THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODELING APPARATUS AND MODELING MATERIAL DISCHARGING MEMBER

A three-dimensional modeling apparatus models a three-dimensional model with a modeling material and includes a processing space, a modeling material discharging member, and a coolant supplying unit. The modeling material discharging member includes: an entrance from which the modeling material is loaded; a discharging unit that discharges the modeling material into the processing space; a transport channel through which the modeling material loaded from the entrance is transported to the discharging unit; a heating unit that heats the modeling material in the transport channel; a cooling unit provided adjacently to the transport channel between the entrance and the heating unit; and a coolant path formed inside the cooling unit. The coolant supplying unit supplies coolant into the coolant path. At least a part of the coolant path is provided between a side surface of the cooling unit along a transport direction of the modeling material and the transport channel.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a three-dimensional modeling apparatus and a modeling material discharging member.

BACKGROUND

Having been conventionally known is a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that models a three-dimensional object (three-dimensional model) having a desirable three-dimensional shape, with a modeling material discharged into a processing space, being discharged from a nozzle (discharging unit) of a modeling head (modeling material discharging member).

For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that models a three-dimensional model using fused deposition modeling (FDM), in a production chamber (processing space) heated by a heater. This three-dimensional modeling apparatus extrudes a thermoplastic material (modeling material) that is heated inside an outlet nozzle (discharging unit) provided on an extrusion head (modeling material discharging member) that is positioned inside the production chamber. The extrusion head is then moved in two-dimensional directions along a horizontal surface while extruding the thermoplastic material, thereby sequentially depositing layers on a platform to form a model structure, and eventually modeling the three-dimensional model. This three-dimensional modeling apparatus is also provided with an air deflector that guides an airflow in the production chamber to the area of the outlet nozzle provided on the extrusion head, in order to cool the outlet nozzle.

SUMMARY

Technical Problem

Generally, in a three-dimensional modeling apparatus in which a heating unit heats the modeling material being transported through a transport channel for transporting the modeling material to the discharging unit in the modeling material discharging member, it is desirable to prevent a heating range of a modeling material by the heating unit from extending upstream of a modeling material transport direction, from the viewpoint of the transportability of the modeling material.

Solution to Problem

To solve the above-described problem, a three-dimensional modeling apparatus models a three-dimensional model with a modeling material discharged into a processing space by a discharging unit, using a modeling material discharging member. The modeling material discharging member includes: an entrance from which the modeling material is loaded; the discharging unit that discharges the modeling material; a transport channel through which the modeling material loaded from the entrance is transported to the discharging unit; and a heating unit that heats the modeling material in the transport channel. The modeling material discharging member includes a cooling unit that is provided adjacently to the transport channel between the entrance and the head heating unit. A coolant path is formed inside the cooling unit. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus further includes a coolant supplying unit that supplies coolant into the coolant path.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to inhibit the heating range of the modeling material by the heating unit included in the modeling material discharging member from extending upstream of the modeling material transport direction, advantageously.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that models a three-dimensional model using fused deposition modeling (FDM) will now be explained.

The present invention is, however, not limited to the fused deposition modeling (FDM), and the present invention may be applied to any three-dimensional modeling apparatus that models a three-dimensional model using any other modeling technique, as long as the three-dimensional modeling apparatus models a three-dimensional model on a mounting surface of the mounting table using any modeling means that is positioned to face the mounting surface.

FIG. 1is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a structure of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus1according to the embodiment.

FIG. 2is a perspective view illustrating an external view of a chamber provided inside the three-dimensional modeling apparatus1according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3is a perspective view of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus1according to the embodiment, illustrated with the front part thereof cut off and removed.

The three-dimensional modeling apparatus1includes a chamber3in a main body frame2. The inside of the chamber3serves as a processing space in which a three-dimensional model is modeled. A stage4serving as a mounting table is provided inside the processing space, that is, inside the chamber3. A three-dimensional model is modeled on the stage4.

