Method for manufacturing three-dimensional molded object and fixture

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of stably fixing a three-dimensional molded object when cutting the three-dimensional molded object.SOLUTION: A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional molded object includes: a first step of molding a molded object by discharging a molding material from a discharge part and laminating layers in a laminating direction; a second step of fixing the molded object by bringing a plurality of first pins that protrude toward the molded object from a direction intersecting the laminating direction into contact with the molded object; and a third step of cutting the fixed molded object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object and a fixture. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a shaped material is clamped in a vice and subjected to cutting processing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-20218 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Objects formed by three-dimensional printing devices often have uneven sides, making it difficult to stably fix the object in a vise when cutting the object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the method comprising: a first step of forming a 3D object by discharging a modeling material from a discharge unit and stacking layers in a stacking direction, a second step of fixing the 3D object by contacting the 3D object with a plurality of first pins that protrude toward the 3D object in a direction intersecting the stacking direction, and a third step of cutting the fixed 3D object.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a fixture for use in the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to the first aspect. The fixture includes a base on which the object is placed and a fixing unit installed on the base with the object sandwiched between them, the fixing unit having the plurality of first pins and fixing the object by bringing the plurality of first pins into contact with the object. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an injection molding device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a first flat screw. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a first barrel. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a modeling unit. [Figure 6] 1A to 1C are process diagrams illustrating a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a shaped body. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the shaped body is fixed to a fixture. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of a fixed block. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing how a modeling body is fixed to a base plate. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the movable mold in an assembled state. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a fixture according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the first pin being brought into contact with the shaped body, facing diagonally downward. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A. First embodiment: FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an injection molding apparatus 10. A portion of a molding die 400 included in the injection molding apparatus 10 is manufactured by the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to this 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 X, Y, and Z directions shown in FIG. 2 and subsequent figures correspond to the X, Y, and Z directions shown in FIG. 1. In the following description, when specifying a direction, positive and negative signs are used in combination to indicate the direction indicated by the arrow, with "+" indicating the positive direction and "-" indicating the negative direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow.

[0009] The injection molding apparatus 10 includes a plasticizing device 110, an injection control mechanism 120, a mold clamping device 130, and a molding die 400.

[0010] The plasticizing device 110 has a first flat screw 111, a first barrel 112, a first heater 113, and a first nozzle 114. The first flat screw 111 is housed in the housing unit 101. The first flat screw 111 is also called a scroll or a rotor. The first flat screw 111 is driven to rotate around a rotation axis RX within the housing unit 101 by a screw drive unit 115 composed of a drive motor and a reducer. In this embodiment, the X direction is the direction along the rotation axis RX. An outlet hole 116 is formed in the center of the first barrel 112. An injection cylinder 121, which will be described later, is connected to the outlet hole 116. A check valve 124 is provided in the outlet hole 116 upstream of the injection cylinder 121.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the first flat screw 111. The first flat screw 111 has a generally cylindrical shape with a length in the axial direction, which is the direction along its central axis, shorter than its length in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction. A spiral groove 202 is formed around a central portion 205 on a groove-forming surface 201 of the first flat screw 111 facing the first barrel 112. The groove 202 communicates with a material inlet 203 formed on the side surface of the first flat screw 111. Material supplied from a material supply unit such as a hopper is supplied to the groove 202 through the material inlet 203. The grooves 202 are formed by being separated by ridge portions 204. FIG. 2 shows an example in which three grooves 202 are formed, but the number of grooves 202 may be one or more. The groove 202 is not limited to a spiral shape, but may also be a spiral shape or an involute curve shape, or a shape extending in an arc from the central portion to the outer periphery.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the first barrel 112. The first barrel 112 has an opposing surface 212 that faces the groove-forming surface 201 of the first flat screw 111. An outlet hole 116 is formed in the center of the opposing surface 212. The opposing surface 212 is formed with a plurality of guide grooves 211 that are connected to the outlet hole 116 and extend spirally from the outlet hole 116 toward the outer periphery. The material supplied to the groove 202 of the first flat screw 111 is plasticized between the first flat screw 111 and the first barrel 112 by the rotation of the first flat screw 111 and the heating of the first heater 113. Then, the material flows along the groove 202 and the guide groove 211 due to the rotation of the first flat screw 111 and is guided to a central portion 205 of the first flat screw 111. The material that has flowed into the central portion 205 is guided to the injection control mechanism 120 from the outlet hole 116 provided in the center of the first barrel 112. The guide groove 211 does not necessarily have to be provided in the first barrel 112. Furthermore, the guide groove 211 does not necessarily have to be connected to the outlet hole .

