Method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, three-dimensional modeling system, and information processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional model object in which the possibility that ejection port cleaning affects the modeling accuracy of the three-dimensional model object is reduced.SOLUTION: A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional model object includes a layer-stacking step of layer-stacking a layer by ejecting modeling material from a nozzle while moving the nozzle relative to a stage according to modeling data that contains route information expressing a relative movement route of the nozzle with respect to the stage and ejection amount information expressing the ejection amount of the modeling material in the movement route and is for modeling the three-dimensional model object, and a data modification step of adding a cleaning command for cleaning the nozzle to the modeling data based on the information included in the modeling data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, a three-dimensional shaping system, and an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Regarding the technology for shaping a three-dimensional object, Patent Document 1 discloses a three-dimensional shaping apparatus including a cleaning mechanism for cleaning a discharge port from which a molten shaping material is discharged.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses performing cleaning of the discharge port during shaping. However, since it is necessary to interrupt the shaping in order to perform the cleaning, depending on the location where the shaping is interrupted, there is a possibility of affecting the shaping accuracy of the three-dimensional object finally shaped.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object is provided. This manufacturing method includes path information representing a relative movement path of a nozzle with respect to a stage, and discharge amount information representing the discharge amount of a shaping material in the movement path, and according to shaping data for shaping a three-dimensional object, a lamination step of laminating layers by discharging the shaping material from the nozzle while relatively moving the nozzle with respect to the stage, and a data modification step of adding a cleaning command for cleaning the nozzle to the shaping data based on the information included in the shaping data.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a three-dimensional modeling system including a three-dimensional modeling apparatus and an information processing apparatus is provided. In this three-dimensional modeling system, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus includes path information representing a relative movement path of a nozzle with respect to a stage and discharge amount information representing a discharge amount of a modeling material in the movement path, and discharges the modeling material from the nozzle while relatively moving the nozzle with respect to the stage according to modeling data for modeling a three-dimensional object to laminate layers, and has a discharge unit for laminating layers. The information processing apparatus has a data modification unit that adds a cleaning command for cleaning the nozzle to the modeling data based on information included in the modeling data.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing apparatus is provided. This information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus that supplies modeling data to a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that discharges a modeling material from a nozzle while relatively moving the nozzle with respect to a stage according to modeling data for modeling a three-dimensional object to laminate layers, including path information representing a relative movement path of the nozzle with respect to the stage and discharge amount information representing a discharge amount of the modeling material in the movement path, and has a data modification unit that adds a cleaning command for cleaning the nozzle to the modeling data based on data included in the modeling data.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] A. First Embodiment: FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the schematic configuration of a three-dimensional shaping system 5 in the first embodiment. The three-dimensional shaping system 5 includes a three-dimensional shaping apparatus 10 and an information processing apparatus 11. In FIG. 1, arrows along the X, Y, and Z directions orthogonal to each other are shown. The X, Y, and Z directions are the directions along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, which are three mutually orthogonal spatial axes, and each includes both the direction on one side along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis and the opposite direction. The X-axis and the Y-axis are axes along the horizontal plane, and the Z-axis is an axis along the 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 referred to as "down", and the +Z direction is also referred to as "up". The X, Y, and Z directions in FIG. 1 represent the same directions as the X, Y, and Z directions in other figures.

[0010] The information processing apparatus 11 is a computer including a CPU 12, a memory 13, and a storage device 14. The storage device 14 stores modeling data. The modeling data is data for modeling a three-dimensional model. The modeling data includes movement path information representing the movement path of a nozzle 60 provided in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 and discharge amount information representing the discharge amount of the modeling material in the movement path. These pieces of information are described as various commands in the modeling data. The information processing apparatus 11 supplies the modeling data to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10, and the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 models a three-dimensional model based on the modeling data supplied from the information processing apparatus 11.

[0011] The CPU 12 provided in the information processing apparatus 11 functions as a data modification unit 15 by reading and executing a predetermined program from the storage device 14 onto the memory 13. The data modification unit 15 has a function of adding a cleaning command for cleaning the nozzle 60 provided in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 to the modeling data based on the information included in the modeling data. Details of this function will be described later.

[0012] The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 includes a discharge unit 100, a material storage unit 20, a housing 110, a drive unit 210, a stage 220, a cleaning mechanism 250, and a control unit 300.

[0013] The discharge unit 100 has a plasticizing mechanism 30 that plasticizes at least a part of the raw material supplied from the material storage unit 20 to generate a modeling material, and a nozzle 60. The discharge unit 100 discharges the modeling material plasticized by the plasticizing mechanism 30 from the nozzle 60 toward the stage 220.

[0014] The housing 110 has a modeling space 111 inside. The stage 220 on which the modeling material is laminated is disposed in the modeling space 111. The housing 110 may be provided with, for example, an opening that communicates the modeling space 111 with the outside, a door that opens and closes the opening, and the like. The user can take out the model modeled on the stage 220 from the opening by opening the door to open the opening.

[0015] The driving unit 210 changes the relative position between the ejection unit 100 and the stage 220. In the present embodiment, the driving unit 210 includes a first driving unit 211 that moves the stage 220 along the Z direction, and a second driving unit 212 that moves the ejection unit 100 along the X direction and the Y direction. The first driving unit 211 is configured as a lifting device and includes a motor for moving the stage 220 in the Z direction. The second driving unit 212 is configured as a horizontal transfer device and includes a motor for sliding the ejection unit 100 along the X direction and a motor for sliding the ejection unit 100 along the Y direction. Each motor is driven under the control of the control unit 300. In other embodiments, the driving unit 210 may be configured to move the stage 220 or the ejection unit 100 in three directions of X, Y, and Z, or may be configured to move the stage 220 along the X direction and the Y direction and move the ejection unit 100 in the Z direction.

[0016] 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. In the vertical direction, the cleaning mechanism 250 is arranged at a height where the brush 251 and the blade 252 can contact the nozzle 60. A purge waste container 260 is provided below the cleaning mechanism 250. Resin dust removed by the cleaning mechanism 250 falls into and is collected in the purge waste container 260. Note that the blade 252 is also called a flicker plate. The cleaning mechanism 250 is also called a chip wipe assembly.

