Three-dimensional shaping device

Abstract

To provide a three-dimensional modeling device that can reduce the burden on the user. [Solution] The control unit performs a heating process in which heat is applied to the plasticizing section to plasticize the raw material, a waiting process in which the plasticizing section waits for a certain period of time after the heating process has reached the commanded temperature, an opening process in which the discharge volume adjustment section is opened after the waiting process, and a detection process in which the torque value applied to the discharge volume adjustment section is detected after the opening process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a three-dimensional shaping apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration of a three-dimensional shaping apparatus including a plasticizing unit that plasticizes a supplied material to generate a paste-like shaping material having fluidity and guides it to a discharge unit. The plasticizing unit has a screw and a drive motor that rotates the screw. When shaping starts without the material being completely melted, a load is applied to the drive motor and the three-dimensional shaping apparatus stops. Therefore, it is necessary to check whether the material has melted before starting the shaping.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1 above, there is a problem that it is burdensome for the user because it is necessary to check each time whether the material has melted before starting the shaping.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The three-dimensional molding apparatus comprises: a plasticizing unit that generates a plasticizable material by plasticizing a material with heat; a nozzle that discharges the plasticizable material; a table on which the plasticizable material discharged from the nozzle is deposited; a position changing unit that changes the relative position between the nozzle and the table; a discharge volume adjustment unit that communicates with the nozzle and is provided in a flow path through which the plasticizable material flows, and adjusts the amount of plasticizable material discharged from the nozzle by adjusting the opening area of ​​the flow path; and a control unit that controls the plasticizing unit, the position changing unit, and the discharge volume adjustment unit to mold a three-dimensional object in the molding area of ​​the table. The control unit performs a temperature rise process in which heat is applied to the plasticizing unit to plasticize the material; a waiting process in which the plasticizing unit waits for a certain period of time after reaching a commanded temperature by the temperature rise process; an opening process in which the discharge volume adjustment unit is opened after the waiting process; and a detection process in which the torque value applied to the discharge volume adjustment unit is detected after the opening process. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] A cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a three-dimensional printing device. [Figure 2] A perspective view showing the configuration of a flat screw. [Figure 3] A plan view showing the barrel's configuration. [Figure 4] A flowchart illustrating the plasticization confirmation process. [Figure 5] A flowchart showing the plasticization verification process for modified forms. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The configuration of the 3D modeling apparatus 1000 will be explained below with reference to the drawings. In the following diagrams, the three mutually orthogonal axes will be described as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. The direction along the X-axis will be called the "X-direction," the direction along the Y-axis will be called the "Y-direction," and the direction along the Z-axis will be called the "Z-direction." The direction of the arrow is the + direction, and the direction opposite to the + direction is the - direction. Viewing from the +Z direction or -Z direction is also called a planar view or planar perspective.

[0008] First, the configuration of the 3D printing apparatus 1000 will be explained with reference to Figure 1.

[0009] As shown in Figure 1, the three-dimensional molding apparatus 1000 is a device that creates a three-dimensional object 700 by a material extrusion method. The three-dimensional molding apparatus 1000 includes a molding unit 100 that generates and extrudes plasticizable material, a molding table 200 that serves as the base for the object 700, a position changing unit 300 that controls the extrusion position of the plasticizable material, an information processing device 400, and a control unit 500 that controls each part of the three-dimensional molding apparatus 1000.

[0010] The molding unit 100, under the control of the control unit 500, extrudes plasticizable material, which is obtained by plasticizing a material in a solid state, toward the table 200. The molding unit 100 includes a material supply unit 110, which is a source of raw materials as materials before they are converted into plasticizable material; a plasticizing unit 120, which converts the raw materials into plasticizable material; and an extrusion unit 130, which extrudes the plasticizable material.

[0011] The material supply unit 110 supplies raw material MR to the plasticizing unit 120. The material supply unit 110 is composed of, for example, a hopper that contains the raw material MR. The material supply unit 110 is connected to the plasticizing unit 120 via a connecting passage 111. The raw material MR is fed into the material supply unit 110 in the form of pellets, powder, or the like.

[0012] The plasticizing unit 120 plasticizes the raw material MR supplied from the material supply unit 110 to produce a paste-like plasticizing material that exhibits fluidity, and guides it to the discharge unit 130. In this embodiment, "plasticization" is a concept that includes melting, and refers to changing a solid into a fluid state.

