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

Abstract

To suppress nozzle clogging of a three-dimensional molding device, and reduce the possibility that a waste material attached to a cleaning mechanism is attached to a nozzle again to induce nozzle clogging.SOLUTION: A three-dimensional molding device includes: an injection part for injecting a molding material from a nozzle; a stage; a driving part for changing a relative position between the injection part and the stage; a cleaning mechanism having a brush and a blade; and a control part. Therein, the control part performs cleaning operation of reciprocating the nozzle so that the nozzle crosses the cleaning mechanism a plurality of times in cleaning treatment, so as to bring at least one of the brush and the blade into contact with the nozzle, reciprocates the nozzle so that the nozzle is brought into contact with different positions of the brush or the blade in the cleaning operation, and records at least one of material information on the kind of a plasticization material, an accumulated injection amount of the molding material discharged from the nozzle and use time of the nozzle, and the nozzle, in association with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

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] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for forming a three-dimensional object by extruding a molten thermoplastic material onto a base from an extrusion nozzle that scans according to preset shape data, and layering further molten material on the hardened material on the base. Patent Document 2 discloses a three-dimensional modeling device equipped with an edge cleaning assembly having a flicker plate and a brush. This three-dimensional modeling device cleans the extrusion head by bringing the extrusion head into contact with the flicker plate and the brush. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-192710 A [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2010-530326 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a device that extrudes molten thermoplastic material from a nozzle and laminates it, such as the device described in Patent Document 1, is used for a certain period of time, the thermoplastic material may accumulate in the nozzle flow path or nozzle opening, causing unexpected nozzle clogging. In order to prevent such unexpected nozzle clogging, a technology that can manage the use of the nozzle is required. When nozzle clogging occurs, it is effective to clean the nozzle as described in Patent Document 2. However, there is a possibility that the waste material that has adhered to the cleaning mechanism will adhere to the nozzle again, causing nozzle clogging. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, comprising: a plasticization mechanism for plasticizing a plasticizing material to generate a modeling material; an injection unit having a nozzle and for injecting the modeling material from the nozzle; a stage on which the modeling material is deposited; a drive unit for changing the relative position of the injection unit and the stage; a cleaning mechanism having a brush and a blade; and a control unit capable of performing a cleaning process for cleaning the nozzle and controlling the injection unit and the drive unit to deposit layers on the stage, the brush and the blade being disposed at a height capable of contacting the nozzle, the brush and the blade having a melting point higher than the plasticization temperature of the plasticizing material, and the nozzle being configured to be connected to the nozzle and the drive unit. The control unit performs a cleaning operation in the cleaning process to bring the nozzle into contact with at least one of the brush and the blade by moving the nozzle back and forth so that the nozzle crosses the cleaning mechanism multiple times, and the control unit moves the nozzle back and forth in the cleaning operation so that the nozzle contacts the brush or the blade at different positions, and the control unit records at least one of material information regarding the type of the plasticizing material, the cumulative injection amount of the modeling material ejected from the nozzle, and the usage time of the nozzle in association with the nozzle.

[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 device, comprising: a plasticization mechanism that plasticizes a plasticizing material to generate a modeling material; and a nozzle, an injection unit that injects the modeling material from the nozzle, a stage on which the modeling material is deposited, a drive unit that changes the relative position of the injection unit and the stage, and a cleaning mechanism having a brush and a blade, wherein the brush and the blade are positioned at a height that allows them to come into contact with the nozzle, and the brush and the blade have a melting point higher than the plasticization temperature of the plasticizing material and a hardness lower than the hardness of the nozzle. This manufacturing method includes a stacking process in which layers are stacked on the stage by controlling the injection unit and the drive unit, and a cleaning process in which the nozzle is moved back and forth so that it crosses the cleaning mechanism multiple times, thereby performing a cleaning operation in which the nozzle is brought into contact with at least one of the brush and the blade, and in the cleaning process, the nozzle is moved back and forth so that it contacts the brush or the blade at different positions during the cleaning operation, and at least one of material information regarding the type of plasticized material, the cumulative injection amount of the modeling material ejected from the nozzle, and the usage time of the nozzle is associated with and recorded. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an emission unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a screw. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating attachment and detachment of a nozzle to a through hole. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of nozzle information. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a cleaning mechanism. [Figure 8]1 is a flowchart of a three-dimensional modeling process illustrating a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a cleaning condition table. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the reciprocating motion of a nozzle. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of another example of the reciprocating motion of the nozzle. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of another example of the reciprocating motion of the nozzle. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of another example of the reciprocating motion of the nozzle. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of another example of the reciprocating motion of the nozzle. [Figure 15] 13 is a flowchart of a three-dimensional modeling process according to a second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a cleaning condition table. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the correspondence relationship between the number of cleaning operations and cleaning intervals in the third embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the correspondence relationship between the number of cleaning operations and the cleaning strength in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] 13 is a flowchart of a timing change process in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 20] 13 is a flowchart of a cleaning condition changing process in a sixth embodiment. [Figure 21] 23 is a flowchart of a nozzle information update process according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to an eighth embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to a ninth embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an emission section in the ninth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] A. First embodiment: FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 in the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, arrows are shown along the X, Y, and Z directions that are orthogonal to each other. The X, Y, and Z directions are directions along the X, Y, and Z axes, which are three spatial axes that are orthogonal 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 the vertical direction, and the +Z direction is the direction opposite to the vertical direction. The -Z direction is also called "down" and the +Z direction is also called "up". The X, Y, and Z directions in FIG. 1 and the X, Y, and Z directions in other figures represent the same directions.

[0009] The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes an ejection unit 100, a material storage unit 20, a housing 110, a drive unit 210, a stage 220, a cleaning mechanism 250, a control unit 300, and a display device 400 as a notification unit.

[0010] The injection unit 100 has a plasticization mechanism 30 that plasticizes at least a portion of the plasticizing material supplied from the material storage unit 20 to generate a modeling material, and a nozzle 60. The injection unit 100 injects the modeling material plasticized by the plasticization mechanism 30 from the nozzle 60 toward the stage 220. The injection unit 100 is also called an injection head, a discharge unit, a discharge head, an extrusion unit, an extrusion head, or simply a head. In this specification, "injection" also includes the meaning of "discharge" or "extrusion."

[0011] The housing 110 has a modeling space 111 therein. A stage 220 on which a modeling material is laminated is disposed in the modeling space 111. The housing 110 may be provided with, for example, an opening that connects the modeling space 111 to the outside, and a door for opening and closing the opening. A user can open the door to open the opening, and thereby remove the modeled object modeled on the stage 220 from the opening.

[0012] The driving unit 210 changes the relative position between the injection unit 100 and the stage 220. In this embodiment, the driving unit 210 has a first driving unit 211 that moves the stage 220 along the Z direction, and a second driving unit 212 that moves the injection unit 100 along the X direction and the Y direction. The first driving unit 211 is configured as an elevator device and includes a motor for moving the stage 220 in the Z direction. The second driving unit 212 is configured as a horizontal conveying device and includes a motor for sliding the injection unit 100 along the X direction and a motor for sliding the injection unit 100 along the Y direction. Each motor is driven under the control of the control unit 300. In addition, in other embodiments, the driving unit 210 may be configured to move the stage 220 or the injection unit 100 in three directions, X, Y, and Z, or may be configured to move the stage 220 along the X direction and the Y direction and move the injection unit 100 in the Z direction.

[0013] The cleaning mechanism 250 has a brush 251 and a blade 252 for cleaning the nozzle 60. The cleaning mechanism 250 is arranged in a region different from the stage 220 in the horizontal direction. The cleaning mechanism 250 is arranged at a height in the vertical direction at which the brush 251 and the blade 252 can contact the nozzle 60. In this embodiment, the cleaning mechanism 250 is connected to the housing 110 via a support part 280. A purge waste container 260 is provided below the cleaning mechanism 250. Waste material removed by the cleaning mechanism 250 falls into the purge waste container 260 and is collected. The blade 252 is also called a flicker plate. The cleaning mechanism 250 is also called a tip wipe assembly.

[0014] The control unit 300 is configured by a computer including one or more processors 310, a storage unit 320 including a main storage unit and an auxiliary storage unit, and an input / output interface for inputting and outputting signals to and from the outside. In this embodiment, the control unit 300 can control the injection unit 100 and the driving unit 210 to execute a three-dimensional modeling process (to be described later) and a cleaning process for cleaning the nozzle based on modeling data for modeling a three-dimensional object by the processor 310 executing a program stored in the storage unit 320. The control unit 300 also has a function of recording at least one of material information regarding the type of plasticizing material, the cumulative injection amount of the modeling material ejected from the nozzle 60, and the usage time of the nozzle 60 in association with the nozzle 60. The control unit 300 may be configured by a combination of multiple circuits instead of a computer.