[0017] The control unit 300 is composed of a computer including one or more processors, a memory, and an input / output interface for inputting and outputting signals to and from the outside. In the present embodiment, the control unit 300 controls the ejection unit 100 and the drive unit 210 according to the modeling data by having the processor execute programs and instructions read into the memory. By controlling the ejection unit 100 and the drive unit 210 according to the modeling data, the ejection unit 100 forms a three-dimensional object by ejecting a modeling material from the nozzle 60 while relatively moving the nozzle 60 with respect to the stage 220 and laminating layers according to the modeling data. Note that the control unit 300 may be composed of a combination of a plurality of circuits instead of a computer.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the ejection unit 100. The ejection unit 100 includes a plasticizing mechanism 30, a nozzle 60, and a flow rate adjusting unit 70. The plasticizing mechanism 30 has a material conveying mechanism 40 and a heating block 90. The material stored in the material storage unit 20 is supplied to the ejection unit 100. The ejection unit 100 plasticizes at least a part of the material supplied from the material storage unit 20 by the plasticizing mechanism 30 to generate a modeling material under the control of the control unit 300, and injects and laminates the generated modeling material from the nozzle 60 onto the stage 220. In the present embodiment, "plasticization" is a concept including melting, and means changing from a solid state to a state having fluidity. Specifically, in the case of a material in which glass transition occurs, plasticization means raising the temperature of the material above the glass transition point. In the case of a material in which glass transition does not occur, plasticization means raising the temperature of the material above the melting point.

[0019] The material storage unit 20 of the present embodiment stores a material in a state such as pellets or powder. In the present embodiment, the material stored in the material storage unit 20 is pellet-shaped ABS resin. The material storage unit 20 of the present embodiment is composed of a hopper. The material stored in the material storage unit 20 is supplied to the material conveying mechanism 40 of the plasticizing mechanism 30 through a supply path 22 provided below the material storage unit 20 so as to connect the material storage unit 20 and the ejection unit 100.

[0020] The heating block 90 has a heater 58. The heater 58 is controlled by the control unit 300 and is heated to a plasticizing temperature for plasticizing the material. The plasticizing 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 an ABS resin, the plasticizing temperature is set to, for example, about 110°C, which is the glass transition point of the ABS resin. The heating block 90 is provided with a through hole 80. The through hole 80 is configured to be detachable from the nozzle 60. 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 plasticizes the material supplied from the material storage unit 20 to the material conveying mechanism 40 while conveying it toward the nozzle flow path 61 of the nozzle 60 by the material conveying mechanism 40 and heating it with the heat of the heating block 90.

[0021] The material conveying mechanism 40 of the present embodiment includes a screw case 31, a screw 41 accommodated in the screw case 31, and a drive motor 32 for driving the screw 41. The heating block 90 of the present 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 the present embodiment is formed by the opening 94 and the communication hole 56 communicating with each other. Further, the above-described heater 58 is built in the barrel 50. Note that the screw 41 of the present embodiment is a so-called flat screw and is sometimes called a "scroll".

[0022] The screw 41 has a substantially cylindrical shape in which the height in the direction along its central axis RX is smaller than the diameter. The screw 41 has a groove forming surface 42 on the surface facing the barrel 50, and a screw groove 45 is formed on the groove forming surface 42. The groove forming surface 42 faces the screw facing surface 52 of the barrel 50, which will be described later. Note that the central axis RX of the present embodiment coincides with the rotation axis of the screw 41. Details of the configuration of the screw 41 will be described later.

[0023] 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 the torque generated by the rotation of the drive motor 32. Note that the drive motor 32 does not necessarily have to be directly connected to the screw 41, and for example, it may be connected via a speed reducer.

[0024] The barrel 50 has a screw facing surface 52 facing 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 to the screw facing surface 52, that is, the lower surface of the barrel 50. The above-described communication hole 56 and the opening 94 are provided at positions overlapping the central axis RX of the screw 41. That is, the through hole 80 is located at a position overlapping the central axis RX.

[0025] 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 above-described nozzle flow path 61. 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 the -Z direction position of the inlet 65. The nozzle 60 of the present embodiment discharges the material that has flowed into the nozzle flow path 61 through the communication hole 56 and the inlet 65 from the nozzle opening 63 toward the stage 220.

[0026] The flow rate adjustment unit 70 changes the opening degree of the nozzle flow path 61 by rotating within the nozzle flow path 61. In the present embodiment, the flow rate adjustment unit 70 is constituted by a butterfly valve. The flow rate adjustment unit 70 is driven by a valve drive unit 74 under the control of the control unit 300. The valve drive unit 74 is constituted by, for example, a stepping motor. The control unit 300 can adjust the flow rate of the modeling material flowing from the material conveyance mechanism 40 to the nozzle 60, that is, the flow rate of the modeling material discharged from the nozzle 60, by controlling the rotation angle of the butterfly valve using the valve drive unit 74. The flow rate adjustment unit 70 adjusts the flow rate of the modeling material and controls the on / off of the outflow of the modeling material.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration on 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, a screw groove 45 is provided on the groove forming surface 42. The screw central portion 47, which is the central portion of the groove forming surface 42 of the screw 41, is configured as a depression 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 the central axis RX.

[0028] The screw groove 45 of the screw 41 constitutes a so-called scroll groove. The screw groove 45 extends in a spiral shape, drawing an arc from the screw central portion 47 toward the outer periphery of the screw 41. The screw groove 45 may be configured to extend in an involute curve shape or a spiral shape. On the groove forming surface 42, there are provided ridge portions 46 that constitute the side wall portions of the screw groove 45 and extend along each screw groove 45. The screw groove 45 is continuous up to the material inlet 44 formed on the side surface 43 of the screw 41. The material inlet 44 is a portion that receives the material supplied through the supply path 22 of the material storage unit 20.

