Material supply device

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of preventing malfunctions from occurring during supplying of a material in a material supply device.SOLUTION: A material supply device includes: a material storage part that has a supply port located in a position that does not overlap with a supply port in a supply direction of a plasticized material and stores the plasticized material; and a supply mechanism that adjusts the supply amount of the plasticized material from the supply port to the outside. The supply mechanism has: a slide member provided between the supply port and the feed port, and having a through-hole through which the plasticized material passes; and a slide drive part that slides the slide member along a direction intersecting the supply direction. The supply mechanism switches between a first state in which the plasticized material is supplied to the outside and a second state in which the plasticized material is not supplied to the outside. The through-hole of the sliding member is connected to the feed port in both the first and second states, and the shortest distance between a center of the through-hole in the intersecting direction and a center of the supply port becomes shorter in the order of the first and second states.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a material supply device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a supply mechanism that supplies material to a plasticization mechanism provided in an injection molding device or a three-dimensional modeling device. This supply mechanism includes a housing that contains the material, and a rotating member that is housed in the housing and can rotate along the inner edge of the housing. A through hole is formed in the rotating member. When the rotating member rotates and the through hole communicates with an inlet connected to the plasticization mechanism, the material is supplied to the plasticization mechanism through the through hole and the inlet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-36539 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such a material supplying device, it is required to suppress the occurrence of problems in the supply of material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a material supplying device having an inlet and supplying a stored plasticized material from the inlet to the outside. The material supplying device has a supply inlet provided at a position not overlapping with the inlet in a supply direction of the plasticized material, and includes a material storage section for storing the plasticized material, and a supply mechanism for adjusting a supply amount of the plasticized material from the inlet to the outside, the supply mechanism includes a slide member provided between the supply inlet and the inlet and having a through hole through which the plasticized material passes, and a slide drive section for sliding the slide member along a cross direction crossing the supply direction, the supply mechanism switches between a first state in which the plasticized material is supplied to the outside and a second state in which the plasticized material is not supplied to the outside, the through hole of the slide member communicates with the inlet in both the first state and the second state, and the distance between the through hole and the supply inlet in the cross direction becomes shorter in the order of the first state and the second state. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a specific configuration of a material supplying device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a supply mechanism. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing a schematic internal structure of a supply mechanism. [Diagram 5] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating the operation of a supply mechanism. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart of a material supply process. [Figure 7] 13 is a timing chart of a material supply process. [Figure 8] 1 is a graph showing the relationship between the remaining amount of plasticizing material and the torque of a motor. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart of a material replenishment process. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a plasticizing section. [Figure 11]FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a flat screw. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of a barrel. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the slide member. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a molding machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] A. First embodiment: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1. FIG. 1 shows arrows along the mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions. The direction of the arrow is the positive direction of each direction, and the opposite direction is the negative direction. When the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are referred to without adding positive or negative, both the positive and negative directions are included. The X direction and Y direction are directions along the horizontal direction, and the Z direction is a direction along the vertical direction. The negative Z direction is the direction of gravity, which is the supply direction of the plasticized material. The X direction that intersects with the supply direction is also called the intersecting direction.

[0008] The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 includes a base 2. An XY table 3 serving as a moving section is placed on the base 2. The XY table 3 is configured by placing a Y table 4 and an X table 5, in this order, one on top of the other in the Z positive direction. A stage 6 is placed on top of the XY table 3.

[0009] The Y-table 4 is equipped with a Y-axis motor 4a, a ball screw, a Y-axis scale, etc. The Y-table 4 moves the stage 6 in the Y direction. The X-table 5 is equipped with an X-axis motor 5a, a ball screw, an X-axis scale, etc. The X-table 5 moves the stage 6 in the X direction.

[0010] The three-dimensional printing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 7. The control unit 7 is configured as a computer including a CPU and a storage unit. The CPU controls each unit of the three-dimensional printing apparatus 1 by executing a program stored in the storage unit. The control unit 7 may be configured as a circuit.

[0011] The control unit 7 controls the movement of the Y table 4 and the X table 5. The control unit 7 recognizes the position of the stage 6 in the Y direction from the information output by the Y-axis scale. The control unit 7 recognizes the position of the stage 6 in the X direction from the information output by the X-axis scale. The control unit 7 moves the Y table 4 and the X table 5 so that there is no difference between the target position to which the stage 6 should be moved and the current position. The control unit 7 controls the trajectory of the movement of the stage 6 by sequentially changing the target position to which the stage 6 should be moved.

[0012] A lifting table 8 serving as a moving part is installed on the X positive direction side on the base 2. The lifting table 8 has a fixed table 8a, which stands on the base 2. A rail 8b is installed on the surface of the fixed table 8a on the X positive direction side. A moving table 8c is installed on the X positive direction side of the rail 8b. The moving table 8c moves in the Z direction along the rail 8b.

[0013] A Z-axis motor 8d is installed on the Z positive direction side of the fixed table 8a. The fixed table 8a is equipped with a ball screw and a Z-axis scale inside. As with the Y table 4 and the X table 5, the control unit 7 controls the trajectory of the moving table 8c. The moving unit includes the XY table 3 and the lift table 8.

[0014] A unit support part 9 is installed on the X positive direction side of the moving table 8c. A modeling unit 11 is installed on the X positive direction side of the unit support part 9. The unit support part 9 supports the modeling unit 11. In the modeling unit 11, a material supply device 12, a connection pipe 13, a plasticizing part 14, and a discharge part 15 are installed in this order toward the Z negative direction.

[0015] The material supply device 12 includes a material storage section 16 having a cavity therein, and a supply mechanism 17. A plasticizing material 18 is stored inside the material storage section 16. The "plasticizing material" refers to a material that is plasticized by the plasticizing section 14. The plasticizing material 18 used in this embodiment is resin pellets, which are a thermoplastic material. The resin pellets are lumps of resin. The size of the resin pellets is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, it is within the range of 5 mm to 20 mm, for example. The material storage section 16 is also called a hopper.

[0016] The supply mechanism 17 is provided with an inlet 120 that communicates with the outside of the material supply device 12. The supply mechanism 17 adjusts the amount of plasticized material 18 supplied from the inlet 120 to the outside. The connection pipe 13 is connected to the inlet 120. The connection pipe 13 has a connection path 13a inside. The supply mechanism 17 supplies the plasticized material 18 from the inlet 120 to the connection path 13a. The material storage section 16 is provided with a first window 16b and a second window 16c. The first window 16b and the second window 16c are formed of a transparent material such as glass. The first window 16b is disposed on the Z positive side of the material storage section 16. The second window 16c is disposed on the Z negative side of the material storage section 16. The remaining amount of plasticized material 18 in the material storage section 16 is observed through the first window 16b and the second window 16c.

