System of manufacturing three-dimensional modeled object, and holding unit

Abstract

To solve the problem of the conventional technique in which machining a back surface side of a three-dimensional modeled object has not been considered.SOLUTION: A manufacturing system comprises: a holding unit for holding a front surface of a three-dimensional modeled object; and a machining unit for machining a back surface of the three-dimensional modeled object held by the holding unit. The holding unit includes: a plurality of hollow shafts disposed in parallel to each other and each having an internal channel; a housing having a plurality of hole portions in which the plurality of shafts are disposed; and pressurizing chambers disposed in the housing and provided around the respective shafts. Each of the plurality of shafts has a flange portion disposed in the pressurizing chamber. The pressurizing chamber is partitioned into a first pressurizing chamber and a second pressurizing chamber by the flange portion. Each of the plurality of shafts moves along an extending direction of the shaft by a pressure in the first pressurizing chamber or the second pressurizing chamber being adjusted to allow the flange portion to move in the pressurizing chamber. The holding unit holds the three-dimensional modeled object by a sucking device that sucks the three-dimensional modeled object through the internal channel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a manufacturing system for a three-dimensional object and a holding unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, in which a part of a modeling material stacked on a stage is cut using a cutting tool to form a three-dimensional object of a desired shape. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-104439 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional techniques, processing of the back side of a three-dimensional object has not been taken into consideration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the system comprising: a holding unit that holds a front surface of the three-dimensional object; and a processing unit that processes a back surface of the three-dimensional object held by the holding unit, the back surface being opposite the front surface of the three-dimensional object, the holding unit comprising: a plurality of hollow shafts arranged parallel to one another and having internal flow paths; a housing having a plurality of holes in which the shafts are disposed; and a pressure chamber arranged within the housing and provided around each of the shafts, each of the shafts having a flange portion disposed within the pressure chamber, the pressure chamber being divided into a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber by the flange portion; each of the shafts moving in the extension direction of the shaft by adjusting the pressure within the first pressure chamber or the second pressure chamber; and the holding unit holds the three-dimensional object at the distal ends of the shafts by sucking the three-dimensional object through the internal flow paths using a suction device.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a holder for holding a three-dimensionally shaped object, the holder including: a plurality of hollow shafts arranged parallel to one another and having hollow internal flow paths; a housing having a plurality of holes in which the shafts are arranged; and a pressure chamber arranged within the housing and provided around each of the shafts, wherein each of the shafts has a flange arranged within the pressure chamber, the pressure chamber being divided into a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber by the flange, and wherein the pressure within the first pressure chamber or the second pressure chamber is adjusted to move the flange within the pressure chamber, thereby moving each of the shafts in an extension direction of the shaft; and wherein the holder holds the three-dimensionally shaped object at the distal ends of the shafts by sucking the three-dimensionally shaped object through the internal flow paths using a suction device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a manufacturing system for a three-dimensional object. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a molding unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a flat screw. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal configuration of the holding portion. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a three-dimensional object. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a three-dimensional object. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the surface of a three-dimensional object is pressed against the tip of a shaft. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the back surface of the three-dimensional object after processing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A. First embodiment: FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional object manufacturing system 100 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 shows arrows indicating mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions. The X and Y directions are parallel to a horizontal plane, and the Z direction is opposite to the direction of gravity. The arrows indicating the X, Y, and Z directions are also shown in other figures as appropriate so that the illustrated directions correspond to those in FIG. 1. In the following description, when specifying a direction, positive and negative signs are used in combination to indicate the direction, with "+" indicating the positive direction indicated by the arrow and "-" indicating the negative direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow.

[0009] The manufacturing system 100 in this embodiment includes a modeling unit 200, a cutting unit 250 as a processing unit, a stage 300, a moving mechanism 400, a control unit 500, and a holding unit 600. Under the control of the control unit 500, the manufacturing system 100 discharges a modeling material from a nozzle 61 provided in the modeling unit 200 toward the stage 300, while driving the moving mechanism 400 to change the relative position between the nozzle 61 and the stage 300, thereby depositing the modeling material on the stage 300 and additively manufacturing a three-dimensional object. Under the control of the control unit 500, the manufacturing system 100 rotates a cutting tool 260 attached to the cutting unit 250, while driving the moving mechanism 400 to change the relative position between the cutting tool 260 and the stage 300, thereby cutting the three-dimensional object additively manufactured by the modeling unit 200 with the cutting tool 260. The holding unit 600 is configured to be fixable to the stage 300. The holding unit 600 holds the three-dimensional object additively manufactured by the modeling unit 200 during cutting processing by the cutting unit 250.

[0010] In the manufacturing system 100 of this embodiment, first, a three-dimensional object is formed on the stage 300 by the forming unit 200. Next, the three-dimensional object is turned upside down, and the front surface of the three-dimensional object is held by the holding unit 600 with the back surface of the three-dimensional object facing the cutting unit 250. After that, the back surface of the three-dimensional object is cut by the cutting unit 250, and the three-dimensional object is processed into a desired shape.

[0011] The cutting unit 250 is a cutting device that cuts the modeling material stacked on the stage 300 by rotating a cutting tool 260 attached to a shaft at the tip of its head. Examples of the cutting tool 260 that can be used include a drill, a flat end mill, and a ball end mill. The cutting unit 250 detects the position of the tip of the cutting tool 260 using a general position detection sensor and transmits the detection result to the control unit 500. The control unit 500 uses the detection result to control the movement mechanism 400, thereby changing the relative position between the cutting tool 260 and the three-dimensional model held by the holding unit 600 and cutting the three-dimensional model. The cutting unit 250 may also include a static eliminator such as an ionizer.

