JP2007223192A - Apparatus for forming powder sintered laminate and method for forming the same - Google Patents

Apparatus for forming powder sintered laminate and method for forming the same Download PDF

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JP2007223192A
JP2007223192A JP2006047971A JP2006047971A JP2007223192A JP 2007223192 A JP2007223192 A JP 2007223192A JP 2006047971 A JP2006047971 A JP 2006047971A JP 2006047971 A JP2006047971 A JP 2006047971A JP 2007223192 A JP2007223192 A JP 2007223192A
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modeling
powder material
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JP4856979B2 (en
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Tadashi Hagiwara
正 萩原
Toshiki Shinno
俊樹 新野
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Aspect Inc
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<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for forming a powder sintered laminate capable of keeping the surface temperature of a thin layer of a powdery material to be homogeneous, all over the forming process from forming the thin layer of the powdery material to forming a sintered thin layer. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus comprises a container for forming 13 surrounding a forming region 13a for forming a thin layer of the powdery material and forming the sintering thin layer by selectively sintering the thin layer of the powdery material, a powdery material container 14a and 14b for storing the powdery material installed at the side of the container for forming 13, heat sources 18c-18f for heating the forming region 13a installed at least one site over the surrounding part of the forming region 13a and reflectors 19e-19h for reflecting heat ray installed near the heat source 18c-18f for assisting to heat the surrounding part of the forming region 13a where heat sources 18c-18f are not installed above. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、造形用テーブル上に複数の焼結薄層を積層して３次元造形物を作製する粉末焼結積層造形装置及び粉末焼結積層造形方法に関する。   The present invention relates to a powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus and a powder sintering additive manufacturing method for producing a three-dimensional object by laminating a plurality of sintered thin layers on a modeling table.

近年、機能試験用試作部品や少量多品種の製品に使用される部品等を造形することができる造形装置への要望が増えてきつつある。   In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for modeling apparatuses capable of modeling functional test prototype parts and parts used in a small variety of products.

この要求を満たすものとして、光造形装置や粉末焼結積層造形装置などがある。なかでも、粉末焼結積層造形装置は、紫外線硬化性樹脂を使用する光造形装置と異なり、多種類かつ強靭な材料が使用できることが大きな特徴の一つであり、市場での認知度も向上し、さまざまな用途で使用されはじめている。   There exist an optical shaping | molding apparatus, a powder sintering layered shaping apparatus etc. as what satisfy | fills this request | requirement. Above all, powder sintering additive manufacturing equipment is one of the major features that can be used with a variety of tough materials, unlike optical modeling equipment that uses UV curable resin, and it has improved market recognition. It is starting to be used for various purposes.

このような粉末焼結積層造形装置では、造形用容器内で、順次、粉末材料の薄層を形成し、その粉末材料の薄層を選択的に加熱し、焼結して焼結薄層を形成し、焼結薄層を積層して３次元造形物を作製するため、焼結薄層と焼結されないで残った焼結薄層周囲の粉末材料とが造形用容器内に収納されることとなる。そして、造形物の反りを防止するため、および、造形に必要なレーザ出力を小さくするために、造形時に造形用容器などに設置された加熱手段により焼結直前の樹脂粉末の表面温度をその造形材料の融点から５〜１５℃程度低い温度に予備加熱し、広い造形領域全体の表面が均一な温度となるように加熱することは困難である。   In such a powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus, a thin layer of powder material is sequentially formed in a modeling container, and the thin layer of powder material is selectively heated and sintered to form a sintered thin layer. In order to form a three-dimensional structure by forming and laminating the sintered thin layer, the sintered thin layer and the powder material around the sintered thin layer remaining without being sintered must be stored in the modeling container. It becomes. In order to prevent warping of the modeled object and to reduce the laser output necessary for modeling, the surface temperature of the resin powder immediately before sintering is determined by the heating means installed in the modeling container during modeling. It is difficult to preheat the material to a temperature lower by about 5 to 15 ° C. than the melting point of the material and to heat the entire surface of the large modeling region so as to have a uniform temperature.

しかしながら、一般的に、造形領域の中央部よりも周辺部で粉末材料の温度が低くなる傾向にある。   However, generally, the temperature of the powder material tends to be lower in the peripheral portion than in the central portion of the modeling region.

そのため、造形領域の上方であって、レーザ光の通過領域の境界全周囲を囲むように加熱手段を設置する場合がある（特許文献１、２を参照）。
特表平９−５０７８８２号公報(特許２８４７５７９) 特表平１１−５０８３２２号公報(特許３６３０６７８) Therefore, a heating means may be installed above the modeling area so as to surround the entire boundary of the laser light passing area (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
Japanese Patent Publication No. 9-507882 (Patent No. 2847579) Japanese National Patent Publication No. 11-508322 (Patent 3630678)

しかしながら、このように改良された装置でも、中央部の温度が高くなる傾向があり、造形領域の粉末材料の温度を十分に均一にすることが難しい。   However, even in such an improved apparatus, the temperature of the central portion tends to be high, and it is difficult to make the temperature of the powder material in the modeling region sufficiently uniform.

本発明は、上記の従来例の問題点に鑑みて創作されたものであり、粉末材料の薄層の形成から焼結薄層の形成まで、全造形領域にわたって粉末材料の薄層の表面の温度を均一にすることができる粉末焼結積層造形装置及び粉末焼結積層造形方法を提供するものである。   The present invention was created in view of the above-described problems of the conventional example, and the temperature of the surface of the thin layer of the powder material over the entire modeling area from the formation of the thin layer of the powder material to the formation of the sintered thin layer. The powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus and the powder sintering additive manufacturing method can be provided.