[0017] The control unit 7 includes an operation panel 7a for the user to operate the 3D modeling apparatus 1, a display device 7b for displaying the operating status of the 3D modeling apparatus 1, and a detection unit 7c. The operation panel 7a includes, for example, a material refill button for refilling the plasticizing material 18 to the material storage unit 16. When the material refill button is pressed by the user, a material refill command is transmitted from the operation panel 7a to the control unit 7 for setting the 3D modeling apparatus 1 to a material refill mode in which material can be refilled. The detection unit 7c will be described later.

[0018] The plasticizing material 18 moves from inside the material supply device 12 into the connecting pipe 13 due to its own weight. The connecting pipe 13 is connected to the plasticizing section 14. In this embodiment, the connecting pipe 13 is formed of a conductive tube to prevent the generation of static electricity. The plasticizing section 14 has a material inlet 14a that communicates with the feed port 120. The connecting path 13a connects the feed port 120 and the material inlet 14a. The plasticizing material 18 is supplied from the connecting pipe 13 to the plasticizing section 14.

[0019] The plasticizing unit 14 plasticizes at least a part of the plasticizing material 18 to generate the modeling material 19. "Plasticization" is a concept including melting, and means changing from a solid to a fluid state. Specifically, in the case of a material in which glass transition occurs, plasticization means raising the temperature of the material to the glass transition point or higher. In the case of a material in which glass transition does not occur, plasticization means raising the temperature of the material to the melting point or higher. The plasticizing material 18 may contain other materials such as metals and ceramics in addition to thermoplastic materials. When the plasticizing material 18 contains metal powder, ceramic powder, or the like, the plasticizing unit 14 does not plasticize the entire plasticizing material 18, so that the plasticizing unit 14 plasticizes only a part of the plasticizing material 18. The plasticizing device 21 is composed of the material supply device 12, the connection pipe 13, the plasticizing unit 14, the control unit 7, and the like.

[0020] The plasticizing unit 14 is connected to the discharge unit 15. The discharge unit 15 is equipped with a nozzle 22. The stage 6 has a modeling surface 6a. The surface of the stage 6 facing the nozzle 22 is the modeling surface 6a. The nozzle 22 discharges the modeling material 19 supplied from the plasticizing device 21 toward the modeling surface 6a of the stage 6. The modeling surface 6a of the stage 6 receives the modeling material 19 discharged from the nozzle 22.

[0021] While the nozzle 22 is discharging the modeling material 19, the control unit 7 drives the XY table 3 to move the stage 6 in the X and Y directions. As a result, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 forms layers of a predetermined pattern on the stage 6. Next, the control unit 7 drives the lift table 8 to move the modeling unit 11 a predetermined distance in the positive Z direction. The control unit 7 forms a second layer by overlapping the first layer, and further forms the third layer and subsequent layers by sequentially overlapping them, thereby forming a solid three-dimensional object 20.

[0022] The plasticizing unit 14 is disposed below the material supplying device 12 in the direction of gravity. The lifting table 8 moves the plasticizing unit 14 and the material supplying device 12 relative to the stage 6. The lifting table 8 moves the material supplying device 12 in conjunction with the movement of the plasticizing unit 14. With this configuration, the plasticizing unit 14 and the material supplying device 12 move in conjunction with each other, so that deformation of the connecting pipe 13 when the plasticizing unit 14 and the material supplying device 12 move is suppressed. Therefore, the connecting pipe 13 can be made shorter than when the connecting pipe 13 deforms.

[0023] The XY table 3 moves the stage 6 in a direction along the printing surface 6a. The lift table 8 moves the plasticizing unit 14 and the material supply device 12 in a direction perpendicular to the printing surface 6a. With this configuration, the plasticizing unit 14 and the material supply device 12 move in the direction of gravity and the direction opposite to the direction of gravity. Since the plasticizing unit 14 and the material supply device 12 have large inertia, the operating speed of the three-dimensional printing apparatus 1 can be improved compared to when the plasticizing unit 14 and the material supply device 12 are moved along a plane perpendicular to the direction of gravitational acceleration.

[0024] A material sensor 23 is installed on the plasticizing section 14 side of the connection path 13a. The material sensor 23 detects the presence or absence of the plasticized material 18 in the connection path 13a. The method by which the material sensor 23 detects the plasticized material 18 is not particularly limited, but for example, an optical sensor having a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section can be used. In this embodiment, the material sensor 23 outputs an ON signal to the control section 7 when the plasticized material 18 is detected, and outputs an OFF signal to the control section 7 when the plasticized material 18 is not detected.

[0025] The plasticizer 21 includes a blower 25 between the material supply device 12 and the plasticizer 14. The blower 25 is installed on the unit support 9. The blower 25 moves up and down in conjunction with the plasticizer 14 and the connecting pipe 13. The blower 25 includes a blower fan 26 and a blower nozzle 27. The blower fan 26 moves air and blows air to the blower nozzle 27. The blower nozzle 27 is installed facing the material sensor 23. The blower 25 blows air from the blower nozzle 27 toward the material sensor 23. This configuration makes it possible to blow away the powdered plasticized material 18 and dust adhering to the material sensor 23. In addition, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the sensitivity of the material sensor 23. The blower may be performed continuously or at a predetermined interval.

