JP2019081263A - Molten material supply device, and three-dimensional shaping device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control the start and stop of ejection of a molten material from a nozzle and the amount of the molten material ejected from the nozzle, and to set the start timing, the stop timing and the discharge amount of the molten material from the nozzle. , Provided is a molten material supply device capable of controlling with higher accuracy as compared with an embodiment not provided with a flow rate adjusting mechanism. A molten material supply device used in a three-dimensional modeling apparatus communicates with a first flow path through which a molten material in which a thermoplastic resin is melted is circulated, and discharges the molten material. It includes a nozzle and a flow rate adjusting mechanism including a butterfly valve provided in the first flow path. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a molten material supply device and a three-dimensional shaping device.

  There is known a three-dimensional modeling apparatus for producing a three-dimensional structure by discharging a molten resin material, laminating, and curing the resin material (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2017-35811 A

  In the shaping process in the three-dimensional shaping apparatus, discharge and stop of the melted material from the nozzle are usually repeated. However, the flow rate of the molten material discharged from the nozzle is not controlled. Therefore, when the structure of the three-dimensional structure is complicated, the flow rate can be appropriately changed according to the portion to be formed, and the three-dimensional structure can not be manufactured. In addition, when stopping the discharge of the material from the nozzle, the outflow of the material from the nozzle is not immediately stopped, and a delay occurs in the stop timing of the discharge of the material, or the discharge amount of the material is planned. There was a case that it became more than the amount. In addition, when the discharge of the material from the nozzle is resumed, there may be a delay in the discharge timing of the material or a shortage of the discharge amount of the material due to the delay in the supply of the material to the nozzle. As described above, in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus, there is still room for improvement in adjusting the discharge amount of the material from the nozzle and stopping the discharge of the material in a responsive manner.

  The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-described problems, and can be realized as the following modes or application examples.

(1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a molten material supply device used for a three-dimensional modeling device is provided. The molten material supply apparatus includes: a first flow path for flowing a molten material obtained by melting a thermoplastic resin; a nozzle communicating with the first flow path and discharging the molten material; and in the first flow path And a flow rate adjusting mechanism provided with a butterfly valve.
According to the molten material supply apparatus of this aspect, the butterfly valve provided in the flow path through which the molten material flows distributes the molten material from the nozzle to start and stop discharge, and the amount of the molten material discharged from the nozzle Can control. Therefore, it is possible to control the start timing and the stop timing of the discharge of the molten material from the nozzle and the discharge amount of the molten material with higher accuracy as compared with the aspect without the flow rate adjusting mechanism.

(2) According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the butterfly valve includes: a plate-like member rotatably disposed in the first flow passage; the plate-like member in the first flow passage is provided The cross section of the space in the plane perpendicular to the direction in which the molten material flows is the cross section in the plane perpendicular to the direction in which the molten material of the portion in the first channel where the plate member is not provided is circulated. Can also be large.
According to the molten material supply device of this aspect, the flow passage around the flow rate adjustment mechanism can be expanded by the expanded flow passage provided at the position provided with the butterfly valve. That is, the flow rate around the plate-like member can be made larger than that in the embodiment in which the expanded flow channel is not provided. Therefore, when the planar direction of the plate-like member is parallel to the flowing direction of the molten material, the flow rate of the first flow path is greatly restricted by the plate-like member as compared with the embodiment without the flow rate adjusting mechanism Can be prevented.

(3) According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a suction unit configured to generate a negative pressure in the first flow path by further sucking the molten material into the branch flow path connected to the first flow path. It can also be an aspect provided.
According to the molten material supply apparatus of this aspect, discharge of the molten material from the nozzle can be rapidly stopped by generating a negative pressure in the flow path of the molten material by the suction unit.

(4) The apparatus for supplying a molten material according to the above aspect may further include a purge unit connected to the first flow path and delivering a gas to the first flow path.
According to the molten material supply apparatus of this aspect, the gas is sent to the upstream side of the molten material remaining in the flow path by the purge unit, so that the molten material remaining in the flow path is rapidly discharged from the nozzle. Can. Therefore, the discharge of the molten material from the nozzle can be rapidly stopped.

(5) In the molten material supply apparatus of the above aspect, the position where the purge unit is connected to the first flow path is on the nozzle side of the position where the butterfly valve is provided in the first flow path. It can also be an aspect.
According to the molten material supply apparatus of this aspect, the discharge of the molten material from the nozzle can be rapidly stopped. In addition, the amount of discharge of the molten material remaining in the flow path is smaller than in the aspect in which the position where the purge unit is connected to the flow path is on the opposite side to the nozzle (that is, the upstream side) be able to.

(6) The molten material supply device according to the above aspect, further comprising: a control unit that controls the flow rate adjustment mechanism and the purge unit, the control unit closing: the flow rate adjustment mechanism; The method may be configured to operate the purge unit after stopping the flow of the material.
According to the molten material supply device of this aspect, it is possible to execute control to operate the purge unit after closing the flow path by the flow rate adjustment mechanism. Therefore, the stop of discharge of the molten material from the nozzle can be controlled with higher accuracy. In addition, when gas is fed into the flow path by the purge unit, it is possible to suppress backflow of the molten material in the flow path to the flow path on the upstream side of the flow rate adjustment mechanism.

(7) According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a three-dimensional shaping apparatus including the molten material supply apparatus of the above aspect.

(8) According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is further provided a three-dimensional shaping apparatus including a melting portion for melting the thermoplastic resin. The melting portion is formed with: a communicating hole communicating with the first flow path; a facing portion having a heater; and a facing portion facing the facing portion, which is rotated to feed the material to the communicating hole and melt the material; A flat screw including a groove portion for supplying the material to the communication hole; the thermoplasticity supplied between the flat screw and the facing portion by rotation of the flat screw and heating by the heater Melt the resin.
With such a configuration, the size of the entire device can be reduced because the resin material is melted by the flat screw.

