Plasticizing device, 3D modeling device and injection molding device

Abstract

To provide a plasticization device which is hard to cause fragmentation of a resin pellet.SOLUTION: A plasticization device 14 comprises: a flat screw 26 having a groove formation surface 26a where a spiral-shaped first groove 26b is formed and rotating; a barrel 27 having an opposed face 27a opposed to the groove formation surface 26a and having a communication hole 31 into which a plasticization material 17 flows; a heater 29 for heating a resin pellet 16; and a screw case 21 which accommodates the flat screw 26 and has a passage opening 21b through which the resin pellet 16 passes toward the flat screw 26. The flat screw 26 contains a first side face 26g provided with a first supply port 26e for supplying the resin pellet 16 to the first groove 26b and a second side face 26h provided on a side apart from the barrel 27 more than the first side face 26g. A first distance 32 which is the shortest distance between the first side face 26g and the screw case 21 is larger than a second distance 33 which is the shortest distance between the second side face 26h and the screw case 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a plasticizing apparatus, a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, and an injection molding apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] A plasticizer that plasticizes materials is used in fused deposition modeling three-dimensional modeling devices and injection molding devices. The plasticizer disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a rotor as a flat screw and a barrel arranged opposite each other. The rotor is approximately disk-shaped and has a helical groove formed based on an involute curve on a surface perpendicular to the rotation axis. The rotor is rotated by a motor.

[0003] The barrel is equipped with a heater for melting the resin pellets and a flow path through which the molten resin material passes. The resin pellets are melted and pressurized in the spiral groove. The molten and pressurized resin material is forced into the flow path of the barrel.

[0004] The rotor is placed inside a casing that acts as a screw case. The casing has a supply port for supplying resin pellets to the rotor. The resin pellets are fed from the supply port into the spiral groove that opens on the side of the rotor on the outer periphery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-241016 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In a plasticizer such as that in Patent Document 1, the gap between the side of the rotor and the casing is shorter than the length of the resin pellets. The rotor rotates relative to the casing. Therefore, the area where the supply port of the casing and the opening of the spiral groove overlap widens, then narrows and closes. When a resin pellet is present between the supply port of the casing and the opening of the spiral groove, the resin pellet is sandwiched between the casing and the rotor and is broken. A part of the broken resin pellet enters the gap between the side of the rotor and the casing and is crushed. The crushed resin pellets hinder the rotation of the rotor, causing a problem that stable plasticization cannot be performed. Therefore, a plasticizer in which the resin pellets are less likely to be broken between the casing and the rotor has been demanded. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The plasticization device comprises a motor, a flat screw having a groove forming surface on which a spiral groove is formed and rotating around the rotation axis of the motor, a barrel having an opposing surface facing the groove forming surface and provided with a through hole through which the plasticized material flows after the material is plasticized, a heater for heating the material supplied between the groove forming surface and the opposing surface, and a screw case that houses the flat screw and is provided with a passage through which the material passes toward the flat screw, and when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the motor, the flat screw has a first side surface on which a supply port for supplying the material to the groove is formed in a part, and a second side surface formed on a side away from the barrel than the first side surface, and the first distance, which is the shortest distance between the first side surface and the screw case, is greater than the second distance, which is the shortest distance between the second side surface and the screw case.

[0008] The three-dimensional modeling apparatus includes the plasticizing device described above, a nozzle that ejects the plasticized material supplied from the plasticizing device, and a stage that receives the plasticized material ejected from the nozzle.

