section 150 be below the temperature at the time of plasticizing processing in the startup processing.

[0110] Alternatively, the control section 190 can control both the heating section 150 and the cooling section 160 in the startup processing to make the temperature of the outer circumference of the flat screw 130 be below the temperature at the time of plasticizing processing.

[0111] In the above description, the example in which the flat screw 130 is rotated by driving the drive motor 124 when the detected value of the temperature sensor 170 becomes a prescribed value is described, but the control section 190 can rotate the flat screw 130 by driving the drive motor 124 when the detected value of the pressure sensor 172 becomes a prescribed value. That is, the control section 190 controls the drive motor 124 based on the detected value of the pressure sensor 172 in the startup processing.

[0112] Alternatively, the control section 190 can rotate the flat screw 130 by driving the drive motor 124 in the startup processing when both the detected value of the temperature sensor 170 and the detected value of the pressure sensor 172 become a prescribed value or more.

[0113] 1.3.4. Plasticizing Processing

[0114] After the startup processing ends, the control section 190 performs plasticizing processing as step S4. Alternatively, the control section 190 performs plasticizing processing as step S4 when it is determined that the prescribed time has not elapsed in step S2 (when the result of step S2 is "NO"). When the prescribed time has not elapsed, the temperature of the flat screw 130 and the barrel 140 is still high, and thus the material remaining in the central portion 135 of the first groove 134 is in a plasticized state. Therefore, even if the startup processing is not performed, plasticization of the material can be stably performed in the plasticizing processing.

[0115] In addition, in the above example, the plasticizing process is executed in a case where it is determined in step S2 that the prescribed time has not passed, but instead of step S2, the control section 190 can execute the plasticizing process as step S4 in a case where it is determined that the detection value of the temperature sensor 170 is the prescribed value or more.

[0116] In the plasticizing process, new material is supplied from the material supply section 110 to the material introduction section 137 of the flat screw 130. The supply of material is performed until the plasticizing process ends. In the plasticizing process, the control section 190 plasticizes the material supplied between the flat screw 130 and the barrel 140 to generate plasticized material, and causes the plasticized material to flow out from the communication hole 146. The control section 190 continuously generates plasticized material until the plasticizing process ends. Here, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the plasticizing process.

[0117] In the plasticizing process, as shown in Figure 5 , the control section 190 executes a process of controlling the movement mechanism 30 so that the relative position of the nozzle 180 to the deposition surface 22 changes based on the acquired modeling data, and causing the plasticized material to be ejected from the nozzle 180 to the deposition surface 22. Thereby, for example, the first layer of the plurality of modeling layers that constitute the three-dimensional modeled object OB is formed.

[0118] In addition, in a case where the modeling layer has been formed in the startup process, the control section 190 forms the modeling layer after the modeling layer formed by the startup process based on the acquired modeling data. For example, in a case where the first layer is formed by the startup process, the control section 190 forms the second layer of the modeling layer in the plasticizing process. Or in a case where the formation of the first layer is halfway through by the startup process, the control section 190 forms the modeling layer from the middle of the first layer in the plasticizing process.

[0119] In the plasticizing process, the control section 190 causes the temperature of the refrigerant of the cooling section 160 to be higher than that at the time of the startup process, for example. The control section 190 can control the cooling section 160 based on the detection value of the temperature sensor 170, or can control the cooling section 160 based on the detection value of the pressure sensor 172.

[0120] In the plasticizing process, the control section 190 causes the temperature of the heating section 150 to be higher than that at the time of the startup process, for example. The control section 190 can control the heating section 150 based on the detection value of the temperature sensor 170, or can control the heating section 150 based on the detection value of the pressure sensor 172.

[0121] During the plasticizing process, the control unit 190 increases the rotational speed of the flat-head screw 130 compared to the initial processing speed. The control unit 190 can control the drive motor 124 based on the detection value of the temperature sensor 170 or the detection value of the pressure sensor 172.