[0012] The stage 300 is supported by a moving mechanism 400. The stage 300 has a modeling surface 310 that faces the modeling unit 200 and the cutting unit 250. Modeling material is layered on the modeling surface 310. In this embodiment, the modeling surface 310 is provided parallel to a horizontal plane.

[0013] The movement mechanism 400 changes the relative positions of the modeling unit 200 and the stage 300, and the relative positions of the cutting unit 250 and the stage 300. In this embodiment, the movement mechanism 400 changes the relative positions of the modeling unit 200 and the stage 300, and the relative positions of the cutting unit 250 and the stage 300, by moving the stage 300. The movement mechanism 400 in this embodiment is configured with a three-axis positioner that moves the stage 300 in three axial directions (X, Y, and Z) using the driving forces of three motors. Each motor is driven under the control of the control unit 500. Note that the movement mechanism 400 may not be configured to move the stage 300, but may be configured to change the relative positions of the modeling unit 200 and the stage 300, and the relative positions of the cutting unit 250 and the stage 300, by moving the modeling unit 200 and the cutting unit 250 without moving the stage 300. In this case, the movement mechanism 400 may be configured to move the modeling unit 200 and the cutting unit 250 as a unit relative to the stage 300, or may be configured to move the modeling unit 200 and the cutting unit 250 independently of each other. The movement mechanism 400 may also be configured to change the relative positions of the modeling unit 200 and the stage 300, and the relative positions of the cutting unit 250 and the stage 300, by moving the modeling unit 200, the cutting unit 250, and the stage 300. The movement mechanism 400 may have a function to tilt the modeling surface 310 of the stage 300 with respect to the horizontal plane, or may have a function to tilt the nozzle 61 and the cutting tool 260 with respect to the modeling surface 310.

[0014] The control unit 500 is configured by a computer having one or more processors, a main memory device, and an input / output interface for inputting and outputting signals to and from the outside. The control unit 500 performs various functions by having the processor execute programs and instructions loaded onto the main memory device. In this embodiment, the control unit 500 has a data generation unit 501. The data generation unit 501 generates modeling data and cutting data used to manufacture a three-dimensional object. The control unit 500 also executes processing for manufacturing a three-dimensional object using the modeling data and cutting data. Note that the control unit 500 may be configured by a combination of multiple circuits instead of a computer.

[0015] Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the modeling unit 200 in this embodiment. In Fig. 2, the modeling unit 200 is shown together with a stage 300, a movement mechanism 400, and a control unit 500. The modeling unit 200 includes a material supply unit 20 that is a supply source of the material MR, a plasticizing unit 30 that plasticizes the material MR to form a modeling material, and a discharging unit 60 that discharges the modeling material.

[0016] "Plasticization" is a concept that includes melting, and refers to changing from a solid to a fluid state. Specifically, for materials that undergo glass transition, plasticization refers to raising the temperature of the material above the glass transition point. For materials that do not undergo glass transition, plasticization refers to raising the temperature of the material above the melting point.

[0017] The material supply unit 20 supplies the material MR to the plasticization unit 30 to generate the modeling material. In this embodiment, the material supply unit 20 is configured as a hopper that stores the material MR. The material MR is introduced into the material supply unit 20 in the form of powder or pellets. Examples of the material MR include thermoplastic resins such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS), polypropylene resin (PP), polyethylene resin (PE), and polyacetal resin (POM). A supply path 22 that connects the material supply unit 20 and the plasticization unit 30 is provided below the material supply unit 20. The material MR stored in the material supply unit 20 is supplied to the plasticization unit 30 via the supply path 22.

[0018] The plasticizing unit 30 plasticizes the material MR supplied from the material supply unit 20 to form a modeling material, and supplies the modeling material to the discharge unit 60. The plasticizing unit 30 includes a screw case 31, a drive motor 32, a flat screw 40, a barrel 50, and a first heating unit 58. The screw case 31 is a housing that houses the flat screw 40. The barrel 50 is fixed to the lower end of the screw case 31, and the flat screw 40 is housed in the space surrounded by the screw case 31 and the barrel 50.

[0019] The flat screw 40 has a generally cylindrical shape, with its length in the axial direction, which is the direction along the central axis RX, being shorter than its length in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The flat screw 40 is disposed within the screw case 31 so that the central axis RX is parallel to the Z direction. The top surface 41 side of the flat screw 40 is connected to the drive motor 32. The flat screw 40 rotates about the central axis RX by torque generated by the drive motor 32. The flat screw 40 and the drive motor 32 may be connected via a reducer. The flat screw 40 has a grooved surface 42 on the opposite side from the top surface 41, where a groove 45 is formed. The barrel 50 has a screw-facing surface 52 facing the grooved surface 42 of the flat screw 40. A communication hole 56 communicating with the discharge section 60 is provided in the center of the screw-facing surface 52.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the flat screw 40. To facilitate understanding of the technology, the flat screw 40 is shown upside down in FIG. 3 compared to FIG. 2. In FIG. 3, the position of the central axis RX of the flat screw 40 is indicated by a dashed line. A central portion 47 of the groove-forming surface 42 of the flat screw 40 is configured as a recess to which one end of the groove 45 is connected. The central portion 47 faces the communicating hole 56 of the barrel 50 shown in FIG. 2. The central portion 47 intersects with the central axis RX. In this embodiment, the groove 45 extends spirally from the central portion 47 toward the outer periphery of the flat screw 40, drawing an arc. The groove 45 may be configured in the shape of an involute curve or a spiral. The groove-forming surface 42 has a ridge portion 46 that forms the side wall of the groove 45 and extends along each groove 45. The groove 45 continues to a material inlet 44 formed on the side surface 43 of the flat screw 40. This material inlet 44 is a portion that receives the material MR supplied via the supply path 22 of the material supply unit 20. The material MR introduced into the groove portion 45 from the material inlet 44 is transported within the groove portion 45 toward the center portion 47 by the rotation of the flat screw 40.