A modeling head10serving as a modeling material discharging member is provided above the stage4inside the chamber3. Provided in a lower portion (to the tip of) the molding head10is injection nozzles11from which filament that is a modeling material is ejected. In this embodiment, the modeling head10is configured as one unit including four modeling heads10. The injection nozzles11may be provided in any number. The modeling head10is also provided with a head heating unit12for heating the filament to be supplied into the injection nozzles11.

The filament is a thin and elongated wire-like solid, and is set to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus1as a winding. A filament supplying unit6supplies the filament into each of the injection nozzles11provided to the modeling head10. A different filament may be used correspondingly to each of the injection nozzles11, or the same filament may be used. In this embodiment, a three-dimensional model is modeled by causing the head heating unit12to heat and fuse the filament supplied from the filament supplying unit6, and causing a predetermined injection nozzle(s)11to eject the fused filament, in a manner to extrude the filament, thereby sequentially depositing layers on the stage4to form a three-dimensional model structure.

The modeling material ejected from the injection nozzles11on the modeling head10also contains a support material with which the three-dimensional model is not formed, in addition to the filament with which the three-dimensional model is formed. The support material is generally made of a different material from that of the filament for forming the three-dimensional model, and the support material is eventually removed from the three-dimensional model having been formed with the filament. This support material, too, is heated and fused by the head heating unit12, and the fused support material is ejected from a predetermined injection nozzle11in a manner to be extruded, and is sequentially deposited into a layer structure.

An X-axis driving mechanism21extending in the apparatus right-and-left direction (the right-and-left direction inFIGS. 2 and 3=X-axis direction) holds the modeling head10via a joint member21a, in a movable manner in the longitudinal directions of the X-axis driving mechanism21(in the X-axis direction). With the driving force of the X-axis driving mechanism21, the modeling head10can be moved in the apparatus right-and-left direction (X-axis direction). Because the modeling head10reaches a high temperature by being heated by the head heating unit12, it is preferable for the joint member21ato have a low heat-transfer property so that the heat is not easily transferred to the X-axis driving mechanism21.

A Y-axis driving mechanism22extending in the apparatus front-and-back directions (front-and-back directions inFIGS. 2 and 3=Y-axis direction) holds each end of the X-axis driving mechanism21in a manner to be slidable in the longitudinal directions of the Y-axis driving mechanism22(Y-axis direction). With the driving force of the Y-axis driving mechanism22moving the X-axis driving mechanism21in the Y-axis direction, the modeling head10can be moved in the Y-axis direction.

A Z-axis driving mechanism23fixed to the main body frame2, and extending in the apparatus up-and-down directions (the up-and-down directions inFIGS. 2 and 3, i.e., Z-axis direction) holds the stage4in a manner to be movable in the longitudinal directions of the Z-axis driving mechanism23(Z-axis direction). With the driving force of the Z-axis driving mechanism23, the stage4can be moved in the apparatus up-and-down directions (Z-axis direction).

In this embodiment, a chamber heater7, serving as a processing space heating unit for heating the inside of the chamber3, is provided inside the chamber3(processing space). Because, in this embodiment, fused deposition modeling (FDM) is used in modeling a three-dimensional model, it is preferable to keep the temperature of the inside of the chamber3at a target temperature while performing the modeling process. Therefore, in this embodiment, before the modeling process is started, a preheating process for raising the temperature in the chamber3to a target temperature (e.g., 200 degrees Celsius or so) is performed in advance. During the preheating process, the chamber heater7heats the inside of the chamber3to raise the temperature in the chamber3to a target temperature. The inside of the chamber3is also heated during the modeling process to maintain the temperature in the chamber3at the target temperature. The operation of the chamber heater7is controlled by a control unit100.

The chamber3is made of a heat insulating material or from members provided with a heat insulating material, and has a structure for inhibiting the heat in the chamber3from radiating outside.