[0029] FIG. 3 shows an example of a screw 41 having three screw grooves 45 and three rib portions 46. The number of screw grooves 45 and rib portions 46 provided on the screw 41 is not limited to three, and only one screw groove 45 may be provided, or a plurality of two or more screw grooves 45 may be provided. Further, FIG. 3 shows an example of a screw 41 in which material inlets 44 are formed at three locations. The number of material inlets 44 provided on the screw 41 is not limited to three, and it may be provided at only one location, or may be provided at two or more locations.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a top view showing the configuration on the screw facing surface 52 side of the barrel 50. As described above, a communication hole 56 is formed at the center of the screw facing surface 52. A plurality of guide grooves 54 are formed around the communication hole 56 on the screw facing surface 52. Each guide groove 54 has one end connected to the communication hole 56 and extends spirally from the communication hole 56 toward the outer periphery of the screw facing surface 52. Each guide groove 54 has a function of guiding the modeling material to the communication hole 56. Note that one end of the guide groove 54 may not be connected to the communication hole 56. Further, the barrel 50 may not have the guide groove 54 formed therein.

[0031] FIG. 5 is an explanatory view 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 tufts of hair along the Y direction. The blade 252 is a flat plate 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 at which they can contact the nozzle 60. In the present embodiment, the brush 251 and the blade 252 are integrated by a fixture 258 and can be replaced simultaneously when worn out. Note that the brush 251 and the blade 252 may be replaceable individually.

[0032] The cleaning mechanism 250 further includes a purge section 253, which is also called a purge ledge. In this embodiment, the purge section 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 section 253 and the brush 251. The tip of the purge section 253 in the +Z direction is lower than the tip of the blade 252. On the purge section 253, the modeling material as waste material ejected from the nozzle 60 falls and is gathered into a spherical shape on the purge section 253, and then falls into the purge waste container 260. The upper surface of the purge section 253 is configured as an inclined surface to facilitate the fall of the waste material. More specifically, the purge section 253 has a first inclined surface 254, a second inclined surface 255, and a third inclined surface 256 in the order from the farthest from the blade 252 and in the order of the lowest position in the vertical direction. The first inclined surface 254, the second inclined surface 255, and the third inclined surface 256 are each inclined such that the position of the +X direction end is higher than the position of the -X direction end. 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.

[0033] Note that the cleaning mechanism 250 in this embodiment includes the brush 251, the blade 252, and the purge section 253, but for example, a configuration in which the purge section 253 is omitted may also be used. Further, for example, the cleaning mechanism 250 may be configured to include only the brush 251 or only the blade 252.

[0034] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing how a three-dimensional object is being formed in the three-dimensional forming apparatus 10. In the three-dimensional forming apparatus 10, as described above, in the discharge unit 100, the solid raw material MR supplied to the screw groove 45 of the rotating screw 41 is melted to generate the forming material MM. The control unit 300 controls the drive unit 210 while maintaining the distance between the forming surface 221 on the stage 220 and the nozzle 60, and discharges the forming material MM from the nozzle 60 while changing the position of the nozzle 60 relative to the stage 220 in the direction along the forming surface 221 of the stage 220. The forming material MM discharged from the nozzle 60 is continuously deposited in the moving direction of the nozzle 60, and the layer ML is formed. After forming one layer ML, the control unit 300 lowers the stage 220 to move the position of the nozzle 60 relative to the stage 220 in the +Z direction. Then, a three-dimensional object is formed by stacking another layer ML on top of the layer ML formed so far.

[0035] The control unit 300 may, for example, move the nozzle 60 in the Z direction when one layer ML is completed, or may temporarily interrupt the discharge of the forming material from the nozzle 60 when there are a plurality of independent forming regions in each layer. In this case, the control unit 300 closes the nozzle flow path 61 by the flow rate adjustment unit 70 to stop the discharge of the forming material MM from the nozzle opening 63. After changing the position of the nozzle 60, the control unit 300 opens the nozzle flow path 61 by the flow rate adjustment unit 70 to resume the deposition of the forming material MM from the changed position of the nozzle 60.

[0036] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of three-dimensional shaping processing representing a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object. In step S10, the information processing apparatus 11 executes shaping data generation processing. In this shaping data generation processing, the information processing apparatus 11 acquires shape data such as three-dimensional CAD data representing the shape of the three-dimensional object, analyzes the shape data, and slices the shape of the three-dimensional object into a plurality of layers along the XY plane. Then, the information processing apparatus 11 generates movement path information representing the movement paths of the nozzles for filling the outer shell and the internal regions of each layer. The movement path information includes data representing a plurality of linear movement paths. Each movement path included in the movement path information includes discharge amount information representing the discharge amount of the shaping material discharged in that movement path. The information processing apparatus 11 generates shaping data by generating movement path information and discharge amount information for all the layers. Step S10 is also referred to as the shaping data generation step. The shaping data is represented by, for example, G-code. In other embodiments, the information processing apparatus 11 may acquire already generated shaping data via a network or a recording medium instead of generating the shaping data.

[0037] In step S20, the data change unit 15 executes shaping data change processing. In this shaping data change processing, the data change unit 15 analyzes the shaping data and adds a cleaning command for cleaning the nozzle 60 to the shaping data based on the information included in the shaping data. The cleaning command may be represented by one command for instructing the execution of cleaning processing on the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 10, or may be represented by a series of command groups representing the cleaning operation of the nozzle 60. Details of this shaping data change processing will be described later. Step S20 is also referred to as the data change step.

[0038] In step S30, the control unit 300 of the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 10 executes a lamination process. In this lamination process, the control unit 300 acquires shaping data from the information processing apparatus 11, and as shown in FIG. 6, laminates a plurality of layers by discharging a shaping material from the nozzle 60 while moving the nozzle 60 according to the shaping data, thereby shaping a three-dimensional shaped object. During this lamination process, a cleaning process for cleaning the nozzle 60 is executed according to the cleaning command added to the shaping data in step S20. In the first embodiment, in this cleaning process, an operation for rubbing the tip of the nozzle 60 against the brush 251 and the blade 252 of the cleaning mechanism 250 is executed. Step S30 is also referred to as a lamination step.

[0039] FIG. 8 is a detailed flowchart of the shaping data change process executed in step S20 of the three-dimensional shaping process described above. In step S100, the data change unit 15 sequentially reads movement path information from the shaping data, and integrates the discharge amount of the shaping material based on the discharge amount information corresponding to the movement path information.

