Three-dimensional fabrication device and roller rotation mechanism

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a three-dimensional fabrication device and a roller rotation mechanism capable of easily performing wiring with respect to a rotary roller drive unit and making the size of the device compact, even when dealing with a three-dimensional fabricated object having a complicated shape. [Solution] A three-dimensional fabrication device 1 includes: a housing 95; a discharge part 7 arranged in the housing 95 and discharging a fluid R, that is curable, from an opening 7a; a rotary roller 5 capable of pressing the fluid R discharged from the discharge part 7; and a rotary roller revolution drive motor 9 that revolves the rotary roller 5 with respect to the discharge part 7. The discharge part 7 and the rotary roller 5 are moved to laminate the fluid R discharged from the discharge part 7 to produce a three-dimensional molded article. The three-dimensional fabrication device 1 includes a rotary roller rotation drive motor 22 that rotates the rotary roller 5. The rotary roller revolution drive motor 9 and the rotary roller rotation drive motor 22 are arranged in the housing 95.

Description

Three-dimensional modeling device and roller rotation mechanism

[0001] The present invention relates to a three-dimensional modeling device and a roller rotation mechanism for manufacturing a three-dimensional model by stacking fluid while discharging it from an opening of a discharge part.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, three-dimensional modeling devices are known that manufacture three-dimensional objects by stacking fluids while discharging them from openings in a discharge unit.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 is recognized to describe an additive manufacturing device 1 that includes an applicator head 43 that ejects a thermoplastic material (hereinafter referred to as "fluid") from the opening of a nozzle 51, and a bead forming roller 59 arranged in the vicinity of the applicator head 43, and that moves the applicator head 43 to stack the thermoplastic material ejected from the applicator head 43, in which the bead forming roller 59 is positioned behind the direction of movement of the nozzle 51 (see the description in paragraph "0022", Figure 5, etc.).

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-140392

[0005] However, in the additive manufacturing device 1 described in Patent Document 1, the bead forming roller 59 is positioned behind the movement direction of the nozzle 51, so when trying to change the movement direction of the nozzle 51, a subtle difference occurs between the movement direction of the nozzle 51 (hereinafter referred to as the "discharge section") and the movement direction of the bead forming roller 59 (hereinafter referred to as the "rotating roller"), which creates a problem in that there is a high possibility of unevenness occurring in the fluid being layered.

[0006] Furthermore, when attempting to make an additive manufacturing device (hereinafter referred to as a "three-dimensional modeling device") compatible with laminated objects (hereinafter referred to as "three-dimensional objects") with more complex shapes, various problems arise, including wiring processing for supplying power to the rotating roller drive unit, and there is also the problem that the device itself becomes larger.

[0007] The present invention has been made in response to the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technology, and aims to provide a three-dimensional modeling device and roller rotation mechanism that allows for easy wiring of the rotation roller drive unit, even when used to model three-dimensional objects with complex shapes, and that is compact in size.

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first aspect of the present invention is a three-dimensional printing device comprising a housing, a discharge unit arranged in the housing and discharging a hardenable fluid from an opening, a rotating roller capable of pressing the fluid discharged from the discharge unit, and a first drive unit that causes the rotating roller to revolve around the discharge unit, and which moves the discharge unit and the rotating roller to stack the fluid discharged from the discharge unit to produce a three-dimensional object, characterized in that it comprises a second drive unit that causes the rotating roller to rotate, and the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged in the housing.

[0009] In addition, a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the first aspect, the rotating roller revolves relative to the discharge portion via a first driven part that rotates around a first axis in the longitudinal direction of the discharge portion, and rotates on its own axis via a second driven part that rotates around the first axis independently of the first driven part.

[0010] A third aspect of the present invention is the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the rotating roller is disposed below the second driven part.

[0011] In addition, a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the first aspect, the rotation angle of the rotating roller is corrected based on the revolution angle with respect to the discharge unit caused by the first drive unit.

[0012] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the second aspect, a rotation angle of the rotating roller is corrected based on an angle of revolution relative to the discharge unit caused by the first drive unit.

[0013] In a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the third aspect, a rotation angle of the rotating roller is corrected based on an angle of revolution relative to the discharge unit by the first drive unit.

[0014] A seventh aspect of the present invention is the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged on the same plane.

[0015] An eighth aspect of the present invention is the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged on the same plane.

[0016] A ninth aspect of the present invention is the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged on the same plane.

[0017] A tenth aspect of the present invention is the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged on the same plane.

[0018] An eleventh aspect of the present invention is the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged on the same plane.

[0019] A twelfth aspect of the present invention is the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the sixth aspect, wherein the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged on the same plane.

[0020] A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the three-dimensional modeling device of any of the first to twelfth aspects, the rotating roller is capable of changing its height relative to the discharge portion, and after moving away from the fluid, it is capable of returning a predetermined distance and starting to press the fluid discharged from the discharge portion.

[0021] In addition, a roller rotation mechanism of a fourteenth aspect of the present invention comprises a housing, a first axis arranged in the housing, a rotating roller arranged to be revolvable about the first axis, a first drive unit that causes the rotating roller to revolve about the first axis, and a second drive unit that causes the rotating roller to rotate on its own axis, and is characterized in that the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged in the housing.

[0022] In addition, a 15th aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the roller rotation mechanism of the 14th aspect, the rotating roller revolves around the first axis via a first driven part that rotates around the first axis, and rotates on its own axis via a second driven part that rotates around the first axis independently of the first driven part.

[0023] A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the roller rotation mechanism of the fifteenth aspect, characterized in that the rotation roller is disposed below the second driven portion.

[0024] In addition, a seventeenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the roller rotation mechanism of the fourteenth aspect, the rotation angle of the rotating roller is corrected based on the revolution angle about the first axis by the first drive unit.

[0025] In addition, an 18th aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the roller rotation mechanism of the 15th aspect, the rotation angle of the rotating roller is corrected based on the revolution angle about the first axis by the first drive unit.

[0026] In addition, a 19th aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the roller rotation mechanism of the 16th aspect, the rotation angle of the rotating roller is corrected based on the revolution angle about the first axis by the first drive unit.

[0027] Furthermore, a twentieth aspect of the present invention is the roller rotation mechanism of any one of the fourteenth to nineteenth aspects, characterized in that the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged on the same plane.

[0028] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a three-dimensional printing device includes a housing, a discharge unit arranged in the housing and discharging a hardenable fluid from an opening, a rotating roller capable of pressing the fluid discharged from the discharge unit, and a first drive unit that causes the rotating roller to revolve around the discharge unit, and which moves the discharge unit and the rotating roller to stack the fluid discharged from the discharge unit to produce a three-dimensional object.The device also includes a second drive unit that causes the rotating roller to rotate, and the first drive unit and second drive unit are arranged in the housing.As a result, wiring processing for the first drive unit and the second drive unit can be easily performed even when the device is used to accommodate three-dimensional objects with complex shapes, and as a result, the three-dimensional printing device itself can be manufactured compactly.

[0029] Furthermore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the three-dimensional modeling device of the first aspect, the rotating roller revolves relative to the discharge portion via a first driven part that rotates around a first axis in the longitudinal direction of the discharge portion, and rotates on its own axis via a second driven part that rotates around the first axis independently of the first driven part. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the three-dimensional modeling device of the first aspect, the first drive unit and the second drive unit can be arranged in close proximity, and the three-dimensional modeling device itself can be manufactured even more compactly.

[0030] Furthermore, according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the three-dimensional modeling device of the second aspect, the rotating roller is positioned below the second driven part, so that in addition to the effects of the three-dimensional modeling device of the second aspect, the distance between the discharge part and the rotating roller can be shortened, improving the tracking ability of the rotating roller with respect to the discharge part, and the three-dimensional modeling device itself can be manufactured even more compactly.

[0031] Furthermore, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the three-dimensional modeling device of the first aspect, the rotation angle of the rotating roller is corrected based on the revolution angle relative to the discharge section by the first drive unit, so that in addition to the effects of the three-dimensional modeling device of the first aspect, the three-dimensional modeling device itself can be manufactured reliably and compactly.

[0032] Furthermore, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the three-dimensional modeling device of the second aspect, the rotation angle of the rotating roller is corrected based on the revolution angle relative to the discharge section by the first drive unit, so that in addition to the effects of the three-dimensional modeling device of the second aspect, the three-dimensional modeling device itself can be manufactured reliably and compactly.

[0033] Furthermore, according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the three-dimensional modeling device of the third aspect, the rotation angle of the rotating roller is corrected based on the revolution angle relative to the discharge section by the first drive unit, so that in addition to the effects of the three-dimensional modeling device of the third aspect, the three-dimensional modeling device itself can be manufactured reliably and compactly.

[0034] Furthermore, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the three-dimensional modeling device of the first aspect, the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged on the same plane, so in addition to the effects of the three-dimensional modeling device of the first aspect, the length of the heater for maintaining the fluid in a molten state can be reduced, reducing the energy required to operate the device, and ultimately making it possible to manufacture the three-dimensional modeling device itself more compact.