上記課題を解決するため、第１の発明は、粉末焼結積層造形装置に係り、レーザ光を照射して粉末材料の薄層を焼結させ、複数の焼結薄層を積層して３次元造形物を作製する粉末焼結積層造形装置であって、前記粉末材料の薄層を形成し、該粉末材料の薄層を選択的に焼結させて前記焼結薄層を形成する平面形状を有する造形領域を囲む造形用容器と、前記造形領域の左右両側のうち少なくとも一方の側方に設置され、前記造形領域に供給する粉末材料を貯留する粉末材料容器と、前記造形領域の周辺部の上方の少なくとも１箇所であって、前記造形領域の周縁に到達し得る前記レーザ光の通過領域の外側に設置された、前記造形領域を加熱する熱源と、前記造形領域の周辺部のうち、上方に前記熱源が設置されていない造形領域の周辺部への加熱を補助する熱線の反射板とを備えたことを特徴とし、
第２の発明は、第１の発明の粉末焼結積層造形装置に係り、前記造形領域は線対称の平面形状を有することを特徴とし、
第３の発明は、第２の発明の何れか一の粉末焼結積層造形装置に係り、前記熱源は細長い形状を有し、前記線対称の平面形状を有する造形領域の対称軸に関して対称な位置に複数設置され、前記反射板は前記熱源の長手方向の両側方に設置されていることを特徴とし、
第４の発明は、粉末焼結積層造形方法に係り、第３の発明の何れか一の粉末焼結積層造形装置を用い、前記造形領域において前記レーザ光を照射して粉末材料の薄層を焼結させ、複数の焼結薄層を積層して３次元造形物を作製する粉末焼結積層造形方法において、前記複数設置された熱源の発熱量とを独立に調整して前記造形領域内の粉末材料及び焼結薄層の温度を調整することを特徴とし、
第５の発明は、粉末焼結積層造形方法に係り、第３の発明の粉末焼結積層造形装置を用い、前記造形領域において前記レーザ光を照射して粉末材料の薄層を焼結させ、複数の焼結薄層を積層して３次元造形物を作製する粉末焼結積層造形方法において、前記粉末材料の薄層の形成から前記焼結薄層の形成まで、前記各設置箇所において高さ方向に複数設置された熱源の発熱量を独立に調整して前記造形領域内の粉末材料及び焼結薄層の温度を調整することを特徴としている。 In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the first invention relates to a powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus, which irradiates a laser beam to sinter a thin layer of powder material, and stacks a plurality of sintered thin layers to form a three-dimensional structure. A powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus for producing a model, wherein a thin layer of the powder material is formed, and the thin layer of the powder material is selectively sintered to form the sintered thin layer. A modeling container that surrounds the modeling region, a powder material container that is placed on at least one side of the modeling region and stores the powder material that is supplied to the modeling region, and a peripheral portion of the modeling region Of the heat source that heats the modeling area and that is located outside the laser beam passage area that can reach the periphery of the modeling area, and at the upper part of the peripheral area of the modeling area To the periphery of the modeling area where the heat source is not installed Characterized in that a reflecting plate of the heat ray to assist heating,
A second invention relates to the powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus of the first invention, wherein the modeling region has a line-symmetric plane shape,
A third invention relates to the powder sintered additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of the second invention, wherein the heat source has an elongated shape and is symmetrical with respect to the symmetry axis of the modeling region having the line-symmetric planar shape. A plurality of reflectors, wherein the reflectors are installed on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the heat source,
A fourth invention relates to a powder sintering additive manufacturing method, wherein the powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of the third invention is used, and the laser beam is irradiated in the forming region to form a thin layer of powder material. In the powder sintering additive manufacturing method for sintering and laminating a plurality of sintered thin layers to produce a three-dimensional structure, the amount of heat generated by the plurality of installed heat sources is adjusted independently and within the modeling region It is characterized by adjusting the temperature of the powder material and the sintered thin layer,
A fifth invention relates to a powder sintering additive manufacturing method, using the powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus of the third invention, irradiating the laser beam in the modeling region to sinter a thin layer of powder material, In the powder sintering additive manufacturing method for producing a three-dimensional structure by laminating a plurality of sintered thin layers, the height at each installation point from the formation of the thin layer of the powder material to the formation of the sintered thin layer. It is characterized in that the temperature of the powder material and the sintered thin layer in the modeling region is adjusted by independently adjusting the amount of heat generated by a plurality of heat sources installed in the direction.

本発明においては、造形領域の周辺部の上方の少なくとも１箇所に設置された、造形領域を加熱する熱源と、造形領域の周辺部のうち上方に熱源が設置されていない周辺部への加熱を補助する熱線の反射板とを備えている。   In the present invention, the heat source that heats the modeling area installed at least at one location above the peripheral part of the modeling area and the peripheral part where the heat source is not installed above the peripheral part of the modeling area are heated. And an auxiliary heat ray reflector.

したがって、熱源の近くの造形領域の周辺部、及び、上方に熱源が設置されていない造形領域の周辺部の温度低下を抑制することができる。   Therefore, it is possible to suppress a temperature drop in the peripheral part of the modeling area near the heat source and in the peripheral part of the modeling area where the heat source is not installed above.

また、造形領域の周辺部の上方に熱源が設置されていない領域を有するので、過剰な加熱による中央部の温度上昇を抑制することができる。   Moreover, since it has the area | region where the heat source is not installed above the peripheral part of a modeling area | region, the temperature rise of the center part by excessive heating can be suppressed.

以上のように、本発明によれば、造形領域の中央部での温度上昇を抑制しつつ、全周辺部の造形領域での温度低下を抑制することができる。   As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in temperature in the modeling region in the entire peripheral part while suppressing an increase in temperature in the central part of the modeling region.

また、本願発明では、熱源の各設置箇所において高さ方向に複数の熱源が設置され、それらの複数の熱源の発熱量を独立に調整しているので、造形領域の中央部と周辺部とで温度がより一層均一化するように温度調整をより精密に行うことができる。   Further, in the present invention, a plurality of heat sources are installed in the height direction at each installation location of the heat source, and the calorific values of the plurality of heat sources are independently adjusted. The temperature can be adjusted more precisely so that the temperature becomes more uniform.

また、本願発明では、熱源が線対称の平面形状を有する造形領域の対称軸に関して略対称な位置に複数設置されている。   Further, in the present invention, a plurality of heat sources are installed at substantially symmetrical positions with respect to the symmetry axis of the modeling region having a line symmetrical plane shape.

ところで、機械的構造の非対称性から、造形領域の前後で温度が不均一になり易い場合がある。   By the way, the temperature is likely to be non-uniform before and after the modeling region due to the asymmetry of the mechanical structure.

このような場合、粉末材料容器が隣接していない造形領域の周辺部、例えば装置の造形領域の前側周辺部及び後側周辺部の上方にそれぞれ熱源が設置された装置を用いて、各設置箇所における熱源について独立に発熱量を調整する。これにより、造形領域の前側周辺部及び後側周辺部における温度の不均一を抑制することができる。結果として、未露光樹脂の温度を融点に近づけることができるようになる。   In such a case, each installation location using a device in which a heat source is installed above the peripheral portion of the modeling region where the powder material container is not adjacent, for example, the front peripheral portion and the rear peripheral portion of the modeling region of the device. The calorific value is adjusted independently for the heat source at. Thereby, the nonuniformity of the temperature in the front side peripheral part and back side peripheral part of a modeling area | region can be suppressed. As a result, the temperature of the unexposed resin can be brought close to the melting point.

なお、機械的構造が左右方向に非対称となっている場合に、造形領域の左側周辺部及び右側周辺部の上方に熱源を設置し、造形領域の前側周辺部及び後側周辺部の上方には熱源を設けないようにした粉末焼結積層造形装置を粉末焼結積層造形方法に適用してもよい。この場合も赤外線の反射板は、熱源の長手方向の側方に設置する。   When the mechanical structure is asymmetric in the left-right direction, a heat source is installed above the left and right peripheral parts of the modeling area, and above the front and rear peripheral parts of the modeling area. A powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus in which no heat source is provided may be applied to the powder sintering additive manufacturing method. In this case as well, the infrared reflector is installed on the side of the heat source in the longitudinal direction.

以上のように、本発明によれば、造形領域を予備加熱し、かつ造形領域全体において更なる温度の均一化を図ることができるので、より一層小さなレーザ出力で造形を可能にしつつ、より一層反りを抑制した３次元造形物を作製することができる。   As described above, according to the present invention, since the modeling area can be preheated and the temperature can be further uniformized in the entire modeling area, the modeling can be performed with a smaller laser output, and further. A three-dimensional structure that suppresses warpage can be produced.

以下に、本発明の実施の形態について図面を参照しながら説明する。   Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

（粉末焼結積層造形装置の説明）
図１（ａ）は、本発明の実施の形態に係る粉末焼結積層造形装置の構成を示す上面図であり、同図（ｂ）は正面図である。この装置では、造形領域の前側周辺部及び後側周辺部の上方にそれぞれ熱源を設置し、熱源の長手方向の両側方にそれぞれ、熱源が設置されていない造形領域の周辺部への加熱を補助するミラー（赤外線の反射板）を設置している。 (Description of powder sintering additive manufacturing equipment)
Fig.1 (a) is a top view which shows the structure of the powder sintering layered manufacturing apparatus based on Embodiment of this invention, The same figure (b) is a front view. In this apparatus, a heat source is installed above the front peripheral part and the rear peripheral part of the modeling area, respectively, and assists heating of the peripheral part of the modeling area where the heat source is not installed on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the heat source. A mirror (infrared reflector) is installed.