An object to be moved by the X-axis driving mechanism21and the Y-axis driving mechanism22is the modeling head10. A part of the modeling head10(i.e., the tip portion of the modeling head10including the injection nozzles11and the head heating unit12) is positioned inside the chamber3. In this embodiment, the inside of the chamber3is kept insulated from the outside even when the modeling head10is moved in the X-axis direction. Specifically, the top surface of the chamber3has a structure in which a plurality of X-axis sliding heat-insulating members3A that are elongated in the Y-axis direction are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction, as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3. The adjacent X-axis sliding heat-insulating members3A can slide with respect to each other in the X-axis direction. In this manner, even when the X-axis driving mechanism21moves the modeling head10in the X-axis direction, the X-axis sliding heat-insulating members3A slide in a manner to follow the movement of the modeling head10in the X-axis direction, so that the top surface of the chamber3always remains covered by the X-axis sliding heat-insulating members3A.

On the top surface of the chamber3through which the modeling head10passes, a plurality of Y-axis sliding heat-insulating members3B are arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction, as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3. The adjacent Y-axis sliding heat-insulating members3B can slide with respect to each other in the Y-axis direction. In this manner, even when the Y-axis driving mechanism22moves the modeling head10on the X-axis driving mechanism21in the Y-axis direction, the Y-axis sliding heat-insulating members3B slide in a manner to follow the movement of the modeling head10in the Y-axis direction, so that the top surface of the chamber3always remains covered by the Y-axis sliding heat-insulating members3B.

An object to be moved by the Z-axis driving mechanism23is the stage4. The object to be moved is positioned inside the chamber3. In this embodiment, the inside of the chamber3is kept insulated from the outside even when the stage4is moved in the Z-axis direction. Specifically, the external walls of the chamber3have sliding holes3C extending in the Z-axis direction and through which joints between the Z-axis driving mechanism23and the stage4passes, respectively, as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3. The sliding holes3C are sealed with flexible sealing members3D made of a heat insulating material. When the Z-axis driving mechanism23moves the stage4in the Z-axis direction, the joints between the Z-axis driving mechanism23and the stage4move along the respective sliding holes3C in the Z-axis direction, while elastically deforming the flexible sealing members3D. Therefore, the sliding holes3C formed on the side surfaces of the chamber3always remain covered by the respective sealing members3D.

In this embodiment, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus1further includes: an in-apparatus cooling device8for cooling the space outside of the chamber3but inside the three-dimensional modeling apparatus1; a nozzle cleaning unit9for cleaning the injection nozzles11on the modeling head10; and a head cooling device30for cooling the modeling head10.

FIG. 4is a control block diagram illustrating the three-dimensional modeling apparatus1according to the embodiment.

In this embodiment, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus1includes an X-axis position detecting mechanism24for detecting the position of the modeling head10in the X-axis direction. The detection result of the X-axis position detecting mechanism24is sent to the control unit100. The control unit100moves the modeling head10to a target position in the X-axis direction, by controlling the X-axis driving mechanism21based on the detection result.

In this embodiment, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus1also includes a Y-axis position detecting mechanism25for detecting the position of the X-axis driving mechanism21in the Y-axis direction (the position of the modeling head10in the Y-axis direction). The detection result of the Y-axis position detecting mechanism25is sent to the control unit100. The control unit100moves the modeling head10on the X-axis driving mechanism21to a target position in the Y-axis direction, by controlling the Y-axis driving mechanism22based on the detection result.

In this embodiment, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus1also includes a Z-axis position detecting mechanism26for detecting the position of the stage4in the Z-axis direction. The detection result of the Z-axis position detecting mechanism26is sent to the control unit100. The control unit100moves the stage4to a target position in the Z-axis direction, by controlling the Z-axis driving mechanism23based on the detection result.

The control unit100can bring the three-dimensional relative position of the modeling head10with respect the position of the stage4to a target three-dimensional position in the chamber3, by controlling the movements of the modeling head10and the stage4.

A configuration and an operation of the modeling head10will now be explained in detail.

FIG. 5is a perspective view schematically illustrating the tip portion of the modeling head10according to the embodiment.FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view of the modeling head10across a part corresponding to one of the injection nozzles11.

On the modeling head10according to the embodiment, four injection nozzles11are provided in an arrangement of two by two, as illustrated inFIG. 5. Note that the four injection nozzles11are illustrated to be arranged side by side inFIG. 1, for the convenience of explanation. The four injection nozzles11are covered (surrounded) by respective individual separate head heating units12, and the control unit100can individually control the head heating units12. In this manner, the filament40or the support material in each of the injection nozzles11can be heated individually by the corresponding head heating unit12. Only the filament40will be explained in the explanation below.

