Manufacturing method for work stage and three-dimensional object

Abstract

This invention provides a work stage that can be used for both molding and cutting, and that can cut three-dimensional objects from various directions, as well as a method for manufacturing three-dimensional objects. [Solution] The work stage 2 is used for the fabrication and cutting of a three-dimensional object M. The work stage 2 comprises a mounting table 7 on which the fabrication material Ma of the three-dimensional object M is layered, and a cutting device 8 attached to the mounting table 7 for cutting the three-dimensional object M. The cutting device 8 has a cutting member 10 for cutting the three-dimensional object M, a moving member 20 provided on the mounting table 7 for moving the cutting member 10 horizontally, and a lifting member 30 provided on the mounting table 7 for raising and lowering the cutting member 10 vertically. The cutting member 10 cuts the three-dimensional object M horizontally by moving horizontally with the moving member 20, and cuts the three-dimensional object M vertically by moving vertically with the lifting member 30.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , , , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a work stage and a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, and particularly relates to a work stage used for the shaping operation and cutting operation of a three-dimensional object, and a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object using the work stage.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, 3D printer technology is known, in which a three-dimensional object is shaped by laminating and arranging three-dimensional shaping materials on a three-dimensional basis using 3D-CAD (Computer Aided Design) data created on a computer as a design drawing. For example, 3D printer technology based on the fused deposition modeling (FDM) method is widely known, in which a thermoplastic resin used as a three-dimensional shaping material is melted by heat and extruded from the nozzle part of an extruder, and shaped while being laminated on a work stage.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a work stage for laminating a shaping material of a three-dimensional object. Through holes into which the shaping material enters are formed on the upper surface of the table part of the work stage. The shaping material flowing into these through holes becomes the anchor part of the three-dimensional object. By cutting this anchor part, the three-dimensional object can be easily removed from the table part.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the work stage described in Patent Document 1, the anchor portion is cut horizontally for the purpose of removing it from the table portion. However, since the anchor portion remains on the bottom surface of the three-dimensional object, it was necessary to prepare a cutting device or work stage for cutting horizontally, separate from the work stage used for printing. Furthermore, when cutting a three-dimensional object vertically, it was necessary to prepare a separate cutting device or work stage for vertical cutting, in addition to the work stage used for printing.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a work stage that can be used for both molding and cutting operations and that can cut three-dimensional molded objects from various directions, as well as a method for manufacturing three-dimensional molded objects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The aforementioned problems are solved by the present invention, which provides a work stage used for fabricating and cutting three-dimensional objects, comprising: a mounting table for stacking fabrication materials for the three-dimensional objects; and a cutting device attached to the mounting table for cutting the three-dimensional objects, wherein the cutting device includes a cutting member for cutting the three-dimensional objects; a moving member provided on the mounting table for moving the cutting member horizontally; and a lifting member provided on the mounting table for raising and lowering the cutting member vertically, wherein the cutting member cuts the three-dimensional objects horizontally by moving horizontally with the moving member and cuts the three-dimensional objects vertically by moving vertically with the lifting member.

[0008] With the above configuration, the 3D printed object can be easily removed from the work stage by cutting it horizontally on the work stage where the printing is performed. Furthermore, since cutting can be done in various directions on the work stage where the printing is performed, there is no need to prepare a separate cutting device or work stage in addition to the work stage where the printing is performed. Therefore, the entire 3D printing system can be made compact. In addition, since cutting can be done on the work stage where the printing is performed, work efficiency can be improved. In this way, the workspace can be used for both shaping and cutting, and the three-dimensional object can be cut from various directions.

[0009] In this case, the moving member is attached to the stand described above and has a rail portion that extends in a predetermined direction along the stacking surface on which the molding material is stacked, the lifting member has a slide portion that is attached to the rail portion so as to be movable along the stacking surface and a guide portion that is provided on the slide portion and extends in the vertical direction and guides the cutting member in the vertical direction, the cutting member has a cutting portion that extends along the stacking surface and cuts the three-dimensional molded object and a holding portion that holds the cutting portion and is attached to the guide portion so as to be vertically movable, the cutting portion cuts the three-dimensional molded object horizontally as the slide portion moves along the stacking surface and cuts the three-dimensional molded object vertically as the holding portion moves up and down relative to the guide portion. With the above configuration, three-dimensional objects can be cut from various directions with a simple setup.

[0010] In this case, the aforementioned mounting base has an anchor groove formed therein that holds the three-dimensional object in place when the molding material is inserted into it, and the cutting member cuts the three-dimensional object horizontally at a height above the anchor groove. With the above configuration, the three-dimensional object can be firmly fixed in place by the anchor grooves formed to allow the molding material to enter. Furthermore, even when firmly fixed, the object can be easily removed from the work stage because it can be cut above the anchor grooves.

[0011] In this case, the anchor groove is a groove that extends horizontally over a long distance, and the cutting member moves in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the anchor groove extends horizontally to cut the three-dimensional object horizontally. With the above configuration, the cutting direction is perpendicular to the anchor groove, which further increases the anchor strength during cutting.