[0021] FIG. 3 shows a flat screw 40 having three grooves 45 and three ridges 46. The number of grooves 45 and ridges 46 provided on the flat screw 40 is not limited to three. The flat screw 40 may be provided with only one groove 45, or two or more grooves 45. Furthermore, any number of ridges 46 may be provided to match the number of grooves 45. FIG. 3 shows a flat screw 40 in which material inlets 44 are formed in three locations. The locations of the material inlets 44 provided on the flat screw 40 are not limited to three. The flat screw 40 may be provided with the material inlet 44 in only one location, or in two or more locations.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a top view showing the configuration of the barrel 50. As described above, a communication hole 56 that communicates with the discharge portion 60 is formed in the center of the screw-facing surface 52. A plurality of guide grooves 54 are formed around the communication hole 56 in the screw-facing surface 52. One end of each guide groove 54 is connected to the communication hole 56, and extends in a spiral shape from the communication hole 56 toward the outer periphery of the screw-facing surface 52. Each guide groove 54 has the function of guiding the molding material to the communication hole 56. Note that one end of the guide groove 54 does not have to be connected to the communication hole 56. Furthermore, the barrel 50 does not have to have a guide groove 54 formed therein.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, a first heating unit 58 for heating the material MR is embedded in the barrel 50. The first heating unit 58 does not have to be embedded in the barrel 50, but may be disposed, for example, below the barrel 50. The output of the first heating unit 58 is controlled by the control unit 500. The material MR transported within the groove 45 is plasticized by shearing caused by the rotation of the flat screw 40 and heat from the first heating unit 58, becoming a paste-like modeling material. The modeling material is supplied to the discharge unit 60 from the communication hole 56.

[0024] The discharge unit 60 discharges the modeling material supplied from the plasticization unit 30. The discharge unit 60 includes a nozzle 61, a flow path 65, and a discharge adjustment unit 63. The nozzle 61 is provided at the lower end of the discharge unit 60. The lower end of the nozzle 61 is provided with a nozzle opening 62 for discharging the modeling material. In this embodiment, the nozzle 61 is provided with the nozzle opening 62 having a circular opening shape. The shape of the nozzle opening 62 does not have to be circular, and may be, for example, an ellipse or a polygon such as a rectangle. The flow path 65 communicates with the communication hole 56 of the barrel 50 and the nozzle opening 62, and the modeling material flows from the communication hole 56 toward the nozzle opening 62. The modeling material that has flowed through the flow path 65 is discharged from the nozzle opening 62.

[0025] The discharge adjustment unit 63 is provided in the flow path 65 and changes the opening degree of the flow path 65 by rotating within the flow path 65. In this embodiment, the discharge adjustment unit 63 is configured by a valve. The control unit 500 controls the rotation angle of the valve to adjust the flow rate of the modeling material flowing from the plasticizing unit 30 to the nozzle 61, i.e., the discharge amount of the modeling material discharged from the nozzle 61. The discharge adjustment unit 63 can adjust the discharge amount of the modeling material and can also control the on / off of the outflow of the modeling material.

[0026] In this embodiment, the second heating unit 70 is disposed at a position facing the stage 300. The second heating unit 70 is disposed above the nozzle opening 62. The second heating unit 70 has a plate-like shape that covers at least a portion of the stage 300. The second heating unit 70 is configured, for example, by a rubber heater. The second heating unit 70 heats the modeling material dispensed toward the stage 300. More specifically, the second heating unit 70 heats the upper layer of the layers stacked on the stage 300 by discharging the modeling material from the nozzle opening 62. Heating the upper layer by the second heating unit 70 can increase the adhesion between the layers. The second heating unit 70 is controlled by the control unit 500. Note that the second heating unit 70 is not limited to a rubber heater, and may be configured, for example, by a halogen heater, a nichrome wire heater, a carbon heater, or the like. The second heating unit 70 is not limited to a plate-like shape, and may have, for example, a ring shape that surrounds the nozzle 61.

[0027] 5 is a perspective view of the holding unit 600. The holding unit 600 includes a plurality of hollow shafts 610 and a housing 620. Each shaft 610 is provided in the housing 620 so as to be movable along the direction in which the shaft 610 extends.

[0028] The shafts 610 are arranged parallel to one another and have internal flow paths 611. The shafts 610 are made of, for example, SUS. A cylindrical contact member 612 is provided at the tip of the shaft 610. The contact member 612 is a member that comes into contact with the three-dimensional object and is made of, for example, a soft member such as silicone rubber. Note that the contact member 612 is omitted from Figure 6 and subsequent figures.

