Machine tool apparatus

Abstract

To provide a machine tool apparatus that can prevent deformation of a molded object and increase a strength of the molded object.SOLUTION: A machine tool apparatus includes: a discharge nozzle that discharges a material from a discharge port; a moving device that moves the discharge nozzle in three-dimensional space; a local cooling part located around the discharge nozzle; a cooling position control part that controls a cooling position by the local cooling part according to a moving direction of the discharge nozzle; a local heating part arranged around the discharge nozzle; and a heating position control part that controls a heating position by the local heating part according to the moving direction of the discharge nozzle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine tool device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, 3D printers are known that build up a model (workpiece) by layering materials on the basis of 3D data created in 3D (Three-Dimensional)-CAD (Computer-Aided Design) or 3DCG (computer graphics). Various modeling methods are used for 3D printers. For example, there are fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printers that build up a workpiece by layering materials melted by heat. FDM 3D printers have a main shaft that moves an ejection part that ejects materials such as molten resin in three dimensions (or two dimensions), and a control part that controls the main shaft moves the main shaft in three dimensions to build up a workpiece.

[0003] Also, a 3D printer is known that locally heats and locally cools the modeling material when stacking the modeling material, thereby suppressing deformation such as warping of a three-dimensional object. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a modeling device that stacks modeling materials to form a three-dimensional object, the modeling device including a local heating unit that locally heats the modeling material when stacking the modeling material, and a local cooling unit that locally cools the modeling material when stacking the modeling material. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-151925 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the shapes of objects formed by the modeling apparatus vary, and depending on the shape of the object, the positional relationship between the discharge nozzle that discharges the material and the local cooling unit or the local heating unit may differ, making it impossible to achieve the desired cooling or heating, and thus making it impossible to suppress deformation of the object.

[0006] Furthermore, if there is a large difference in temperature between the material of the modeled portion and the material to be laminated to that portion, the adhesive strength between the laminated layers may be insufficient, resulting in a lack of strength in the modeled object.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a machine tool device that can prevent deformation of a shaped object and increase the strength of the shaped object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the machine tool device of the embodiment includes an extrusion nozzle that extrudes material from an outlet, a moving device that moves the extrusion nozzle in three-dimensional space, a local cooling unit arranged around the extrusion nozzle, a cooling position control unit that controls the cooling position by the local cooling unit in accordance with the moving direction of the extrusion nozzle, a local heating unit arranged around the extrusion nozzle, and a heating position control unit that controls the heating position by the local heating unit in accordance with the moving direction of the extrusion nozzle. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a machine tool device moves an extrusion nozzle that extrudes material from an outlet in three-dimensional space, controls the cooling position by a local cooling unit arranged around the extrusion nozzle according to the movement direction of the extrusion nozzle, and controls the heating position by a local heating unit arranged around the extrusion nozzle according to the movement direction of the extrusion nozzle, thereby preventing deformation of the object and increasing the strength of the object. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of an external appearance of a machine tool device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] 3A is a diagram showing an example of when a tool is attached to a spindle, and FIG. 3B is a diagram showing an example of when a modeling device is attached to a spindle in an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a machine tool device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a local cooling / heating unit in the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating an example of local cooling and local heating in an embodiment. [Figure 6] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating an example of a method for changing a cooling position and a heating position in the embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another example of a method for changing a cooling position and a heating position in the embodiment. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the machine tool device in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, a machine tool device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the same components in each drawing will be given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted.

[0012] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a machine tool apparatus according to an embodiment. In FIG. 1, the machine tool apparatus 1 has a spindle 11, a clamping mechanism 111, a material supply unit 112, a tool storage area 12, a modeling device storage area 13, a production area 14, a tool shutter 15, a modeling device shutter 16, and a moving device 4.

[0013] In this embodiment, the machine tool 1 is a device that ejects material into a three-dimensional space defined by x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis that are perpendicular to each other, and is, for example, a 3D printer. In Fig. 1, the x-axis is the left-right direction on the drawing, the y-axis is a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing (not shown), and the z-axis is the up-down direction on the drawing. That is, Fig. 1 is a plan view on the xz plane. The details of the modeling method will be described later.

[0014] The moving device 4 has a driving unit 41, an x-axis slide unit 42x, a y-axis slide unit 42y, and a z-axis slide unit 42z. The x-axis slide unit 42x, the y-axis slide unit 42y, and the z-axis slide unit 42z (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the x-axis slide unit 42, etc.) are devices that linearly slide (slide) a driven object such as the main shaft 11 on the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the x-axis, etc.) that are perpendicular to each other by driving in the driving unit 41, and are, for example, a slide guide or a ball spline. The driving unit 41 is a device that drives a driven object that is slid by the x-axis slide unit 42, etc. The driving unit 41 is composed of, for example, a ball screw, a ball nut, a motor, etc., and positions the moving object fixed to the housing of the ball nut by linearly moving the moving object by rotation of the ball screw.

[0015] The machine tool 1 has a spindle 11. The spindle 11 has a clamping mechanism 111 and a material supply unit 112.