[0035] Furthermore, according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the three-dimensional printing device of the second aspect, the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged on the same plane. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the three-dimensional printing device of the second aspect, the length of the heater for maintaining the fluid in a molten state can be reduced, and the energy required for the operation of the device can be reduced, and ultimately the three-dimensional printing device itself can be manufactured more compactly.

[0036] Furthermore, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the three-dimensional modeling device of the third aspect, the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged on the same plane. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the three-dimensional modeling device of the third aspect, the length of the heater for maintaining the fluid in a molten state can be reduced, reducing the energy required to operate the device, and ultimately making it possible to manufacture the three-dimensional modeling device itself more compact.

[0037] Furthermore, according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in the three-dimensional printing apparatus of the fourth aspect, the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged on the same plane. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the three-dimensional printing apparatus of the fourth aspect, the length of the heater for maintaining the fluid in a molten state can be reduced, and the energy required to operate the apparatus can be reduced, which in turn allows the three-dimensional printing apparatus itself to be manufactured more compactly.

[0038] Furthermore, according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the three-dimensional printing apparatus of the fifth aspect, the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged on the same plane. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the three-dimensional printing apparatus of the fifth aspect, the length of the heater for maintaining the fluid in a molten state can be reduced, and the energy required to operate the apparatus can be reduced. Ultimately, the three-dimensional printing apparatus itself can be manufactured more compactly.

[0039] Furthermore, according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the three-dimensional modeling device of the sixth aspect, the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged on the same plane. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the three-dimensional modeling device of the sixth aspect, the length of the heater for maintaining the fluid in a molten state can be reduced, and the energy required to operate the device can be reduced. As a result, the three-dimensional modeling device itself can be manufactured more compactly.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the three-dimensional modeling device of any of the first to twelfth aspects, the rotating roller is capable of changing its height relative to the discharge section, and after moving away from the fluid, it is capable of returning a predetermined distance and starting to press the fluid discharged from the discharge section. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the three-dimensional modeling device of any of the first to twelfth aspects, the fluid can be stacked more evenly, and ultimately three-dimensional objects can be stacked and manufactured more efficiently.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the roller rotation mechanism of the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, it comprises a housing, a first axis arranged in the housing, a rotating roller arranged so as to be able to revolve around the first axis, a first drive unit that causes the rotating roller to revolve around the first axis, and a second drive unit that causes the rotating roller to rotate on its axis, and since the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged in the housing, even when the rotation of the rotating roller is made to correspond to a complex shape, wiring processing for the first drive unit and the second drive unit can be easily performed, and ultimately the roller rotation mechanism itself can be manufactured compactly.

[0042] Furthermore, according to the 15th aspect of the present invention, in the roller rotation mechanism of the 14th aspect, the rotating roller revolves around the first axis via a first driven part that rotates around the first axis, and rotates on its own axis via a second driven part that rotates around the first axis independently of the first driven part. Therefore, in addition to the effect of the roller rotation mechanism of the 14th aspect, the first drive part and the second drive part can be arranged in close proximity to each other, and the roller rotation mechanism itself can be manufactured even more compactly.

[0043] Furthermore, according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the roller rotation mechanism of the fifteenth aspect, the rotation roller is disposed below the second driven part, so that the roller rotation mechanism itself can be manufactured even more compactly.

[0044] Furthermore, according to the 17th aspect of the present invention, in the roller rotation mechanism of the 14th aspect, the rotation angle of the rotating roller is corrected based on the revolution angle relative to the discharge portion by the first drive unit, so in addition to the effects of the roller rotation mechanism of the 14th aspect, the roller rotation mechanism itself can be manufactured reliably and compactly.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the 18th aspect of the present invention, in the roller rotation mechanism of the 15th aspect, the rotation angle of the rotating roller is corrected based on the revolution angle relative to the discharge portion by the first drive unit, so in addition to the effects of the roller rotation mechanism of the 15th aspect, the roller rotation mechanism itself can be manufactured reliably and compactly.

[0046] Furthermore, according to the 19th aspect of the present invention, in the roller rotation mechanism of the 16th aspect, the rotation angle of the rotating roller is corrected based on the revolution angle relative to the discharge portion by the first drive unit, so in addition to the effects of the roller rotation mechanism of the 16th aspect, the roller rotation mechanism itself can be manufactured reliably and compactly.

[0047] Furthermore, according to the twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the roller rotation mechanism of any one of the fourteenth to nineteenth aspects, the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged on the same plane, so that the roller rotation mechanism itself can be manufactured even more compactly.

[0048] 1 is an overall perspective view of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a coater according to the first embodiment, seen from diagonally above; FIG. 3 is a front view of the coater according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a drive mechanism of a rotating roller in the coater according to the first embodiment; FIG. 5 is a right side view of the coater according to the first embodiment; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the coater according to the first embodiment, seen from diagonally below; FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which a rotating roller has revolved relative to a discharge unit in the coater according to the first embodiment; FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which a rotating roller has rotated in the coater according to the first embodiment; FIG. 9 is a front view of the coater according to the first embodiment, showing a state in which a rotating roller has lowered relative to a discharge unit; FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first embodiment; FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a main controller of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first embodiment; FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a three-dimensional modeling program in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first embodiment; FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an N-layer coating program in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first embodiment; FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a curved region coating program in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first embodiment. 1 is a flowchart of a rotating roller rotation angle correction interrupt processing program for correcting the rotation angle of the rotating roller in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a pump rotation interrupt processing program in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a temperature adjustment unit interrupt processing program in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the applicator is moved to the modeling table with the rotating roller raised and before fluid is discharged from the discharge unit. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the fluid is discharged from the discharge unit with the gap between the rotating roller and the modeling table set to D1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the fluid is discharged from the discharge unit with the gap between the rotating roller and the modeling table set to D2 (a distance smaller than D1). FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the fluid is discharged from the discharge unit with the rotating roller raised. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram (bottom view) showing an example of an operating state of the discharge unit and the rotating roller in a first stage when the applicator of the first embodiment is used in the curved region coating program. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram (bottom view) showing an example of an operating state of the discharge unit and the rotating roller in a second stage when the applicator of the first embodiment is used in the curved region coating program.22(a) and 22(b) are explanatory diagrams showing an example of the operation state of the discharge unit and the rotating roller in a third stage when the applicator of the first embodiment is used in the curved region coating program. FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram (bottom view) showing an example of the operation state of the discharge unit and the rotating roller in a fourth stage when the applicator of the first embodiment is used in the curved region coating program. FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram (bottom view) showing an example of the operation state of the discharge unit and the rotating roller in a fifth stage when the applicator of the first embodiment is used in the curved region coating program. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram (bottom view) showing an example of the operation state of the discharge unit and the rotating roller in a final stage when the applicator of the first embodiment is used in the curved region coating program. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a three-dimensional object is formed by the rotating roller with the distance between each layer kept constant. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a three-dimensional object is formed by the rotating roller with the distance between each layer changed. FIG. 28 is a diagram equivalent to FIG. 22 (a) and 22(b) are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a state in which a coater of the second embodiment is used.

[0049] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings used in the present embodiments are exaggerated for ease of understanding, and the dimensions are different from the actual dimensions. In particular, the rotating rollers described below in the first embodiment are depicted as having a narrow width, but it should be noted in advance that in reality they are wide enough to allow the width of the fluid to be changed (see FIG. 30).

[0050] First Embodiment First, the configuration of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is an overall perspective view of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] As shown in Figure 1, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 of this embodiment produces a three-dimensional object by layering a hardenable fluid R (see Figures 19 and 20) on a flat plate-shaped modeling table P arranged within an outer frame body H, and is equipped with the outer frame body H, a movable table 59 that moves in the +Y and -Y directions on the outer frame body H, a head unit 3 having an applicator 3a that ejects and layers the fluid R on the modeling table P and a processing machine 3b that shapes the model that has been layered on the modeling table P and hardened, a control panel 2 that controls the operation of the movable table 59 and the head unit 3, etc., an operation panel 8 that allows an operator M of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 to send commands to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1, and a tank 80 for storing powder before it becomes fluid R.

[0052] The fluid R used in this embodiment must be a material that has fluidity before being discharged from the discharge unit 7 (see FIG. 3), which will be described later, and that can be hardened after being discharged from the discharge unit 7. For example, materials that can be used include thermoplastic resins such as ABS resin (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin), ASA resin (acrylonitrile styrene acrylic ester resin), PC-ABS resin (polycarbonate acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin), PLA (polylactic acid resin), nylon 6, nylon 12, polycarbonate, and polypropylene, as well as photocurable resins, gypsum, and wax. Incidentally, the fluid R used in this embodiment is nylon 6 (melting point: 225°C).

[0053] As shown in FIG. 1, the outer frame H has a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape formed by three walls 79a, 79b, and 79c and a beam 79d in an approximately square shape, and the upper parts of the walls 79a and 79c are provided with toothed racks 55a and 55b for moving the movable table 59 in the +Y and -Y directions.