[0015] The control unit 300 is connected to the display device 400. The display device 400 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. In this embodiment, the display device 400 is provided in the housing 110, but the display device 400 may be disposed separately from the housing 110.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the injection unit 100. The injection unit 100 includes a plasticizing mechanism 30, a nozzle 60, and a flow rate adjusting unit 70. The plasticizing mechanism 30 includes a material conveying mechanism 40 and a heating block 90. ​​The injection unit 100 is supplied with a material contained in the material container 20. Under the control of the control unit 300, the injection unit 100 plasticizes at least a part of the material supplied from the material container 20 by the plasticizing mechanism 30 to generate a modeling material, and injects the generated modeling material from the nozzle 60 onto the stage 220 to stack the material. The material stacked on the stage 220 is sometimes called a stacking material. A three-dimensional modeling method in which a material is ejected from the nozzle 60 and the ejected material is stacked to form a three-dimensional object is sometimes called a material extrusion method (ME).

[0017] In this embodiment, "plasticization" is a concept including melting, and refers to changing from a solid state to a fluid state. Specifically, in the case of a material that undergoes 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 glass transition, plasticization refers to raising the temperature of the material to or above the melting point.

[0018] In the material storage unit 20 of this embodiment, material in the form of pellets, powder, or the like is stored. In this embodiment, the material stored in the material storage unit 20 is a pellet-shaped resin. In this embodiment, the material storage unit 20 is configured by a hopper. The material stored in the material storage unit 20 is supplied to the material conveying mechanism 40 of the plasticizing mechanism 30 via a supply path 22 provided below the material storage unit 20 so as to connect the material storage unit 20 and the injection unit 100.

[0019] The heating block 90 has a heater 58. The heater 58 is controlled by the control unit 300 and heated to a plasticization temperature for plasticizing the material. The plasticization temperature varies depending on the type of material used, and is, for example, the glass transition point or melting point of the material. If the material is ABS resin, the plasticization temperature is set to, for example, about 110°C, which is the glass transition point of ABS resin. The heating block 90 is provided with a through hole 80. The through hole 80 is configured so that the nozzle 60 can be detachably attached. The material conveying mechanism 40 conveys the modeling material toward the nozzle flow path 61 of the nozzle 60 attached to the through hole 80 of the heating block 90. ​​The plasticizing mechanism 30 conveys the material supplied from the material storage unit 20 to the material conveying mechanism 40 toward the nozzle flow path 61 of the nozzle 60 by the material conveying mechanism 40, and plasticizes the material by heating it with the heat of the heating block 90.

[0020] The material conveying mechanism 40 of this embodiment includes a screw case 31, a screw 41 housed in the screw case 31, and a drive motor 32 for driving the screw 41. The heating block 90 of this embodiment includes a case portion 91 having an opening 94, and a barrel 50 disposed in the case portion 91. The barrel 50 is provided with a communication hole 56. The through hole 80 of this embodiment is formed by communication between the opening 94 and the communication hole 56. The heater 58 described above is built into the barrel 50. The screw 41 of this embodiment is a so-called flat screw, and is sometimes called a "scroll".

[0021] The screw 41 has a generally cylindrical shape with a height along the central axis RX smaller than the diameter. The screw 41 has a groove forming surface 42 on which a screw groove 45 is formed, on a surface facing the barrel 50. The groove forming surface 42 faces a screw facing surface 52 of the barrel 50, which will be described later. The central axis RX of this embodiment coincides with the rotation axis of the screw 41. The configuration of the screw 41 will be described in detail later.

[0022] The drive motor 32 is connected to the surface of the screw 41 opposite to the groove forming surface 42. The drive motor 32 is driven under the control of the control unit 300. The screw 41 rotates about the central axis RX by torque generated by the rotation of the drive motor 32. Note that the drive motor 32 does not have to be directly connected to the screw 41, and may be connected via a reducer, for example.

[0023] The barrel 50 has a screw-facing surface 52 that faces the groove forming surface 42 of the screw 41. The case part 91 is arranged so as to cover the surface of the barrel 50 opposite the screw-facing surface 52, i.e., the lower surface of the barrel 50. The above-mentioned communication hole 56 and opening 94 are provided at positions overlapping with the central axis RX of the screw 41. In other words, the through hole 80 is located at a position overlapping with the central axis RX.

[0024] As described above, the nozzle 60 is detachably attached to the through hole 80 of the heating block 90. ​​The nozzle 60 is also called a nozzle tip. The nozzle 60 is provided with the nozzle flow path 61 described above. The nozzle flow path 61 has a nozzle opening 63 at the tip of the nozzle 60 and an inlet 65 at the rear end of the nozzle 60. The nozzle opening 63 is located at a position in the -Z direction of the inlet 65. The nozzle 60 of this embodiment ejects the material that has flowed into the nozzle flow path 61 through the through hole 80 and the inlet 65 from the nozzle opening 63 toward the stage 220. A heater for heating the material in the nozzle flow path 61 may be provided around the nozzle flow path 61.

[0025] The nozzle 60 has a shield 68 above the tip of the nozzle 60. More specifically, the shield 68 is disposed on the outer periphery of the nozzle 60 between the nozzle opening 63 and the heating block 90. ​​The shield 68 has a disk shape along the horizontal direction. The shield 68 suppresses the transfer of heat from the heating block 90 to the laminate material.

[0026] The flow rate adjustment unit 70 changes the opening degree of the nozzle flow path 61 by rotating in the nozzle flow path 61. In this embodiment, the flow rate adjustment unit 70 is configured by a butterfly valve. The flow rate adjustment unit 70 is driven by a valve driving unit 75 under the control of the control unit 300. The valve driving unit 75 is configured by, for example, a stepping motor. The control unit 300 can adjust the flow rate of the modeling material flowing from the material conveying mechanism 40 to the nozzle 60, that is, the flow rate of the modeling material injected from the nozzle 60, by controlling the rotation angle of the butterfly valve using the valve driving unit 75. The flow rate adjustment unit 70 can not only adjust the flow rate of the modeling material, but also control the on / off of the outflow of the modeling material.

[0027] Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the groove forming surface 42 side of the screw 41. In Fig. 3, the position of the central axis RX of the screw 41 is indicated by a dashed line. As described above, the groove forming surface 42 is provided with a screw groove 45. A screw central portion 47, which is the central portion of the groove forming surface 42 of the screw 41, is configured as a recess to which one end of the screw groove 45 is connected. The screw central portion 47 faces the communication hole 56 of the barrel 50. The screw central portion 47 intersects with the central axis RX.

[0028] The screw groove 45 of the screw 41 constitutes a so-called scroll groove. The screw groove 45 extends from the screw center 47 toward the outer periphery of the screw 41 in an arc-like spiral shape. The screw groove 45 may be configured to extend in an involute curve shape or a spiral shape. The groove forming surface 42 is provided with a convex rib portion 46 that constitutes the side wall portion of the screw groove 45 and extends along each screw groove 45. The screw groove 45 continues to a material inlet 44 formed on a side surface 43 of the screw 41. The material inlet 44 is a portion that receives the material supplied via the supply path 22 of the material storage section 20.

[0029] 3 shows an example of a screw 41 having three screw grooves 45 and three ridge portions 46. The number of screw grooves 45 and ridge portions 46 provided on the screw 41 is not limited to three, and only one screw groove 45 may be provided, or two or more screw grooves 45 may be provided. Also, FIG. 3 shows an example of a screw 41 in which a material introduction port 44 is formed in three places. The number of material introduction ports 44 provided on the screw 41 is not limited to three, and may be only one place, or two or more places.

[0030] 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.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining attachment and detachment of the nozzle 60 to the through hole 80. FIG. 5 shows the nozzle 60 in a state where it is removed from the through hole 80. In this embodiment, a nozzle screw portion 67 is formed at a portion of the nozzle 60 connected to the through hole 80, and a through hole screw portion 81 that screws with the nozzle screw portion 67 is provided at a portion of the through hole 80 connected to the nozzle 60. The nozzle 60 is inserted into the through hole 80, and is attached to the heating block 90 by screwing the nozzle screw portion 67 and the through hole screw portion 81 together. The nozzle 60 is removed from the heating block 90 by releasing the screwing between the nozzle screw portion 67 and the through hole screw portion 81 and pulling out of the through hole 80. In this embodiment, the nozzle 60 is located at the bottom of the barrel 50, and is attached to the heating block 90 so that the communication hole 56 and the nozzle flow path 61 communicate with each other.

[0032] The nozzle 60 has a shield 68. The shield 68 suppresses the transfer of heat from the heating block 90 to the laminate material. Specifically, the shield 68 is formed as a portion having a larger cross-sectional area along the X and Y directions compared to other portions in the Z direction, which is the direction along the nozzle flow path 61. In the attached state, the shield 68 is positioned between the heating block 90 and the laminate material, thereby suppressing the transfer of heat from the heating block 90 to the laminate material.

[0033] The shield 68 is formed, for example, from stainless steel or the like, which generally has a low emissivity. The shield 68 may be formed, for example, from a material other than stainless steel. For example, by forming the shield 68 from aluminum or the like, which has a lower emissivity than stainless steel, the effect of suppressing heat transfer to the laminate material due to thermal radiation from the heating block 90 is enhanced. In addition, by forming the shield 68 from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or the like, which generally has a low thermal conductivity, the heat transfer from the heating block 90 to the shield 68 is further suppressed. The shield 68 may be formed integrally with the nozzle 60, or may be formed separately. Furthermore, the shield 68 may be formed from a plurality of materials.