[0016] The clamp mechanism 111 has a clamp function for automatically changing a tool. The term "clamp" refers to gripping or pinching. The clamp function is, for example, a function (device structure) used in an automatic tool changer (ATC) used in a machine tool such as a machining center. The clamp mechanism 111 automatically changes (attaches) a tool to the spindle 11 by clamping or unclamping a tool used for machining from among a plurality of tools. The shape of the clamp mechanism 111 is determined by, for example, the MAS standard (Japan Machine Tool Builders' Association standard), the DIN standard (German Industrial Standard), or the ANS standard (American National Standards Institute standard) as an industrial standard for tapered shanks for ATC. The clamp mechanism 111 can clamp using, for example, an HSK type (ISO12164-1:2001 or ISO12164-3:2008, ISO: International Organization for Standardization) that restrains two faces of the tool 2.

[0017] 1 shows the tool 2 clamped by the clamp mechanism 111, but the clamp mechanism 111 can clamp a modeling device instead of the tool 2. The material supply unit 112 supplies modeling material used by the modeling device when the modeling device is clamped by the clamp mechanism 111. The modeling device and the material supply unit 112 will be described in detail later.

[0018] The tool storage area 12 is an area for storing the tool 2 to be clamped by the clamp mechanism 111. The tool 2 is clamped in the tool storage area 12. The tool storage area 12 is an area for mounting the tool to be clamped by the clamp mechanism 111, i.e., an area where ATC is performed. The tool storage area 12 includes an ATC mechanism (not shown) for automatic change (ATC) of tools. The tool 2 stored in the tool storage area 12 is moved by the ATC mechanism to a position where the clamp mechanism 111 can clamp the tool, and is mounted on the spindle 11, for example.

[0019] The modeling device storage area 13 is an area for storing a modeling device (described later) that is clamped by the clamp mechanism 111. The modeling device is clamped in the modeling device storage area 13. That is, the modeling device storage area 13 is an area for mounting a modeling device that is clamped by the clamp mechanism. The modeling device is placed at a predetermined position in the modeling device storage area 13. The clamp mechanism 111 is attached to a moving device 4 for moving the spindle 11 of the machine tool device 1 in three dimensions or the like via the spindle 11. The modeling device can be clamped by moving the clamp mechanism 111 attached to the spindle 11 by the moving device 4 to a position where the modeling device can be clamped. The modeling device storage area 13 includes a holding mechanism (not shown) for holding the modeling device. The modeling device stored in the modeling device storage area 13 is moved by the holding mechanism to a position where the clamp mechanism 111 can be clamped and mounted on the spindle 11.

[0020] The production area 14 is a space for producing a workpiece by machining using a tool or for producing a workpiece by molding using a molding device. The spindle 11 has an internal rotation mechanism (not shown) for rotating the tool in the production area 14 or discharging material from the molding device. The start and stop of the rotation of the rotation mechanism or the rotation speed of the rotation mechanism are controlled by a control unit described later. The spindle 11 in this embodiment includes a casing having a rotation mechanism therein. Note that the rotation of the rotation mechanism inside the spindle 11 may be abbreviated to the rotation of the spindle 11.

[0021] A table (not shown) on which a workpiece is placed (set) can be placed in the production area 14. The table may have a workpiece moving function for rotating or moving the workpiece. The movement of the workpiece in the workpiece moving function may be controlled independently of the spindle 11.

[0022] The tool shutter 15 is a shutter that separates the tool storage area 12 from the production area 14. Moreover, the modeling device shutter 16 is a shutter that separates the modeling device storage area 13 from the production area 14. The tool shutter 15 and the modeling device shutter 16 have opening and closing mechanisms, and the opening and closing mechanisms are controlled to open and close in response to the attachment and detachment of the tool 2 in the tool storage area 12 and the attachment and detachment of the modeling device in the modeling device storage area 13.

[0023] For example, when the tool 2 is attached, the tool shutter 15 in the tool storage area 12 opens, the spindle 11 moves the clamping mechanism 111 to a clamping position for the tool 2, and the clamping mechanism 111 clamps the tool 2. The clamped tool 2 can machine a workpiece (not shown) in the production area 14.

[0024] When the modeling device is installed, the modeling device shutter 16 in the modeling device storage area 13 opens, the spindle 11 moves the clamping mechanism 111 to the clamping position of the modeling device, and the clamping mechanism 111 clamps the modeling device. The clamped modeling device can model a workpiece (not shown) in the production area 14.

[0025] In addition, when the modeling device described later is a printer head that performs modeling by the FDM method, the modeling device can become a heat source because the material is melted by applying heat or pressure to the solid material. On the other hand, the machining accuracy of the machine parts such as the spindle 11 of the machine tool device 1 or the workpiece may decrease due to thermal expansion caused by temperature changes. The modeling device shutter 16 thermally isolates the modeling device, which is a heat source, from the production area, thereby preventing the transfer of heat to the production area. In addition, the tool shutter 15 and the modeling device shutter 16 can prevent contamination of the tool storage area 12 and the modeling device storage area 13 caused by cutting powder generated in the production area 14.