The head heating units12are attached to a heat-insulating portion14that is made of a heat-insulating material, as illustrated inFIG. 5. The heat-insulating material of the heat-insulating portion14is also interposed between the head heating units12. In this manner, the heat of the head heating unit12that is currently performing the heating process is inhibited from transferring to the other head heating units12, and from heating the filament40in the injection nozzles11in the other head heating units12.

The modeling head10includes a cooling unit13provided on the opposite side of the injection nozzles11with respect to the head heating units12, that is, on the upstream side of the head heating unit12in the direction in which the filament40is transported. The cooling unit13has a shape of a single block made of a heat-absorbing material that is highly heat-conductive, such as aluminum, as illustrated inFIG. 5. The cooling unit13is shared among the four head heating units12. However, it is also possible to provide four cooling units13for four head heating units12, respectively.

On the end of the cooling unit13facing the opposite side of the head heating units12, that is, on the upstream end of the cooling unit13in the direction in which the filament40is transported, entrances13bfor loading the filament40are provided correspondingly to the respective injection nozzles11. Each of the head heating units12has a through hole12a, and the cooling unit13has a corresponding through hole13a. Each of the through holes12aand the through holes13bserves as a transport channel through which the filament40loaded from corresponding one of the entrances13bis transported to the injection nozzle11. Each of the head heating units12heats the filament40in the corresponding through hole12ainto a fused state. The fused filament40′ is transported into the injection nozzle11.

At this time, the heat from the head heating unit12propagates not only to the filament40in the through hole12a, but also to the filament upstream in the direction in which the filament40is transported. If a portion of the filament40away from the through hole12ain the head heating unit12on the upstream side of the transport direction becomes heated and fused there, the portion of the filament solidifies when the head heating unit12ends or stops the heating process. Even when the head heating unit12then restarts the heating process, it takes time for the portion of the filament to become fused again. In such a case, the filament40supplied by the filament supplying unit6cannot be transported into the modeling head10and becomes clogged. Therefore, it is important to prevent a heating range of the filament40by the head heating unit12from extending upstream of the filament transport direction as much as possible, so that adhering filament can become fused again quickly after the head heating unit12starts the heating process again.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the cooling unit13is provided to the upstream side of the head heating unit12in the filament transport direction. The heat-absorbing material making up the cooling unit13is positioned adjacently to the through hole13athrough which the filament40passes, so that the cooling unit13absorbs the heat from and cools the filament40in the through hole13a. In this manner, the cooling unit13inhibits the heating range of the modeling material by the head heating unit12from extending upstream in the modeling material transport direction.

To effectively restrict the upstream extension of the heating range of the filament40by the head heating unit12, in the filament transport direction, the cooling unit13is required to have a high cooling effect. It may be considered that a cooling method used for the cooling unit13includes an air cooling system in which the cooling unit13is cooled by blowing the air against the cooling unit13from the outside; however, the air cooling system does not have a sufficient cooling effect. This is because, although the air cooling system can lower the temperature of the external surface of the cooling unit13, the air cooling system is not quite capable of lowering the temperature in the cooling unit13adjacent to the through hole13athrough which the filament40passes, and of cooling the filament40in the through hole13a, sufficiently.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inside of the chamber3is heated to a high temperature, and the head heating unit12included in the modeling head10needs to be entirely positioned inside the chamber3. Therefore, the cooling unit13, which is provided adjacently to the head heating unit12on the upstream side of the filament transport direction, is also positioned partly or entirely inside the highly heated chamber3. In such a configuration, a sufficient cooling effect cannot be achieved even if blowing the highly heated air in the chamber3against the cooling unit13, using the air cooling system.

It may also be considered that a cooling method used for the cooling unit13is a method of positioning a part of the cooling unit13(a part of the cooling unit13on the upstream side of the filament transport direction) outside the chamber3, and cooling the part of the cooling unit13positioned outside of the chamber3with the air cooling system. However, in such a configuration too, the part cooled by the air cooling system is away from the part of the cooling unit13positioned near the head heating unit12(the downstream part of the cooling unit13in the filament transport direction). Therefore, it is difficult to cool the cooling unit13in such a manner to prevent the heating range of the filament40by the head heating unit12from extending upstream of the filament transport direction.

