Three-dimensional modeling apparatus and method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object,

Abstract

To suppress a replacement or reattachment of a measurement part, and to control a position of a stage or a nozzle based on an actual measured distance.SOLUTION: A three-dimensional molding apparatus includes: a molding part with a nozzle that discharges a molding material from a nozzle opening on a tip face; a stage with a deposition surface on which the molding material is deposited; a moving mechanism to change a relative position of the nozzle and the stage; a measurement part positioned so that it can face the tip face; a reference part separate from the nozzle, having a reference surface positioned at a location corresponding to the deposition surface in a crossing direction and opposable to the measurement part; and a control part that controls the molding part and the moving mechanism to mold a three-dimensional molded object. The control part controls the measurement part to measure a first value regarding a distance between the measurement part and the reference surface and a second value regarding the distance between the measurement part and the tip face, and based on the first and second values, determines the distance between the tip face and the deposition surface when molding the three-dimensional molded object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Regarding a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for detecting a modeling utilization distance between a stage surface and a nozzle tip surface based on a first distance between a first detection unit and a nozzle tip detected by a first detection unit supported integrally with the stage and a second distance between the stage surface and the first detection unit, and for controlling the position of the stage relative to the nozzle based on the modeling utilization distance to model a model. It discloses that the second distance is acquired based on a measurement value by a second detection unit supported integrally with the modeling unit, or based on a pre-stored distance or a pre-stored distance corrected according to temperature or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-217792 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the second distance is obtained based on a measurement value by a second detection unit supported integrally with the modeling unit, when replacing the modeling unit, it is necessary to replace the second detection unit when replacing the modeling unit, and to reattach the second detection unit to the new modeling unit. Also, when the second distance is obtained based on a distance stored in advance, the modeling distance may differ from the actual distance, and therefore the position of the stage relative to the nozzle cannot be controlled based on the actual distance, which may affect the accuracy of the modeled object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a three-dimensional modeling apparatus. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus includes a modeling unit having a nozzle for discharging a modeling material from a nozzle opening formed on a tip surface, a stage having a deposition surface on which the modeling material is deposited, a movement mechanism unit for changing the relative position between the nozzle and the stage, a measurement unit arranged at a position capable of facing the tip surface, a reference unit having a reference surface arranged at a position corresponding to the deposition surface in a cross direction intersecting the deposition surface and at a position capable of facing the measurement unit and being separate from the nozzle, and a control unit for forming a three-dimensional object by controlling the modeling unit and the movement mechanism unit. The control unit controls the measurement unit to measure a first value that is a value relating to the distance between the measurement unit and the reference surface and a second value that is a value relating to the distance between the measurement unit and the tip surface, and determines the distance between the tip surface and the deposition surface when the three-dimensional object is to be formed based on the first value and the second value.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object in a three-dimensional printing apparatus, the method comprising: a nozzle for discharging a modeling material from a nozzle opening formed on a tip surface, a stage having a deposition surface on which the modeling material is deposited, a movement mechanism for changing the relative position between the nozzle and the stage, a measurement unit arranged at a position capable of facing the tip surface, and a reference unit separate from the nozzle, the reference unit having a reference surface arranged at a position corresponding to the deposition surface in a cross direction intersecting with the deposition surface and at a position capable of facing the measurement unit. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object comprises a first step of measuring a first value that is a value relating to the distance between the measurement unit and the reference surface by the measurement unit, a second step of measuring a second value that is a value relating to the distance between the measurement unit and the tip surface by the measurement unit, and a third step of forming the three-dimensional object by changing the relative position between the nozzle for discharging the modeling material and the stage, and determining the distance between the tip surface and the deposition surface in the third step based on the first value and the second value. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a first diagram showing a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a second diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a groove forming surface side of a screw. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the configuration of the side of the barrel facing the screw. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the lower side of the reference portion. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing a measurement process in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing a position adjustment process. [Figure 8] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a position adjustment process. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing an inspection process. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a first diagram illustrating the inspection process. [Figure 11] 1 is a flowchart showing a measurement process. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a second step. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart showing a three-dimensional modeling process. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing a measurement process in the second embodiment. [Figure 15] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating an example of a position adjustment process according to another embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 18] 13 is a flowchart showing a measurement process in the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] A. First embodiment: FIG. 1 is a first diagram showing a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 in the first embodiment. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, arrows along the X, Y, and Z directions perpendicular to each other are shown. The X, Y, and Z directions are directions along the X, Y, and Z axes, which are three spatial axes perpendicular to each other, and each direction includes both a direction on one side along the X, Y, and Z axes and an opposite direction. The X and Y axes are axes along a horizontal plane, and the Z axis is an axis along a vertical line. The -Z direction is a vertical direction, and the +Z direction is a direction opposite to the vertical direction. The -Z direction is also called "down" and the +Z direction is also called "up". In other figures, arrows along the X, Y, and Z directions are appropriately shown. The X, Y, and Z directions in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and the X, Y, and Z directions in other figures represent the same directions.

[0009] 1 and 2, the three-dimensional printing apparatus 100 includes a printing unit 200, a stage 300, a moving mechanism unit 400, a control unit 500, a measurement unit 600, a reference unit 610, an adjustment unit 620, a heating unit 700, and an alarm unit 800. Note that the measurement unit 600, the reference unit 610, the adjustment unit 620, and the alarm unit 800 are omitted in FIG.

[0010] Under the control of the control unit 500, the modeling unit 200 discharges the modeling material, which is a paste-like material obtained by melting a solid material, onto the modeling stage 300, which serves as a base for a three-dimensional object. As shown in Fig. 2, the modeling unit 200 includes a material supply unit 20, which is a supply source of the material before it is converted into the modeling material, a plasticizing unit 30, which plasticizes the material to generate the modeling material, and a nozzle 61, which discharges the generated modeling material. The modeling unit 200 is also referred to as a head.

[0011] The material supply unit 20 contains materials in the form of pellets, powder, etc. In this embodiment, ABS resin formed into pellets is used as the material. The material supply unit 20 in this embodiment is configured by a hopper. A supply path 22 that connects the material supply unit 20 and the plasticizing unit 30 is provided below the material supply unit 20. The material supply unit 20 supplies the material to the plasticizing unit 30 through the supply path 22. Details of the material will be described later.

[0012] The plasticizing unit 30 includes a screw case 31, a drive motor 32, a screw 40, and a barrel 50. The plasticizing unit 30 plasticizes at least a part of the material supplied from the material supply unit 20, generates a pasty modeling material having fluidity, and supplies it to the nozzle 61. "Plasticization" means that heat is applied to a material having thermoplasticity to melt it. "Melting" means not only that a material having thermoplasticity is heated to a temperature above its melting point to become liquid, but also that a material having thermoplasticity is heated to a temperature above its glass transition point to soften it and develop fluidity. The screw 40 of this embodiment is a so-called flat screw, and is sometimes called a "scroll".

[0013] The screw case 31 is a housing for housing the screw 40. A barrel 50 is fixed to the lower surface of the screw case 31, and the screw 40 is housed in a space surrounded by the screw case 31 and the barrel 50. The screw 40 has a groove forming surface 42 on which a groove 45 is formed, on a surface facing the barrel 50. A drive motor 32 is fixed to the upper surface of the screw case 31. The rotating shaft of the drive motor 32 is connected to the upper surface 41 side of the screw 40. Note that the drive motor 32 does not have to be directly connected to the screw 40, and for example, the screw 40 and the drive motor 32 may be connected via a reducer. The drive motor 32 is driven under the control of the control unit 500.

[0014] The barrel 50 is disposed below the screw 40. The barrel 50 has a screw-facing surface 52 facing the groove forming surface 42 of the screw 40. The barrel 50 is provided with a communication hole 56 on the central axis RX of the screw 40, the communication hole 56 communicating with a nozzle flow path 65 of a nozzle 61 described below. The barrel 50 has a heater 58 built in at a position facing the groove 45 of the screw 40. The temperature of the heater 58 is controlled by a control unit 500.

[0015] 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the groove forming surface 42 side of the screw 40. A central portion 47 of the groove forming surface 42 of the screw 40 is configured as a recess to which one end of the groove 45 is connected. The central portion 47 faces the communication hole 56 of the barrel 50 shown in FIG. 2. The central portion 47 intersects with the central axis RX.

[0016] The groove 45 constitutes a so-called scroll groove. The groove 45 extends from the central portion 47 in a spiral shape so as to draw an arc toward the outer periphery of the screw 40. The groove forming surface 42 is provided with a convex rib portion 46 which constitutes the side wall portion of the groove 45 and extends along each groove 45. The groove 45 continues to a material inlet 44 formed on the side surface 43 of the screw 40. This material inlet 44 is a portion which receives the material supplied through the supply path 22 of the material supply section 20. As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the groove 45 is formed in three portions separated by the convex rib portion 46. The number of the grooves 45 is not limited to three, and may be one, or may be two or more. The groove 45 is not limited to a spiral shape, but may be a spiral shape or an involute curve shape, or may be a shape which extends from the central portion to the outer periphery so as to draw an arc.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a top view showing the configuration of the screw-opposing surface 52 side of the barrel 50. As described above, a communication hole 56 is formed in the center of the screw-opposing surface 52. A plurality of guide grooves 54 are formed around the communication hole 56 in the screw-opposing surface 52. One end of each guide groove 54 is connected to the communication hole 56, and extends in a spiral shape from the communication hole 56 toward the outer periphery of the screw-opposing surface 52. Each guide groove 54 has a function of guiding the molding material to the communication hole 56. Note that one end of the guide groove 54 does not have to be connected to the communication hole 56. Also, the guide groove 54 does not have to be formed in the barrel 50.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the nozzle 61 includes a nozzle flow path 65 and a tip surface 63 in which a nozzle opening 62 is provided. The nozzle flow path 65 is a flow path of the modeling material formed in the nozzle 61, and is connected to the communication hole 56 of the barrel 50 described above. The tip surface 63 is a surface constituting a tip portion of the nozzle 61 protruding in the -Z direction toward the deposition surface 311. The nozzle opening 62 is a portion in which the flow path cross section of the nozzle flow path 65 is reduced, provided at the end of the nozzle flow path 65 on the side communicating with the atmosphere. The modeling material generated by the plasticization unit 30 is supplied to the nozzle 61 through the communication hole 56, and is discharged from the nozzle opening 62 through the nozzle flow path 65.