[0026] Next, the attachment of a tool or a modeling device to the spindle will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing (A) an example of a tool being attached to the spindle 11, and (B) an example of a modeling device being attached to the spindle 11 in an embodiment. Figs. 2(A) and 2(B) show details of mainly the spindle 11 of the machine tool 1 in Fig. 1. Here, Fig. 2(A) shows a state in which a tool 2 is clamped to a clamp mechanism 111. Also, Fig. 2(B) shows a state in which a modeling device 3 is clamped to the clamp mechanism 111.

[0027] In FIG. 2(A), the main shaft 11 has a clamp mechanism 111, a material supply unit 112, and a power supply unit 113A.

[0028] The clamping mechanism 111 is attached to the lower end of the spindle 11, and therefore moves together with the spindle 11. That is, the tool 2 (or the modeling device 3) attached to the clamping mechanism 111 is moved three-dimensionally by the moving device 4. The spindle 11 rotates the tool 2 clamped by the clamping mechanism 111 by a rotating mechanism (not shown) provided on the spindle 11. The movement and rotation of the spindle 11 (rotation of the clamped tool 2) are controlled by a control program executed by a control unit described later. The control program includes, for example, a control command for moving the spindle 11 three-dimensionally, a control command for instructing the start or stop of the rotation of the spindle 11, or a control command for specifying the rotation speed of the spindle 11. That is, the control program describes in advance information such as the movement direction, movement speed, and movement timing in the three dimensions in which the spindle 11 moves. Note that, for example, an NC (numerical control) program or the like can be used as the control program.

[0029] The material supply unit 112 and the power supply unit 113A are attached to the spindle 11 and therefore move together with the spindle 11. The material supply unit 112 is a supply mechanism for supplying material for modeling when the modeling device 3 is clamped by the clamp mechanism 111. Therefore, when the modeling device 3 is not clamped, no material is supplied from the material supply unit 112. The power supply unit 113A supplies power to the modeling device 3 when the modeling device 3 is clamped by the clamp mechanism 111. Details of the material supply unit 112 and the power supply unit 113A will be described in FIG. 2(B).

[0030] In FIG. 2(B), a clamp mechanism 111 attached to the lower end of the spindle 11 clamps the molding device 3. The tool 2 and the molding device 3 can be automatically exchanged by the clamp mechanism 111. By automatically exchanging the tool 2 and the molding device 3, it becomes possible to continuously process materials and mold them in the same production area. Therefore, compared to the case where processing and molding are performed by separate devices, it is possible to reduce equipment costs, reduce the number of steps involved in setting the workpiece, improve equipment operation rate, and reduce costs by sharing programs used for machining.

[0031] The molding device 3 has a power receiving unit 113B, a discharge nozzle 31, a storage unit 32, a tilting unit 321, a heating unit 322, a heat retaining unit 33, a melting unit , a transport unit 35, and a local cooling / heating unit .

[0032] The modeling device 3 is, for example, a head portion of an FDM printer that melts a supplied material and ejects the molten material from an ejection nozzle 31. In the following embodiment, a case where FDM modeling is performed as the material modeling method will be described, but the modeling device 3 may use other methods used in 3D printers, such as a photo-modeling method in which ejected liquid material is hardened by ultraviolet light or the like, or a powder fixing method in which powder and a binder are ejected and solidified.

[0033] The discharge nozzle 31 discharges molten material for forming a workpiece. The storage section 32 stores the material supplied from the material supply section 112. The heating section 322 heats and melts the material stored in the storage section 32. The inclined section 321 collects the material melted by the heating section 322 by gravity and supplies it inside the heat retention section 33. The heat retention section 33 keeps the molten material warm. The melting section 34 reheats or adjusts the temperature of the molten material. The transport section 35 transports the molten material stored in the heat retention section 33 and discharges it from the discharge nozzle 31.

[0034] The material supply unit 112 faces the storage unit 32 when the modeling device 3 is clamped by the clamp mechanism 111, and supplies material to the storage unit 32. By facing the material supply unit 112 to the storage unit 32 when the modeling device 3 is clamped, it becomes possible to automatically supply material continuously to the modeling device 3. This makes it possible to improve the operating rate of the machine tool 1, compared to, for example, the case where material is manually supplied each time the material runs out.

[0035] The material supply unit 112 has a hollow structure, and supplies the material to the storage unit 32 by moving the material inside the hollow structure (for example, a flexible hose or the like). The material supply unit 112 may utilize, for example, compressed air or a transfer pump when supplying the material to the storage unit 32. To supply the material using compressed air, for example, the material can be moved inside the material supply unit 112 by the pressure of the compressed air. Also, to supply the material using a transfer pump, for example, the material can be moved inside the material supply unit 112 by a rotary positive displacement uniaxial eccentric screw pump.