図２は、図１の造形領域を前後に横切るＩ−Ｉ線に沿う断面図である。  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I crossing the modeling region in FIG. 1 back and forth.

図３は、熱源の長手方向の両側方に設置したミラーの作用を説明する正面図である。  FIG. 3 is a front view for explaining the action of the mirrors installed on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the heat source.

この粉末焼結造形装置１１１は、図１（ａ）、（ｂ）に示すように、レーザ光出射部１１１Ａと、造形部１１１Ｂと、制御装置１１１Ｃとから構成されている。造形部１０１Ｂの粉末材料が飛び散って行かないように、造形部１１１Ｂの周囲は図示しない仕切り壁で囲まれている。そして、造形部１１１Ｂの前側には、作製された３次元造形物を取り出すための図示しない開閉扉などが設けられている。レーザ光出射部１１１Ａもこの仕切り壁内に収納されている。   As shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the powder sintered modeling apparatus 111 includes a laser beam emitting unit 111A, a modeling unit 111B, and a control device 111C. The periphery of the modeling part 111B is surrounded by a partition wall (not shown) so that the powder material of the modeling part 101B does not scatter. An opening / closing door (not shown) for taking out the produced three-dimensional structure is provided on the front side of the modeling part 111B. The laser beam emitting portion 111A is also accommodated in this partition wall.

レーザ光出射部１１１Ａにおいては、レーザ光の光源とレーザ光の照射方向を制御するミラーとが設けられている。光源から出射したレーザ光はコンピュータによるミラー制御により、造形部１１１Ｂのパートシリンダ１５上の粉末材料の薄層に選択的に照射されるようになっている。例えば、作製すべき３次元造形物のスライスデータ（描画パターン）に基づき、コンピュータによるミラー制御が行われる。レーザ光の光源とミラーとが加熱焼結手段を構成する。   In the laser beam emitting unit 111A, a light source of laser beam and a mirror for controlling the irradiation direction of the laser beam are provided. The laser light emitted from the light source is selectively irradiated to the thin layer of the powder material on the part cylinder 15 of the modeling part 111B by mirror control by a computer. For example, mirror control by a computer is performed based on slice data (drawing pattern) of a three-dimensional structure to be produced. The laser light source and the mirror constitute the heating and sintering means.

造形部１１１Ｂにおいては、図１（ａ）、（ｂ）に示すように、レーザ光の照射により造形が行われて３次元造形物が作製される線対称の、例えば四角い平面形状を有する筒状の造形用容器１３と、その左右両側に設置されて粉末材料を貯めておく線対称の、例えば四角い筒状の粉末材料容器１４ａ、１４ｂとを備えている。造形用容器１３の内壁に囲まれた領域が造形領域１３ａであり、粉末材料容器１４ａ、１４ｂの内壁に囲まれた領域が粉末材料の収納領域１４ｃ、１４ｄである。   In the modeling part 111B, as shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), a cylindrical shape having, for example, a square plane shape that is line-symmetrically formed by laser beam irradiation to produce a three-dimensional modeled object. And a line-symmetrical, for example, rectangular cylindrical powder material container 14a, 14b that is installed on both the left and right sides and stores the powder material. A region surrounded by the inner wall of the modeling container 13 is a modeling region 13a, and a region surrounded by the inner walls of the powder material containers 14a and 14b is a powder material storage region 14c and 14d.

造形用容器１３内には、３次元造形物となる積層された焼結薄層を載せて、内壁に沿って昇降可能なパートシリンダ１５が設置され、パートシリンダ１５のテーブル上で、順次粉末材料の薄層が形成され、粉末材料の薄層ごとに加熱され、焼結される。また、粉末材料容器１４ａ、１４ｂ内には、粉末材料を載せて容器内壁に沿って昇降し、粉末材料を供給するテーブルを備えたフィードシリンダ１６ａ、１６ｂがそれぞれ設置されている。   A part cylinder 15 that can be moved up and down along the inner wall is placed in the modeling container 13 and a laminated sintered thin layer that becomes a three-dimensional modeled object is placed on the table of the part cylinder 15. A thin layer is formed, and each thin layer of powder material is heated and sintered. Further, in the powder material containers 14a and 14b, feed cylinders 16a and 16b each having a table for loading the powder material, moving up and down along the inner wall of the container, and supplying the powder material are installed.

シリンダ１５、１６ａ、１６ｂを容器１３、１４ａ、１４ｂ内にセットしたときに、シリンダ１５、１６ａ、１６ｂと容器１３、１４ａ、１４ｂ内壁との間で隙間が生じて粉末材料が漏れることがないように、シリンダ１５、１６ａ、１６ｂと容器１３、１４ａ、１４ｂ内壁との間の密着性を保つためテーブルの側面全体にわたってパッキング用のゴムなどが取り付けられている。   When the cylinders 15, 16a, 16b are set in the containers 13, 14a, 14b, there is no gap between the cylinders 15, 16a, 16b and the inner walls of the containers 13, 14a, 14b so that the powder material does not leak. In addition, packing rubber or the like is attached to the entire side surface of the table in order to maintain adhesion between the cylinders 15, 16a, 16b and the inner walls of the containers 13, 14a, 14b.

更に、造形領域１３ａ及び粉末材料の収納領域１４ｃ、１４ｄの全領域に渡って回転しつつ移動するリコータ１７が設けられている。リコータ１７は、回転しつつ移動することにより、フィードシリンダ１６ｂ上に貯められた粉末材料をパートシリンダ１５上に供給し、かつ粉末材料の表面を均してパートシリンダ１５上に粉末材料の薄層を形成する機能を有する。従って、粉末材料の供給量はフィードシリンダ１６bの上昇量で決まり、粉末材料の薄層の厚さはパートシリンダ１５の降下量で決まる。粉末材料として、ポリアミド、ポリプロピレン、ポリ乳酸、ポリエチレン（ＰＥ）、ポリエチレンテレフタレート（ＰＥＴ）、ポリスチレン（ＰＳ）、アクリロニトリル・ブタジエン・スチレンコポリマ（ＡＢＳ）、エチレン・酢酸ビニルコポリマー（ＥＶＡ）、スチレン・アクリロニトリルコポリマー（ＳＡＮ）、及びポリカプロラクトンよりなる群から選ばれた少なくとも１種、または、金属粉末などを用いることができる。   Further, a recoater 17 that moves while rotating over the entire area of the modeling area 13a and the powder material storage areas 14c and 14d is provided. The recoater 17 moves while rotating to supply the powder material stored on the feed cylinder 16 b onto the part cylinder 15, and to level the surface of the powder material, and to apply a thin layer of the powder material onto the part cylinder 15. It has the function to form. Therefore, the supply amount of the powder material is determined by the amount of increase of the feed cylinder 16b, and the thickness of the thin layer of the powder material is determined by the amount of decrease of the part cylinder 15. As powder materials, polyamide, polypropylene, polylactic acid, polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene copolymer (ABS), ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), styrene / acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) and at least one selected from the group consisting of polycaprolactone, or metal powder can be used.