[0019] The stage 300 is disposed at a position facing the tip surface 63 of the nozzle 61. The stage 300 has a deposition surface 311 on which the modeling material discharged from the nozzle opening 62 of the nozzle 61 is deposited. In this embodiment, the deposition surface 311 is configured as a surface parallel to the X direction and the Y direction. Hereinafter, the direction intersecting the deposition surface 311 may be referred to as the intersecting direction. The intersecting direction includes both a direction on one side along the same axis and the opposite direction. In this embodiment, the intersecting direction is a direction perpendicular to the deposition surface 311, and is a direction along the Z axis. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 discharges the modeling material from the nozzle 61 toward the deposition surface 311 of the stage 300, and forms a three-dimensional object by stacking layers of the modeling material.

[0020] The moving mechanism 400 changes the relative position between the nozzle 61 and the stage 300. In this embodiment, the moving mechanism 400 changes the relative positions between the nozzle 61 and the stage 300 in the X and Y directions by moving the stage 300 in the X and Y directions, and changes the relative positions between the nozzle 61 and the stage 300 in the Z direction by moving the modeling unit 200 along the Z direction. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the moving mechanism 400 is composed of a first electric actuator 410 that moves the stage 300 along the X direction, a second electric actuator 420 that moves the stage 300 and the first electric actuator 410 along the Y direction, and a third electric actuator 430 that moves the modeling unit 200 along the Z direction. Each of the electric actuators 410 to 430 is driven under the control of the control unit 500. In other embodiments, the movement mechanism 400 may, for example, move the stage 300 in the Z direction and move the modeling unit 200 along the X and Y directions, or may move the stage 300 in the X, Y, and Z directions without moving the modeling unit 200, or may move the modeling unit 200 in the X, Y, and Z directions without moving the stage 300.

[0021] Note that, hereinafter, a change in the position of the nozzle 61 relative to the stage 300 may be simply referred to as movement of the nozzle 61. In this embodiment, for example, moving the stage 300 in the +X direction relative to the nozzle 61 may be rephrased as moving the nozzle 61 in the -X direction. Similarly, a change in the position of the modeling unit 200 or a heating unit 700 (described later) relative to the stage 300 may be simply referred to as movement of the modeling unit 200 or the heating unit 700.

[0022] The heating unit 700 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is a member for heating the modeling material deposited on the deposition surface 311. The heating unit 700 in this embodiment is disposed on the outer periphery of the nozzle 61, and is fixed to the modeling unit 200 via the support unit 205. The support unit 205 has a rectangular plate-like outer shape, and a through-hole through which the nozzle 61 is inserted is provided in the center of the support unit 205. The heating unit 700 is disposed parallel to the deposition surface 311. The heating unit 700 moves in accordance with the modeling unit 200 that is moved by the movement mechanism unit 400. In other words, the heating unit 700 moves in accordance with the movement of the nozzle 61.

[0023] The heating unit 700 of this embodiment is configured by a heater and is configured to be able to uniformly heat the entire area of ​​the deposition surface 311. More specifically, the area of ​​the heating unit 700 is larger than the area of ​​the deposition surface 311, and the outer periphery of the heating unit 700 is disposed outside the area in which the stage 300 moves relative to the nozzle 61 when viewed in the Z direction. In other words, no matter how the relative positions of the heating unit 700 and the stage 300 are changed by the movement mechanism unit 400, the stage 300 is disposed inside the outer periphery of the heating unit 700 when viewed in the Z direction. The heater constituting the heating unit 700 may be, for example, a halogen heater, a nichrome wire heater, a carbon heater, or a heater that blows out hot air.

[0024] The measuring unit 600 shown in FIG. 2 is a member for measuring a first value and a second value, which will be described later. The measuring unit 600 of this embodiment is configured by an axial contact-type displacement sensor, and includes a main body 601 and a contactor 602. The contactor 602 has an axial shape, and its tip is protruded in the +Z direction from inside the main body 601 to outside the main body 601. More specifically, the contactor 602 is configured to be able to slide along the Z direction relative to the main body 601 so as to be pushed into the main body 601 or to protrude outside the main body 601 by air drive. Air for driving the contactor 602 is supplied to the main body 601 from an air supply unit (not shown) through a tube or the like. The main body 601 detects the change in position of the contactor 602 relative to the main body 601 due to the above-mentioned sliding movement by a differential transformer. The detected change in position of the contactor 602 is transmitted to the control unit 500.

[0025] The measuring unit 600 of this embodiment is housed in a case 603. A case top surface 604 of the case 603 is provided with a hole 605 that overlaps with the contactor 602 when viewed along the Z direction. The contactor 602 can protrude from inside the case 603 to outside the case 603 in the +Z direction through the hole 605, and can return from outside the case 603 to inside the case 603 in the -Z direction. The measuring unit 600 and the case 603 are each fixed to the stage 300, and are configured to be movable along the X direction and the Y direction according to the movement of the stage 300 by the movement mechanism unit 400. Since the measuring unit 600 is housed in the case 603, the measuring unit 600 and the heating unit 700 are separated by the case 603, and the influence of heat from the heating unit 700 on the measuring unit 600 is suppressed.

[0026] The measurement unit 600 is disposed at a position capable of facing the tip surface 63 of the nozzle 61. More specifically, the measurement unit 600 is fixed to the stage 300 with the tip of the contactor 602 facing the +Z direction, and is configured to be capable of facing the tip surface 63 by moving along the X direction and the Y direction in accordance with the movement of the stage 300. Similarly, the measurement unit 600 is configured to be capable of facing a reference surface 611 and an inspection surface 612 of a reference unit 610, which will be described later.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the lower side of the reference unit 610. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the reference unit 610 is a member separate from the nozzle 61, and has a reference surface 611. The reference surface is a surface disposed at a position corresponding to the deposition surface 311 in the Z direction and at a position capable of facing the measurement unit 600. Furthermore, the reference unit 610 of this embodiment has an inspection surface 612 disposed at a position separated from the reference surface 611 by a predetermined distance in the Z direction and at a position capable of facing the measurement unit 600. In other words, the reference surface 611 and the inspection surface 612 have a predetermined height difference between them in the Z direction. In this embodiment, the reference surface 611 and the inspection surface 612 are both parallel to the deposition surface 311 and are disposed adjacent to each other in the Y direction. The inspection surface 612 is a surface located in the +Z direction of the reference surface 611, that is, a surface higher than the reference surface 611. In FIG. 2, the inspection surface 612 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0028] The adjustment unit 620 shown in Fig. 2 adjusts the position of the reference surface 611 in the Z direction. The adjustment unit 620 of this embodiment is configured by an electric actuator that moves the reference unit 610 along the Z direction. More specifically, the reference unit 610 is fixed to a movable unit 621 of the adjustment unit 620 via a fixed unit, and the adjustment unit 620 moves the movable unit 621 along the Z direction to move the reference unit 610 along the Z direction. This adjusts the position of the reference surface 611 in the Z direction.

[0029] The notification unit 800 notifies the user of information. In this embodiment, the notification unit 800 is configured with a liquid crystal monitor connected to the control unit 500, and notifies the user of information by displaying visual information on the liquid crystal monitor. The notification unit 800 notifies, for example, the control state of the three-dimensional printing apparatus 100 as information. For example, when the three-dimensional printing apparatus 100 is installed inside a housing, the notification unit 800 may be disposed on an outer wall surface of the housing as a monitor that is visible from outside the housing.

[0030] The control unit 500 is a control device that controls the overall operation of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100. The control unit 500 is configured by a computer having one or more processors, a memory, and an input / output interface that inputs and outputs signals from and to the outside. The control unit 500 performs various functions, such as a function to execute a measurement process described below and a function to execute a three-dimensional modeling process described below, by the processor executing programs and instructions loaded onto the main storage device. Note that the control unit 500 may be realized by a configuration combining multiple circuits for realizing at least a part of each function, instead of being configured by a computer. The control unit 500 is also called an information processing device.

[0031] 6 is a flowchart showing the measurement process in this embodiment. The measurement process refers to a process for measuring a first value which is a value related to the distance between the measuring unit 600 and the reference surface 611, and a second value which is a value related to the distance between the measuring unit 600 and the tip surface 63. In this embodiment, the measurement process is executed when the three-dimensional printing apparatus 100 is started up.

[0032] In step S110, the control unit 500 executes a position adjustment process for adjusting the position in the Z direction of the reference surface 611. In this embodiment, in step S110, the control unit 500 controls the adjustment unit 620 to bring the reference surface 611 into contact with the deposition surface 311, thereby making the position of the reference surface 611 in the Z direction coincide with the position of the deposition surface 311 in the Z direction.

[0033] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the position adjustment process. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the position adjustment process. In step S111 of FIG. 7, the control unit 500 controls the moving mechanism unit 400 to move the stage 300 to a predetermined adjustment position. The adjustment position refers to a position in the X direction and the Y direction for adjusting the position of the reference surface 611 in the Z direction, and the adjustment position in this embodiment is a position where a part of the deposition surface 311 overlaps with a part of the reference surface 611 when viewed along the Z direction. In step S112, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 500 controls the adjustment unit 620 to move the reference unit 610 along the Z direction, thereby bringing the reference surface 611 into contact with the deposition surface 311. In step S113, the control unit 500 fixes the position of the reference surface 611 by fixing the reference unit 610 at a position where the reference surface 611 and the deposition surface 311 come into contact with each other. As a result, the position of the reference surface 611 in the Z direction is fixed in a state in which the position of the reference surface 611 in the Z direction coincides with the position of the deposition surface 311 in the Z direction.