[0013] In this specification, "plasticization" is a concept that includes melting, and refers to changing from a solid to a fluid state. Specifically, in the case of a material that undergoes glass transition, plasticization refers to raising the temperature of the material above the glass transition point. In the case of a material that does not undergo glass transition, plasticization refers to raising the temperature of the material above the melting point.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1 , the injection control mechanism 120 includes an injection cylinder 121, a plunger 122, and a plunger driver 123. The injection control mechanism 120 has the function of injecting the plasticized material in the injection cylinder 121 into a cavity 117 (described later). The injection control mechanism 120 controls the amount of plasticized material injected from the first nozzle 114. The injection cylinder 121 is a substantially cylindrical member connected to the outlet hole 116 of the first barrel 112, and includes a plunger 122 therein. The plunger 122 slides inside the injection cylinder 121 and pressure-feeds the plasticized material in the injection cylinder 121 to the first nozzle 114 provided in the plasticizing device 110. The plunger 122 is driven by a plunger driver 123 configured by a motor.

[0015] The molding die 400 includes a movable die 420 and a fixed die 410. The movable die 420 and the fixed die 410 are disposed facing each other, with a cavity 117 between them that corresponds to the shape of the molded product. The movable die 420 and the fixed die 410 are formed with concave and convex shapes that define the cavity 117. The concave shape that defines the cavity 117 is also referred to as a cavity portion, and the convex shape is also referred to as a core portion. The plasticized material that flows out from the outflow hole 116 of the first barrel 112 is pressure-fed by the injection control mechanism 120 and injected into the cavity 117 from the first nozzle 114. The movable die 420 in this embodiment is a resin die that includes a shaped body in which the cavity 117 is formed, a base plate, and a mold base. Details of the movable die 420 will be described later.

[0016] Clamping device 130 includes a mold drive unit 131 and has the function of opening and closing movable mold 420 and fixed mold 410. Clamping device 130 drives mold drive unit 131, which is configured with a motor, to rotate ball screw 132, which moves movable mold 420, which is coupled to ball screw 132, relative to fixed mold 410, thereby opening and closing molding mold 400. In other words, fixed mold 410 is stationary in injection molding apparatus 10, and movable mold 420 moves relative to stationary fixed mold 410, thereby opening and closing molding mold 400.

[0017] The movable mold 420 is provided with an ejection mechanism 407 for releasing the molded product from the molding mold 400. The ejection mechanism 407 has an ejector pin 408, a support plate 409, a support rod 406, a spring 411, an ejection plate 412, and a thrust bearing 413.

[0018] The ejector pin 408 is a rod-shaped member for pushing out the molded product molded in the cavity 117. The ejector pin 408 is provided so as to penetrate through the movable mold 420 and into the cavity 117. The support plate 409 is a plate member that supports the ejector pin 408. The ejector pin 408 is fixed to the support plate 409. The support rod 406 is fixed to the support plate 409 and inserted into a through-hole formed in the movable mold 420. The spring 411 is disposed in the space between the movable mold 420 and the support plate 409 and is inserted into the support rod 406. During molding, the spring 411 biases the support plate 409 so that the head of the ejector pin 408 forms part of the wall surface of the cavity 117. The push-out plate 412 is fixed to the support plate 409. The thrust bearing 413 is attached to the push plate 412 and is provided so that the head of the ball screw 132 does not damage the push plate 412. Instead of the thrust bearing 413, a thrust sliding bearing or the like may be used.

[0019] 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the schematic configuration of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus 300. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 300 in this embodiment stacks layers to form a modeled body 450 that constitutes a part of a movable mold 420 used in the injection molding apparatus 10. The modeled body 450 is also called a stacked body.

[0020] The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 300 in this embodiment includes a modeling unit 310, a cutting unit 320, a stage 330, a moving mechanism 340, and a control unit 350.