[0036] The supply of material may be controlled, for example, so as to keep a constant amount of material stored in storage unit 32. For example, a sensor (not shown) attached to storage unit 32 may detect that the amount of material stored is low, and the material may be automatically supplied. By automatically keeping the amount of stored material constant, the supply of material can be automated.

[0037] The inclined portion 321 is fitted with a heating portion 322, which heats the material stored in the storage portion 32. The heating portion 322 has a heater (shown by a broken line) disposed obliquely upward inside the storage portion 32. This increases the area of ​​contact between the heater and the material, making it easier to melt the material. The heating portion 322 may be configured to heat (preheat) the material to a temperature around the melting temperature at which the material melts. Once a material with a large heat capacity is heated, it is difficult to lower the temperature, making it difficult to control the temperature by lowering the temperature. By preheating the material in the heating portion 322, it is possible to facilitate temperature control in the melting portion 34 and reduce the heating load in the melting portion 34, thereby making it possible to miniaturize the melting portion 34. In addition, the heating portion 322 may heat the material to a temperature required for discharge, thereby omitting the heating of the material in the melting portion 34.

[0038] The power receiving unit 113B faces the power supply unit 113A when the modeling device 3 is clamped by the clamping mechanism 111, and receives the power supplied from the power supply unit 113A. The combination of the power supply unit 113A and the power receiving unit 113B forms the power supply mechanism 113. The power supplied by the power supply mechanism 113 is used by the heating unit 322 or the melting unit 34. Note that the power supply unit 113A that faces the power receiving unit 113B and supplies power is sometimes referred to as the power supply mechanism. For example, the machine tool 1 is considered to be equipped with a power supply mechanism (power supply unit 113A) even when the modeling device 3 is not clamped by the clamping mechanism 111.

[0039] The power supply mechanism 113 supplies power by contacting the contacts of the power supply unit 113A and the contacts of the power receiving unit 113B when the modeling device 3 is clamped by the clamping mechanism 111. This makes it possible to supply power to the modeling device 3 clamped by the clamping mechanism 111. A connector mechanism with contacts can be used for the power supply mechanism 113. Using a connector mechanism with contacts simplifies the structure and makes it possible to supply power at low cost. Note that, for example, gold plating the contacts makes it possible to stabilize the electrical resistance caused by the contacts.

[0040] Furthermore, the power supply mechanism 113 may use a non-contact (wireless) power supply method in which a power supply unit of the power supply unit 113A and a power receiving unit of the power receiving unit 113B come close to each other when the modeling apparatus 3 is clamped by the clamp mechanism 111 to supply power. For example, a power supply coil is provided in the power supply unit of the power supply unit 113A, and a power receiving coil is provided in the power receiving unit of the power receiving unit 113B, and power can be supplied by receiving electromagnetic waves generated from the power supply coil with the power receiving coil. By using a non-contact power supply method in the power supply mechanism 113, it is possible to prevent problems with power supply due to poor contact at the contact points.

[0041] In addition, power may be supplied to the modeling apparatus 3 using a power generating device (not shown) provided in the modeling apparatus 3. The power generating device may be, for example, a generator whose rotor rotates by rotating the main shaft 11. For example, the generator may be one whose rotor rotates together with the rotation of the conveying mechanism that discharges the material. In addition, the generator may be one whose rotor rotates by switching between the rotation of the conveying mechanism that discharges the material and the transmission of the rotational force. By using the power generating device provided in the modeling apparatus 3 to supply power to the modeling apparatus 3, it is possible to omit the power supply mechanism in the main shaft 11. The power supply mechanism 113 may generate power by rotating the rotor of the generator provided inside the power receiving unit 113B by joining the rotation mechanism of the power supply unit 113A and the rotation mechanism of the power receiving unit 113B so that the rotational force can be transmitted when the modeling apparatus 3 is clamped by the clamping mechanism 111. For example, the rotation mechanism of power supply unit 113A may be rotated by a control command, thereby rotating a rotation mechanism of power receiving unit 113B, thereby rotating a rotor of a generator. By generating electricity using a generator inside power receiving unit 113B, it is possible to omit electrical connection between power supply unit 113A and power receiving unit 113B.

[0042] The heat retention unit 33 keeps the material supplied from the inclined unit 321 warm. The heat retention unit 33 has a heat insulating layer like a thermos bottle, for example, and prevents the temperature of the material from being transferred to the outside of the modeling apparatus 3. By keeping the material warm with the heat retention unit 33, for example, when the material is melted in the heating unit 322, it becomes possible to maintain the temperature of the material and reduce the change in viscosity of the material due to a change in temperature.