  The plurality of components included in each aspect of the present invention described above are not all essential, and some or all of the effects described in this specification may be solved in order to solve some or all of the problems described above. In order to achieve the above, it is possible to appropriately change, delete, replace with another new component, and partially delete limited content for some components of the plurality of components. In addition, in order to solve some or all of the problems described above, or to achieve some or all of the effects described in the present specification, the technical features included in one embodiment of the present invention described above It is also possible to combine some or all of the technical features included in the other aspects of the present invention described above into one independent aspect of the present invention.

  The present invention can also be realized in various forms other than the molten material supply device and the three-dimensional shaping device. For example, the method can be realized in the form of a method of discharging a molten material, a method of forming a three-dimensional structure using the molten material, or the like. In addition, the present invention can be realized in the form of a control method of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, a computer program for controlling a flow rate adjustment mechanism, or a non-temporary recording medium recording the computer program.

It is the schematic which shows the structure of the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 100 in 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the structure by the side of the lower surface 48 of the flat screw 40. FIG. It is a schematic plan view which shows the upper surface 52 side of the facing part 50. FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a positional relationship between the three-dimensional structure OB and the discharge port 62 at the tip of the nozzle 61. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing an appearance of a molten material supply device 60 provided with a flow rate adjustment mechanism 70. It is sectional drawing of the molten material supply apparatus 60 in the VI-VI position of FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 in a state where a butterfly valve 72 is in a first position in a region Ef in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 in a state where a butterfly valve 72 is in a second position in a region Ef in FIG. It is the expanded sectional view which showed the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 in the state which the butterfly valve 72 exists in a 3rd position in the area | region Ef in FIG. It is an explanatory view showing an example of a flow of modeling processing which control part 300 performs. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the flow volume adjustment mechanism 70b with which the molten material supply apparatus 60b of the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 100b in 2nd Embodiment is equipped. It is an expanded sectional view showing flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 in the state where butterfly valve 72b is in the 2nd position. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the molten material supply apparatus 60c of 3rd Embodiment provided with the attraction | suction part 75. As shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing by which operation | movement of the attraction | suction part 75 with which the molten material supply apparatus 60c of 3rd Embodiment is equipped was shown typically.

A. First embodiment:
FIG. 1: is schematic which shows the structure of the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 100 in 1st Embodiment. In FIG. 1, arrows indicating X, Y, and Z directions orthogonal to one another are shown. The X direction and the Y direction are directions parallel to the horizontal plane, and the Z direction is the direction opposite to the gravity direction. Arrows indicating the X, Y, and Z directions are illustrated as necessary in other drawings so as to correspond to FIG. 1.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 includes a discharge unit 110, a modeling stage unit 200, and a control unit 300. The three-dimensional structure forming apparatus 100 forms a three-dimensional structure by discharging the molten material from the nozzle 61 of the discharge unit 110 onto the forming table 220 of the forming stage unit 200 under the control of the control unit 300. The molten material is a material obtained by melting a thermoplastic resin (thermoplastic resin).

  The discharge unit 110 includes a material supply unit 20, a melting unit 30, and a molten material supply device 60. The material supply unit 20 is constituted by a hopper, and the lower outlet is connected to the melting unit 30 via the communication passage 22. The material supply unit 20 supplies a thermoplastic material to the melting unit 30.

  As materials to be introduced into the material supply unit 20, for example, polypropylene resin (PP), polyethylene resin (PE), polyacetal resin (POM), polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC), polyamide resin (PA), acrylonitrile butadiene ··· Styrene resin (ABS), polylactic acid resin (PLA), polyphenylene sulfide resin (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polycarbonate (PC) and the like can be used. These materials are supplied to the material supply unit 20 in the form of solid materials such as pellets and powders. Further, a pigment, a metal, a ceramic or the like may be mixed in the material having thermoplasticity to be introduced into the material supply unit 20.

  The melting unit 30 melts the material supplied from the material supply unit 20 and causes the material to flow into the molten material supply device 60. The melting portion 30 has a screw case 31, a drive motor 32, a flat screw 40, and a facing portion 50.

  The flat screw 40 is a substantially cylindrical screw whose height in the axial direction (direction along the central axis) is smaller than the diameter, and the groove 42 is formed on the lower surface 48 which is a surface intersecting with the rotation axis RX. ing. The communication path 22 of the material supply unit 20 described above is connected to the groove 42 from the side surface of the flat screw 40. The specific shape of the flat screw 40 will be described later.

  The flat screw 40 is disposed such that the axial direction is parallel to the Z direction, and rotates along the circumferential direction. In FIG. 1, the rotation axis RX of the flat screw 40 is illustrated by an alternate long and short dash line. In the first embodiment, the central axis of the flat screw 40 coincides with the rotation axis RX.

  The flat screw 40 is housed in the screw case 31. The upper surface 47 of the flat screw 40 is connected to the drive motor 32. The flat screw 40 is rotated in the screw case 31 by the rotational drive force generated by the drive motor 32. The drive motor 32 is driven under the control of the control unit 300.

  The lower surface 48 of the flat screw 40 faces the upper surface 52 of the facing portion 50. A space is formed between the groove 42 provided on the lower surface 48 and the upper surface 52 of the facing portion 50. In the discharge unit 110, the material having thermoplasticity supplied from the material supply unit 20 flows through this space.