[0021] The control unit 350 is configured by a computer equipped with one or more processors, a main memory device, and an input / output interface for inputting and outputting signals from and to the outside. The control unit 350 controls the operations of the modeling unit 310, the cutting unit 320, and the movement mechanism 340 by the processor executing programs and instructions loaded onto the main memory device. Note that the control unit 350 may be configured by a combination of multiple circuits instead of a computer.

[0022] Under the control of the control unit 350, the three-dimensional modeling device 300 ejects modeling material from the second nozzle 311 provided in the modeling unit 310 toward the stage 330, while driving the moving mechanism 340 to change the relative position between the second nozzle 311 and the stage 330, thereby modeling a modeled body 450 on the stage 330.

[0023] Furthermore, under the control of the control unit 350, the three-dimensional modeling device 300 rotates the cutting tool 321 attached to the cutting unit 320, while driving the moving mechanism 340 to change the relative position between the cutting tool 321 and the stage 330, thereby cutting the modeled body 450 stacked on the stage 330 with the cutting tool 321.

[0024] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the modeling unit 310. The modeling unit 310 includes a material supply unit 312 that is a supply source of material, a plasticizing unit 313 that plasticizes the material to form a modeling material, and a discharging unit 314 that discharges the modeling material.

[0025] The material supply unit 312 supplies raw materials for generating a modeling material to the plasticizing unit 313. The material supply unit 312 is configured, for example, by a hopper that stores raw materials. The material supply unit 312 is connected to the plasticizing unit 313 via a material supply path 315 connected below. The raw materials are input into the material supply unit 312 in the form of pellets, powder, or the like. Examples of raw materials include resins such as COC (cyclic olefin copolymer), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), POM (polyacetal), PA (polyamide) 66, PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PEEK (polyether ether ketone), and PBI (polybenzimidazole). In addition to these resins, the raw materials may also include components such as metals, ceramics, solvents, and binders.

[0026] The plasticizing unit 313 is a device having a configuration similar to that of the plasticizing unit 110 of the injection molding apparatus 10 shown in Figure 1. That is, the plasticizing unit 313 plasticizes the raw material using a second flat screw 316, a second barrel 317, and a second heater 309. The plasticizing unit 313 plasticizes the raw material supplied from the material supply unit 312 to produce a paste-like modeling material that has developed fluidity, and then guides the paste-like modeling material to the discharge unit 314.

[0027] The discharge unit 314 includes a second nozzle 311 that discharges the modeling material generated by the plasticizing unit 313 toward the stage 330. The discharge unit 314 includes a discharge amount adjustment unit 318 that can adjust the amount of modeling material discharged from the second nozzle 311. In this embodiment, the discharge amount adjustment unit 318 is configured by a valve. The control unit 350 adjusts the amount of modeling material discharged by driving a valve driving unit 319 configured by a motor or the like to rotate the discharge amount adjustment unit 318.

[0028] 4 is a device that rotates a cutting tool 321 attached to the tip on the stage 330 side to cut a shaped body 450 stacked on the stage 330. The cutting tool 321 may be, for example, a flat end mill, a ball end mill, or a drill. The control unit 350 controls the movement mechanism 340 to change the relative position between the cutting tool 321 and the shaped body 450 stacked on the stage 330, thereby controlling the cutting position.

[0029] The stage 330 is supported by a moving mechanism 340. The moving mechanism 340 in this embodiment is configured as a three-axis positioner that moves the stage 330 along the X, Y, and Z directions relative to the modeling unit 310 and the cutting unit 320. The moving mechanism 340 may move the modeling unit 310 and the cutting unit 320 relative to the stage 330 without moving the stage 330. The moving mechanism 340 may move both the stage 330 and the modeling unit 310 and the cutting unit 320. The moving mechanism 340 may have a function to tilt the stage 330 with respect to a horizontal plane, or may have a function to tilt the second nozzle 311 and the cutting tool 321.

[0030] 6 is a process diagram showing a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object. The following describes a method for manufacturing a movable mold 420 including a three-dimensional object. In step S10, the three-dimensional printing apparatus 300 first ejects a modeling material from the ejection unit 314 and stacks layers in the stacking direction to form a modeling object that will become part of the movable mold 420 on the stage 330. Step S10 is also referred to as the first step.