[0026] The blower fan 26 has an ionizer 28 inside. The ionizer 28 generates gas having a positive or negative charge. It is possible to set whether the gas is positively or negatively charged. The ionizer 28 can also generate positive and negative charges alternately. The blower unit 25 blows the charged gas. With this configuration, when the powdered plasticized material 18 or dust adheres to the material sensor 23 due to static electricity, it is possible to easily remove the powdered plasticized material 18 or dust by de-electrifying the plasticized material 18 or dust.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a specific configuration of the material supply device 12. The material supply device 12 includes a supply mechanism 17. The supply mechanism 17 includes a guide case 29. The inside of the guide case 29 is hollow. As described below, a slide member is disposed inside the guide case 29. The guide case 29 includes a lid portion 291 and a bottom portion 292. The material storage portion 16 is fixed to the lid portion 291 by a bolt. The guide case 29 is connected to the unit support portion 9 by a connecting device 293. A handle 294 is provided on the lid portion 291. The user can release the connection between the guide case 29 and the unit support portion 9 by the connecting device 293, and lift the lid portion 291 by holding the handle 294, thereby removing the material storage portion 16 and the supply mechanism 17 from the unit support portion 9.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the supply mechanism 17. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view that typically shows the internal structure of the supply mechanism 17. As shown in FIG. 3, the supply mechanism 17 includes a slide member 173 and a slide drive unit 174 that slides the slide member 173. The slide member 173 functions as a material cutting plate that supplies a predetermined amount of plasticizing material 18 to the plasticizing unit 14 through the connection path 13a in the connection pipe 13. The slide member 173 slides and reciprocates in the X direction inside the guide case 29. The slide member 173 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with a longitudinal direction along the X direction. The slide member 173 has a through hole 173a that penetrates the slide member 173 in the Z direction. The through hole 173a is a hole surrounded by walls on all four sides. The wall surface of the through hole 173a in the X negative direction is inclined downward. When the through hole 173a is viewed from above, the wall surface in the X negative direction has a U-shape. The height of the through hole 173a, that is, the height of the sliding member 173, is, for example, the height of 3 to 4 pellets.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, the material storage section 16 has a supply port 16a on its bottom surface. The supply port 16a is connected to the inside of the guide case 29. The guide case 29 has an input port 120 on the surface on the connection pipe 13 side, i.e., the bottom surface. The supply port 16a is provided at a position that does not overlap with the input port 120 in the Z negative direction, which is the supply direction of the plasticized material 18. In this embodiment, the input port 120 is located on the X positive direction side of the supply port 16a. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the plasticized material 18 from directly dropping from the supply port 16a to the input port 120. The slide member 173 is provided between the supply port 16a and the input port 120 in the Z direction.

[0030] In the X direction, an angle D formed by a virtual line VL connecting the end of the inlet 120 closest to the supply port 16a and the end of the supply port 16a closest to the inlet 120 at the shortest distance and a horizontal plane is set to an angle equal to or smaller than the smallest angle of repose of the plasticized material 18 that can be handled by the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1. The angle of repose refers to the angle formed by the slope of the mountain of the material formed when the material is dropped from a certain height and remains stable without spontaneously collapsing and a horizontal plane. This angle is, for example, 20 degrees or more and 35 degrees or less. By setting the angle D to be equal to or less than the angle of repose of the plasticized material 18, it is possible to prevent the plasticized material 18 from flowing from the supply port 16a into the inlet 120 when the slide member 173 is not moving.

[0031] A slide drive unit 174 that slides the slide member 173 along the X direction is installed on the Z negative direction side of the guide case 29. The slide drive unit 174 is fixed to the unit support unit 9. The slide drive unit 174 is configured by an electric actuator including a motor 191 and a ball screw 192. The slide drive unit 174 is controlled by the control unit 7. The motor 191 rotates the ball screw 192, and moves the slide member 173 via a rod 193 that reciprocates along the X direction by the ball screw 192. The rod 193 is inserted from below into a hole 175 formed in the lower surface of the slide member 173. When the material storage unit 16 and the material supply device 12 are removed from the unit support unit 9, the rod 193 is pulled out of the hole 175.

[0032] The slide member 173 is connected to a wall portion on the X negative direction side of the guide case 29 by a spring 176. When the material storage section 16 and the material supply device 12 are removed from the unit support section 9, the slide member 173 is held in a position on the X negative direction side by the tension of the spring 176. An adjustment bolt 177 is connected to the spring 176, which can adjust the tension of the spring 176 from outside the guide case 29.

[0033] 1, the control unit 7 includes a detection unit 7c. The detection unit 7c detects the torque of the motor 191 by measuring the current value of the current flowing through the motor 191 of the slide drive unit 174. The detection unit 7c has a function of detecting the pinching of the plasticized material 18 between the slide member 173 and the guide case 29 based on the detected torque of the motor 191. The detection unit 7c also has a function of detecting the remaining amount of the plasticized material 18 in the material storage unit 16 based on the detected torque of the motor 191. The details of these functions will be described later.

[0034] 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the supply mechanism 17. In this embodiment, the supply mechanism 17 is switched among a first state, a second state, and a third state. The first state is a state in which the plasticizing material 18 is supplied to the outside of the supply mechanism 17 through the inlet 120. The second state is a state in which the plasticizing material 18 is not supplied to the outside of the supply mechanism 17. The third state is a state in which the through hole 173a and the supply port 16a communicate with each other, and the through hole 173a and the inlet 120 do not communicate with each other.

[0035] In this embodiment, the distance between the through hole 173a and the supply port 16a in the X direction is shorter in the order of the first state, the second state, and the third state. In FIG. 5, the distance between the center of the through hole 173a and the center of the supply port 16a in the first state is indicated as distance D1, the distance between the center of the through hole 173a and the center of the supply port 16a in the second state is indicated as distance D2, and the distance between the center of the through hole 173a and the center of the supply port 16a in the third state is indicated as distance D3. The distances D1, D2, and D3 are shorter in this order. Note that the measurement positions of the distances D1, D2, and D3 are not limited to the centers of the through hole 173a and the supply port 16a, and may be any positions as long as the distance between the through hole 173a and the supply port 16a can be measured. For example, the distances D1, D2, and D3 may be distances measured between the most negative position of the through hole 173a in the X direction and the most negative position of the supply port 16a in the X direction.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the through hole 173a of the slide member 173 communicates with the inlet 120 in both a first state in which the plasticized material 18 is supplied to the outside and a second state in which the plasticized material 18 is not supplied to the outside. Since the through hole 173a of the slide member 173 is a hole surrounded by walls on all sides, the area of ​​the region OA1 where the through hole 173a and the inlet 120 overlap in the first state is larger than the area of ​​the region OA2 where the through hole 173a and the inlet 120 overlap in the second state. Therefore, in the first state, the plasticized material 18 is easily discharged to the outside. The control unit 7 controls the slide drive unit 174 to alternately switch the state of the supply mechanism 17 between the first state and the second state. By switching the state, a predetermined amount of the plasticized material 18 is input from the inlet 120 to the connection path 13a when the slide member 173 reciprocates once. The control unit 7 controls the number of times the slide member 173 reciprocates and the amount of reciprocating movement of the slide member 173, thereby adjusting the amount of plasticized material 18 to be introduced into the connection path 13a.