FIG. 7is a schematic for explaining the internal structure of the cooling unit13according to the embodiment, viewed from the horizontal direction.FIG. 8is a schematic for explaining the internal structure of the cooling unit13according to the embodiment, in a top view from the vertical direction.

FIG. 9is a diagram schematically illustrating a cooling mechanism of the cooling unit13according to the embodiment.

In the embodiment, as illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8, a coolant path15is formed inside the cooling unit13. A transfer tube31for conveying cooling water, serving as coolant sent out from the head cooling device30serving as a coolant supplying unit, is connected to a coolant inlet15aof the coolant path15. A return tube32for conveying the cooling water to be returned to the head cooling device30is connected to a coolant outlet15bof the coolant path15. The cooling water sent out from the head cooling device30passes through the transfer tube31and through the coolant inlet15a, and flows into the coolant path15in the cooling unit13. The cooling water then passes through the coolant path15and through the coolant outlet15b, enters the return tube32, and is returned to the head cooling device30. The head cooling device30serves as a coolant circulating unit, and uses a coolant circulating technique in which the cooling water from the return tube32is cooled and sent out again via the transfer tube31. However, the head cooling device30may use a technique in which the coolant is not circulated.

In this embodiment, the coolant path15is formed inside the cooling unit13in a manner to pass near the through hole13aformed inside the cooling unit13. Specifically, in this embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 8, the coolant path15is formed in such a manner that the coolant path15goes around the periphery of the through hole13aat least once. In this manner, a higher cooling efficiency can be achieved, because the heat of the filament40within the through holes13acan be moved to the cooling water via the periphery of the through holes13a. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 9, the coolant path15is provided to a major part of the cooling unit13in the filament transport direction, and therefore, the cooling water can remove the heat of the entire cooling unit13, to enable a higher cooling efficiency to be achieved.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a single coolant inlet15aand a single coolant outlet15bare shared among the coolant paths15that are positioned adjacently to the respective through holes13acorresponding to the respective injection nozzles11. As a possible configuration for sharing a single coolant inlet15aand a single outlet15binclude an example in which the coolant paths15provided adjacently to the respective through holes13a, which correspond to the respective injection nozzles11, may be branched from the coolant inlet15a, and merged at the coolant outlet15b; however, in this embodiment, the coolant paths15that are positioned adjacently to the respective through holes13a, which correspond to the respective injection nozzles11, are formed as one coolant path.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the modeling head10is moved by the X-axis driving mechanism21and the Y-axis driving mechanism22. Therefore, it is preferable to use a flexible material, such as resin, for the transfer tube31and the return tube32that connect the head cooling device30to the inside of the cooling unit13on the modeling head10, so that the movement of the modeling head10is not obstructed thereby. It is, however, difficult for the transfer tube31or the return tube32made of such a flexible material to have a high heat resistance in general. Therefore, it is preferable to avoid a configuration in which the transfer tube31and the return tube32are positioned inside the chamber3that is a high-temperature environment as is in the embodiment.

Therefore, in the embodiment, the cooling unit13is structured in such a manner that the coolant inlet15aand the coolant outlet15bof the coolant path15are positioned outside of the chamber3, as illustrated inFIG. 9. More specifically, an upper portion of the cooling unit (a part of the cooling unit13on the upstream side of the filament transport direction) is positioned outside the chamber3, and the coolant inlet15aand the coolant outlet15bare positioned in the upper portion of the cooling unit13. In this manner, the transfer tube31and the return tube32connected to the coolant inlet15aand the coolant outlet15b, respectively, do not required to have such a high heat resistance of a level capable of tolerating the high temperature environment in the chamber3, so that these tubes can be made using a general flexible material.

