Molding device and molding method

Abstract

To provide a molding device capable of efficiently and beautifully forming a molding and a molding method.SOLUTION: A molding device includes a barrel 82 having a hollow portion 82a formed therein, a material feeding section for supplying molding material into the hollow portion 82a, a heater provided on the outer circumference of the barrel 82 for heating the material supplied into the hollow portion 82a, a screw 83 provided in the hollow portion 82a that transports the material heated by the heater by rotation, and a nozzle 96 provided at one end of the barrel 82, through which the material transported by the screw 83 is discharged. The nozzle 96 is equipped with a restriction mechanism 70 that can adjust the size of the discharge opening.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a molding apparatus and a molding method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, modeling devices have been used to create three-dimensional objects. One of the modeling methods is the fused deposition modeling method. In the fused deposition modeling method, a thermoplastic resin filament is used as the modeling material (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5920859 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the modeling device of Patent Document 1, the nozzle diameter cannot be changed during printing, making it difficult to accommodate changes such as reducing the layer pitch in small areas and increasing the layer pitch in other areas, making it difficult to efficiently form beautiful models.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a molding apparatus and a molding method that can efficiently and beautifully form a molded object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the modeling apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a material input section for inputting modeling material, a heater for heating the material input from the material input section, a transfer section for transferring the material heated by the heater, and a nozzle having an outlet formed therein through which the material transferred by the transfer section is ejected, and the nozzle is provided with a throttle mechanism capable of changing the size of the outlet.

[0007] According to the above configuration, in various modeling devices that discharge material from a nozzle, the thickness of the discharged material can be freely changed, and by discharging thin material in small areas and thick material in other areas, the thickness and fineness of the model can be freely set and the material can be layered. Changing the size of the discharge port does not require nozzle replacement, which reduces the time required for nozzle replacement. This allows for efficient and beautiful formation of models.

[0008] The apparatus further includes a barrel having a hollow portion formed therein into which material is fed from the material feeding portion, the heater being provided on the outer periphery of the barrel, the transport portion being a screw provided in the hollow portion that rotates to transport the material heated by the heater, and the nozzle being provided at one end of the barrel.

[0009] With the above configuration, the pellet-type molding device allows the thickness and fineness of the object to be freely set and the material to be layered. Changing the size of the outlet does not require replacing the nozzle, which reduces the time required for nozzle replacement. This allows for efficient and beautiful molding.

[0010] The ink jet printer may further include a motor that can change the rotation speed of the screw in accordance with the change in size of the discharge port caused by the throttle mechanism.

[0011] The above configuration makes it possible to dispense materials that are suited to the size of the nozzle. This allows processes for dispensing materials of different thicknesses to be carried out in a single flow, eliminating material seams and enabling the formation of a cleanly shaped object.

[0012] In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a modeling method according to a second aspect of the present invention is a modeling method for forming a three-dimensional object by stacking multiple layers using the above-mentioned modeling device, and includes the steps of operating the transfer unit to eject and stack material melted by the heater, and, when stopping the operation of the transfer unit to stop the ejection of material from the ejection port, narrowing the ejection port using the throttling mechanism to prevent dripping of material from the ejection port.

[0013] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent dripping liquid from spoiling the appearance of the model and soiling the modeling table, and to efficiently form a beautiful model.

[0014] In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a modeling method according to a third aspect of the present invention is a modeling method for forming a three-dimensional object by stacking multiple layers using the above-mentioned modeling device, and includes a first step of operating the transfer unit to eject and stack the material melted by the heater from an outlet of a first size, and a second step of operating the transfer unit to eject and stack the material melted by the heater from an outlet of a second size made larger by the throttle mechanism.

[0015] With the above configuration, the thickness of the material being ejected can be freely changed, and by ejecting thin material in small areas and thick material in other areas, the thickness and fineness of the object can be freely set and the material can be layered. Changing the size of the ejection port in this way does not require replacing the nozzle, which reduces the time required for nozzle replacement. This allows for efficient and beautiful formation of objects.