[0034] The nozzle 60 of this embodiment has a memory 66 configured with an IC chip as a storage medium. The memory 66 is located between the nozzle opening 63 and the shield 68 in the Z direction, which is the direction along the nozzle flow path 61. As a result, in the attached state, the shield 68 is located between the memory 66 and the heating block 90. ​​Therefore, just as the shield 68 suppresses heat transfer from the heating block 90 to the laminate material, the shield 68 also suppresses heat transfer from the heating block 90 to the memory 66.

[0035] The memory 66 is electrically connected to the control unit 300 via wiring and a connection unit (not shown) by attaching the nozzle 60 to the heating block 90. ​​The memory 66 functions as a nozzle information storage unit that stores the nozzle information of the nozzle 60.

[0036] 6 is a diagram showing an example of nozzle information In this embodiment, the nozzle information stored in the memory 66 includes nozzle identification information, material information, cumulative ejection amount, nozzle usage time, and cleaning process execution history.

[0037] The nozzle identification information is information for uniquely identifying the nozzle 60. The nozzle identification information is recorded, for example, when the nozzle 60 is manufactured.

[0038] The material information is information about the type of plasticized material. More specifically, it is information that indicates the type of plasticized material that is the raw material of the modeling material discharged from the nozzle 60. The material information is recorded by the control unit 300. More specifically, the control unit 300 accepts an operation from the user to specify the type of plasticized material, and records the information that indicates the type of plasticized material in the memory 66 as material information.

[0039] The cumulative ejection amount is information that indicates the total amount of the modeling material ejected from the nozzle 60. In this embodiment, the cumulative ejection amount includes the amount of the modeling material ejected in the lamination process executed during the three-dimensional modeling process described below, and the amount of the modeling material ejected by the cleaning process. The cumulative ejection amount is recorded by the control unit 300 in the three-dimensional modeling process described below. In other embodiments, the amount of the modeling material ejected by the cleaning process does not need to be included in the cumulative ejection amount. In this embodiment, the ejection amount is represented by the weight of the modeling material. In other embodiments, the ejection amount may be represented by the volume or length of the modeling material.

[0040] The nozzle usage time is the total time for which a three-dimensional object is formed using the nozzle 60. In this embodiment, the nozzle usage time includes the time for which the modeling material is ejected from the nozzle 60 in the lamination process executed during the three-dimensional modeling process described below, and the time for which the modeling material is ejected from the nozzle 60 in the cleaning process. The nozzle usage time is recorded by the control unit 300 by counting the usage time of the nozzle 60. Note that in other embodiments, the time for which the modeling material is ejected in the cleaning process does not have to be included in the nozzle usage time.

[0041] The execution history of the cleaning process is information related to the history of when the cleaning process was executed. In this embodiment, the execution history of the cleaning process includes information indicating the accumulated injection amount when the cleaning process was executed. The execution history of the cleaning process may include information related to the date and time when the cleaning process was executed. The execution history of the cleaning process is recorded by the control unit 300 in the three-dimensional modeling process described below.

[0042] The control unit 300 reads the nozzle information from the memory 66, and determines the mode of the cleaning operation or the timing of performing the cleaning process based on at least one of the material information, the cumulative ejection amount, and the nozzle usage time. In this embodiment, the control unit 300 determines the mode of the cleaning operation based on the material information and the cumulative ejection amount.

[0043] The control unit 300 can obtain the nozzle information from the memory 66 provided in the nozzle 60, and display each piece of information included in the nozzle information on the display device 400. In this way, it is possible to present to the user the identification information of the nozzle 60 currently attached to the three-dimensional modeling device 10, the type of modeling material being ejected by the nozzle 60, the cumulative ejection amount, the nozzle usage time, and the execution history of the cleaning process.

[0044] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the cleaning mechanism 250. As described above, the cleaning mechanism 250 has the brush 251 and the blade 252. The brush 251 is configured by arranging a plurality of bristle bundles along the Y direction. The blade 252 is a flat plate-shaped member along the Z direction and the Y direction. The tip of the brush 251 and the tip of the blade 252 face the +Z direction. The tip of the blade 252 is disposed below the tip of the brush 251. As described above, the brush 251 and the blade 252 are disposed at a height that allows them to come into contact with the nozzle 60. In addition, the tip of the brush 251 is disposed at a height that allows them to come into contact with the shield 68 provided on the nozzle 60, and the tip of the blade 252 is disposed at a height that does not allow them to come into contact with the shield 68. In this embodiment, the brush 251 and the blade 252 are integrated by the fixing device 258, and can be replaced simultaneously when worn out. The brush 251 and the blade 252 may be replaced individually.

[0045] The brush 251 and the blade 252 have a melting point higher than the plasticizing temperature of the plasticizing material plasticized in the injection unit 100. The brush 251 and the blade 252 have a hardness lower than the hardness of the nozzle 60. In this embodiment, the hardness refers to Vickers hardness. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the elastic modulus of the blade 252 is higher than the elastic modulus of the brush 251. In this embodiment, the elastic modulus refers to Young's modulus. The nozzle 60 is formed of a metal such as cemented carbide, tool steel, or SUS, and the brush 251 and the blade 252 are formed of a metal such as SUS, iron, or brass. The brush 251 and the blade 252 may each be formed of a resin. The brush 251 may also be formed of natural fibers or chemical fibers, and the blade 252 may also be formed of ceramics. In other embodiments, the elastic modulus of the blade 252 and the brush 251 may be the same, or the elastic modulus of the brush 251 may be higher than the elastic modulus of the blade 252.

[0046] The cleaning mechanism 250 further includes a purge unit 253. The purge unit 253 is also called a purge ledge. In this embodiment, the purge unit 253, the blade 252, and the brush 251 are arranged in this order along the +X direction. That is, the blade 252 is disposed between the purge unit 253 and the brush 251. The tip of the purge unit 253 in the +Z direction is lower than the tip of the blade 252. On the purge unit 253, in a cleaning process described later, waste material ejected from the nozzle 60 falls and is gathered into a spherical shape on the purge unit 253, and falls into the purge waste material container 260. The upper surface of the purge unit 253 is configured as an inclined surface to promote the fall of the waste material. More specifically, the purge unit 253 has a first inclined surface 254, a second inclined surface 255, and a third inclined surface 256 in the order of furthest from the blade 252 and lower in the vertical direction. The first inclined surface 254, the second inclined surface 255, and the third inclined surface 256 are inclined so that their end positions in the +X direction are higher than their end positions in the -X direction. In this embodiment, the inclination angles of the second inclined surface 255 and the third inclined surface 256 from the horizontal plane are larger than the inclination angle of the first inclined surface 254 from the horizontal plane.

[0047] 8 is a flowchart of a three-dimensional printing process showing a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object. The three-dimensional printing process is executed when the control unit 300 of the three-dimensional printing apparatus 10 receives a predetermined operation for printing a three-dimensional object from a user.

[0048] In step S100, the control unit 300 acquires modeling data from an external computer, a recording medium, etc. The modeling data includes modeling path data representing the movement path of the nozzle 60 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 60.

[0049] In step S110 , the control unit 300 acquires the nozzle information from the memory 66 of the nozzle 60 and stores it in the storage unit 320 .

[0050] In step S120, the control unit 300 starts executing the lamination process. This lamination process is a process for forming a three-dimensional object consisting of multiple layers by controlling the driving unit 210 and the ejection unit 100 in accordance with the modeling data to eject the modeling material from the ejection unit 100 onto the stage 220 for each layer. In the lamination process, the control unit 300 sequentially adds the ejection amount of the modeling material ejected from the nozzle 60 to the cumulative ejection amount stored in the memory unit 320 to update the cumulative ejection amount. Step S120 is also referred to as a lamination process.

[0051] During the stacking process, in step S130, the control unit 300 determines whether to perform a cleaning process. For example, the control unit 300 determines to perform a cleaning process when an injection abnormality of the modeling material is detected in the plasticizing mechanism 30, when a predetermined number of layers are formed, when the type of modeling material is changed, when a command instructing cleaning included in the modeling data is received, etc. In this embodiment, the control unit 300 determines to perform a cleaning process when a predetermined number of layers are formed.

[0052] If it is determined in step S130 above that a cleaning process is to be performed, then in step S140, the control unit 300 determines the mode of cleaning operation to be performed in the cleaning process, which will be described later, based on the nozzle information acquired from the memory 66 and the cleaning condition table stored in the storage unit 320.