[0037] In the third state, the through hole 173a and the supply port 16a communicate with each other, but the through hole 173a and the input port 120 do not communicate with each other. Since the through hole 173a of the slide member 173 is a hole surrounded by walls on all sides, in the third state, the through hole 173a is blocked and the plasticizable material 18 does not flow out from the through hole 173a. Therefore, when the material supply device 12 is removed from the unit support part 9, the control part 7 moves the slide member 173 in the X negative direction to set the state of the supply mechanism 17 to the third state.

[0038] The slide driving unit 174 controls the movement of the slide member 173 with the position of the slide member 173 in the third state as the origin position. The first state is a state in which the slide member 173 is moved 100% in the X positive direction from the origin position. The second state is a state in which the slide member 173 is moved 50% in the X positive direction from the origin position. The position of the slide member 173 in the first state is called the "supply position". The position of the slide member 173 in the second state is called the "intermediate stop position". When the slide member 173 is in the intermediate stop position, for example, the distance along the X direction of the area OA2 where the through hole 173a and the insertion port 120 overlap is a distance of three pellets or more.

[0039] Fig. 6 is a flowchart of the material supplying process executed by the control unit 7. Fig. 7 is a timing chart of the material supplying process. The material supplying process is repeatedly executed while the three-dimensional object 20 is being formed in the three-dimensional printing apparatus 1. As shown in Fig. 7, at the start of the material supplying process, the position of the slide member 173 is the third state position shown in Fig. 5.

[0040] In step S10, the control unit 7 determines whether or not the plasticized material 18 is detected in the connection path 13a based on the output signal from the material sensor 23. When an ON signal is output from the material sensor 23, the control unit 7 determines that the plasticized material 18 is detected in the connection path 13a. When it is determined that the plasticized material 18 is detected, the control unit 7 ends the material supply process. When it is determined that the plasticized material 18 is not detected, the control unit 7 drives the slide drive unit 174 in step S20 so that the state of the supply mechanism 17 transitions from the first state to the second state in this order, as shown in FIG. 7, thereby supplying the plasticized material 18 to the connection path 13a.

[0041] In the above step S20, the control unit 7, as shown in FIG. 7, makes the time during which the supply mechanism 17 is in the first state longer than the time during which it is in the second state. This allows the state in which the area of ​​the through hole 173a of the slide member 173 and the inlet 120 overlap is large to continue for a long time, thereby increasing the possibility that the plasticized material 18 that is about to fall from the inlet 120 will fall reliably. The time during which the supply mechanism 17 is in the first state is, for example, 1 to 3 seconds. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 7 controls the slide drive unit 174 so that the speed at which the slide member 173 is moved so that the state of the supply mechanism 17 changes from the first state to the second state is greater than the speed at which the slide member 173 is moved from the second state to the first state. This allows the slide member 173 to be moved quickly from the supply position to the intermediate stop position, so that the supply cycle of the plasticized material 18 can be made faster while increasing the possibility of the plasticized material 18 falling by lengthening the time of the first state.

[0042] In step S30, the detector 7c of the controller 7 detects the remaining amount of plasticizable material 18 in the material reservoir 16 based on the torque of the motor 191 detected by the detector 7c, and determines whether the remaining amount is insufficient.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the remaining amount of the plasticizing material 18 and the torque of the motor 191. The control unit 7 controls the slide member 173 to move to a specified position at a specified speed. When the remaining amount of the plasticizing material 18 in the material storage unit 16 is large, a large weight is applied to the slide member 173 from above, so the control unit 7 applies a large current to the motor 191 to move the slide member 173 to a specified position at a specified speed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the torque of the motor 191 for moving the slide member 173 increases as the amount of the plasticizing material 18 in the material storage unit 16 increases. In the above step S30, when the torque of the motor 191 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined remaining amount threshold Th, the detection unit 7c determines that the remaining amount of the plasticizing material 18 in the material storage unit 16 is insufficient. Note that the process of step S30 may be executed only immediately after the start of modeling of the three-dimensional object 20.

[0044] If it is determined in step S30 that the remaining amount of plasticizable material 18 in the material storage unit 16 is insufficient, the control unit 7 displays a warning on the display device 7b indicative of the insufficient remaining amount in step S40, and terminates the material supply process. The control unit 7 may stop the modeling process for modeling the three-dimensional object 20 together with the execution of step S40. The control unit 7 may notify the user of the insufficient remaining amount by sound.

[0045] If it is not determined in step S30 that the remaining amount of plasticized material 18 in the material storage unit 16 is insufficient, the detection unit 7c determines in step S50 whether or not it has detected the pinching of the plasticized material 18 while the slide member 173 is being driven. If the torque of the motor 191 detected by the detection unit 7c becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined pinching threshold, the detection unit 7c determines that the plasticized material 18 has pinched between the slide member 173 and the guide case 29. This pinching threshold is a value larger than the remaining amount threshold Th used in step S30.

[0046] When it is determined in step S50 that the biting of the plasticized material 18 has been detected, the control unit 7 controls the slide driving unit 174 in step S60 to move the slide member 173 in the reverse direction. At this time, the control unit 7 drives the motor 191 with a torque larger than the torque when moving the slide member 173 in step S20, and moves the slide member 173 in the reverse direction. This increases the possibility of eliminating the biting of the plasticized material 18. In FIG. 7, the movement of the slide member 173 after the biting is detected is shown by a dashed line. In FIG. 7, a situation in which biting is detected when the slide member 173 is returned from the supply position to the intermediate stop position is shown. Biting is not limited to this situation, and may also occur when the slide member 173 is advanced from the intermediate stop position to the supply position. Note that the torque of the motor 191 when moving the slide member 173 in step S20 is set to a torque that immediately stops the movement of the slide member 173 when biting occurs. If slide member 173 is moved with such torque in step S20, it is possible to increase the possibility that jamming can be eliminated by moving slide member 173 in the opposite direction in step S60.

[0047] In step S50, if it is not determined that the entrapment of the plasticized material 18 has been detected, the control unit 7 skips the process of step S60 described above. In the case where the formation of the three-dimensional object 20 continues, the control unit 7 repeatedly executes the series of material supply processes described above.

[0048] 9 is a flowchart of the material refill process executed by the control unit 7. This material refill process is repeatedly executed when the power of the 3D printing apparatus 1 is on, regardless of whether the above-mentioned material supply process is being executed or not.

[0049] In step S100, the control unit 7 judges whether or not a material replenishment command has been received from the operation panel 7a when the state of the supply mechanism 17 is the first state or the second state. That is, the control unit 7 judges whether or not the operation button for material replenishment has been operated by the user. When the material replenishment command has been received, in step S110, the control unit 7 moves the slide member 173 to the origin position, changes the supply mechanism 17 from the first state or the second state to the third state, and sets the state of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 to the material replenishment mode. This releases communication between the through hole 173a of the slide member 173 and the inlet 120, and prevents the plasticized material 18 from dropping from the material supply device 12. FIG. 7 shows how the supply mechanism 17 is in the second state when a material replenishment command is received and the supply mechanism 17 is set to the third state.