[0012] In this case, the cutting section has a long, plate-shaped cutting blade that extends in the width direction of the rail section, and the holding section holds the cutting section so that the orientation of the cutting blade can be switched between the horizontal and vertical directions. With the above configuration, three-dimensional objects can be easily cut using a plate-shaped cutting blade. Furthermore, the cutting direction can be easily changed simply by switching the orientation of the cutting blade.

[0013] In this case, the cutting device may have a support member attached to the lifting member that supports the three-dimensional object from the side, and the support member may have an extended portion attached to the sliding portion that extends in the width direction of the rail portion, and a clamping portion attached to the extended portion that supports the three-dimensional object by sandwiching it from the side. With the above configuration, by supporting the three-dimensional object from the side, it is possible to suppress the displacement of the three-dimensional object during cutting.

[0014] In this case, the extended portion is preferably attached to the sliding portion in a way that allows its height relative to the sliding portion to be changed and in a way that allows it to be attached to or detached from the sliding portion. With the above configuration, the support position for the three-dimensional object can be adjusted, thereby further suppressing misalignment of the three-dimensional object.

[0015] Furthermore, the above problem is solved by a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object using a work stage used for manufacturing and cutting a three-dimensional object, comprising: a manufacturing step of accumulating the manufacturing material of the three-dimensional object on the work stage to manufacture it; a first cutting step of cutting the three-dimensional object in the vertical direction; and a second cutting step of cutting the three-dimensional object in the horizontal direction, wherein in the first cutting step, the cutting member is moved in the vertical direction to cut the three-dimensional object, and in the second cutting step, the cutting member is moved in the horizontal direction to cut the three-dimensional object. By using the method described above, the three-dimensional object can be easily removed from the work stage by cutting it horizontally on the work stage where the printing process takes place. Furthermore, since cutting can be done in various directions on the work stage where the printing process takes place, there is no need to prepare a separate cutting device or work stage in addition to the work stage where the printing process takes place. Therefore, the entire three-dimensional printing system can be made more compact. In addition, since cutting can be done on the work stage where the printing process takes place, work efficiency can be improved. In this way, the workspace can be used for both shaping and cutting, and the three-dimensional object can be cut from various directions.

[0016] In this case, during the second cutting step, the three-dimensional object is preferably cut horizontally at a height above the anchor groove portion formed on the work stage for fixing the three-dimensional object. By the method described above, the three-dimensional object can be firmly fixed in place by the anchor grooves formed to allow the molding material to enter. Furthermore, even when firmly fixed, the object can be easily removed from the work stage because it can be cut above the anchor grooves. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, the work stage and the method for manufacturing three-dimensional objects allow the work space to be used for both molding and cutting, and the three-dimensional object can be cut from various directions. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is an overall perspective view of the three-dimensional shaping apparatus. [Figure 2] This is a view showing the state where the three-dimensional shaped object is cut horizontally by the cutting device. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] This is a view for explaining the horizontal cutting position of the three-dimensional shaped object. [Figure 5] This is a view showing the state before the three-dimensional shaped object is cut vertically by the cutting device. <​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The three-dimensional molding apparatus 1 is a device that extrudes a molding material Ma to create a three-dimensional object M. Specifically, the three-dimensional molding apparatus 1 is a 3D printer that creates three-dimensional objects by stacking two-dimensional layers sliced ​​based on 3D-CAD data. As shown in Figure 1, the three-dimensional molding apparatus 1 comprises a work stage 2 used for the molding process, an extruder 3 that stacks the molding material Ma onto the work stage 2, a supply device 4 that supplies the molding material Ma to the extruder 3, a manipulator 5 that moves the extruder 3, and a control device 6 that controls the work stage 2, the extruder 3, the supply device 4, and the manipulator 5.

[0021] The work stage 2 is a stage for creating a three-dimensional object M, and is used for the creation and cutting operations of the three-dimensional object M by the extruder 3. As shown in Figure 1, the work stage 2 has a long rectangular shape and is positioned adjacent to the extruder 3, the supply device 4, and the manipulator 5.

[0022] The extruder 3 is a device that builds a three-dimensional object M by layering the molding material Ma onto the work stage 2. Examples of the molding material Ma include thermoplastic resin pellets. The pellets are heated and melted inside the extruder 3 and then extruded from the extruder 3. The heated and melted pellets are then deposited on the work stage 2, where they are cooled and hardened.

[0023] The supply device 4 is a device that supplies the molding material Ma to the extruder 3. The supply device 4 stores pellets and supplies the required amount to the extruder 3 via the control device 6.

[0024] The manipulator 5 is a robotic arm used to move the extruder 3. The extruder 3 is attached to the tip of the manipulator 5. By using the manipulator 5, work efficiency can be improved even when creating large three-dimensional objects M. When the extruder 3 is attached to the tip of the manipulator 5, the manipulator 5 moves the extruder 3 onto the work stage 2 to perform the molding operation. The parameters related to the operation of the extruder 3 are adjusted by controlling the drive motor of the manipulator 5.