[0053] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the cleaning condition table TB1. In the cleaning condition table TB1 in this embodiment, the cumulative injection amount, the number of brushings, and the discharge amount are associated with each type of plasticizing material specified by the material information. The number of brushings is set to increase as the cumulative injection amount increases. The discharge amount is set to increase as the cumulative injection amount increases. The number of brushings is the number of times the nozzle 60 is reciprocated on the brush 251 and the blade 252 of the cleaning mechanism 250. The discharge amount is the amount of modeling material discharged from the nozzle 60 as waste material on the purge unit 253. In the above step S140, the control unit 300 specifies the number of brushings and the discharge amount corresponding to the material type included in the nozzle information acquired from the memory 66 of the nozzle 60 in step S110 and the cumulative injection amount calculated sequentially. The combination of the number of brushings and the discharge amount specified in this manner represents the mode of the cleaning operation in this embodiment.

[0054] In step S150, the control unit 300 executes the cleaning process according to the aspect of the cleaning operation determined in step S140. In this cleaning process, first, the control unit 300 moves the nozzle 60 onto the purge unit 253 and discharges the modeling material as waste material according to the discharge amount determined in step S140. The control unit 300 adds the amount of the discharged modeling material to the cumulative injection amount. Then, according to the number of brushings in the cleaning operation determined in step S140, the nozzle 60 reciprocates on the blade 252 and the brush 251. The more the number of brushings, the stronger the cleaning strength, and the more the discharge amount, the stronger the cleaning strength. Step S150 is also referred to as a cleaning process. In other embodiments, the discharge of waste material from the nozzle 60 may be omitted in the cleaning process. In this case, the discharge amount may not be specified in the cleaning condition table TB1 shown in FIG. 9.

[0055] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the reciprocating motion of the nozzle 60 in this embodiment. FIG. 10 shows the tip of the nozzle 60 and the brush 251 and blade 252 of the cleaning mechanism 250 as viewed from above, and the trajectory along which the nozzle 60 moves is indicated by a broken line. As shown in FIG. 10, the cleaning mechanism 250 has a longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction is the Y direction. In this embodiment, in the cleaning operation, the control unit 300 brings the tip of the nozzle 60 into contact with the blade 252, and then brings the tip of the nozzle 60 into contact with the brush 251. Then, the control unit 300 moves the nozzle 60 back and forth across the brush 251 and the blade 252 for the number of brushings specified in step S140. At this time, the control unit 300 moves the nozzle 60 back and forth along an M-shaped or W-shaped trajectory, in other words, a triangular wave-shaped trajectory, along the longitudinal direction of the cleaning mechanism 250 from a contact start position where the nozzle 60 and the cleaning mechanism 250 first come into contact. By doing so, the control unit 300 can move the nozzle 60 back and forth in the X direction so that the nozzle 60 comes into contact with a different position of the brush 251 or the blade 252 every time the nozzle 60 passes over the brush 251 or the blade 252 in the cleaning operation. FIG. 10 shows the back and forth operation when the brushing count is three times. In this embodiment, the control unit 300 brings the nozzle 60 into contact with both the brush 251 and the blade 252 in the cleaning operation, but may bring the nozzle 60 into contact with either one of them.

[0056] When the cleaning process is performed, the control unit 300 records the execution history of the cleaning process and the accumulated ejection amount in association with each other in the memory 66 provided in the nozzle 60 in step S160 of Fig. 8. More specifically, in this embodiment, the control unit 300 records the accumulated ejection amount at the time when the last executed cleaning process was completed as the cleaning execution history. Note that in other embodiments, in addition to or instead of the accumulated ejection amount, the nozzle usage time may be recorded in association with the execution history of the cleaning process.

[0057] After recording the cleaning execution history in step S160, or after determining not to perform the cleaning process in step S130, the control unit 300 determines in step S170 whether the lamination process has been completed for all layers, i.e., whether the formation of a three-dimensional object has been completed. If the lamination process has not been completed, the control unit 300 returns the process to step S120 and continues the lamination process. If the lamination process has been completed, the control unit 300 records the cumulative injection amount that has been sequentially integrated in the lamination process and cleaning process in the memory 66 provided in the nozzle 60 in step S180.

[0058] According to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 of the present embodiment described above, the control unit 300 records the identification information of the nozzle 60, the material information related to the type of plasticizing material, and the cumulative injection amount of the modeling material in association with each other, and therefore it is possible to manage the use of the nozzle 60 to avoid unexpected nozzle clogging. In particular, in this embodiment, the nozzle information is recorded in the memory 66 provided in the nozzle 60, so that even if the nozzle 60 is replaced, a cleaning process suitable for the nozzle 60 can be performed using the material information and the cumulative injection amount recorded in the memory 66 of the replaced nozzle 60.

[0059] In addition, in the present embodiment, in the cleaning operation, the nozzle 60 is reciprocated so that the nozzle 60 comes into contact with different positions of the brush 251 or the blade 252. Therefore, during the cleaning process, it is possible to prevent waste material adhering to the cleaning mechanism 250 from adhering again to the nozzle 60.

[0060] In addition, in this embodiment, the mode of the cleaning operation is determined based on the material information and the cumulative ejection amount included in the nozzle information. Therefore, even if the deterioration or dirt state of the nozzle 60 according to the cumulative ejection amount differs depending on the material, for example, it is possible to execute a cleaning operation suitable for the material.

[0061] In addition, in this embodiment, the cleaning strength is increased by increasing the number of brushings and the discharge amount as the cumulative ejection amount increases. The greater the cumulative ejection amount, the more the nozzle deteriorates and becomes dirty. Therefore, by increasing the cleaning strength as the cumulative ejection amount increases, unexpected nozzle clogging can be suppressed and modeling quality can be improved.

[0062] In this embodiment, the elastic modulus of the blade 252 provided in the cleaning mechanism 250 is higher than the elastic modulus of the brush 251. Therefore, the material adhering to the nozzle 60 can be easily removed by the blade 252.

[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the cleaning mechanism 250, the tip of the blade 252 is disposed lower than the tip of the brush 251, so that the material adhering to the tip of the nozzle 60 can be efficiently removed by the blade 252.

[0064] In addition, in this embodiment, the tip of the brush 251 is positioned at a height that allows it to contact the shield 68, and the tip of the blade 252 is positioned at a height that does not allow it to contact the shield 68, so that the brush 251 can remove material adhering to the shield 68.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, during the cleaning operation, the control unit 300 brings the tip of the nozzle 60 into contact with the blade 252 to remove the modeling material adhering to the tip of the nozzle 60, and then brings the tip of the nozzle 60 into contact with the brush 251, thereby efficiently cleaning the nozzle 60.

[0066] In addition, in this embodiment, during the cleaning process, the control unit 300 ejects waste material from the nozzle 60 over the purge unit 253, and then moves the nozzle 60 toward the brush 251 and the blade 252, so that the nozzle 60 can be cleaned after removing any molding material remaining in the nozzle flow path 61.

[0067] In this embodiment, the stacking process and the cleaning process are repeatedly performed during the formation of the three-dimensional object, but the cleaning process may be performed not only during the formation, but also before the formation of the three-dimensional object begins or after the formation of the three-dimensional object is completed.

[0068] 11 to 14 are explanatory diagrams of other examples of the reciprocating motion of the nozzle 60 in the cleaning process. FIG. 11 shows an example in which the nozzle 60 is moved along a trajectory showing a rectangular wave shape along the longitudinal direction of the cleaning mechanism 250. FIG. 12 shows an example in which the nozzle 60 is moved along a trajectory showing a sine wave shape along the longitudinal direction of the cleaning mechanism 250. FIG. 13 shows an example in which the nozzle 60 is moved along a trajectory showing a sawtooth wave shape along the longitudinal direction of the cleaning mechanism 250. As shown in these figures, the control unit 300 can reciprocate the nozzle 60 along various trajectories in the cleaning operation. Also, as shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 300 may make the number of times the nozzle 60 crosses the brush 251 greater than the number of times the nozzle 60 crosses the blade 252 in the cleaning operation. This can suppress wear of the blade 252.

[0069] In step S140 of the three-dimensional modeling process shown in Fig. 8, the control unit 300 may determine the trajectory of the reciprocating motion of the nozzle 60 as shown in Figs. 10 to 14 in addition to or instead of the brushing count and the discharge amount as the mode of the cleaning operation. In this case, the trajectory of the reciprocating motion of the nozzle 60 according to the accumulated ejection amount is defined in the cleaning condition table TB1 shown in Fig. 9. In this way, the control unit 300 can determine the trajectory of the reciprocating motion of the nozzle 60 according to the accumulated ejection amount.

[0070] B. Second embodiment: In the first embodiment described above, the control unit 300 determines the mode of the cleaning operation based on the material information and the accumulated injection amount included in the nozzle information shown in Fig. 6. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the control unit 300 determines the execution timing of the cleaning process based on the material information and the accumulated injection amount. The configuration of the three-dimensional modeling device 10 in the second embodiment is the same as that of the three-dimensional modeling device 10 in the first embodiment.