[0122] In the plasticizing process, the control unit 190 adjusts the temperature of the outer periphery of the flat-head screw 130 according to the type of material supplied. Specifically, when the supplied material is a crystalline material, the control unit 190 increases the temperature of the outer periphery of the flat-head screw 130 compared to when the supplied material is a non-crystalline material. For example, when the supplied material is a non-crystalline material, the control unit 190 controls the cooling unit 160 to bring the temperature of the outer periphery of the flat-head screw 130 to a first temperature; when the supplied material is a crystalline material, the control unit 190 controls the cooling unit 160 to bring the temperature of the outer periphery of the flat-head screw 130 to a second temperature higher than the first temperature. The control unit 190 obtains information about the type of supplied material, for example, from molding data. Examples of crystalline materials include PEEK (polyetheretherketone). Examples of non-crystalline materials include ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) resin.

[0123] Furthermore, the control unit 190 can also change the temperature of the outer periphery of the flat-head screw 130 according to the type of material supplied during the startup process. Specifically, when the supplied material is a crystalline material, the control unit 190 can increase the temperature of the outer periphery of the flat-head screw 130 compared to when the supplied material is an amorphous material.

[0124] 1.3.5. Determination of whether the formation of all shaping layers is complete

[0125] Next, as Figure 4 As shown, the control unit 190 performs the following processing as step S5: Based on the acquired modeling data, it determines whether the formation of all modeling layers of the three-dimensional model OB is complete. If it is not determined that the formation of all modeling layers of the three-dimensional model OB is complete (NO in step S5), the control unit 190 returns to the plasticizing process, for example, forming the remaining modeling layers of the three-dimensional model OB. On the other hand, if it is determined that the formation of all modeling layers of the three-dimensional model OB is complete (YES in step S5), the control unit 190 ends the processing. In step S5, the control unit 190 repeatedly performs the processing of steps S4 and S5 until it is determined that the formation of all modeling layers of the three-dimensional model OB is complete, thereby modeling the three-dimensional model OB.

[0126] 1.4. Effects

[0127] In the plasticizing device 120, the control section 190 executes a plasticizing process for plasticizing and discharging the material supplied to the space between the flat screw 130 and the cylinder 140 by controlling the driving motor 124, the heating section 150, and the cooling section 160, a stopping process for stopping at least the driving motor 124 and the heating section 150 to stop the plasticizing process after the plasticizing process is executed, and a starting process for starting the heating section 150 and controlling at least one of the heating section 150 and the cooling section 160 to make the outer circumference of the flat screw 130 be lower than the temperature at the time of the plasticizing process when the plasticizing process is started again after a prescribed time elapses from the stopping process. Thus, in the plasticizing device 120, the occurrence of the bridging phenomenon can be suppressed, and the device can be started smoothly. The reason for this will be described below.

[0128] In the plasticizing process, the flat screw is rotated, and new material is supplied from the material introduction portion of the first groove formed in the flat screw. Thus, the outer circumference of the flat screw is cooled by the newly supplied material in addition to the cooling by the cooling section. On the other hand, at the time of starting the device, since the material used last time remains in the first groove, the material is heated by the heating section before the flat screw is rotated. At this time, when the outer circumference of the flat screw is cooled under the same conditions as in the plasticizing process, since new material is not supplied to the material introduction portion of the first groove at the time of starting, the temperature of the outer circumference of the flat screw rises accordingly. If the temperature of the outer circumference of the flat screw rises and the material is plasticized in the outer circumference portion, the material introduction portion of the first groove is clogged and cannot supply new material, or the conveying force for conveying the material to the central portion of the first groove is lost and the material cannot be plasticized sufficiently, and the occurrence of the bridging phenomenon becomes more likely.

[0129] As described above, in the plasticizing device 120, in the starting process, at least one of the heating section 150 and the cooling section 160 is controlled to make the outer circumference of the flat screw 130 be lower than the temperature at the time of the plasticizing process, and thus the rise in the temperature of the outer circumference of the flat screw 130 due to the non-supply of new material can be suppressed. Thus, in the plasticizing device 120, the plasticization of the material in the outer circumference of the flat screw 130 can be suppressed. Thus, the occurrence of the bridging phenomenon can be suppressed, and the device can be started smoothly. Thus, the three-dimensional modeling device 100 can model a three-dimensional modeled object OB with high quality.