[0025] The control device 6 is a computer that controls the work stage 2, the extruder 3, the feed device 4, and the manipulator 5. The control device 6 acquires molding information for creating the three-dimensional object M and cutting information for cutting the three-dimensional object M, and controls the work stage 2, the extruder 3, the feed device 4, and the manipulator 5. Specifically, the control device 6 controls the extruder 3 and the manipulator 5 based on a predetermined operating pattern (e.g., molding information such as coordinate information like G-code, speed information, and discharge amount information). The control device 6 also controls the supply device 4 based on a predetermined material pattern (e.g., material information such as supply amount information and color information entered by the operator). Furthermore, the control device 6 controls the cutting device 8 of the work stage 2, which will be described later, based on the cutting information (coordinate information, speed information, cutting amount information, etc.). The control device 6 may be located on the work stage 2. Furthermore, the computer controlling the cutting device 8 may be a separate computer from the computers controlling the extruder 3, the supply device 4, and the manipulator 5.

[0026] <Work Stage> As shown in Figure 1, the work stage 2 includes a mounting table 7 for layering the molding material Ma of the three-dimensional object M, and a cutting device 8 attached to the mounting table 7 for cutting the three-dimensional object M. Work stage 2 can be used as a workspace for both molding and cutting, and the three-dimensional object M can be cut in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0027] <<Platform>> The mounting stage 7 is a stage for creating and cutting a three-dimensional object M. As shown in Figure 1, the mounting stage 7 has a layering surface 7a into which the building material Ma is layered. An anchor groove portion 7b is formed in the layering surface 7a of the mounting stage 7 as the building material Ma fills into it, fixing the three-dimensional object M. As shown in Figure 2, the three-dimensional object M is cut horizontally at a position above the layering surface 7a and separated from the mounting stage 7.

[0028] The layering surface 7a is the upper surface of the mounting table 7 and is a flat surface for layering the molding material Ma. When the molding material Ma is layered onto the layering surface 7a, the three-dimensional object M is adhered to the layering surface 7a to a degree that allows it to be peeled off.

[0029] The anchor groove 7b is a groove that extends horizontally in a long manner. The anchor groove 7b is formed to extend linearly in the short direction of the work stage 2. The anchor groove 7b is formed to extend in the short direction, but it may also be formed to extend in the long direction. Furthermore, the anchor groove 7b may be formed in a curved shape, or in a grid shape intersecting in the short and long directions. In addition, the anchor groove 7b is not limited to a long groove, but may consist of multiple holes.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the molding material Ma extruded from the nozzle of the extruder 3 during the molding process enters the anchor groove 7b. In other words, the groove of the anchor groove 7b is formed to a size that allows the molding material Ma to enter. The mounting base 7 fixes the three-dimensional molded object M by allowing a part of the three-dimensional molded object M to enter the groove of the anchor groove 7b. In this way, the anchor groove 7b, which is formed so that the molding material Ma can be inserted, firmly fixes and stabilizes the three-dimensional molded object M during molding and cutting operations.

[0031] <Cutting device> As shown in Figures 2 to 8, the cutting device 8 is a device that cuts the three-dimensional object M, which has been fabricated on the stacking surface 7a of the mounting table 7 by the extruder 3, on the mounting table 7. The cutting device 8 includes a cutting member 10 for cutting a three-dimensional object M, a moving member 20 for moving the cutting member 10 horizontally, a lifting member 30 for raising and lowering the cutting member 10 vertically, and a support member 40 for supporting the three-dimensional object M from the side. The cutting device 8 may be detachably attached to the mounting base 7. In this case, it may be removed from the mounting base 7 during the molding process and attached to the mounting base 7 during the cutting process.

[0032] The cutting member 10 is a member for cutting the three-dimensional object M. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the cutting member 10 is moved horizontally by the moving member 20, thereby cutting the three-dimensional object M horizontally. Also, as shown in Figures 5 to 7, the cutting member 10 is moved vertically by the lifting member 30, thereby cutting the three-dimensional object M vertically. Note that the direction in which the cutting member 10 moves is not limited to the horizontal and vertical directions. For example, the three-dimensional object M may be cut in a direction oblique to the layered surface 7a by moving the moving member 20 and the lifting member 30 simultaneously.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the cutting member 10 has a cutting portion 11 that extends along the laminated surface 7a and cuts the three-dimensional molded object M, and a holding portion 12 that holds the cutting portion 11 and is attached to the guide portion 32 of the lifting member 30 so as to be able to move up and down. The cutting section 11 extends elongated in the width direction of the rail section 21 of the pair of movable members 20 and is provided to span across the slide section 31 of the pair of lifting members 30. The cutting member 10 may have two cutting sections 11, one of which is attached to the other slide section 31.

[0034] The cutting section 11 includes a cutting blade 11a for cutting the three-dimensional object M, and a mounting plate 11b for attaching the cutting blade 11a to the holding section 12. The mounting plate 11b is provided at both ends of the cutting blade 11a in the longitudinal direction.

[0035] The cutting blade 11a has a long, plate-like shape that extends in the width direction of the rail section 21. A saw-toothed blade is formed at one end of the cutting blade 11a in the width direction. The blade of the cutting blade 11a is formed facing the cutting direction, but it may also be formed at both ends in the width direction of the cutting section 11. In this way, the plate-shaped cutting blade 11a allows for easy cutting of the three-dimensional object M with a simple configuration. In this embodiment, the cutting section 11 is a plate-shaped cutting blade 11a, but it is not limited to this as long as it is capable of cutting the three-dimensional object M. The cutting section 11 may also be a wire member that generates heat when electricity is passed through it, such as a nichrome wire.

