Three-Dimensional Shaping Device And Plasticized Material Dispensing Device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023094570-A1
Application number	US-202217954010-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 27, 2022
Priority date	Sep 28, 2021
Publication date	Mar 30, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

A three-dimensional shaping device includes: a plasticizing unit; a nozzle configured to dispense a plasticized material from a nozzle opening toward a stage; a dispensing amount adjustment unit configured to communicate with the nozzle opening, be provided in a flow path through which the plasticized material flows, and adjust a dispensing amount of the plasticized material from the nozzle opening by changing an area of an opening formed in the flow path; a pressure adjustment unit configured to adjust pressure of the flow path through a branch flow path coupled to the flow path between the dispensing amount adjustment unit and the nozzle opening; and a control unit configured to control the dispensing amount adjustment unit and the pressure adjustment unit. When the control unit changes the dispensing amount from a first dispensing amount to a second dispensing amount, the control unit controls the dispensing amount adjustment unit to change the area of the opening, and then controls the pressure adjustment unit to adjust the pressure of the flow path. The second dispensing amount is a dispensing amount when the plasticized material is dispensed from the nozzle opening.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A three-dimensional shaping device comprising:
a plasticizing unit configured to plasticize a material to generate a plasticized material; a nozzle having a nozzle opening and configured to dispense the plasticized material from the nozzle opening toward a stage; a dispensing amount adjustment unit configured to communicate with the nozzle opening, be provided in a flow path through which the plasticized material flows, and adjust a dispensing amount of the plasticized material from the nozzle opening by changing an area of an opening formed in the flow path; a pressure adjustment unit configured to adjust pressure of the flow path through a branch flow path coupled to the flow path between the dispensing amount adjustment unit and the nozzle opening; and a control unit configured to control the dispensing amount adjustment unit and the pressure adjustment unit, wherein when the control unit changes the dispensing amount from a first dispensing amount to a second dispensing amount, the control unit controls the dispensing amount adjustment unit to change the area of the opening, and then controls the pressure adjustment unit to adjust the pressure of the flow path, and the second dispensing amount is a dispensing amount when the plasticized material is dispensed from the nozzle opening.

2 . The three-dimensional shaping device according to claim 1 , wherein
the nozzle and the stage are moved relative to each other, and when a relative speed between the nozzle and the stage is changed, the control unit changes the dispensing amount.

3 . The three-dimensional shaping device according to claim 2 , wherein
the control unit is configured to
control the dispensing amount adjustment unit to change the area of the opening before the relative speed is changed, and
control the pressure adjustment unit to adjust the pressure of the flow path after the area of the opening is changed and before the relative speed is changed.

4 . The three-dimensional shaping device according to claim 3 , wherein
a timing of changing the area of the opening by the dispensing amount adjustment unit and a timing of adjusting the pressure of the flow path by the pressure adjustment unit are determined according to at least one of a type of the plasticized material, a temperature of the plasticized material, and a degree of change in the relative speed.

5 . The three-dimensional shaping device according to claim 1 , wherein
the pressure of the flow path to be adjusted by the pressure adjustment unit is determined according to a degree of change in the area of the opening.

6 . The three-dimensional shaping device according to claim 1 , wherein
the pressure adjustment unit includes a plunger that moves in the branch flow path, and when a position of the plunger is out of a predetermined range, the control unit controls the pressure adjustment unit to move the plunger by a predetermined amount in a direction approaching the predetermined range during shaping.

7 . The three-dimensional shaping device according to claim 1 , wherein
when the control unit changes the dispensing amount from the first dispensing amount, which is zero, to the second dispensing amount, the control unit controls the dispensing amount adjustment unit to increase the area of the opening in a stepwise manner.

8 . The three-dimensional shaping device according to claim 1 , wherein
when the control unit changes the dispensing amount from the first dispensing amount to the second dispensing amount, the control unit controls the dispensing amount adjustment unit to change the area of the opening, and then controls the pressure adjustment unit in a stepwise manner to adjust the pressure of the flow path in a stepwise manner.

9 . A plasticized material dispensing device comprising:
a plasticizing unit configured to plasticize a material to generate a plasticized material; a nozzle having a nozzle opening and configured to dispense the plasticized material from the nozzle opening; a dispensing amount adjustment unit configured to communicate with the nozzle opening, be provided in a flow path through which the plasticized material flows, and adjust a dispensing amount of the plasticized material from the nozzle opening by changing an area of an opening formed in the flow path; a pressure adjustment unit configured to adjust pressure of the flow path through a branch flow path coupled to the flow path between the dispensing amount adjustment unit and the nozzle opening; and a control unit configured to control the dispensing amount adjustment unit and the pressure adjustment unit, wherein when the control unit changes the dispensing amount from a first dispensing amount to a second dispensing amount, the control unit controls the dispensing amount adjustment unit to change the area of the opening, and then controls the pressure adjustment unit to adjust the pressure of the flow path, and the second dispensing amount is a dispensing amount when the plasticized material is dispensed from the nozzle opening.

Assignees

• Seiko Epson Corp

Inventors

• Ogihara Masaaki

Classifications

• B22F2999/00

  Aspects linked to processes or compositions used in powder metallurgy · CPC title

• B22F10/85

  for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes · CPC title

• B22F10/10

  Formation of a green body · CPC title

• B22F12/57

  Metering means · CPC title

• B22F3/227

  by organic binder assisted extrusion · CPC title