[0031] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of a modeling body 450. In this embodiment, the 3D modeling apparatus 300 forms a modeling body 450 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape by stacking multiple layers L in the +Z direction. The +Z direction is also referred to as the stacking direction. The 3D modeling apparatus 300 sets the longitudinal direction of the modeling body 450 as the main scanning direction of the discharge unit 314 and the lateral direction of the modeling body 450 as the sub-scanning direction of the discharge unit 314. After discharging the modeling material toward the stage 330 along the main scanning direction, the 3D modeling apparatus 300 moves the discharge unit 314 little by little in the sub-scanning direction to form each layer L of the modeling body 450. In FIG. 7, the movement path of the discharge unit 314 for the uppermost layer L of the modeling body 450 is indicated by a dashed arrow. In addition, if the three-dimensional printing device 300 is equipped with multiple second nozzles 311 arranged in a row in a direction intersecting the main scanning direction, each layer L may be printed without movement in the sub-scanning direction by simultaneously moving the multiple second nozzles 311 in the main scanning direction.

[0032] 6, the worker peels the modeling body 450 off the stage 330 and fixes the modeling body 450 to a fixture arranged on the stage 330. Step S20 is also referred to as a second step.

[0033] 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the shaped body 450 is fixed to the fixture 500. The fixture 500 of this embodiment includes a base 510 on which the shaped body 450 is placed, and a fixing part 520 installed on the base 510 with the shaped body 450 sandwiched between them in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction.

[0034] The base 510 is a metal member, and has a recess 511 along the X direction in which the modeling body 450 is placed. The width of the recess 511 along the Y direction is greater than the width of the modeling body 450.

[0035] In this embodiment, the fixing unit 520 has a plurality of fixing blocks 522. In the example shown in Fig. 8, three fixing blocks 522 are located in the +Y direction of the shaping body 450, and three fixing blocks 522 are located in the -Y direction of the shaping body 450. The number of fixing blocks 522 is preferably two or more in the +Y direction of the shaping body 450 and two or more in the -Y direction of the shaping body 450. Each fixing block 522 is provided with a first pin 524 that protrudes toward the shaping body 450.

[0036] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of the fixed block 522. The fixed block 522 is provided with a female screw 526. A first through-hole 528 having a diameter smaller than that of the female screw 526 is formed at the bottom of the female screw 526. A first pin 524 is inserted into the first through-hole 528. The first pin 524 has a cylindrical shape. The diameter of the first pin 524 is, for example, 2 to 5 mm, and is 3 mm in this embodiment. The tip of the first pin 524 has a pointed shape. The tip angle of the first pin 524 is, for example, 60 to 120 degrees, and is 90 degrees in this embodiment. The rear end of the first pin 524 has a diameter larger than that of the first through-hole 528. A setscrew 529 is threaded into the female screw 526. The tip of the setscrew 529 is capable of contacting the rear end of the first pin 524. The shaped body 450 is placed on the base 510, and the first pin 524 of each fixing block 522 is protruded toward the shaped body 450 using a set screw 529 so that the first pin 524 comes into contact with the shaped body 450, thereby fixing the shaped body 450 to the fixing device 500.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 8 , in this embodiment, the multiple first pins 524 contact the side surface of the shaped body 450 that is aligned with the main scanning direction of the discharge unit 314. In this embodiment, the side surface of the discharge unit 314 that is aligned with the main scanning direction is the side surface that is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the shaped body 450. In this embodiment, the first pins 524 contact the shaped body 450 from a horizontal direction that intersects with the stacking direction. In this embodiment, the shaped body 450 is fixed to the fixing device 500 by piercing the tips of the first pins 524 into the shaped body 450. The tightening torque of the first pins 524 to pierce the shaped body 450 is 1.0 to 1.5 [N·m] when the shaped body material is a mixture of resin and metal, such as PPS and Fe, and a value closer to 1.5 [N·m] is preferable. Experimental results showed that when the tightening torque was less than 1.0 [N·m], vibration occurred in the formed body 450 during cutting in step S30 (described later), and when the tightening torque exceeded 1.5 [N·m], distortion occurred in the formed body 450. It is preferable that the first pins 524 contact the formed body 450 at a position higher than one-third (H / 3) of the height (H) of the formed body 450 and lower than one-half (H / 2) of the height (H) of the formed body 450. By contacting the first pins 524 with the formed body 450 at such a height, the formed body 450 can be stably fixed while preventing interference between the cutting unit 320 and the fixing device 500 in step S30 (described later). Note that if the shape of the formed body 450 is not a rectangular parallelepiped, the height of the formed body 450 refers to the height of the tallest part of the formed body 450.