[0036] The mounting plate 11b is a plate member provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cutting blade 11a. The mounting plate 11b is fixed to the cutting blade 11a so as to be perpendicular to the plate surface of the cutting blade 11a. The mounting plate 11b is detachably attached to the holding part 12 with screws 11c.

[0037] The holding part 12 is a member that attaches the cutting part 11 to the guide part 32 of the lifting member 30 so that it can move up and down. The holding part 12 holds the cutting part 11 so that the orientation of the cutting blade 11a can be switched between the horizontal and vertical directions. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the holding part 12 holds the cutting part 11 so that the orientation of the cutting blade 11a coincides with the length direction of the rail part 21 when cutting the three-dimensional object M in the horizontal direction. Also, as shown in Figure 5, the holding part 12 holds the cutting part 11 so that the orientation of the cutting blade 11a is downward when cutting the three-dimensional object M in the vertical direction.

[0038] More specifically, the orientation of the cutting blade 11a can be switched between horizontal and vertical by changing the mounting position of the screw 11c that fixes the mounting plate 11b and the holding part 12. In this way, the cutting direction can be easily adjusted simply by switching the orientation of the cutting blade 11a. Therefore, a three-dimensional object M can be cut in any direction with a simple configuration. In this embodiment, the orientation of the cutting blade 11a can be switched in stages by changing the mounting position of the screw 11c. However, the orientation of the cutting blade 11a may be configured to be continuously adjustable using a motor or the like.

[0039] The holding portion 12 has a plate-shaped holding base portion 12a and a projection portion 12b that protrudes outward from the side surface of the holding base portion 12a. The projection portion 12b extends outward from the side surface of the holding base portion 12a in the longitudinal direction of the cutting portion 11 and is inserted into the guide portion 32 of the lifting member 30. The projection portion 12b is screwed onto the vertical screw shaft 33 of the lifting member 30 and moves up and down along the guide portion 32 by the rotation of the vertical screw shaft 33.

[0040] As shown in Figure 2, the movable member 20 is a hollow member that extends elongatedly in the longitudinal direction of the mounting base 7. The movable member 20 is provided on the mounting base 7 and moves the cutting section 11 horizontally. The movable member 20 has a rail section 21 that extends in a predetermined direction along the lamination surface 7a on which the molding material Ma is layered, and a rail groove section 22 that guides the cutting member 10 and the lifting member 30 horizontally. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the movable member 20 has a screw shaft 23 that extends elongatedly along the rail section 21, and a horizontal drive motor 24 that rotates the screw shaft 23. Note that the enlarged view in Figure 3 shows the mounting state of the screw shaft 23 and horizontal drive motor 24 and the sliding section 31 of the lifting member 30. The moving member 20 slides the cutting member 10 and the lifting member 30 in the direction in which the rail groove 22 extends (i.e., the longitudinal direction of the mounting base 7).

[0041] Each of the rail section 21, rail groove section 22, screw shaft 23, and horizontal drive motor 24 is provided in a pair at a predetermined interval in the short direction of the mounting base 7. In other words, the moving member 20 has a pair of rail sections 21, rail groove section 22, screw shaft 23, and horizontal drive motor 24 provided at a predetermined interval in the width direction of the rail section 21. The screw shaft 23 and the horizontal drive motor 24 may be provided on only one of the rail sections 21.

[0042] As shown in Figure 3, the rail section 21 is attached to the mounting base 7 and extends in a predetermined direction along the lamination surface 7a on which the molding material Ma is layered. In this embodiment, the rail section 21 extends horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the anchor groove section 7b. A rail groove section 22 is formed on the upper surface of the rail section 21. Furthermore, since a rail groove 22 is formed on the upper surface of the rail section 21, as shown in Figure 4, the horizontal cutting surface M1 is higher than the stacking surface 7a by the height of the rail section 21. However, this is not limited to this, and the height at which the rail groove 22 is formed may be the same height as the stacking surface 7a. In this case, the slide body 31a of the lifting member 30, which will be described later, moves so as to come into contact with the stacking surface 7a. As a result, the cutting member 10 moves while positioned at the lower end of the slide body 31a, so that the lower end of the fabricated three-dimensional object M can be cut.

[0043] The rail groove 22 is provided on the rail section 21, extends horizontally, and guides the cutting member 10 and the lifting member 30 in the horizontal direction. Specifically, the rail groove 22 is a groove formed on the upper surface of the rail section 21 and extends horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the anchor groove 7b. The rail groove 22 guides the lower end of the sliding section 31 of the lifting member 30. The rail groove 22 may also be formed on the side surface of the rail section 21.

[0044] The screw shaft 23 is a long screw member in the longitudinal direction of the rail section 21 and is positioned inside the rail section 21. A male thread is formed on the outer surface of the screw shaft 23. The screw shaft 23 is screwed into the slide section 31 of the lifting member 30. One end of the screw shaft 23 is connected to the horizontal drive motor 24. The screw shaft 23 is rotated by the horizontal drive motor 24, causing the slide portion 31 to slide horizontally along the rail groove portion 22 of the rail portion 21.