[0054] The movable table 59 operates a Y-axis slide motor 37 (see Figure 10) arranged within the movable table 59 in response to commands from a main controller 4 (see Figure 10) arranged within the control panel 2, and moves in the +Y direction and -Y direction on the racks 55a and 55b together with the head unit 3 equipped with the coating machine 3a and the processing machine 3b.

[0055] The moving table 59 also has a toothed rack 57 on the side for moving the head unit 3 in the +X direction and the -X direction.

[0056] As described above, the head unit 3 comprises an applicator 3a that ejects and deposits the fluid R onto the modeling table P, and a processing machine 3b that shapes the fluid R that has been deposited on the modeling table P and hardened. In response to commands from a main controller 4 (see Figure 10) located in the control panel 2, the head unit 3 operates an X-axis slide motor 35 (see Figure 10) located in the head unit 3, causing the head unit 3 to move in the +X and -X directions on the rack 57 of the movable table 59.

[0057] The processing machine 3b comprises a processing machine main body 45, a processing machine Z-axis slide motor 27 for moving the processing machine main body 45 in the +Z direction and the -Z direction, a trimmer 41 arranged at the tip of the processing machine main body 45 for shaping the object that has been stacked on the building table P and hardened, a processing machine rotation motor 29 (see Figure 10) arranged within the processing machine main body 45 for rotating the trimmer 41 relative to the arm 47, and a processing machine drive motor 31 for driving the trimmer 41.

[0058] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the applicator of the first embodiment seen from diagonally above, Figure 3 is a front view of the applicator, Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining the drive mechanism of the rotating roller in the applicator, Figure 5 is a right side view of the applicator, and Figure 6 is a perspective view of the applicator seen from diagonally below.

[0059] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the applicator 3a flows a fluid R, which is made by melting powder stored in a tank 80, into a hopper 75 from an inlet 51 via a tube 49, then sends it out using an extruder 77 and a gear pump 65, and finally discharges it from the opening 7c of the discharge section 7 toward the modeling table P.

[0060] The coater 3a includes a coater main body 43 and a coater Z-axis slide motor 39 for moving the coater main body 43 largely in the +Z direction and the −Z direction. The coater main body 43 further includes a housing 95, a discharge unit 7 disposed in the housing 95 and discharging the fluid R from an opening 7c, a rotating roller 5 capable of pressing the fluid R discharged from the discharge unit 7, a rotating roller revolution drive motor 9 (corresponding to the “first drive unit” of the present invention) for revolving the rotating roller 5 relative to the discharge unit 7, and a rotating roller 5a. The device is equipped with a rotating roller rotation drive motor 22 (corresponding to the "second drive unit" of the present invention) for rotating the rotating roller 5 on its own axis, a rotating roller up / down movement motor 23 for moving the rotating roller 5 slightly in the +Z direction and the -Z direction, a hopper 75 for storing the fluid R, an extruder 77 for pushing the fluid R stored in the hopper 75 toward the discharge section 7, and a gear pump 65 for further smoothly pushing the fluid R pushed out by the extruder 77 toward the discharge section 7.

[0061] In this embodiment, the rotary roller revolution drive motor 9 and the rotary roller rotation drive motor 22 are both arranged in the housing 95, and although not shown, the connectors for the electric wires (wiring) for supplying power to the rotary roller revolution drive motor 9 and the connectors for the electric wires (wiring) for supplying power to the rotary roller rotation drive motor 22 are also arranged in the housing 95. Therefore, since one of the motors (drive units) will not rotate, wiring can be easily done.

[0062] In addition, the applicator 3a heats and melts powder (not shown) stored in a tank 80 installed outside the outer frame body H using a first heater 40 (see Figure 10), and drives a tank-side pump (not shown) arranged in the tank 80 using a tank-side pump drive motor 33 (see Figure 10), causing the melted fluid R to flow into the inlet 51 via a tube 49.

[0063] The fluid R flowing in from the inlet 51 is stored in a hopper 75, and then extruded by an extruder 77. The fluid R is maintained in a molten state by a second heater 36 (see Figure 10) arranged from the inlet 51 to the discharge section 7, and the gear pump 65 is driven by a head-side pump drive motor 34 (see Figure 10), thereby discharging the fluid R from the tip of the discharge section 7.

[0064] An inflow pressure sensor 53 for detecting the pressure of the fluid R flowing through the tube 49 is provided near the inflow port 51 .

[0065] Of the applicator main body 43, the roller rotation mechanism 50 of the present invention is made up of the housing 95, the discharge unit main body 7a (corresponding to the "first axis" of the present invention) described later that is arranged in the housing 95, the rotating roller 5 that is arranged so as to be revolvable relative to the discharge unit main body 7a, the rotating roller revolution drive motor 9 (corresponding to the "first drive unit" of the present invention) that causes the rotating roller 5 to revolve relative to the discharge unit main body 7a, and the rotating roller rotation drive motor 22 (corresponding to the "second drive unit" of the present invention) that causes the rotating roller 5 to rotate on its own axis.

[0066] The applicator 3a comprises a first toothed pulley 11 for rotary roller revolution connected to the motor shaft of the rotary roller revolution drive motor 9, a toothed belt 20 for rotary roller revolution having one end hung on the first toothed pulley 11 for rotary roller revolution, a second toothed pulley 13 for rotary roller revolution (corresponding to the "first driven part" of the present invention) hung on the other end of the toothed belt 20 for rotary roller revolution, a rotary shaft 15 for rotary roller revolution formed integrally with the second toothed pulley 13 for rotary roller revolution, and a rotary lever 17 formed integrally with the rotary roller revolution shaft 15 and having one end connected to the rotary roller revolution shaft 15.

[0067] The coating machine 3a also includes a first toothed pulley 24 for rotating roller rotation connected to the motor shaft 67 of the rotating roller rotation drive motor 22, a first toothed belt 91 for rotating roller rotation having one end hooked around the first toothed pulley 24 for rotating roller rotation, a two-stage second toothed pulley 26 for rotating roller rotation (corresponding to the "second driven part" of the present invention) having the upper section hooked around the other end of the first toothed belt 91 for rotating roller rotation, a second toothed belt 89 for rotating roller rotation having one end hooked around the lower section of the second toothed pulley 26 for rotating roller rotation, and a third toothed pulley 73 for rotating roller rotation hooked around the other end of the second toothed belt 89 for rotating roller rotation.

[0068] Furthermore, the applicator 3a is provided with: a fourth toothed pulley 69 for rotating roller rotation that is rotatably arranged on the upper surface of the rotating lever 17 and is integrally formed coaxially with the rotation shaft 63 of the third toothed pulley 73 for rotating roller rotation; a third toothed belt 71 for rotating roller rotation that has one end hooked around the fourth toothed pulley 69 for rotating roller rotation; a fifth toothed pulley 38 for rotating roller rotation that is rotatably arranged on the upper surface of the rotating lever 17 and is hooked around the other end of the third toothed belt 71 for rotating roller rotation; a rotating roller rotation shaft 30 that is the rotation shaft of the fifth toothed pulley 38 for rotating roller rotation; a rotating guide 28 that is connected below the rotating lever 17 and to the lower end of the rotating roller rotation shaft 30; and a rotating roller 5 that is rotatably connected to the rotating guide 28.

[0069] The housing 95 forms the base of the applicator 3a and includes a first mounting plate 61 that is approximately rectangular in plan view for mounting the rotary roller revolution drive motor 9 and the rotary roller rotation drive motor 22, and three wall portions 88a, 88b, and 88c that are erected along the three sides of the first mounting plate 61.

[0070] The discharge portion 7 has an approximately hollow cylindrical shape and, as described above, discharges the fluid R from the opening 7c toward the modeling base P. It comprises a hollow cylindrical discharge portion main body 7a (corresponding to the "first axis" of the present invention), a hollow tapered discharge tip portion 7b that tapers to a narrow tip, and an opening 7c through which the fluid R is discharged.

[0071] In this embodiment, the hollow cylindrical discharge portion main body 7a is described as the "first axis" of the present invention, but the "first axis" of the present invention may be a solid cylindrical one, and even if an actual object cannot be identified, the "first axis" may be a concept of a center of rotation, such as the imaginary center line C of the discharge portion 7 shown in Figure 4.

[0072] The rotating roller 5 has an approximately hollow cylindrical shape and is positioned downward within the range of the two-stage second toothed pulley 26 for rotating the rotating roller, which will be described later.It is rotatably mounted on the rotation guide 28 around the rotation axis 25 for running the rotating roller, and is configured to be able to press the fluid R ejected from the ejection section 7.

[0073] The rotating roller 5 also includes a rotating roller temperature sensor 21 (see Figures 22 to 27) for measuring the temperature of the rotating roller 5, and a temperature adjustment unit 19 inside the hollow of the rotating roller 5 for raising or lowering the temperature of the rotating roller 5.

[0074] As described above, the rotary roller revolution drive motor 9 is a drive unit for revolving the rotary roller 5 relative to the discharge unit 7, and is connected to the first mounting plate 61 of the housing 95. The rotary roller revolution drive motor 9 used in this embodiment is a stepping motor, but is not limited to this, and a normal motor such as a DC motor or an AC motor can also be used.