[0016] The transport unit may be operated at a first speed in the first step, and at a second speed different from the first speed in the second step.

[0017] The above configuration makes it possible to dispense materials that are suited to the size of the nozzle. This allows processes for dispensing materials of different thicknesses to be carried out in a single flow, eliminating material seams and enabling the formation of a cleanly shaped object.

[0018] In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a modeling method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a modeling method for forming a three-dimensional object by stacking multiple layers using the above-mentioned modeling device, and includes the steps of operating the transfer unit to eject and stack material melted by the heater, and, while stopping the operation of the transfer unit to stop the ejection of material from the ejection port, changing the size of the ejection port using the throttle mechanism to remove the material adhering to the ejection port.

[0019] According to the above configuration, the material adhering to the discharge port can be automatically scraped off, which eliminates the need to scrape off the material adhering to the discharge port and reduces the burden of cleaning the modeling apparatus. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a molding apparatus and a molding method that can efficiently and beautifully form a molded object. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a molding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a print head of the modeling apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a barrel accommodating a screw of a molding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, cut in the vertical direction. FIG. [Figure 4] 4A to 4D are cross-sectional views of a nozzle equipped with a throttle mechanism taken along the cross-sectional line IV-IV in FIG. 3, showing the operation of the throttle mechanism which gradually enlarges the discharge opening from (a) to (d). [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram focusing on one aperture blade and a drive ring that moves the aperture blade of the aperture mechanism shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of the manner in which material is ejected when the ejection opening area is changed by a throttle mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] A modeling apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The modeling apparatus 100 is an apparatus (3D printer) that models a three-dimensional object using an additive manufacturing method. The modeling apparatus used in this embodiment is, for example, a fused deposition modeling (FDM) apparatus that melts and layers pellets made of thermoplastic resin.

[0023] 1, the X direction is defined as the "left-right direction," the Y direction is defined as the "front-rear direction," and the Z direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions is defined as the "up-down direction."

[0024] (Overview of the modeling apparatus 100) As shown in FIG. 1 , the modeling apparatus 100 is formed by assembling a plurality of housing units. The modeling apparatus 100 includes a bottom housing unit 10, a pair of side housing units 20, a pair of upper beam units 30 connecting the pair of side housing units 20, an upper housing unit 40 mounting a first print head 1A and a second print head 1B as working heads, a modeling table 50 on which a modeled object is placed, and a control unit 300. The first print head 1A and the second print head 1B melt pellets made of thermoplastic resin and eject them toward the modeling table 50. The bottom housing unit 10, the side housing unit 20, the upper beam unit 30, the upper housing unit 40, and the modeling table 50 are housing units that form the housing of the modeling apparatus 100.

[0025] A pair of side housing units 20, aligned left and right, are installed on the edges of the top surface of the bottom housing unit 10 and form the sides of the modeling apparatus 100. Each of the pair of side housing units 20 has an elevating mechanism 200 in the center. The pair of elevating mechanisms 200 move the modeling table 50 up and down.

[0026] The pair of upper beam units 30 extend in the left-right direction and are arranged facing each other in the front-rear direction. The pair of upper beam units 30 connect the upper parts of the pair of side housing units 20.

[0027] The upper housing unit 40 includes a frame portion 41 and a print head drive mechanism 400 disposed on the upper surface of the frame portion 41. The frame portion 41 is a frame-shaped member formed in a rectangular shape.

[0028] The print head drive mechanism 400 includes a first print head drive mechanism 410 that drives the first print head 1A and a second print head drive mechanism 420 that drives the second print head 1B. The first print head 1A is moved in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions by the first print head drive mechanism 410 under the control of the control unit 300, as indicated by the solid arrows. The second print head 1B is moved in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions by the second print head drive mechanism 420 under the control of the control unit 300, as indicated by the dashed arrows. In this embodiment, the modeling apparatus 100 is a dual-head modeling apparatus equipped with two print heads, but a single print head is also acceptable.