[0013] Specifically, in the case of materials that undergo a glass transition, plasticization means raising the material's temperature above its glass transition point. In the case of materials that do not undergo a glass transition, plasticization means raising the material's temperature above its melting point. As the plasticizing material, materials containing crystalline resins or amorphous resins can be used. In this embodiment, the plasticizing material contains a crystalline resin. Therefore, as the raw material MR, resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, POM, and PEEK can be used.

[0014] The plasticizing section 120 includes a screw case 121, a motor 122, a flat screw 140, and a barrel 150. The flat screw 140 is also called a rotor or scroll. The barrel 150 is also called the screw face section.

[0015] The flat screw 140 is housed in the screw case 121. The upper surface 140a of the flat screw 140 is connected to the motor 122. The flat screw 140 rotates within the screw case 121 due to the rotational driving force generated by the motor 122. The motor 122 is driven under the control of the control unit 500. The flat screw 140 may also be driven by the motor 122 via a gearbox.

[0016] The lower surface 140b of the flat screw 140 faces the upper surface 150a of the barrel 150. A space is formed between the groove 142 and the upper surface 150a of the barrel 150 on the lower surface 140b of the flat screw 140. Raw material MR is supplied to this space from the material supply unit 110 through the material inlet 144 (see Figure 2).

[0017] In the barrel 150, a barrel heater 158 for heating the raw material MR supplied into the groove 142 of the rotating flat screw 140 is embedded. A communication hole 156 is provided at the center of the barrel 150. The barrel heater 158 is driven by a third drive unit 173 under the control of the control unit 500. The control unit 500 can adjust the temperature of the plasticizing unit 120 by controlling the temperature of the barrel heater 158 using the third drive unit 173.

[0018] The discharge unit 130 includes a nozzle 131 for discharging the plasticized material, a flow path 133 for the plasticized material provided between the flat screw 140 and the nozzle opening 132, and a discharge control unit 160 for controlling the discharge of the plasticized material.

[0019] The nozzle 131 is connected to the communication hole 156 of the barrel 150 through the flow path 133. The nozzle 131 discharges the plasticized material generated in the plasticizing unit 120 from the nozzle opening 132 at the tip toward the table 200.

[0020] The discharge control unit 160 includes a discharge amount adjustment unit 161 for opening and closing the flow path 133, and a suction unit 162 for sucking and temporarily storing the plasticized material. The discharge amount adjustment unit 161 is provided in the flow path 133 and changes the opening degree of the flow path 133 by rotating within the flow path 133.

[0021] In the present embodiment, the discharge amount adjustment unit 161 is constituted by a butterfly valve. The discharge amount adjustment unit 161 is driven by a first drive unit 171 under the control of the control unit 500. The first drive unit 171 is constituted by, for example, a drive motor. The control unit 500 can adjust the flow rate of the plasticized material flowing from the plasticizing unit 120 to the nozzle 131, that is, the discharge amount of the plasticized material discharged from the nozzle 131, by controlling the rotation angle of the butterfly valve using the first drive unit 171. The discharge amount adjustment unit 161 can adjust the discharge amount of the plasticized material and can control the on / off of the outflow of the plasticized material.

[0022] The suction part 162 is connected between the discharge amount adjustment part 161 and the nozzle opening 132 in the flow path 133. When the discharge of the plasticized material from the nozzle 131 stops, the suction part 162 temporarily sucks the plasticized material in the flow path 133, thereby suppressing the trailing phenomenon in which the plasticized material hangs down from the nozzle opening 132 as if pulling a thread.

[0023] In the present embodiment, the suction part 162 is constituted by a plunger. The suction part 162 is driven by a second drive part 172 under the control of the control part 500. The second drive part 172 is constituted by, for example, a stepping motor or a rack and pinion mechanism that converts the rotational force of the stepping motor into the translational movement of the plunger.

[0024] The table 200 is disposed at a position facing the nozzle opening 132 of the nozzle 131. The table 200 is disposed so as to be parallel in the X and Y directions, that is, in the horizontal direction. The table 200 has a shaping surface 200a on which the shaped object 700 is shaped.

[0025] On the table 200, for example, a sacrificial layer 600 for forming the shaped object 700 is formed. The shaped object 700 is formed on the sacrificial layer 600.