[0130] In the plasticizing device 120, the control section 190 rotates the flat screw 130 after a prescribed time elapses from the start of the heating section 150 in the starting process. Thus, in the plasticizing device 120, the load on the driving motor 124 can be reduced. For example, if the flat screw is rotated before a prescribed time elapses from the start of the heating section, the material used last time is not plasticized sufficiently, and the load on the driving motor becomes large at times.

[0131] In the plasticizing device 120, the control section 190 rotates the flat screw 130 at a lower rotational speed than the plasticizing process in the start-up process. Therefore, in the plasticizing device 120, even if the material used last time is in a state where plasticization is not sufficient, it is possible to reduce the load on the drive motor 124.

[0132] In the plasticizing device 120, the control section 190 controls the cooling section 160 to make the temperature of the outer periphery of the flat screw 130 lower than the temperature at the time of the plasticizing process in the start-up process. Therefore, in the plasticizing device 120, it is possible to suppress plasticization of the material at the outer periphery of the flat screw 130.

[0133] In the plasticizing device 120, the control section 190 controls the heating section 150 to make the temperature of the material higher than the plasticizing temperature of the material and lower than the temperature at the time of the plasticizing process in the start-up process. Therefore, in the plasticizing device 120, it is possible to more reliably suppress plasticization of the material at the outer periphery of the flat screw 130.

[0134] In the plasticizing device 120, the opposing surface 142 has a high-temperature region 142a that becomes a temperature higher than the plasticizing temperature of the material by the heating section 150, and the control section 190 controls at least one of the heating section 150 and the cooling section 160 to make the area of the high-temperature region 142a in the start-up process lower than the area of the high-temperature region 142a in the plasticizing process. Therefore, in the plasticizing device 120, it is possible to more reliably suppress plasticization of the material at the outer periphery of the flat screw 130.

[0135] In the plasticizing device 120, the temperature sensor 170 that detects the temperature of the slot formation surface 132 or the opposing surface 142, and the control section 190 controls at least one of the cooling section 160, the heating section 150, and the drive motor 124 based on the detection value of the temperature sensor 170 in the start-up process. Therefore, in the plasticizing device 120, it is possible to smoothly perform the start-up process based on the detection value of the temperature sensor 170.

[0136] In the plasticizing device 120, the pressure sensor 172 that detects the pressure of the communication hole 146, and the control section 190 controls at least one of the cooling section 160, the heating section 150, and the drive motor 124 based on the detection value of the pressure sensor 172 in the start-up process. Therefore, in the plasticizing device 120, it is possible to smoothly perform the start-up process based on the detection value of the pressure sensor 172.

[0137] In the plasticizing device 120, the control section 190 changes the temperature of the outer periphery of the flat screw 130 depending on the kind of the material. Therefore, in the plasticizing device 120, it is possible to make the temperature distribution in the flat screw 130 and the barrel 140 optimal depending on the kind of the material.

[0138] In the plasticizing device 120, the control section 190 increases the temperature of the outer circumference of the flat screw 130 in the case where the material is a crystalline material, as compared to the case where the material is an amorphous material. Therefore, in the plasticizing device 120, it is possible to make the temperature distribution in the flat screw 130 and the cylinder 140 optimal even if the material is a crystalline material. It is difficult to plasticize in the case where the material is a crystalline material, as compared to the case where the material is an amorphous material.

[0139] 1.5 Material to be supplied

[0140] As the material to be supplied from the material supply section 110, various materials such as a material in which a material having thermoplasticity, a metal material, a ceramic material, or the like is a main material can be listed. Here, the "main material" refers to a material that forms the shape of the molded article and is a core material, and refers to a material that has a content rate of 50% by mass or more in the molded article. Among the above materials, a material in which these main materials are melted as a single body, and a material in which a part of the components contained together with the main material is melted to become a paste-like material.