[0075] Here, the revolution mechanism of the rotating roller 5 will be explained with reference to Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4, when the first toothed pulley 11 for rotating roller revolution connected to the motor shaft of the rotating roller revolution drive motor 9 rotates around the first toothed pulley rotation axis 93 for rotating roller revolution (see Figures 23 to 27), the rotational force is transmitted to the toothed belt 20 for rotating roller revolution and to the second toothed pulley 13 for rotating roller revolution hung on the other end of the toothed belt 20, and then transmitted to the rotating lever 17 via the rotating roller revolution rotation axis 15 formed integrally with the second toothed pulley 13 for rotating roller revolution. As the rotating lever 17 rotates, the rotating roller 5 rotates (revolves) around the discharge portion main body 7a (discharge portion 7).

[0076] 6 is a perspective view of the coating machine seen from diagonally below before the rotating roller revolution drive motor 9 is driven, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the coating machine seen from diagonally below after the rotating roller revolution drive motor 9 has been driven.

[0077] As described above, the rotary roller rotation drive motor 22 is a drive unit for rotating the rotary roller 5, and like the rotary roller revolution drive motor 9, is connected to the first mounting plate 61 of the housing 95. Note that the rotary roller rotation drive motor 22 used in this embodiment is also a stepping motor, but is not limited to this, and ordinary motors such as DC motors and AC motors can also be used.

[0078] Here, the rotation mechanism of the rotating roller 5 will be explained with reference to FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, when the first toothed pulley 24 for rotating roller rotation connected to the motor shaft 67 of the rotating roller rotation drive motor 22 rotates, the rotation force is transmitted to the first toothed belt 91 for rotating roller rotation and to the second toothed pulley 26 for rotating roller rotation, which is a two-stage configuration and is hung on the other end of the first toothed belt 91. Then, the second toothed belt 91 for rotating roller rotation, which has one end hung on the lower end of the second toothed pulley 26 for rotating roller rotation, is transmitted to the second toothed belt 91 for rotating roller rotation. The power is transmitted to the belt 89, and then to the third toothed pulley 73 for rotating the rotating roller, and then to the fourth toothed pulley 69 for rotating the rotating roller which is formed integrally with the third toothed pulley 73 for rotating the rotating roller, the third toothed belt 71 for rotating the rotating roller, and finally to the fifth toothed pulley 38 for rotating the rotating roller.As the fifth toothed pulley 38 for rotating the rotating roller rotates, the rotating shaft 30 for rotating the rotating roller and the rotation guide 28 rotate, and the rotating roller 5 rotates around the rotating shaft 30 for rotating the rotating roller.

[0079] 7 is a perspective view of the coating machine seen from diagonally below before the rotating roller rotation drive motor 22 is driven, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the coating machine seen from diagonally below after the rotating roller rotation drive motor 22 is driven.

[0080] In addition, since intermediate members such as bearings are inserted between the discharge section 7 and the rotating roller revolution shaft 15, and between the rotating roller revolution shaft 15 and the two-stage second toothed pulley 26 for rotating the rotating roller, the rotation of the rotating roller revolution drive motor 9 and the rotation of the rotating roller rotation drive motor 22 are independent of each other, and the rotation of the rotating roller rotation drive motor 22 does not affect the rotation of the rotating roller revolution drive motor 9.

[0081] On the other hand, when the rotating roller revolution drive motor 9 rotates and the rotating lever 17 rotates, the rotating roller 5 arranged on the rotating lever 17 automatically rotates around the stopped second toothed pulley 26 for rotating the rotating roller, thereby rotating on its own axis via the second toothed belt 89 for rotating the rotating roller.

[0082] In this embodiment, the number of teeth of the fourth toothed pulley 69 for rotating roller rotation and the number of teeth of the fifth toothed pulley 38 for rotating roller rotation are set to be the same, so if the number of teeth of the second toothed pulley 26 for rotating roller rotation is Na, the number of teeth of the third toothed pulley 73 for rotating roller rotation is Nb, and the revolution angle displacement value of the rotating roller 5 is Δθ2, the rotation angle correction value α of the rotating roller 5 is as follows: α=Δθ2×Na / Nb

[0083] Therefore, when the rotating roller 5 revolves, the rotation angle of the rotating roller 5 is constantly corrected by a rotating roller rotation angle correction interrupt process, which will be described later.

[0084] In this embodiment, the rotation angle value θ1 of the rotating roller 5 is corrected using the rotation angle correction value α of the rotating roller 5 = Δθ2 × Na / Nb, but the formula for calculating the rotation angle correction value α of the rotating roller 5 naturally differs depending on the transmission path between the rotating roller rotation drive motor 22 and the rotating roller 5, and is not limited to α = Δθ2 × Na / Nb.

[0085] As mentioned above, the rotating roller up / down movement motor 23 is a drive unit for moving the rotating roller 5 slightly in the +Z and -Z directions, and is connected to the end of the third mounting plate 84 which is arranged horizontally from the upper end surface of the second mounting plate 82 which is arranged vertically parallel to the wall portion 88b of the housing 95 and spaced apart from the wall portion 88b.

[0086] In addition, a ball screw 87 for moving the housing 95 and the rotating roller 5 in the +Z direction and the -Z direction by rotating is connected to the second mounting plate 82 so that the longitudinal direction of the ball screw 87 is along the +Z direction and the -Z direction.

[0087] That is, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, when the first toothed pulley 81 for the rotating roller up and down movement motor connected to the motor shaft of the rotating roller up and down movement motor 23 rotates, the rotational force is transmitted to the toothed belt 83 for the rotating roller up and down movement motor and to the second toothed pulley 85 for the rotating roller up and down movement motor hung on the other end of the toothed belt 83 for the rotating roller up and down movement motor, and then transmitted to a ball screw 87 connected coaxially with the rotation axis of the second toothed pulley 85 for the rotating roller up and down movement motor, and as the ball screw 87 rotates, the housing 95 and the rotating roller 5 move in the +Z direction and the -Z direction.

[0088] Note that Figure 3 is a front view showing the state in which the rotating roller up / down movement motor 23 is driven to move the rotating roller 5 in the +Z direction and raise the rotating roller 5 relative to the discharge section 7, and Figure 9 is a front view showing the state in which the rotating roller up / down movement motor 23 is driven to move the rotating roller 5 in the -Z direction and lower the rotating roller 5 relative to the discharge section 7.

[0089] The coater 3a also includes a rotating roller temperature sensor 21 disposed on the rotating roller 5 for detecting the temperature of the rotating roller 5, and a rotating roller temperature adjustment unit 19 for adjusting the temperature of the rotating roller 5 based on the detected value of the rotating roller temperature sensor 21. Although not shown in detail in Figures 3 to 6, the rotating roller temperature adjustment unit 19 is disposed inside the rotation shaft 25 of the rotating roller 5.

[0090] Next, a description will be given of the control panel 2. Fig. 10 is a block diagram of the 3D modeling apparatus of the first embodiment, and Fig. 11 is a block diagram of the main controller of the 3D modeling apparatus of the first embodiment.

[0091] In Figure 10, the control panel 2 is operated by an external power supply 6 and includes a main controller 4, a first driver circuit 10 electrically connected to the main controller 4 for driving the tank-side pump drive motor 33, head-side pump drive motor 34, X-axis slide motor 35, Y-axis slide motor 37, coater Z-axis slide motor 39, rotating roller up and down movement motor 23, rotating roller revolution drive motor 9, rotating roller rotation drive motor 22, temperature adjustment unit 19, first heater 40 and second heater 36 of the coater 3a, and a second driver circuit 12 electrically connected to the main controller 4 for driving the processing machine Z-axis slide motor 27, processing machine rotation motor 29 and processing machine drive motor 31 of the processing machine 3b.

[0092] The main controller 4 is also electrically connected to an operation panel 8 through which the operator M of the three-dimensional modeling device 1 sends commands to the three-dimensional modeling device 1, a rotating roller temperature sensor 21 for detecting the temperature of the rotating roller 5, and an inflow pressure sensor 53 for detecting the pressure of the fluid R flowing inside the tube 49.

[0093] Also, in FIG. 11, the main controller 4 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 14, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 16 connected to the CPU 14 so as to be able to input and output, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 18 connected to the CPU 14 so as to be able to input and output.

[0094] The RAM 16 includes a three-dimensional printing data table 16 a that stores printing data of the three-dimensional object to be manufactured (three-dimensional data of the object, height data of the rotating roller relative to the discharge portion for each layer to be stacked, etc.), a rotating roller height instruction value 16 b that stores data for setting the height of the rotating roller 5 relative to the discharge portion 7, a pump rotation instruction value 16 c that stores data for setting the rotation speed of the head-side pump drive motor 34, a roller temperature sensor instruction value 16 d that stores the detection value of the rotating roller temperature sensor 21, a rotating roller temperature instruction value 16 e that stores data for setting the temperature of the rotating roller 5, a discharge portion movement angle value 16 f that stores the angle by which the discharge portion 7 moves, a rotating roller rotation angle value 16 g that stores the rotation angle θ1 of the rotating roller 5, and a rotating roller revolution angle value 16 h that stores the revolution angle θ2 of the rotating roller 5 relative to the discharge portion 7.