[0045] The horizontal drive motor 24 is a motor that can rotate in both forward and reverse directions and is electrically connected to and driven by the control device 6, and is located inside the rail section 21. The end of the screw shaft 23 is connected to the output shaft of the horizontal drive motor 24. The horizontal drive motor 24 is driven and controlled by the control device 6 to rotate the screw shaft 23.

[0046] In this embodiment, the lifting member 30 is slid by the rotation of the screw shaft 23, but this is not the only configuration. For example, the lifting member 30 may be slid using a known power supply rail. Alternatively, the lifting member 30 may be slid by the forward and backward movement of an actuator. Furthermore, the lower end of the lifting member 30 may be fitted with wheels to allow it to slide, or other known sliding mechanisms may be used.

[0047] As shown in Figure 2, the lifting member 30 is provided on the mounting base 7 and moves the cutting section 11 up and down. The lifting member 30 has a sliding section 31 that is movably mounted along the stacking surface 7a relative to the rail section 21, and a guide section 32 that guides the cutting member 10 in the up and down direction. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the lifting member 30 has a vertical screw shaft 33 that extends along the sliding section 31 and a lifting drive motor 34 that rotates the vertical screw shaft 33. Note that the enlarged view in Figure 5 shows the mounting state of the vertical screw shaft 33 and the lifting drive motor 34 and the holding section 12 of the cutting member 10. The lifting member 30 moves the holding portion 12 of the cutting member 10 up and down in the direction in which the guide portion 32 extends (i.e., in the vertical direction).

[0048] Each of the sliding portion 31, guide portion 32, vertical screw shaft 33, and lifting drive motor 34 is provided in a pair at a predetermined interval in the short direction of the mounting base 7. In other words, the lifting member 30 has a pair of sliding portions 31, guide portions 32, vertical screw shafts 33, and lifting drive motors 34 provided at a predetermined interval in the width direction of the rail portion 21. The vertical screw shaft 33 and the lifting drive motor 34 may be provided on only one of the sliding sections 31.

[0049] As shown in Figure 2, the sliding portion 31 is a hollow column member extending in the vertical direction. The sliding portion 31 is movably mounted on the upper surface of the rail portion 21 of the movable member 20. Guide portions 32 are formed on the side surface of the sliding portion 31. The slide portion 31 has a slide body portion 31a that extends in the vertical direction, and an insertion portion 31b formed at the lower end of the slide body portion 31a and inserted into the rail groove portion 22. The slide portion 31 also has a fixing hole 31c into which the extended portion 41 of the support member 40 is fixed, as shown in Figure 9.

[0050] Multiple fixing holes 31c are formed in the slide body portion 31a. The extended portion 41 of the support member 40 is fixed to a fixing hole 31c at any height position among the multiple fixing holes 31c. The insertion portion 31b is screwed onto the screw shaft 23 and moves horizontally along the rail groove 22 as the screw shaft 23 rotates.

[0051] The guide portion 32 is provided on the slide portion 31, extends in the vertical direction, and guides the cutting member 10 in the vertical direction. Specifically, the guide portion 32 is a groove formed on the side surface of the slide portion 31 and extends in the vertical direction. More specifically, the rail groove portion 22 is formed on the opposing surfaces of the pair of slide portions 31. The guide portion 32 guides the holding portion 12 of the cutting member 10.

[0052] The vertical screw shaft 33 is a vertically elongated screw member located inside the slide body 31a. A male thread is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the vertical screw shaft 33. The vertical screw shaft 33 is screwed into the protrusion 12b of the holding portion 12. One end of the vertical screw shaft 33 is connected to the lifting drive motor 34. The vertical screw shaft 33 is rotated by the lifting drive motor 34, causing the holding part 12 to slide vertically along the guide part 32 of the sliding part 31.

[0053] The lifting drive motor 34 is a motor that can rotate in both forward and reverse directions and is electrically connected to and driven by the control device 6, and is located inside the slide body 31a. The lifting drive motor 34 is located at the upper end of the slide body 31a. The upper end of the vertical screw shaft 33 is connected to the output shaft of the lifting drive motor 34. The lifting drive motor 34 is driven and controlled by the control device 6 to rotate the vertical screw shaft 33.

[0054] In this embodiment, the cutting member 10 is moved up and down by the rotation of the vertical screw shaft 33, but this is not limited to this configuration. For example, the cutting member 10 may be moved up and down using a known power supply rail. Alternatively, the cutting member 10 may be moved up and down by the forward and backward movement of an actuator.

[0055] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the holding portion 12 of the cutting member 10 moves up and down relative to the guide portion 32 of the lifting member 30, thereby cutting the three-dimensional object M in the vertical direction. In particular, when joining multiple three-dimensional objects M horizontally, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, cutting in the vertical direction makes the joining surface M2 of the three-dimensional objects M flat, thereby increasing the joining strength of the three-dimensional objects M. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cutting portion 11 of the cutting member 10 cuts the three-dimensional object M horizontally as the sliding portion 31 of the lifting member 30 moves along the layered surface 7a. By cutting the three-dimensional object M horizontally on the work stage 2 where the molding work is performed, the three-dimensional object M can be easily removed from the work stage 2.