[0009] The injection molding apparatus includes the above-described plasticizing device and a nozzle that injects the plasticized material supplied from the plasticizing device toward a mold. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a three-dimensional printing apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing the configuration of a plasticizing device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a groove forming surface side of a flat screw. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view for explaining the positional relationship between a flat screw and a screw case. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a main portion for explaining the positional relationship between a flat screw and a screw case. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the side of the barrel facing the flat screw. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view for explaining the positional relationship between a flat screw and a screw case according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a main portion for explaining the positional relationship between a flat screw and a screw case. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an injection molding apparatus according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] First embodiment In this embodiment, a characteristic example of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus equipped with a plasticizing device will be described with reference to the drawings. In Fig. 1, arrows are shown along the X, Y, and Z directions that are perpendicular to each other. The X and Y directions are directions along the horizontal direction, and the Z direction is a direction along the vertical direction. The direction of gravity is the negative Z direction.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, a three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 includes a base 2. A stage 3 is placed on the base 2. On the stage 3, a Y-stage 4, an X-stage 5, and a receiving plate 6 are placed one on top of the other in the Z positive direction in this order.

[0013] The Y stage 4 is equipped with a Y-axis motor 4a, a ball screw, a Y-axis scale, etc. The Y stage 4 moves the receiving plate 6 back and forth in the Y direction. The X stage 5 is equipped with an X-axis motor 5a, a ball screw, an X-axis scale, etc. The X stage 5 moves the receiving plate 6 back and forth in the X direction.

[0014] The three-dimensional modeling device 1 is equipped with a control unit 7. The control unit 7 controls the movement of the Y stage 4 and the X stage 5. The control unit 7 recognizes the position of the receiving plate 6 in the Y direction from the information output by the Y-axis scale. The control unit 7 recognizes the position of the receiving plate 6 in the X direction from the information output by the X-axis scale. The control unit 7 moves the Y stage 4 and the X stage 5 so that there is no difference between the target position to which the receiving plate 6 is to be moved and the current position. The control unit 7 controls the trajectory along which the receiving plate 6 moves by sequentially changing the target position to which the receiving plate 6 is to be moved.

[0015] A lift stage 8 is installed on the negative X direction side of the base 2. The lift stage 8 is equipped with a fixed table 8a, and the fixed table 8a is supported on the base 2. A rail 8b is installed on the surface of the fixed table 8a on the positive X direction side. A movable table 8c is installed on the positive X direction side of the rail 8b. The movable table 8c reciprocates in the Z direction along the rail 8b.

[0016] A Z-axis motor 8d is installed on the Z positive direction side of the fixed table 8a. The fixed table 8a is equipped with a ball screw and a Z-axis scale inside. As with the Y stage 4 and the X stage 5, the control unit 7 controls the trajectory of the moving table 8c.

[0017] A unit support part 9 is installed on the X positive direction side of the moving table 8c. A modeling unit 11 is installed on the X positive direction side of the unit support part 9, and the unit support part 9 supports the modeling unit 11. In the modeling unit 11, a material supply part 12, a connection pipe 13, a plasticizing device 14, and a discharge part 15 are installed in this order toward the Z negative direction.

[0018] In this embodiment, the stage 3 moves in the X and Y directions, and the modeling unit 11 moves in the Z direction; however, the stage 3 may not move, and the modeling unit 11 may move in the X, Y, and Z directions, or the stage 3 may move in the Z direction, and the modeling unit 11 may move in the X and Y directions.

[0019] The material supply unit 12 is a container having a cavity therein. Resin pellets 16 are accommodated as a material inside the material supply unit 12. The resin pellets 16 are lumps of resin. The size of the resin pellets 16 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, it is within a range of, for example, 5 mm to 20 mm.

[0020] The connecting pipe 13 is connected to the bottom of the material supply section 12. The resin pellets 16 move from inside the material supply section 12 into the connecting pipe 13 due to their own weight. The connecting pipe 13 is connected to the plasticizer 14. The resin pellets 16 are supplied from the connecting pipe 13 to the plasticizer 14.

[0021] The plasticizer 14 plasticizes the resin pellets 16. "Plasticization" is a concept that includes melting, and refers to changing from a solid to a fluid state. Specifically, in the case of a material that undergoes a glass transition, plasticization refers to raising the temperature of the material to or above the glass transition point. In the case of a material that does not undergo a glass transition, plasticization refers to raising the temperature of the material to or above the melting point. The plasticizer 14 plasticizes the resin pellets 16 to produce a plasticized material 17.