  The facing portion 50 is a substantially cylindrical member whose height in the axial direction (direction along the central axis) is smaller than the diameter. One circular surface of the facing portion 50 faces the lower surface 48 of the flat screw 40, and the other circular surface is connected to the molten material supply device 60. In the facing portion 50, a heater 58 for heating the material is embedded. The material supplied into the groove 42 is melted by heating by the heater 58 and converted to a molten material, and flows along the groove 42 by the rotation of the flat screw 40 to the central portion 46 of the flat screw 40 described later. It is led. The molten material flowing into the central portion 46 is supplied to the molten material supply device 60 through the communication hole 56 provided at the center of the facing portion 50.

  The molten material supply device 60 causes the molten material supplied from the facing portion 50 to flow in the internal flow path, and discharges the molten material from the nozzle 61. The molten material supply device 60 has a nozzle 61, a first flow path 65, a flow rate adjustment mechanism 70, and a purge unit 80. The nozzle 61 discharges the molten material from the discharge port 62 at the tip. The discharge port 62 is an opening having a hole diameter Dn formed in the nozzle 61, and is connected to the communication hole 56 through the first flow path 65. The first flow path 65 is a flow path of the molten material between the flat screw 40 and the nozzle 61. In the first embodiment, the shape of the cross section perpendicular to the flow direction of the molten material in the first flow passage 65 is a circle having a diameter Wd. The molten material melted in the melting section 30 flows from the communication hole 56 to the first flow path 65, and is discharged from the discharge port 62 of the nozzle 61 toward the forming table 220 of the forming stage unit 200.

  The molten material is ejected from the nozzle 61 in a state of being completely heated by being heated to the glass transition point or more. For example, the ABS resin has a glass transition temperature of about 120 ° C. and reaches about 200 ° C. when ejected from the nozzle 61. A heater may be provided around the nozzle 61 to eject the molten material in such a high temperature state.

  The flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 is provided in the first flow path 65, and controls the flow rate of the molten material flowing in the first flow path 65. The flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 includes a butterfly valve 72, a valve drive unit 74, and a drive shaft 76 (not shown in FIG. 1). The valve drive unit 74 is driven under the control of the control unit 300. The mechanism for adjusting the flow rate of the first flow path 65 by the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 will be described later.

  The purge unit 80 is connected to the first flow path 65 and has a mechanism for delivering a gas into the first flow path 65. The purge unit 80 has a delivery passage 82, a purge drive unit 84, and a delivery port 86. The delivery path 82 and the delivery port 86 are not shown in FIG. In the first embodiment, the purge unit 80 is provided closer to the nozzle 61 (that is, downstream) than the position of the first flow passage 65 at which the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 is provided. The gas delivered to the first flow path 65 by the purge unit 80 pressure-feeds the molten material in the first flow path 65 to the discharge port 62. The mechanism for delivering the gas to the first flow path 65 by the purge unit 80 will be described later.

  The modeling stage portion 200 is provided at a position facing the nozzle 61 of the molten material supply device 60. The modeling stage unit 200 includes a table 210, a modeling table 220 placed on the table 210, and a moving mechanism 230 for displacing the modeling table 220. The moving mechanism 230 is provided with three motors shown by "M" in FIG. The moving mechanism 230 is configured by a three-axis positioner that moves the forming table 220 in three axial directions of the X, Y, and Z directions by the driving force of the three motors. The modeling stage unit 200 changes the relative positional relationship between the nozzle 61 and the modeling table 220 under the control of the control unit 300.

  The control unit 300 can be realized by, for example, a computer including a processor such as a CPU, a main memory, and a non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory in the control unit 300 stores a computer program for controlling the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100. The control unit 300 drives the discharge unit 110 and discharges the molten material to the position of the coordinates on the modeling table 220 according to the modeling data, thereby executing a modeling process of modeling a three-dimensional model.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration on the lower surface 48 side of the flat screw 40. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the position of the rotation axis RX of the flat screw 40 when rotating in the melting portion 30 is illustrated by a one-dot chain line. As described above, the groove portion 42 is provided on the lower surface 48 of the flat screw 40 facing the facing portion 50 (FIG. 1). Hereinafter, the lower surface 48 is also referred to as a “groove forming surface 48”.

  The central portion 46 of the groove forming surface 48 of the flat screw 40 is configured as a recess to which one end of the groove 42 is connected. The central portion 46 faces the communication hole 56 (FIG. 1) of the facing portion 50. In the first embodiment, the central portion 46 intersects the rotation axis RX.

  The groove 42 of the flat screw 40 spirally extends from the central portion 46 toward the outer periphery of the flat screw 40 in an arc. The grooves 42 may be configured to extend in a spiral manner. Incidentally, FIG. 2 shows an example of a flat screw 40 which constitutes side wall portions of three groove portions 42 and has three projecting streaks 43 extending along the respective groove portions 42. The number of grooves 42 and ridges 43 provided on the flat screw 40 is not limited to three. Only one groove 42 may be provided in the flat screw 40, or two or more grooves 42 may be provided. Further, any number of convex portions 43 may be provided in accordance with the number of grooves 42.

  The groove 42 is continuous to the material inlet 44 formed on the side of the flat screw 40. The material inlet 44 is a portion that receives the material supplied through the communication passage 22 of the material supply unit 20. Note that FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the flat screw 40 in which the material inlets 44 are formed at three places. The number of material inlets 44 provided in the flat screw 40 is not limited to three. In the flat screw 40, the material inlet 44 may be provided at only one place, or may be provided at a plurality of two or more places.

  When the flat screw 40 rotates, the material supplied from the material inlet 44 is melted while being heated by the heater 58 of the facing portion 50 in the groove 42 and is converted into a molten material. The molten material flows through the groove 42 to the central portion 46.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing the upper surface 52 side of the facing portion 50. As shown in FIG. The upper surface 52 of the facing portion 50 faces the groove forming surface 48 of the flat screw 40 as described above. Hereinafter, the upper surface 52 is also referred to as a “screw facing surface 52”. A communication hole 56 for supplying the molten material to the first flow path 65 is formed in the center of the screw facing surface 52.