更に、この粉末焼結積層造形装置においては、造形用容器１３の周囲に胴巻き状に設けられたヒータのほかに、造形用容器１３上面の造形領域１３ａ上であって、線対称を有する造形領域１３ａの対称軸に関して略対称な位置に、及び粉末材料容器１４ａ、１４ｂの粉末材料の収納領域１４ｃ、１４ｄ上であって、線対称を有する粉末材料の収納領域１４ｃ、１４ｄの対称軸に関して略対称な位置に熱源としての細長い形状を有する赤外線ヒータ１８ａ乃至１８ｈが設置され、赤外線ヒータ１８ａ乃至１８ｈの長手方向の側方両側に赤外線を反射させるミラー（反射板）１９ａ乃至１９ｌが設置されている。   Furthermore, in this powder sinter layered manufacturing apparatus, in addition to the heater provided around the modeling container 13 in a body-wound shape, the modeling area is on the modeling area 13a on the upper surface of the modeling container 13 and has line symmetry. 13a and substantially symmetrical with respect to the symmetry axis of the powder material storage regions 14c and 14d having line symmetry, on the powder material storage regions 14c and 14d of the powder material containers 14a and 14b. Infrared heaters 18a to 18h as heat sources are installed at various positions, and mirrors (reflecting plates) 19a to 19l for reflecting infrared rays are installed on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the infrared heaters 18a to 18h.

赤外線ヒータ１８ａ乃至１８ｈ及びミラー１９ａ乃至１９ｌの詳細な配置について図１（ａ）、（ｂ）、図２を参照し、温度の均一化の効果について図３、図４（ａ）を参照して、以下に説明する。図４（ａ）は、ミラーの効果を説明する、造形領域の左右方向の温度分布を示すグラフである。   Refer to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 for the detailed arrangement of the infrared heaters 18a to 18h and the mirrors 19a to 19l, and refer to FIGS. 3 and 4A for the effect of temperature uniformity. This will be described below. FIG. 4A is a graph illustrating the temperature distribution in the left-right direction of the modeling region, explaining the effect of the mirror.

造形領域１３ａ上において、細長い形状の赤外線ヒータ１８ｃ乃至１８ｆは、その長手方向が粉末材料容器１４ａ、１４ｂの方を向くように（造形領域の前後の縁にほぼ平行となるように）設置されている。また、細長い形状の赤外線ヒータ（１８ｃ、１８ｄ）、（１８ｅ、１８ｆ）は、図２に示すように、造形領域１３ａの周縁に到達し得るレーザ光の通過領域の境界よりも外側の領域であって、対向する2箇所（前側及び後側）にそれぞれ、レーザ光の通過領域の境界に沿って高さ方向に２つずつ設置されている。さらに、図１（ａ）に示すように、粉末材料容器１４ａ、１４ｂに隣接する造形領域１３ａ近傍の上方であって、赤外線ヒータ（１８ｃ、１８ｄ）、（１８ｅ、１８ｆ）の側方に、ミラー面を造形領域１３ａ側に向けてミラー（１９ｅ、１９ｆ）、（１９ｇ、１９ｈ）が設置されている。ミラー面の角度は自在に調整可能なようになっている。   On the modeling region 13a, the elongated infrared heaters 18c to 18f are installed such that the longitudinal direction thereof faces the powder material containers 14a and 14b (so as to be substantially parallel to the front and rear edges of the modeling region). Yes. In addition, the elongated infrared heaters (18c, 18d), (18e, 18f) are regions outside the boundary of the laser light passing region that can reach the periphery of the modeling region 13a, as shown in FIG. In two opposite positions (front side and rear side), two are installed in the height direction along the boundary of the laser light passing region. Further, as shown in FIG. 1A, a mirror is provided above the vicinity of the modeling region 13a adjacent to the powder material containers 14a and 14b and to the side of the infrared heaters (18c, 18d) and (18e, 18f). Mirrors (19e, 19f) and (19g, 19h) are installed with the surface facing the modeling region 13a. The angle of the mirror surface can be freely adjusted.

このような赤外線ヒータ及びミラー配置により、ミラーに関して対称の位置にヒータの虚像を生じ、図３に示すように、赤外線ヒータ（１８ｃ、１８ｄ）、（１８ｅ、１８ｆ）の更に両側に赤外線ヒータが延在することと等価な加熱がなされるようになる。しかも、ミラー面の角度を自在に変えられるため、赤外線の反射方向を適切に調整することで、図４（ａ）に示すように、特に、赤外線ヒータが設置されていない、左右の造形領域１３ａでの温度低下を抑制することができる。また、造形領域１３ａの左側周辺部及び右側周辺部の上方には赤外線ヒータを設けていないので、これの影響による中央部の造形領域１３ａでの温度上昇を抑制することができる。   With such an infrared heater and mirror arrangement, a virtual image of the heater is generated at a symmetrical position with respect to the mirror. As shown in FIG. 3, the infrared heater extends on both sides of the infrared heaters (18c, 18d), (18e, 18f). Heating equivalent to existing is performed. Moreover, since the angle of the mirror surface can be freely changed, by appropriately adjusting the infrared reflection direction, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the left and right modeling regions 13a, in particular, where no infrared heater is installed. The temperature drop at can be suppressed. Moreover, since the infrared heater is not provided above the left peripheral part and the right peripheral part of the modeling area 13a, the temperature rise in the modeling area 13a in the central part due to the influence thereof can be suppressed.

また、粉末材料容器１４ａ、１４ｂの周囲に胴巻き状に設けられたヒータのほかに、粉末材料容器１４ａ、１４ｂ上に熱源としての細長い形状を有する赤外線ヒータ（１８ａ、１８ｂ）、（１８ｇ、１８ｈ）が設置されている。その長手方向は、造形領域１３ａの上方の赤外線ヒータ（１８ｃ、１８ｄ）、（１８ｅ、１８ｆ）の長手方向に交差する方向を向くように設置されている。さらに、赤外線ヒータ（１８ａ、１８ｂ）、（１８ｇ、１８ｈ）の側方に、即ち粉末材料容器１４ａ、１４ｂの前側周辺部及び後側周辺部の上方にミラー面を粉末材料の収納領域１４ｃ、１４ｄ側に向けてミラー（１９ａ、１９ｃ）、（１９ｂ、１９ｄ）、（１９ｉ、１９ｋ）、（１９ｊ、１９ｌ）が設置されている。   In addition to the heater provided around the powder material containers 14a and 14b, the infrared heaters (18a, 18b), (18g, 18h) having an elongated shape as a heat source on the powder material containers 14a, 14b. Is installed. The longitudinal direction is installed so as to face the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the infrared heaters (18c, 18d) and (18e, 18f) above the modeling region 13a. Furthermore, the mirror surface is placed on the side of the infrared heaters (18a, 18b), (18g, 18h), that is, above the front peripheral portion and the rear peripheral portion of the powder material containers 14a, 14b. Mirrors (19a, 19c), (19b, 19d), (19i, 19k), (19j, 19l) are installed toward the side.

このような赤外線ヒータ及びミラー配置により、造形領域１３ａの場合と同様に、粉末材料の収納領域１４ｃ、１４ｄ表面において中央部の温度上昇を抑制しつつ、周辺部での温度低下を抑制することができる。   By such an infrared heater and mirror arrangement, as in the case of the modeling region 13a, while suppressing the temperature rise in the central portion on the surface of the powder material storage regions 14c and 14d, the temperature drop in the peripheral portion can be suppressed. it can.