[0038] In step S30 of Fig. 6, the three-dimensional printing apparatus 300 controls the cutting unit 320 to cut the model body 450 fixed to the fixture 500. Step S30 is also referred to as the third step. In this embodiment, the cutting unit 320 is used to cut the top surface of the model body 450 into a flat surface, and to form screw holes in the flat cut surface for screwing a base plate (described later). Hereinafter, the cut surface will be referred to as a cut surface 451.

[0039] In step S40 of FIG. 6, the worker fixes the shaping body 450 to the base plate.

[0040] Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing how a shaped body 450 is fixed to a base plate 430. The shaped body 450 shown in Fig. 10 is the shaped body 450 shown in Fig. 8 turned upside down, with the cutting surface 451 facing downward.

[0041] In this embodiment, the base plate 430 is made of metal. An opening 433 is formed in the base plate 430. In this embodiment, the base plate 430 has a frame-like shape with two openings 433 formed in a substantially rectangular shape. A plurality of second through holes 434 are formed in the base plate 430. The shaped body 450 is fixed to the base plate 430 by threading screws into screw holes formed in a cutting surface 451 of the shaped body 450 through the second through holes 434 provided in the base plate 430. The cutting surface 451 of the shaped body 450, which has been machined to be flat, comes into contact with the base plate 430, so that the shaped body 450 can be attached to the base plate 430 with high precision.

[0042] 6, the base plate 430 to which the formation body 450 is fixed is fixed to the stage 330. Then, in step S60, the control unit 350 controls the cutting unit 320 to perform cutting to form a cavity 117 and an ejector pin hole 118 through which the ejector pin 408 passes on a surface 452 opposite to the cutting surface 451 of the formation body 450. Note that the surface 452 opposite to the cutting surface 451 of the formation body 450 is flat because it is the surface that was in contact with the stage 330 when the formation body 450 was formed. However, in step S50, cutting may be performed to make the surface 452 opposite to the cutting surface 451 even flatter.

[0043] 11 is a perspective view showing the movable mold 420 in an assembled state. The three-dimensional object, or shaped body 450, manufactured by the series of steps described above is fixed to a base plate 430 and incorporated into a mold base 440, which is a metal frame-shaped body. In this manner, the movable mold 420, which includes the mold base 440, the base plate 430, and the shaped body 450, is assembled. Note that, although the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object described above has been described as a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the fixed mold 410 may also be manufactured by the same method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object described above.

[0044] According to the first embodiment described above, the multiple first pins 524 protruding toward the shaped body 450 from a direction intersecting the stacking direction come into contact with the shaped body 450 to fix the shaped body 450. Therefore, even if the shaped body 450 has unevenness on its side surface, the shaped body 450 can be stably fixed. As a result, the shaped body 450 can be cut with high precision.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the shaping body 450 is fixed by piercing the shaping body 450 with a plurality of first pins 524. Therefore, the shaping body 450 can be fixed more stably.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the multiple first pins 524 fix the side surfaces of the shaping body 450 that are aligned with the main scanning direction of the discharge unit 314. In this embodiment, the side surfaces of the discharge unit 314 that are aligned with the main scanning direction are the side surfaces that are aligned with the longitudinal direction of the shaping body 450. Therefore, the shaping body 450 can be fixed more stably than if the first pins 524 were in contact with the side surfaces of the shaping body 450 that are aligned with the short side direction. Furthermore, by having the multiple first pins 524 in contact with the side surfaces of the shaping body 450 that are aligned with the long side direction, but not with the side surfaces that are aligned with the short side direction, the force that the shaping body 450 receives from the cutting tool can be dissipated in the longitudinal direction, which is the direction in which the force is mainly received from the cutting tool, and the burden on the cutting tool can be reduced.