  The screw facing surface 52 is formed with a plurality of guide grooves 54 which are connected to the communication hole 56 and which spirally extend from the communication hole 56 toward the outer periphery. The plurality of guide grooves 54 have a function of guiding the molten material to the communication hole 56. As described above, the facing portion 50 is embedded with the heater 58 for heating the material (see FIG. 1). The melting of the material in the melting portion 30 is realized by the heating by the heater 58 and the rotation of the flat screw 40. As described above, according to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 of the first embodiment, by using the flat screw 40, downsizing of the apparatus and improvement of modeling accuracy are realized.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the positional relationship between the three-dimensional structure OB and the discharge port 62 at the tip of the nozzle 61. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 schematically shows how the three-dimensional object OB is formed on the forming table 220.

  In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100, the gap G is held between the discharge port 62 at the tip of the nozzle 61 and the upper surface OBt of the three-dimensional model OB being modeled. Here, “the upper surface OBt of the three-dimensional structure OB” means a planned portion where the molten material discharged from the nozzle 61 is deposited in the vicinity of the position directly below the nozzle 61.

  The size of the gap G is preferably equal to or greater than the hole diameter Dn (see FIG. 1) at the discharge port 62 of the nozzle 61, and more preferably 1.1 times or more of the hole diameter Dn. In this way, the molten material discharged from the discharge port 62 of the nozzle 61 is deposited on the upper surface OBt of the three-dimensional object OB in a free state where it is not pressed against the upper surface OBt of the three-dimensional object OB being manufactured. As a result, crushing of the cross-sectional shape of the molten material discharged from the nozzle 61 can be suppressed, and the surface roughness of the three-dimensional structure OB can be reduced. Further, in the configuration in which the heater is provided around the nozzle 61, by forming the gap G, overheating of the material by the heater can be prevented, and discoloration or deterioration due to overheating of the material deposited on the three-dimensional structure OB Is suppressed.

  On the other hand, the size of the gap G is preferably 1.5 times or less of the pore diameter Dn, and particularly preferably 1.3 times or less. As a result, it is possible to suppress the reduction in the accuracy with respect to the portion where the molten material is to be arranged, and the reduction in the adhesion of the molten material to the upper surface OBt of the three-dimensional structure OB being manufactured.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing an appearance of the molten material supply device 60 provided with the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, the position of the central axis AX of the drive shaft 76 when the drive shaft 76 rotates is illustrated by a broken line. The drive shaft 76 is penetrated from a part of the outer surface in the Y direction of the molten material supply device 60.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the molten material supply device 60 at the VI-VI position of FIG. In the first embodiment, the molten material supply device 60 includes the nozzle 61, the first flow path 65, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70, and the purge unit 80.

  The flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 includes a butterfly valve 72, a valve drive unit 74, and a drive shaft 76. The flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 is provided in the first flow path 65, and controls the flow rate of the molten material flowing in the first flow path 65. The butterfly valve 72 is a plate-like member in which a part of the drive shaft 76 is processed into a plate shape. The butterfly valve 72 is rotatably disposed in the first flow passage 65. In FIG. 6, the flow direction Fd of the molten material flowing in the first flow path 65 is shown.

  The drive shaft 76 is an axial member provided so as to be perpendicular to the flow direction Fd of the molten material in the first flow path 65. In the first embodiment, the drive shaft 76 vertically intersects the first flow passage 65. The drive shaft 76 is provided such that the position of the butterfly valve 72 is a position where the drive shaft 76 and the first flow path 65 intersect.

  The valve drive unit 74 is a drive unit having a mechanism for rotating the drive shaft 76 about the central axis AX. The butterfly valve 72 is rotated by the rotational drive force of the drive shaft 76 generated by the valve drive unit 74. Specifically, the butterfly valve 72 has a first position in which the flow direction Fd of the molten material in the first flow passage 65 and the surface direction of the butterfly valve 72 are substantially perpendicular by rotation of the drive shaft 76. A second position in which the flow direction Fd of the molten material in the first flow path 65 and the surface direction of the butterfly valve 72 are substantially parallel, and the flow direction Fd of the molten material in the first flow path 65 and the butterfly valve 72 It rotates so that a surface direction may become any position of the 3rd position which will become any angle among angles larger than 0 degree and smaller than 90 degrees. In FIG. 6, the state where the position of the butterfly valve 72 is the first position is shown.

  The rotation of the butterfly valve 72 adjusts the area of the opening formed in the flow passage of the first flow passage 65. By adjusting the area of the opening, the flow rate of the molten material flowing through the first flow path 65 is adjusted. Further, by setting the area of the opening to zero (the butterfly valve 72 blocks the first channel 65), the flow rate of the molten material flowing through the first channel 65 is zero. You can also That is, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 can control the start and stop of the flow of the molten material flowing through the first flow passage 65 and the adjustment of the flow rate of the molten material. In this specification, the expression "stop of discharge of the molten material" is used when the flow rate of the molten material is zero (ie, the flow path of the molten material is blocked). Unless stated otherwise, the expression "change in flow" does not include a change to the state where the flow of molten material is zero.

  The purge unit 80 is connected to the first flow path 65 and has a mechanism for delivering a gas into the first flow path 65. The purge unit 80 has a delivery passage 82, a purge drive unit 84, and a delivery port 86. For the purge drive unit 84, for example, various pumps capable of delivering gas such as a plunger pump, a piston pump, a pump that delivers gas by reciprocating motion such as a diaphragm pump, a gear pump, a syringe pump, etc. can be applied. . The purge drive unit 84 is driven under the control of the control unit 300.