[0022] The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 includes a nozzle 18. The nozzle 18 ejects the plasticized material 17 supplied from the plasticizer 14 onto the receiving plate 6. The receiving plate 6 of the stage 3 receives the plasticized material 17 ejected from the nozzle 18. While the nozzle 18 ejects the plasticized material 17, the control unit 7 moves the receiving plate 6 in the X and Y directions. In this way, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 forms a figure of a predetermined pattern on the receiving plate 6. This figure is the first stage figure.

[0023] Next, the lifting stage 8 moves the modeling unit 11 a predetermined distance in the positive Z direction. The 3D modeling device 1 forms a figure in the second stage by overlapping it with the figure in the first stage. Furthermore, the 3D modeling device 1 forms a three-dimensional structure 19 by overlapping and forming figures in the third stage and beyond.

[0024] 2, the plasticizer 14 includes a screw case 21. The screw case 21 is hollow inside. A motor 22 is installed on the positive Z direction side of the screw case 21. The control unit 7 controls the rotation angle, rotation speed, and timing to start and stop rotation of the motor 22.

[0025] A reduction gear 23 is connected to the rotating shaft 22a of the motor 22. When the rotating shaft 22a rotates at high speed, the outer periphery of the reduction gear 23 rotates at a reduced speed. The outer periphery of the reduction gear 23 rotating at a slower speed becomes the output shaft 23a. A bearing 24 is installed on the outer periphery of the reduction gear 23. The bearing 24 is disposed between the screw case 21 and the reduction gear 23. The bearing 24 supports the reduction gear 23 for rotation.

[0026] A screw support portion 25 is installed on the output shaft 23a of the reduction gear device 23. A flat screw 26 is installed on the screw support portion 25. The flat screw 26 rotates in synchronization with the output shaft 23a. The flat screw 26 rotates around the rotation shaft 22a of the motor 22. A screw rotation center 26d, which is the rotation center of the flat screw 26, is coaxial with the motor rotation center 22b, which is the rotation center of the motor 22.

[0027] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the flat screw 26 has a groove forming surface 26a in which a first groove 26b is formed as a helical groove. A ring-shaped second groove 26c is formed on the groove forming surface 26a on the outer periphery side of the first groove 26b. The flat screw 26 has a generally cylindrical shape whose size in the direction of the rotation axis 22a is smaller than its size in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis 22a. In the illustrated example, two first grooves 26b are provided, but the number of first grooves 26b is not particularly limited. Although not illustrated, three or more first grooves 26b may be provided, or only one first groove 26b may be provided.

[0028] The screw case 21 houses the reduction gear 23, the screw support 25, and the flat screw 26. The screw case 21 has a supply passage 21a that connects to the connecting pipe 13. The supply passage 21a continues from the connecting pipe 13 to the flat screw 26. The opening of the supply passage 21a on the flat screw 26 side is the passage port 21b. The screw case 21 has the passage port 21b through which the resin pellets 16 pass toward the flat screw 26.

[0029] A barrel 27 is provided on the negative Z direction side of the flat screw 26. A barrel case 28 that houses the barrel 27 is provided on the negative Z direction side of the screw case 21. The flat screw 26 rotates relative to the barrel 27.

[0030] The depth of the first groove 26b is shallower closer to the screw rotation center 26d than on the outer periphery. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first groove 26b is smaller closer to the screw rotation center 26d than on the outer periphery. The pressure of the plasticized material 17 in the first groove 26b is higher on the screw rotation center 26d side, and the plasticized material 17 is pushed out to the communication hole 31. The flat screw 26 functions as a pump to move the plasticized material 17.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a view of the screw case 21 and the flat screw 26 as viewed from the Z negative direction. FIG. 5 is a view of the screw case 21 and the flat screw 26 as viewed from the Y negative direction. As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the rotation shaft 22a of the motor 22, the flat screw 26 has a first side surface 26g in which a first supply port 26e as a supply port for supplying the resin pellets 16 to the first groove 26b and a second supply port 26f as a supply port are formed in a part. The flat screw 26 has a second side surface 26h formed on a side farther away from the barrel 27 than the first side surface 26g. The first side surface 26g is a surface located on the screw rotation center 26d side of the second groove 26c. The second side surface 26h is a surface located on the screw case 21 side of the second groove 26c. The screw case 21 has a third side surface 21d facing the second side surface 26h. The screw case 21 has a fourth side surface 21e facing the first side surface 26g. The third side surface 21d and the fourth side surface 21e form arcs with the same distance from the screw rotation center 26d.