[0034] 6, the control unit 500 executes an inspection process for inspecting the accuracy of the measurement unit 600. In this embodiment, in step S120, the control unit 500 measures a value related to the distance between the measurement unit 600 and the reference surface 611 and a value related to the distance between the measurement unit 600 and the inspection surface 612, measures the height difference between the reference surface 611 and the inspection surface 612, and inspects the accuracy of the measurement unit 600 based on the measured height difference.

[0035] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the inspection process. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the inspection process. In FIG. 10, the inspection surface 612 is indicated by a broken line, as in FIG. 2. In step S121 of FIG. 9, the control unit 500 controls the moving mechanism unit 400 to move the measurement unit 600 to a position immediately below the reference surface 611 of the reference unit 610. In step S122, the control unit 500 controls the measurement unit 600 to bring the contactor 602 into contact with the reference surface 611, thereby measuring the distance in the Z direction between the measurement unit 600 and the reference surface 611 as a value related to the distance between the measurement unit 600 and the reference surface 611. More specifically, in step S122, the control unit 500 supplies air to the main body unit 601 to eject the contactor 602 in the +Z direction, as shown in FIG. 10, to bring the contactor 602 into contact with the reference surface 611, and obtains the position of the contactor 602 in the Z direction relative to the main body unit 601. The position of contact 602 in the Z direction corresponds to the position of reference surface 611 in the Z direction. Control unit 500 measures the distance in the Z direction between measurement unit 600 and reference surface 611 based on the difference in the position of contact 602 in the Z direction before and after ejecting contact 602, and stores the measured distance in memory. In step S123 of Fig. 9, control unit 500 stops the supply of air to main body unit 601, and pulls contact 602 back in the -Z direction.

[0036] In step S124, the control unit 500 controls the moving mechanism unit 400 to move the measurement unit 600 to a position directly below the inspection surface 612. In step S125, the control unit 500 controls the measurement unit 600 to detect the distance in the Z direction between the measurement unit 600 and the inspection surface 612 as a value related to the distance between the measurement unit 600 and the inspection surface 612. More specifically, in step S125, the control unit 500 brings the contactor 602 into contact with the inspection surface 612 in the same manner as the contactor 602 and the reference surface 611 are brought into contact with each other in step S122, and detects the position of the contactor 602 in the Z direction relative to the main body unit 601, thereby detecting the position of the inspection surface 612 in the Z direction and detecting the distance in the Z direction between the measurement unit 600 and the inspection surface 612. The distance detected in step S125 is stored in the memory of the control unit 500. Step S126 in FIG. 9 is the same as step S123.

[0037] In step S127, the control unit 500 calculates the difference between the distance between the measurement unit 600 and the reference surface 611 detected in step S122 and the distance between the measurement unit 600 and the inspection surface 612 detected in step S125, thereby calculating the height difference between the reference surface 611 and the inspection surface 612. In this manner, in this embodiment, the control unit 500 executes steps S121 to S127, thereby causing the measurement unit 600 to measure the height difference between the reference surface 611 and the inspection surface 612. Hereinafter, the height difference between the reference surface 611 and the inspection surface 612 measured by the measurement unit 600 may also be referred to as a first height difference.

[0038] In step S128, the control unit 500 determines whether the first elevation difference calculated in step S127 matches the predetermined second elevation difference. In this embodiment, in step S128, the control unit 500 determines whether the first elevation difference and the second elevation difference match by determining whether the first elevation difference and the second elevation difference match within a predetermined allowable error range. If the control unit 500 determines that the first elevation difference and the second elevation difference match within the predetermined allowable error range, it determines that the accuracy of the measurement unit 600 satisfies the predetermined condition and ends the inspection process. If the control unit 500 determines that the two do not match, it determines that the accuracy of the measurement unit 600 does not satisfy the predetermined condition. The predetermined allowable error is, for example, 5% of the second elevation difference. In another embodiment, the control unit 500 may determine in step S128 whether or not an average value of the first height difference measured multiple times coincides with the second height difference. In this case, the control unit 500 may calculate the average value of the first height difference by, for example, repeatedly executing steps S121 to S127 to measure the height difference multiple times. In this case, the control unit 500 may change the positions in the X and Y directions of the reference surface 611 with which the contactor 602 comes into contact, and the positions in the X and Y directions of the inspection surface 612 with which the contactor 602 comes into contact, every time the first height difference is measured. Note that the second height difference may be determined based on, for example, the design dimensions of the reference surface 611 and the inspection surface 612, or may be determined based on the actual dimensions of the reference surface 611 and the inspection surface 612 measured in advance using a caliper or the like.

[0039] If it is determined in step S128 that the accuracy of the measuring unit 600 does not satisfy the predetermined condition, in step S129, the control unit 500 controls the notification unit 800 to notify the user of information regarding the accuracy of the measuring unit 600. In this embodiment, in step S129, the control unit 500 controls the notification unit 800 to notify the user that the accuracy of the measuring unit 600 does not satisfy the predetermined condition. In addition, in step S129, the control unit 500 advises the user to perform maintenance or replacement of the measuring unit 600, and causes the three-dimensional printing apparatus 100 to wait until the maintenance or replacement of the measuring unit 600 is performed. Thereafter, the control unit 500 returns the process to step S121.

[0040] 6, the control unit 500 controls the measurement unit 600 to measure a first value and a second value. Hereinafter, the process of measuring the first value by the measurement unit 600 may be referred to as a first process, and the process of measuring the second value by the measurement unit 600 may be referred to as a second process.

[0041] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the measurement process. Steps S131 to S133 in FIG. 11 correspond to the first process, and steps S134 to S138 correspond to the second process. Steps S131 and S132 in FIG. 11 are similar to steps S121 and S122 in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, the control unit 500 executes step S132 to detect the position of the reference surface 611 in the Z direction relative to the position of the measurement unit 600 in the Z direction, and measures the distance in the Z direction between the measurement unit 600 and the reference surface 611 as a first value. The measured first value is stored in the memory of the control unit 500. Step S133 is similar to step S123 in FIG. 9, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0042] Fig. 12 is a diagram for explaining the second step. In Fig. 12, the position SP of the reference surface 611 in the Z direction is indicated by a broken line. In step S134 in Fig. 11, the control unit 500 controls the moving mechanism unit 400 to move the measurement unit 600 to just below the tip surface 63 of the nozzle 61. In step S135, the control unit 500 controls the measurement unit 600 to detect the position of the tip surface 63 in the Z direction relative to the position of the measurement unit 600 in the Z direction, and measures the distance in the Z direction between the measurement unit 600 and the tip surface 63 as a second value. More specifically, in step S135, as shown in the left part of FIG. 12, the control unit 500 ejects the contactor 602 in the +Z direction to bring the contactor 602 into contact with the tip surface 63, detects the position of the contactor 602 in the Z direction relative to the main body 601, thereby detecting the position of the tip surface 63 in the Z direction, and measures the distance in the Z direction between the measuring unit 600 and the tip surface 63.

[0043] In step S136, as shown in the right part of FIG. 12, the control unit 500 controls the movement mechanism unit 400 to lower the nozzle 61 and the contact 602, thereby making the position of the tip surface 63 of the nozzle 61 in the Z direction coincide with the position SP of the reference surface 611 in the Z direction. More specifically, in step S136, the control unit 500 moves the nozzle 61 in the -Z direction and pushes the contact 602 down in the -Z direction while measuring the second value, thereby making the second value coincide with the first value stored in the memory in step S133 of FIG. 11. In step S137, the control unit 500 acquires the reference Z coordinate, which is the Z coordinate of the nozzle 61 based on the control value of the movement mechanism unit 400 in a state in which the second value and the first value coincide with each other, and stores it in the memory. Hereinafter, the Z coordinate of the nozzle 61 based on the control value of the movement mechanism unit 400 may be simply referred to as the Z coordinate of the nozzle 61. Step S138 is similar to step S133, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0044] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the three-dimensional printing process in this embodiment. The three-dimensional printing process refers to a process for printing a three-dimensional object. The control unit 500 executes the three-dimensional printing process after the above-mentioned measurement process is completed. For example, the control unit 500 may execute the three-dimensional printing process immediately after the measurement process is completed, or may receive an input of an operation to start the three-dimensional printing process after the measurement process is completed. The three-dimensional printing process may also be simply called a printing process. In this embodiment, the measurement process shown in FIG. 6 and the three-dimensional printing process shown in FIG. 13 are executed, thereby realizing a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by the three-dimensional printing device 100.

[0045] 13, the control unit 500 acquires modeling data from an external computer, a recording medium, or the like. The modeling data includes modeling path data representing the movement path of the nozzle 61 for each layer forming the three-dimensional object. The modeling path data is associated with ejection amount data representing the ejection amount of material ejected from the nozzle 61.

[0046] In step S220, the control unit 500 controls the modeling unit 200 and the movement mechanism unit 400 in accordance with the modeling data acquired in step S210 to deposit the modeling material on the deposition surface 311 and form a three-dimensional object. In addition, in step S220, the control unit 500 appropriately controls the heating unit 700 to heat the modeling material deposited on the deposition surface 311. The process of forming a three-dimensional object by changing the relative position of the nozzle 61 that discharges the modeling material and the stage 300, as in step S220, is sometimes referred to as a third process.