[0050] In step S120, the control unit 7 controls the lift table 8, which serves as a moving unit, to lower the positions of the discharge unit 15 and the material supply device 12. This position is lower than the positions of the discharge unit 15 and the material supply device 12 when the formation of the three-dimensional object 20 is completed.

[0051] In the above step S100, if it is determined that the material replenishment command has not been received, the control unit 7 skips the processes of the above steps S110 and S120.

[0052] By executing the material refilling process described above, the user can easily remove the material storage unit 16 and refill the material storage unit 16 with the plasticized material 18 when refilling the plasticized material 18. When the user has completed refilling the material storage unit 16 with the plasticized material 18 and has attached the material storage unit 16 to the supply mechanism 17, he or she operates a predetermined operation button. Then, the control unit 7 returns the position of the material supply device 12 to its original position and resumes the execution of the above-mentioned material supplying process.

[0053] 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the plasticizing unit 14. The plasticizing unit 14 includes a screw case 35. The screw case 35 is hollow inside. A motor 36 is installed on the positive Z direction side of the screw case 35. The rotation angle, rotation speed, and timing to start and stop rotation of the motor 36 are controlled by the control unit 7.

[0054] A reduction gear 37 is connected to the rotating shaft 36a of the motor 36. When the rotating shaft 36a rotates at high speed, the outer periphery of the reduction gear 37 rotates at a reduced speed. The outer periphery of the reduction gear 37 rotating at a slower speed becomes the output shaft 37a. A bearing 38 is installed on the outer periphery of the reduction gear 37. The bearing 38 is disposed between the screw case 35 and the reduction gear 37. The bearing 38 supports the reduction gear 37 so that it can rotate.

[0055] A screw support portion 39 is installed on the output shaft 37a of the reduction gear 37. A flat screw 41 is installed on the screw support portion 39. The flat screw 41 rotates in synchronization with the output shaft 37a. The flat screw 41 is rotated by the motor 36. A screw rotation center 41d which is the rotation center of the flat screw 41 is coaxial with a motor rotation center 36b which is the rotation center of the motor 36.

[0056] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the flat screw 41. The flat screw 41 has a groove forming surface 41a on which a spiral groove 41b is formed. The flat screw 41 has a generally cylindrical shape whose size in the direction of the rotation axis 36a is smaller than its size in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis 36a. In the illustrated example, one spiral groove 41b is provided. The number of grooves 41b is not particularly limited. Although not illustrated, two or more grooves 41b may be provided. The shape of the groove 41b is not limited to a spiral shape, and may be a spiral shape or an involute curve shape. In addition, the groove 41b may be a shape that extends from the center to the outer periphery in an arc.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 10, the screw case 35 houses the reduction gear 37, the screw support 39, and the flat screw 41. The screw case 35 has a supply passage 35a that connects to the connecting pipe 13. The supply passage 35a continues from the connecting pipe 13 to the flat screw 41. The opening of the supply passage 35a on the flat screw 41 side is the passage port 35b. The screw case 35 has the passage port 35b through which the plasticized material 18 passes toward the flat screw 41.

[0058] A barrel 42 is provided on the negative Z direction side of the flat screw 41. A barrel case 43 that houses the barrel 42 is provided on the negative Z direction side of the screw case 35. The flat screw 41 rotates relative to the barrel 42.

[0059] The barrel 42 has an opposing surface 42a that faces the groove forming surface 41a of the flat screw 41. A heater 44 is installed inside the barrel 42 at a location that faces the groove 41b. The heater 44 heats the plasticized material 18 that is supplied between the groove forming surface 41a and the opposing surface 42a. The heated plasticized material 18 is plasticized to become the shaping material 19. The barrel 42 is provided with a communication hole 45 through which the shaping material 19 plasticized from the plasticized material 18 flows.

[0060] 12 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the barrel 42. A plurality of guide grooves 46 are formed around the communication hole 45 in the opposing surface 42a of the barrel 42. One end of each guide groove 46 is connected to the communication hole 45, and extends in a spiral shape from the communication hole 45 toward the outer periphery of the opposing surface 42a. Each guide groove 46 guides the molding material 19 to the communication hole 45. Note that one end of the guide groove 46 does not have to be connected to the communication hole 45. Also, the guide groove 46 does not have to be formed in the opposing surface 42a.

[0061] 10, the depth of the groove 41b in the flat screw 41 is shallower closer to the screw rotation center 41d than on the outer periphery. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the groove 41b is smaller closer to the screw rotation center 41d than on the outer periphery. The pressure of the modeling material 19 in the groove 41b is higher on the screw rotation center 41d side, and the modeling material 19 is pushed out to the communication hole 45. The flat screw 41 functions as a pump to move the modeling material 19.

[0062] In this embodiment, since the plasticizing unit 14 is configured to include the flat screw 41 and the barrel 42, the plasticizing unit 14 can be made smaller than when the plasticizing unit 14 is configured to include an in-line screw. Note that the plasticizing unit 14 can also be configured to include an in-line screw.

[0063] According to the first embodiment described above, the through hole 173a of the slide member 173 provided in the material supply device 12 communicates with the inlet 120 for supplying the plasticized material 18 to the outside in both the first state and the second state shown in Fig. 5. That is, the through hole 173a communicates with the inlet 120 in both the first state in which the plasticized material 18 is supplied to the outside and the second state in which the plasticized material 18 is not supplied to the outside. Therefore, when the plasticized material 18 is supplied to the outside, the plasticized material 18 is prevented from being caught in the slide member 173, and the occurrence of problems in the material supply can be prevented.

[0064] 5, the area where the through hole 173a and the input port 120 overlap in the first state is larger than the area where the through hole 173a and the input port 120 overlap in the second state. Therefore, in the first state, the plasticized material 18 is easily discharged to the outside.

[0065] 4, in this embodiment, an angle D between a virtual line VL connecting the edge of the supply port 16a and the edge of the input port 120 at the shortest distance and the horizontal plane is set to be equal to or smaller than the angle of repose of the plasticized material 18. Therefore, in the second state in which the plasticized material 18 is not supplied to the outside, it is possible to prevent the plasticized material 18 from being unintentionally discharged from the input port 120.