[0040] In step S110, the data modification unit 15 determines whether the discharge amount integrated in step S100 exceeds a first threshold value. If it is determined that the first threshold value is exceeded, in step S120, the data modification unit 15 adds a cleaning command to the shaping data. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the cleaning command is added to the shaping data so that cleaning is performed at the timing when the shaping target is switched from the layer to which the current movement path belongs to the next layer. That is, after the shaping of the layer including the current movement path is completed, the cleaning command is added to the shaping data so that cleaning is performed at the timing when the nozzle 60 moves in the +Z direction relative to the stage 220. Therefore, the cleaning command is added after the command for shaping the movement path that is shaped last in the current layer and before the command for shaping the movement path that is shaped first in the next layer. After adding the cleaning command, in step S130, the data modification unit 15 resets the integrated discharge amount. The first threshold value described above is a value determined in advance by obtaining the relationship between the discharge amount of the shaping material and the contamination of the nozzle 60 through experiments or simulations.

[0041] After the discharge amount is reset in step S130, or after it is determined in step S110 that the integrated discharge amount does not exceed the first threshold value, the data modification unit 15 determines in step S140 whether the discharge amount has been integrated for all the movement paths. If it is determined that the integration has not been performed for all the movement paths, the data modification unit 15 returns the process to step S100, reads the next movement path information, integrates the discharge amount, and repeats the above-described series of processes. On the other hand, if it is determined that the integration of the discharge amount has been completed for all the movement paths, the data modification unit 15 ends the shaping data modification process.

[0042] According to the three-dimensional modeling system 5 of the present embodiment described above, the information processing apparatus 11 adds a cleaning command for executing cleaning to the modeling data according to the information included in the modeling data. Therefore, for example, it is possible to suppress the cleaning process from being executed unintentionally during the layer modeling by the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the cleaning process affects the modeling accuracy of the three-dimensional model finally modeled. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the cleaning command is added to the modeling data so that cleaning is performed at the timing when the layer to be modeled is switched, the possibility that the cleaning process affects the modeling accuracy of the three-dimensional model can be made smaller.

[0043] B. Second Embodiment: In the first embodiment described above, in the lamination process in step S30 of the three-dimensional modeling process shown in FIG. 7, the cleaning of the nozzle 60 is performed by executing the cleaning process. In the second embodiment, the content of this cleaning process is different from that of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment and the third to fifth embodiments described later, the cleaning command added to the modeling data represents the timing to start the execution of the cleaning process, and the specific cleaning operation is assumed to be controlled by the control unit 300 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10. However, a series of command groups for realizing the cleaning process may be added as the cleaning command to the modeling data, and the control unit 300 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 may control the relative movement of the nozzle 60 and the discharge operation by the discharge unit 100 while interpreting these commands, and perform the same cleaning operation as in the third to fifth embodiments.

[0044] FIG. 9 is a detailed flowchart of the cleaning process executed in the second embodiment. When the cleaning process is started, the control unit 300 of the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 10 first moves the nozzle 60 onto the purge unit 253 in step S200, injects the shaping material as waste material, and measures the injection amount. The injection amount represents the discharge state of the shaping material from the nozzle 60. In this embodiment, a weight sensor is provided in the purge waste material container 260, and the injection amount of the shaping material is measured by measuring the weight of the shaping material injected within a predetermined time. The process of step S200 is also referred to as the measurement step. Then, in step S210, the control unit 300 determines whether the injection amount is within a predetermined reference range, that is, whether the measured discharge state has reached a predetermined discharge state.

[0045] In step S210, if it is determined that the injection amount is within the reference range, the control unit 300 ends the cleaning process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the injection amount is not within the reference range, the control unit 300 performs normal cleaning. Normal cleaning means reciprocating the tip of the nozzle 60 on the cleaning mechanism 250 a predetermined number of times to perform cleaning.

[0046] After performing normal cleaning, the control unit 300 measures the injection amount again in step S230. Then, in step S240, it is determined whether the injection amount is within the reference range.

[0047] In step S240, if it is determined that the injection amount is within the reference range, the control unit 300 ends the cleaning process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the injection amount is not within the reference range, the control unit 300 performs intensive cleaning in step S250. Intensive cleaning is cleaning with a higher intensity than normal cleaning. In this embodiment, the control unit 300 performs intensive cleaning by reciprocating the nozzle 60 on the cleaning mechanism 250 a greater number of times than the number of reciprocations in normal cleaning.

[0048] After the intensive cleaning is executed, the control unit 300 returns the process to step S200. By doing so, in step S210, it is determined again whether the injection amount is within the reference range. If it is not within the reference range, normal cleaning is executed in step S220.

[0049] According to the second embodiment described above, even when the cleaning process is started, if the actually measured injection amount is within the reference range, cleaning is not performed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the nozzle 60 from being consumed by cleaning. Further, in the present embodiment, since the injection amount is measured after the normal cleaning is performed, it is possible to confirm whether the nozzle 60 has been cleaned by the cleaning. And if it is not cleaned, the intensity of the cleaning is increased and intensive cleaning is executed, so that the cleanliness of the nozzle 60 can be increased.

[0050] Note that, in the second embodiment, the control unit 300 returns the process to step S200 after executing the intensive cleaning in step S250. In contrast, the control unit 300 may return the process to step S230 after executing the intensive cleaning in step S250. By doing so, if the injection amount does not fall within the reference range after the intensive cleaning, the intensive cleaning is executed again.

[0051] C. Third Embodiment: FIG. 10 is a detailed flowchart of the cleaning process executed in the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the content of the cleaning process is different from that of each of the above-described embodiments.

[0052] When the cleaning process is started in the third embodiment, the control unit 300 of the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 10 first moves the nozzle 60 onto the purge unit 253 in step S300, injects the shaping material as waste material, and measures the injection amount. Then, in step S310, the control unit 300 determines whether the injection amount is within a predetermined reference range.

[0053] In step S310, when it is determined that the injection amount is within the reference range, the control unit 300 ends the cleaning process. On the contrary, when it is determined that the injection amount is not within the reference range, the control unit 300 determines in step S320 whether the injection amount is less than the second threshold value. When it is determined that the injection amount is less than the second threshold value, the control unit 300 performs intensive cleaning in step S330. On the other hand, when it is determined that the injection amount is not less than the second threshold value, that is, the injection amount is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, the control unit 300 performs normal cleaning in step S340.