[0029] The housing 620 has a plurality of holes 640 arranged along the Z direction. A shaft 610 is disposed in each hole 640. A first inlet 652 and a second inlet 656 are provided on the side of the housing 620. The first inlet 652 is connected to a first pressurized chamber 651 shown in FIG. 6. The second inlet 656 is connected to a second pressurized chamber 655 shown in FIG. 6. Compressed air can be supplied to the first inlet 652 via a first pressure adjustment unit 671. Compressed air can be supplied to the second inlet 656 via a second pressure adjustment unit 672. For example, air regulators can be used as the first pressure adjustment unit 671 and the second pressure adjustment unit 672. The compressed air is supplied, for example, from a compressor installed in the factory. The supply of compressed air to the first inlet 652 and the second inlet 656 is controlled by the control unit 500. A connection unit 660 to which a suction device 670 is connected is further provided on the side of the housing 620. The holder 600 holds the three-dimensional object at the tip of the shaft 610 by using the suction device 670 to suck the three-dimensional object through the internal flow path 611 of the shaft 610. The operation of the suction device 670 is controlled by the control unit 500.

[0030] 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the internal configuration of holding unit 600. Housing 620 is configured by stacking a first seal pressing member 621, a first shaft support member 622, a first pressurized chamber member 623, a cylinder member 624, a second pressurized chamber member 625, a second shaft support member 626, a second seal pressing member 627, and a suction chamber member 628 from top to bottom. Gaskets 629 are disposed between these members, and the gaps between the members are sealed by gaskets 629. Hole 640 passes through first seal pressing member 621, first shaft support member 622, first pressurized chamber member 623, cylinder member 624, second pressurized chamber member 625, second shaft support member 626, and second seal pressing member 627.

[0031] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of first seal pressing member 621. First seal pressing member 621 is a plate-like member for pressing from above first seal member 650, which is arranged on the upper surface of first shaft support member 622. As shown in Fig. 7, holes 640 into which shaft 610 is inserted are arranged in a staggered pattern relative to first seal pressing member 621 and other members.

[0032] The first shaft support member 622 in FIG. 6 is a plate-shaped member for supporting the upper part of the shaft 610. A first seal member 650 that comes into contact with the shaft 610 is arranged around a hole 640 in the first shaft support member 622. The first seal member 650 seals the upper end of a pressurizing chamber 680 (described later) and supports the shaft 610. The first seal member 650 is, for example, an O-ring. Adjacent first seal members 650 in the X and Y directions are arranged alternately on the upper surface and the lower surface of the first shaft support member 622. This allows the arrangement positions of adjacent first seal members 650 to overlap in the vertical direction, allowing the arrangement intervals of the shafts 610 to be narrower.

[0033] The first pressurizing chamber member 623 is a member that defines a first pressurizing chamber 651 together with the cylinder member 624 and the shaft 610. A gap is formed between the inner circumferential surface of the first pressurizing chamber member 623 and the shaft 610. The first pressurizing chamber member 623 is formed with a first inlet 652 for introducing compressed air into the first pressurizing chamber 651 via a first pressure adjustment unit 671. The first pressurizing chamber 651 and a second pressurizing chamber 655, which will be described later, are collectively referred to as a pressurizing chamber 680. The pressurizing chamber 680 is disposed within the housing 620 and provided around each of the multiple shafts 610.

[0034] The cylinder member 624 is a member that constitutes the side wall of the pressurizing chamber 680. A flange portion 653 formed in the center of the shaft 610 in the Z direction is disposed within the pressurizing chamber 680 surrounded by the cylinder member 624. An O-ring 654 that comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder member 624 is provided around the flange portion 653. The pressurizing chamber 680 is divided by the flange portion 653 into a first pressurizing chamber 651 located above the flange portion 653 and a second pressurizing chamber 655 located below the flange portion 653.

[0035] The second pressurizing chamber member 625 is a member that defines a second pressurizing chamber 655 together with the cylinder member 624 and the shaft 610. A gap is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the second pressurizing chamber member 625 and the shaft 610. The second pressurizing chamber member 625 is formed with a second inlet 656 for introducing compressed air into the second pressurizing chamber 655 through a second pressure adjustment part 672.

[0036] The second shaft support member 626 is a plate-shaped member for supporting the lower part of the shaft 610. A second seal member 657 that comes into contact with the shaft 610 is arranged around the hole 640 of the second shaft support member 626. The second seal member 657 seals the lower end of the pressurizing chamber 680 and supports the shaft 610. The second seal member 657 is, for example, an O-ring. Adjacent second seal members 657 in the X and Y directions are arranged alternately on the upper surface and the lower surface of the second shaft support member 626. This allows the arrangement positions of adjacent second seal members 657 to overlap in the vertical direction, allowing the arrangement intervals of the shafts 610 to be narrower.

[0037] The second seal pressing member 627 is a plate-like member for pressing the second seal member 657 arranged on the lower surface of the second shaft support member 626 from below.

[0038] The suction chamber member 628 is a member that defines a suction chamber 658 provided inside the housing 620. A suction port 659 that communicates with the connection part 660 shown in FIG. 5 is formed in the suction chamber member 628. The upper part of the suction chamber 658 is open toward the second seal pressing member 627. The rear end of the shaft 610 is exposed inside the suction chamber 658. When the suction device 670 sucks air from inside the suction chamber 658, the three-dimensional object is sucked onto the tip of the shaft 610 through the internal flow path 611 of the shaft 610.