[0029] The modeling table 50 is a platform on which a model is placed, and both opposing edges of the platform 50 are attached to the lifting mechanism 200 .

[0030] The molding apparatus 100 includes a plate-shaped reinforcing member 51 on the outside of the molding apparatus 100 to reinforce the joint between the bottom case unit 10 and the side case unit 20. Furthermore, the molding apparatus 100 includes a plate-shaped reinforcing member 52 on the outside of the molding apparatus 100 to reinforce the joint between the side case unit 20 and the upper beam unit 30.

[0031] The control unit 300 controls the operation of each unit of the modeling apparatus 100. The control unit 300 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, etc. The control unit 300 executes a modeling process in accordance with a preset program.

[0032] (About the configuration of print heads 1A and 1B) Next, we will explain the print heads 1A and 1B, which are components of the modeling apparatus 100. Note that the print heads 1A and 1B basically have the same configuration, and to avoid redundant description, only the print head 1A will be explained below.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, the print head 1A has a mixing and dispensing unit 80 that mixes the material and dispenses it onto the modeling table 50, and a support unit 90 that supports the mixing and dispensing unit 80 and attaches it to the first print head drive mechanism 410.

[0034] The support unit 90 has a first support plate 91 attached to the first print head drive mechanism 410, a second support plate 92 arranged parallel to the first support plate 91 and spaced apart in the vertical direction, and four connecting pillars 93 connecting the first support plate 91 and the second support plate 92.

[0035] The kneading and discharging unit 80 heats and melts the supplied natural pellets while transporting them, and kneads them with a colorant near the discharge port, discharging a material colored to a desired color onto the modeling table 50. The kneading and discharging unit 80 has a material input section 81 into which the natural pellets are input, a barrel 82 into which the material input from the material input section 81 is supplied, a colorant injection mechanism 60 that injects the colorant into the barrel 82, a screw 83 that serves as a transport section that rotates within the barrel 82, a motor 84 that rotates the screw 83, and a heater 85 that heats the material in the barrel 82.

[0036] The material feeding section 81 is a cylindrical member having a passage 81a through which the natural pellets pass. The passage 81a communicates with a hollow portion 82a of the barrel 82.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 3, the barrel 82 is a cylindrical member with a circular hollow portion 82a bored out of a cylindrical body. The barrel 82 is arranged with its axis aligned vertically. An opening (not shown) is formed in the barrel 82, connecting the passage 81a of the material feed section 81 with the hollow portion 82a. The bottom of the barrel 82 is also formed with a plurality of injection holes 83a through which the colorant is injected. These injection holes 83a are holes that penetrate from the outer peripheral surface of the barrel 82 to the hollow portion 82a, and are formed in the same number as the number of colorant injection mechanisms 60 that can be installed.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the colorant injection mechanisms 60 are attached to the outer edge of the second support plate 92. In this embodiment, five colorant injection mechanisms 60 having the same configuration are attached. Each colorant injection mechanism 60 contains colored pellets of a different color. The colorant injection mechanism 60 includes a colorant feed section 61, a coloring barrel 62 to which colorant is supplied from the colorant feed section 61, a screw (not shown) that rotates within the coloring barrel 62, a motor 63 that rotates the screw, and a heater 64 for heating the colored pellets. The heater 64 is provided in the colorant feed section 61 and the coloring barrel 62.

[0039] Colorant pellets are stored in the colorant supply unit 61. The colorant pellets are heated by a heater 64 to become liquid, and are then supplied to the coloring barrel 62. Under the control of the control unit 300, a motor 63 drives and rotates a screw, and the colorant is injected into the barrel 82 through an injection hole 83a shown in FIG.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, the screw 83 has a rod-shaped screw shaft 86, and screw fins 87 and a plurality of protrusions 88 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the screw shaft 86.