[0095] In this embodiment, the discharge unit 7 changes the movement angle from the current movement angle value θn to θn+Δθn based on the discharge unit movement angle command value Δθn at any time, and the movement angle value θn+Δθn of the discharge unit 7 while it is moving is automatically stored in the discharge unit movement angle value 16f of RAM 16 at any time.

[0096] In addition, the rotating roller 5 of this embodiment also changes its revolution angle from the current revolution angle value θ2 to θ2+Δθ2 based on the revolution angle command value Δθ2 at any time, and the revolution angle value θ2+Δθ2 while the rotating roller 5 is moving is automatically stored in the rotating roller revolution angle value 16h of RAM 16 at any time.

[0097] Furthermore, the rotating roller 5 of this embodiment changes its rotation angle from the current rotation angle value θ1 to θ1+Δθ1 based on the rotation angle command value Δθ1 at any time, and the rotation angle value θ1+Δθ1 while the rotating roller 5 is moving is automatically stored in the rotating roller rotation angle value 16g of RAM 16 at any time.

[0098] However, as described above, the rotating roller 5 in this embodiment rotates by revolution of the rotating roller 5, so a correction value α calculated by the rotating roller rotation angle correction interrupt process described later is added, and in reality, the value of the rotation angle value θ1 + Δθ1 + α is automatically stored in the rotating roller rotation angle value 16g of RAM 16 at any time.

[0099] The ROM 18 also includes a three-dimensional modeling program 18a that controls the overall operation of the coater 3a of this embodiment, an N-layer coating program 18b that controls the coating operation of the coater 3a for each layer, a curved area coating program 18c that controls the operation of the coater 3a when coating a curved area, a rotating roller rotation angle correction interrupt processing program 18d that corrects, by interrupt, the rotation angle of the rotating roller 5 due to the revolution of the rotating roller 5 relative to the discharge portion 7, a pump rotation interrupt processing program 18e that processes, by interrupt, the rotation speed of the head-side pump drive motor 34, and a temperature adjustment unit interrupt processing program 18f that processes, by interrupt, the temperature of the temperature adjustment unit 19.

[0100] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the above-described three-dimensional printing apparatus 1. Fig. 12 is a flowchart of a three-dimensional printing program in the three-dimensional printing apparatus of the first embodiment, Fig. 13 is a flowchart of an N-layer coating program in the three-dimensional printing apparatus, and Fig. 14 is a flowchart of a curved region coating program in the three-dimensional printing apparatus.

[0101] In addition, Figure 15 is a flowchart of a rotating roller rotation angle correction interrupt processing program for correcting the rotation angle of a rotating roller in a three-dimensional modeling device, Figure 16 is a flowchart of a pump rotation interrupt processing program in a three-dimensional modeling device, and Figure 17 is a flowchart of a temperature adjustment unit interrupt processing program in a three-dimensional modeling device.

[0102] In FIG. 12, first, a user M of the three-dimensional printing device 1 turns on the power switch of the device, selects a specific three-dimensional object using the operation buttons on the operation panel 8, and presses the start button. The three-dimensional printing device 1 is then set to its initial state (S1), and acquires three-dimensional printing data relating to the printing position and printing height for each layer corresponding to the selected three-dimensional object stored in the three-dimensional printing data table 16a in the RAM 16 (S3).

[0103] In the initial state, the head unit 3 is set to the position shown in Figure 1, and the applicator 3a and the processor 3b are set to a position retracted above the flat-plate-shaped build platform P on which the three-dimensional object is built (see Figure 1).

[0104] Then, the parameter N indicating the layer to be formed by the coating machine 3a is set to "1" ("1" means the first layer) (S5), the coating machine 3a and the processing machine 3b are moved to the coating start position (S7), and the N-layer coating program 18b is executed (S9).

[0105] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the state in which the applicator 3 a is moved to the flat-plate-shaped modeling table P with the rotating roller 5 raised and before the fluid R is discharged from the discharge part 7 .

[0106] As shown in Figure 13, in the N-layer coating program 18b, first, the height of the rotating roller 5 is set based on the three-dimensional modeling data stored in the three-dimensional modeling data table 16a (S31), and then the fluid R is ejected from the ejection unit 7 to perform coating from the coating start position (S33).

[0107] In this embodiment, as described above, the rotating roller 5 can move in the +Z direction and the -Z direction relative to the discharge section 7, so that while discharging the fluid R from the discharge section 7, the gap between the rotating roller 5 and the modeling table P can be changed in various ways to apply the fluid R to the desired thickness.

[0108] For example, Figure 19 shows a state in which the fluid R is being ejected from the ejection unit 7 while the applicator 3a is scanning in the +F direction with the gap between the rotating roller 5 and the modeling table P set to D1, and Figure 20 shows a state in which the fluid R is being ejected from the ejection unit 7 while the applicator 3a is scanning in the +F direction with the gap between the rotating roller 5 and the modeling table P set to D2 (D2 is a distance smaller than D1).

[0109] Incidentally, when the rotating roller 5 is raised so as to move away from the fluid R discharged from the discharge portion 7, as shown in Figure 21, the height of the fluid R discharged from the discharge portion 7 is D3 (D3 is a distance greater than D1).

[0110] Furthermore, if the rotating roller 5 is raised so as to be away from the fluid R discharged from the discharge section 7, as described below, the unevenness of the fluid R that occurs when the movement direction of the discharge section 7 is changed can be eliminated, making it possible to easily produce the desired three-dimensional object.

[0111] Furthermore, the three-dimensional modeling device 1 of this embodiment allows the height of the rotating roller 5 to be changed relative to the discharge section 7, so that the width and height of the fluid R discharged from the discharge section 7 can be easily changed, and ultimately, the desired three-dimensional model can be easily produced.

[0112] At almost the same time as the application is performed, it is determined whether the form to be applied is a straight region or a curved region (S35). If it is determined that the form to be applied is a straight region (S35: No), the process returns to the three-dimensional modeling program 18a (S39). If it is determined that the form to be applied is a curved region (S35: Yes), the curved region application program 18c is executed (S37).

[0113] The determination of whether the application form is a straight region or a curved region is made by comparing the movement angle value of the discharge portion 7 stored in the discharge portion movement angle value 16f of RAM 16 with the movement angle value of the rotating roller based on the rotation angle value θ1 of the rotating roller 5 stored in the rotating roller rotation angle value 16g and the revolution angle value θ2 of the rotating roller 5 relative to the discharge portion 7 stored in the rotating roller revolution angle value 16h.If the movement angle value of the discharge portion 7 and the movement angle value of the rotating roller 5 are the same, it is determined to be a straight region, and if the movement angle value of the discharge portion 7 and the movement angle value of the rotating roller 5 are different, it is determined to be a curved region.

[0114] Figure 22 is an explanatory diagram (bottom view) showing an example of the operating state of the discharge unit and rotating roller in the first stage when using the applicator of the first embodiment in the curved area coating program, Figure 23 is an explanatory diagram (bottom view) showing an example of the operating state of the discharge unit and rotating roller in the second stage, and Figure 24 is an explanatory diagram (bottom view) showing an example of the operating state of the discharge unit and rotating roller in the third stage.

[0115] In addition, Figure 25 is an explanatory diagram (bottom view) showing an example of the operating state of the discharge section and rotating roller in the fourth stage, Figure 26 is an explanatory diagram (bottom view) showing an example of the operating state of the discharge section and rotating roller in the fifth stage, and Figure 27 is an explanatory diagram (bottom view) showing an example of the operating state of the discharge section and rotating roller in the final stage.

[0116] In this embodiment, the right side of the drawing is a movement angle of 0°, the left side of the drawing is a movement angle of 180° (or −180°), the upper side of the drawing is a positive angle, and the upper and lower sides of the drawing are negative angles. In addition, in Figures 22 to 27, the trajectory of the discharge portion 7 is illustrated as trajectory A.

[0117] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the discharge unit 7 and the rotating roller 5 are described as moving from a straight line (movement angle = 0°) to a 90° bend (movement angle = -90°) as an example, but the three-dimensional modeling device of the present invention is not limited to this form, and the discharge unit 7 and the rotating roller 5 can move in any direction.

[0118] As shown in Figure 14, in the curved area application program 18c, first, it is determined whether the rotating roller 5 can follow the movement of the discharge unit 7 (S41). If it is determined that the rotating roller 5 can follow the movement of the discharge unit 7 (S41: Yes), the rotating roller 5 is controlled to follow the trajectory of the discharge unit 7 (S43), and then returns to the N-layer application program 18b (S59). If it is determined that the rotating roller 5 cannot follow the movement of the discharge unit 7 (S41: No), the processing of S45 to S57 described below is executed.