[0039] In the holding unit 600 having the above structure, when the first pressurizing chamber 651 is pressurized and the pressure therein becomes higher than the pressure in the second pressurizing chamber 655, the flange portion 653 moves downward, and as a result, the shaft 610 moves downward. When the second pressurizing chamber 655 is pressurized and the pressure therein becomes higher than the pressure in the first pressurizing chamber 651, the flange portion 653 moves upward, and as a result, the shaft 610 moves upward. The structure of the holding unit 600 is not limited to the above-described structure. For example, the housing 620 may have a structure in which at least some of the first seal pressing member 621, the first shaft support member 622, the first pressurizing chamber member 623, the cylinder member 624, the second pressurizing chamber member 625, the second shaft support member 626, the second seal pressing member 627, and the suction chamber member 628 are integrated.

[0040] 8 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object. In step S10, the control unit 500 controls the modeling unit 200 and the movement mechanism 400 in accordance with the modeling data to deposit modeling material on the stage 300 and form a three-dimensional object. The modeling data includes path data that indicates the movement path of the discharging unit 60 and discharge amount data that indicates the amount of modeling material discharged from the discharging unit 60. In the first embodiment, of the formed three-dimensional object, the surface formed by the modeling unit 200 is the front surface, and the unprocessed surface that contacts the stage 300 is the back surface.

[0041] 9 and 10 are perspective views showing examples of a three-dimensional object MD. FIG. 9 shows the front surface of the three-dimensional object MD formed by the forming unit 200. FIG. 10 shows the back surface of the three-dimensional object MD formed by the forming unit 200. A protrusion BS is formed on the back surface of the three-dimensional object MD shown in these figures for attaching the three-dimensional object MD to another member. In this embodiment, the protrusion BS is subjected to cutting, which will be described later.

[0042] 8, the control unit 500 controls the first pressure adjustment unit 671 and the second pressure adjustment unit 672 to adjust the pressure balance between the first pressure chamber 651 and the second pressure chamber 655 so that the pressure in the second pressure chamber 655 is greater than the pressure in the first pressure chamber 651. In this way, the control unit 500 can move each shaft 610 so that it protrudes from the housing 620. After protruding each shaft 610, the control unit 500 stops the supply of compressed air to the pressure chamber 680. Note that the control unit 500 may adjust the position of the shaft 610 by supplying compressed air to only one of the first pressure chamber 651 or the second pressure chamber 655.

[0043] In step S30, the worker presses the surface of the three-dimensional object MD against the tip of the shaft 610. In step S30, a robot holding the three-dimensional object MD may press the surface of the three-dimensional object MD against the tip of the shaft 610.

[0044] 11 is a diagram showing a state in which the surface of the three-dimensional object MD is pressed against the tip of the shaft 610. Each shaft 610 is pushed back into the housing 620 so as to conform to the surface shape of the three-dimensional object MD, and the amount of protrusion is adjusted.

[0045] 11, the multiple shafts 610 include an unused shaft 613 that does not come into contact with the three-dimensional object MD. A sealing member 614 for sealing an internal flow path 611 inside the unused shaft 613 is fixed to the tip of the unused shaft 613. The sealing member 614 may be fixed in a state where the contact member 612 shown in FIG. 5 is removed from the unused shaft 613, or may be fixed in a state where the contact member 612 is attached to the unused shaft 613.

[0046] FIG. 11 shows an outline of the internal structure of the unused shaft 613, but does not show the internal structures of the other shafts 610. In this embodiment, a screw 615 and a rubber washer 616 are used as the sealing member 614. In this embodiment, a female screw 617 for fixing the screw 615 serving as the sealing member 614 is provided as a fixing portion at the tip of the internal flow path 611 of all shafts 610, including the unused shaft 613. The screw 615 is threadedly engaged with the female screw 617 provided on the shaft 610 via the rubber washer 616, thereby sealing the internal flow path 611 of the unused shaft 613. Note that the female screw 617 only needs to be provided on at least the unused shaft 613, and may not be provided on the shafts 610 that come into contact with the three-dimensional object MD.

[0047] 8, the control unit 500 operates the suction device 670 to reduce the pressure in the suction chamber 658 in the holder 600, thereby sucking and holding the three-dimensional object MD onto the tip of the shaft 610. The holder 600, while holding the three-dimensional object MD, is fixed to the stage 300 with bolts or the like.

[0048] In step S50, the control unit 500 controls the cutting unit 250 as a processing unit in accordance with the processing conditions defined in the cutting data to execute a processing process for processing the rear surface of the three-dimensional object MD. The processing process in the first embodiment is a process for processing the rear surface of the three-dimensional object MD by controlling the cutting tool 260 and the moving mechanism 400. The processing conditions include, for example, at least some of the cutting path representing the tool path of the cutting tool 260, the cutting depth of the cutting tool 260, the feed rate of the cutting tool 260, and the rotation speed of the cutting tool 260.

[0049] 12 is a diagram showing the back surface of the three-dimensional object MD after processing. In this embodiment, the processing in step S50 involves drilling and scraping the protrusions BS formed on the back surface of the three-dimensional object MD. These processes enable the three-dimensional object MD to be attached to another member using screws or the like.