[0071] 15 is a flowchart of the three-dimensional modeling process in the second embodiment. In the three-dimensional modeling process in the second embodiment, the control unit 300 acquires modeling data in step S200, and then acquires nozzle information from the memory 66 of the nozzle 60 in step S210. Then, in step S220, the stacking process is started. In the stacking process, the control unit 300 sequentially adds the injection amount of the modeling material injected from the nozzle 60 to the cumulative injection amount acquired from the memory 66 of the nozzle 60 in step S210 to update the cumulative injection amount, and stores it in the storage unit 320. Furthermore, in the stacking process, the control unit 300 in this embodiment sequentially adds the injection amount from the time the previous cleaning process was performed to the present. This injection amount is called the inter-cleaning injection amount.

[0072] During execution of the lamination process, in step S230, the control unit 300 determines the timing of execution of the cleaning process based on the nozzle information acquired from the memory 66 and the cleaning condition table stored in the storage unit 320.

[0073] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the cleaning condition table TB2. In the cleaning condition table TB2 in the second embodiment, the cumulative injection amount and the cleaning frequency are associated with each type of plasticizing material specified by the material information. The cleaning frequency is set to increase as the cumulative injection amount increases. In the example shown in FIG. 16, for example, for material A, if the cumulative injection amount is up to 1000 g, the cleaning process is performed every time 50 g of the modeling material is injected, and if the cumulative injection amount is between 1000 g and 5000 g, the cleaning process is performed every 40 g of the modeling material is injected. The cleaning frequency thus specified represents the execution timing of the cleaning process.

[0074] In step S240, the control unit 300 uses the above-mentioned inter-cleaning injection amount to determine whether the current timing is the timing to execute the cleaning process determined in step S230. For example, if the modeling material is material A and the cumulative injection amount is up to 1000 g, when the inter-cleaning injection amount becomes 50 g or more, it is determined that the current timing is the timing to execute the cleaning process.

[0075] If it is determined that the current timing is the timing to perform the cleaning process, the control unit 300 performs the cleaning process in step S250. In the cleaning process performed in the second embodiment, for example, as described in the first embodiment, a cleaning operation determined according to the nozzle information may be performed. Also, the cleaning operation may be performed according to a predetermined number of brushings, discharge amount, and nozzle movement trajectory. When the cleaning process is completed, the control unit 300 resets the inter-cleaning ejection amount to zero. Then, in step S260, the cleaning execution history is recorded in the memory 66 provided in the nozzle 60.

[0076] After recording the cleaning execution history in step S260, or after determining in step S240 that the current timing is not the timing to perform the cleaning process, the control unit 300 determines in step S270 whether the lamination process has been completed for all layers, i.e., whether the formation of the three-dimensional object has been completed. If the lamination process has not been completed, the control unit 300 returns the process to step S220 and continues the lamination process. If the lamination process has been completed, the control unit 300 records the cumulative injection amount that has been sequentially integrated in the lamination process and cleaning process in the memory 66 provided in the nozzle 60 in step S280.

[0077] According to the three-dimensional printing apparatus 10 of the second embodiment described above, as in the first embodiment, the use of the nozzle 60 can be managed to avoid unexpected nozzle clogging, and waste material adhering to the cleaning mechanism 250 can be prevented from re-adhering to the nozzle 60.

[0078] In this embodiment, the timing of the cleaning process is determined based on the material information and cumulative ejection amount included in the nozzle information. Therefore, even if the deterioration or dirt state of the nozzle 60 according to the cumulative ejection amount differs depending on the material, it is possible to execute the cleaning process at a timing suitable for the material.

[0079] In addition, in this embodiment, the greater the cumulative ejection amount, the greater the cleaning frequency. The greater the cumulative ejection amount, the greater the deterioration and dirtiness of the nozzle. Therefore, by increasing the cleaning frequency as the cumulative ejection amount increases, unexpected nozzle clogging of the nozzle can be suppressed, and modeling quality can be improved.

[0080] C. Third embodiment: In the above-described second embodiment, the cleaning frequency is determined according to the material information and the cumulative injection amount. In contrast, in the third embodiment, the cleaning frequency is determined according to the material information and the number of cleanings. The configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 in the third embodiment is the same as that of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 in the first embodiment.

[0081] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the correspondence relationship between the number of cleanings and the cleaning interval. In the third embodiment, the same process as the three-dimensional modeling process in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 15 is executed. However, in step S230 in FIG. 15, the control unit 300 determines the timing of cleaning execution according to the correspondence relationship between the number of cleanings and the cleaning interval, which is determined according to the material information, as shown in FIG. 17. According to the correspondence relationship shown in FIG. 17, the cleaning interval becomes shorter as the number of cleanings increases to n-1 times, n times, and n+1 times (n is an integer of 2 or more). In other words, in this embodiment, when the control unit 300 determines the execution timing of the cleaning process multiple times, the control unit 300 determines the cleaning interval so that the interval from the execution timing of the nth cleaning process to the execution timing of the n+1th cleaning process is shorter than the interval from the execution timing of the n-1th cleaning process to the execution timing of the nth cleaning process.

[0082] According to the third embodiment described above, the more times the cleaning process is performed, the shorter the intervals at which the cleaning process is performed. This makes it possible to prevent frequent nozzle clogging due to the progression of deterioration or dirt of the nozzle 60, thereby improving the modeling quality.

[0083] D. Fourth embodiment: In the above-described first embodiment, the mode of the cleaning operation is determined according to the material information and the cumulative injection amount. In contrast, in the fourth embodiment, the mode of the cleaning operation is determined according to the material information and the number of cleanings. The configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 in the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 in the first embodiment.

[0084] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the correspondence relationship between the number of cleanings and the cleaning strength. In the fourth embodiment, the same process as the three-dimensional modeling process in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is executed. However, in step S140 in FIG. 8, the control unit 300 determines the mode of the cleaning operation according to the correspondence relationship between the number of cleanings and the cleaning strength, which is determined according to the material information, as shown in FIG. 18. According to the correspondence relationship shown in FIG. 18, the cleaning strength increases as the number of cleanings increases to m-1 times, m times, and m+1 times (m is an integer of 2 or more). That is, in this embodiment, when the control unit 300 determines the execution timing of the cleaning process multiple times, the cleaning strength is determined so that the cleaning strength in the m+1th cleaning process is stronger than the cleaning strength in the mth cleaning process. In this embodiment, the cleaning strength represents either the number of brushings or the discharge amount. For example, the stronger the cleaning strength, the greater the number of brushings. Also, the stronger the cleaning strength, the greater the discharge amount.

[0085] According to the fourth embodiment described above, the more times the cleaning process is performed, the stronger the cleaning strength becomes. Therefore, it is possible to suppress frequent nozzle clogging due to the progression of deterioration or dirt of the nozzle 60, and to improve the modeling quality.

[0086] The number of cleaning times in the third and fourth embodiments described above may be the number of cleaning times in one three-dimensional modeling process, or may be the cumulative number of cleaning times. When the number of cleaning times is the cumulative number of cleaning times, the number of cleaning times is recorded as nozzle information in memory 66 provided in nozzle 60. In this way, the cumulative number of cleaning times for each nozzle 60 can be managed.

[0087] E. Fifth embodiment: In the second embodiment described above, the cleaning process of the nozzle 60 is executed at a cleaning timing according to a cleaning frequency determined according to the material information and the cumulative ejection amount. In contrast, in the fifth embodiment, a process is executed to change the cleaning timing that has been determined.

[0088] Fig. 19 is a flowchart of the timing change process executed in the fifth embodiment. This timing change process is executed in parallel by the control unit 300 simultaneously while the three-dimensional modeling process in the second embodiment shown in Fig. 15 is being executed.

[0089] In step S300, the control unit 300 determines whether a forced cleaning process has been performed. In this embodiment, the cleaning process is forcibly performed when the plasticizing material is changed. In this forced cleaning process, the modeling material remaining in the plasticizing mechanism 30 is discharged as waste material, and the nozzle 60 is reciprocated to remove the modeling material adhering to the nozzle 60.

[0090] When it is determined that the forced cleaning process has been performed, the control unit 300 changes the timing of cleaning execution in step S310. Specifically, the amount of injection during cleaning used to determine whether or not it is time to perform the cleaning process in step S240 shown in FIG. 15 is reset to zero. For example, if the amount of injection during cleaning was calculated to be 30 g in the previous lamination process, the value is set to zero. Then, in step S320, the control unit 300 records the type of the changed plasticizing material in the memory 66 provided in the nozzle 60, and updates the nozzle information in the memory 66. When it is not determined that the modeling material has been changed in the above step S300, the control unit 300 skips the processes of steps S310 and S320 described above.

[0091] According to the fifth embodiment described above, when the plasticizing material is changed and a forced cleaning process is performed, the execution timing of the cleaning process is changed. As a result, when the period from the execution timing of the pth (p is an integer equal to or greater than 1)th cleaning process to the execution timing of the p+1th cleaning process is shorter than the period determined based on the cumulative injection amount, the control unit 300 can change and delay the start timing of the p+1th cleaning process. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the next cleaning process from being performed immediately after the forced cleaning process, and to prevent excessive cleaning processes from being performed.