[0119] In this embodiment, whether the rotating roller 5 can follow the movement of the discharge section 7 is determined by whether the distance between the discharge section 7 and the rotating roller 5 exceeds the discharge section-to-rotating roller distance P1 (see Figure 22) when the movement angle value of the discharge section 7 and the movement angle value of the rotating roller 5 are different.If the distance between the discharge section 7 and the rotating roller 5 does not exceed the discharge section-to-rotating roller distance P1, it is determined that the rotating roller 5 can follow the movement of the discharge section 7, and if the distance between the discharge section 7 and the rotating roller 5 exceeds the discharge section-to-rotating roller distance P1, it is determined that the rotating roller 5 cannot follow the movement of the discharge section 7.

[0120] Figure 22 shows a state in which the discharge unit 7 and the rotating roller 5 move from the left side of the drawing, with the discharge unit 7 moving at an angle N = 0° and the rotating roller 5 moving at an angle R = 0°, and the rotating roller 5 continues to move at the same angle R = 0°, while the discharge unit 7 changes its moving angle and begins to move in the direction of N = -90°.In this state, it is determined that the rotating roller 5 can follow the movement of the discharge unit 7 (S41: Yes), and the rotating roller 5 is controlled to follow the trajectory of the discharge unit 7 (S43), and the process returns to the N-layer coating program 18b (S59).

[0121] Figure 23 shows the rotating roller 5 continuing to move at a movement angle R = 0° and the discharge unit 7 continuing to move in the direction of N = -90°. Even in this state, it is determined that the rotating roller 5 can follow the movement of the discharge unit 7 (S41: Yes), and the rotating roller 5 is controlled to follow the trajectory of the discharge unit 7, and the process returns to the N-layer coating program 18b (S59).

[0122] Furthermore, if the rotating roller 5 continues to move at a movement angle R = 0° and the discharge section 7 continues to move in the direction of N = -90°, resulting in the state shown in Figure 24, it is determined that the rotating roller 5 cannot follow the movement of the discharge section 7 (S41: No), and the rotating roller 5 is raised to separate from the fluid R (S45, see Figure 18), and the movement direction of the rotating roller 5 is changed to -90° (S47, see Figure 25).

[0123] Then, it is determined whether the discharge unit 7 and the rotating roller 5 need to return (S49), and if it is determined that the discharge unit 7 and the rotating roller 5 do not need to return (S49: No), the rotating roller 5 is lowered to contact the fluid R at that position (S55), the fluid R is discharged from the discharge unit 7 to start application (S57), and then the process returns to the N-layer application program 18b (S59).

[0124] On the other hand, if it is determined that the discharge unit 7 and the rotating roller 5 need to be returned (S49: Yes), the discharge of fluid R from the discharge unit 7 is stopped (S51), the discharge unit 7 and the rotating roller 5 are returned a predetermined length in a predetermined direction (S53), the rotating roller 5 is lowered (S55), the fluid is discharged from the discharge unit 7 to start application (S57), and then the process returns to the N-layer application program 18b (S59).

[0125] The reason for determining whether or not the discharge section 7 and the rotating roller 5 need to return is so that when the fluid R discharged from the discharge section 7 is applied over a wide area by the rotating roller 5, the rotating roller 5 can return and press the end face of the widened fluid R, and also so that when the bending angle of the discharge section 7 is acute, the rotating roller 5 can return and reliably press the entire fluid R in an area that cannot be pressed by simply rotating it.

[0126] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the discharge of the fluid R from the discharge unit 7 is stopped when the discharge unit 7 and the rotating roller 5 are returned a predetermined length in a predetermined direction, but the discharge of the fluid R from the discharge unit 7 may be stopped when the rotating roller 5 is raised (at the time of S45). In this case, the fluid R can be layered more evenly, and ultimately, a three-dimensional object can be manufactured by layering it more satisfactorily.

[0127] Note that Figure 26 shows the state in which the discharge unit 7 and the rotating roller 5 have been moved back a distance X1 in the +90° direction, and Figure 27 shows the state in which the rotating roller 5 has then been lowered and the discharge unit 7 and the rotating roller 5 have been moved in the -90° direction to perform application.

[0128] When the N-layer application program 18b (S9) is terminated and the program returns to the three-dimensional modeling program 18a, it is determined whether application of the entire N layer (initially the first layer) has been completed (S11). If it is determined that application of the entire N layer has not been completed (S11: No), the N-layer application program 18b (S9) is executed until application of the entire N layer is completed. If it is determined that application of the entire N layer has been completed (S11: Yes), the number of N layers is increased by 1 (S13), and the height of the discharge section 7 is moved upward by one layer (S15).

[0129] Then, it is determined whether all the data of the three-dimensional object has been processed (S17). If it is determined that all the data of the three-dimensional object has not been processed (S17: No), the processes of S7 to S17 are repeated. If it is determined that all the data of the three-dimensional object has been processed (S17: Yes), the Nth layer is set to 1 (meaning the first layer) (S19), the head unit 3 is moved to the initial position (S21), and the process is completed (S23).

[0130] Figure 28 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a three-dimensional object is being formed on the forming table P with the rotating rollers 5 maintaining a constant distance between each layer (distance = D4), and Figure 29 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a three-dimensional object is being formed on the forming table P with the rotating rollers 5 varying the distance between each layer (distances from the first layer to the top = D5, D6, D7, D8, D9).

[0131] Next, an interrupt process that periodically operates separately and independently from the three-dimensional modeling program 18a in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0132] First, the rotation angle correction interrupt process 18d for correcting the rotation angle of the rotation roller 5 will be described, taking into consideration the rotation angle of the rotation roller 5 due to the revolution of the rotation roller 5.

[0133] As described above, in the three-dimensional modeling device 1 of this embodiment, the rotary roller revolution drive motor 9 and the rotary roller rotation drive motor 22 are arranged in the housing 95, making it easy to process the wiring for the rotary roller revolution drive motor 9 and the rotary roller rotation drive motor 22.

[0134] As one embodiment for achieving this objective, the rotating roller 5 of this embodiment is configured to rotate independently by the rotating roller rotation drive motor 22, as well as to rotate by the revolution of the rotating roller 5, and at the same time, the rotation angle of the rotating roller 5 is corrected by the revolution angle of the rotating roller 5.

[0135] In the rotating roller rotation angle correction interrupt process 18d, first, it is determined whether the rotating roller 5 has revolved or not (S61). If it is determined that the rotating roller 5 has not revolved (S61: No), there is no need to correct the rotation angle, and therefore the interrupt process is terminated (S69).

[0136] On the other hand, if it is determined that the rotating roller 5 is revolving (S61: Yes), the amount of movement Δθ2 is obtained from the revolution angle θ2 + Δθ2 stored in the rotating roller revolution angle value 16h in RAM 16 (S63), and the rotating roller rotation angle correction value α is calculated based on the revolution angle Δθ2 (S65).

[0137] Then, the calculated correction value α is added to the rotational roller rotation angle value θ1, and the result is stored in the rotational roller rotation angle value 16g (S67), and the interrupt process is terminated (S69).

[0138] As described above, the calculation formula in this embodiment is α=Δθ2×Na (number of teeth of the second toothed pulley 26 for rotating the roller) / Nb (number of teeth of the third toothed pulley 73 for rotating the roller).

[0139] Next, the pump rotation interrupt process 18e for determining the rotation speed of the head-side pump drive motor 34 will be described.

[0140] In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the amount of fluid R discharged per unit time from the discharge unit 7 is determined by the rotation speed of the head-side pump drive motor 34. The rotation speed of the head-side pump drive motor 34 is determined based on the data stored in the pump rotation instruction value 16c of the RAM 16.

[0141] On the other hand, in the three-dimensional modeling device 1 of this embodiment, the thickness of the layer to be applied is determined by the height of the rotating roller 5 (meaning the height of the fluid to be applied within the layer, not the height from the modeling table P), and therefore the rotational speed of the head-side pump drive motor 34 is adjusted to differ depending on the height of the rotating roller 5.

[0142] In the pump rotation interrupt process 18e, first, height data of the rotating roller 5 (not the height from the modeling table P, but the height of the fluid to be applied within the layer) is obtained from the rotating roller height instruction value 16b in the RAM 16 (S71), and based on the height data of the rotating roller 5, the rotation speed of the head-side pump drive motor 34 is calculated (S73), and the calculated rotation speed is stored in the pump rotation instruction value 16c (S75), and the interrupt process is terminated (S77).

[0143] As described above, the rotation speed of the head-side pump drive motor 34 is controlled based on the data stored in the pump rotation instruction value 16 c of the RAM 16 .

[0144] Therefore, in the three-dimensional modeling device 1 of this embodiment, if the rotating roller 5 changes its height while the discharge unit 7 is discharging fluid R, the pump rotation interrupt process 18e allows the discharge unit 7 to automatically adjust the amount of fluid R discharged, so that the fluid R can be applied without excess or deficiency, making it possible to easily produce the desired three-dimensional model.

[0145] Next, the temperature adjustment unit interrupt processing 18f that controls the temperature of the temperature adjustment unit 19 will be described.