[0032] A first distance 32, which is the shortest distance between the first side surface 26g and the screw case 21, is greater than a second distance 33, which is the shortest distance between the second side surface 26h and the screw case 21. The first distance 32 is the distance between the first side surface 26g and the fourth side surface 21e, and the second distance 33 is the distance between the second side surface 26h and the third side surface 21d.

[0033] 2 and 5, the barrel 27 has an opposing surface 27a that faces the groove forming surface 26a. A heater 29 is installed inside the barrel 27 at a location that faces the first groove 26b. The heater 29 heats the resin pellets 16 that are supplied between the groove forming surface 26a and the opposing surface 27a. The heated resin pellets 16 are plasticized to become a plasticized material 17. The barrel 27 is provided with a communication hole 31 into which the plasticized material 17 formed by plasticizing the resin pellets 16 flows.

[0034] According to this configuration, the resin pellets 16 are supplied to the flat screw 26 from the passage port 21b of the screw case 21. In the flat screw 26, the resin pellets 16 proceed from the first supply port 26e and the second supply port 26f to the first spiral groove 26b. The resin pellets 16 are heated and plasticized in the first spiral groove 26b. The plasticized plasticized material 17 flows into the communication hole 31 of the barrel 27. The side of the flat screw 26 includes a first side 26g and a second side 26h. Since the distance between the second side 26h and the screw case 21 is short, it is difficult for the resin pellets 16 to enter. The first side 26g and the screw case 21 are separated. The resin pellets 16 proceed from the passage port 21b of the screw case 21 between the first side 26g and the screw case 21. The first side 26g has a first supply port 26e and a second supply port 26f that communicate with the first spiral groove 26b. The resin pellets 16 advance from between the first side surface 26g and the screw case 21 to the first supply port 26e and the second supply port 26f.

[0035] The motor 22 rotates the screw case 21 and the second side surface 26h of the flat screw 26 relative to each other. The resin pellets 16 pass between the first side surface 26g and the screw case 21 before entering the first supply port 26e and the second supply port 26f from the screw case 21. Since the first side surface 26g and the screw case 21 are separated from each other, the resin pellets 16 can be prevented from being pinched between the first side surface 26g of the flat screw 26 and the screw case 21 and being cut off. Therefore, since the plasticizing device 14 makes it difficult for the resin pellets 16 to be crushed, it is possible to prevent the crushed resin pellets 16 from hindering the rotation of the flat screw 26.

[0036] The second side surface 26h protrudes further toward the screw case 21 than the first side surface 26g. Since the second distance 33 is smaller, the resin pellets 16 are less likely to move toward the screw support portion 25. For this reason, the flat screw 26 can cause the resin pellets 16 to flow into the first groove 26b.

[0037] The first side surface 26g is closer to the rotating shaft 22a of the motor 22 than the second side surface 26h. According to this configuration, since the first side surface 26g is closer to the rotating shaft 22a of the motor 22 than the second side surface 26h, a first distance 32 can be secured between the first side surface 26g and the screw case 21.

[0038] The area occupied by the first side surface 26g is preferably larger than the area occupied by the second side surface 26h. With this configuration, since the area occupied by the first side surface 26g is large, the first supply port 26e and the second supply port 26f can be made large. Since the space of the second groove 26c between the first side surface 26g and the screw case 21 is large, the resin pellets 16 can be made less likely to be crushed by grinding.