[0047] In this embodiment, the control unit 500 determines the distance between the tip surface 63 and the deposition surface 311 when forming a three-dimensional object based on the first value and the second value in step S220. More specifically, the control unit 500 determines the distance between the tip surface 63 and the deposition surface 311 based on the reference Z coordinate acquired based on the first value and the second value in step S137 of Fig. 11. For example, when determining the distance between the tip surface 63 and the deposition surface 311 to be distance D in step S220, the control unit 500 can determine the distance between the tip surface 63 and the deposition surface 311 to be distance D by determining the value of the Z coordinate of the nozzle 61 to be a value obtained by adding the distance D to the value of the reference Z coordinate.

[0048] According to the three-dimensional printing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment described above, the control unit 500 measures a first value related to the distance between the measuring unit 600 and the reference surface 611 and a second value related to the distance between the measuring unit 600 and the tip surface 63, and determines the distance between the tip surface 63 and the deposition surface 311 when a three-dimensional object is printed based on the measured first and second values. This reduces the need to replace or reattach the measuring unit 600 when replacing the printing unit 200. In addition, since the distance between the tip surface 63 and the deposition surface 311 can be determined based on the first and second values, which are actual measurements, and a three-dimensional object can be printed, the possibility of printing a three-dimensional object with high accuracy is increased.

[0049] In addition, in this embodiment, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 includes a heating unit 700 that moves with the movement of the nozzle 61, and the tip surface 63 of the nozzle 61 is located between the heating unit 700 and the deposition surface 311 in the Z direction. Therefore, by heating the modeling material deposited on the deposition surface 311 by the heating unit 700, it is possible to increase the adhesion between the modeling materials and increase the strength of the three-dimensional model. In addition, compared to a mode in which the heating unit 700 is located between the tip surface 63 and the deposition surface 311 in the Z direction, for example, the modeling material deposited on the deposition surface 311 is less likely to come into contact with the heating unit 700, and therefore the possibility of forming a three-dimensional model with high accuracy is increased.

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 500 measures the first value by bringing the measurement unit 600 into contact with the reference surface 611. Therefore, the first value can be measured with high accuracy by simple control.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 500 measures the second value by bringing the measurement unit 600 into contact with the tip surface 63. Therefore, the second value can be measured with high accuracy by simple control.

[0052] In this embodiment, the control unit 500 controls the measurement unit 600 to measure the height difference between the reference surface 611 and the inspection surface, and inspects the accuracy of the measurement unit 600 based on the measured height difference. Therefore, the accuracy of the measurement unit 600 can be easily inspected.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the accuracy of the measurement unit 600 does not satisfy a predetermined condition, the control unit 500 controls the notification unit 800 to notify information related to the accuracy of the measurement unit 600. This allows the user to, for example, replace or maintain the measurement unit 600 based on the information notified by the notification unit 800. This makes it possible to improve the reliability of the first value and the second value measured by the measurement unit 600.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the movement mechanism 400 changes the relative positions of the nozzle 61 and the stage 300 by moving the nozzle 61 in the Z direction relative to the stage 300 and moving the stage 300 in the X and Y directions relative to the nozzle 61. This eliminates the need to move the stage 300 in the Z direction relative to the nozzle 61, and therefore makes it easier to position the reference surface 611 at a position corresponding to the deposition surface 311 in the Z direction, for example, compared to the case where the stage 300 is moved in the Z direction relative to the nozzle 61. Therefore, the first value can be measured with a simple configuration.

[0055] In another embodiment, the control unit 500 may not execute the measurement process every time the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 is started or before the start of the modeling process. For example, the control unit 500 may execute the modeling process multiple times after completing the measurement process once. The measurement process may be executed at any timing of the user, for example, when a start operation is received from the user. In the case where the control unit 500 does not execute the measurement process every time the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 is started or before the start of the modeling process, it is preferable that the control unit 500 executes the measurement process at a timing when the relative position between the nozzle 61 and the stage 300 or the Z coordinate of the nozzle 61 changes, for example, after maintenance of the modeling unit 200, the stage 300, or the moving mechanism unit 400.

[0056] Here, the materials of the three-dimensional object used in the above-mentioned three-dimensional printing apparatus 100 will be described. In the three-dimensional printing apparatus 100, the three-dimensional object can be printed using various materials as main materials, such as thermoplastic materials, metal materials, ceramic materials, etc. The "main material" means a material that is the core of the shape of the three-dimensional object, and means a material that occupies 50% by weight or more in the three-dimensional object. The above-mentioned printing materials include those main materials that are melted alone, and those that are made into a paste by melting some components contained together with the main material.

[0057] When a material having thermoplastic properties is used as the main material, the modeling material is generated by plasticizing the material in the plasticizing unit 30. As the material having thermoplastic properties, for example, the following thermoplastic resin materials can be used. <Examples of thermoplastic resin materials> General-purpose engineering plastics such as polypropylene resin (PP), polyethylene resin (PE), polyacetal resin (POM), polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC), polyamide resin (PA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (ABS), polylactic acid resin (PLA), polyphenylene sulfide resin (PPS), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polycarbonate (PC), modified polyphenylene ether, polybutylene terephthalate, and polyethylene terephthalate, as well as engineering plastics such as polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylate, polyimide, polyamideimide, polyetherimide, and polyether ether ketone.

[0058] The thermoplastic material may contain pigments, metals, ceramics, and additives such as wax, flame retardants, antioxidants, and heat stabilizers. In the plasticizing section 30, the thermoplastic material is plasticized by the rotation of the screw 40 and the heat of the heater 58, and is converted into a molten state.

[0059] It is desirable that the thermoplastic material be heated to or above its glass transition point and in a completely molten state before being injected from the nozzle 61. For example, when ABS resin is used, it is desirable that the temperature of the resin is about 200° C. when it is discharged from the nozzle 61.

[0060] In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100, for example, the following metal materials may be used as the main material instead of the above-mentioned thermoplastic materials. In this case, it is preferable that a component that melts when the modeling material is generated is mixed with a powder material made by powdering the following metal materials, and the mixture is fed into the plasticizing unit 30 as the material MR. <Examples of metal materials> A single metal, or an alloy containing one or more of the following metals: magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), or nickel (Ni). <Examples of the alloy> Maraging steel, stainless steel, cobalt chrome molybdenum, titanium alloy, nickel alloy, aluminum alloy, cobalt alloy, cobalt chrome alloy.

[0061] In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100, a ceramic material can be used as the main material instead of the above-mentioned metal materials. As the ceramic material, for example, oxide ceramics such as silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, and non-oxide ceramics such as aluminum nitride can be used. When the above-mentioned metal materials or ceramic materials are used as the main material, the modeling material dispensed onto the stage 300 may be hardened by sintering.

[0062] The powder material of the metallic material or the ceramic material fed into the material supply unit 20 as the material MR may be a mixed material in which a single metal powder, an alloy powder, or a ceramic material powder is mixed with a plurality of types of powder. The powder material of the metallic material or the ceramic material may be coated with, for example, the thermoplastic resin exemplified above or a thermoplastic resin other than the above. In this case, the thermoplastic resin may be melted in the plasticizing unit 30 to exhibit fluidity.

[0063] For example, the following solvents can be added to the powder material of the metal material or ceramic material fed as the material MR to the material supply unit 20. The solvent can be one or a combination of two or more selected from the following. <Examples of solvents> water; (poly)alkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, and propylene glycol monoethyl ether; acetate esters such as ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, and iso-butyl acetate; aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylene; ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone, acetone, methyl isobutyl ketone, ethyl-n-butyl ketone, diisopropyl ketone, and acetylacetone; alcohols such as ethanol, propanol, and butanol; tetraalkylammonium acetates; sulfoxide-based solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide and diethyl sulfoxide; pyridine-based solvents such as pyridine, γ-picoline, and 2,6-lutidine; tetraalkylammonium acetates (for example, tetrabutylammonium acetate, etc.); and ionic liquids such as butyl carbitol acetate.

[0064] In addition, the powder material of the metal material or ceramic material fed to the material supply unit 20 as the material MR may also contain, for example, the following binders. <Example of binder> Acrylic resin, epoxy resin, silicone resin, cellulose-based resin or other synthetic resin, or PLA (polylactic acid), PA (polyamide), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PEEK (polyether ether ketone) or other thermoplastic resin.

[0065] B. Second embodiment: Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing the measurement process in the second embodiment. In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the control unit 500 controls the heating unit 700 to start heating the stage 300, and then controls the adjustment unit 620 to match the position of the reference surface 611 in the Z direction with the position of the deposition surface 311 in the Z direction prior to measuring the first and second values. In Fig. 14, steps similar to the steps of the measurement process shown in Fig. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 6. Portions of the configuration of the three-dimensional printing apparatus 100 of this embodiment that are not particularly described are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0066] In step S105, the control unit 500 controls the heating unit 700 to start heating the stage 300. In this embodiment, in step S105, the control unit 500 turns on the heater of the heating unit 700. As shown in Fig. 14, step S105 is executed prior to the measurement process executed in step S130.

[0067] In step S110, the control unit 500 executes the position adjustment process shown in Fig. 7, similarly to the first embodiment. The position adjustment process executed in this embodiment is similar to that in the first embodiment, except that it is executed after heating of the stage 300 by the heating unit 700 is started.

[0068] The above-described three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 of the present embodiment also suppresses replacement or replacement of the measuring unit 600 associated with replacement of the modeling unit 200, and can determine the distance between the tip surface 63 and the deposition surface 311 based on the first and second values, which are actual measurements, thereby increasing the possibility of forming a three-dimensional object with high accuracy. In particular, in the present embodiment, the control unit 500 controls the heating unit 700 to start heating the stage 300, and then controls the adjustment unit 620 to match the position of the reference surface 611 in the Z direction with the position of the deposition surface 311 in the Z direction prior to measuring the first and second values. As a result, the first and second values ​​are measured in a state in which the position of the reference surface 611 in the Z direction matches the position of the deposition surface 311 of the heated stage 300 in the Z direction. Therefore, in a configuration in which the heating unit 700 heats the modeling material deposited on the deposition surface 311 to form a three-dimensional object, the possibility of forming a three-dimensional object with higher accuracy increases.