[0026] The position changing part 300 changes the relative position between the table 200 and the nozzle 131 under the control of the control part 500. In the present embodiment, the position of the nozzle 131 is fixed, and the position changing part 300 moves the table 200. The position changing part 300 is constituted by a three-axis positioner that moves the table 200 in three axial directions of the X, Y, and Z directions by the driving force of three motors.

[0027] The control unit 500 is a control device that controls the operation of the entire three-dimensional molding apparatus 1000. The control unit 500 is composed of a computer that includes one or more processors 510, a storage device 520 consisting of a main memory and an auxiliary storage device, and an input / output interface for inputting and outputting signals to and from the outside. The control unit 500 and the information processing device 400 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with one another.

[0028] The processor 510 executes a program stored in the storage device 520, and in accordance with the molding data acquired from the information processing device 400, controls the molding unit 100 and the position changing unit 300 to mold the object 700 on the table 200. The control unit 500 may be implemented by a combination of circuits instead of being a computer.

[0029] Next, the configuration of the flat screw 140 will be explained with reference to Figure 2.

[0030] The flat screw 140 shown in Figure 2 is shown with the positional relationship between the upper surface 140a and the lower surface 140b shown in Figure 1 reversed in the vertical direction. The flat screw 140 has a substantially cylindrical shape in which the length in the axial direction, which is along its central axis, is smaller than the length in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The flat screw 140 is positioned so that its rotation axis RX, which is its center of rotation, is parallel to the Z direction.

[0031] A spiral groove 142 is formed on the lower surface 140b of the flat screw 140, which is the surface that intersects with the rotation axis RX. The communication passage 111 of the material supply unit 110 communicates with the groove 142 from the side surface of the flat screw 140. In this embodiment, three grooves 142 are formed, separated by protrusions 143. Note that the number of grooves 142 is not limited to three; there may be one or two or more. The groove 142 is not limited to a spiral shape; it may be helical or involute, or it may extend in an arc from the center toward the outer circumference.

[0032] Next, the configuration of barrel 150 will be explained with reference to Figure 3.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the upper surface 150a of the barrel 150 has multiple guide grooves 154 that are connected to the communication hole 156 and extend in a spiral shape from the communication hole 156 toward the outer circumference. One end of the guide grooves 154 does not necessarily have to be connected to the communication hole 156. Also, the guide grooves 154 can be omitted.

[0034] The raw material MR supplied into the groove 142 of the flat screw 140 is plasticized within the groove 142 and flows along the groove 142 as the flat screw 140 rotates, and is guided to the central part 146 of the flat screw 140 as a plasticizing material. The paste-like plasticizing material that has flowed into the central part 146 and exhibits fluidity is supplied to the discharge section 130 through a communication hole 156 provided in the center of the barrel 150.

[0035] Furthermore, in the case of plasticizing materials, it is not necessary for all types of substances constituting the plasticizing material to be plasticized. It is sufficient that the plasticizing material is transformed into a fluid state as a whole through the plasticization of at least some of the types of substances constituting the plasticizing material.

[0036] Next, the plasticization confirmation process of the three-dimensional molding apparatus 1000 will be explained with reference to Figure 4.

[0037] First, as shown in Figure 4, step S11 initiates the heating process. Specifically, the control unit 500 controls the third drive unit 173 to raise the temperature of the barrel heater 158, i.e., the temperature of the plasticizing unit 120. This heats the raw material MR, causing it to melt, i.e., plasticize.

[0038] In step S12, the temperature of the plasticizing section 120 reaches the commanded temperature. Specifically, the control unit 500 controls the third drive unit 173 to stop the heating of the barrel heater 158.

[0039] In step S13, the process waits for a certain period of time (waiting process). This waiting period is the time it takes for the raw material MR to dissolve, and specifically, for example, it is about 1 minute.

[0040] In step S14, the butterfly valve is opened (opening process). Specifically, the control unit 500 controls the first drive unit 171 to open the butterfly valve, i.e., the discharge volume adjustment unit 161. In step S15, there is a wait of several seconds. That is, the discharge volume adjustment unit 161 is kept open. The waiting time is, for example, about 1 to 2 seconds.