本実施形態では、上記のようなヒータ及びミラーの配置のみならず、複数の赤外線ヒータ（１８ｃ、１８ｄ）、（１８ｅ、１８ｆ）の発熱量の調整によっても造形領域１３ａでの温度の均一化を図ることができる。その方法及び効果について以下に説明する。図４（ｂ）は、赤外線ヒータ（１８ｃ、１８ｄ）、（１８ｅ、１８ｆ）の発熱量の調整の効果を説明する造形領域の前後方向の温度分布を示すグラフである。   In this embodiment, not only the arrangement of the heater and mirror as described above, but also the temperature in the modeling region 13a is made uniform by adjusting the heat generation amount of the plurality of infrared heaters (18c, 18d), (18e, 18f). Can be planned. The method and effect will be described below. FIG. 4B is a graph showing the temperature distribution in the front-rear direction of the modeling region, which explains the effect of adjusting the heat generation amount of the infrared heaters (18c, 18d), (18e, 18f).

赤外線ヒータ（１８ｃ、１８ｄ）、（１８ｅ、１８ｆ）の発熱量は印加する電力により調整可能である。そして、複数の赤外線ヒータ（１８ｃ、１８ｄ）、（１８ｅ、１８ｆ）の発熱量を、例えば、以下のように調整する。   The amount of heat generated by the infrared heaters (18c, 18d) and (18e, 18f) can be adjusted by the applied power. And the emitted-heat amount of a some infrared heater (18c, 18d), (18e, 18f) is adjusted as follows, for example.

一つは、赤外線ヒータ（１８ｃ、１８ｄ）、（１８ｅ、１８ｆ）の各設置箇所において、高さ方向に設置された赤外線ヒータ（１８ｃ、１８ｄ）、（１８ｅ、１８ｆ）の発熱量を独立に調整する。例えば、高さ方向に設置された２つの赤外線ヒータ（１８ｃ、１８ｄ）、（１８ｅ、１８ｆ）に、大きさの異なる電力を印加する。具体的には、上側の赤外線ヒータ１８ｃ、１８ｅへの印加電力を大きく、下側の赤外線ヒータ１８ｄ、１８ｆへの印加電力を小さくすることで、中央部と周辺部での温度分布を均一化することができる。   One is to independently adjust the heat value of the infrared heaters (18c, 18d), (18e, 18f) installed in the height direction at each installation location of the infrared heaters (18c, 18d), (18e, 18f). To do. For example, different magnitudes of electric power are applied to the two infrared heaters (18c, 18d) and (18e, 18f) installed in the height direction. Specifically, the power distribution to the upper infrared heaters 18c and 18e is increased, and the power applied to the lower infrared heaters 18d and 18f is decreased, so that the temperature distribution in the central portion and the peripheral portion is made uniform. be able to.

他の一つは、造形領域１３ａの前側周辺部及び後側周辺部の上方にそれぞれ設置された赤外線ヒータ（１８ｃ、１８ｄ）、（１８ｅ、１８ｆ）に対して独立に発熱量を調整する。例えば、対向する２つずつの赤外線ヒータ（１８ｃ、１８ｅ）、（１８ｄ、１８ｆ）のうち、対向する上側の赤外線ヒータ１８ｃ、１８ｅにはともに同じ電力を印加し、対向する下側の赤外線ヒータ１８ｄ、１８ｆには、大きさの異なる電力を印加する。具体的には、前側の赤外線ヒータ１８ｄへの印加電力を大きく、後ろ側の赤外線ヒータ１８ｆへの印加電力を小さくする。   The other one adjusts the heat generation amount independently for the infrared heaters (18c, 18d) and (18e, 18f) installed above the front peripheral portion and the rear peripheral portion of the modeling region 13a. For example, of the two opposing infrared heaters (18c, 18e), (18d, 18f), the same power is applied to the opposing upper infrared heaters 18c, 18e, and the opposing lower infrared heater 18d is applied. , 18f are applied with electric power of different magnitudes. Specifically, the power applied to the front infrared heater 18d is increased, and the power applied to the rear infrared heater 18f is decreased.

以上のように、複数の赤外線ヒータ（１８ｃ、１８ｄ）、（１８ｅ、１８ｆ）の発熱量を調整することで、図４（ｂ）に示すように、周辺部と中央部の造形領域１３ａでの温度分布を均一化しつつ、造形領域１３ａの前後での温度分布を均一化することができる。   As described above, by adjusting the heat generation amount of the plurality of infrared heaters (18c, 18d), (18e, 18f), as shown in FIG. While making the temperature distribution uniform, the temperature distribution before and after the modeling region 13a can be made uniform.

なお、粉末材料の収納領域１４ｃ、１４ｄにおいても、造形領域１３ａにおける調整と同様にして、赤外線ヒータ（１８ａ、１８ｂ）、（１８ｇ、１８ｈ）の発熱量を調整し、粉末材料２１の温度分布を均一化することができる。これにより、粉末材料の収納領域１４ｃ、１４ｄから造形領域１３ａに粉末材料２１を供給後、造形領域１３ａでの粉末材料２１の薄層などの温度を迅速に上昇させて、温度の均一化を迅速に行うことができる。   Also in the powder material storage areas 14c and 14d, the heating value of the infrared heaters (18a, 18b) and (18g, 18h) is adjusted to adjust the temperature distribution of the powder material 21 in the same manner as the adjustment in the modeling area 13a. It can be made uniform. Thereby, after supplying the powder material 21 from the powder material storage areas 14c and 14d to the modeling area 13a, the temperature of the thin layer of the powder material 21 in the modeling area 13a is rapidly increased, so that the temperature can be made uniform quickly. Can be done.

以上のような粉末焼結積層造形装置は、制御装置１１１Ｃによって、パートシリンダ１５を薄層一層分降下させて、リコータ１７によって粉末材料容器１４ａ、１４ｂからパートシリンダ１５上に粉末材料を供給させ、かつパートシリンダ１５上で粉末材料の薄層を形成させ、次いで、レーザ光及び制御ミラー（加熱焼結手段）によって作製すべき３次元造形物のスライスデータ（描画パターン）に基づき粉末材料の薄層を選択的に加熱して焼結させ、これらの動作を繰り返して、複数の焼結薄層を積層させ、３次元造形物を作製させる。なお、図１（ｂ）において、制御装置１１１Ｃから装置の各構成要素に繋がる線はその構成要素が制御装置１１１Ｃにより制御されることを示している。   The powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus as described above lowers the part cylinder 15 by one layer by the control device 111C, and supplies the powder material from the powder material containers 14a and 14b onto the part cylinder 15 by the recoater 17, A thin layer of the powder material is formed on the part cylinder 15, and then a thin layer of the powder material based on slice data (drawing pattern) of the three-dimensional structure to be produced by the laser beam and the control mirror (heated sintering means). Are selectively heated and sintered, and these operations are repeated to laminate a plurality of thin sintered layers to produce a three-dimensional structure. In FIG. 1B, a line connecting the control device 111C to each component of the device indicates that the component is controlled by the control device 111C.

本発明の実施の形態の粉末焼結積層造形装置によれば、造形領域を予備加熱し、かつ造形領域の中央部と全周辺部で更なる温度の均一化を図ることができるので、より一層小さなレーザ出力で造形を可能にしつつ、より一層反りを抑制した３次元造形物を作製することができる。   According to the powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention, the modeling area can be preheated, and further uniform temperature can be achieved in the central part and all peripheral parts of the modeling area. It is possible to produce a three-dimensional structure that further suppresses warping while enabling modeling with a small laser output.