[0069] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an example of a position adjustment process in another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the control unit 500 may make the position of the reference surface 611 in the Z direction coincide with the position of the deposition surface 311 in the Z direction by indirectly contacting the deposition surface 311 with the reference surface 611, rather than directly. In the example of FIG. 15, a state in which a parallel member PR is placed on the deposition surface 311 is shown. The parallel member PR has a surface PP1 parallel to the deposition surface 311, and is placed on the deposition surface 311 so that the deposition surface 311 and a part of the surface PP1 are in contact with each other. At the end of the parallel member PR in the +X direction, a part of the surface PP1 that does not contact the deposition surface 311 is exposed toward the -Z direction. At the end of the parallel member PR in the X direction, a block gauge BG having a surface PP2 parallel to the deposition surface 311 is fixed by a cable tie ZT. More specifically, the block gauge BG is fixed to the parallel member PR so that the exposed portion of the surface PP1 and a part of the surface PP2 are in contact with each other. At the end of the block gauge BG in the +X direction, a portion of the surface PP2 that is not in contact with the surface PP1 is exposed toward the +Z direction. This exposed portion of the surface PP2 is located on the same plane as the plane including the deposition surface 311. Therefore, in step S112 of the position adjustment process shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 500 can indirectly contact the reference surface 611 and the deposition surface 311 by bringing the reference surface 611 into contact with the exposed portion of the surface PP2 as shown in FIG. 15, thereby making it possible to match the position of the reference surface 611 in the Z direction with the position of the deposition surface 311 in the Z direction. In this embodiment, the control unit 500 can place the parallel member PR on the deposition surface 311 by controlling, for example, a robot (not shown). For example, an eye-shaped straightedge or the like can be used as the parallel member PR.

[0070] C. Third embodiment: FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100b in the third embodiment. The modeling unit 200b in this embodiment includes a detachable unit 66 configured to allow the nozzle 61b to be detached, unlike the first embodiment. In addition, after the nozzle 61b is attached to the detachable unit 66, the control unit 500 measures the first value and the second value before starting modeling of a three-dimensional object. Among the configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100b in this embodiment, parts that are not particularly described are similar to those in the first embodiment. Note that the heating unit 700 is omitted in FIG. 16.

[0071] In this embodiment, the detachable part 66 has a hole 67 into which the nozzle 61b is inserted. A second screw part 69 that screws into a first screw part 68 provided on the side of the nozzle 61b is provided on the side of the hole 67. The nozzle 61b is inserted into the hole 67, and the first screw part 68 and the second screw part 69 are screwed together to connect the nozzle flow path 65 and the communication hole 56, and the nozzle 61b is attached to the modeling part 200b. In the attached state of the nozzle 61b, the nozzle 61b is released from the screwing of the first screw part 68 and the second screw part 69, and is removed from the hole 67, thereby being removed from the modeling part 200b in the detachable part 66.

[0072] After the nozzle 61b is attached to the detachment unit 66, the control unit 500 executes the measurement process shown in FIG. 6 as in the first embodiment. Thereafter, the control unit 500 executes the three-dimensional modeling process shown in FIG. 13 as in the first embodiment. For example, the control unit 500 may detect that the nozzle 61b is attached to the modeling unit 200b using a sensor. Also, for example, if the nozzle 61b includes an IC chip configured to be electrically connectable to the control unit 500 when the nozzle 61b is attached to the modeling unit 200b, the control unit 500 may determine that the nozzle 61b is attached to the modeling unit 200b when it detects the electrical connection between the IC chip of the nozzle 61b and the control unit 500, and execute the measurement process.

[0073] The above-described three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100b of the present embodiment also suppresses the need to replace or reattach the measuring unit 600 when replacing the modeling unit 200b, and determines the distance between the tip surface 63 and the deposition surface 311 based on the first and second values, which are actual measurements, thereby increasing the possibility of forming a three-dimensional object with high accuracy. In particular, in the present embodiment, the modeling unit 200b includes a detachable unit 66 configured to detachably attach the nozzle 61b, and the control unit 500 measures the first and second values ​​after the nozzle 61b is attached to the detachable unit 66 and before starting modeling of the three-dimensional object. As a result, the change in the position of the nozzle 61b in the Z direction associated with the attachment and detachment is reflected in the second value measured by the measuring unit 600. Therefore, even if the nozzle 61b is configured to be detachable, the possibility of forming a three-dimensional object with high accuracy is increased.

[0074] D. Fourth embodiment: FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100c in the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100c in this embodiment includes a first cleaning unit 110 that cleans the tip surface 63 of the nozzle 61 and a second cleaning unit 120 that cleans the measurement unit 600, unlike the first embodiment. In addition, the control unit 500 cleans the tip surface 63 by the first cleaning unit 110 prior to measuring the second value, and cleans the measurement unit 600 by the second cleaning unit 120 prior to measuring the first value and the second value. Parts of the configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100c in this embodiment that are not particularly described are similar to those in the first embodiment.

[0075] 17, the first cleaning unit 110 has a first waste material storage unit 111 and a first cleaning member 112. The first cleaning member 112 is a member for cleaning the tip surface 63 by contacting with the tip surface 63, and is configured by a brush-like member in this embodiment. The first waste material storage unit 111 is a box-like member with an open upper surface, and is a member for storing material as foreign matter removed from the tip surface 63 by contact between the tip surface 63 and the first cleaning member 112.

[0076] The first waste material accommodation unit 111 is fixed to the stage 300. The first cleaning member 112 is fixed to the first waste material accommodation unit 111 via a support disposed in the first waste material accommodation unit 111. As a result, the first cleaning unit 110 of this embodiment is configured to be movable in the X direction and the Y direction in accordance with the movement of the stage 300 in the X direction and the Y direction.

[0077] The Vickers hardness of the first cleaning member 112 is preferably lower than that of the tip surface 63. For example, the nozzle 61 is formed of a metal such as cemented carbide, tool steel, or SUS, and the first cleaning member 112 is formed of a metal such as SUS, iron, or brass. Since the Vickers hardness of the first cleaning member 112 is lower than that of the tip surface 63, wear of the tip surface 63 due to contact between the first cleaning member 112 and the tip surface 63 is suppressed. In another embodiment, the first cleaning member 112 may be formed of, for example, a spatula-shaped member.

[0078] The second cleaning unit 120 has a second waste material storage unit 121, a second cleaning member 122, and a blower 123. The second cleaning member 122 is a member for cleaning the measurement unit 600 by contacting with the measurement unit 600, and is configured by a brush-like member in this embodiment. More specifically, the second cleaning member 122 in this embodiment cleans the surface of the contactor 602 of the measurement unit 600 by contacting with the contactor 602. The second waste material storage unit 121 is a box-like member with an open upper surface, and is a member for storing materials as foreign bodies removed from the surface of the contactor 602 by contact between the contactor 602 and the second cleaning member 122. The blower 123 is configured to be able to blow air toward the tip of the second cleaning member 122, and guides the materials removed from the surface of the contactor 602 by contact between the contactor 602 and the second cleaning member 122 to the second waste material storage unit 121 by the blown air.

[0079] The second waste material storage unit 121 in this embodiment is fixed to the measurement unit 600 in the +X direction of the measurement unit 600, and is configured to be movable in the X and Y directions together with the measurement unit 600 in accordance with the movement of the stage 300. The second cleaning member 122 and the blower 123 are fixed to the support unit 205 in the +X direction of the support unit 205.

[0080] The Vickers hardness of the second cleaning member 122 is preferably lower than the Vickers hardness of the portion of the measuring unit 600 that contacts the second cleaning member 122. That is, in this embodiment, the Vickers hardness of the second cleaning member 122 is preferably lower than the Vickers hardness of the contactor 602. For example, the contactor 602 is formed of a metal such as SUS, and the second cleaning member 122 is formed of a metal such as SUS, iron, or brass. Since the Vickers hardness of the second cleaning member 122 is lower than the Vickers hardness of the contactor 602, wear of the contactor 602 due to contact between the second cleaning member 122 and the contactor 602 is suppressed. In another embodiment, the second cleaning member 122 may be formed of, for example, a spatula-shaped member.

[0081] Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing a measurement process in the fourth embodiment. In Fig. 18, steps similar to those in the three-dimensional modeling process shown in Fig. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 6.

[0082] In step S102, the control unit 500 cleans the surface of the contact 602 by the second cleaning member 122. In step S102, the control unit 500 first controls the movement mechanism unit 400 to move the measurement unit 600 to directly below the second cleaning member 122. Next, the control unit 500 starts blowing air from the blower 123, and ejects the contact 602 in the +Z direction to bring the contact 602 into contact with the second cleaning member 122. Note that when bringing the contact 602 into contact with the second cleaning member 122, the control unit 500 may eject the contact 602 in the +Z direction and control the movement mechanism unit 400 to move the second cleaning member 122 in the -Z direction. Then, with the contactor 602 and the second cleaning member 122 in contact with each other, the control unit 500 controls the movement mechanism unit 400 to repeatedly move the measurement unit 600 back and forth in the X direction or the Y direction, thereby moving the contactor 602 so as to rub against the second cleaning member 122. After cleaning of the contactor 602 is completed, the control unit 500 stops the blowing of air from the blower 123 and pulls the contactor 602 back in the -Z direction.