[0050] According to the first embodiment described above, the multiple shafts 610 provided in the holder 600 can adsorb and hold a three-dimensional object. Therefore, even three-dimensional objects with complex surface shapes can be held. As a result, it is possible to process the back surfaces of three-dimensional objects with various shapes. Furthermore, since the holder 600 configured in this way can be made versatile, it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated holder for each three-dimensional object with a different shape.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the holder 600 for holding the three-dimensional object includes a first pressurizing chamber 651 and a second pressurizing chamber 655. The shaft 610 for sucking the three-dimensional object moves by adjusting the pressure inside the first pressurizing chamber 651 or the second pressurizing chamber 655. Therefore, there is no need to provide mechanical components such as gears or springs for driving the shaft 610. As a result, the shafts 610 can be arranged closely together, thereby increasing the suction force of the shafts 610.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, compressed air can be supplied to both the first pressurizing chamber 651 and the second pressurizing chamber 655. Therefore, by adjusting the pressure in each of the pressurizing chambers 651, 655, it is possible to easily extend or retract the shaft 610. For example, although it is possible to retract the shaft 610 by reducing the pressure in the second pressurizing chamber 655, in this embodiment, compressed air can be supplied to both the first pressurizing chamber 651 and the second pressurizing chamber 655. Therefore, by supplying compressed air to the first pressurizing chamber 651, it is possible to retract the shaft 610 with a greater force than by simply reducing the pressure in the second pressurizing chamber 655.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a first seal member 650 and a second seal member 657 are provided as resistance sections that apply frictional force when each of the multiple shafts 610 moves. When each shaft 610 receives a force that exceeds the resistance force due to the friction of these seal members 650, 657, it slides along the Z direction. This prevents each shaft 610 from easily moving when, for example, a three-dimensionally shaped object is being adsorbed.

[0054] In this embodiment, when viewed along the Z direction, adjacent first seal members 650 and adjacent second seal members 657 are positioned at different positions in the Z direction, which makes it possible to arrange the shafts 610 closely together, thereby increasing the adhesive force of the shafts 610 to the three-dimensional object.

[0055] In this embodiment, the shaft 610 is supported at two locations: the first seal member 650 disposed on the upper part of the housing 620, and the second seal member 657 disposed on the lower part of the housing 620. This prevents the shaft 610 from wobbling, and allows the three-dimensional object to be stably held.

[0056] In this embodiment, the holes 640 into which the shafts 610 are inserted are arranged in a staggered pattern when viewed along the Z direction, which allows the shafts 610 to be densely arranged, thereby increasing the adhesive force of the shafts 610 to the three-dimensional object.

[0057] The manufacturing system 100 of this embodiment also includes a modeling unit 200 that additively manufactures three-dimensional objects. Therefore, three-dimensional objects of various shapes manufactured by additive manufacturing can be held and processed by the holding unit 600.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a female screw 617 is provided at the tip of the unused shaft 613 as a fixing portion to which the sealing member 614 is fixed. Therefore, by fixing the sealing member 614 to the unused shaft 613 using the female screw 617, the unused shaft 613 is sealed and air leakage from the unused shaft 613 can be prevented.

[0059] Furthermore, the manufacturing system 100 of this embodiment is equipped with pressure adjustment units 671 and 672 that adjust the pressure of the compressed air supplied to the first pressurizing chamber 651 and the second pressurizing chamber 655. Therefore, by adjusting the pressure of the compressed air using the pressure adjustment units 671 and 672, it is possible to arbitrarily adjust the force required to press the three-dimensional object against the shaft 610 and the force that acts as a brake when the three-dimensional object is pressed against the shaft 610.

[0060] B. Other Embodiments: (B1) In the above embodiment, first seal member 650 and second seal member 657 function as resistance portions that generate frictional force. However, frictional force may be generated against shaft 610 by providing resistance portions different from first seal member 650 and second seal member 657. For example, a resistance portion that comes into contact with shaft 610 may be disposed on the upper surface of first seal pressing member 621 or the lower surface of second seal pressing member 627.

[0061] (B2) In the above embodiment, the positions in the Z direction of the adjacent seal members 650, 657 are different from each other. However, the positions in the Z direction of the adjacent seal members 650, 657 may be the same.

[0062] (B3) In the above embodiment, the plurality of holes 640 are arranged in a staggered pattern when viewed along the Z direction. However, the plurality of holes 640 do not have to be arranged in a staggered pattern, and may be arranged in a grid pattern.

[0063] (B4) In the above embodiment, the three-dimensional object additively manufactured by the modeling unit 200 is held and processed by the holding unit 600. In contrast to this, for example, a three-dimensional object injection-molded by an injection molding machine may be held and processed by the holding unit 600.

[0064] (B5) In the above embodiment, the internal flow path 611 of the unused shaft 613 is provided with a female thread 617 as a fixing portion. Alternatively, the unused shaft 613 may be provided with a male thread on its outer periphery, and a cap nut that screws onto the male thread may be used as the sealing member 614. Furthermore, for example, an annular protrusion or recess may be formed on the outer or inner periphery of the unused shaft 613, and an elastic cap having an engaging portion that engages with the protrusion or recess may be used as the sealing member 614.