[0066] In this embodiment, the remaining amount of the plasticized material 18 in the material storage unit 16 is detected based on the torque of the motor 191 detected by the detection unit 7c. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a sensor in the material storage unit 16 for detecting the remaining amount of the plasticized material 18.

[0067] 7, in this embodiment, after a predetermined time has elapsed in the first state, the control unit 7 controls the slide drive unit 174 to switch the supply mechanism 17 from the first state to the second state. Therefore, in the first state in which the plasticized material 18 is supplied, the possibility that the plasticized material 18 will reliably fall from the inlet 120 can be increased.

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 7 controls the slide driving unit 174 so that the speed at which the slide member 173 is moved from the first state to the second state is greater than the speed at which the slide member 173 is moved from the second state to the first state. Therefore, even if the time for which the first state is maintained is extended, the supply cycle of the plasticizing material 18 can be made faster.

[0069] In addition, in this embodiment, when the control unit 7 transitions the supply mechanism 17 from the first state to the second state, the control unit 7 controls the slide driving unit 174 to drive the motor 191 with a first torque, thereby moving the slide member 173 with a first force. Then, when the detection unit 7c detects that the slide member 173 is bitten while the slide member 173 is being moved with the first force, the control unit 7 transitions the supply mechanism 17 from the second state to the first state. When the control unit 7 transitions the supply mechanism 17 from the second state to the first state, the control unit 7 controls the slide driving unit 174 to drive the motor 191 with a second torque greater than the first torque, thereby moving the slide member 173 with a second force greater than the first force. Therefore, even if the plasticized material 18 is bitten into the slide member 173, the possibility of eliminating the biting can be increased.

[0070] In this embodiment, the through hole 173a of the slide member 173 is a hole surrounded by a wall surface, and when the state of the supply mechanism 17 is the third state, the through hole 173a communicates with the supply port 16a, but does not communicate with the input port 120. Therefore, in the third state, it is possible to suppress the plasticized material 18 from flowing out from the through hole 173a to the input port 120.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the control unit 7 receives a material replenishment command, it switches the supply mechanism 17 from the first or second state to the third state and lowers the position of the material storage unit 16. This allows the user to easily replenish the plasticizable material 18 to the material storage unit 16.

[0072] In this embodiment, the wall surface of the through hole 173a in the X negative direction is inclined downward as shown in Fig. 4. Therefore, when the slide member 173 is moved in the X positive direction, the plasticized material 18 is prevented from being sandwiched between the through hole 173a and the inlet 120 in a bridge shape, which causes the slide member 173 to become stuck.

[0073] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the slide member 173. In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the through hole 173a of the slide member 173 is configured as a hole surrounded by walls on all sides. In contrast, the through hole 173a may be open on the X positive direction side as shown in FIG. 13. This can prevent the plasticized material 18 from being caught by the wall surface on the X positive direction side when the slide member 173 is moved in the X negative direction. When the X positive direction side of the slide member 173 is open, a lid for closing the opening on the X positive direction side of the through hole 173a may be attached to the guide case 29 in the third state.

[0074] B. Second embodiment: In the above-described first embodiment, the material supplying device 12 is provided in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the material supplying device 69 is provided in the molding machine 50. The molding machine 50 of the second embodiment is an injection molding machine.

[0075] 14 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a molding machine 50. The molding machine 50 includes a plasticizing device 51, an injection control mechanism 52, a nozzle 53, a molding die 54, and a mold clamping device 55. The configuration of the plasticizing device 51 is the same as that of the plasticizing device 21 of the first embodiment.

[0076] The plasticizing device 51 has a flat screw 56 and a barrel 57. An injection cylinder 59 is connected to a communication hole 58 of the barrel 57. Under the control of the control unit 61, the plasticizing device 51 plasticizes the plasticizing material 18 supplied to the groove portion 62 of the flat screw 56, generates a pasty molding material 19 having fluidity, and guides it from the communication hole 58 to the injection control mechanism 52.

[0077] Additionally, the plasticizing device 51 includes a material supplying device 69, a connecting pipe 71, and a blower 72. The material supplying device 69, the connecting pipe 71, and the blower 72 correspond to the material supplying device 12, the connecting pipe 13, and the blower 25 of the first embodiment, respectively.

[0078] The injection control mechanism 52 includes an injection cylinder 59, a plunger 63, and a plunger driver 64. The injection control mechanism 52 injects the modeling material 19 in the injection cylinder 59 into the cavity 65. The injection control mechanism 52 controls the injection amount of the modeling material 19 injected from the nozzle 53 under the control of the control unit 61. The injection cylinder 59 is a substantially cylindrical member connected to the communication hole 58 of the barrel 57, and includes a plunger 63 therein. The plunger 63 slides inside the injection cylinder 59, and pressure-feeds the modeling material 19 in the injection cylinder 59 to the nozzle 53 connected to the plasticizer 51. The plunger 63 is driven by a plunger driver 64 configured by a motor.

[0079] The molding die 54 includes a movable die 66 and a fixed die 67. The movable die 66 and the fixed die 67 are disposed facing each other, and a cavity 65, which is a space corresponding to the shape of the molded product, is formed between them. The molding material 19 pumped by the injection control mechanism 52 is injected into the cavity 65 through the nozzle 53.

[0080] The mold clamping device 55 includes a mold drive unit 68. The mold drive unit 68 opens and closes the movable mold 66 and the fixed mold 67. Under the control of the control unit 61, the mold clamping device 55 drives the mold drive unit 68 to move the movable mold 66, thereby opening and closing the movable mold 66 and the fixed mold 67.

[0081] The molding machine 50 is equipped with a nozzle 53 that injects the molding material 19 supplied from a plasticizing device 51 toward a molding die 54.

[0082] The molding machine 50 of the second embodiment described above includes the material supplying device 69 similar to that of the first embodiment. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems in the supply of material from the material supplying device 69 to the plasticizing device 51.

[0083] C. Other embodiments: (C1) In the above embodiment, the moving speed and moving amount of the slide member 173 and the torque of the motor 191 may be changeable according to the type of plasticizable material 18. For example, the control unit 7 changes these parameters to values ​​determined in advance by simulation, experiment, or the like according to the type of plasticizable material 18 specified by the user. In this way, the supply mechanism 17 can be driven according to the type of plasticizable material 18.