  The delivery port 86 is an opening provided in the first flow path 65. The delivery passage 82 is constituted by a through hole extending linearly and intersecting the first passage 65. The delivery path 82 is a gas flow path connected to the purge drive unit 84 and the delivery port 86. The gas delivered from the purge drive unit 84 is delivered from the delivery port 86 into the first fluid passage 65 through the delivery passage 82. The gas supplied into the first flow path 65 further supplies the gas continuously from the purge drive unit 84, thereby pressure-feeding the molten material remaining in the first flow path 65 to the nozzle 61 side. The pressure-fed molten material is discharged from the discharge port 62 of the nozzle 61.

  Thereby, the molten material remaining in the flow path can be discharged from the nozzle 61 quickly. Therefore, the discharge of the molten material from the nozzle 61 can be rapidly stopped. The shape of the opening of the delivery port 86 connected to the first flow path 65 is smaller than the shape of the cross section perpendicular to the flow direction Fd of the molten material flowing in the first flow path 65. As a result, the molten material flowing in the first flow path 65 is prevented from flowing in from the delivery port 86 and flowing backward in the delivery path 82.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 in a state where the butterfly valve 72 is in the first position in the region Ef in FIG. Specifically, it is a cross-sectional view in a plane including the central axis of the flow direction Fd of the molten material in the first flow path 65 and perpendicular to the central axis AX of the drive shaft 76. In FIG. 7, the central axis AX of the drive shaft 76, the thickness Th of the butterfly valve 72, the flow direction Fd of the molten material flowing in the first flow path 65, and the flow direction Fd The diameter Wd of the cross section of the first flow passage 65 in the vertical direction is schematically shown. In FIG. 7, the butterfly valve 72 is disposed at a position (first position) in which the surface direction is substantially perpendicular to the flow direction Fd as the drive shaft 76 is rotated by the valve drive unit 74 with respect to the central axis AX. ing.

  The butterfly valve 72 is a substantially square plate-like member having a thickness Th that is one-third the diameter Wd of the first flow path 65. The length of one side of the butterfly valve 72 in the surface direction is substantially the same as the diameter Wd of the cross section of the first flow passage 65. That is, by arranging the butterfly valve 72 at a position (first position) in which the surface direction of the butterfly valve 72 is substantially perpendicular to the flow direction Fd of the molten material, the flow passage of the molten material in the first flow passage 65 It is blocked by the side it has.

  FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view showing the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 in a state where the butterfly valve 72 is in the second position in the region Ef in FIG. Specifically, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view in a plane including the central axis of the flow direction Fd of the molten material in the first flow passage 65 and in a plane perpendicular to the central axis AX of the drive shaft 76. In FIG. 8, in addition to the respective members, the central axis AX of the drive shaft 76, the thickness Th of the butterfly valve 72, the flow direction Fd of the molten material in the first flow path 65, and the flow direction Fd are substantially perpendicular. The cross-sectional diameter Wd of the first flow path 65 in the direction, the width W1 in the X direction of the flow path sandwiched by one surface of the butterfly valve 72 and the inner wall of the first flow path 65 The width W2 in the X direction of the flow channel sandwiched between the surface and the inner wall of the first flow channel 65 is schematically shown. In FIG. 8, the butterfly valve 72 is disposed at a position (second position) where the surface direction is substantially parallel to the flow direction Fd as the drive shaft 76 is rotated with respect to the central axis AX by the valve drive unit 74. ing.

  In a state where the butterfly valve 72 is disposed at the second position, when the butterfly valve 72 is projected along the circulation direction Fd on a plane substantially perpendicular to the circulation direction Fd, the area of the butterfly valve 72 is minimized. Conversely, in the first flow path 65, the flow path of the molten material is the largest. That is, when the butterfly valve 72 is in the second position, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 maximizes the flow rate in the first flow path 65.

  FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 in a state where the butterfly valve 72 is in the third position in the region Ef in FIG. Specifically, it is a cross-sectional view in a plane including the central axis of the flow direction Fd of the molten material in the first flow path 65 and perpendicular to the central axis AX of the drive shaft 76. In FIG. 9, the central axis AX of the drive shaft 76, the thickness Th of the butterfly valve 72, the flow direction Fd of the molten material in the first flow path 65, and the flow direction Fd are substantially perpendicular to the respective members. A diameter Wd of the cross section of the first flow path 65 in the direction, and a width W3 which is the smallest of the widths in the X direction of the flow path sandwiched between one surface of the butterfly valve 72 and the inner wall of the first flow path 65; The width W4 which is the smallest of the widths in the X direction of the flow path sandwiched between the other surface of the butterfly valve 72 and the inner wall of the first flow path 65 is schematically shown. In FIG. 9, when the drive shaft 76 is rotated with respect to the central axis AX by the valve drive unit 74, the butterfly valve 72 causes the flowing direction Fd of the molten material in the first flow passage 65 to flow and the butterfly valve 72. An angle formed by the surface direction is disposed at a position (third position) which is any one of angles larger than 0 degrees and smaller than 90 degrees.

  The width W3 and the width W4 are varied as the butterfly valve 72 is rotated. The relationship between the widths W1 and W2 (see FIG. 8) at the second position and the widths W3 and W4 at the third position is 0 <W3 <W1 and 0 <W4 <W2. When the butterfly valve 72 is projected along the flow direction Fd on a surface substantially perpendicular to the flow direction Fd in a state where the butterfly valve 72 is arranged at the third position, the area of the butterfly valve 72 is arranged at the second position It is larger than the area in the case where it is placed and smaller than the area where it is placed in the first position. In addition, the area of the butterfly valve 72 fluctuates with the fluctuation of the width W3 and the width W4 described above. That is, the angle formed by the flow direction Fd of the molten material flowing in the first flow path 65 and the surface direction of the butterfly valve 72 is adjusted to be an angle larger than 0 degrees and smaller than 90 degrees. The area of the flow path at the position including the butterfly valve 72 in the first flow path 65 is adjusted within a range larger than the area at the time of being disposed at the first position and smaller than the area at the time of being disposed at the second position It can be done. That is, the amount of molten material discharged from the nozzle 61 can be controlled by adjusting the flow rate in the first flow path 65 by the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70.