[0141] As the material having thermoplasticity, for example, a thermoplastic resin can be used. As the thermoplastic resin, for example, ABS resin, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyacetal (POM), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), polylactic acid (PLA), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polycarbonate (PC), modified polyphenylene ether, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, and the like, general-purpose engineering plastics, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylate, polyimide, polyamide-imide, polyether-imide, PEEK, and the like, engineering plastics can be listed.

[0142] In the material having thermoplasticity, pigments, metals, ceramics can also be mixed, and in addition, waxes, flame retardants, antioxidants, heat stabilizers, and the like, additives, and the like can also be mixed. The material having thermoplasticity is plasticized in the plasticizing device 120 by the rotation of the flat screw 130 and the heating of the heating section 150, and is converted into a molten state. In addition, after the plasticized material thus generated is ejected from the nozzle 180, it is solidified due to the decrease in temperature. The material having thermoplasticity is preferably heated to a temperature above the glass transition temperature thereof and is ejected from the nozzle 180 in a completely molten state.

[0143] In the plasticizing device 120, for example, a metal material can be used instead of the above-described material having thermoplasticity as a main material. In this case, it is preferable to mix a component that is molten at the time of plasticized material generation in a powder material in which the metal material is made into a powder shape, and to be fed to the plasticizing device 120.

[0144] As the metal material, for example, a single metal of magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), or an alloy containing one or more of these metals can be listed, and, in addition, a maraging steel, a stainless steel, a cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy, a titanium alloy, a nickel alloy, an aluminum alloy, a cobalt alloy, a cobalt-chromium alloy can be listed.

[0145] In the plasticizing device 120, a ceramic material can be used instead of the above-described metal material as the main material. As the ceramic material, for example, an oxide ceramic such as silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, a non-oxide ceramic such as aluminum nitride, or the like can be listed.

[0146] The powder material of the metal material or the ceramic material supplied from the material supply part 110 can be a mixed material in which a powder of a single metal or a powder of an alloy, a powder of a ceramic material is mixed in multiple. In addition, the powder material of the metal material or the ceramic material can be coated with the above-described thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic resin other than this, for example. In this case, it can also be a material in which the thermoplastic resin is melted to exhibit fluidity in the plasticizing device 120.

[0147] In the powder material of the metal material or the ceramic material supplied from the material supply part 110, for example, a solvent can also be added. As the solvent, for example, water; a (poly)alkylene glycol monoalkyl ether such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether; an acetate such as ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate; an aromatic hydrocarbon such as benzene, toluene, xylene; a ketone such as methyl ethyl ketone, acetone, methyl isobutyl ketone, ethyl n-butyl ketone, diisopropyl ketone, acetylacetone; an alcohol such as ethanol, propanol, butanol; a tetraalkylammonium acetate; a sulfoxide-based solvent such as dimethyl sulfoxide, diethyl sulfoxide; a pyridine-based solvent such as pyridine, γ-picoline, 2,6-lutidine; a tetraalkylammonium acetate (for example, tetrabutylammonium acetate, etc.); a room-temperature ionic liquid such as butyl carbitol acetate; and the like can be listed.

[0148] In addition, for example, a binder can also be added to the powder material of the metal material or the ceramic material supplied from the material supply part 110. As the binder, for example, an acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, a silicone resin, a cellulose-based resin, or other synthetic resin or PLA (polylactic acid), PA (polyamide), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PEEK, or other thermoplastic resin can be listed.

[0149] 2. Injection molding device

[0150] Next, the injection molding device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the injection molding device 900 of the present embodiment.

[0151] As Figure 6 shown, the injection molding device 900 includes, for example, the plasticizing device 120 described above. The injection molding device 900 also includes, for example, the material supply portion 110, the nozzle 180, the injection mechanism 910, the mold portion 920, and the mold clamping portion 930.