[0054] After normal cleaning or intensive cleaning is performed in step S330 or step S340, the control unit 300 returns the process to step S300. Then, the injection amount is measured again, and the above-described process is repeated until the injection amount is within the reference range.

[0055] Also according to the third embodiment described above, as in the second embodiment, if the actually measured injection amount is within the reference range, cleaning is not performed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the nozzle 60 from being consumed. Further, in the present embodiment, when the injection amount of the modeling material is not within the reference range, if the injection amount is less than the second threshold value, intensive cleaning is performed without performing normal cleaning, so that the time required for the cleaning process can be shortened. The second threshold value is a value that has a high possibility of bringing the injection amount within the reference range by performing intensive cleaning, and can be determined in advance by simulation or experiment.

[0056] In the third embodiment, normal cleaning or intensive cleaning is performed according to the injection amount. On the contrary, for example, by using two or more threshold values, three or more stages of cleaning with different intensities may be performed according to the injection amount. Further, when it is determined that the injection amount is less than the second threshold value, the control unit 300 may perform normal cleaning instead of intensive cleaning.

[0057] D. Fourth Embodiment: FIG. 11 is a detailed flowchart of the cleaning process executed in the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the content of the cleaning process is different from that of each of the above-described embodiments.

[0058] When the cleaning process is started in the fourth embodiment, the control unit 300 of the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 10 first executes normal cleaning in step S400. After executing the normal cleaning, the control unit 300 measures the injection amount in step S410. Then, in step S420, it is determined whether or not the injection amount is within the reference range.

[0059] If it is determined in step S420 that the injection amount is within the reference range, the control unit 300 ends the cleaning process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the injection amount is not within the reference range, the control unit 300 executes intensive cleaning in step S430.

[0060] After the intensive cleaning is executed, the control unit 300 returns the process to step S410. By doing so, in step S410, it is determined again whether or not the injection amount is within the reference range, and if it is not within the reference range, intensive cleaning is executed again in step S430.

[0061] According to the fourth embodiment described above, when the execution of the cleaning process is started, normal cleaning is immediately executed without measuring the injection amount. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the cleaning time of the nozzle 60.

[0062] E. Fifth Embodiment: FIG. 12 is a detailed flowchart of the cleaning process executed in the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, the content of the cleaning process is different from that of each of the above-described embodiments.

[0063] When the cleaning process is started in the second embodiment, the control unit 300 of the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 10 first executes normal cleaning in step S500. After executing the normal cleaning, the control unit 300 measures the injection amount in step S510. Then, in step S520, it is determined whether the injection amount is within the reference range.

[0064] In step S520, if it is determined that the injection amount is within the reference range, the control unit 300 ends the cleaning process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the injection amount is not within the reference range, the control unit 300 executes intensive cleaning in step S530. After executing the intensive cleaning, the control unit 300 measures the injection amount again in step S540. Then, in step S550, it is determined whether the injection amount is within the reference range.

[0065] In step S550, if it is determined that the injection amount is within the reference range, the control unit 300 ends the cleaning process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the injection amount is not within the reference range, the control unit 300 executes ultra-intensive cleaning in step S560. Ultra-intensive cleaning is cleaning with a higher intensity than intensive cleaning. In this embodiment, the control unit 300 executes ultra-intensive cleaning by reciprocating the nozzle 60 on the cleaning mechanism 250 a greater number of times than the number of reciprocating operations in normal cleaning and intensive cleaning.

[0066] After executing the ultra-intensive cleaning, the control unit 300 returns the process to step S540 to measure the injection amount again. Then, the ultra-intensive cleaning is repeated until the injection amount is within the reference range.

[0067] According to the fifth embodiment described above, when the execution of the cleaning process is started, normal cleaning is immediately executed without measuring the injection amount. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the cleaning time of the nozzle 60. Further, in this embodiment, when the injection amount does not fall within the reference range after the strong cleaning is performed, the ultra-strong cleaning is executed. Therefore, the cleaning of the nozzle 60 can be efficiently performed.

[0068] Note that, in the fifth embodiment, when the execution of the cleaning process is started, normal cleaning is executed without measuring the injection amount. On the other hand, the control unit 300 may measure the injection amount when the execution of the cleaning process is started, and execute normal cleaning when it is determined that the injection amount is not within the reference range, as in the second embodiment.

[0069] F. Other Embodiments: (F1) FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the modeling time and the frequency of execution of the cleaning process. In each of the above embodiments, as shown in FIG. 13, the data change unit 15 may add a cleaning command so that the frequency of execution of the cleaning process increases as the modeling time elapses. By doing so, the cleanliness of the nozzle 60 can be increased in the modeling process with a long modeling time. For example, in the first embodiment described above, the data change unit 15 can increase the frequency of execution of the cleaning process as the modeling time elapses by decreasing the value of the first threshold as the modeling time becomes longer. Further, for example, in the first half of the modeling, a cleaning command may be added so that cleaning is executed at the timing of layer switching, and in the second half of the modeling, in addition to that, a cleaning command may be added so that cleaning is also executed at the timing when the nozzle 60 moves to a position away from the same layer. When cleaning is performed at the timing when the nozzle 60 moves to a position away from the same layer, for example, a cleaning command is added between a command for controlling the flow rate adjustment unit 70 to stop the discharge of the modeling material and a command for restarting the discharge of the modeling material from the moved position.

[0070] (F2) FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the relationship between the type of modeling material and the frequency of performing the cleaning process. In each of the above embodiments, as shown in FIG. 14, the data changing unit 15 may add a cleaning command so that the frequency of performing the cleaning process differs according to the type of modeling material for modeling the three-dimensional model. For example, in the first embodiment, if the data changing unit 15 changes the value of the first threshold according to the type of modeling material specified by the user, it is possible to change the frequency of performing the cleaning process according to the type of modeling material. By doing so, the nozzle 60 can be appropriately cleaned according to the modeling material.