FIG. 10is a diagram schematically illustrating a structure of a connection between the coolant inlet15aand the transfer tube31. In this embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 10, a coupler33is fitted into and fixed to the coolant inlet15aof the cooling unit13, and a screw portion attached to the tip31aof the transfer tube31is attached to the threaded hole of the coupler33. The structure is, however, not limited thereto.

In this embodiment, water is used as coolant supplied into the coolant path15, but any other liquid or gas may be selected and used, as appropriate.

A modification of the embodiment (hereinafter, the modification will be referred to as a “modification 1”) will now be explained.

FIG. 11is a schematic for explaining the internal structure of the cooling unit13according to the modification 1, viewed from the horizontal direction.

FIG. 12is a schematic for explaining the internal structure of the cooling unit13according to the modification 1, in a top view from the vertical direction.

The coolant path15formed inside the cooling unit13in the embodiment described above has a spiral shape that is wound around the periphery of the through hole13acorresponding to each of the injection nozzles11, in a manner to surround the through hole13ain the longitudinal direction (filament transport direction) of the through hole13a. In the modification 1, the coolant path15is formed in a manner to surround the through holes13aby meandering in the circumferential direction of the through hole13a. Specifically, the coolant path15corresponding to each of the through holes13ain the modification 1 meanders repeatedly along the circumferential direction of the through hole13a, where the coolant path15extends downwardly from the inlet along the through hole13a, folded upwardly at a lower turning point15cand extends upwardly, and folded downwardly at an upper turning point15dand extends downwardly, and is connected to the outlet that is at the upper end of the coolant path15extending upwardly.

In the modification 1, for two coolant paths15among the four coolant paths15corresponding to the respective through holes13a, an outlet15b′ of one coolant path15is connected to an inlet15a′ of the other coolant path15via a connecting passageway34, and these two coolant paths15share a single coolant inlet15athat is connected to the transfer tube31, and the single coolant outlet15bthat is connected to the return tube32. In other words, the cooling unit13according to the modification 1 is connected with two transfer tubes31and two return tubes32, and has two circulatory channels for circulating the cooling water.

According to the modification 1, the coolant paths15formed inside the cooling unit13can be formed more easily, compared with the spiral-shaped counterpart according to the embodiment described above, and the coolant paths15can be formed inside the cooling unit13using relatively easy processing.

Another modification of embodiment (hereinafter, the modification will be referred to as a “modification 2”) will now be explained.

FIG. 13is a schematic for explaining the internal structure of the cooling unit13according to the modification 2, viewed from the horizontal direction.

FIG. 14is a schematic for explaining the internal structure of the cooling unit13according to the modification 2, in a top view from the vertical direction.

In the modification 2, too, the coolant path15is formed in such a manner that each of the through holes13ais surrounded by the coolant path15that meanders along the circumferential direction of the through hole13a, in the same manner as that in the modification 1 described above. However, a transfer tube31and a return tube32are connected to each of the four coolant paths15corresponding to the through holes13a. In the modification 2 as well, the coolant paths15formed inside the cooling unit13can be formed more easily, compared with the spiral-shaped counterpart according to the embodiment described above, and the coolant paths15can be formed inside the cooling unit13using relatively easy processing, in the same manner as that in the modification 1 described above.

Still another modification (hereinafter, the modification will be referred to as a “modification 3”) of the embodiment will now be explained.

FIG. 15is a partial cross-sectional view of the modeling head10corresponding to one of the injection nozzles11in the modification 3.

FIG. 16is a perspective view of the cooling unit13according to the modification 3, viewed from the bottom side thereof (from the side of the injection nozzles11).

FIG. 17is a perspective view of the cooling unit13according to the modification 3, viewed from the top side thereof (from the opposite side of the injection nozzles11).

FIG. 18is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the cooling unit13according to the modification 3, horizontally cut across coolant paths15A to15G.

FIG. 19is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cooling unit13according to the modification 3, vertically cut across the through holes13-1a,13-3a.