[0041] The axial length (vertical direction) of the screw shaft 86 is longer than the axial length (vertical direction) of the barrel 82. The upper part of the screw shaft 86 protrudes upward from the hollow portion 82a, and this protruding part is connected to the output shaft (not shown) of the motor 84 (FIG. 2). In addition, the tip (lower end) of the screw shaft 86 is formed into a pointed, tapered shape.

[0042] The screw fins 87 are formed in the axial middle portion of the screw shaft 86. In other words, there are sections in the upper and lower portions of the screw shaft 86 where the screw fins 87 are not formed. When the screw 83 is rotated by the drive of the motor 84 (FIG. 2), the material and colorant introduced into the hollow portion 82a are transferred downward under pressure.

[0043] The protrusions 88 are formed in a dot pattern on the outer peripheral surface of the screw shaft 86. The protrusions 88 are formed in a section below the section in which the screw shaft 86 is formed. When the screw 83 rotates, the material and colorant transported downward are pushed downward and kneaded by the protrusions 88. For this reason, the section in which the protrusions 88 are formed and in which the material and colorant are kneaded is referred to as the kneading section 95.

[0044] The motor 84 is, for example, a servo motor, a stepping motor, or the like, and can rotate an output shaft (not shown) at different rotational speeds under the control of the control unit 300.

[0045] 2, the heaters 85 are provided on the outer periphery of the barrel 82 and heat the materials and colorants that are introduced into the barrel 82. Four heaters 85 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the barrel 82.

[0046] 3, the kneading and discharging unit 80 has a nozzle 96 connected to the lower end of the barrel 82, and a throttle mechanism 70 provided in the nozzle 96. A hollow portion 96b, which is a transfer path for the material and colorant, is formed in the nozzle 96. The tip of the screw 83 is inserted into the hollow portion 96b. A nozzle opening 96a communicating with the hollow portion 96b is formed in the lower end of the nozzle 96.

[0047] The iris mechanism 70 is attached to the lower end of the nozzle 96. As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 3, the iris mechanism 70 has a housing 71 for attaching it to the nozzle 96 while holding each component therein. As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 71 has, for example, a circular planar shape, and a through-hole 71a is formed in the center thereof, penetrating in the vertical direction through which the modeling material passes. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4(a), the iris mechanism 70 has eight iris blades 97 arranged at equal angular intervals around the nozzle opening 96a. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the iris mechanism 70 has a drive ring 98 arranged above the iris blades 97 to move the iris blades 97, and a motor 99 to rotate the drive ring 98.

[0048] All eight diaphragm blades 97 have the same shape. By rotating all eight diaphragm blades 97 simultaneously, the size of an opening 97a formed in the center can be changed, as shown in FIGS. 4(a) to 4(c). The shape of the diaphragm blades 97 is formed so that the opening 97a formed in the center is circular. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the diaphragm blade 97 has a tapered shape that curves counterclockwise. The diaphragm blade 97 has a first pin 97d that serves as a rotation axis and a second pin 97e for operation.

[0049] The drive ring 98 has a circular plate with a circular opening 98a formed in its center. The drive ring 98 is positioned so that its center coincides with the center of the circular nozzle opening 96a (enlarged view in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4). The diameter of the opening 98a is equal to or larger than the diameter of the nozzle opening 96a. This prevents the drive ring 98 from covering the nozzle opening 96a. The drive ring 98 has arc-shaped slits 98c formed in it, each corresponding to one of the eight diaphragm blades 97. That is, the drive ring 98 has a total of eight slits 98c formed at equal angular intervals relative to the center. The second pins 97e of the diaphragm blades 97 pass through these slits 98c. A gear 98b that meshes with an output gear 99a of the motor 99 is formed on the outer edge of the drive ring 98.