  As described above, according to the molten material supply device 60 of the first embodiment, the discharge of the molten material from the nozzle 61 is started by the butterfly valve 72 provided in the first flow path 65 through which the molten material flows. The stop and the amount of molten material discharged from the nozzle 61 can be controlled. Therefore, the start timing and the stop timing of the discharge of the molten material from the nozzle 61 and the discharge amount of the molten material can be controlled with higher accuracy as compared with the aspect without the flow rate adjusting mechanism 70.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing an example of the flow of the forming process performed by the control unit 300. Step S10 is a discharge step of discharging the molten material from the nozzle 61. In step S10, the control unit 300 drives the drive motor 32 of the melting unit 30 to rotate the flat screw 40, and executes a discharge process for continuously discharging the molten material from the nozzle 61 toward the forming table 220. . At this time, the control unit 300 reads the setting value of the flow rate of the molten material at the start of the discharge process, drives the flow rate adjusting mechanism 70, and the butterfly valve 72 is predetermined in the second position or the third position. Execute processing to move to the specified position.

  While performing the discharge process, the control unit 300 controls the moving mechanism 230 of the modeling stage unit 200 to displace the modeling table 220 in the three axial directions of X, Y, and Z according to the modeling data. Thereby, the molten material is deposited at the target position on the forming table 220.

  The control unit 300 determines whether it is necessary to change the flow rate of the molten material during the discharge process of step S10 (step S20). The control unit 300 may perform the determination, for example, based on the modeling data.

  When it is necessary to change the flow rate of the molten material (S20: YES), the control unit 300 controls the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 to set the butterfly valve 72 to a predetermined position of the second position or the third position. The process of moving is executed (step S21). Thereby, the flow rate of the molten material in the first flow path 65 is changed.

  For example, in the case of forming a three-dimensional structure while reducing the moving speed of the forming table 220 in order to form complex parts and details of the object, the control unit 300 may use the molten material from the nozzle 61 The determination is made to reduce the discharge amount of the ink. The control unit 300 moves the butterfly valve 72 from the second position of the butterfly valve 72, which has been set to form a part of the simple structure of the object, to a predetermined one of the third positions for melting. Change the material flow rate. Alternatively, the control unit 300 may determine that it is necessary to change the flow rate of the molten material from the nozzle 61 when it receives an interrupt command of flow rate change from the user or the upper control unit.

  On the other hand, when it is not necessary to change the flow rate of the molten material (S20: NO), the control unit 300 determines whether the timing to temporarily interrupt the discharge of the molten material has come during the discharge process of step S10. Is determined (step S30). The control unit 300 may perform the determination based on the formation data. The control unit 300 temporarily discharges the molten material from the nozzle 61, for example, when the molten material is separated and deposited at a position separated by a predetermined distance from the position where the molten material has been discharged until then. It is determined that the timing for interrupting has arrived. Alternatively, the control unit 300 may determine that the timing for temporarily interrupting the discharge of the molten material from the nozzle 61 has come when the interruption instruction of the temporary stop from the user or the upper control unit is received. .

  If it is not the timing for interrupting the discharge of the molten material, the control unit 300 continues the discharge processing of the molten material in step S10 (S30: NO). On the other hand, when the timing to interrupt the discharge of the molten material has come (S30: YES), the control unit 300 executes the processing of steps S31 to S40.

  Steps S <b> 31 to S <b> 40 are discharge stop steps for controlling the outflow of the molten material from the nozzle 61. In the discharge stopping step, the control unit 300 controls the flow rate adjusting mechanism 70 to move the butterfly valve 72 to the first position. Thereby, the position provided with the butterfly valve 72 in the first flow path 65 is closed, and the flow of the molten material from the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 to the nozzle 61 side (that is, the downstream side) is stopped (step S31).

  After blocking the first flow path 65 by the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 in step S31, the control unit 300 drives the purge unit 80 provided on the downstream side of the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 to Supply the gas (step S32). According to this discharge stop process, when the butterfly valve 72 closes the first flow path 65, the gas supplied from the purge unit 80 pumps the molten material remaining on the downstream side of the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70, It can be made to discharge from the discharge port 62 of the nozzle 61.

  As described above, the control unit 300 can execute control to operate the purge unit 80 after the first flow passage 65 is closed by the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70. Therefore, the stop of the discharge of the molten material from the nozzle 61 can be controlled with higher accuracy. In addition, when gas is fed into the first flow path 65 by the purge unit 80, the molten material in the first flow path 65 can be prevented from flowing backward to the flow path on the upstream side of the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70. .

  The molten material remaining on the upstream side of the delivery port 86 connected to the first flow path 65 and on the downstream side of the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 in the purge unit 80 is delivered by the purge unit 80 by delivery of gas. In some cases, the nozzle 61 can not discharge the ink. Therefore, the delivery port 86 connected to the first flow path 65 is provided on the downstream side of the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 in the first flow path 65 and is provided as close to the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 as possible. Is preferred.

  Moreover, while stopping the outflow of the molten material from the nozzle 61, for example, the control unit 300 performs shaping so that the nozzle 61 is positioned at the coordinates on the forming table 220 where the discharge of the molten material should be resumed next. The position of the nozzle 61 with respect to the pedestal 220 may be changed.