[0041] In step S16, it is determined whether the torque value is above a certain level, i.e., above a specified value (detection process). Specifically, the control unit 500 causes a detection unit (not shown) to detect the torque value of the drive motor that drives the butterfly valve. Next, the control unit 500 causes a determination unit (not shown) to determine whether the torque value is above a certain level.

[0042] If the level is above a certain threshold, that is, if it is determined that the raw material MR has not completely melted, in other words, if it is determined that the raw material MR is clogged in the butterfly valve, the process proceeds to step S17. If the level is not above a certain threshold, that is, if it is determined that the raw material MR has completely melted, the plasticization confirmation process is terminated. In other words, the nozzle 131 becomes ready to dispense the plasticizing material, in other words, the molding process begins.

[0043] In step S17, the butterfly valve is closed. Specifically, the control unit 500 controls the first drive unit 171 to stop the opening of the butterfly valve, i.e., the discharge volume adjustment unit 161. After this, in step S16, the process from steps S13 to S17 is repeated until the torque value falls below a certain level, i.e., until the raw material MR is completely melted.

[0044] In this way, the detection process detects the torque value of the drive motor that drives the butterfly valve, and by comparing the torque values, it is easy to know whether the raw material MR has completely melted before starting the molding process. Therefore, the user does not need to directly check the melting state of the raw material MR, thus reducing the burden on the user.

[0045] Furthermore, if the torque value exceeds the specified value, that is, if the raw material MR has not completely melted, the process will be repeated until the raw material MR is completely melted, allowing the user to proceed to the start of molding without having to check each time.

[0046] Furthermore, as mentioned above, if the raw material MR has not completely dissolved, the process is not limited to repeating until the raw material MR has completely dissolved. Instead, after a certain number of repetitions, all processes may be terminated, i.e., the operation of the three-dimensional molding apparatus 1000 may be stopped.

[0047] Specifically, the control unit 500 preferably repeats the standby process, activation process, and detection process multiple times, and stops all processes if a certain number of repetitions is exceeded. The certain number of repetitions is, for example, about 5 times. The time for 5 repetitions is, for example, about 5 minutes. With this configuration, all processes are stopped if a certain number of repetitions are exceeded, that is, if it is determined that the raw material MR has not completely dissolved, the process is stopped, so that the user can execute the next process early.

[0048] As described above, the three-dimensional molding apparatus 1000 of this embodiment includes a plasticizing unit 120 that plasticizes the raw material MR by heat to produce a plasticizable material, a nozzle 131 that discharges the plasticizable material, a table 200 on which the plasticizable material discharged from the nozzle 131 is deposited, a position changing unit 300 that changes the relative position between the nozzle 131 and the table 200, and a discharge volume adjustment unit provided in a flow path 133 that communicates with the nozzle 131 and through which the plasticizable material flows, which adjusts the amount of plasticizable material discharged from the nozzle 131 by adjusting the opening area of ​​the flow path 133. The machine comprises a shaping unit 161, a plasticizing unit 120, a position changing unit 300, and a discharge volume adjustment unit 161, and a control unit 500 that controls these to create a molded object 700 in the molding area of ​​the table 200. The control unit 500 performs a heating process in which heat is applied to the plasticizing unit 120 to plasticize the raw material MR, a waiting process in which the machine waits for a certain period of time after the plasticizing unit 120 reaches a commanded temperature through the heating process, an opening process in which the discharge volume adjustment unit 161 is opened after the waiting process, and a detection process in which the torque value applied to the discharge volume adjustment unit 161 is detected after the opening process.

[0049] With this configuration, the torque value is detected by the detection process, making it easy to know whether the raw material MR has completely melted before starting the printing process. Therefore, the user does not need to directly check the melting state of the raw material MR, thus reducing the burden on the user. In addition, it prevents printing from stopping due to overload of the drive motor, such as when printing starts before the raw material MR has completely melted.

[0050] Furthermore, in the three-dimensional molding apparatus 1000 of this embodiment, it is preferable that the control unit 500 closes the flow path 133 with the discharge volume adjustment unit 161 and performs standby processing when the torque value detected by the detection process is greater than or equal to a specified value. With this configuration, if the torque value is greater than or equal to a specified value, that is, if the raw material MR has not completely melted, standby processing is performed, which brings the temperature closer to the commanded temperature. In other words, the raw material MR can be melted more thoroughly.