[0083] In step S104, the control unit 500 cleans the tip surface 63 by the first cleaning member 112. In step S104, the control unit 500 first controls the moving mechanism unit 400 to move the first cleaning member 112 to just below the tip surface 63 of the nozzle 61. Next, the control unit 500 controls the moving mechanism unit 400 to move the nozzle 61 in the -Z direction to bring the tip surface 63 into contact with the first cleaning member 112. Then, in a state in which the tip surface 63 and the first cleaning member 112 are in contact with each other, the control unit 500 controls the moving mechanism unit 400 to repeatedly move the first cleaning member 112 back and forth in the X direction or Y direction, thereby moving the first cleaning member 112 so as to rub against the tip surface 63. After completing step S104, the control unit 500 executes a position adjustment process in step S110, an inspection process in step S120, and a measurement process in step S130, in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0084] The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100c of the present embodiment described above also suppresses the replacement or replacement of the measuring unit 600 associated with the replacement of the modeling unit 200, and also determines the distance between the tip surface 63 and the deposition surface 311 based on the first and second values, which are actual measurements, thereby increasing the possibility of forming a three-dimensional object with high accuracy. In particular, in the present embodiment, the control unit 500 cleans the tip surface 63 by the first cleaning unit 110 prior to measuring the second value. This prevents the influence of foreign matter attached to the tip surface 63 on the measured second value, since the second value is measured in a cleaned state. Therefore, the possibility of measuring the second value more accurately increases, and the possibility of forming a three-dimensional object with high accuracy increases.

[0085] Furthermore, in this embodiment, prior to measuring the first value and the second value, the control unit 500 cleans the measurement unit 600 by the second cleaning unit 120. This allows the measurement unit 600 to measure the first value and the second value in a cleaned state, thereby suppressing the influence of foreign matter attached to the measurement unit 600 on the first value and the second value to be measured. This increases the possibility that the first value and the second value can be measured more accurately, and further increases the possibility that a three-dimensional object can be formed with high accuracy.

[0086] In the fourth embodiment, the control unit 500 cleans the measurement unit 600 by the second cleaning unit 120 prior to the inspection process, so that the accuracy of the measurement unit 600 can be inspected more accurately. In other embodiments, the cleaning of the measurement unit 600 may be performed prior to the measurement of the first value and the measurement of the second value, for example, after the position adjustment process or the inspection process. Furthermore, the cleaning of the tip surface 63 by the first cleaning unit 110 may be performed prior to the measurement of the second value, for example, after the position adjustment process or the inspection process, or after the measurement of the first value. Furthermore, the cleaning of the tip surface 63 may be performed prior to the cleaning of the measurement unit 600.

[0087] E. Other embodiments: (E-1) In the above embodiment, in step S132 of the measurement process shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 500 may correct the value detected by the measurement unit 600 based on, for example, the first value so that the distance between the measurement unit 600 and the reference surface 611 when the contact 602 is located at the same position as the reference surface 611 in the Z direction is regarded as 0. For example, when the distance measured in step S132 is the distance A, the control unit 500 may correct the value detected by the measurement unit 600 so that the corrected value is a value obtained by subtracting a value corresponding to the distance A from the detected value before correction. In this case, the control unit 500 can obtain the reference Z coordinate in step S137 by moving the nozzle 61 in the -Z direction and pressing down the contact 602 in the -Z direction until the second value becomes 0 in step S136. Even in this case, the control unit 500 can determine the distance between the tip surface 63 and the deposition surface 311 based on the reference Z coordinate obtained based on the first value and the second value in the three-dimensional modeling process shown in Figure 13.

[0088] (E-2) In the above embodiment, the control unit 500 may correct the Z coordinate value of the nozzle 61 based on the reference Z coordinate value acquired in step S137 of FIG. 11, for example, after the measurement process is completed and prior to the start of the three-dimensional printing process. In this case, the control unit 500 corrects the Z coordinate value so that the corrected Z coordinate value is the sum of the Z coordinate value before correction and the reference Z coordinate value acquired in step S137. Even in this case, the control unit 500 can determine the distance between the tip surface 63 and the deposition surface 311 based on the reference Z coordinate acquired based on the first value and the second value in the three-dimensional printing process shown in FIG. 13. In addition, the control unit 500 may change the Z coordinate value or the movement distance of the nozzle 61 specified by the printing data based on the reference Z coordinate in the three-dimensional printing process, for example, and print a three-dimensional object according to the printing data in which the Z coordinate value or the movement distance has been changed.

[0089] (E-3) In the above embodiment, the control unit 500 controls the measurement unit 600 to measure the distance between the measurement unit 600 and the reference surface 611 as the first value. In contrast, the control unit 500 may not measure the distance between the measurement unit 600 and the reference surface 611 as the first value. The control unit 500 may measure, for example, the movement amount of the contactor 602 from the position of the contactor 602 in the Z direction to the position of the reference surface 611 in the Z direction as the first value. In addition, the control unit 500 may measure, as the first value, a value obtained by subtracting the actually measured movement amount of the contactor 602 from the ideal movement amount of the contactor 602 when the contactor 602 is moved upward by a predetermined distance. Similarly, the control unit 500 may not measure the distance between the measurement unit 600 and the tip surface 63 as the second value.

[0090] (E-4) In the above embodiment, the control unit 500 determines the distance between the tip surface 63 and the deposition surface 311 when a three-dimensional object is formed based on the reference Z coordinate. In contrast, the control unit 500 does not need to determine the distance between the tip surface 63 and the deposition surface 311 based on the reference Z coordinate. For example, the control unit 500 may calculate the difference between the distance between the tip surface 63 and the reference surface 611 measured based on the first value and the second value and the value of the Z coordinate of the nozzle 61, and determine the distance between the tip surface 63 and the deposition surface 311 when a three-dimensional object is formed based on the calculated difference. In this case, the control unit 500, for example, first measures the distance between the measurement unit 600 and the reference surface 611 as a first value, measures the distance between the measurement unit 600 and the tip surface 63 as a second value, and measures the distance between the tip surface 63 and the reference surface 611 based on the difference between the first value and the second value. Next, the control unit 500 calculates the difference between the distance between the tip surface 63 and the reference surface 611 and the value of the Z coordinate of the nozzle 61 at the position where the second value was measured. The control unit 500 can determine the distance between the tip surface 63 and the deposition surface 311 based on this difference in the three-dimensional modeling process. In this case, the first value may be measured prior to the second value, or the second value may be measured prior to the first value.

[0091] (E-5) In the above embodiment, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 includes the heating unit 700. However, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 does not necessarily have to include the heating unit 700.

[0092] (E-6) In the above embodiment, the position of the reference surface 611 in the Z direction coincides with the position of the deposition surface 311 in the Z direction. In contrast, the position of the reference surface 611 in the Z direction does not have to coincide with the position of the deposition surface 311 in the Z direction, as long as it corresponds to the position of the deposition surface 311 in the Z direction. In this case, the position of the reference surface 611 in the Z direction is adjusted to a position a predetermined distance away from the position of the deposition surface 311 in the Z direction using, for example, a block gauge or the like.

[0093] (E-7) In the above embodiment, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 includes the adjustment unit 620. In contrast, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 does not have to include the adjustment unit 620. Furthermore, the control unit 500 does not have to execute the position adjustment process prior to measuring the first value and the second value. In this case, for example, the position of the reference surface 611 in the Z direction may be adjusted by manually bringing the reference surface 611 into direct or indirect contact with the deposition surface 311.

[0094] (E-8) In the above embodiment, the measurement unit 600 is configured by a contact-type displacement sensor. In contrast, the measurement unit 600 may be configured by, for example, a non-contact type sensor. For example, the measurement unit 600 may be configured by a laser distance measurement sensor, and may measure the distance between the measurement unit 600 and the measurement object or the position of the measurement object relative to the position of the measurement unit 600 from a change in the imaging position of the laser reflected light caused by a change in the distance between the measurement unit 600 and the measurement object. In addition, the measurement unit 600 may have, for example, both a contact-type displacement sensor and a non-contact type sensor, and one of the first value and the second value may be measured by a contact-type displacement sensor and the other may be measured by a non-contact type sensor.

[0095] (E-9) In the above embodiment, the notification unit 800 is configured with a liquid crystal monitor that displays visual information. In contrast, the notification unit 800 does not have to be configured with a liquid crystal monitor. The notification unit 800 may be configured, for example, as a speaker that notifies audio information. Furthermore, the notification unit 800 may be configured with a communication device that notifies information by transmitting a message to another computer or the like. Furthermore, the notification unit 800 may be configured to notify information by using a plurality of the above notification means in combination.

[0096] (E-10) In the above embodiment, when the accuracy of the measuring unit 600 does not satisfy a predetermined condition, the control unit 500 controls the notification unit 800 to notify information related to the accuracy of the measuring unit 600. In contrast, the control unit 500 does not have to control the notification unit 800 to notify information related to the accuracy of the measuring unit 600. In this case, the three-dimensional printing apparatus 100 does not have to be equipped with the notification unit 800.

[0097] (E-11) In the above embodiment, the reference unit 610 has the inspection surface 612. In contrast, the reference unit 610 does not have to have the inspection surface 612. In addition, the control unit 500 does not have to inspect the accuracy of the measurement unit 600.

[0098] (E-12) In the above embodiment, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 may include a plurality of nozzles 61. For example, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 may include one or more modeling units 200 having a plurality of nozzles 61, or may include a plurality of modeling units 200 having one nozzle 61. In this case, the control unit 500 may measure the second value for all nozzles 61 in one measurement process, or may measure the second value for some nozzles 61. For example, the control unit 500 may measure the second value only for nozzles 61 that have been replaced due to replacement of the nozzle 61 or replacement of the modeling unit 200. Furthermore, the control unit 500 may read the modeling data prior to the measurement process, and measure the second value only for nozzles 61 that are actually used in the three-dimensional modeling process executed after the measurement process.

[0099] (E-13) In the above embodiment, the modeling unit 200 plasticizes the material by using a flat screw to generate the modeling material. In contrast, the modeling unit 200 may generate the modeling material by, for example, rotating an in-line screw. In addition, the modeling unit 200 may be configured as a head that plasticizes and ejects a filament-shaped material.