[0092] The forced cleaning process is not limited to being executed when the plasticizing material is changed. For example, the forced cleaning process may be executed when the user manually instructs the execution of the cleaning process at any time.

[0093] In this embodiment, the timing of the next cleaning process is changed by resetting the inter-cleaning injection amount to zero. In response to this, for example, the control unit 300 may cancel the next cleaning process in step S310, that is, may decide not to execute the (p+1)th cleaning process. This also makes it possible to prevent excessive cleaning processes from being executed.

[0094] In the fifth embodiment, when it is determined that the forced cleaning process has been performed in step S300 of Fig. 19, the control unit 300 changes the execution timing of the cleaning process. In contrast to this, in other embodiments, when it is determined that the forced cleaning process has been performed in step S300, for example, the control unit 300 may change the aspect of the cleaning operation, such as the number of brushings or the discharge amount, in step S310.

[0095] F. Sixth embodiment: Fig. 20 is a flowchart of a cleaning condition change process executed by the control unit 300 in the sixth embodiment. This cleaning condition change process is executed prior to the cleaning process of step S150 in the three-dimensional printing process of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 8 or the cleaning process of step S250 in the three-dimensional printing process of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 15.

[0096] In step S400, the control unit 300 checks the state of the nozzle 60. For example, the control unit 300 captures an image of the nozzle 60 using a camera provided in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10, and checks whether a material is attached to the nozzle 60 based on the captured image. The control unit 300 may also check whether the modeling material is being normally ejected from the nozzle 60 by measuring whether a specified amount of modeling material is being ejected using a weight sensor or the like.

[0097] In step S410, the control unit 300 determines whether or not the current cleaning process is necessary according to the result of the inspection of the nozzle 60 in step S400. If the amount of modeling material adhering to the nozzle 60 is less than a predetermined amount, or if the nozzle 60 ejects a specified amount or more of modeling material, the control unit 300 determines that the cleaning process is not necessary, and in step S420, cancels the cleaning process that is scheduled to be executed immediately after the execution of the cleaning condition change process.

[0098] After canceling the cleaning process, the control unit 300 changes the cleaning conditions in step S430. Specifically, for example, the value of the cumulative ejection amount in the cleaning condition table TB1 shown in FIG. 9 used in the first embodiment is updated, and by increasing these values, the cleaning conditions are changed so that the increase in the number of brushings and the discharge amount is gradual. Also, for example, the value of the cumulative ejection amount or the cleaning frequency in the cleaning condition table TB2 shown in FIG. 16 used in the second embodiment is updated, and by increasing these values, the cleaning conditions are changed so that the cleaning interval is increased.

[0099] If it is determined in step S410 that cleaning processing is necessary, the control unit 300 skips the processing in steps S420 and S430.

[0100] When the cleaning condition change process described above is completed, the cleaning process and lamination process are continued in accordance with the three-dimensional modeling process in the first or second embodiment.

[0101] According to the sixth embodiment described above, the cleaning process can be canceled according to the inspection result of the nozzle 60. As a result, when the cleaning process is executed according to the execution timing of the already determined rth (r is an integer equal to or greater than 1) cleaning process, the state of the nozzle 60 is inspected before the execution of the cleaning process, and the mode of the cleaning operation from the rth time onwards or the execution timing of the cleaning process can be changed based on the result of the inspection. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the cleaning process from being performed in a situation where the cleaning process of the nozzle 60 is not necessary, and therefore it is possible to prevent the cleaning process from being performed excessively.

[0102] In this embodiment, in step S430 of Fig. 20, the control unit 300 updates the values ​​of the cleaning condition table, but this process may be omitted. In other words, the control unit 300 may simply cancel the cleaning process that is scheduled to be executed immediately after.

[0103] G. Seventh embodiment: 21 is a flowchart of a nozzle information update process executed by the control unit 300 in the seventh embodiment. This nozzle information update process is executed prior to the execution of the 3D modeling process of the first embodiment or the 3D modeling process of the second embodiment described above.

[0104] In step S500, the control unit 300 determines whether the plasticizing material has been changed. For example, the control unit 300 determines that the plasticizing material has been changed when a predetermined operation for changing the plasticizing material is received from the user.

[0105] If it is determined in step S500 that the plasticizing material has been changed, the control unit 300 updates the nozzle information in step S510. Specifically, the material information recorded in the memory 66 of the nozzle 60 is rewritten to information indicating the changed plasticizing material. In addition, the value of the cumulative injection amount recorded in the memory 66 and the storage unit 320 is converted to a value corresponding to the changed plasticizing material and rewritten. For example, when the plasticizing material is changed from material A to material B, if material B is a material that deteriorates the nozzle 60 twice as much as material A, the cumulative injection amount recorded in the memory 66 is rewritten to a value half the value before the update.

[0106] If it is determined in step S500 that the plasticizing material has not been changed, the control unit 300 skips the process of step S510.

[0107] According to the seventh embodiment described above, when the plasticizing material is changed, the nozzle information is updated, and therefore, in the three-dimensional modeling process of the first embodiment and the three-dimensional modeling process of the second embodiment, the mode of the cleaning operation and the execution timing of the cleaning operation can be determined according to the updated nozzle information. Therefore, even if the plasticizing material is changed, the cleaning operation or execution timing of the cleaning operation can be determined according to the updated plasticizing material.

[0108] In this embodiment, when updating the nozzle information, the value of the cumulative injection amount recorded in the memory 66 and the storage unit 320 is rewritten to a value corresponding to the changed plasticizing material, but this process may be omitted. Also, for example, the history of the plasticizing material that has been injected by the nozzle 60 up to now may be recorded in the memory 66 of the nozzle 60 in association with the execution history of the cleaning process. Then, the control unit 300 may convert the cumulative injection amount according to the history, and determine the mode of the cleaning operation and the execution timing of the cleaning process based on the converted value.

[0109] H. Eighth embodiment: FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus 12 in the eighth embodiment. In the eighth embodiment, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 12 includes two ejection units and two cleaning mechanisms. Specifically, the ejection units in this embodiment include a first ejection unit 101 including a first nozzle 71 for ejecting a first modeling material, and a second ejection unit 102 including a second nozzle 72 for ejecting a second modeling material. The first nozzle 71 and the second nozzle 72 each include a memory, and the nozzle information shown in FIG. 6 is recorded for each nozzle. The first modeling material and the second modeling material can be, for example, a combination of a modeling material and a support material, and can also be, for example, a combination of materials of different colors or different materials. The configurations of the first ejection unit 101 and the second ejection unit 102 are the same as the configuration of the ejection unit 100 in the first embodiment.

[0110] The cleaning mechanism in this embodiment includes a first cleaning mechanism 261 having a brush and a blade for cleaning the first nozzle 71, and a second cleaning mechanism 262 having a brush and a blade for cleaning the second nozzle 72. The configurations of the first cleaning mechanism 261 and the second cleaning mechanism 262 are the same as the configuration of the cleaning mechanism 250 in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the two cleaning mechanisms 261 and 262 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the X direction, and the purge section, the blade, and the brush provided in each of the cleaning mechanisms 261 and 262 are arranged in this order toward the -Y direction. In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the first cleaning mechanism 261 and the second cleaning mechanism 262 is the X direction.

[0111] In this embodiment, the control unit 300 executes the three-dimensional modeling process in any of the above-mentioned embodiments by using two ejection units 101, 102 and two cleaning mechanisms 261, 262. In the three-dimensional modeling process in this embodiment, the two ejection units 101, 102 are used for different purposes to execute the lamination process. In the cleaning process, the control unit 300 causes the first nozzle 71 provided in the first ejection unit 101 and the second nozzle 72 provided in the second ejection unit 102 to perform cleaning operations as shown in FIG. 10, thereby cleaning the first nozzle 71 and the second nozzle 72 using the first cleaning mechanism 261 and the second cleaning mechanism 262.

[0112] According to the eighth embodiment described above, since each of the nozzles 71, 72 provided in the two ejection units 101, 102 is provided with a memory, nozzle information can be managed for each nozzle. This allows cleaning processing to be performed for the two nozzles 71, 72 in a manner or at a timing appropriate to the respective materials. Note that, although an example in which the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 12 is provided with two ejection units has been shown in this embodiment, three or more ejection units may be provided. Also, one cleaning mechanism may be used in common for a plurality of ejection units.

[0113] I. Ninth embodiment: 23 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional printing apparatus 13 in the ninth embodiment. The three-dimensional printing apparatus 13 in the ninth embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in the configuration of the ejection unit, and other configurations and the processing contents of the three-dimensional printing process are the same as those in the first to seventh embodiments. Therefore, hereinafter, the configuration of the ejection unit will be mainly described.

[0114] The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 13 of this embodiment includes an ejection unit 103, a material storage unit 23, a housing 110, a drive unit 210, a stage 220, and a control unit 300. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 13 further includes a blower 16. The blower 16 is configured as an air blower that blows air toward the ejection unit 103 via a manifold 17. In this embodiment, a part of the manifold 17, the ejection unit 103, the drive unit 210, and the stage 220 are accommodated in a modeling space 111 in the housing 110.