[0056] Thus, since cutting can be performed in various directions on the work stage 2 where the 3D printing work takes place, there is no need to prepare a separate cutting device or another work stage separate from the work stage where the 3D printing work takes place. Therefore, the overall configuration of the 3D printing apparatus 1 can be made compact. Furthermore, since cutting can be performed on the work stage 2 where the 3D printing work takes place, work efficiency can be improved.

[0057] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the cutting member 10 cuts the three-dimensional object M horizontally at a height above the laminated surface 7a (more specifically, the anchor groove portion 7b formed on the laminated surface 7a). In this way, the anchor groove 7b, which is formed so that the molding material Ma can be inserted, can firmly fix the three-dimensional object M. Furthermore, even though it is firmly fixed, it can be cut above the anchor groove 7b, so the three-dimensional object M can be easily removed from the work stage 2.

[0058] In this embodiment, the movable member 20 is fixed to the mounting base 7, the lifting member 30 is attached to the movable member 20 so as to be horizontally movable, and the cutting member 10 is attached to the lifting member 30 so as to be vertically movable. Therefore, a three-dimensional object M can be easily cut with a simple configuration. However, this is not limited to this configuration. Alternatively, the lifting member 30 may be fixed to the mounting base 7, the movable member 20 may be attached to the lifting member 30 so as to be able to move up and down, and the cutting member 10 may be attached to the movable member 20 so as to be able to move horizontally.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cutting member 10 is held at both ends in the longitudinal direction by the lifting members 30 provided on both sides, thereby enabling stable cutting of the three-dimensional object M. However, the positions and number of the cutting member 10, moving member 20, and lifting member 30 can be changed as appropriate. For example, one end of the cutting member 10 in the longitudinal direction may be held by one of the lifting members 30. In this embodiment, the cutting member 10 and lifting member 30 are moved by a motor controlled by the control device 6, but the cutting member 10 and lifting member 30 may also be moved manually.

[0060] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the support member 40 is a support jig that supports the three-dimensional object M from the side. The support member 40 is detachably attached to the lifting member 30 and positioned to support the shape of the three-dimensional object M. During the molding process, the support member 40 is detached from the lifting member 30, as shown in Figure 1. Then, during the cutting process, it is attached to the lifting member 30, as shown in Figure 9. The support member 40 may also be attached to the lifting member 30 during the molding process, provided that it is in a position that does not interfere with the molding process.

[0061] The support member 40 is attached to the slide portion 31 and has an extended portion 41 that extends in the width direction of the rail portion 21, and a clamping portion 42 that supports the three-dimensional object M by sandwiching it from the side. The clamping portion 42 is fixed to the sliding portion 31 via the extending portion 41, but it may also be fixed directly to the sliding portion 31. Furthermore, the clamping portion 42 may be mounted so as to be horizontally movable relative to the extending portion 41.

[0062] The extension portion 41 is a rod-shaped metal member that extends lengthwise in the width direction of the pair of rail portions 21 (i.e., in the short direction of the mounting base 7), and is provided to span across the pair of slide portions 31. Specifically, both ends of the extension portion 41 in the length direction are detachably attached to the outer surfaces of the slide body portion 31a of the pair of slide portions 31 with fixing screws 41a. The extension portion 41 may have two extension portions 41, each to be attached to a pair of slide portions 31. The extended portion 41 has a plurality of mounting holes 41b arranged in the width direction of the rail portion 21. The clamping portion 42 is fixed to a mounting hole 41b at any position among the plurality of mounting holes 41b.

[0063] The extension portion 41 is detachably attached to the slide body portion 31a of the pair of slide portions 31, so that its height position relative to the pair of slide portions 31 can be changed. In this way, the support position of the three-dimensional object M can be easily changed. The extended portion 41 is attached to the sliding portion 31 of the lifting member 30, but it may also be attached to the moving member 20 or to the mounting base 7.

[0064] The clamping portion 42 is attached to the extension portion 41 and is a member that clamps and supports the three-dimensional object M from the side. Specifically, it clamps both sides of the three-dimensional object M from the width direction of the rail portion 21 (i.e., the short side direction of the mounting base 7). The clamping portion 42 has a support base portion 42a attached to the extension portion 41 and a contact portion 42b provided at the tip of the support base portion 42a. Furthermore, the clamping portion 42 is not limited to clamping both sides of the three-dimensional object M from the width direction of the rail portion 21, but may also support the three-dimensional object M from the length direction of the rail portion 21 (i.e., the longitudinal direction of the mounting base 7).

[0065] As shown in Figure 10, the support base portion 42a is an L-shaped metal plate and is provided in pairs on the extension portion 41. The upper end of the support base portion 42a is detachably attached to the mounting hole 41b of the extension portion 41 with mounting screws 42c. In other words, the pair of support base portions 42a are detachably fixed to the extension portion 41 so that the distance between them can be changed. In this way, the support position of the three-dimensional object M can be easily changed.