[0047] B. Second embodiment: FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a fixture 500B in the second embodiment. In the fixture 500B in the second embodiment, a base 510 is provided with a plurality of second pins 525 that protrude toward the shaped body 450 in the stacking direction. Each second pin 525 has the same length. The diameter and tip angle of the second pins 525 are the same as those of the first pins 524. In the second embodiment, in step S20 of the process diagram shown in FIG. 6 , the plurality of first pins 524 are brought into contact with the shaped body 450, and the plurality of second pins 525 are brought into contact with the shaped body 450 to fix the shaped body 450 to the fixture 500. Specifically, first, the shaped body 450 is pressed from above toward the second pins 525, thereby bringing the second pins 525 into contact with the shaped body 450 so that the tips of the second pins 525 pierce the shaped body 450. Then, the first pin 524 is brought into contact with the side surface of the shaping body 450 so as to pierce it. By using both the first pin 524 and the second pin 525 in this way, the shaping body 450 can be fixed more stably.

[0048] C. Other Embodiments: (C1) In the above embodiment, in step S20 of the process diagram shown in FIG. 6, the first pin 524 is brought into contact with the shaped body 450 from a horizontal direction. In contrast, in step S20, as shown in FIG. 13, the first pin 524 may be brought into contact with the shaped body 450 facing diagonally downward. If the first pin 524 is brought into contact with the shaped body 450 facing diagonally downward, it is possible to more effectively prevent the shaped body 450 from moving upward during cutting. Therefore, it is possible to fix the shaped body 450 more stably. Note that the base 510 and the fixing block 522 are not shown in FIG. 13.

[0049] (C2) In the above embodiment, the tips of the first pins 524 and the second pins 525 are inserted into the shaped body 450. In contrast, the first pins 524 and the second pins 525 only need to come into contact with the shaped body 450, and do not necessarily have to be inserted into the shaped body 450. When the tips of the first pins 524 and the second pins 525 do not need to be inserted into the shaped body 450, the tip shapes of the first pins 524 and the second pins 525 do not have to be sharp, and may be, for example, hemispherical or flat.

[0050] (C3) In the above embodiment, a part of the molding die 400 used in the injection molding apparatus 10 is manufactured as the three-dimensional object. However, the three-dimensional object is not limited to a part of the molding die 400, and may be a finished product or a part that constitutes a part of the finished product. If the three-dimensional object is not a part of the molding die 400, the processes of steps S40 to S60 in the process diagram shown in FIG. 6 do not need to be executed. Furthermore, the cutting step in step S30 is not limited to a step of machining the top surface of the formed body 450 into a flat surface, but may also be a step of forming a hole in the top surface of the formed body 450 or machining the top surface of the formed body 450 into an arbitrary shape.

[0051] (C4) In the above embodiment, the first pins 524 are in contact with the side surfaces of the shaped body 450 that are aligned with the main scanning direction of the discharge unit 314. However, the first pins 524 may be in contact with a side surface of the shaped body 450 other than the side surface that is aligned with the main scanning direction of the discharge unit 314. The first pins 524 may also be in contact with all side surfaces of the shaped body 450. Alternatively, the shaped body 450 may be fixed by bringing one side surface of the shaped body 450 into contact with the inner wall of the base 510 and bringing the first pins 524 into contact with the opposite side surface.

[0052] (C5) In the above embodiment, the cutting unit 320 is provided in the three-dimensional printing apparatus 300. However, the cutting unit 320 may be a device independent of the three-dimensional printing apparatus 300. In other words, the device that forms the shaped body 450 and the device that performs cutting on the shaped body 450 may be different devices. In this case, the fixture 500 is attached to the device that performs cutting.

[0053] (C6) In the above embodiment, the injection molding apparatus 10 and the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 300 use a flat screw to plasticize the material. However, the injection molding apparatus 10 and the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 300 may use an in-line screw instead of a flat screw to plasticize the material.

[0054] D. 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.

[0055] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the method comprising: a first step of forming a shaped object by discharging a modeling material from a discharge unit and stacking layers in a stacking direction, a second step of fixing the shaped object by contacting the shaped object with a plurality of first pins that protrude toward the shaped object in a direction intersecting the stacking direction, and a third step of cutting the fixed shaped object. In the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object having this configuration, the object can be stably fixed by bringing the plurality of first pins into contact with the object.