To simplify the production, the cooling unit13according to the modification 3 has a simplified structure. Specifically, coolant paths15A to15G, which are formed inside the cooling unit13according to the modification 3, are provided meandering on the same plane (horizontal surface), in such a manner to pass near the through holes13-1a,13-2a,13-3a, and13-4acorresponding to the respective injection nozzles11, as illustrated inFIG. 18. Specifically, the coolant paths15A to15G according to the modification 3 extend from the coolant inlet15aprovided on a side surface of the cooling unit13, pass beside the through hole13-1a, extend in the horizontal direction (downwardly inFIG. 18), turn back 180 degrees in a manner to go around the through hole13-2a, extend in the horizontal direction (upwardly in theFIG. 18) passing beside the through hole13-1aagain, are bent by 90 degrees and extend toward the side of the through hole13-3a, are bent by 90 degrees again, extend in the horizontal direction (downwardly inFIG. 18) passing beside the through hole13-3a, turn back by 180 degrees in a manner to go around the through hole13-4a, extend in the horizontal direction (upwardly inFIG. 18) passing beside the through hole13-3aagain, and continue to the coolant outlet15b.

The cooling unit13having a structure according to the modification 3 can be achieved by forming the coolant paths using a more simplified processing of boring holes using a drill or the like from the side surfaces of the cooling unit13to form the coolant paths15A to15G, and sealing the unnecessary opening with sealed screws16, excluding the openings serving as the coolant inlet15aand the coolant outlet15b, for example.

Furthermore, the height of the cooling unit13according to the modification 3 can be reduced compared with the heights of counterparts according to the embodiment, the modification 1, and the modification 2, because the coolant paths15A to15G are formed in a meandering manner on the same plane (horizontal surface), as described above. In this manner, the volume of the cooling unit13can be reduced, so that the cooling unit13can be reduced in weight, and that a weight reduction in the entire modeling head10can be achieved.

The cooling unit13according to the modification 3 has a smaller cooling capacity compared with that achieved by the counterparts according to the embodiment, the modification 1, and the modification 2 described above, because the total area on which the through holes13-1a,13-2a,13-3a,13-4acome near the coolant paths15A to15G is small. However, the cooling capacity can be increased by stacking the cooling unit13according to the modification 3 in a plurality of strata in the height direction, as illustrated inFIG. 20. In other words, with the cooling unit13according to the modification 3, the number of the cooling units13to be stacked can be increased or decreased, depending on the cooling capacity required. As a result, when the required cooling capacity is small, the number of cooling units13to be stacked can be reduced, so that the weight of the modeling head10can be reduced. When the required cooling capacity is greater, the number of cooling units13to be stacked can be increased to ensure a sufficient cooling capacity.

Those explained above are merely some examples, and the advantageous effects unique to each of the following aspects can be provided.

A three-dimensional modeling apparatus1that models a three-dimensional model with a modeling material discharged into a processing space, such as the chamber3, by a discharging unit, using a modeling material discharging member, such as the modeling head10. The modeling material discharging member includes the entrance13bfrom which the modeling material, examples of which are filament40and a support material, is loaded, the discharging unit, such as the injection nozzles11, that discharges the modeling material, a transport channel, such as the through holes12a,13a, through which the modeling material loaded from the entrance13bis transported to the discharging unit, a heating unit, such as the head heating unit12, that heats the modeling material in the transport channel. The modeling material discharging member includes the cooling unit13that is provided adjacently to the transport channel between the entrance13band the head heating unit12(the through hole13a). The coolant path15is formed inside the cooling unit13. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus1further includes a coolant supplying unit, such as the head cooling device30, that supplies coolant, such as cooling water, into the coolant path15.

In the modeling material discharging member according to this aspect, the cooling unit13is provided adjacently to the transport channel between the entrance13band the head heating unit12. Therefore, it is possible to inhibit the heating range of the modeling material by the head heating unit12from extending upstream of the modeling material transport direction. However, if an air cooling system, in which the air is blown against the cooling unit13from the outside, is to be used as the technique for cooling the cooling unit13having absorbed the heat from the modeling material in the transport channel, the cooling efficiency may be insufficient. This is because, although the air cooling system can lower the temperature of the external surface of the cooling unit13, the air cooling system is not quite capable of lowering the temperature of the part that is adjacent to the transport channel through which the modeling material is passed, and therefore, not quite capable of cooling the modeling material sufficiently.