[0066] The contact portion 42b is an elastic member provided at the lower end of the support base portion 42a. The elastic member is, for example, a rubber plate and contacts the surface of the three-dimensional object M. By providing the elastic member, it is possible to prevent scratches on the surface of the three-dimensional object M when the clamping portion 42 is pressed against the three-dimensional object M. The contact portion 42b is provided so as to be angle-adjustable relative to the support base portion 42a. For example, the angle of the contact portion 42b may be adjusted by connecting the support base portion 42a and the contact portion 42b with a ball joint. In this way, even if the three-dimensional object M has a complex shape with many curved surfaces, the three-dimensional object M can be held stably by adjusting the angle of the contact portion 42b.

[0067] In this way, by supporting the three-dimensional object M from the side with the contact portion 42b of the support member 40, it is possible to suppress the displacement of the three-dimensional object M when cutting it in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the contact portion 42b moves along the side surface of the three-dimensional object M, but this is not limited to that. For example, the contact portion 42b may be fixed to the lower end of the support base portion 42a. Also, in this embodiment, the three-dimensional object M is clamped by two contact portions 42b, but the number and position of the contact portions 42b can be set as needed.

[0068] <Method for manufacturing three-dimensional objects> Here, we will explain a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object M using a work stage 2, which is used for the fabrication and cutting of the three-dimensional object M. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object includes a "fabrication process" in which the fabrication material Ma of the three-dimensional object M is layered on the work stage 2 to form the object, a "first cutting process" in which the three-dimensional object M is cut vertically, and a "second cutting process" in which the three-dimensional object M is cut horizontally. Note that other processes in the manufacturing method of the three-dimensional object will not be explained.

[0069] In the "forming process," as shown in Figure 1, the operator builds the three-dimensional object M by layering the building material Ma on the work stage 2. Specifically, the operator moves the extruder 3 attached to the manipulator 5 using the control device 6 to deposit the building material Ma onto the layering surface 7a of the mounting table 7. At this time, the building material Ma extruded from the extruder 3 enters the interior of the anchor groove 7b formed on the layering surface 7a.

[0070] In the "first cutting process," as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the operator cuts the three-dimensional object M by moving the cutting member 10 in the vertical direction. Specifically, the operator first drives the lifting drive motor 34 with the control device 6 so that the cutting portion 11 of the cutting member 10 is in the upper position on the guide portion 32, thereby raising the cutting portion 11 of the cutting member 10. Then, the operator attaches the mounting plate 11b to the holding portion 12 so that the cutting blade 11a faces downward. The operator then drives the horizontal drive motor 24 via the control device 6 to move the sliding part 31 of the lifting member 30 horizontally so that the cutting portion 11 of the cutting member 10 is positioned at the cutting location. The operator then drives the lifting drive motor 34 via the control device 6 to lower the cutting portion 11 located above, thereby cutting the three-dimensional object M in the vertical direction.

[0071] The worker repeats this process to cut the three-dimensional object M vertically at any desired position. Furthermore, when the operator cuts vertically with the cutting member 10, the operator supports the three-dimensional object M with the support member 40 as needed. In this case, the operator attaches the extended portion 41 to the sliding portion 31. The operator then attaches the clamping portion 42 to the extended portion 41 so that the contact portion 42b contacts the surface of the three-dimensional object M. The operator may also support the three-dimensional object M with the support member 40 when cutting horizontally with the cutting member 10. In addition, the operator may support the three-dimensional object M with the support member 40 even when not cutting.

[0072] In the "second cutting process," as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the operator cuts the three-dimensional object M by moving the cutting member 10 horizontally. In the second cutting process, the three-dimensional object M is cut horizontally at a height above the anchor groove 7b formed on the work stage 2 for fixing the three-dimensional object M. Specifically, the operator first attaches the mounting plate 11b to the holding part 12 so that the cutting blade 11a faces horizontally. The operator drives the lifting drive motor 34 with the control device 6 to lower the cutting part 11 of the cutting member 10 so that the cutting part 11 of the cutting member 10 is in a lower position on the guide part 32. At this time, the operator adjusts the height position of the cutting member 10 by driving the lifting drive motor 34 so that the cutting member 10 is above the anchor groove 7b (more specifically, in a position where the cutting blade 11a is close to the laminated surface 7a). Then, the operator drives the horizontal drive motor 24 using the control device 6 to move the sliding portion 31 of the lifting member 30 horizontally. At this time, the operator moves the cutting member 10 in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the anchor groove portion 7b extends horizontally, and cuts the three-dimensional object M horizontally. In other words, the anchor portion is cut from the three-dimensional object M. Before cutting the anchor portion, the operator may raise the cutting member 10 and move the cutting member 10 horizontally to cut the upper end of the three-dimensional object M. In this way, the anchor groove 7b, which is formed so that the molding material Ma can be inserted, can firmly fix the three-dimensional object M. Furthermore, even though it is firmly fixed, it can be cut above the anchor groove 7b, so the three-dimensional object M can be easily removed from the work stage 2.