  When it is time to restart the discharge of the molten material from the nozzle 61, the control unit 300 starts the flow of the molten material from the nozzle 61 (step S40: YES). Specifically, the setting value of the flow rate of the molten material at the time of restarting the discharge process is read, the flow rate adjusting mechanism 70 is driven, and the butterfly valve 72 is set to a predetermined position of the second position or the third position. Execute the process to move. On the other hand, when the control unit 300 does not resume the discharge of the molten material from the nozzle 61 (that is, when the shaping process is completed), the control unit 300 ends the process (step S40: NO).

  When the first flow path 65 is closed by the butterfly valve 72 and the discharge of the molten material from the nozzle 61 is temporarily interrupted in step S31, the control unit 300 stops the rotation of the flat screw 40. It is desirable to keep it going. Thus, the discharge of the molten material from the nozzle 61 can be resumed more quickly in step S40.

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a flow rate adjustment mechanism 70b provided in the molten material supply device 60b of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100b in the second embodiment. Specifically, it is a cross-sectional view in a plane including the central axis of the flowing direction Fd of the molten material in the first flow path 65b and in a plane perpendicular to the central axis AX of the drive shaft 76b. The configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100b of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70b of the second embodiment is provided instead of the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 of the first embodiment. The configuration is substantially the same as that of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100.

  The flow rate adjustment mechanism 70b of the second embodiment includes a butterfly valve 72b, a valve drive unit 74b (not shown), and a drive shaft 76b. The length of one side in the surface direction of the butterfly valve 72b is larger than the diameter Wd of the cross section of the first flow passage 65b. In the space provided with the butterfly valve 72b in the first flow passage 65b, a flow passage having a width Wd2 substantially the same as the length of one side in the surface direction of the butterfly valve 72b is provided. The width Wd2 is larger than the diameter Wd of the cross section of the first flow passage 65b. That is, the butterfly valve 72 in the first flow path 65b is provided in a section perpendicular to the flow direction Fd of the molten material in the space provided with the butterfly valve 72b which is a plate-like member in the first flow path 65b. It is larger than the cross section in the plane perpendicular to the flow direction Fd of the molten material of the non-portion.

  In FIG. 11, the surface direction of the butterfly valve 72b is disposed at a position (first position) substantially perpendicular to the flow direction Fd of the molten material flowing in the first flow passage 65b. Thus, the flow path of the molten material in the first flow path 65b is blocked by the surface of the butterfly valve 72b.

  FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 with the butterfly valve 72b in the second position. Specifically, it is a cross-sectional view in a plane including the central axis of the flow direction Fd of the molten material in the first flow path 65b and in a plane perpendicular to the central axis AX of the drive shaft 76. In FIG. 12, the butterfly valve 72b is disposed at a position (second position) in which the surface direction is substantially parallel to the flow direction Fd of the molten material flowing in the first flow passage 65b. That is, the flow rate in the first flow path 65b is maximized by the flow rate adjusting mechanism 70b.

  12, the central axis AX of the drive shaft 76, the thickness Th of the butterfly valve 72, the flow direction Fd of the molten material in the first flow path 65b, and the flow direction Fd are substantially perpendicular to the respective members. The cross-sectional diameter Wd of the first flow passage 65b in the direction, the width W1b in the X direction between one surface of the butterfly valve 72b and the inner wall of the first flow passage 65b, the other surface of the butterfly valve 72 and the first The width W2b in the X direction between the flow path 65b and the inner wall is schematically shown. Each width is formed to be W5> W1b and W6> W2b. That is, in the space where the butterfly valve 72b is provided in the first flow passage 65b, the flow passage on one surface side of the butterfly valve 72b and the flow passage on the other surface side are , A channel having an enlarged width.

  Thereby, the flow path around the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70b can be expanded. That is, the flow rate around the butterfly valve 72b can be made larger than that in the embodiment without the expanded flow path. Therefore, when the surface direction of the butterfly valve 72b is parallel to the flow direction Fd of the molten material (the second position), the butterfly valve 72b generates the first flow path 65b in comparison with the embodiment without the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70b. It is possible to prevent the flow rate from being greatly restricted.

C. Third embodiment:
With reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the structure of the attraction | suction part 75 with which the three-dimensional shaping apparatus 100c of 3rd Embodiment is provided as the molten material supply apparatus 60c is demonstrated. The configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100c of the third embodiment is the first embodiment except that the molten material supply apparatus 60c of the third embodiment is provided instead of the molten material supply apparatus 60 of the first embodiment. The configuration is substantially the same as the configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 in the form.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a molten material supply apparatus 60c of the third embodiment provided with a suction unit 75. As shown in FIG. The suction unit 75 has a function of changing the pressure in the first flow passage 65. The suction unit 75 includes a branch flow passage 79, a rod 77, and a rod drive unit 78. The branch flow passage 79 is a flow passage into which a part of the molten material of the first flow passage 65 flows. The branch flow path 79 is constituted by a through hole extending linearly and intersecting the first flow path 65. The rod 77 is an axial member disposed in the branch flow passage 79 and extending in the X direction. The rod driving unit 78 generates a driving force for causing the rod 77 to reciprocate in a moment in a reciprocating manner under the control of the control unit 300. The rod drive unit 78 is configured of, for example, an actuator such as a solenoid mechanism, a piezo element, or a motor.

  While the suction portion 75 of the molten material supply device 60c is discharging the molten material from the nozzle 61, the rod 77 is positioned at the connection portion between the first flow passage 65 and the branch flow passage 79 at its tip 77e. Position in the initial position. In FIG. 13, the state in which the position of the rod 77 is the initial position is shown.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory view schematically showing the operation of the suction unit 75 provided in the molten material supply device 60c of the third embodiment. When the rod 77 temporarily interrupts the discharge of the molten material from the nozzle 61, the rod driving unit 78 causes the tip end portion 77e of the rod 77 to be positioned at a deep position in the branch flow path 79. From the initial position, it is instantaneously drawn into the branch flow path 79. As a result, the suction unit 75 sucks a part of the molten material of the first flow passage 65 into the branch flow passage 79 to generate a negative pressure in the first flow passage 65, and the molten material flows out of the nozzle 61. Can be temporarily stopped.