[0051] Furthermore, in the three-dimensional molding apparatus 1000 of this embodiment, it is preferable that the control unit 500 performs the opening process and detection process again after the standby process, and continues to perform the standby process, opening process, and detection process until the torque value falls below a specified value. With this configuration, the above process is performed until the torque value falls below a specified value, and the torque value is detected each time, so the raw material MR can be melted more efficiently.

[0052] Furthermore, in the three-dimensional molding apparatus 1000 of this embodiment, it is preferable that the control unit 500 repeats the standby process, the activation process, and the detection process multiple times, and stops all processes if a certain number of repetitions are exceeded. With this configuration, all processes are stopped if a certain number of repetitions are exceeded, that is, if it is determined that the raw material MR has not completely melted, the process is stopped, so that the user can execute the next process early.

[0053] The following describes some variations of the embodiments described above.

[0054] As described above, if the raw material MR has not completely melted, in step S13, it is not limited to waiting for a certain period of time, but as shown in Figure 5, the command temperature may be raised and then waiting for a certain period of time in step S13. As shown in Figure 5, the plasticization confirmation process of the modified example is the same as the embodiment described above in steps S11 to S17. The difference from the embodiment above is that after step S17, step S21 is performed and then the process returns to step S12.

[0055] Specifically, in step S17, if the raw material MR has not completely melted, and after closing the butterfly valve, in step S21 the command temperature is increased (temperature change process). The control unit 500 controls the third drive unit 173 to increase the temperature of the barrel heater 158, i.e., the temperature of the plasticizer unit 120. After that, the process returns to step S12 and the predetermined process is performed. In this way, if the raw material MR has not completely melted, the command temperature is increased, so the raw material MR can be melted more quickly.

[0056] In addition, in the plasticization confirmation process of the modified form, it is preferable to repeat steps S12 to S17 until the torque value falls below a specified value, similar to the embodiment described above. Furthermore, it is preferable to stop all processes if the number of repetitions exceeds a certain number, that is, to stop the process if it is determined that the raw material MR has not completely dissolved. Therefore, the user can have the next process executed earlier.

[0057] As described above, in the modified three-dimensional molding apparatus 1000, it is preferable that the control unit 500 closes the flow path 133 with the discharge volume adjustment unit 161 and performs a temperature change process to raise the command temperature when the torque value detected by the detection process is greater than or equal to a specified value. With this configuration, if the torque value is greater than or equal to a specified value, that is, if the raw material MR has not completely melted, the command temperature is raised, so that the raw material MR can be melted more effectively.

[0058] Furthermore, in the modified three-dimensional molding apparatus 1000, it is preferable that the control unit 500 performs a standby process after the temperature change process. With this configuration, since a standby process is performed after the temperature change process, the temperature can be brought closer to the raised command temperature. In other words, the raw material MR can be melted more efficiently.

[0059] Furthermore, in the modified three-dimensional molding apparatus 1000, it is preferable that the control unit 500 performs the opening process and detection process again after the standby process, and continues to perform the temperature change process, standby process, opening process, and detection process until the torque value falls below a specified value. With this configuration, since the above processes are performed until the torque value falls below a specified value, the raw material MR can be melted more efficiently than before.

[0060] Furthermore, in the modified three-dimensional molding apparatus 1000, it is preferable that the control unit 500 repeats the temperature change process, standby process, opening process, and detection process multiple times, and stops all processes if a certain number of repetitions are exceeded. With this configuration, all processes are stopped if a certain number of repetitions are exceeded, that is, if it is determined that the raw material MR has not completely melted, the process is stopped, so that the user can execute the next process early.

[0061] Furthermore, in step S16, if it is determined that the raw material MR has completely melted, the plasticization confirmation process is terminated, but it is preferable to perform a cleaning process before starting the molding process. Specifically, first, the butterfly valve is closed. Then, a cleaning process is performed, and the molding of the object 700 is started. The cleaning process involves removing foreign matter attached to the tip of the nozzle 131 by bringing a cleaning member into contact with the tip of the nozzle 131 while the nozzle 131 is lifted from the table 200. Examples of cleaning members include brushes, wipers, and blades.

[0062] In this way, since the cleaning process is performed before printing the object 700, the nozzle 131 can be kept clean when printing the three-dimensional object. Therefore, it is possible to print an object 700 with high printing quality.