According to this aspect, a coolant system is used that includes the coolant path15formed inside the cooling unit13, and the coolant supplying unit that supplies a coolant into the coolant path15, and the modeling material is cooled thereby. With this, the coolant path15can be formed in a manner to pass near the part that is adjacent to the transport channel, so that the temperature of the part that is adjacent to the transport channel can be lowered, and the modeling material passing through the transport channel can be cooled sufficiently. In this manner, the modeling material in the transport channel between the entrance13band the head heating unit12can be cooled effectively. Therefore, it is possible to inhibit the heating range of the modeling material by the head heating unit12from extending upstream of the modeling material transport direction.

In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to aspect A, the cooling unit13is made of a heat-conductive material.

According to this aspect, the heat of the modeling material in the transport channel can be transferred effectively to the coolant in the coolant path15, via the heat-conductive material of the cooling unit13.

In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to aspect A or B, the modeling material discharging member is provided in plurality. The entrance13b, the discharging unit, and the transport channel are included in each of the modeling material discharging members, but the cooling unit13is shared among the modeling material discharging members.

According to this aspect, a structure including a plurality of modeling material discharging members can be simplified, compared with when a separate cooling unit13is provided to each of the modeling material discharging members.

In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of aspects A to C, the modeling material discharging member is provided in plurality. Each of the modeling material discharging members includes the entrance13b, the discharging unit, and the transport channel. The coolant inlet15aand the coolant outlet15bare shared among the coolant paths15which are provided inside the cooling unit13and respectively provided adjacently to the transport channels in the modeling material discharging members.

According to this aspect, a structure including a plurality of modeling material discharging members can be simplified, compared with a structure in which the coolant inlet15aand the coolant outlet15bof the coolant path15are provided separately to each of the modeling material discharging members.

In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any of aspects A to D, the coolant is a liquid such as cooling water.

According to this aspect, it is possible to use a coolant system that uses a liquid coolant.

In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of aspects A to E, the coolant supplying unit includes a coolant circulating unit that circulates the coolant so as to pass through the coolant path15.

According to this aspect, a structure with no discharge of the coolant can be achieved.

The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of aspect A to F further includes a processing space heating unit, such as the chamber heater7, that heats the processing space. The cooling unit13includes a coolant inlet15athrough which the coolant enters the coolant path15, and a coolant outlet15bthrough which the coolant is discharged from the coolant path15. The coolant inlet15aand the coolant outlet15bare positioned outside of the processing space.

According to this aspect, it is possible to achieve a configuration in which the coolant conveying members, such as the transfer tube31and the return tube32, that are connected to the coolant inlet15aand the coolant outlet15bare not positioned inside the processing space that is heated to a high temperature. As a result, because the coolant conveying members are not required to have a high heat resistance, the coolant conveying members can be manufactured using a low heat-resistant material.

In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to aspect G, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus also includes a moving unit, such as the X-axis driving mechanism21and the Y-axis driving mechanism22, that moves the modeling material discharging member.

In a structure in which the modeling material discharging member moves, as specified in this aspect, it is preferable for the coolant conveying members connected to the coolant path15in the cooling unit13, included in the modeling material discharging member, to be made of a flexible material so that the movement of the modeling material discharging member is not obstructed thereby. In this aspect, because the coolant conveying members can be made of a low heat-resistant material, as described above, the coolant conveying members can be easily manufactured with a flexible material.

A modeling material discharging member, such as the modeling head10, includes the entrance13bfrom which a modeling material, such as the filament40and a support material, is loaded, a discharging unit, such as the injection nozzles11, that discharges the modeling material, a transport channel, such as the through holes12a,13a, through which the modeling material loaded from the entrance13bis transported to the discharging unit, and the head heating unit12that heats the modeling material in the transport channel. The modeling material discharging member includes the cooling unit13that is provided adjacently to the transport channel (the through hole13a) positioned between the entrance13band the head heating unit12. The coolant path15is formed inside the cooling unit13.

According to this aspect, it is possible to inhibit the heating range of the modeling material by the head heating unit12from extending upstream of the modeling material transport direction.

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