[0073] After the "second cutting process," the operator removes the three-dimensional object M from the work stage 2. In this way, the operator cuts the three-dimensional object M in the vertical and horizontal directions on the work stage 2 where it was created. The "first cutting process" is performed before the anchor portion is cut in the "second cutting process" in order to stably cut the three-dimensional object M. In other words, the "second cutting process" is performed after the "first cutting process." However, it is not limited to this, and the "second cutting process" may also be performed before the "first cutting process."

[0074] In this way, the three-dimensional object M can be cut horizontally on the work stage 2 where the molding process is performed. Therefore, by cutting the three-dimensional object M horizontally, the three-dimensional object M can be easily removed from the work stage 2. Furthermore, when joining multiple three-dimensional objects M horizontally, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, cutting them vertically flattens the joining surface M2 of the three-dimensional objects M, thereby increasing the joint strength of the three-dimensional objects M. Furthermore, by cutting the three-dimensional object M vertically on the work stage 2, there is no need to move to a stage other than work stage 2, thus improving the manufacturing efficiency of the three-dimensional object M.

[0075] In the above embodiments, the present invention has been described primarily in relation to the work stage and the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object. However, the embodiments described above are merely examples to facilitate understanding of the present invention and do not limit it. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from its spirit, and of course, equivalents thereof are included. In particular, the embodiments described above are merely examples and do not limit the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 1 3D printing equipment 2 Work Stages 3. Extruder 4 Feeding device 5 Manipulators 6. Control device 7. Mounting platform 7a Laminated surface 7b Anchor groove 8 Cutting device 10 Cutting members 11 Cut section 11a cutting blade 11b Mounting plate 11c screw 12 Holding part 12a Retaining base 12b Projection 20 Moving member 21 Rail section 22 Rail groove section 23 Screw shaft 24 Horizontal drive motor 30 Lifting member 31 Slide section 31a Slide body 31b Insertion section 31c fixing hole 32 Information Department 33 Vertical screw shaft 34 Lifting drive motor 40 Support member 41 Extension 41a Fixing screw 41b Mounting hole 42 Holding part 42a Support base part 42b Contact part 42c Mounting screw M Three-dimensional shaped object Ma Shaping material M1 Cutting surface M2 Joint surface

Claims

1. A work stage used for creating and cutting three-dimensional objects, A mounting platform for layering the material used to create the three-dimensional object, The device includes a cutting device attached to the aforementioned mounting base for cutting the three-dimensional object, The cutting device is A cutting member for cutting the three-dimensional object, A moving member provided on the aforementioned mounting base for moving the cutting member in the horizontal direction, The mounting base is provided with a lifting member that moves the cutting member up and down in the vertical direction, The cutting member is characterized in that it cuts the three-dimensional object horizontally by moving horizontally with the moving member, and cuts the three-dimensional object vertically by moving vertically with the lifting member.

2. The moving member is attached to the stand described above and has a rail portion that extends in a predetermined direction along the layering surface on which the molding material is layered. The aforementioned lifting member is A sliding portion is attached to the rail portion so as to be movable along the stacked surface, The slide portion is provided with a guide portion that extends in the vertical direction and guides the cutting member in the vertical direction, The cutting member is A cutting section extending along the aforementioned layered surface and cutting the three-dimensional object, It has a holding part that holds the cutting part and is mounted so as to be vertically movable relative to the guide part, The cutting section is characterized in that the sliding section cuts the three-dimensional object horizontally by moving along the stacking surface, and the holding section cuts the three-dimensional object vertically by moving up and down relative to the guide section, as described in claim 1.

3. The mounting base has anchor grooves formed therein, into which the molding material enters to fix the three-dimensional molded object. The work stage according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cutting member cuts the three-dimensional object horizontally at a height above the anchor groove.

4. The anchor groove is a groove that extends horizontally in a long manner, The work stage according to claim 3, characterized in that the cutting member moves in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the anchor groove extends in the horizontal direction, thereby cutting the three-dimensional object in the horizontal direction.

5. The cutting section has a long, plate-shaped cutting blade that extends in the width direction of the rail section. The work stage according to claim 2, characterized in that the holding portion holds the cutting portion so that the orientation of the cutting blade can be switched between the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.

6. The cutting device has a support member attached to the lifting member that supports the three-dimensional object from the side, The aforementioned support member is An extended portion attached to the slide portion and extending in the width direction of the rail portion, The work stage according to claim 2, further comprising a clamping portion attached to the extended portion and supporting the three-dimensionally molded object by clamping it from the side.

7. The work stage according to claim 6, characterized in that the extended portion is detachably attached to the slide portion so as to be able to change its height relative to the slide portion.

8. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object using a work stage used for the fabrication and cutting of three-dimensional objects, A fabrication process in which the fabrication material for the three-dimensional object is layered on the work stage to create the object, A first cutting step involves cutting the three-dimensional object in the vertical direction, The process includes a second cutting step of cutting the three-dimensional object horizontally, In the first cutting step, the cutting member is moved vertically to cut the three-dimensional object. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, characterized in that the cutting member is moved horizontally in the second cutting step to cut the three-dimensional object.

9. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to claim 8, characterized in that, in the second cutting step, the three-dimensional object is cut horizontally at a height above the anchor groove portion formed on the work stage for fixing the three-dimensional object.

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