[0152] The plasticizing device 120 plasticizes the material supplied to the first groove 134 of the flat screw 130, generates a plasticized material in a paste shape having fluidity, and guides the plasticized material from the communication hole 146 to the injection mechanism 910.

[0153] The injection mechanism 910 includes, for example, a cylinder 912, a plunger 914, and a plunger drive portion 916. The cylinder 912 is a substantially cylindrical member connected to the communication hole 146. The plunger 914 moves inside the cylinder 912. The plunger 914 is driven by the plunger drive portion 916, which is composed of a motor, a gear, and the like. The plunger drive portion 916 is controlled by the control portion 190.

[0154] The injection mechanism 910 performs a metering operation and an injection operation by sliding the plunger 914 inside the cylinder 912. The metering operation refers to an operation of guiding the plasticized material located in the communication hole 146 into the cylinder 912 by moving the plunger 914 in a direction away from the communication hole 146, and performing metering inside the cylinder 912. The injection operation refers to an operation of injecting the plasticized material inside the cylinder 912 to the mold portion 920 via the nozzle 180 by moving the plunger 914 in a direction approaching the communication hole 146.

[0155] The nozzle 180 injects the plasticized material supplied from the plasticizing device 120 to the molding die 922 of the mold portion 920. Specifically, the plasticized material metered inside the cylinder 912 is transported from the injection mechanism 910 to the nozzle 180 via the communication hole 146 by performing the metering operation and the injection operation described above. Then, the plasticized material is injected from the nozzle 180 to the mold portion 920.

[0156] The mold portion 920 has the molding die 922. The molding die 922 is a mold. The molding die 922 has a movable die 926 and a fixed die 928 opposing each other, and has a cavity 924 between the movable die 926 and the fixed die 928. The plasticized material is injected from the nozzle 180 to the cavity 924 of the molding die 922. The cavity 924 is a space corresponding to the shape of a molded product. The plasticized material flowing into the cavity 924 is cooled and solidified. Thus, the molded product is generated. The movable die 926 and the fixed die 928 are made of metal. Alternatively, the movable die 926 and the fixed die 928 can be made of ceramic or resin.

[0157] The mold closing section 930 has, for example, a mold driving section 932 and a ball screw section 934. The mold driving section 932 is configured by, for example, a motor, a gear, and the like. The mold driving section 932 is connected to the movable mold 926 via the ball screw section 934. The driving of the mold driving section 932 is controlled by the control section 190. The ball screw section 934 transmits the power generated by the driving of the mold driving section 932 to the movable mold 926. The mold closing section 930 moves the movable mold 926 by the mold driving section 932 and the ball screw section 934, thereby opening and closing the mold section 920.

[0158] The above-described embodiments and modified examples are one example and are not limited thereto. For example, each of the embodiments and each of the modified examples can be appropriately combined.

[0159] The present application includes a configuration substantially the same as the configuration described in the embodiments, for example, a configuration in which functions, methods, and results are the same, or a configuration in which purposes and effects are the same. Further, the present application includes a configuration in which non-essential parts of the configuration described in the embodiments are replaced. Further, the present application includes a configuration that can achieve the same effects as the configuration described in the embodiments or a configuration that achieves the same purposes. Further, the present application includes a configuration in which known technologies are added to the configuration described in the embodiments.

[0160] The following is derived from the above-described embodiments.

[0161] One mode of a plasticizing device includes:

[0162] A drive motor;

[0163] A flat head screw having a groove forming surface in which a groove is formed, which is rotated by the drive motor;

[0164] A cylinder having an opposing surface that opposes the groove forming surface, which has a communication hole formed therein;

[0165] A heating section that heats a material supplied between the flat head screw and the cylinder;

[0166] A cooling section that cools the outer periphery of the flat head screw; and

[0167] A control section that controls the drive motor, the heating section, and the cooling section,

[0168] The control section performs:

[0169] A plasticizing process that plasticizes the material supplied between the flat head screw and the cylinder and causes the material to flow out from the communication hole by controlling the drive motor, the heating section, and the cooling section;

[0170] stopping processing, at least the driving motor and the heating section are stopped to stop the plasticizing processing after the plasticizing processing is performed; and

[0171] starting processing, in a case where the plasticizing processing is started again after a predetermined time elapses from the stopping processing, the heating section is turned on, and at least one of the heating section and the cooling section is controlled so that the outer circumference of the flat head screw becomes lower than the temperature at the time of the plasticizing processing.