（粉末焼結積層造形方法の説明）
次に、図５（ａ）、（ｂ）乃至図６（ａ）、（ｂ）を参照しながら上記造形装置を用いて造形を行う方法について説明する。 (Description of powder sintering additive manufacturing method)
Next, a method of performing modeling using the modeling apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 (a), 5 (b) to 6 (a), (b).

図５（ａ）、（ｂ）乃至図６（ａ）、（ｂ）は装置正面図である。図５（ａ）、（ｂ）乃至図６（ａ）、（ｂ）においては、図を見やすくするため図１（ｂ）と異なり、各容器の前壁は省略してある。   5A, 5B to 6A, 6B are front views of the apparatus. In FIGS. 5 (a), 5 (b) to 6 (a), (b), the front wall of each container is omitted, unlike FIG.

まず、図５（ａ）に示すように、造形用容器１３の内壁に沿って上下移動可能なように造形用容器１３にパートシリンダ１５を取り付け、造形用容器１３の左右の粉末材料容器１４ａ、１４ｂの内壁に沿って上下移動可能なように、粉末材料容器１４ａ、１４ｂにフィードシリンダ１６a、１６ｂを取り付ける。   First, as shown in FIG. 5A, the part cylinder 15 is attached to the modeling container 13 so as to be vertically movable along the inner wall of the modeling container 13, and the left and right powder material containers 14a of the modeling container 13 are attached. The feed cylinders 16a and 16b are attached to the powder material containers 14a and 14b so as to be movable up and down along the inner wall of 14b.

次いで、造形部１１１Ｂにおいて、左右のフィードシリンダ１６a、１６ｂを降下させ、フィードシリンダ１６a、１６ｂ上に粉末材料２１を供給し、十分な量の粉末材料２１を貯めておく。このとき、粉末材料容器１４ａ、１４ｂの周囲に胴巻き状に設けられたヒータで粉末材料２１を加熱するほか、粉末材料の収納領域１４ｃ、１４ｄの上方に設置された赤外線ヒータ１８ａ乃至１８ｂ、１８ｇ乃至１８ｈ，及びミラー１９ａ乃至１９ｄ、１９ｉ乃至１９ｌにより、粉末材料２１の表面を、粉末材料の融点よりも５〜１５℃程度低い温度に予備加熱する。この場合、粉末材料の収納領域１４ｃ、１４ｄ上の赤外線ヒータ１８ａ乃至１８ｂ、１８ｇ乃至１８ｈの各設置箇所において独立に発熱量の調整を行い、粉末材料の収納領域１４ｃ、１４ｄにおける粉末材料２１の温度を均一化させる。   Next, in the modeling part 111B, the left and right feed cylinders 16a and 16b are lowered, the powder material 21 is supplied onto the feed cylinders 16a and 16b, and a sufficient amount of the powder material 21 is stored. At this time, in addition to heating the powder material 21 with a drum-shaped heater around the powder material containers 14a, 14b, infrared heaters 18a to 18b, 18g to 18g installed above the powder material storage areas 14c, 14d The surface of the powder material 21 is preheated to a temperature lower by about 5 to 15 ° C. than the melting point of the powder material by 18h and the mirrors 19a to 19d and 19i to 19l. In this case, the amount of heat generation is adjusted independently at each installation location of the infrared heaters 18a to 18b and 18g to 18h on the powder material storage areas 14c and 14d, and the temperature of the powder material 21 in the powder material storage areas 14c and 14d is adjusted. To make uniform.

次いで、パートシリンダ１５を薄層一層分に相当する量だけ降下させる。次いで、右側のフィードシリンダ１６ｂを上昇させて粉末材料２１が平坦面から上に出てくるようにする。   Next, the part cylinder 15 is lowered by an amount corresponding to one thin layer. Next, the right feed cylinder 16b is raised so that the powder material 21 comes out from the flat surface.

次いで、リコータ１７を回転移動させて右側のフィードシリンダ１６ｂ上、平坦面から上に出ている粉末材料２１を均しつつ造形用容器１３内のパートシリンダ１５上に移動させる。これにより、図５（ｂ）に示すように、パートシリンダ１５上に一層分の粉末材料の薄層２１ａが形成される。   Next, the recoater 17 is rotated and moved, and the powder material 21 protruding from the flat surface on the right feed cylinder 16 b is moved to the part cylinder 15 in the modeling container 13 while being leveled. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B, a thin layer 21 a of powder material for one layer is formed on the part cylinder 15.

このとき、造形領域１３ａの周囲に胴巻き状に設けられたヒータで粉末材料２１を加熱するほか、造形領域１３ａの上方に設置された赤外線ヒータ１８ｃ乃至１８ｆ、及びミラー１９ｅ乃至１９ｈにより、粉末材料の薄層２１ａの表面を粉末材料の融点よりも５〜１５℃程度低い温度に予備加熱する。   At this time, in addition to heating the powder material 21 with a heater provided around the modeling area 13a, the infrared heaters 18c to 18f and the mirrors 19e to 19h installed above the modeling area 13a The surface of the thin layer 21a is preheated to a temperature lower by about 5 to 15 ° C. than the melting point of the powder material.

この場合、造形領域１３ａ上の赤外線ヒータ（１８ｃ、１８ｄ）、（１８ｅ、１８ｆ）の各設置箇所において高さ方向に設置された複数の赤外線ヒータ（１８ｃ、１８ｄ）、（１８ｅ、１８ｆ）の発熱量を独立に調整することにより、造形領域１３ａの中央部と周辺部とで温度がより一層均一化するように温度調整をより一層精密に行う。また、造形領域１３ａの前側周辺部及び後側周辺部にそれぞれ設置された赤外線ヒータ（１８ｃ、１８ｄ）、（１８ｅ、１８ｆ）の発熱量をそれぞれ独立に調整することにより、造形領域１３ａの前後における温度の不均一が抑制されるように温度調整をより一層精密に行う。この場合、粉末材料の収納領域１４ｃ、１４ｄにおいて粉末材料２１が既に予備加熱されているので、造形領域１３ａ内の粉末材料２１及び粉末材料の薄層２１ａの温度を均一に維持したまま、迅速に昇温することができる。   In this case, the heat generation of the plurality of infrared heaters (18c, 18d), (18e, 18f) installed in the height direction at each installation location of the infrared heaters (18c, 18d), (18e, 18f) on the modeling region 13a. By adjusting the amount independently, the temperature is adjusted more precisely so that the temperature becomes more uniform between the central portion and the peripheral portion of the modeling region 13a. Further, by independently adjusting the heat generation amounts of the infrared heaters (18c, 18d) and (18e, 18f) respectively installed in the front peripheral portion and the rear peripheral portion of the modeling region 13a, before and after the modeling region 13a The temperature is adjusted more precisely so that temperature non-uniformity is suppressed. In this case, since the powder material 21 has already been preheated in the powder material storage areas 14c and 14d, the temperature of the powder material 21 and the thin layer 21a of the powder material in the modeling area 13a can be maintained quickly. The temperature can be raised.