[0084] (C2) In the first embodiment, the XY table 3 moves the stage 6 in the X and Y directions, and the lift table 8 moves the discharge unit 15 in the Z direction. Alternatively, a lift table that moves the stage 6 in the Z direction and an XY table that moves the discharge unit 15 in the X and Y directions may be provided. Alternatively, an XYZ table that does not move the stage 6 and moves the discharge unit 15 in the X, Y, and Z directions may be provided. Alternatively, an XYZ table that does not move the discharge unit 15 and moves the stage 6 in the X, Y, and Z directions may be provided. In either format, a three-dimensional object 20 can be formed on the stage 6.

[0085] (C3) In the above embodiment, the side surface of through hole 173a of sliding member 173 on the X negative direction side is curved in a semicircular arc shape when viewed in the Z negative direction. In contrast to this, the side surface of sliding member 173 on the X negative direction side may be a straight line that intersects with the X direction when viewed in the Z negative direction.

[0086] (C4) In the above embodiment, the three-dimensional modeling device 1 and the molding machine 50 are provided with the air blowing units 25, 72. In contrast to this, the three-dimensional modeling device 1 and the molding machine 50 do not necessarily have to be provided with the air blowing units 25, 72.

[0087] (C5) In the above embodiment, the supply mechanism 17 switches between the first state, the second state, and the third state. In contrast, for example, in a configuration in which the material storage unit 16 and the material supply device 12 are not detached from the unit support unit 9, the supply mechanism 17 does not need to switch to the third state.

[0088] (C6) In the above embodiment, the angle D between the imaginary line VL connecting the edge of the supply port 16a and the edge of the input port 120 at the shortest distance and the horizontal plane is set to be equal to or smaller than the angle of repose of the plasticized material 18. In contrast, the angle D can also be set to an angle exceeding the angle of repose.

[0089] (C7) In the above embodiment, the control unit 7 detects the remaining amount of plasticized material 18 in the material storage unit 16 based on the torque of the motor 191 of the slide drive unit 174. Alternatively, a remaining amount detection sensor may be provided in the material storage unit 16, and the control unit 7 may detect the remaining amount of plasticized material 18 using the sensor.

[0090] (C8) In the above embodiment, the material supply process shown in Fig. 6 is executed. In this material supply process, the processes of steps S30 and S40 for detecting the remaining amount and displaying a warning, and the processes of steps S50 and S60 for detecting and releasing jamming, or both may be omitted.

[0091] (C9) In the above embodiment, when supply mechanism 17 is in the first state, control unit 7 switches supply mechanism 17 from the first state to the second state after a predetermined time has elapsed. In contrast, control unit 7 may switch supply mechanism 17 from the first state to the second state without waiting for the time to elapse.

[0092] (C10) In the above embodiment, the control unit 7 controls the slide drive unit 174 so that the speed at which the slide member 173 is moved from the first state to the second state is greater than the speed at which the slide member 173 is moved from the second state to the first state. In contrast, the control unit 7 can also control the slide drive unit 174 so that the speed at which the slide member 173 is moved from the first state to the second state is smaller than the speed at which the slide member 173 is moved from the second state to the first state, or so that these speeds are the same.

[0093] (C11) In the above embodiment, the control unit 7 executes the material refill process shown in Fig. 9. However, the control unit 7 may omit the execution of the material refill process.

[0094] (C12) In the above embodiment, the slide member 173 may be replaceable depending on the type of plasticized material 18. For example, when using a plasticized material 18 with low frictional resistance, a slide member 173 with a large inclination angle of the wall surface on the negative X direction side may be used. In this way, when the friction coefficient of the plasticized material 18 is low, the torque of the motor 191 for moving the slide member 173 can be increased, making it easier to detect the remaining amount of plasticized material 18 in the material storage unit 16.

[0095] D. Other forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described below can be appropriately replaced or combined in order to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems or to achieve some or all of the above-mentioned effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0096] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a material supplying device having an inlet and supplying a stored plasticizable material from the inlet to an outside. This material supply device has a supply port located at a position that does not overlap with the inlet in the supply direction of the plasticized material, and is equipped with a material storage section that stores the plasticized material, and a supply mechanism that adjusts the amount of the plasticized material supplied from the inlet to the outside, and the supply mechanism has a slide member that is provided between the supply port and the inlet and has a through hole through which the plasticized material passes, and a slide drive section that slides the slide member along a cross direction that crosses the supply direction, and the supply mechanism switches between a first state in which the plasticized material is supplied to the outside and a second state in which the plasticized material is not supplied to the outside, and the through hole of the slide member is connected to the inlet in both the first state and the second state, and the distance between the through hole and the supply port in the cross direction becomes shorter in the order of the first state and the second state. According to this embodiment, in both the first state in which the plasticizing material is supplied to the outside and the second state in which the plasticizing material is not supplied to the outside, the through hole of the sliding member communicates with the inlet for supplying the plasticizing material to the outside, so that the plasticizing material is prevented from getting caught in the sliding member, and problems in the supply of the material can be prevented.

[0097] (2) In the above embodiment, the through hole of the sliding member may be a hole surrounded by a wall surface, and an overlapping area between the through hole and the input port in the first state may be larger than an overlapping area between the through hole and the input port in the second state. According to this embodiment, the plasticized material is easily discharged to the outside in the first state.

[0098] (3) In the above embodiment, an angle formed by an imaginary line connecting an edge of the supply port and an edge of the input port at the shortest distance and a horizontal plane may be equal to or smaller than the angle of repose of the plasticized material. According to this embodiment, in the second state in which the plasticized material is not supplied to the outside, it is possible to prevent the plasticized material from being discharged from the input port.

[0099] (4) In the above embodiment, the slide driving unit may include a motor that drives the slide member, and a detection unit that detects the torque of the motor and detects the remaining amount of the plasticizing material in the material storage unit based on the torque. According to this embodiment, the amount of the plasticizing material can be detected based on the torque of the motor, so there is no need to provide a separate sensor for detecting the remaining amount of the plasticizing material.

[0100] (5) In the above embodiment, a control unit may be provided that controls the slide drive unit to switch the supply mechanism from the first state to the second state after a predetermined time has elapsed in the first state. According to this embodiment, it is possible to increase the possibility that the plasticized material will fall from the inlet in the first state.

[0101] (6) In the above embodiment, a control unit may be provided that controls the slide drive unit so that a speed at which the slide member is moved from the first state to the second state is greater than a speed at which the slide member is moved from the second state to the first state. According to this embodiment, even if the time for which the first state is maintained is extended, the supply cycle of the plasticizing material can be made faster.