[0071] (F3) FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional modeling system 5f including two discharge units 100. In the three-dimensional modeling system 5f, for example, a modeling material for modeling a three-dimensional model is discharged from the nozzle 60 of one discharge unit 100, and a support material for supporting an overhang portion of the three-dimensional model is discharged from the nozzle 60 of the other discharge unit 100. In the first embodiment, the data changing unit 15 has added a cleaning command to the modeling data so that cleaning is performed at the timing when the modeling target is switched from the current layer to the next layer. On the other hand, in the three-dimensional modeling system 5f, the data changing unit 15 may add a cleaning command to the modeling data so that cleaning is performed at the timing when the nozzle 60 used for layer modeling is switched. In this case, for example, a cleaning command is added between the command for switching the nozzle 60 and the command for performing modeling using the switched nozzle 60. The object to be cleaned may be only the nozzle 60 before switching, or both the nozzle 60 before switching and the nozzle 60 after switching may be cleaned. Note that the modeling materials discharged from the respective discharge units 100 may be, for example, materials of different colors or materials of different textures.

[0072] (F4) In the above-described first embodiment, the data change unit 15 determines the timing for adding a cleaning command by integrating the discharge amount. In contrast, the data change unit 15 may analyze the modeling data and determine the timing for adding a cleaning command by integrating the discharge time of the modeling material, the number of discharges of the modeling material from the nozzle 60, the length of the movement path, the modeling time, and the number of layers modeled. For example, when the number of modeled layers exceeds a threshold value, a cleaning command may be added so that cleaning is performed at the timing of layer switching. Also, when the length of the movement path exceeds a threshold value, a cleaning command may be added so that cleaning is performed at the timing of moving the nozzle 60 to distant positions within the same layer.

[0073] (F5) In the above-described embodiment, the injection amount is measured by the weight sensor as the discharge state of the modeling material. In contrast, the discharge state is not limited to the injection amount, and it is possible to measure it by other methods. For example, as the discharge state, the thickness of the modeling material ejected from the nozzle 60 may be measured using a length measuring sensor or an image sensor. Also, the modeling material may be discharged onto the stage 220, and its line width may be measured as the discharge state using a length measuring sensor or an image sensor.

[0074] (F6) In the above-described embodiment, the number of reciprocating operations of the nozzle 60 on the cleaning mechanism 250 differs between normal cleaning, strong cleaning, and ultra-strong cleaning. In contrast, when executing cleanings with different intensities, the control unit 300 may vary the amount of waste material ejected on the purge unit 253 of the cleaning mechanism 250. Also, the rotation speed of the screw 41 and the injection pressure when ejecting the waste material may be varied.

[0075] (F7) In the above-described first embodiment, the data modification unit 15 may select a cleaning command to be added to the modeling data from a plurality of types of cleaning commands with different cleaning intensities, such as a normal cleaning command, a strong cleaning command, and an ultra-strong cleaning command. In this case, for example, the data modification unit 15 selects and adds a cleaning command from the plurality of types of cleaning commands so that cleaning is performed with an intensity corresponding to the modeling time and the modeling material. In such a form, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 can execute cleaning with various intensities according to those cleaning commands.

[0076] (F8) Among the cleaning processes described in the above-described second to fifth embodiments, which cleaning process is to be executed may be specified by a cleaning command that the information processing apparatus 11 adds to the modeling data.

[0077] (F9) In the above-described embodiments, the plasticizing mechanism 30 includes a flat screw as the screw 41. In contrast, the plasticizing mechanism 30 may include an in-line screw. Further, the discharge unit 100 only needs to be able to discharge the modeling material while relatively moving the nozzle 60 with respect to the stage 220. For example, various types of discharge units such as the FDM method, the binder jet method, and the inkjet method can be adopted.

[0078] (F10) In the above embodiment, pellet-shaped ABS resin is used as the raw material of the modeling material. In contrast, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 can model a three-dimensional object using various materials such as, for example, a material having thermoplasticity, a metal material, and a ceramic material as the main material. Here, the "main material" means the material that forms the center of the shape of the three-dimensional object and means the material that occupies a content rate of 50% by weight or more in the three-dimensional object. The above-described modeling materials include those in which those main materials are melted alone and those in which some components contained together with the main material are melted into a paste shape.

[0079] When using a material with thermoplasticity as the main material, in the plasticizing mechanism 30, a modeling material is generated by plasticizing the material. As the material with thermoplasticity, for example, the following thermoplastic resin materials can be used. <Examples of thermoplastic resin materials> Polypropylene resin (PP), polyethylene resin (PE), polyacetal resin (POM), polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC), polyamide resin (PA), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS), polylactic acid resin (PLA), polyphenylene sulfide resin (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polycarbonate (PC), modified polyphenylene ether, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate and other general-purpose engineering plastics, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylate, polyimide, polyamideimide, polyetherimide, polyetheretherketone and other engineering plastics.

[0080] In the material with thermoplasticity, additives such as pigments, metals, ceramics, and in addition, waxes, flame retardants, antioxidants, heat stabilizers, etc. may be mixed in. The material with thermoplasticity is plasticized in the plasticizing mechanism 30 by the rotation of the screw 41 and the heating of the heater 58 and converted into a molten state. The modeling material generated by the melting of the material with thermoplasticity is discharged from the nozzle 60 and then cured by a decrease in temperature.

[0081] It is desirable that the material with thermoplasticity be heated above its glass transition point and injected from the nozzle 60 in a completely molten state. For example, the glass transition point of ABS resin is about 110 °C, and it is desirable to be about 200 °C at the time of injection from the nozzle 60.

[0082] In the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 10, instead of the above-described material having thermoplasticity, for example, the following metal materials may be used as the main material. In this case, it is desirable that a component that melts during the generation of the shaping material be mixed with the powder material obtained by pulverizing the following metal material, and the resulting material be introduced into the plasticizing mechanism 30 as a raw material. <Examples of metal materials> Magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), a single metal, or an alloy containing one or more of these metals. <Examples of the alloy> Maraging steel, stainless steel, cobalt-chromium-molybdenum, titanium alloy, nickel alloy, aluminum alloy, cobalt alloy, cobalt-chromium alloy.