[0056] (2) In the above aspect, in the second step, the plurality of first pins may be brought into contact with side surfaces of the shaped body that are aligned in the main scanning direction of the discharge section. According to this aspect, the shaped body can be fixed more stably.

[0057] (3) In the above aspect, the second step may involve bringing the first pins into contact with the shaped body so as to pierce the shaped body. According to this aspect, the shaped body can be fixed more stably.

[0058] (4) In the above aspect, in the second step, the first pins may be inserted into the shaped body obliquely downward. According to this aspect, the shaped body can be fixed more stably.

[0059] (5) In the above aspect, in the second step, the first pins may be brought into contact with the shaped body, and the second pins protruding toward the shaped body in the stacking direction may be brought into contact with the shaped body to fix the shaped body. According to this aspect, the shaped body can be fixed more stably.

[0060] (6) In the above embodiment, in the second step, the first pins may be brought into contact with the shaped body at a position higher than one-third of the height of the shaped body and lower than one-half of the height of the shaped body. This embodiment allows the shaped body to be fixed more stably.

[0061] (7) A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a fixture used in the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to the first aspect. The fixture includes a base on which the object is placed, and a fixing unit installed on the base across the object in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction, the fixing unit having the plurality of first pins and fixing the object by bringing the plurality of first pins into contact with the object. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10...injection molding apparatus, 101...accommodation section, 110...plasticizing device, 111...first flat screw, 112...first barrel, 113...first heater, 114...first nozzle, 115...screw drive section, 116...outlet hole, 117...cavity, 118...ejector pin hole, 120...injection control mechanism, 121...injection cylinder, 122...plunger, 123...plunger drive section, 12 4...check valve, 130...mold clamping device, 131...molding mold drive part, 132...ball screw, 201...groove forming surface, 202...groove, 203...material inlet, 204...ridge portion, 205...center portion, 211...guide groove, 212...opposing surface, 300...three-dimensional modeling device, 309...second heater, 310...modeling unit, 311...second nozzle, 312...material supply part, 313...plasticization part, 314...discharge part, 315...material supply duct, 316...second flat screw, 317...second barrel, 318...discharge rate adjusting section, 319...valve driving section, 320...cutting unit, 321...cutting tool, 330...stage, 340...moving mechanism, 350...control section, 400...forming die, 406...support rod, 407...ejection mechanism, 408...ejector pin, 409...support plate, 410...fixed die, 411...spring, 412...ejection plate, 413...thrust bearing, 420...movable mold, 430...base plate, 433...opening, 434...second through hole, 440...mold base, 450...shaped body, 451...cutting surface, 452...surface, 500...fixing device, 500B...fixing device, 510...base, 511...recess, 520...fixing portion, 522...fixing block, 524...first pin, 525...second pin, 526...female thread, 528...first through hole, 529...set screw

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, comprising: a first step of forming a shaped object by discharging a modeling material from a discharging unit and stacking layers in a stacking direction; a second step of fixing the shaped body by bringing a plurality of first pins, which protrude toward the shaped body in a direction intersecting the stacking direction, into contact with the shaped body; a third step of cutting the fixed shaped body; A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object having the above structure.

2. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to claim 1, In the second step, the plurality of first pins are brought into contact with side surfaces of the shaped body that are aligned in a main scanning direction of the discharge section.

3. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to claim 1, In the second step, the plurality of first pins are brought into contact with the shaped body so as to pierce the shaped body.

4. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to claim 3, In the second step, the plurality of first pins are thrust obliquely downward into the shaped body.

5. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to claim 1, In the second step, the plurality of first pins are brought into contact with the formed body, and a plurality of second pins that protrude toward the formed body along the stacking direction are brought into contact with the formed body to fix the formed body.

6. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to claim 1, In the second step, the plurality of first pins are brought into contact with the formed body at a position higher than one-third of the height of the formed body and lower than one-half of the height of the formed body.

7. A fixture used in the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to claim 1, a base on which the shaped body is placed; and a fixing portion disposed on the base so as to sandwich the shaped body in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction; and Equipped with the fixing unit has the plurality of first pins, and fixes the shaped body by bringing the plurality of first pins into contact with the shaped body; Fixtures.

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