[0050] The motor 99 is, for example, a stepping motor. Under the control of the control unit 300, the motor 99 rotates the output gear 99a, thereby rotating the drive ring 98 in the circumferential direction indicated by the arrow Y1. As the drive ring 98 rotates, the second pin 97e moves in the direction in which the slit 98c extends. As a result, the rotating drive ring 98 can rotate all eight diaphragm blades 97 simultaneously in the same manner, thereby changing the size of the aperture 97a shown in FIG. 4(a).

[0051] (Material discharge method) Next, the method of discharging the material will be described. The first print head 1A can change the size of the discharge orifices that discharge the material by using the throttle mechanism 70. That is, under the control of the control unit 300, the motor 99 rotates the drive ring 98, thereby changing the size of the discharge orifices between the state in which the discharge orifices are minimized as shown in FIG. 4(a) and the state in which the discharge orifices are maximized as shown in FIG. 4(d).

[0052] Here, as shown in FIG. 4(d), when the diaphragm blade 97 is in the most open state, the diaphragm blade 97 does not cover the nozzle opening 96a. At this time, the nozzle opening 96a formed in the nozzle 96 becomes the outlet through which the material is discharged. The size of the outlet is equal to the size of the nozzle opening 96a. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4(a) to 4(c), when the diaphragm blade 97 covers the nozzle opening 96a, the openings 97a to 97c formed in the center by the diaphragm blade 97 become the size of the outlet through which the material is discharged. The size of the outlet at this time is equal to the size of the openings 97a to 97c. In this way, by operating the diaphragm blade 97, the size of the outlet through which the material is discharged can be changed.

[0053] As shown in Figure 6, if the area of ​​opening 97a, which is the discharge outlet in the case of Figure 4(c), is A, the area of ​​opening 97b, which is the discharge outlet in the case of Figure 4(b), is A / 4.7, and the area of ​​nozzle opening 96a, which is the discharge outlet in the case of Figure 4(d), is 2.0A. In Case 1 of Figure 4(c) where the discharge outlet is opening 97c, if the rotational speed of the output shaft of motor 84 that rotates screw 83 is V1 and the rotational speed of the output shaft of motor 63 that rotates the screw in coloring barrel 62 is V2, the colored material is discharged from the discharge outlet at a discharge speed S. Here, the discharge speed is the length of material discharged from the discharge outlet per unit time.

[0054] In CASE 2, where the area of ​​the discharge port is reduced from CASE 1 (discharge port area is set to A / 4.7) and the rotation speeds of motor 84 and motor 63 are set to V1 and V2, respectively, without changing the area, the cross-sectional area of ​​the discharged material is reduced to A / 4.7 and the discharge speed is increased to 4.7S. On the other hand, in CASE 3, where the area of ​​the discharge port is reduced to A / 4.7 but the rotation speeds of motor 84 and motor 63 are set to 4.7V1 and 4.7V2, respectively, the discharge speed S can be achieved, similar to CASE 1. In CASE 2 and CASE 3, the ratio of the rotation speeds of motor 84 and motor 63 is the same as in CASE 1, so the color of the discharged material can be made the same as in CASE 1.

[0055] In CASE 4, where the area of ​​the discharge port is increased from CASE 1 (discharge port area is set to 2.0A / ), and the rotation speeds of motor 84 and motor 63 are set to V1 and V2, respectively, without changing the area, the cross-sectional area of ​​the discharged material increases to 2.0A, and the discharge speed slows to S / 2.0. On the other hand, in CASE 5, where the discharge port area is increased to 2.0A but the rotation speeds of motor 84 and motor 63 are set to V1 / 2.0 and V2 / 2.0, respectively, the discharge speed S can be achieved, similar to CASE 1. In CASE 4 and CASE 5, the ratio of the rotation speeds of motor 84 and motor 63 is the same as in CASE 1, so the color of the discharged material can be made the same as in CASE 1.