[0172] According to the plasticizing device, the occurrence of the bridging phenomenon can be suppressed, and the device can be started smoothly.

[0173] In one mode of the plasticizing device,

[0174] In the starting processing, the control section can rotate the flat head screw after a predetermined time elapses from when the heating section is turned on.

[0175] According to the plasticizing device, the load of the driving motor can be reduced.

[0176] In one mode of the plasticizing device,

[0177] In the starting processing, the control section can rotate the flat head screw at a rotation speed lower than that at the time of the plasticizing processing.

[0178] According to the plasticizing device, the load of the driving motor can be reduced.

[0179] In one mode of the plasticizing device,

[0180] In the starting processing, the control section can control the cooling section so that the temperature of the outer circumference of the flat head screw becomes lower than the temperature at the time of the plasticizing processing.

[0181] According to the plasticizing device, the material can be suppressed from being plasticized on the outer circumference of the flat head screw.

[0182] In one mode of the plasticizing device,

[0183] In the starting processing, the control section can control the heating section so that the temperature of the material becomes higher than the plasticization temperature of the material and lower than the temperature at the time of the plasticizing processing.

[0184] According to the plasticizing device, the material can be more reliably suppressed from being plasticized on the outer circumference of the flat head screw.

[0185] In one mode of the plasticizing device,

[0186] The opposing surface can have a region whose temperature becomes higher than the plasticization temperature of the material by the heating section,

[0187] The control section controls at least one of the heating section and the cooling section so that the area of the region in the startup process is below the area of the region in the plasticizing process.

[0188] According to the plasticizing device, it is possible to more reliably suppress plasticization of the material at the outer periphery of the flat screw.

[0189] In one mode of the plasticizing device,

[0190] may be a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the groove forming surface or the opposing surface,

[0191] In the startup process, the control section controls at least one of the cooling section, the heating section, and the drive motor based on the detection value of the temperature sensor.

[0192] According to the plasticizing device, it is possible to smoothly perform the startup process based on the detection value of the temperature sensor.

[0193] In one mode of the plasticizing device,

[0194] may be a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of the communication hole,

[0195] In the startup process, the control section controls at least one of the cooling section, the heating section, and the drive motor based on the detection value of the pressure sensor.

[0196] According to the plasticizing device, it is possible to smoothly perform the startup process based on the detection value of the pressure sensor.

[0197] In one mode of the plasticizing device,

[0198] may be that the control section changes the temperature of the outer periphery of the flat screw according to the kind of the material.

[0199] According to the plasticizing device, it is possible to optimize the temperature distribution in the flat screw and the cylinder according to the kind of the material.

[0200] In one mode of the plasticizing device,

[0201] may be that the control section increases the temperature of the outer periphery of the flat screw when the material is a crystalline material compared to when the material is an amorphous material.

[0202] According to the plasticizing device, it is possible to optimize the temperature distribution in the flat screw and the cylinder even when the material is a crystalline material.

[0203] One mode of a three-dimensional modeling device includes:

[0204] a plasticizing device that plasticizes a material into a plasticized material; and

[0205] a nozzle that ejects the plasticized material supplied from the plasticizing device toward a table,

[0206] The plasticizing device includes:

[0207] a drive motor;

[0208] a flat screw having a groove formation surface on which a groove is formed, which rotates by the drive motor;

[0209] a cylinder having an opposing surface that opposes the groove formation surface, which has a communication hole;

[0210] a heating section that heats a material supplied between the flat screw and the cylinder;

[0211] a cooling section that cools an outer periphery of the flat screw; and

[0212] a control section that controls the drive motor, the heating section, and the cooling section,