[0083] In the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 10, instead of the above-described metal materials, a ceramic material can be used as the main material. As the ceramic material, for example, oxide ceramics such as silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, and non-oxide ceramics such as aluminum nitride can be used. When using a metal material or a ceramic material as described above as the main material, the shaping material disposed on the stage 220 may be hardened by sintering by laser irradiation or hot air.

[0084] The powder materials of the metal materials and ceramic materials introduced into the material storage unit 20 as raw materials may be a mixed material in which powders of a single metal, alloy powders, and ceramic material powders are mixed in a plurality of types. Further, the powder materials of the metal materials and ceramic materials may be coated with, for example, the thermoplastic resin exemplified above or another thermoplastic resin. In this case, in the plasticizing mechanism 30, the thermoplastic resin may be melted to exhibit fluidity.

[0085] For the powder materials of metallic materials and ceramic materials input as raw materials into the material storage section 20, for example, the following solvents can also be added. The solvents can be used by selecting one or a combination of two or more selected from the following. <Examples of solvents> Water; (Poly)alkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, and propylene glycol monoethyl ether; Acetic acid esters such as ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, and isobutyl acetate; Aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylene; Ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone, acetone, methyl isobutyl ketone, ethyl-n-butyl ketone, diisopropyl ketone, and acetylacetone; Alcohols such as ethanol, propanol, and butanol; Tetraalkylammonium acetates; Sulfoxide-based solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide and diethyl sulfoxide; Pyridine-based solvents such as pyridine, γ-picoline, and 2,6-lutidine; Tetraalkylammonium acetate (for example, tetrabutylammonium acetate, etc.); Ionic liquids such as butyl carbitol acetate.

[0086] In addition, for the powder materials of metallic materials and ceramic materials input as raw materials into the material storage section 20, for example, the following binders can also be added. <Examples of binders> Acrylic resin, epoxy resin, silicone resin, cellulose-based resin, or other synthetic resins, or PLA (polylactic acid), PA (polyamide), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PEEK (polyether ether ketone), or other thermoplastic resins.

[0087] G. Other forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various configurations without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each of the embodiments described below can be appropriately replaced or combined in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0088] (1) According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object is provided. This manufacturing method includes path information representing a relative movement path of a nozzle with respect to a stage, and discharge amount information representing a discharge amount of a modeling material in the movement path. According to modeling data for modeling a three-dimensional object, a lamination step of discharging the modeling material from the nozzle while relatively moving the nozzle with respect to the stage to laminate layers, and a data change step of adding a cleaning command for cleaning the nozzle to the modeling data based on information included in the modeling data. According to such an aspect, since a cleaning command for executing cleaning according to information included in the modeling data can be added to the modeling data, for example, it is possible to suppress the cleaning process from being executed unintentionally during the modeling of a layer. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the cleaning process affects the modeling accuracy of the three-dimensional object.

[0089] (2) In the above aspect, in the data change step, among a plurality of types of the cleaning commands having different cleaning intensities, the selected cleaning command may be added to the modeling data. In such an aspect, cleaning can be executed with various intensities.

[0090] (3) In the above-described embodiment, in the data modification step, the cleaning command may be added to the shaping data so that cleaning is performed at the timing when the layer to be shaped is switched. According to such an embodiment, the possibility that the cleaning process affects the shaping accuracy of the three-dimensional shaped object can be reduced.

[0091] (4) In the above-described embodiment, in the data modification step, the cleaning command may be added to the shaping data so that cleaning is performed at the timing when the nozzle used for shaping the layer is switched. According to such an embodiment, the possibility that the cleaning process affects the shaping accuracy of the three-dimensional shaped object can be reduced.

[0092] (5) In the above-described embodiment, in the data modification step, the cleaning command may be added to the shaping data so that cleaning is performed at the timing when the nozzle is relatively moved with respect to the stage at separated positions within the layer. According to such an embodiment, the possibility that the cleaning process affects the shaping accuracy of the three-dimensional shaped object can be reduced.

[0093] (6) In the above-described embodiment, in the data modification step, the timing for adding the cleaning command may be determined according to at least any one of the discharge amount of the shaping material, the discharge time of the shaping material, the number of discharges of the shaping material from the nozzle, the length of the movement path, the number of shaped layers, and the shaping time.

[0094] (7) In the above-described embodiment, in the data modification step, the cleaning command may be added to the shaping data so that the frequency of cleaning increases as the shaping time elapses. According to such an embodiment, the cleanliness of the nozzle can be enhanced.

[0095] (8) In the above-described embodiment, in the data modification step, a cleaning command may be added to the shaping data so that the frequency of cleaning is different according to the shaping material. According to such an embodiment, it is possible to appropriately clean the nozzle according to the shaping material.

[0096] (9) In the above-described embodiment, after cleaning according to the cleaning command, a measurement step of measuring the discharge state of the nozzle may be included. According to such an embodiment, it is possible to confirm whether the nozzle has been cleaned by the cleaning.

[0097] (10) In the above-described embodiment, when the discharge state measured in the measurement step does not reach a predetermined discharge state, a step of increasing the cleaning intensity and performing cleaning may be provided. According to such an embodiment, it is possible to increase the cleanliness of the nozzle.

[0098] (11) According to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, a three-dimensional shaping system including a three-dimensional shaping apparatus and an information processing apparatus is provided. In this three-dimensional shaping system, the three-dimensional shaping apparatus includes path information representing a relative movement path of a nozzle with respect to a stage, and discharge amount information representing a discharge amount of a shaping material in the movement path, and has a discharge unit that discharges the shaping material from the nozzle while relatively moving the nozzle with respect to the stage according to shaping data for shaping a three-dimensional shaped object. The information processing apparatus has a data modification unit that adds a cleaning command for cleaning the nozzle to the shaping data based on the information included in the shaping data.