[0146] The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 of this embodiment is configured such that the temperature of the rotating roller 5 and the temperature of the fluid R discharged from the discharge unit 7 are adjusted by the temperature adjustment unit 19, thereby improving the bonding strength between the stacked fluids. The temperature of the temperature adjustment unit 19 is determined based on the data stored in the rotating roller temperature indication value 16e of the RAM 16.

[0147] As described above, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 of this embodiment is provided with the rotating roller temperature sensor 21, and the temperature of the rotating roller temperature sensor 21 is always stored in the roller temperature sensor detection value 16d of the RAM 16.

[0148] In the temperature adjustment unit interrupt processing 18f, first, the first indication value data stored in the rotating roller temperature indication value 16e of the RAM 16 is obtained (S81), and then the sensor value data stored in the roller temperature sensor detection value 16d of the RAM 16 is obtained (S83).

[0149] Then, it is determined whether the sensor value data is equal to or less than the first indication value data (e.g., 230°C) (S85), and if it is determined that the sensor value data is not equal to or less than the first indication value data (e.g., 230°C) (S85: No), second indication value data smaller than the first indication value data is stored in the rotating roller temperature indication value 16b, and the temperature of the temperature adjustment unit 19 is controlled to be lowered (e.g., by 5°C) (S89).

[0150] On the other hand, if it is determined that the sensor value data is equal to or less than the first indication value data (e.g., 230°C) (S85: Yes), a third indication value data greater than the first indication value data is stored in the rotating roller temperature indication value 16b, and the temperature of the temperature adjustment unit 19 is controlled to be increased (e.g., by 5°C) (S87).

[0151] Then, it is determined whether the Nth layer is the lowest layer (S91), and if it is determined that the Nth layer is not the lowest layer (S91: No), the interrupt process is terminated (S99), and if it is determined that the Nth layer is the lowest layer (S91: Yes), it is determined whether or not to manufacture the three-dimensional object integrally with the modeling platform (S93).

[0152] The reason for determining whether or not to manufacture the three-dimensional object integrally with the modeling table is that the three-dimensional modeling device 1 of this embodiment is compatible with both cases where the manufactured three-dimensional object is used integrally with the modeling table and where the manufactured three-dimensional object is used separately from the modeling table.

[0153] In other words, the three-dimensional printing device 1 of this embodiment is configured so that when a three-dimensional object is manufactured in a fixed location such as the printing table P of this embodiment, the three-dimensional object can be easily separated from the printing table P, while when a second printing table is placed on top of the printing table P of this embodiment and a three-dimensional object is manufactured integrally with that second printing table, the three-dimensional object is configured to be integral with the second printing table.

[0154] In addition, the temperature of the temperature control unit 19 is specially controlled for the bottom layer adjacent to the modeling table because, in the bottom layer, it is necessary to take into account the heat capacity including the modeling table in addition to the fluid R and consider the bonding strength of the fluid R.

[0155] If the three-dimensional object is to be manufactured integrally with the modeling table (S93: Yes), the instruction value data is increased and stored in the rotating roller temperature instruction value 16e, an instruction is given to increase the temperature of the temperature adjustment unit 19 (S95), and the interrupt processing is terminated (S99). If the three-dimensional object is to be manufactured separately from the modeling table (S93: No), the instruction value data is decreased and stored in the rotating roller temperature instruction value 16e, an instruction is given to decrease the temperature of the temperature adjustment unit 19 (S97), and the interrupt processing is terminated (S99).

[0156] The three-dimensional modeling device 1 of this embodiment comprises a housing 95, a discharge unit 7 arranged in the housing 95 and discharging a hardenable fluid R from an opening 7a, a rotating roller 5 capable of pressing the fluid R discharged from the discharge unit 7, and a rotating roller revolution drive motor 9 that causes the rotating roller 5 to revolve around the discharge unit 7. The device is intended for producing a three-dimensional object by moving the discharge unit 7 and the rotating roller 5 and stacking the fluid R discharged from the discharge unit 7, and is particularly equipped with a rotating roller rotation drive motor 22 that causes the rotating roller 5 to rotate, and the rotating roller revolution drive motor 9 and the rotating roller rotation drive motor 22 are arranged in the housing 95. Therefore, even when the device is used to accommodate three-dimensional objects with complex shapes, wiring for the rotating roller revolution drive motor 9 and the rotating roller rotation drive motor 22 can be easily performed, and as a result, the three-dimensional modeling device 1 itself can be manufactured compactly.

[0157] Furthermore, according to the three-dimensional modeling device 1, the rotating roller 5 revolves relative to the discharge section 7 via the second toothed pulley 13 for rotating roller revolution, which rotates around a first axis in the longitudinal direction of the discharge section 7, and rotates independently of the second toothed pulley 13 for rotating roller revolution via the second toothed pulley 26 for rotating roller rotation, which rotates around the first axis. Therefore, the rotating roller revolution drive motor 9 and the rotating roller rotation drive motor 22 can be arranged close to each other, and the three-dimensional modeling device itself can be manufactured even more compactly.

[0158] Furthermore, according to the three-dimensional modeling device 1, the rotating roller 5 is positioned below the second toothed pulley 26 for rotating the rotating roller, thereby shortening the distance between the discharge section 7 and the rotating roller 5 and improving the tracking ability of the rotating roller 5 with respect to the discharge section 7, and the three-dimensional modeling device itself can be manufactured even more compactly.

[0159] Furthermore, according to the three-dimensional modeling device 1, the rotation angle of the rotating roller 5 is corrected based on the revolution angle relative to the discharge section 7 by the rotating roller revolution drive motor 9, so that the three-dimensional modeling device itself can be manufactured reliably and compactly.

[0160] Furthermore, according to the three-dimensional modeling device 1, the rotating roller revolution drive motor 9 and the rotating roller rotation drive motor 22 are arranged on the same plane of the first mounting plate 61, which reduces the length of the second heater 36 for maintaining the molten state of the fluid R, thereby reducing the energy required to operate the device, and ultimately allowing the three-dimensional modeling device itself to be manufactured more compactly.

[0161] Furthermore, according to the three-dimensional modeling device 1, the rotating roller 5 can change its height relative to the discharge section 7, and after moving away from the fluid R, it can return a predetermined distance and begin pressing the fluid R discharged from the discharge section 7, thereby allowing the fluid R to be stacked evenly, and ultimately allowing three-dimensional objects to be stacked and manufactured well.

[0162] Furthermore, the roller rotation mechanism 50 comprises a housing 95, a first axis arranged in the housing 95, a rotating roller 5 arranged so as to be able to revolve around the first axis, a rotating roller revolution drive motor 9 that causes the rotating roller 5 to revolve around the first axis, and a rotating roller rotation drive motor 22 that causes the rotating roller 5 to rotate on its own axis.Since the rotating roller revolution drive motor 9 and the rotating roller rotation drive motor 22 are arranged in the housing 95, even when the rotation of the rotating roller 5 is made to correspond to a complex shape, wiring processing for the rotating roller revolution drive motor 9 and the rotating roller rotation drive motor 22 can be easily performed, and ultimately the roller rotation mechanism itself can be manufactured compactly.

[0163] Furthermore, according to the roller rotation mechanism 50, the rotating roller 5 revolves relative to the discharge section 7 via the second toothed pulley 13 for rotating roller revolution which rotates around the first axis, and rotates on its axis via the second toothed pulley 26 for rotating roller rotation which rotates around the first axis independently of the second toothed pulley 13 for rotating roller revolution. Therefore, the rotating roller revolution drive motor 9 and the rotating roller rotation drive motor 22 can be arranged close to each other, and the roller rotation mechanism itself can be manufactured even more compactly.

[0164] Furthermore, according to the roller rotation mechanism 50, the rotating roller 5 is disposed below the second toothed pulley 26 for rotating the rotating roller, so that the roller rotation mechanism itself can be manufactured more compactly.

[0165] Furthermore, according to the roller rotation mechanism 50, the rotation angle of the rotating roller 5 is corrected based on the revolution angle relative to the discharge portion 7 by the rotating roller revolution drive motor 9, so that the roller rotation mechanism itself can be manufactured reliably and compactly.

[0166] Furthermore, according to the roller rotation mechanism 50, the rotary roller revolution drive motor 9 and the rotary roller rotation drive motor 22 are arranged on the same plane of the first mounting plate 61, so the roller rotation mechanism itself can be manufactured even more compactly.

[0167] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the drawings used in this embodiment are also exaggerated to facilitate understanding, and the dimensions are different from the actual dimensions.

[0168] A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 of this embodiment is similar to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, except for the applicator 103a. The applicator 103a is also similar to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, except for the rotating roller 105, which is longer in the longitudinal direction and has a drum shape compared to the rotating roller 5 of the first embodiment, and the rotating lever 117 and rotating roller temperature sensor 121 associated with the rotating roller 105.

[0169] FIG. 30 is a view equivalent to FIG. 22 when the applicator of the second embodiment is used.