[0039] The first distance 32 is preferably greater than the maximum length of the resin pellet 16. According to this configuration, since the distance between the first side surface 26g and the screw case 21 is greater than the maximum length of the resin pellet 16, the resin pellet 16 can be prevented from being pressed and crushed by the first side surface 26g and the screw case 21.

[0040] The plasticizer 14 may plasticize resin pellets 16 containing an elastomer resin. The elastomer resin may be a polystyrene-based, olefin / alkene-based, polyvinyl chloride-based, polyurethane-based, polyester-based, polyamide-based, or other elastomer resin. In this embodiment, for example, a resin pellet 16 containing a polystyrene-based thermoplastic elastomer resin is used.

[0041] According to this configuration, even when the resin pellets 16 contain an elastomer resin, it is possible to prevent the resin pellets 16 from being pressed and crushed by the first side surface 26g and the screw case 21. Note that the resin pellets 16 may be made of acrylic resin, epoxy resin, silicone resin, cellulose-based resin, or other synthetic resin, or polylactic acid, polyamide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether ether ketone, or other thermoplastic resin.

[0042] When the resin pellet 16 contains an elastomer resin, it is preferable that the difference between the first distance 32 and the second distance 33 is larger than when the resin pellet 16 does not contain an elastomer resin. According to this configuration, when the resin pellet 16 contains an elastomer resin, the first side surface 26g and the screw case 21 are separated from each other. Therefore, the resin pellet 16 can be further prevented from being pressed and crushed by the first side surface 26g and the screw case 21.

[0043] Fig. 6 is a view of the barrel 27 as viewed from the flat screw 26 side. As shown in Fig. 6, a plurality of guide grooves 34 are formed around the communicating hole 31 in the opposing surface 27a. One end of each guide groove 34 is connected to the communicating hole 31, and extends in a spiral shape from the communicating hole 31 toward the outer periphery of the opposing surface 27a. Each guide groove 34 guides the plasticized material 17 to the communicating hole 31. Note that the guide groove 34 does not have to be connected to the communicating hole 31, and the guide groove 34 does not have to be formed in the opposing surface 27a.

[0044] As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the plasticizer 14 is provided with a screw support portion 25 that supports the flat screw 26 on the motor 22 side of the flat screw 26. The plasticizer 14 is provided with a seal portion 35 that narrows the gap between the screw support portion 25 and the screw case 21. The seal portion 35 is an elastic ring. The seal portion 35 may be made of a material other than silicone resin or rubber, such as spring steel. With this configuration, the seal portion 35 narrows the gap between the screw support portion 25 and the screw case 21. Therefore, the resin pellets 16 can be prevented from advancing toward the motor 22 side.

[0045] According to the configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 includes the above-described plasticizing apparatus 14. The above-described plasticizing apparatus 14 makes it difficult for the resin pellets 16 to be crushed, and therefore it is possible to prevent the crushed resin pellets 16 from impeding the rotation of the flat screw 26. Therefore, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 can be an apparatus including a plasticizing apparatus 14 with high long-term reliability.

[0046] Second embodiment This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the flat screw 26 does not have the second groove 26c, and the screw case 21 has a portion corresponding to the second groove 26c. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0047] Fig. 7 is a view of the screw case 39 and the flat screw 41 provided in the plasticizing device 38, as viewed from the negative Z direction. Fig. 8 is a view of the screw case 39 and the flat screw 41 in the plasticizing device 38, as viewed from the negative Y direction.

[0048] 7 and 8, the screw case 39 houses the reduction gear 23, the screw support 25, and the flat screw 41. The screw case 39 has a ring-shaped recess 39c at a location facing the side surface of the flat screw 41 on the barrel 27 side. The screw case 39 has a supply passage 39a corresponding to the supply passage 21a in the first embodiment. The supply passage 39a is connected to the recess 39c at a passage port 39b. The passage port 39b corresponds to the passage port 21b in the first embodiment.