[0115] The material storage unit 23 of this embodiment is configured as a holder for storing a filament-like material. The material storage unit 23 is configured to be able to unwind the material stored therein to the outside of the material storage unit 23.

[0116] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the injection unit 103 of this embodiment. The injection unit 103 includes a heating block 190 as a plasticizing mechanism having a heater and a through hole 180, a nozzle 73 detachably attached to the through hole 180, and a material conveying mechanism 140 that conveys the material MF toward the nozzle flow path 74 of the nozzle 73 attached to the heating block 190. The injection unit 103 further includes a shield 92 that is disposed between the material conveying mechanism 140 and the heating block 190 in the Z direction and suppresses heat transfer from the heating block 190 to the material conveying mechanism 140. Unlike the first embodiment, the material conveying mechanism 140 of this embodiment does not include a screw case 31 or a screw 41, and is composed of two wheels 49. Unlike the first embodiment, the heating block 190 does not include a barrel 50 or a case portion 91.

[0117] The nozzle 73 of this embodiment is attached to the heating block 190 by being inserted from the -Z direction through the through hole 180 and the shield opening 93 provided in the shield 92. In this embodiment, the dimension of the nozzle 73 in the Z direction and the dimension of the nozzle flow path 74 in the Z direction are longer than the dimension of the through hole 180 in the Z direction. In this embodiment, the inlet 165 provided at the rear end of the nozzle 73 is located in the +Z direction of the heating block 190, more specifically, on the +Z direction side of the shield 92.

[0118] The nozzle 73 includes a shield 92, as in the first embodiment. The nozzle 73 includes a memory 66, as in the first embodiment. The memory 66 functions as a nozzle information storage unit, as in the first embodiment, and stores nozzle information. The memory 66 is located between the nozzle opening 63C and the shield 68C in the Z direction, as in the first embodiment.

[0119] The two wheels 49 constituting the material conveying mechanism 140, by their rotation, draw the material MF in the material accommodation unit 23 to the outside and guide it between the two wheels 49, and also convey it toward the nozzle flow path 74 of the nozzle 73 attached to the through hole 180 of the heating block 190. The heating block 190 plasticizes the material MF conveyed into the nozzle flow path 74 of the nozzle 73 by heat from a heater (not shown) built into the heating block 190.

[0120] In this embodiment, the material MF is cooled near the inlet 165 of the nozzle 73 by air sent from the blower 16 via the manifold 17. This suppresses plasticization of the material MF near the inlet 165, and the material MF is efficiently transported into the inlet 165. The outlet end 18 of the manifold 17 is located on the +Z direction side of the shield 92. This makes it easier for the air sent out from the manifold 17 to be guided near the inlet 165 by the shield 92, so that the material MF near the inlet 165 is efficiently cooled.

[0121] Although the configuration of the cleaning mechanism 250 in this embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, the tip of the brush 251 does not contact the shield 92 during the cleaning process. This is because the shield 92 is located above the heating block 190 in this embodiment.

[0122] In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 13 of the present embodiment described above, the nozzle 73 can also be cleaned using the cleaning mechanism 250. In addition, since the nozzle 73 is provided with the memory 66, the use of the nozzle 73 can be managed.

[0123] J. Other Embodiments: (J1) In each of the above-described embodiments, the nozzle identification information, material information, execution history of cleaning processing, cumulative ejection amount, and nozzle usage time are recorded as nozzle information in the memory 66 provided in the nozzle 60. However, this nozzle information may be stored in the storage unit 320 provided in the control unit 300, and only the nozzle identification information may be recorded in the memory 66. The control unit 300 can manage the nozzle information for each nozzle 60 by comparing the nozzle identification information recorded in the memory 66 of the nozzle 60 with the nozzle identification information stored in the storage unit 320.

[0124] Furthermore, the nozzle information may be stored in a predetermined server device connected to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 via a communication line such as the Internet, instead of in the memory unit 320 included in the control unit 300. The control unit 300 can obtain the nozzle information of the nozzle 60 attached to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus from the server device by comparing the nozzle identification information stored in the memory 66 of the nozzle 60 with the nozzle identification information included in the nozzle information stored in the server device.

[0125] A plurality of three-dimensional printing devices may be connected to the server device. In this way, the server device centrally manages nozzle information of the nozzles 60 used in the plurality of three-dimensional printing devices. As a result, for example, even when a nozzle 60 that has been used in another three-dimensional printing device is attached to a three-dimensional printing device and used, the nozzle information corresponding to the nozzle 60 can be obtained from the server device, so that the use of the nozzle 60 can be easily managed.

[0126] Furthermore, not only the nozzle information but also the cleaning condition table TB1 shown in Fig. 9 and the cleaning condition table TB2 shown in Fig. 16 may be stored in the server device. In this way, the control unit of each 3D printing device can refer to the cleaning condition table centrally managed in the server device to determine the mode of the cleaning operation and the timing of execution of the cleaning process.

[0127] (J2) In the first and second embodiments described above, the control unit 300 compares the cumulative ejection amount recorded in the memory 66 of the nozzle 60 with the cumulative ejection amount defined in the cleaning condition table TB1 or the cleaning condition table TB2 to determine the mode of the cleaning operation and the execution timing of the cleaning process. In contrast, the control unit 300 may use the nozzle usage time recorded in the memory 66 to determine the mode of the cleaning operation and the execution timing of the cleaning process. In this case, the cleaning condition table TB1 or the cleaning condition table TB2 is assumed to associate the nozzle usage time with the mode of the cleaning operation and the execution timing of the cleaning process.

[0128] (J3) In the first and second embodiments described above, the control unit 300 determines the mode of the cleaning operation and the timing of execution of the cleaning process based on the material information and the cumulative ejection amount among the nozzle information. In contrast, the control unit 300 may determine the mode of the cleaning operation and the timing of execution of the cleaning process based on only one of the material information, the cumulative ejection amount, and the nozzle usage time.

[0129] (J4) In the above embodiment, the control unit 300 moves the nozzle 60 from the blade 252 side to the brush 251 side at the start of the cleaning operation. In contrast to this, the control unit 300 may move the nozzle 60 from the brush 251 side to the blade 252 side at the start of the cleaning operation.

[0130] (J5) In the above embodiment, the cleaning mechanism 250 includes the purge unit 253. However, the cleaning mechanism 250 does not necessarily have to include the purge unit 253.

[0131] (J6) In the above embodiment, the nozzles 60, 73 are provided with the shields 68, 92. In contrast, the nozzles 60, 73 do not have to be provided with the shields 68, 92.

[0132] (J7) In the above embodiment, the cleaning mechanism 250 is disposed in a region different from the stage 220 in the horizontal direction. In contrast, the cleaning mechanism 250 may be disposed in a region that overlaps with the stage 220 in the horizontal direction and is different from the printing region of the stage 220 where a three-dimensional object is printed. This makes it possible to provide a compact three-dimensional printing apparatus.

[0133] K. Other forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the technical features of the 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 above-mentioned problems or to achieve some or all of the above-mentioned effects. For example, the various embodiments described above can be implemented in appropriate combinations. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0134] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, comprising: a plasticization mechanism for plasticizing a plasticizing material to generate a modeling material; an injection unit having a nozzle and for injecting the modeling material from the nozzle; a stage on which the modeling material is deposited; a drive unit for changing the relative position of the injection unit and the stage; a cleaning mechanism having a brush and a blade; and a control unit capable of performing a cleaning process for cleaning the nozzle and controlling the injection unit and the drive unit to deposit layers on the stage, the brush and the blade being disposed at a height capable of contacting the nozzle, the brush and the blade having a melting point higher than the plasticization temperature of the plasticizing material, and the nozzle being configured to be connected to the injection unit and the drive unit. The control unit performs a cleaning operation in the cleaning process to bring the nozzle into contact with at least one of the brush and the blade by moving the nozzle back and forth so that the nozzle crosses the cleaning mechanism multiple times, and the control unit moves the nozzle back and forth in the cleaning operation so that the nozzle contacts the brush or the blade at different positions, and the control unit records at least one of material information regarding the type of the plasticizing material, the cumulative injection amount of the modeling material ejected from the nozzle, and the usage time of the nozzle in association with the nozzle. In this embodiment, the control unit records the nozzle in association with at least one of the material information on the type of plasticizing material, the cumulative injection amount of the modeling material, and the usage time of the nozzle, so that the use of the nozzle can be managed to avoid unexpected nozzle clogging. In addition, the control unit moves the nozzle back and forth during the cleaning operation so that the nozzle contacts the brush or blade at different positions, so that the waste material attached to the cleaning mechanism during the cleaning process can be prevented from re-adhering to the nozzle.

[0135] (2) In the above embodiment, the control unit may determine the mode of the cleaning operation or the execution timing of the cleaning process based on at least one of the material information, the cumulative ejection amount, and the usage time of the nozzle. In this embodiment, the mode of the cleaning operation or the execution timing of the cleaning process can be changed according to the material information, the cumulative ejection amount, and the usage time of the nozzle.