[0043] The transfer unit 35 transfers and pressurizes the molten material stored in the heat retention unit 33, and discharges it from the discharge nozzle 31. The transfer unit 35, for example, has a screw inside and can transfer the material by rotating the screw. The rotation of the spindle 11 can be used for the rotation of the screw. That is, when the molding device 3 is clamped by the clamp mechanism 111, the screw of the transfer unit 35 rotates instead of the tool 2, so that the rotation of the screw can be controlled by controlling the rotation of the spindle 11. For example, the machine tool device 1 can control the rotation of the screw based on a control command for instructing the start or stop of the rotation of the tool 2. This allows the start or stop of the material discharge to be controlled by the same control command as the rotation of the tool. For example, the control command can be an M code of an NC program. The M code is a control command that defines an auxiliary function for performing processing in an NC program. The M code is specified, for example, in the JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) standard. For example, "M03" is a command for rotating the tool (spindle) forward, and "M05" is a command for stopping the rotation of the tool. The command "M03" starts the discharge of the material, and the command "M05" stops the discharge of the material. By rotating the screw of the transfer unit 35 by the rotation of the main shaft 11, it is possible to control the start or stop of the discharge of the material without adding a new command to control the molding device 3, and it is possible to reduce the number of manufacturing steps.

[0044] Furthermore, the machine tool device 1 controls the amount of material discharged by controlling the rotation speed of the transport mechanism of the molding device 3 based on a control command for specifying the rotation speed of the tool. The control command for specifying the rotation speed of the tool can be implemented, for example, in the S code of an NC program. The S code is a control command for setting the rotation speed of the tool. For example, "S2000" is a command for rotating the tool at 2,000 rpm. The S code is used together with the M code described above. By controlling the rotation speed of the transport mechanism in the S code, it becomes possible to control the amount of material discharged without adding a new command for controlling the molding device 3, and it becomes possible to reduce the manufacturing man-hours.

[0045] A local cooling / heating unit 36 ​​is disposed around the discharge nozzle 31. The local cooling / heating unit 36 ​​has a local cooling unit (not shown) that cools the material discharged from the discharge nozzle 31, and a local heating unit (not shown) that preheats the position where the material discharged from the discharge nozzle 31 will be laminated. The local cooling / heating unit 36 ​​will be described in detail later.

[0046] Next, the structure of the machine tool 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows an example of the structure of the machine tool 1 in the embodiment.

[0047] In FIG. 3, the machine tool 1 has a control unit 10, a spindle 11, a clamping mechanism 111, a tool storage area 12, a modeling device storage area 13, a production area 14, a tool shutter 15, and a modeling device shutter 16.

[0048] The control unit 10 has a molding control unit 101, a cooling position control unit 102, and a heating position control unit 103. The control unit 10 is, for example, a computer that controls the machine tool device 1, and controls, for example, the above-mentioned NC program. The molding control unit 101, the cooling position control unit 102, and the heating position control unit 103 can be implemented in a program that runs on the control unit 10. That is, the molding control unit 101, the cooling position control unit 102, and the heating position control unit 103 can be implemented as functional units that are functions by software. However, at least one of the molding control unit 101, the cooling position control unit 102, and the heating position control unit 103 may be implemented in a computer independent of the control unit 10, or may be implemented by hardware.

[0049] The modeling control unit 101 controls modeling using the modeling device 3 by controlling the clamping operation by the clamping mechanism 111, controlling the rotation of the main shaft 11 (rotation / stop and control of the rotation speed), controlling the supply of material by the material supply unit 112, controlling the opening and closing of the tool shutter 15 and the modeling device shutter 16, controlling the heating of the heating unit 322 and the melting unit 34, and controlling the movement of the moving device 4, etc.

[0050] The cooling position control unit 102 controls the cooling position by the local cooling unit (not shown) according to the moving direction of the discharge nozzle 31. The moving direction of the discharge nozzle 31 is determined by the movement control by the moving device 4 as described above. The cooling position control unit 102 acquires the moving direction of the discharge nozzle 31 controlled by the modeling control unit 101 from the modeling control unit 101, calculates the position where the material discharged from the discharge nozzle 31 is cooled, and operates the local cooling unit to control the cooling position. Note that the modeling control unit 101 and the cooling position control unit 102 can be implemented by a program, and therefore the cooling position control unit 102 can calculate and control the cooling position from a program that moves the moving device 4 in the modeling control unit 101.

[0051] The heating position control unit 103 controls the heating position by the local heating unit (not shown) according to the moving direction of the discharge nozzle 31. Like the cooling position control unit 102, the heating position control unit 103 acquires the moving direction of the discharge nozzle 31 controlled by the modeling control unit 101 from the modeling control unit 101, calculates a position where the material discharged from the discharge nozzle 31 is to be laminated, and controls the heating position by operating the local heating unit. Note that the heating position control unit 103 can calculate and control the heating position from a program for moving the moving device 4 in the modeling control unit 101.

[0052] Next, the local cooling / heating unit 36 ​​will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the local cooling / heating unit in the embodiment.