[0213] The control section performs:

[0214] a plasticizing process that plasticizes the material supplied between the flat screw and the cylinder and causes the material to flow out from the communication hole by controlling the drive motor, the heating section, and the cooling section;

[0215] a stopping process that stops at least the drive motor and the heating section to stop the plasticizing process after the plasticizing process is performed; and

[0216] a starting process that, in a case where the plasticizing process is started again after a prescribed time elapses from the stopping process, causes the heating section to be turned on and controls at least one of the heating section and the cooling section so that the outer periphery of the flat screw becomes lower than a temperature at the time of the plasticizing process.

[0217] One mode of an injection molding device includes:

[0218] a plasticizing device that plasticizes a material into a plasticized material; and

[0219] a nozzle that ejects the plasticized material supplied from the plasticizing device toward a molding die,

[0220] The plasticizing device includes:

[0221] a drive motor;

[0222] a flat screw having a groove formation surface on which a groove is formed, which rotates by the drive motor;

[0223] a cylinder having an opposite surface opposite to the groove formation surface, and a communication hole formed therein;

[0224] a heating section that heats a material supplied between the flat head screw and the cylinder;

[0225] a cooling section that cools the outer periphery of the flat head screw; and

[0226] a control section that controls the drive motor, the heating section, and the cooling section,

[0227] the control section performs:

[0228] a plasticizing process that plasticizes the material supplied between the flat head screw and the cylinder and causes the material to flow out from the communication hole by controlling the drive motor, the heating section, and the cooling section;

[0229] a stopping process that stops at least the drive motor and the heating section to stop the plasticizing process after the plasticizing process is performed; and

[0230] a starting process that, in a case where the plasticizing process is started again after a prescribed time elapses from the stopping process, causes the heating section to be turned on and controls at least one of the heating section and the cooling section so that the outer periphery of the flat head screw becomes lower than a temperature at the time of the plasticizing process.

Claims

1. A control method of a plasticizing device, characterized by, The plasticizing device includes: a drive motor; a flat screw having a groove forming surface on which grooves are formed, which is rotated by the drive motor; a barrel having an opposing surface opposite the groove forming surface, which has a communication hole; a heating section that heats a material supplied between the flat screw and the barrel; a cooling section that cools the outer periphery of the flat screw; and a control section that controls the drive motor, the heating section, and the cooling section, The control method of the plasticizing device includes the following processes: The control section performs: a plasticizing process that plasticizes the material supplied between the flat screw and the barrel and causes the material to flow out of the communication hole by controlling the drive motor, the heating section, and the cooling section; a stopping process that stops at least the drive motor and the heating section to stop the plasticizing process after the plasticizing process is performed; and a starting process that, in a case where the plasticizing process is started again after a prescribed time elapses from the stopping process, turns on the heating section and controls at least one of the heating section and the cooling section so that the outer periphery of the flat screw becomes lower than a temperature at the time of the plasticizing process, The groove has a material introduction portion, and in the starting process, no new material is supplied from a material supply portion to the material introduction portion of the groove.

2. The control method of the plasticizing device according to claim 1, wherein In the starting process, the control section rotates the flat screw after a prescribed time elapses from when the heating section is turned on.

3. The control method of the plasticizing device according to claim 2, wherein In the starting process, the control section rotates the flat screw at a rotation speed lower than that of the plasticizing process.

4. The control method of the plasticizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The control section controls the cooling section in the starting process so that the temperature of the outer periphery of the flat screw becomes lower than the temperature at the time of the plasticizing process.

5. The control method of the plasticizing device according to claim 1, wherein The control section controls the heating section in the starting process so that the temperature of the material becomes higher than a plasticizing temperature of the material and lower than the temperature at the time of the plasticizing process.

6. The control method of the plasticizing device according to claim 1, wherein The opposing surface has a region that becomes a temperature higher than the plasticizing temperature of the material by the heating section, The control section controls at least one of the heating section and the cooling section so that the area of the region in the starting process becomes lower than the area of the region in the plasticizing process.