[0063] As described above, in the modified three-dimensional molding apparatus 1000, it is preferable that the control unit 500 closes the flow path 133 with the discharge volume adjustment unit 161 when the torque value detected by the detection process is below a specified value, performs a cleaning process, and starts molding the molded object 700. With this configuration, since the cleaning process is performed before molding the molded object 700, the molded object 700 can be molded with the nozzle 131 in a clean state. Therefore, it is possible to mold a molded object 700 with high molding quality. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 100...Forming section, 110...Material supply section, 111...Connecting passage, 120...Plasticizing section, 121...Screw case, 122...Motor, 130...Discharge section, 131...Nozzle, 132...Nozzle opening, 133...Flow path, 140...Flat screw, 140a...Top surface, 140b...Bottom surface, 142...Groove section, 143...Protrusion section, 144...Material inlet, 146...Center section, 150...Barrel, 150a...Top surface, 154...Guide groove, 156... Communication hole, 158... Barrel heater, 160... Discharge control unit, 161... Discharge volume adjustment unit, 162... Suction unit, 171... First drive unit, 172... Second drive unit, 173... Third drive unit, 200... Table, 200a... Molding surface, 300... Position change unit, 400... Information processing device, 500... Control unit, 510... Processor, 520... Memory device, 600... Sacrificial layer, 700... Molded object as a three-dimensional object, 1000... Three-dimensional molding device.

Claims

1. A plasticizing unit that generates a plasticized material by plasticizing the material with heat, A nozzle for dispensing the plasticizing material, A table on which the plasticizing material discharged from the nozzle is deposited, A position changing unit that changes the relative position between the nozzle and the table, A discharge volume adjustment unit is provided in a flow path that communicates with the nozzle and through which the plasticizing material flows, and adjusts the amount of plasticizing material discharged from the nozzle by adjusting the opening area of ​​the flow path. A control unit that controls the plasticizing unit, the position changing unit, and the discharge amount adjustment unit to create a three-dimensional object in the molding area of ​​the table, Equipped with, The control unit, A heating treatment is performed by applying heat to the plasticization portion in order to plasticize the material. The plasticizing section waits for a certain period of time after reaching the commanded temperature through the heating process, After the standby process, an opening process is performed to open the discharge volume adjustment unit, After the opening process, a detection process is performed to detect the torque value applied to the discharge volume adjustment unit, A three-dimensional modeling device that performs this task.

2. A three-dimensional molding apparatus according to claim 1, The control unit, when the torque value detected by the detection process is greater than or equal to a specified value, closes the flow path with the discharge volume adjustment unit and executes the standby process, in a three-dimensional molding apparatus.

3. A three-dimensional molding apparatus according to claim 2, The control unit, after the standby process, repeats the opening process and the detection process, and continues to perform the standby process, the opening process, and the detection process until the torque value falls below a specified value, in a three-dimensional molding apparatus.

4. A three-dimensional molding apparatus according to claim 3, The control unit repeats the standby process, the activation process, and the detection process multiple times, and stops all processes if the number of repetitions exceeds a certain limit, in a three-dimensional modeling apparatus.

5. A three-dimensional molding apparatus according to claim 1, The control unit, when the torque value detected by the detection process is greater than or equal to a specified value, closes the flow path with the discharge volume adjustment unit and performs a temperature change process to raise the commanded temperature, thereby creating a three-dimensional molding apparatus.

6. A three-dimensional molding apparatus according to claim 5, The control unit performs the standby process after the temperature change process, in a three-dimensional molding apparatus.

7. A three-dimensional molding apparatus according to claim 6, The control unit, after the standby process, repeats the opening process and the detection process, and continues to perform the temperature change process, the standby process, the opening process, and the detection process until the torque value falls below a specified value, in a three-dimensional molding apparatus.

8. A three-dimensional molding apparatus according to claim 7, The control unit repeats the temperature change process, the standby process, the opening process, and the detection process multiple times, and stops all processes if the number of repetitions exceeds a certain limit.

9. A three-dimensional molding apparatus according to claim 1, The control unit, when the torque value detected by the detection process is less than or equal to a specified value, closes the flow path with the discharge volume adjustment unit, performs a cleaning process, and starts the molding of the three-dimensional object, in a three-dimensional molding apparatus.

Images