次に、レーザ光出射部１１１Ａの光源からレーザ光を出射させるとともに、作製すべき３次元造形物のスライスデータに基づき、コンピュータによりミラーを制御して、粉末材料の薄層２１ａに選択的にレーザ光を照射する。これにより、図６（ａ）に示すように、粉末材料の薄層２１ｂが加熱されて焼結する。   Next, laser light is emitted from the light source of the laser light emitting portion 111A, and a mirror is controlled by a computer based on slice data of the three-dimensional structure to be produced, so that the laser is selectively applied to the thin layer 21a of the powder material. Irradiate light. Thereby, as shown to Fig.6 (a), the thin layer 21b of a powder material is heated and sintered.

次に、図６（ｂ）に示すように、パートシリンダ１５を薄層一層分降下させるとともに、フィードシリンダ１６ｂを上昇させる。以下、上記説明した方法と同様にして、新たな粉末材料２１をパートシリンダ１５上に供給し、焼結した薄層２１ｂ上に新たな粉末材料の薄層を形成する。次いで、加熱焼結→粉末材料の薄層の形成→加熱焼結→・・を繰り返す。この間、赤外線ヒータ１８ａ乃至１８ｈ、及びミラー１９ａ乃至１９ｌにより、造形領域１３ａ及び粉末材料の収納領域１４ｃ、１４ｄを加熱する。   Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, the part cylinder 15 is lowered by one thin layer and the feed cylinder 16b is raised. Thereafter, in the same manner as described above, a new powder material 21 is supplied onto the part cylinder 15, and a new thin layer of the powder material is formed on the sintered thin layer 21b. Subsequently, heat sintering → formation of a thin layer of powder material → heat sintering →.. During this time, the modeling region 13a and the powder material storage regions 14c and 14d are heated by the infrared heaters 18a to 18h and the mirrors 19a to 19l.

このようにして、３次元造形物が完成する。そして、最後に予備加熱を止めて自然冷却を行い、常温付近になったら、造形用容器１３から粉末材料２１に埋もれた３次元造形物を取り出す。   In this way, a three-dimensional structure is completed. Finally, the preliminary heating is stopped and natural cooling is performed. When the temperature reaches around room temperature, the three-dimensional structure buried in the powder material 21 is taken out of the modeling container 13.

以上のように、本発明の実施の形態の粉末焼結積層造形方法によれば、赤外線ヒータ１８ｃ乃至１８ｆの配置及びミラー１９ｅ乃至１９ｈの設置により、図４（ａ）に示すように、造形領域１３ａの中央部での温度上昇を抑制しつつ、造形領域１３ａの全周辺部での温度低下を抑制することができる。   As described above, according to the powder sinter layered manufacturing method of the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the modeling region is formed by arranging the infrared heaters 18c to 18f and the mirrors 19e to 19h. While suppressing the temperature rise in the center part of 13a, the temperature fall in all the peripheral parts of modeling field 13a can be controlled.

さらに、赤外線ヒータ（１８ｃ、１８ｄ）、（１８ｅ、１８ｆ）の各設置箇所において、高さ方向に設置された赤外線ヒータ（１８ｃ、１８ｄ）、（１８ｅ、１８ｆ）の発熱量を独立に調整しているので、造形領域１３ａの中央部と周辺部での温度の不均一を抑制することができる。また、造形領域１３ａの前側周辺部及び後側周辺部の上方にそれぞれ設置された赤外線ヒータ（１８ｃ、１８ｄ）、（１８ｅ、１８ｆ）に対して独立に発熱量を調整しているので、装置の構造上、造形領域１３ａの前側及び後側において温度の不均一が生じ易い場合でも、造形領域１３ａの前側及び後側における温度の不均一を抑制することができる。これにより、図４（ｂ）に示すように、造形領域１３ａの中央部と周辺部での温度分布を均一化しつつ、造形領域１３ａの前後での温度分布を均一化することができる。   Furthermore, in each installation location of the infrared heaters (18c, 18d), (18e, 18f), the heating value of the infrared heaters (18c, 18d), (18e, 18f) installed in the height direction is adjusted independently. Therefore, the temperature nonuniformity in the central part and the peripheral part of the modeling region 13a can be suppressed. Moreover, since the heating value is adjusted independently for the infrared heaters (18c, 18d) and (18e, 18f) installed above the front peripheral portion and the rear peripheral portion of the modeling region 13a, Even if the temperature tends to be uneven on the front side and the rear side of the modeling region 13a, the temperature unevenness on the front side and the rear side of the modeling region 13a can be suppressed. Thereby, as shown in FIG.4 (b), the temperature distribution before and behind the modeling area | region 13a can be equalize | homogenized, equalizing the temperature distribution in the center part and peripheral part of the modeling area | region 13a.

以上のように、本発明の実施の形態の粉末焼結積層造形方法によれば、赤外線ヒータ１８ｃ乃至１８ｆ及びミラー１９ｅ乃至１９ｈにより、造形領域１３ａの粉末材料の薄層２１ａの表面、及び粉末材料２１の表面を、粉末材料の融点よりも５〜１５℃程度低い温度に予備加熱し、かつ造形領域１３ａ全体に温度をより一層均一化させることができるので、より一層小さなレーザ出力での造形を可能にしつつ、より一層反りを抑制した３次元造形物を作製することができる。   As described above, according to the powder sintering additive manufacturing method of the embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the thin layer 21a of the powder material in the modeling region 13a and the powder material by the infrared heaters 18c to 18f and the mirrors 19e to 19h. Since the surface of 21 can be preheated to a temperature lower by about 5 to 15 ° C. than the melting point of the powder material and the temperature can be made more uniform throughout the modeling region 13a, modeling with a smaller laser output is possible. It is possible to produce a three-dimensional structure in which warpage is further suppressed while making it possible.

以上、実施の形態によりこの発明を詳細に説明したが、この発明の範囲は上記実施の形態に具体的に示した例に限られるものではなく、この発明の要旨を逸脱しない範囲の上記実施の形態の変更はこの発明の範囲に含まれる。   Although the present invention has been described in detail with the embodiments, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples specifically shown in the above embodiments, and the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention are not deviated. Variations in form are within the scope of this invention.

例えば、この実施の形態の粉末焼結造形装置においては、図１に示すように、赤外線ヒータ（１８ｃ、１８ｄ）、（１８ｅ、１８ｆ）が造形領域１３ａの前側周辺部及び後側周辺部の上方に設置されているが、場合により造形領域１３ａの前側周辺部及び後側周辺部の何れか一の上方に、或いは粉末材料容器１４ａ、１４ｂに隣接する造形領域１３ａの左側周辺部及び右側周辺部の少なくとも何れか一の上方に（造形領域の左右の縁にほぼ平行となるように）設置されてもよい。   For example, in the powder sintering modeling apparatus of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the infrared heaters (18c, 18d), (18e, 18f) are located above the front peripheral portion and the rear peripheral portion of the modeling region 13a. In some cases, the left peripheral portion and the right peripheral portion of the modeling region 13a adjacent to the powder material containers 14a and 14b above any one of the front peripheral portion and the rear peripheral portion of the modeling region 13a. May be installed above (at least substantially parallel to the left and right edges of the modeling area).

また、造形用容器１３、粉末材料容器１４ａ、１４ｂの平面形状は、四角であるが、これに限られない。線対称であれば、円形や楕円、その他の曲線で囲まれた平面形状でもよく、また、四角以外の多角形でもよい。   Moreover, although the planar shape of the modeling container 13 and the powder material containers 14a and 14b is a square, it is not limited thereto. As long as it is line symmetric, it may be a circle, an ellipse, a plane shape surrounded by other curves, or a polygon other than a square.