[0100] F. Other forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be realized in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the present disclosure can be realized in the following forms. The technical features in the above-mentioned embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described below can be appropriately replaced or combined in order to solve some or all of the problems of the present disclosure, or to achieve some or all of the effects of the present disclosure. Furthermore, if the technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0101] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a three-dimensional modeling apparatus. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus includes a modeling unit having a nozzle for discharging a modeling material from a nozzle opening formed on a tip surface, a stage having a deposition surface on which the modeling material is deposited, a movement mechanism for changing the relative position between the nozzle and the stage, a measurement unit arranged at a position capable of facing the tip surface, a reference unit having a reference surface arranged at a position corresponding to the deposition surface in a direction intersecting the deposition surface and at a position capable of facing the measurement unit and being separate from the nozzle, and a control unit for forming a three-dimensional object by controlling the modeling unit and the movement mechanism. The control unit controls the measurement unit to measure a first value that is a value relating to the distance between the measurement unit and the reference surface and a second value that is a value relating to the distance between the measurement unit and the tip surface, and determines the distance between the tip surface and the deposition surface when the three-dimensional object is to be formed based on the first value and the second value. According to this embodiment, the replacement or replacement of the measuring unit due to the replacement of the modeling unit can be suppressed. In addition, since the distance between the tip surface and the deposition surface can be determined based on the first value and the second value, which are actual measured values, and a three-dimensional object can be modeled, the possibility of forming a three-dimensional object with high accuracy is increased.

[0102] (2) In the above embodiment, a heating unit may be provided that moves in accordance with the movement of the nozzle and heats the modeling material deposited on the deposition surface, and the tip surface may be located between the heating unit and the deposition surface in the cross direction. According to this embodiment, the modeling material deposited on the deposition surface is heated by the heating unit, thereby improving adhesion between the modeling materials and increasing the strength of the three-dimensional object. In addition, compared to a configuration in which the heating unit is located between the tip surface and the deposition surface in the cross direction, for example, the possibility of contact between the three-dimensional object and the heating unit during or after modeling is low, thereby increasing the possibility of forming a three-dimensional object with high accuracy.

[0103] (3) In the above embodiment, an adjustment unit that changes the position of the reference unit in the intersecting direction may be provided, and the control unit may control the adjustment unit to directly or indirectly contact the reference surface with the deposition surface prior to measuring the first value and the second value after controlling the heating unit to start heating the stage, thereby making the position of the reference surface in the intersecting direction coincide with the position of the deposition surface in the intersecting direction. According to this embodiment, the first value and the second value are measured in a state in which the position of the reference surface in the intersecting direction coincides with the position of the deposition surface of the heated stage in the intersecting direction. Therefore, in an embodiment in which a modeling material deposited on the deposition surface is heated by a heating unit to form a three-dimensional object, the possibility of forming a three-dimensional object with higher accuracy is increased.

[0104] (4) In the above embodiment, the modeling unit may include a detachable unit configured to allow the nozzle to be detached, and the control unit may measure the first value and the second value after the nozzle is attached to the detachable unit and before starting modeling of the three-dimensional object. According to this embodiment, a change in the position of the nozzle in the intersecting direction caused by detachment is reflected in the second value measured by the measurement unit. Therefore, even in a configuration in which the nozzle is detachable, the possibility of being able to model a three-dimensional object with high accuracy is increased.

[0105] (5) In the above embodiment, a first cleaning unit that cleans the tip surface may be provided, and the control unit may clean the tip surface with the first cleaning unit prior to measuring the second value. According to this embodiment, the second value is measured with the tip surface cleaned, so that the influence of foreign matter attached to the tip surface on the measured second value is suppressed. This increases the possibility of measuring the second value more accurately, and increases the possibility of forming a three-dimensional object with high accuracy.

[0106] (6) In the above embodiment, a second cleaning unit that cleans the measurement unit may be provided, and the control unit may clean the measurement unit using the second cleaning unit prior to measuring the first value and the second value. According to this embodiment, the first value and the second value are measured in a cleaned state of the measurement unit, so that the influence of foreign matter attached to the measurement unit on the measured first value and second value is suppressed. This increases the possibility of measuring the first value and the second value more accurately, and increases the possibility of forming a three-dimensional object with high accuracy.

[0107] (7) In the above aspect, the control unit may measure the first value by bringing the measurement unit into contact with the reference surface. According to this aspect, the first value can be measured with high accuracy by simple control.

[0108] (8) In the above embodiment, the control unit may measure the second value by contacting the measurement unit with the tip surface. According to this embodiment, the second value can be measured with high accuracy by simple control.

[0109] (9) In the above embodiment, the reference unit has an inspection surface that is disposed at a position that is a predetermined distance away from the reference surface in the intersecting direction and at a position that can face the measurement unit, and the control unit may control the measurement unit to measure a height difference between the reference surface and the inspection surface, and inspect the accuracy of the measurement unit based on the measured height difference. According to this embodiment, the accuracy of the measurement unit can be easily inspected.

[0110] (10) In the above embodiment, a notification unit may be provided, and the control unit may control the notification unit to notify information regarding the accuracy of the measurement unit when the accuracy of the measurement unit does not satisfy a predetermined condition. According to this embodiment, the user can, for example, replace or perform maintenance on the measurement unit based on the information notified by the notification unit. This can increase the reliability of the first value and the second value measured by the measurement unit.

[0111] (11) In the above embodiment, the movement mechanism may change the relative positions of the nozzle and the stage by moving the nozzle in the intersecting direction relative to the stage and moving the stage in a direction along the deposition surface relative to the nozzle. According to this embodiment, since it is not necessary to move the stage in the intersecting direction relative to the nozzle, it is easier to position the reference surface in the intersecting direction at a position corresponding to the deposition surface, for example, compared to the case where the stage is moved in the intersecting direction relative to the nozzle. Therefore, the first value can be measured with a simple configuration.

[0112] (12) According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object in a three-dimensional printing apparatus, the method comprising: a nozzle for discharging a modeling material from a nozzle opening formed on a tip surface, a stage having a deposition surface on which the modeling material is deposited, a movement mechanism for changing a relative position between the nozzle and the stage, a measurement unit arranged at a position capable of facing the tip surface, and a reference unit separate from the nozzle, the reference unit having a reference surface arranged at a position corresponding to the deposition surface in a cross direction intersecting with the deposition surface and at a position capable of facing the measurement unit. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object comprises a first step of measuring a first value that is a value relating to the distance between the measurement unit and the reference surface by the measurement unit, a second step of measuring a second value that is a value relating to the distance between the measurement unit and the tip surface by the measurement unit, and a third step of forming the three-dimensional object by changing a relative position between the nozzle for discharging the modeling material and the stage, and determining the distance between the tip surface and the deposition surface in the third step based on the first value and the second value. According to this embodiment, the replacement or replacement of the measuring unit due to the replacement of the modeling unit can be suppressed. In addition, since the distance between the tip surface and the deposition surface can be determined based on the first value and the second value, which are actual measured values, and a three-dimensional object can be modeled, the possibility of forming a three-dimensional object with high accuracy is increased. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 20...material supply section, 22...supply path, 30...plasticization section, 31...screw case, 32...driving motor, 40...screw, 41...upper surface, 42...groove forming surface, 43...side surface, 44...material inlet, 45...groove, 46...ridge portion, 47...center portion, 50...barrel, 52...screw facing surface, 54...guide groove, 56...communication hole, 58...heater, 61, 61b...nozzle, 62...nozzle opening, 63...tip surface, 65...nozzle flow path, 66...detachment section, 67...hole portion, 68...first screw portion, 69...second screw portion, 100, 100b, 100c...three-dimensional modeling device, 110...first cleaning section, 111...first waste material storage section, 112... First cleaning member, 120...second cleaning unit, 121...second waste material storage unit, 122...second cleaning member, 123...blower, 200, 200b...modeling unit, 205...support unit, 300...stage, 311...deposition surface, 400...movement mechanism unit, 410...first electric actuator, 420...second electric actuator, 430...third electric actuator, 500...control unit, 600...measurement unit, 601...main body unit, 602...contact, 603...case, 604...case upper surface, 605...hole, 610...reference unit, 611...reference surface, 612...inspection surface, 620...adjustment unit, 621...moving unit, 700...heating unit, 800...notification unit

Claims

1. A modeling unit having a nozzle that ejects a modeling material from a nozzle opening formed on a tip surface thereof; a stage having a deposition surface on which the build material is deposited; a movement mechanism for changing a relative position between the nozzle and the stage; A measuring unit arranged at a position capable of facing the tip surface; a reference unit having a reference surface disposed at a position corresponding to the deposition surface in a direction intersecting the deposition surface and at a position capable of facing the measurement unit, the reference unit being separate from the nozzle; a control unit that controls the modeling unit and the movement mechanism unit to model a three-dimensional object, The control unit is Controlling the measurement unit to measure a first value related to a distance between the measurement unit and the reference surface and a second value related to a distance between the measurement unit and the tip surface; determining a distance between the tip surface and the deposition surface when the three-dimensional object is formed based on the first value and the second value; a heating unit that moves according to the movement of the nozzle and heats the modeling material deposited on the deposition surface; the tip surface is located between the heating portion and the deposition surface in the intersecting direction, an adjustment unit for changing a position of the reference unit in the intersecting direction, A three-dimensional printing device in which the control unit controls the heating unit to start heating the stage, and then controls the adjustment unit to directly or indirectly contact the reference surface with the deposition surface prior to measuring the first value and the second value, thereby matching the position of the reference surface in the intersecting direction with the position of the deposition surface in the intersecting direction.