[0053] In FIG. 4, the local cooling / heating unit 36 ​​has cooling holes 361 and heating holes 362. In this embodiment, the cooling holes 361 are an example of a local cooling unit, and the heating holes 362 are an example of a local heating unit. The cooling holes as an example of a local cooling unit are arranged around the discharge nozzle 31. The heating holes as an example of a local heating unit are arranged around the discharge nozzle 31. FIG. 4 shows a case where a plurality of cooling holes 361 and heating holes 362 are arranged around the discharge nozzle 31. The plurality of cooling holes 361 and heating holes 362 are arranged concentrically around the discharge nozzle 31. The heating holes 362 are arranged in two rows at different radii concentrically around the discharge nozzle 31. Note that FIG. 4 shows an example of the arrangement of the cooling holes 361 and heating holes 362, and does not limit the number, size, mutual interval, number of rows, etc. of the cooling holes 361 and heating holes 362 arranged. The cooling holes 361 and the heating holes 362 may also have a nozzle shape, for example, like the discharge nozzle 31. Although the cooling holes 361 and the heating holes 362 are integrally formed in the local cooling / heating unit 36 ​​in Fig. 4, the cooling holes 361 and the heating holes 362 may be formed as separate components.

[0054] In modeling the material WK, the discharge nozzle 31 discharges and stacks the material WK at the discharge position IP while being moved in the movement direction DR by the moving device 4. In other words, the discharge position IP is the position where the material WK discharged from the discharge nozzle 31 is stacked.

[0055] Next, local cooling and local heating of a material will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of local cooling and local heating in an embodiment.

[0056] In FIG. 5, the discharge nozzle 31 discharges the material WK at a discharge position IP while moving in the moving direction DR. The cooling holes 361a and 361b discharge the cooling air CA so as to cool the cooling position CP, which is behind the discharge position IP in the moving direction DR. That is, the cooling position CP is a position for cooling the material WK immediately after it is discharged from the discharge nozzle 31. As described above, since the discharge nozzle 31 is moved three-dimensionally by the moving device 4, it is necessary to change the cooling position CP according to the moving direction DR of the discharge nozzle 31 in order to cool the material WK immediately after it is discharged. The above-mentioned cooling position control unit 102 changes the cooling hole 361 that discharges the cooling air CA according to the moving direction DR so that the cooling position CP becomes a position for cooling the material WK immediately after it is discharged. By making the cooling position CP behind the discharge position IP, it is possible to stabilize the temperature drop of the discharged material WK at each position of the model, and it is possible to prevent the model from being deformed.

[0057] 5 illustrates a case where the cooling position CP is cooled by operating two cooling holes 361a and 361b, but the number of cooling holes 361 to be operated may be one or three or more. The amount of cooling air discharged from the cooling holes 361a and 361b may be made larger than that of the other cooling holes 361 to increase the cooling capacity at the cooling position CP. In addition, the present embodiment illustrates a case where the cooling air CA is discharged from the cooling hole 361, but the cooling air CA may be, for example, air, nitrogen gas, hydrogen gas, argon gas, or other medium. The temperature of the cooling air CA may be changed depending on the type of material WK (for example, the type of melting point or viscosity, etc.).

[0058] The heating holes 362a, 362b, and 362c irradiate the laser light LB to heat the heating position HP, which is in front of the discharge position IP in the movement direction DR. That is, the heating position HP is the position of the already discharged material WK, where the material WK discharged from the discharge nozzle 31 is laminated. As described above, since the discharge nozzle 31 is moved three-dimensionally by the moving device 4, in order to heat the stacking position where the material WK is laminated, it is necessary to change the heating position HP according to the movement direction DR of the discharge nozzle 31. The above-mentioned heating position control unit 103 changes the heating hole 362, which irradiates the laser light LB, according to the movement direction DR so that the heating position HP becomes the stacking position. By making the heating position CP in front of the discharge position IP, the temperature of the stacked material WK at the stacking position increases, and the temperature difference between the stacked material WK and the stacking material WK (discharged material WK) becomes smaller. As a result, the bonding force between the materials WK at the stacking position is improved, and the strength of the shaped object can be increased.

[0059] In addition, FIG. 5 illustrates a case where the heating position HP is heated by operating three heating holes 362a to 362c, but the number of heating holes 362 to be operated may be one, two, or four or more. Also, the power of the laser light LB irradiated from the heating holes 362a to 362c may be made greater than that of the other heating holes 362 to increase the heating capacity at the heating position HP. Also, in this embodiment, the case where the laser light LB is irradiated from the heating holes 362 is illustrated, but light of various wavelengths can be used for the laser light LB. For example, the laser light LB can be a carbon dioxide laser (10.6 μm), a helium-neon laser (630 nm), an excimer laser (193 nm), or the like. Also, the power of the laser light LB may be changed according to the type of material WK (for example, the type of melting point or viscosity, etc.). Also, the heating hole 362 may use a heating method other than the irradiation of the laser light LB. For example, the heating hole 362 may be one that ejects heated air.