また、熱源として、赤外線ヒータ１８ａ乃至１８ｈを用いているが、赤外線を発する他のヒータその他を用いてもよい。   Further, although the infrared heaters 18a to 18h are used as the heat source, other heaters or the like that emit infrared rays may be used.

本発明の実施の形態である粉末焼結積層造形装置の構成を示す図であり、（ａ）は上面図、（ｂ）は正面図である。It is a figure which shows the structure of the powder sintering layered modeling apparatus which is embodiment of this invention, (a) is a top view, (b) is a front view. 図１のＩ−Ｉ線に沿う断面図である。It is sectional drawing which follows the II line | wire of FIG. 本発明の実施の形態である粉末焼結積層造形装置における加熱手段の側方両側に設置したミラーの作用を説明する正面図である。It is a front view explaining the effect | action of the mirror installed in the side both sides of the heating means in the powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus which is embodiment of this invention. （ａ）は、加熱手段の側方両側に設置したミラーの効果を説明する、造形領域の左右方向の温度分布を示すグラフであり、（ｂ）は加熱手段の発熱量の調整の効果を説明する造形領域の前後方向の温度分布を示すグラフである。(A) is a graph which shows the temperature distribution of the left-right direction of a modeling area | region explaining the effect of the mirror installed in the side both sides of a heating means, (b) explains the effect of adjustment of the emitted-heat amount of a heating means. It is a graph which shows the temperature distribution of the front-back direction of the modeling area | region to do. （ａ）、（ｂ）は、本発明の実施の形態である粉末焼結積層造形装置を用いて３次元造形物を造形する方法について示す正面図（その１）である。(A), (b) is the front view (the 1) shown about the method of modeling a three-dimensional molded item using the powder sintering lamination modeling apparatus which is embodiment of this invention. （ａ）、（ｂ）は、本発明の実施の形態である粉末焼結積層造形装置を用いて３次元造形物を造形する方法について示す正面図（その２）である。(A), (b) is the front view (the 2) shown about the method of modeling a three-dimensional molded item using the powder sintering lamination modeling apparatus which is embodiment of this invention.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１３ 造形用容器
１３ａ 造形領域
１４ａ、１４ｂ 粉末材料容器
１４ｃ、１４ｄ 粉末材料の収納領域
１５ パートシリンダ
１６ａ、１６ｂ フィードシリンダ
１７ リコータ
１８ｃ乃至１８ｆ 赤外線ヒータ（熱源）
１８ａ乃至１８ｂ、１８ｇ乃至１８ｈ 赤外線ヒータ
１９ａ乃至１９ｌ ミラー（赤外線の反射板）
２１ 粉末材料
２１ａ 粉末材料の薄層
２１ｂ 焼結した薄層
１１１Ａ レーザ光出射部
１１１Ｂ 造形部
１１１Ｃ 制御装置 13 Modeling container 13a Modeling region 14a, 14b Powder material container 14c, 14d Storage region 15 for powder material Part cylinder 16a, 16b Feed cylinder 17 Recoater 18c to 18f Infrared heater (heat source)
18a to 18b, 18g to 18h Infrared heaters 19a to 19l Mirror (Infrared reflector)
21 Powder material 21a Thin layer 21b of powder material Sintered thin layer 111A Laser beam emitting unit 111B Modeling unit 111C Control device

Claims (5)

レーザ光を照射して粉末材料の薄層を焼結させ、複数の焼結薄層を積層して３次元造形物を作製する粉末焼結積層造形装置であって、
前記粉末材料の薄層を形成し、該粉末材料の薄層を選択的に焼結させて前記焼結薄層を形成する平面形状を有する造形領域を囲む造形用容器と、
前記造形領域の左右両側のうち少なくとも一方の側方に設置され、前記造形領域に供給する粉末材料を貯留する粉末材料容器と、
前記造形領域の周辺部の上方の少なくとも１箇所であって、前記造形領域の周縁に到達し得る前記レーザ光の通過領域よりも外側に設置された、前記造形領域を加熱する熱源と、
前記造形領域の周辺部のうち、上方に前記熱源が設置されていない造形領域の周辺部への加熱を補助する熱線の反射板と
を備えたことを特徴とする粉末焼結積層造形装置。 A powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus that irradiates a laser beam to sinter a thin layer of a powder material and laminates a plurality of sintered thin layers to produce a three-dimensional structure,
Forming a thin layer of the powder material and selectively sintering the thin layer of the powder material to form a molding region surrounding a modeling region having a planar shape;
A powder material container that is installed on at least one side of the left and right sides of the modeling region and stores the powder material to be supplied to the modeling region;
A heat source for heating the modeling area, which is at least one place above the peripheral part of the modeling area, and is installed outside the laser light passing area that can reach the periphery of the modeling area;
A powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus, comprising: a heat ray reflector for assisting heating of a peripheral portion of the modeling region where the heat source is not installed above the peripheral portion of the modeling region. 前記造形領域は線対称の平面形状を有することを特徴とする請求項１記載の粉末焼結積層造形装置。   The powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the modeling region has an axisymmetric planar shape. 前記熱源は細長い形状を有し、前記線対称の平面形状を有する造形領域の対称軸に関して略対称な位置に複数設置され、前記反射板は前記熱源の長手方向の両側方に設置されていることを特徴とする請求項２記載の粉末焼結積層造形装置。   The heat source has an elongated shape, a plurality of the heat sources are installed at substantially symmetrical positions with respect to the symmetry axis of the modeling region having the line-symmetric plane shape, and the reflectors are installed on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the heat source. The powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 請求項３記載の粉末焼結積層造形装置を用い、前記造形領域において前記レーザ光を照射して粉末材料の薄層を焼結させ、複数の焼結薄層を積層して３次元造形物を作製する粉末焼結積層造形方法において、
前記複数設置された熱源の発熱量を独立に調整して前記造形領域内の粉末材料及び焼結薄層の温度を調整することを特徴とする粉末焼結積層造形方法。 Using the powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, the thin layer of the powder material is sintered by irradiating the laser beam in the modeling region, and a plurality of sintered thin layers are stacked to form a three-dimensional structure. In the powder sintered additive manufacturing method to produce,
A powder sinter additive manufacturing method characterized by adjusting the heat generation amount of the plurality of installed heat sources independently to adjust the temperature of the powder material and the sintered thin layer in the modeling region. 請求項３記載の粉末焼結積層造形装置を用い、前記造形領域において前記レーザ光を照射して粉末材料の薄層を焼結させ、複数の焼結薄層を積層して３次元造形物を作製する粉末焼結積層造形方法において、
前記粉末材料の薄層の形成から前記焼結薄層の形成まで、前記各設置箇所において高さ方向に複数設置された熱源の発熱量を独立に調整して前記造形領域内の粉末材料及び焼結薄層の温度を調整することを特徴とする粉末焼結積層造形方法。 Using the powder sintering additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, the thin layer of the powder material is sintered by irradiating the laser beam in the modeling region, and a plurality of sintered thin layers are stacked to form a three-dimensional structure. In the powder sintered additive manufacturing method to produce,
From the formation of the thin layer of the powder material to the formation of the sintered thin layer, the amount of heat generated by a plurality of heat sources installed in the height direction at each installation location is independently adjusted, and the powder material and the firing in the modeling region are adjusted. A powder sinter additive manufacturing method characterized by adjusting a temperature of a thin layer.
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