[0065] (B6) In the above embodiment, the shaft 610 provided in the holding unit 600 moves along the Z direction. However, the shaft 610 may be provided in the holding unit 600 so as to move along a direction that intersects with the Z direction, such as the X direction or the Y direction.

[0066] (B7) In the above embodiment, the holding unit 600 is fixed on the stage 300. Alternatively, the holding unit 600 may be provided on a robot as an end effector. In this case, the three-dimensional object formed on the stage 300 is attracted to and held by the holding unit 600 provided on the robot, and is positioned so that the back surface of the three-dimensional object faces the cutting unit 250. Then, in this state, cutting is performed on the back surface of the three-dimensional object. In this way, if the holding unit 600 is provided on a robot, a three-dimensional object can be manufactured without the need to fix the holding unit 600 to the stage 300.

[0067] (B8) In the above embodiment, the holding unit 600 is fixed to the stage 300 on which the three-dimensional object is formed. In contrast, the holding unit 600 may be fixed to a machine tool such as a drill press or a milling machine, and used during processing by the machine tool.

[0068] (B9) In the above embodiment, compressed air is supplied to the first pressurizing chamber 651 and the second pressurizing chamber 655. However, the fluid for operating the shaft 610 is not limited to gas, and may be liquid such as water or oil.

[0069] (B10) In each of the above embodiments, the plasticizing unit 30 includes a flat screw 40 and a barrel 50. However, the plasticizing unit 30 may include an in-line screw instead of the flat screw 40, and the material may be plasticized by rotating the in-line screw to produce a plasticized material. In this case, the barrel is formed in a cylindrical shape to accommodate the in-line screw, and is sometimes called a cylinder.

[0070] (B11) In each of the above embodiments, the manufacturing system includes one modeling unit 200. However, the manufacturing system may include two or more modeling units 200. This allows each modeling unit 200 to eject a different type of modeling material.

[0071] C. Other forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each aspect described below can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the above-described problems or achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0072] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a manufacturing system for a three-dimensional object, the manufacturing system for a three-dimensional object comprising: a holding unit that holds a front surface of the three-dimensional object; and a processing unit that processes a back surface of the three-dimensional object held by the holding unit, the back surface being opposite the front surface of the three-dimensional object, the holding unit comprising: a plurality of hollow shafts arranged parallel to one another and having internal flow paths; a housing having a plurality of holes in which the shafts are disposed; and a pressure chamber arranged within the housing and provided around each of the shafts, each of the shafts having a flange portion disposed within the pressure chamber, the pressure chamber being divided by the flange portion into a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber, the pressure in the first pressure chamber or the second pressure chamber being adjusted, thereby moving the flange portion within the pressure chamber and thereby moving each of the shafts along the extension direction of the shaft; and the holding unit holds the three-dimensional object at the distal ends of the shafts by a suction device sucking the three-dimensional object through the internal flow paths. According to this embodiment, the three-dimensional object can be sucked and held by the multiple shafts provided in the holding unit. Therefore, even three-dimensional objects with complex surface shapes can be held. As a result, processing can be performed on the back surfaces of three-dimensional objects of various shapes. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the holding unit for holding the three-dimensional object includes a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber, and the shaft for sucking the three-dimensional object can be moved by adjusting the pressure inside the first pressure chamber or the second pressure chamber. Therefore, there is no need to provide mechanical parts such as gears or springs for driving the shafts, and the shafts can be arranged closely together. As a result, the suction force of the shafts can be increased.

[0073] (2) In the above embodiment, resistance portions may be provided around the holes to apply frictional force to each of the shafts when the shafts move along the direction. According to this embodiment, each shaft moves when subjected to a force that exceeds the frictional resistance of the resistance portions. Therefore, it is possible to prevent each shaft from easily moving when, for example, a three-dimensional object is attracted to the shaft.

[0074] (3) In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of seal members may be provided around the plurality of holes to seal the ends of the pressure chambers, and adjacent seal members among the plurality of seal members may be positioned at different positions in the direction. This embodiment allows the shafts to be densely arranged, thereby increasing the adhesive force of the shafts to the three-dimensional object.

[0075] (4) In the above embodiment, the plurality of holes may be arranged in a staggered pattern when viewed along the direction. This embodiment allows the shafts to be densely arranged, thereby increasing the adhesive force of the shafts to the three-dimensional object.

[0076] (5) In the above-described embodiment, a modeling unit that additively manufactures the three-dimensional object may be provided. According to this embodiment, three-dimensional objects of various shapes manufactured by additive manufacturing can be held and processed by a holding unit.

[0077] (6) In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of shafts may include an unused shaft that does not contact the three-dimensional object, and at least the unused shaft among the plurality of shafts may have a fixing portion to which a sealing member for sealing the internal flow path is fixed. According to this embodiment, the sealing member can be fixed to the unused shaft using the fixing portion. As a result, air leakage from the unused shaft can be suppressed.

[0078] (7) In the above-described embodiment, compressed air may be supplied to the first pressurizing chamber or the second pressurizing chamber, and a pressure adjusting unit may be provided to adjust the pressure of the compressed air supplied to the first pressurizing chamber or the second pressurizing chamber. According to this embodiment, it is possible to arbitrarily adjust the force required to press the three-dimensional object against the shaft and the force acting as a brake when the three-dimensional object is pressed against the shaft.