[0136] (3) In the above embodiment, the control unit may determine the timing of execution of the cleaning process multiple times, and the interval between the nth (n is an integer equal to or greater than 2)th execution timing of the cleaning process and the n+1th execution timing of the cleaning process may be shorter than the interval between the n-1th execution timing of the cleaning process and the nth execution timing of the cleaning process. In this embodiment, the more times the cleaning process is executed, the shorter the intervals at which the cleaning process is executed, so that frequent nozzle clogging due to the progression of nozzle deterioration and dirt can be suppressed. As a result, the modeling quality can be improved.

[0137] (4) In the above embodiment, the control unit may determine the timing of execution of the cleaning process multiple times, and the cleaning strength in the (m+1)th cleaning process may be stronger than the cleaning strength in the mth (m is an integer equal to or greater than 1)th cleaning process. In this embodiment, the cleaning strength increases as the number of times the cleaning process is executed increases, so that frequent nozzle clogging due to the progression of nozzle deterioration or dirt can be suppressed. As a result, the modeling quality can be improved.

[0138] (5) In the above embodiment, when the period from the timing of execution of the pth (p is an integer equal to or greater than 1) cleaning process to the timing of execution of the p+1th cleaning process is shorter than a period determined based on the cumulative ejection amount or the usage time of the nozzle, the control unit may not execute the p+1th cleaning process or may change the timing of starting the p+1th cleaning process. With this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the cleaning process from being performed excessively.

[0139] (6) In the above embodiment, when the control unit executes the cleaning process in accordance with the determined execution timing of the rth (r is an integer equal to or greater than 1) cleaning process, the control unit may check the state of the nozzle before executing the cleaning process, and change the mode of the cleaning operation from the rth time onwards or the execution timing of the cleaning process based on the result of the check. With this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the cleaning process from being performed excessively.

[0140] (7) In the above embodiment, when the plasticizing material is changed, the control unit may change the execution timing of the cleaning process or the mode of the cleaning operation. With this embodiment, the cleaning process can be performed according to the changed plasticizing material.

[0141] (8) In the above aspect, when the control unit has executed the cleaning process, the control unit may record an execution history of the cleaning process in association with the accumulated ejection amount or the usage time of the nozzle.

[0142] (9) 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 device, the method comprising: a plasticization mechanism for plasticizing a plasticizing material to generate a modeling material; and a nozzle, an injection unit for injecting the modeling material from the nozzle, a stage on which the modeling material is deposited, a drive unit for changing the relative position of the injection unit and the stage, and a cleaning mechanism having a brush and a blade, the brush and the blade being positioned at a height capable of contacting the nozzle, and the brush and the blade having a melting point higher than the plasticization temperature of the plasticizing material and a hardness lower than the hardness of the nozzle. This manufacturing method includes a stacking process in which layers are stacked on the stage by controlling the injection unit and the drive unit, and a cleaning process in which the nozzle is moved back and forth so that it crosses the cleaning mechanism multiple times, thereby performing a cleaning operation in which the nozzle is brought into contact with at least one of the brush and the blade, and in the cleaning process, the nozzle is moved back and forth so that it contacts the brush or the blade at different positions during the cleaning operation, and at least one of material information regarding the type of plasticized material, the cumulative injection amount of the modeling material ejected from the nozzle, and the usage time of the nozzle is associated with and recorded. [Explanation of symbols]

[0143] 10...three-dimensional modeling device, 12...three-dimensional modeling device, 13...three-dimensional modeling device, 16...blower, 17...manifold, 18...outlet end, 20...material storage section, 22...supply path, 23...material storage section, 30...plasticization mechanism, 31...screw case, 32...driving motor, 40...material conveying mechanism, 41...screw, 42...groove forming surface, 43...side surface, 44...material inlet, 45...screw groove, 46...ridge portion, 47...center of screw, 49...wheel, 50...barrel, 52...screw facing surface, 54...guide groove, 56...communication hole, 58...heater, 60...nozzle, 61...nozzle flow passage, 63...nozzle opening, 65...inlet, 66...memory, 67...nozzle screw portion, 68...shield, 70...flow rate adjustment portion, 71...first nozzle, 72...second nozzle, 73...nozzle, 74...nozzle flow passage, 75...valve drive portion, 80 ...through hole, 81...through hole screw portion, 90...heating block, 91...case portion, 92...shield, 93...shield opening, 94...opening, 100...ejection portion, 101...first ejection portion, 102...second ejection portion, 103...ejection portion, 110...housing, 111...printing space, 140...material transport mechanism, 165...inlet, 180...through hole, 190...heating block, 210...drive portion, 211...first drive portion, 212...second drive portion Moving unit, 220...stage, 250...cleaning mechanism, 251...brush, 252...blade, 253...purging unit, 254...first inclined surface, 255...second inclined surface, 256...third inclined surface, 258...fixture, 260...purging waste container, 261...first cleaning mechanism, 262...second cleaning mechanism, 280...support unit, 300...control unit, 310...processor, 320...storage unit, 400...display device

Claims

1. a plasticizing mechanism that plasticizes a plasticizing material to generate a modeling material; and an ejection unit that has a nozzle and ejects the modeling material from the nozzle; a stage on which the building material is deposited; and a drive unit that changes a relative position between the emission unit and the stage; a cleaning mechanism having a brush and a blade; a control unit capable of executing a cleaning process for cleaning the nozzle and controlling the ejection unit and the drive unit to stack layers on the stage; The brush and the blade are disposed at a height capable of contacting the nozzle, the brush and the blade have a melting point higher than the plasticizing temperature of the plasticizing material and a hardness lower than the hardness of the nozzle; the control unit performs a cleaning operation in the cleaning process by reciprocating the nozzle so that the nozzle crosses the cleaning mechanism a plurality of times, thereby bringing the nozzle into contact with at least one of the brush and the blade; The control unit reciprocates the nozzle so that the nozzle comes into contact with the brush or the blade at different positions during the cleaning operation, The control unit records at least one of material information related to a type of the plasticizing material, a cumulative ejection amount of the modeling material ejected from the nozzle, and a usage time of the nozzle in association with the nozzle. Three-dimensional printing equipment.

2. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1 , The control unit determines a mode of the cleaning operation or a timing of performing the cleaning process based on at least one of the material information, the accumulated ejection amount, and a usage time of the nozzle.

3. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 2, The control unit determines the execution timing of the cleaning process a plurality of times, A three-dimensional printing device, wherein an interval from the execution timing of the nth (n is an integer equal to or greater than 2) cleaning process to the execution timing of the n+1th cleaning process is shorter than an interval from the execution timing of the n-1th cleaning process to the execution timing of the nth cleaning process.

4. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, The control unit determines the execution timing of the cleaning process a plurality of times, A three-dimensional printing apparatus, wherein a cleaning strength in an (m+1)th cleaning process is stronger than a cleaning strength in an mth (m is an integer equal to or greater than 1)th cleaning process.

5. The three-dimensional printing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, The control unit of the three-dimensional printing device does not execute the p+1th cleaning process or changes the start timing of the p+1th cleaning process when the period from the timing of execution of the pth (p is an integer greater than or equal to 1) cleaning process to the timing of execution of the p+1th cleaning process is shorter than a period determined based on the cumulative injection amount or the usage time of the nozzle.

6. The three-dimensional printing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, When the control unit executes the cleaning process in accordance with the determined timing for executing the cleaning process for the rth time (r is an integer greater than or equal to 1), the control unit checks the condition of the nozzle before executing the cleaning process, and changes the mode of the cleaning operation from the rth time onwards or the timing for executing the cleaning process based on the results of the inspection.

7. The three-dimensional printing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, The control unit changes a timing for performing the cleaning process or a mode of the cleaning operation when the plasticizing material is changed.

8. The three-dimensional printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, When the control unit has executed the cleaning process, the control unit records an execution history of the cleaning process in association with the accumulated ejection amount or a usage time of the nozzle.

9. A plasticizing mechanism that plasticizes a plasticizing material to generate a modeling material, and an ejection unit that includes a nozzle and ejects the modeling material from the nozzle; a stage on which the building material is deposited; and a drive unit that changes a relative position between the emission unit and the stage; a cleaning mechanism having a brush and a blade; The brush and the blade are disposed at a height capable of contacting the nozzle, a melting point of the brush and the blade that is higher than a plasticization temperature of the plasticizing material and that is lower than a hardness of the nozzle, a stacking step of stacking layers on the stage by controlling the ejection unit and the drive unit; a cleaning step of performing a cleaning operation in which the nozzle is brought into contact with at least one of the brush and the blade by reciprocating the nozzle so that the nozzle crosses the cleaning mechanism a plurality of times; Equipped with In the cleaning step, the nozzle is reciprocated so that the nozzle contacts the brush or the blade at different positions during the cleaning operation; recording at least one of material information on the type of the plasticizing material, the cumulative ejection amount of the modeling material ejected from the nozzle, and the usage time of the nozzle in association with the nozzle; A method for manufacturing three-dimensional objects.

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