[0049] The flat screw 41 rotates around a screw rotation center 41d and a rotation shaft 22a of the motor 22. The flat screw 41 has a groove forming surface 41a having a first groove 41b as a spiral groove corresponding to the first groove 26b of the first embodiment. The groove forming surface 41a corresponds to the groove forming surface 26a of the first embodiment.

[0050] When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the rotation shaft 22a of the motor 22, the flat screw 41 has a first side surface 41g on which a first supply port 41e and a second supply port 41f are formed as a supply port for supplying the resin pellets 16 to the first groove 41b. The flat screw 41 has a second side surface 41h formed on a side farther away from the barrel 27 than the first side surface 41g. The first side surface 41g and the second side surface 41h have a circular shape when viewed from a direction along the screw rotation center 41d. The first side surface 41g and the second side surface 41h have the same radius centered on the screw rotation center 41d. The first side surface 41g faces the recess 39c. The screw case 39 has a third side surface 39d facing the second side surface 41h. The screw case 39 has a fourth side surface 39e facing the first side surface 41g.

[0051] A first distance 42, which is the shortest distance between the first side surface 41g and the screw case 39, is greater than a second distance 43, which is the shortest distance between the second side surface 41h and the screw case 39. The first distance 42 is the distance between the first side surface 41g and the fourth side surface 39e. The second distance 43 is the distance between the second side surface 41h and the third side surface 39d.

[0052] According to this configuration, the screw case 39 and the second side surface 41h of the flat screw 41 rotate relatively by the motor 22. The resin pellets 16 pass between the first side surface 41g and the recessed portion 39c of the screw case 39 before entering the first supply port 41e and the second supply port 41f from the screw case 39. Since the first side surface 41g and the passage port 39b of the screw case 39 are separated, the resin pellets 16 can be prevented from being pinched between the first side surface 41g of the flat screw 41 and the screw case 39 and being cut off. Therefore, since the plasticizing device 38 is unlikely to crush the resin pellets 16, it is possible to prevent the crushed resin pellets 16 from hindering the rotation of the flat screw 41.

[0053] The third side surface 39d protrudes further toward the flat screw 41 than the fourth side surface 39e. Since the second distance 43 is smaller, the resin pellets 16 are less likely to move toward the screw support portion 25. Therefore, the flat screw 41 can cause the resin pellets 16 to flow into the first groove 41b.

[0054] Third embodiment This embodiment introduces an example of an injection molding apparatus equipped with the plasticizing device 14 of the first embodiment or the plasticizing device 38 of the second embodiment.

[0055] 9, the injection molding apparatus 50 includes a plasticizing apparatus 51, an injection control mechanism 52, a nozzle 53, a mold 54, and a mold clamping apparatus 55. The plasticizing apparatus 51 uses the plasticizing apparatus 14 of the first embodiment or the plasticizing apparatus 38 of the second embodiment.

[0056] The plasticizer 51 has a flat screw 56 and a barrel 57. An injection cylinder 59 is connected to a communication hole 58 of the barrel 57. Under the control of a control unit 61, the plasticizer 51 plasticizes the resin pellets 16 supplied to a groove 62 of the flat screw 56, generates a paste-like plasticized material 17 having fluidity, and guides the paste-like plasticized material 17 to the injection control mechanism 52 through the communication hole 58.

[0057] The injection control mechanism 52 includes an injection cylinder 59, a plunger 63, and a plunger driver 64. The injection control mechanism 52 injects the plasticized material 17 in the injection cylinder 59 into the cavity 65. The injection control mechanism 52 controls the injection amount of the plasticized material 17 from the nozzle 53 under the control of the controller 61. The injection cylinder 59 is a substantially cylindrical member connected to the communication hole 58 of the barrel 57, and includes a plunger 63 therein. The plunger 63 slides inside the injection cylinder 59, and pressure-feeds the plasticized material 17 in the injection cylinder 59 to the nozzle 53 connected to the plasticizer 51. The plunger 63 is driven by a plunger driver 64 configured by a motor.