[0170] The three-dimensional modeling device 100 of this embodiment comprises a housing 95, a discharge unit 7 arranged in the housing 95 and discharging a hardenable fluid R from an opening 7a, a rotating roller 105 capable of pressing the fluid R discharged from the discharge unit 7, and a rotating roller revolution drive motor 9 that causes the rotating roller 105 to revolve around the discharge unit 7. The three-dimensional modeling device 100 is intended for producing a three-dimensional object by moving the discharge unit 7 and the rotating roller 105 and stacking the fluid R discharged from the discharge unit 7, and is particularly equipped with a rotating roller rotation drive motor 22 that causes the rotating roller 105 to rotate on its own axis. Since the rotating roller revolution drive motor 9 and the rotating roller rotation drive motor 22 are arranged in the housing 95, wiring for the rotating roller revolution drive motor 9 and the rotating roller rotation drive motor 22 can be easily performed even when used to accommodate three-dimensional objects with complex shapes, and as a result, the three-dimensional modeling device 1 itself can be manufactured compactly.

[0171] Furthermore, according to the three-dimensional modeling device 100, the rotating roller 105 revolves relative to the discharge section 7 via the second toothed pulley 13 for rotating roller revolution, which rotates around a first axis in the longitudinal direction of the discharge section 7, and rotates about its own axis via the second toothed pulley 26 for rotating roller rotation, which rotates around the first axis, independently of the second toothed pulley 13 for rotating roller revolution. Therefore, the rotating roller revolution drive motor 9 and the rotating roller rotation drive motor 22 can be arranged close to each other, and the three-dimensional modeling device itself can be manufactured even more compactly.

[0172] Furthermore, according to the three-dimensional modeling device 100, the rotating roller 105 is positioned below the second toothed pulley 26 for rotating the rotating roller, thereby shortening the distance between the discharge section 7 and the rotating roller 105, thereby improving the tracking ability of the rotating roller 105 relative to the discharge section 7, and the three-dimensional modeling device itself can be manufactured even more compactly.

[0173] Furthermore, according to the three-dimensional modeling device 100, the rotation angle of the rotating roller 105 is corrected based on the revolution angle relative to the discharge section 7 by the rotating roller revolution drive motor 9, so that the three-dimensional modeling device itself can be manufactured reliably and compactly.

[0174] Furthermore, according to the three-dimensional modeling device 100, the rotating roller revolution drive motor 9 and the rotating roller rotation drive motor 22 are arranged on the same plane of the first mounting plate 61, thereby reducing the length of the second heater 36 for maintaining the molten state of the fluid R and reducing the energy required to operate the device, and ultimately allowing the three-dimensional modeling device itself to be manufactured more compactly.

[0175] Furthermore, according to the three-dimensional modeling device 100, the rotating roller 105 can change its height relative to the discharge section 7, and after moving away from the fluid R, it can return a predetermined distance and begin pressing the fluid R discharged from the discharge section 7, so that the fluid R can be stacked evenly, and ultimately three-dimensional objects can be stacked and manufactured well.

[0176] The above describes a three-dimensional printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be implemented in various modifications within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0177] For example, in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the above-described embodiment, the rotary roller revolution drive motor 9 and the rotary roller rotation drive motor 22 are arranged on the same plane of the first mounting plate 61, but they are not limited to being arranged on the first mounting plate 61, and if they are fixed and arranged somewhere on the housing 95, wiring for the rotary roller revolution drive motor 9 and the rotary roller rotation drive motor 22 can be easily performed.

[0178] However, arranging the rotary roller revolution drive motor 9 and the rotary roller rotation drive motor 22 on the same plane of the first mounting plate 61 further reduces the length of the second heater 36 for maintaining the molten state of the fluid R, thereby reducing the energy required to operate the device, and ultimately allowing the three-dimensional modeling device itself to be manufactured more compactly.

[0179] Furthermore, for example, in the three-dimensional modeling device of the above-described embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the rotating roller is not limited to this, and the cross-sectional shape of the rotating roller may be an inverted crown shape in which the central portion is set smaller than both end portions, or may be a trapezoid with a flat central portion similar to the inverted crown shape.

[0180] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,100... Three-dimensional modeling apparatus 2... Control panel 3... Head unit 3a, 103a... Coating machine 3b... Processing machine 4... Main controller 5, 105... Rotating roller 6... Power supply 7... Discharge unit 7a... Discharge unit main body (first axis) 7c... Opening 8... Operation panel 9... Rotating roller revolution drive motor 10... First driver circuit 11... First toothed pulley for rotating roller revolution 12... Second driver circuit 13... Second toothed pulley for rotating roller revolution (first driven unit) 14... CPU 15... Rotating shaft for rotating roller revolution 16... RAM 17, 117... Rotating lever 18... ROM 19... Rotating roller temperature adjustment unit 20... Toothed belt for rotating roller revolution 21, 121... Rotating roller temperature sensor 22... Rotating roller rotation drive motor 23... Rotating roller up and down movement motor 24...First toothed pulley for rotating roller 25...Rotation shaft for running rotary roller 26...Second toothed pulley for rotating roller (second driven part) 27...Processing machine Z-axis slide motor 28...Rotation guide 29...Processing machine rotation motor 30...Rotation shaft for rotating roller 31...Processing machine drive motor 33...Tank side pump drive motor 34...Head side pump drive motor 35...X-axis slide motor 36...Second heater 37...Y-axis slide motor 38...Fifth toothed pulley for rotating roller 39...Applicator Z-axis slide motor 40...First heater 41...Trimmer 43...Applicator main body 45...Processing machine main body 47...Arm 49...Tube 50...Roller rotation mechanism 51...Inlet 53...Inlet pressure sensor 55a, 55b...Rack 57...Rack 59...Moving table 61...First mounting plate 63: Rotating shaft of third toothed pulley for rotating roller; 65: Gear pump; 67: Rotating roller rotation drive motor shaft; 69: Fourth toothed pulley for rotating roller; 71: Third toothed belt for rotating roller; 73: Third toothed pulley for rotating roller; 75: Hopper; 77: Extruder; 79a, 79b,79c...wall portion 79d...beam portion 80...tank 81...first toothed pulley for rotating roller up and down movement motor 82...second mounting plate 83...toothed belt for rotating roller up and down movement motor 84...third mounting plate 85...second toothed pulley for rotating roller up and down movement motor 87...ball screw 88a, 88b, 88c...wall portion (housing) 89...second toothed belt for rotating roller rotation 91...first toothed belt for rotating roller rotation 93...first toothed pulley rotation axis for rotating roller revolution 95...housing A...trajectory of discharge portion C...virtual center line H...outer frame body P...modeling table R...fluid,

Claims

1. A three-dimensional printing device comprising: a housing; a discharge unit arranged in the housing and discharging a hardenable fluid from an opening; a rotating roller capable of pressing the fluid discharged from the discharge unit; and a first drive unit that causes the rotating roller to revolve around the discharge unit, wherein the three-dimensional printing device manufactures a three-dimensional object by moving the discharge unit and the rotating roller to stack the fluid discharged from the discharge unit, and further comprising a second drive unit that causes the rotating roller to rotate, wherein the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged in the housing.

2. The three-dimensional modeling device described in claim 1, characterized in that the rotating roller revolves relative to the discharge section via a first driven part that rotates around a first axis in the longitudinal direction of the discharge section, and rotates on its own axis via a second driven part that rotates around the first axis independently of the first driven part.

3. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the rotating roller is disposed below the second driven part.

4. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation angle of the rotating roller is corrected based on the revolution angle of the first driving unit relative to the discharge unit.

5. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the rotation angle of the rotating roller is corrected based on the revolution angle of the first driving unit relative to the discharge unit.

6. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the rotation angle of the rotating roller is corrected based on the revolution angle of the first driving unit relative to the discharge unit.

7. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged on the same plane.

8. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged on the same plane.

9. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged on the same plane.

10. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged on the same plane.

11. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged on the same plane.

12. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged on the same plane.

13. A three-dimensional modeling device as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the rotating roller is capable of changing its height relative to the discharge portion, and after moving away from the fluid, can return a predetermined distance and begin pressing against the fluid discharged from the discharge portion.

14. A roller rotation mechanism comprising: a housing; a first shaft arranged in the housing; a rotating roller arranged so as to be revolvable about the first shaft; a first drive unit that causes the rotating roller to revolve about the first shaft; and a second drive unit that causes the rotating roller to rotate, wherein the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged in the housing.

15. A roller rotation mechanism as described in claim 14, characterized in that the rotating roller revolves around the first axis via a first driven part that rotates around the first axis, and rotates on its own axis via a second driven part that rotates around the first axis independently of the first driven part.

16. A roller rotation mechanism according to claim 15, wherein the rotating roller is disposed below the second driven portion.

17. A roller rotation mechanism according to claim 14, characterized in that the rotation angle of the rotating roller is corrected based on the revolution angle about the first shaft caused by the first drive unit.

18. A roller rotation mechanism according to claim 15, characterized in that the rotation angle of the rotating roller is corrected based on the revolution angle about the first shaft caused by the first drive unit.

19. A roller rotation mechanism according to claim 16, characterized in that the rotation angle of the rotating roller is corrected based on the revolution angle of the first driving unit about the first shaft.

20. A roller rotation mechanism according to any one of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that the first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged on the same plane.

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