[0079] (8) According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a holder for holding a three-dimensionally shaped object, the holder including: a plurality of hollow shafts arranged parallel to one another and having hollow internal flow paths; a housing having a plurality of holes in which the shafts are arranged; and a pressure chamber arranged within the housing and provided around each of the shafts, wherein each of the shafts has a flange arranged within the pressure chamber, the pressure chamber being divided into a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber by the flange, and wherein the pressure within the first pressure chamber or the second pressure chamber is adjusted to move the flange within the pressure chamber, thereby moving each of the shafts in an extension direction of the shaft; and wherein the holder holds the three-dimensionally shaped object at the distal ends of the shafts by sucking the three-dimensionally shaped object through the internal flow paths using a suction device.

[0080] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described three-dimensional object manufacturing system, but can be realized in various forms, such as a three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus and a three-dimensional object manufacturing method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 20...material supply section, 22...supply path, 30...plasticization section, 31...screw case, 32...drive motor, 40...flat screw, 41...upper surface, 42...groove forming surface, 43...side surface, 44...material inlet, 45...groove section, 46...ridge section, 47...center section, 50...barrel, 52...screw opposing surface, 54...guide groove, 56...communicating hole, 58...first heating section, 60...discharge section, 61 ...Nozzle, 62...Nozzle opening, 63...Discharge adjustment unit, 65...Flow path, 70...Second heating unit, 100...Manufacturing system, 200...Modeling unit, 250...Cutting unit, 260...Cutting tool, 300...Stage, 310...Modeling surface, 400...Moving mechanism, 500...Control unit, 501...Data generation unit, 600...Holding unit, 610...Shaft, 611...Internal flow path, 612...Contact member, 613...Unused shaft, 614...Sealing member, 615...Screw, 616...Rubber washer, 617...Female screw, 620...Housing, 621...First seal pressing member, 622...First shaft support member, 623...First pressurized chamber member, 624...Cylinder member, 625...Second pressurized chamber member, 626...Second shaft support member, 627...Second seal pressing member, 628...Suction chamber member, 629... Gasket, 640...hole portion, 650...first seal member, 651...first pressurized chamber, 652...first introduction port, 653...flange portion, 654...O-ring, 655...second pressurized chamber, 656...second introduction port, 657...second seal member, 658...suction chamber, 659...suction port, 660...connection portion, 670...suction device, 671...first pressure adjustment portion, 672...second pressure adjustment portion, 680...pressurized chamber

Claims

1. A three-dimensional object manufacturing system, a holding unit that holds a surface of the three-dimensional object; a processing unit that processes a back surface of the three-dimensional object held by the holding unit, the back surface being opposite to the front surface of the three-dimensional object; The holding portion is a plurality of hollow shafts arranged parallel to one another and having internal flow passages; a housing having a plurality of holes in which the plurality of shafts are disposed; a pressure chamber disposed within the housing and provided around each of the shafts; Equipped with Each of the plurality of shafts has a flange portion disposed within the pressurizing chamber, The pressurizing chamber is divided into a first pressurizing chamber and a second pressurizing chamber by the flange portion, Each of the plurality of shafts moves along an extending direction of the shaft as the flange portion moves within the pressure chamber by adjusting the pressure within the first pressure chamber or the second pressure chamber, the holding unit holds the three-dimensional object at the tip ends of the shafts by sucking the three-dimensional object through the internal flow path using a suction device. A manufacturing system for three-dimensional objects.

2. The three-dimensional object manufacturing system according to claim 1, A three-dimensional object manufacturing system comprising: a resistance portion around the plurality of holes that applies a frictional force when each of the plurality of shafts moves along the direction.

3. The three-dimensional object manufacturing system according to claim 1, a plurality of sealing members for sealing the ends of the pressurizing chambers around the plurality of holes; The system for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, wherein adjacent seal members among the plurality of seal members are positioned differently in the direction.

4. The three-dimensional object manufacturing system according to claim 1, The system for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, wherein the plurality of holes are arranged in a staggered pattern when viewed along the direction.

5. The three-dimensional object manufacturing system according to claim 1, A three-dimensional object manufacturing system including a modeling unit that additively manufactures the three-dimensional object.

6. The three-dimensional object manufacturing system according to claim 1, the plurality of shafts include an unused shaft that does not contact the three-dimensional object, At least the unused shaft of the plurality of shafts has a fixing portion to which a sealing member for sealing the internal flow path is fixed.

7. The three-dimensional object manufacturing system according to claim 1, Compressed air is supplied to the first pressurizing chamber or the second pressurizing chamber, A three-dimensional object manufacturing system comprising: a pressure adjusting unit that adjusts the pressure of the compressed air supplied to the first pressurizing chamber or the second pressurizing chamber.

8. A holder for holding a three-dimensional object, a plurality of hollow shafts arranged parallel to one another and each having a hollow internal flow passage; a housing having a plurality of holes in which the plurality of shafts are disposed; a pressure chamber disposed within the housing and provided around each of the shafts; Equipped with Each of the plurality of shafts has a flange portion disposed within the pressurizing chamber, The pressurizing chamber is divided into a first pressurizing chamber and a second pressurizing chamber by the flange portion, Each of the plurality of shafts moves along an extending direction of the shaft as the flange portion moves within the pressure chamber by adjusting the pressure within the first pressure chamber or the second pressure chamber, the holding unit holds the three-dimensional object at the tip ends of the shafts by sucking the three-dimensional object through the internal flow path using a suction device. Holding part.

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