[0056] Figure 6 shows an example of a material dispensing method, and the thickness and dispensing speed of the material dispensed from the dispense port can be changed as needed by changing the area of ​​the dispense port and the rotation speed of the motors 84 and 63. In an actual modeling method, a first process is performed in which material is dispensed and layered under the conditions shown in CASE 1, for example, and a second process is performed in which the size of the dispense port and the rotation speed of the motors 84 and 63 are changed and material is dispensed and layered under the conditions shown in CASE 3, for example. Furthermore, a process of layering material while changing the dispense conditions is performed continuously.

[0057] (Drip prevention process) When motors 84 and 63 are stopped to stop discharging the material in order to finish the process of stacking the material, the throttle mechanism 70 is operated under the control of the control unit 300 to execute a drip prevention process of reducing the size of the discharge outlet. By reducing the size of the discharge outlet, it is possible to make it less likely for the liquid material to drip from the discharge outlet.

[0058] (Process for removing adhering material) After the material deposition process is completed, the first print head 1A executes a process of removing the adhering material by operating the aperture mechanism 70 and moving the aperture blades 97 while the material is not being ejected. Specifically, the aperture mechanism 70 repeatedly widens and narrows its opening. This removal process may be executed after the material deposition process has been executed multiple times, or after the deposition process has been executed for a predetermined period of time. Alternatively, a user who has confirmed the adhesion of material may issue an instruction to execute the removal process via a separately provided input device. Adjacent aperture blades 97 are overlapped as shown in FIGS. 4(a) to 4(c), and as they rotate, they rub against each other, scraping off the material adhering to the ejection ports.

[0059] (Effects of this embodiment) According to the present embodiment, the nozzle 96 of the modeling apparatus 100 is equipped with a throttle mechanism 70 that can change the size of the material outlet. This allows the thickness of the material to be freely changed, and by using thinner material in finer areas and thicker material in other areas, the thickness and fineness of the model can be freely set and the material can be layered. Changing the size of the outlet does not require nozzle replacement, which reduces the time required for nozzle replacement. This allows for efficient and beautiful modeling.

[0060] Furthermore, since the rotation speed of the screw 83 that transports the material can be changed in accordance with the change in the size of the material outlet, it is possible to discharge material that is suited to the size of the outlet. This makes it possible to execute the process of discharging materials of different thicknesses in a single flow, eliminating material seams and enabling the formation of a clean shaped object.

[0061] Furthermore, when the screw 83 is stopped to stop discharging the material, the size of the discharge port can be reduced to prevent dripping from the discharge port. This prevents dripping from spoiling the appearance of the molded object or soiling the modeling table, allowing for efficient and beautiful formation of molded objects.

[0062] Furthermore, after the process of stacking the material is completed, the throttling mechanism 70 is operated while the material is not being discharged to move the throttling blades 97, thereby automatically scraping off the material adhering to the discharge port. This eliminates the need to remove the material adhering to the discharge port, and reduces the burden of cleaning the modeling apparatus 100.

[0063] This invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. In the above-described embodiment, the throttle mechanism 70 is described as being attached to the outside of the nozzle, but it can be attached to any location as long as the size of the discharge port can be changed. For example, it may be attached to the inside of the nozzle.

[0064] Furthermore, although it has been explained that the aperture 97a is formed in the center of the aperture blade 97 when the discharge port is minimized by the aperture mechanism 70, it is also possible to have the aperture blade 97 close the nozzle opening 96a without providing an aperture. This makes it possible to achieve a configuration that makes it even more difficult for liquid to drip from the discharge port.

[0065] In addition, the molding apparatus 100 is provided with a colorant injection mechanism 60 that injects colorant from the bottom of the barrel 82, but the present invention can also be applied to a molding apparatus that omits the colorant injection mechanism 60 and injects colorant from the material input section 81.

[0066] In the above description, the size of the discharge port of the material is changed to continuously discharge the material. However, the timing of changing the size of the discharge port is arbitrary, and the discharge of the material may be stopped once, the size of the discharge port is changed, and then the discharge of the material may be resumed.