[0058] The mold 54 includes a movable mold 66 and a fixed mold 67. The movable mold 66 and the fixed mold 67 are disposed facing each other, and a cavity 65, which is a space corresponding to the shape of the molded product, is formed between them. The plasticized material 17 pumped by the injection control mechanism 52 is injected into the cavity 65 through the nozzle 53.

[0059] The mold clamping device 55 includes a mold driving unit 68. The mold driving unit 68 opens and closes a movable mold 66 and a fixed mold 67. Under the control of the control unit 61, the mold clamping device 55 drives the mold driving unit 68 to move the movable mold 66, thereby opening and closing the movable mold 66 and the fixed mold 67.

[0060] In the injection molding apparatus 50, the plasticizing apparatus 14 or the plasticizing apparatus 38 is used as the plasticizing apparatus 51. The injection molding apparatus 50 includes a nozzle 53 that injects the plasticizing material 17 supplied from the plasticizing apparatus 51 toward a mold 54.

[0061] According to this configuration, the injection molding apparatus 50 includes the above-described plasticizing apparatus 14 or plasticizing apparatus 38. Since the plasticizing apparatus 14 and the plasticizing apparatus 38 do not easily crush the resin pellets 16, the crushed resin pellets 16 are prevented from interfering with the rotation of the flat screw 56. Therefore, the injection molding apparatus 50 can be an apparatus including the plasticizing apparatus 51 with long-term reliability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1...three-dimensional modeling device, 3...stage, 14,38,51...plasticizing device, 16...resin pellets as material, 17...plasticizing material, 18,53...nozzle, 21,39...screw case, 21b,39b...passage port, 22...motor, 22a...rotating shaft, 25...screw support part, 26,41,56...flat screw, 26a...groove forming surface, 26b,41b...first groove as groove, 26e,41e...first supply port as supply port, 26f,41f...second supply port as supply port, 26g,41g...first side, 26h,41h...second side, 27,57...barrel, 27a...opposing surface, 29...heater, 31...communicating hole, 32,42...first distance, 33,43...second distance, 35...sealing part, 50...injection molding device, 54...mold.

Claims

1. A motor, a flat screw having a groove forming surface on which a spiral groove is formed and rotated around a rotation axis by the motor; a barrel having an opposing surface facing the groove forming surface and provided with a communication hole through which a plasticized material flows; a heater for heating the material supplied between the groove forming surface and the opposing surface; A screw case that houses the flat screw and has a passage through which the material passes toward the flat screw; a screw support portion for supporting the flat screw on the motor side of the flat screw; a seal portion that narrows a gap between the screw support portion and the screw case; Equipped with When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, the flat screw has a first side surface on which a supply port for supplying the material to the groove is formed in a portion, and a second side surface formed on a side farther away from the barrel than the first side surface, A plasticizing device characterized in that a first distance, which is the shortest distance between the first side and the screw case, is greater than a second distance, which is the shortest distance between the second side and the screw case.

2. 2. The plasticizing device according to claim 1, A plasticizing device, characterized in that the first side is closer to the rotation axis than the second side.

3. A plasticizing device according to claim 1 or 2, A plasticizing device, characterized in that the area occupied by the first side is larger than the area occupied by the second side.

4. The plasticizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The plasticizing apparatus, wherein the first distance is greater than a maximum length of the material.

5. 5. The plasticizing device according to claim 4, A plasticizing device characterized in that, when the material contains an elastomer resin, the difference between the first distance and the second distance is larger than when the material does not contain an elastomer resin.

6. A plasticizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A space is provided between the second side surface and the screw case, A plasticizing device, characterized in that the length of the passage opening in the direction along the rotation axis is shorter than the length of the first side surface in the direction along the rotation axis.

7. A plasticizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, a nozzle for discharging the plasticizing material supplied from the plasticizing device; a stage that receives the plasticized material discharged from the nozzle.

8. A plasticizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, a nozzle for injecting the plasticized material supplied from the plasticizer toward a mold.

Images