[0060] In the above-mentioned selection operation of the cooling hole 361 or the heating hole 362, a case has been described in which the cooling hole 361 or the heating hole 362 to be operated is switched in accordance with the moving direction DR of the discharge nozzle 31. For example, assume that a total of four cooling holes 361 are arranged on a circle centered on the discharge nozzle 31, at 90° intervals (0°, 90°, 180°, and 270° from the center). When the traveling direction DR is one of the arrangement angles of the cooling holes 361 (0°, 90°, 180°, or 270°), the cooling position is set to the rear side of the moving direction of the discharge nozzle 36 by operating the cooling hole 361 on the opposite side to the traveling direction DR. For example, when the traveling direction DR is the direction of the cooling hole 361 with an arrangement angle of 0°, the cooling position CP is set to the rear side of the moving direction DR by operating the cooling hole 361 with an arrangement angle of 180°. On the other hand, depending on the moving direction DR of the discharge nozzle 31, there may be a case in which the cooling hole 361 does not exist on the opposite side to the moving direction. Therefore, when any of the cooling holes 361 is not arranged on the opposite side of the traveling direction DR, the cooling holes 361 on the opposite side are operated. For example, when the traveling direction DR is the direction of the above-mentioned arrangement angle of 45°, it is possible to cool the material immediately after it is discharged by operating two cooling holes 361 arranged at angles of 180° and 270° that are in the vicinity of the opposite side (225°) of the traveling direction. Also, when the traveling direction DR is the direction of the arrangement angle of 30°, two cooling holes 361 arranged at angles of 180° and 270° that are in the vicinity of the opposite side (210°) of the traveling direction DR are operated. At this time, the strength (air volume) of the cooling air CA discharged from the cooling hole 361 arranged at the arrangement angle of 180° that is closer to the traveling direction may be made larger than the strength of the cooling air CA discharged from the cooling hole 361 arranged at the arrangement angle of 270°. Also, the temperature of the cooling air CA discharged from the cooling hole 361 disposed at an angle of 180° may be set lower than the temperature of the cooling air CA discharged from the cooling hole 361 disposed at an angle of 270°. The heating hole 362 can also be selected and operated in the same manner as the cooling hole 361.

[0061] The control of the cooling position and the control of the heating position may be automatically set by selecting the type of modeling material stored in advance. Each modeling material has a different melting point and a different amount of deformation of the material when cooled, and it may take time to set the cooling conditions (e.g., the volume or temperature of the cooling air) or heating conditions (e.g., laser power) appropriate for the material. By storing the modeling materials and their cooling and heating conditions in a database in advance and selecting the modeling material, it is possible to reduce the number of setting steps.

[0062] Next, a method for changing the cooling position and the heating position will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a method for changing the cooling position and the heating position in the embodiment.

[0063] In FIG. 6, the machine tool 1 has a valve array 51, a cooling pipe 52, a laser light source 61, a laser beam splitter 62, and a laser fiber 63.

[0064] The valve array 51 is a device having a plurality of air valves, and by opening and closing each valve or adjusting the opening degree, it is possible to control the flow rate of the cooling air passing through the valves. The cooling pipes 52 guide the cooling air, the flow rate of which has been adjusted in the valve array 51, to the above-mentioned local cooling / heating unit 36. The cooling pipes 52 are connected to each cooling hole 361, and by operating the valves in the valve array 51, it is possible to control which cooling hole 361 is to be operated (to discharge cooling air). This makes it possible to cool the cooling position CP, which is behind the discharge position IP in the movement direction DR.

[0065] The laser light source 61 is a device that generates laser light. The laser beam generated by the laser light source 61 is input to the laser light splitter 62. The laser light splitter 62 splits the input laser light into the laser fiber 63. The laser light splitter 62 selects one or more laser fibers 63 from the multiple laser fibers 63 and inputs laser light to the selected laser fiber 63. The laser light splitter 62 is, for example, an optical element in which multiple optical switches having optical shutters are arranged, and makes it possible to control the power of the laser light input to the laser fiber 63. The laser fiber 63 guides the input laser light to the local cooling / heating unit 36. The laser fiber 63 is connected to each heating hole 362, and can operate (irradiate laser light to) the heating hole 362 connected to the selected laser fiber 63. This makes it possible to heat the heating position HP that is in front of the discharge position IP in the moving direction DR.

[0066] Next, another method of changing the cooling position and the heating position will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing another example of a method of changing the cooling position and the heating position in the embodiment.

[0067] In FIG. 7, the local cooling / heating unit 36 ​​a has a cooling hole rotating mechanism 363 and a heating hole rotating mechanism 364 .

[0068] 4, and rotates the cooling hole 361 that discharges the cooling air CA around the discharge nozzle 31. The cooling hole rotation mechanism 363 has, for example, a mechanical part that rotates around the discharge nozzle 31, and a drive part such as a stepping motor that drives the mechanical part. The cooling position control unit 102 can control the rotation position of the cooling hole 361 by controlling the stop position of the drive part. This makes it possible to control the cooling position so that the cooling position is behind the discharge position in the movement direction of the discharge nozzle 31.