[0102] (7) In the above-mentioned embodiment, the control unit may further include a detection unit that detects that the slide member has become jammed, and a control unit that controls the slide drive unit, and when the control unit transitions the supply mechanism from the first state to the second state, the control unit controls the slide drive unit to move the slide member with a first force, and when the control unit detects that the slide member has become jammed while the control unit is moving the slide member with the first force, the control unit moves the slide member with a second force greater than the first force, thereby transitioning the supply mechanism from the second state to the first state. According to this embodiment, even if the plasticized material becomes jammed in the slide member, it is possible to increase the possibility of eliminating the jamming.

[0103] (8) In the above embodiment, the through hole of the sliding member may be a hole surrounded by a wall surface, the supply mechanism may be switched between the first state, the second state, and the third state, the distance between the through hole and the supply port in the cross direction becomes shorter in the order of the first state, the second state, and the third state, and the third state may be a state in which the through hole communicates with the supply port and the through hole does not communicate with the input port. According to this embodiment, in the third state, it is possible to suppress the plasticizing material from flowing out from the through hole to the input port.

[0104] (9) In the above embodiment, the apparatus may further include a moving unit that moves the position of the material storage unit in a vertical direction, and a control unit that switches the supply mechanism from the first state or the second state to the third state and controls the moving unit to lower the position of the material storage unit when a material replenishment command is received while the supply mechanism is in the first state or the second state. According to this embodiment, a user can easily replenish the material storage unit with plasticizing material.

[0105] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described material supplying device, and can be realized in various forms, such as a plasticizing device, a three-dimensional modeling device, a molding machine, and a material supplying method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] Reference Signs List 1...3D modeling device, 2...base, 3...XY table, 4...Y table, 4a...Y-axis motor, 5...X table, 5a...X-axis motor, 6...stage, 6a...modeling surface, 7...control unit, 7a...operation panel, 7b...display device, 7c...detection unit, 8...lifting table, 8a...fixed table, 8b...rail, 8c...moving table, 8d...Z-axis motor, 9...unit support unit, 11...modeling unit, 12...material supply device, 13...connecting pipe, 13a...connecting path, 14...plasticization unit, 14a...material Inlet, 15...discharge section, 16...material storage section, 16a...supply port, 16b...first window, 16c...second window, 17...supply mechanism, 18...plasticized material, 19...modeling material, 20...three-dimensional object, 21...plasticization device, 22...nozzle, 23...material sensor, 25...blower section, 26...blower fan, 27...blower nozzle, 28...ionizer, 29...guide case, 35...screw case, 35a...supply path, 35b...passage port, 36...motor, 36a...rotation shaft, 36b...motor rotation center, 37...reduction device, 37a...output shaft, 38...bearing, 39...screw support portion, 41...flat screw, 41a...groove forming surface, 41b...groove, 41d...screw rotation center, 42...barrel, 42a...opposing surface, 43...barrel case, 44...heater, 45...communicating hole, 46...guide groove, 50...molding machine, 51...plasticizing device, 52...injection control mechanism, 53...nozzle, 54...molding mold, 55...mold clamping device, 56...flat screw, 57...barrel, 58...communicating hole, 59...injection cylinder, 61...control control part, 62...groove part, 63...plunger, 64...plunger drive part, 65...cavity, 66...movable mold, 67...fixed mold, 68...molding mold drive part, 69...material supply device, 71...connecting pipe, 72...air blower part, 120...feed port, 173...slide member, 173a...through hole, 174...slide drive part, 175...hole part, 176...spring, 177...adjustment bolt, 191...motor, 192...ball screw, 193...rod, 291...lid part, 292...bottom part, 293...connecting device, 294...handle

Claims

1. A material supplying device having an inlet and supplying a stored plasticizing material from the inlet to an outside, a material storage section having a supply port provided at a position not overlapping with the input port in a supply direction of the plasticizing material, the material storage section storing the plasticizing material; a supply mechanism for adjusting the amount of the plasticizing material supplied from the inlet to the outside, the supply mechanism includes a slide member provided between the supply port and the input port and having a through hole through which the plasticizing material passes, and a slide drive unit that slides the slide member along a cross direction that crosses the supply direction, The supply mechanism is switched between a first state in which the plasticizing material is supplied to the outside and a second state in which the plasticizing material is not supplied to the outside, The through hole of the slide member communicates with the input port in both the first state and the second state, A material supplying device, wherein the distance between the through hole and the supply port in the intersecting direction becomes shorter in the order of the first state and the second state.

2. The material supply device according to claim 1, The through hole of the slide member is a hole surrounded by a wall surface, A material supplying device, wherein an overlapping area between the through hole and the feed port in the first state is larger than an overlapping area between the through hole and the feed port in the second state.

3. The material supply device according to claim 1, A material supplying device in which an angle formed by an imaginary line connecting the edge of the supply port and the edge of the input port at the shortest distance and a horizontal plane is equal to or smaller than the angle of repose of the plasticized material.

4. The material supply device according to claim 1, The slide driving unit has a motor that drives the slide member, a detection unit that detects a torque of the motor and detects a remaining amount of the plasticizing material in the material storage unit based on the torque; A material supplying device comprising:

5. The material supply device according to claim 1, a control unit that controls the slide drive unit to switch the supply mechanism from the first state to the second state after a predetermined time has elapsed in the first state.

6. The material supply device according to claim 1, A material supplying device comprising a control unit that controls the slide drive unit so that the speed at which the slide member is moved from the first state to the second state is greater than the speed at which the slide member is moved from the second state to the first state.

7. The material supply device according to claim 1, A detection unit that detects that the slide member is caught; A control unit that controls the slide drive unit, The control unit is When the supply mechanism is to be transitioned from the first state to the second state, the slide driving unit is controlled to move the slide member with a first force, A material supplying device, wherein when the detection unit detects that the slide member has become jammed while the slide member is being moved with the first force, the slide member is moved with a second force greater than the first force, and the supply mechanism is transitioned from the second state to the first state.

8. The material supply device according to claim 1, The through hole of the slide member is a hole surrounded by a wall surface, the supply mechanism is switched between the first state, the second state, and a third state; a distance between the through hole and the supply port in the intersecting direction becomes shorter in the order of the first state, the second state, and the third state; The third state is a state in which the through hole and the supply port are in communication with each other, and the through hole and the input port are not in communication with each other.

9. The material supply device according to claim 8, A moving unit that moves the position of the material storage unit along a vertical direction; a control unit that switches the supply mechanism from the first state or the second state to the third state and controls the moving unit to lower a position of the material storage unit when a material replenishment command is received while the supply mechanism is in the first state or the second state; A material supplying device comprising:

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