2. A modeling section having a nozzle for ejecting a modeling material from a nozzle opening formed on a tip surface thereof; a stage having a deposition surface on which the build material is deposited; a movement mechanism for changing a relative position between the nozzle and the stage; A measuring unit arranged at a position capable of facing the tip surface; a reference unit having a reference surface disposed at a position corresponding to the deposition surface in a direction intersecting the deposition surface and at a position capable of facing the measurement unit, the reference unit being separate from the nozzle; a control unit that controls the modeling unit and the movement mechanism unit to model a three-dimensional object, The control unit is Controlling the measurement unit to measure a first value related to a distance between the measurement unit and the reference surface and a second value related to a distance between the measurement unit and the tip surface; determining a distance between the tip surface and the deposition surface when the three-dimensional object is formed based on the first value and the second value; A second cleaning unit is provided for cleaning the measuring unit, The control unit cleans the measurement unit by the second cleaning unit prior to measuring the first value and the second value.

3. A modeling section having a nozzle for ejecting a modeling material from a nozzle opening formed on a tip surface thereof; a stage having a deposition surface on which the build material is deposited; a movement mechanism for changing a relative position between the nozzle and the stage; A measuring unit arranged at a position capable of facing the tip surface; a reference unit having a reference surface disposed at a position corresponding to the deposition surface in a direction intersecting the deposition surface and at a position capable of facing the measurement unit, the reference unit being separate from the nozzle; a control unit that controls the modeling unit and the movement mechanism unit to model a three-dimensional object, The control unit is Controlling the measurement unit to measure a first value related to a distance between the measurement unit and the reference surface and a second value related to a distance between the measurement unit and the tip surface; determining a distance between the tip surface and the deposition surface when the three-dimensional object is formed based on the first value and the second value; The control unit measures the first value by bringing the measurement unit into contact with the reference surface.

4. A modeling section having a nozzle for ejecting a modeling material from a nozzle opening formed on a tip surface thereof; a stage having a deposition surface on which the build material is deposited; a movement mechanism for changing a relative position between the nozzle and the stage; A measuring unit arranged at a position capable of facing the tip surface; a reference unit having a reference surface disposed at a position corresponding to the deposition surface in a direction intersecting the deposition surface and at a position capable of facing the measurement unit, the reference unit being separate from the nozzle; a control unit that controls the modeling unit and the movement mechanism unit to model a three-dimensional object, The control unit is Controlling the measurement unit to measure a first value related to a distance between the measurement unit and the reference surface and a second value related to a distance between the measurement unit and the tip surface; determining a distance between the tip surface and the deposition surface when the three-dimensional object is formed based on the first value and the second value; The control unit measures the second value by bringing the measurement unit into contact with the tip surface.

5. A modeling section having a nozzle for ejecting a modeling material from a nozzle opening formed on a tip surface thereof; a stage having a deposition surface on which the build material is deposited; a movement mechanism for changing a relative position between the nozzle and the stage; A measuring unit arranged at a position capable of facing the tip surface; a reference unit having a reference surface disposed at a position corresponding to the deposition surface in a direction intersecting the deposition surface and at a position capable of facing the measurement unit, the reference unit being separate from the nozzle; a control unit that controls the modeling unit and the movement mechanism unit to model a three-dimensional object, The control unit is Controlling the measurement unit to measure a first value related to a distance between the measurement unit and the reference surface and a second value related to a distance between the measurement unit and the tip surface; determining a distance between the tip surface and the deposition surface when the three-dimensional object is formed based on the first value and the second value; the reference unit has an inspection surface that is disposed at a position that is a predetermined distance away from the reference surface in the intersecting direction and at a position that can face the measurement unit, The control unit controls the measurement unit to measure a height difference between the reference surface and the inspection surface, and inspects accuracy of the measurement unit based on the measured height difference.

6. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 5 , Equipped with a notification unit, When the accuracy of the measurement unit does not satisfy a predetermined condition, the control unit controls the notification unit to notify information related to the accuracy of the measurement unit.

7. The three-dimensional printing apparatus according to claim 2 , a heating unit that moves according to the movement of the nozzle and heats the modeling material deposited on the deposition surface; The tip surface is located between the heating portion and the deposition surface in the intersecting direction.

8. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1 , The molding unit includes a detachable unit configured to detachably attach the nozzle, The control unit measures the first value and the second value after the nozzle is attached to the attachment / detachment unit and prior to starting printing of the three-dimensional object.

9. The three-dimensional printing apparatus according to claim 1 , a first cleaning section for cleaning the tip surface, The control unit cleans the tip surface by the first cleaning unit prior to measuring the second value.

10. The three-dimensional printing apparatus according to claim 1 , The movement mechanism changes the relative position of the nozzle and the stage by moving the nozzle in the intersecting direction relative to the stage and moving the stage in a direction along the deposition surface relative to the nozzle.

11. A nozzle that ejects a modeling material from a nozzle opening formed on a tip surface of the nozzle; a stage having a deposition surface on which the build material is deposited; a movement mechanism for changing a relative position between the nozzle and the stage; A measuring unit arranged at a position capable of facing the tip surface; a reference unit that is separate from the nozzle and has a reference surface that is disposed at a position corresponding to the deposition surface in a direction intersecting the deposition surface and that is capable of facing the measurement unit, the reference unit comprising: a first step of measuring a first value, which is a value related to a distance between the measurement unit and the reference surface, by the measurement unit; A second step of measuring a second value, which is a value related to a distance between the measurement unit and the tip surface, by the measurement unit; and a third step of forming the three-dimensional object by changing a relative position between the nozzle that discharges the modeling material and the stage, determining a distance between the tip surface and the deposition surface in the third step based on the first value and the second value; The three-dimensional modeling apparatus further comprises: a heating unit that moves according to the movement of the nozzle and heats the modeling material deposited on the deposition surface; an adjustment unit that changes a position of the reference unit in the intersecting direction, the tip surface is located between the heating portion and the deposition surface in the intersecting direction, A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, comprising: after starting heating of the stage by the heating unit; and prior to measuring the first value and the second value, directly or indirectly contacting the reference surface with the deposition surface by the adjustment unit, thereby matching the position of the reference surface in the intersecting direction with the position of the deposition surface in the intersecting direction.

12. A nozzle that ejects a modeling material from a nozzle opening formed on a tip surface of the nozzle; a stage having a deposition surface on which the build material is deposited; a movement mechanism for changing a relative position between the nozzle and the stage; A measuring unit arranged at a position capable of facing the tip surface; a reference unit separate from the nozzle, the reference unit having a reference surface that is disposed at a position corresponding to the deposition surface in a direction intersecting the deposition surface and that is capable of facing the measurement unit, the reference unit comprising: a first step of measuring a first value, which is a value related to a distance between the measurement unit and the reference surface, by the measurement unit; A second step of measuring a second value, which is a value related to a distance between the measurement unit and the tip surface, by the measurement unit; and a third step of forming the three-dimensional object by changing a relative position between the nozzle that discharges the modeling material and the stage, determining a distance between the tip surface and the deposition surface in the third step based on the first value and the second value; a second cleaning unit that cleans the measurement unit prior to measuring the first value and the second value.

13. A nozzle that ejects a modeling material from a nozzle opening formed on a tip surface of the nozzle; a stage having a deposition surface on which the build material is deposited; a movement mechanism for changing a relative position between the nozzle and the stage; A measuring unit arranged at a position capable of facing the tip surface; a reference unit separate from the nozzle, the reference unit having a reference surface that is disposed at a position corresponding to the deposition surface in a direction intersecting the deposition surface and that is capable of facing the measurement unit, the reference unit comprising: a first step of measuring a first value, which is a value related to a distance between the measurement unit and the reference surface, by the measurement unit; A second step of measuring a second value, which is a value related to a distance between the measurement unit and the tip surface, by the measurement unit; and a third step of forming the three-dimensional object by changing a relative position between the nozzle that discharges the modeling material and the stage, determining a distance between the tip surface and the deposition surface in the third step based on the first value and the second value; In the first step, the first value is measured by bringing the measurement unit into contact with the reference surface.

14. A nozzle that ejects a modeling material from a nozzle opening formed on a tip surface of the nozzle; a stage having a deposition surface on which the build material is deposited; a movement mechanism for changing a relative position between the nozzle and the stage; A measuring unit arranged at a position capable of facing the tip surface; a reference unit that is separate from the nozzle and has a reference surface that is disposed at a position corresponding to the deposition surface in a direction intersecting the deposition surface and that is capable of facing the measurement unit, the reference unit comprising: a first step of measuring a first value, which is a value related to a distance between the measurement unit and the reference surface, by the measurement unit; A second step of measuring a second value, which is a value related to a distance between the measurement unit and the tip surface, by the measurement unit; and a third step of forming the three-dimensional object by changing a relative position between the nozzle that discharges the modeling material and the stage, determining a distance between the tip surface and the deposition surface in the third step based on the first value and the second value; In the second step, the measuring part is brought into contact with the tip surface to measure the second value.

15. A nozzle that ejects a modeling material from a nozzle opening formed on a tip surface of the nozzle; a stage having a deposition surface on which the build material is deposited; a movement mechanism for changing a relative position between the nozzle and the stage; A measuring unit arranged at a position capable of facing the tip surface; a reference unit that is separate from the nozzle and has a reference surface that is disposed at a position corresponding to the deposition surface in a direction intersecting the deposition surface and that is capable of facing the measurement unit, the reference unit comprising: a first step of measuring a first value, which is a value related to a distance between the measurement unit and the reference surface, by the measurement unit; A second step of measuring a second value, which is a value related to a distance between the measurement unit and the tip surface, by the measurement unit; and a third step of forming the three-dimensional object by changing a relative position between the nozzle that discharges the modeling material and the stage, determining a distance between the tip surface and the deposition surface in the third step based on the first value and the second value; the reference unit has an inspection surface that is disposed at a position that is a predetermined distance away from the reference surface in the intersecting direction and at a position that can face the measurement unit, A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, comprising the steps of: measuring a height difference between the reference surface and the inspection surface using the measurement unit; and inspecting accuracy of the measurement unit based on the measured height difference.

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