[0099] (12) According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing apparatus is provided. This information processing apparatus includes path information representing a relative movement path of a nozzle with respect to a stage, and discharge amount information representing a discharge amount of a modeling material in the movement path, and supplies the modeling data to a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that laminates layers by discharging the modeling material from the nozzle while relatively moving the nozzle with respect to the stage according to the modeling data for modeling a three-dimensional object. The information processing apparatus has a data modification unit that adds a cleaning command for cleaning the nozzle to the modeling data based on the data included in the modeling data.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0100] 5…Three-dimensional modeling system, 10…Three-dimensional modeling apparatus, 11…Information processing apparatus, 12…CPU, 13…Memory, 14…Storage device, 15…Data modification unit, 20…Material storage unit, 22…Supply path, 30…Plasticizing mechanism, 31…Screw case, 32…Drive motor, 40…Material conveyance mechanism, 41…Screw, 42…Groove forming surface, 43…Side surface, 44…Material inlet, 45…Screw groove, 46…Rib portion, 47…Screw central portion, 50…Barrel, 52…Screw facing surface, 54…Guide groove, 56…Communication hole, 58…Heater, 60…Nozzle, 61…Nozzle flow path, 63…Nozzle opening, 65…Inlet, 70…Flow rate adjustment unit, 74…Valve drive unit, 80…Through hole, 90…Heating block, 91…Case portion, 94…Opening, 100…Discharge portion, 110…Housing, 111…Modeling space, 210…Drive unit, 211…First drive unit, 212…Second drive unit, 220…Stage, 221…Modeling surface, 250…Cleaning mechanism, 251…Brush, 252…Blade, 253…Purge portion, 254…First inclined surface, 255…Second inclined surface, 256…Third inclined surface, 258…Fixture, 260…Purge waste material container, 300…Control unit

Claims

1. Path information representing the relative movement path of the nozzle with respect to the stage, and discharge amount information representing the discharge amount of the modeling material in the movement path, and according to the modeling data for modeling a three-dimensional object, while relatively moving the nozzle with respect to the stage, discharging the modeling material from the nozzle to laminate layers, a lamination step; A data modification step of adding a cleaning command for cleaning the nozzle to the modeling data based on the information included in the modeling data. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object is provided with the above steps, and in the data modification step, among a plurality of types of cleaning commands with different cleaning intensities, the selected cleaning command is added to the modeling data. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object.

2. Path information representing the relative movement path of the nozzle with respect to the stage, and discharge amount information representing the discharge amount of the modeling material in the movement path, and according to the modeling data for modeling a three-dimensional object, while relatively moving the nozzle with respect to the stage, discharging the modeling material from the nozzle to laminate layers, a lamination step; A data modification step of adding a cleaning command for cleaning the nozzle to the modeling data based on the information included in the modeling data. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object is provided with the above steps, and in the data modification step, the cleaning command is added to the modeling data so that cleaning is performed at a timing when the nozzle used for modeling the layer is switched. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object.

3. Path information representing the relative movement path of the nozzle with respect to the stage, and discharge amount information representing the discharge amount of the modeling material in the movement path, and according to the modeling data for modeling a three-dimensional object, while relatively moving the nozzle with respect to the stage, discharging the modeling material from the nozzle to laminate layers, a lamination step; A data modification step of adding a cleaning command for cleaning the nozzle to the modeling data based on the information included in the modeling data. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object is provided with the above steps, and in the data modification step, as the modeling time elapses, the cleaning command is added to the modeling data so that the frequency of cleaning increases. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object.

4. Path information representing the relative movement path of the nozzle with respect to the stage, and... ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ including discharge amount information representing the discharge amount of the modeling material in the process of modeling a three-dimensional object, a modeling process of discharging the modeling material from the nozzle while relatively moving the nozzle with respect to the stage according to the modeling data to stack layers, and a data change process of adding a cleaning command for cleaning the nozzle to the modeling data based on the information included in the modeling data, and in the data change process, the cleaning command is added to the modeling data so that the frequency of cleaning is different according to the modeling material, A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object.

5. including path information representing the relative movement path of the nozzle with respect to the stage and discharge amount information representing the discharge amount of the modeling material in the movement path, a stacking process of discharging the modeling material from the nozzle while relatively moving the nozzle with respect to the stage according to the modeling data for modeling a three-dimensional object to stack layers, and a data change process of adding a cleaning command for cleaning the nozzle to the modeling data based on the information included in the modeling data, and having a measurement process of measuring the discharge state of the nozzle after cleaning according to the cleaning command, A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object.

6. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein in the data change process, the cleaning command is added to the modeling data so that cleaning is performed at the timing when the layer to be modeled is switched. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object.

7. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein in the data change process, the cleaning command is added to the modeling data so that cleaning is performed at the timing when the nozzle is relatively moved with respect to the stage to positions separated from each other within the layer. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object.

8. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein in the data change process, the discharge amount of the modeling material, the discharge time of the modeling material, the number of discharges of the modeling material from the nozzle, the length of the movement path, the number of layers modeled, the modeling ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The timing for adding the cleaning command according to at least one of time is determined, A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object.

9. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to claim 5, wherein, when the discharge state measured in the measurement step has not reached a predetermined discharge state, a step of performing cleaning with increased cleaning intensity is provided. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object.

10. A three-dimensional modeling system including a three-dimensional modeling device and an information processing device, wherein the three-dimensional modeling device has a discharge unit that includes path information representing a relative movement path of a nozzle with respect to a stage and discharge amount information representing a discharge amount of a modeling material in the movement path, and discharges the modeling material from the nozzle while relatively moving the nozzle with respect to the stage according to modeling data for modeling a three-dimensional object to stack layers, and the information processing device has a data changing unit that adds a cleaning command for cleaning the nozzle to the modeling data based on information included in the modeling data, and the data changing unit adds the selected cleaning command to the modeling data from among a plurality of types of cleaning commands having different cleaning intensities. A three-dimensional modeling system.

11. An information processing device that supplies the modeling data to a three-dimensional modeling device that includes path information representing a relative movement path of a nozzle with respect to a stage and discharge amount information representing a discharge amount of a modeling material in the movement path, and discharges the modeling material from the nozzle while relatively moving the nozzle with respect to the stage according to modeling data for modeling a three-dimensional object to stack layers, wherein the information processing device has a data changing unit that adds a cleaning command for cleaning the nozzle to the modeling data based on data included in the modeling data, and the data changing unit adds the selected cleaning command to the modeling data from among a plurality of types of cleaning commands having different cleaning intensities. An information processing device. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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