[0069] The heating hole rotation mechanism 364 has the heating hole 362 described in FIG. 4, and rotates the heating hole 362 that irradiates the laser light LB around the discharge nozzle 31. In this embodiment, the heating hole rotation mechanism 364 is arranged to rotate around the outer periphery of the cooling hole rotation mechanism 363. The heating hole rotation mechanism 364 has, for example, a mechanical part that rotates around the discharge nozzle 31, and a drive part such as a stepping motor that drives the mechanical part. The heating position control unit 103 can control the rotation position of the heating hole 362 by controlling the stop position of the drive part. This makes it possible to control the cooling position so that the heating position is in front of the discharge position in the movement direction of the discharge nozzle 31.

[0070] 7, the cooling position and the heating position are controlled by rotating the cooling hole 361 and the heating hole 362. Therefore, since there can be only one cooling hole 361 and one heating hole 362, it is not necessary to switch the operation of the multiple cooling holes 361 and the operation of the multiple heating holes 362, and it is possible to simplify the valve array 51, the cooling pipe 52, the laser beam splitter 62, the laser fiber 63, etc.

[0071] Next, the operation of the machine tool 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the machine tool in the embodiment. Note that in Fig. 8, the operation will be described as being performed by the control unit 10, but it may be performed by, for example, a configuration other than the control unit 10 (for example, another control unit).

[0072] 8, the control unit 10 judges whether or not to model a workpiece using the material (step S11). Modeling a material means modeling a material using the modeling device 3, and means operating the machine tool device 1 as a so-called 3D printer. When it is judged that the material will not be modeled (step S11: NO), the control unit 10 ends the operation shown in the flowchart and waits for the material to be modeled.

[0073] On the other hand, when it is determined that the material is to be modeled (step S11: YES), the control unit 10 starts controlling the cooling position (step S12). By controlling the cooling position, deformation of the modeled object can be prevented.

[0074] After executing the process of step S12, the control unit 10 starts controlling the heating position (step S13). By controlling the heating position, the strength of the shaped object can be increased.

[0075] After executing the process of step S13, the control unit 10 judges whether or not to end the modeling (step S14). If it is judged that the modeling is not to be ended (step S14: NO), the control unit 10 returns to step S12 and waits for the modeling to be ended.

[0076] On the other hand, when it is determined that modeling is to be ended (step S14: YES), the control unit 10 ends the operation shown in the flowchart.

[0077] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications are also included within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1 Machine tool equipment 10 Control section 101 Modeling control section 102 Cooling position control section 103 Heating position control section 11 Spindle 111 Clamping mechanism 112 Material supply section 113 Power Supply Mechanism 113A Power Supply Unit 113B Power receiving unit 12 Tool Storage Area 13 Modeling equipment storage area 14 Production Area 15 Tool shutter 16 Modeling device shutter 2 tools 3 Molding equipment 31 Discharge nozzle 32 Storage 321 Slope 322 Heating section 33 Heat retention part 34 Welding section 35 Transfer section 36 Local cooling and heating section 36a Local cooling and heating section 361 Cooling hole 362 heating hole 363 Cooling hole rotation mechanism 364 Heating hole rotation mechanism 4. Mobility Devices 41 Drive unit 42x x-axis slide 42y y-axis slide part 42z z-axis slide part 51 Valve Array 52 Cooling Pipe 61 Laser light source 62 Laser beam splitter 63 Laser Fiber

Claims

1. a discharge nozzle that discharges a material from a discharge port; A moving device that moves the discharge nozzle in a three-dimensional space; A local cooling unit disposed around the discharge nozzle; a cooling position control unit that controls a cooling position by the local cooling unit in accordance with a moving direction of the discharge nozzle; A local heating unit disposed around the discharge nozzle; a heating position control unit that controls a heating position by the local heating unit in accordance with a moving direction of the discharge nozzle; A machine tool device comprising:

2. the cooling position control unit controls the cooling position so that the cooling position is behind a discharge position of the material discharged from the discharge nozzle in the movement direction; The machine tool apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the heating position control unit controls the heating position so that the heating position is located in front of a discharge position of the material discharged from the discharge nozzle in the movement direction.

3. the localized cooling portion has a plurality of cooling holes arranged around the discharge nozzle, The machine tool device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cooling position control unit controls the cooling position by determining which of the cooling holes to operate in accordance with a moving direction of the discharge nozzle.

4. the local cooling unit has a cooling hole rotating mechanism that rotates cooling holes arranged around the discharge nozzle around the discharge nozzle, 3 . The machine tool device according to claim 1 , wherein the cooling position control unit controls the cooling position by the cooling hole by positioning a rotation position of the cooling hole rotation mechanism in accordance with a moving direction of the discharge nozzle.

5. the local heating unit has a plurality of heating holes arranged around the discharge nozzle, The machine tool device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating position control section controls the heating position by determining which of the heating holes is to be operated in accordance with a moving direction of the discharge nozzle.

6. the local heating unit has a heating hole rotating mechanism that rotates heating holes arranged around the discharge nozzle around the discharge nozzle, 3 . The machine tool device according to claim 1 , wherein the cooling position control unit controls the heating position by the heating hole by positioning a rotation position of the heating hole rotation mechanism in accordance with a moving direction of the discharge nozzle.

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