7. The control method of the plasticizing device according to claim 1, wherein The plasticizing device includes a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the groove forming surface or the opposing surface, In the starting process, the control section controls at least one of the cooling section, the heating section, and the drive motor on the basis of a detection value of the temperature sensor.

8. The control method of the plasticizing device according to claim 1, wherein The plasticizing device includes a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of the communication hole, In the starting process, the control section controls at least one of the cooling section, the heating section, and the drive motor on the basis of a detection value of the pressure sensor. In the startup process, the control section controls at least one of the cooling section, the heating section, and the drive motor based on a detection value of the pressure sensor.

9. The control method of a plasticizing device according to claim 1, wherein The control section changes the temperature of the outer circumference of the flat screw according to the kind of the material.

10. The control method of a plasticizing device according to claim 9, wherein In a case where the material is a crystalline material, the control section increases the temperature of the outer circumference of the flat screw compared to a case where the material is an amorphous material.

11. A control method of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, characterized by, The three-dimensional modeling device includes: a material supply section; a plasticizing device that plasticizes a material to become a plasticized material; and a nozzle that ejects the plasticized material supplied from the plasticizing device toward a table, The plasticizing device includes: a drive motor; a flat screw that has a groove formation surface on which a groove is formed and that rotates by the drive motor; a cylinder that has an opposing surface that opposes the groove formation surface and that has a communication hole formed therein; a heating section that heats a material supplied between the flat screw and the cylinder; a cooling section that cools an outer circumference of the flat screw; and a control section that controls the drive motor, the heating section, and the cooling section, The control method of a three-dimensional modeling device includes the following processes: The control section performs: a plasticizing process that plasticizes the material supplied between the flat screw and the cylinder and causes the material to flow out from the communication hole by controlling the drive motor, the heating section, and the cooling section; a stop process that stops at least the drive motor and the heating section to stop the plasticizing process after the plasticizing process is performed; and a startup process that causes the heating section to be turned on and controls at least one of the heating section and the cooling section to cause the outer circumference of the flat screw to be below the temperature at the time of the plasticizing process in a case where the plasticizing process is started again after a prescribed time elapses from the stop process, The groove has a material introduction section, and in the startup process, no new material is supplied from the material supply section to the material introduction section of the groove.

12. A control method of an injection molding apparatus, characterized by, The injection molding device includes: a material supply section; a plasticizing device that plasticizes a material to become a plasticized material; and a nozzle that ejects the plasticized material supplied from the plasticizing device toward a molding die, The plasticizing device includes: a drive motor; a flat screw that has a groove formation surface on which a groove is formed and that rotates by the drive motor; a cylinder that has an opposing surface that opposes the groove formation surface and that has a communication hole formed therein; a heating section that heats a material supplied between the flat screw and the cylinder; a cooling section that cools an outer circumference of the flat screw; and a control section that controls the drive motor, the heating section, and the cooling section, The control method of an injection molding device includes the following processes: The control section performs: a plasticizing process that plasticizes the material supplied between the flat screw and the cylinder and causes the material to flow out from the communication hole by controlling the drive motor, the heating section, and the cooling section; a stop process that stops at least the drive motor and the heating section to stop the plasticizing process after the plasticizing process is performed; and a startup process that causes the heating section to be turned on and controls at least one of the heating section and the cooling section to cause the outer circumference of the flat screw to be below the temperature at the time of the plasticizing process in a case where the plasticizing process is started again after a prescribed time elapses from the stop process, a stop process of stopping at least the driving motor and the heating section to stop the plasticizing process after the plasticizing process is performed; and a start process of, in a case where the plasticizing process is started again after a predetermined time elapses from the stop process, turning on the heating section, and controlling at least one of the heating section and the cooling section so that the outer circumference of the flat head screw becomes lower than the temperature at the time of the plasticizing process, the groove has a material introduction portion, and in the start process, no new material is supplied from the material supply portion to the material introduction portion of the groove.

Images