[0067] Furthermore, while the above embodiment has been described as a fused deposition modeling system that melts pellets, the present invention can also be applied to a filament-type modeling system by providing a throttle mechanism 70 to the nozzle. In this case, for example, the gear that feeds the filament and the motor that drives the gear correspond to the transfer unit that transfers the material. Also, the sprouting around which the filament is wound corresponds to the material input unit for inputting the material. Furthermore, by changing the operating speed of the gear that serves as the transfer unit of the filament-type modeling system, the speed at which the filament (material) is transferred can be changed. Changing the operating speed of such a gear corresponds to changing the rotation speed of the screw 83.

[0068] Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to any other modeling device as long as it is a modeling device that ejects material from a nozzle.

[0069] The features described in the above-described embodiments and modifications can be combined in any manner unless they are inconsistent. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1A First print head 1B Second print head 10 Bottom housing unit 20 Side housing unit 30 Upper beam unit 40 Upper housing unit 41 Frame section 50 Modeling stand 51,52 Reinforcement member 60 Colorant injection mechanism 61 Colorant input section 62 Coloring Barrel 63, 84, 99 motors 64,85 heater 70 Aperture mechanism 71 Case 71a Through hole 80 Mixing and discharging unit 81 Material input section 81a Passageway 82 barrels 82a,96b Hollow part 83 Screw 83a injection hole 86 screw shaft 87 Screw Fin 88 Protrusion 90 Support Unit 91 First support plate 92 Second support plate 93 Connecting column 95 Mixing Section 96 nozzles 96a Nozzle opening 97 aperture blades 97a,97b,97c,98a opening 97d 1st pin 97e 2nd pin 98 Drive Ring 98b gear 98c slit 99a output gear 100 Modeling equipment 200 Lifting mechanism 300 control section 400 Printhead drive mechanism 410 First Print Head Drive Mechanism 420 Second Print Head Drive Mechanism

Claims

1. a material input unit for inputting a material for modeling; a heater that heats the material input from the material input unit; a transfer unit that transfers the material heated by the heater; a nozzle having a discharge port formed therein through which the material transferred by the transfer unit is discharged, The nozzle is provided with a throttle mechanism that can change the size of the discharge opening. Modeling equipment.

2. The material supplying section further includes a barrel having a hollow portion formed therein into which the material is supplied from the material supplying section, the heater is provided on the outer periphery of the barrel, the conveying section is a screw provided in the hollow section and configured to rotate to convey the material heated by the heater, The nozzle is provided at one end of the barrel. The molding apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. The nozzle further includes a motor that can change the rotation speed of the screw in accordance with the change in size of the discharge port by the throttle mechanism. The molding apparatus according to claim 2 .

4. A modeling method for forming a three-dimensional object by stacking a plurality of layers using the modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising the steps of: a step of operating the transfer unit to discharge and stack the material melted by the heater; and when stopping the operation of the transfer unit to stop the discharge of the material from the discharge port, reducing the size of the discharge port by the throttle mechanism to prevent dripping of the material from the discharge port. Modeling method.

5. A modeling method for forming a three-dimensional object by stacking a plurality of layers using the modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising the steps of: a first step of operating the transfer unit to discharge the material melted by the heater from a discharge port of a first size and stacking the material; a second step of operating the transfer unit to discharge the material melted by the heater from the discharge port whose size has been increased to a second size by the throttle mechanism, and laminating the material; Modeling method.

6. In the first step, the transfer unit is operated at a first speed, and in the second step, the transfer unit is operated at a second speed different from the first speed. The molding method according to claim 5 .

7. A modeling method for forming a three-dimensional object by stacking a plurality of layers using the modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising the steps of: a step of operating the transfer unit to discharge and stack the material melted by the heater; and changing the size of the discharge port by the throttle mechanism while stopping the operation of the transport unit to stop the discharge of the material from the discharge port, thereby removing the material adhering to the discharge port. Modeling method.

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