  When the discharge of the molten material from the nozzle 61 is resumed, the controller 300 causes the rod driver 78 to return the rod 77 to the initial position. Thereby, the molten material of the branch flow path 79 flows out to the 1st flow path 65, and the pressure of the 1st flow path 65 is raised. Therefore, the outflow of the molten material from the nozzle 61 can be resumed quickly.

  As described above, according to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100c of the third embodiment, discharge of the molten material from the nozzle 61 is rapidly stopped because the suction unit 75 generates a negative pressure in the first flow passage 65. It can be done. Further, when the outflow of the molten material from the nozzle 61 is resumed, the suction unit 75 increases the pressure in the first flow path 65, so that the accuracy of the start timing of the discharge of the molten material or the discharge time of the molten material The accuracy of the discharge amount is enhanced.

D. Other forms:
D1. Other form 1:
(1) In the above embodiment, the butterfly valve 72 is a substantially square plate member in which a part of the drive shaft 76 is processed into a plate shape. However, the butterfly valve may be a member processed into another shape, for example, a circular plate-like member. That is, it is possible to close the flow path of the first flow path 65 when arranged at the first position, and to adjust the flow rate of the molten material in the first flow path 65 when arranged at the second position or the third position. If it is

(2) In the above embodiment, the butterfly valve 72 is a substantially square plate-like member having a thickness Th that is one-third the diameter Wd of the first flow path 65. However, the thickness of the butterfly valve is not limited to this. The thickness of the butterfly valve may be smaller than one-third or may be larger than one-third. In such an embodiment, the butterfly valve is designed with a strength that can withstand the pressure due to the flow of the molten material, and blocks the flow path of the first flow path 65 when placed at the first position, and the second position or the second position When arranged at three positions, the flow rate of the molten material in the first flow path 65 can be adjusted.

(3) In the above embodiment, the drive shaft 76 is provided to be perpendicular to the flow direction Fd of the molten material in the first flow path 65. However, the drive shaft may have an axial direction that is not perpendicular to the flow direction of the molten material in the first flow path. In such an embodiment, for example, the drive shaft is rotated about the central axis AX such that the butterfly valve is a spherical valve having an opening, and the flow direction with respect to the plane perpendicular to the flow direction of the molten material Changes the opening shape of the valve projected in parallel to the first position, thereby closing the flow path of the first flow path, and the first position when the second position or the third position is provided. The flow rate of the molten material in the flow path can be adjusted.

D2. Other form 2:
In the above embodiment, the suction unit 75 generates negative pressure in the first flow passage 65 by moving the rod 77 in the branch flow passage 79. On the other hand, suction part 75 may generate negative pressure in the 1st channel 65 by other composition. The suction unit 75 may suction the molten material into the branch flow channel 79 by, for example, a suction force of a pump to generate a negative pressure in the first flow channel 65. In the case of this configuration, the molten material sucked into the branch flow path 79 may be circulated to the flat screw 40 and reused, or may be discharged out of the apparatus as it is.

D3. Other form 3:
(1) In the above embodiment, the purge unit 80 is provided on the nozzle 61 side (i.e., downstream side) of the position of the first flow passage 65 at which the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 is provided. However, the purge portion may be provided upstream of the position at which the flow rate adjustment mechanism is provided in the first flow path. In such an aspect, the controller performs control to drive the flow rate adjustment mechanism to close the first flow path after discharging the molten material remaining in the first flow path by driving the purge portion. can do.

(2) In the above embodiment, the delivery port 86 of the purge unit 80 is an opening provided in the first flow path 65. However, the delivery port may be provided with a lid for closing the opening. The lid may be formed of, for example, a rubber provided with a notch extending radially from the center of the surface in contact with the first flow path.

(3) In the above embodiment, the molten material supply device 60 includes both the flow rate adjustment mechanism 70 and the purge unit 80. However, an aspect may be provided in which only the flow rate adjustment mechanism is provided without the purge unit. Further, the molten material supply device may be an aspect including a flow rate adjustment mechanism, a purge unit, and a suction unit, or an aspect including a flow rate adjustment mechanism and a suction unit and not including the purge unit. It is also good.

D4. Other:
The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, examples, and modifications, and can be implemented with various configurations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, technical features in the embodiments, examples, and modifications corresponding to the technical features in the respective forms described in the section of the summary of the invention can be provided to solve some or all of the problems described above, or In order to achieve part or all of the above-described effects, replacements or combinations can be made as appropriate. Also, if the technical features are not described as essential in the present specification, they can be deleted as appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Material supply part, 22 ... Communication path, 30 ... Melting part, 31 ... Screw case, 32 ... Drive motor, 40 ... Flat screw, 42 ... Groove part, 43 ... Convex line part, 44 ... Material inlet, 46 ... Central Sections 47: upper surface of flat screw, 48: lower surface (groove forming surface), 50: facing portion, 52: upper surface (screw facing surface), 54: guide groove, 56: communicating hole, 58: heater, 60: molten material Supply device 60b: Melt material supply device 60c: Melt material supply device 61: Nozzle 62: Discharge port 65: First flow path 70: Flow control mechanism 70b: Flow control mechanism 72: Butterfly valve 72b: Butterfly valve, 74: Valve drive portion, 74b: Valve drive portion, 75: Suction portion, 76: Drive shaft, 76b: Drive shaft, 77: Rod, 77e: Tip portion, 78: Rod drive portion 79: branch flow path, 80: purge portion, 82: delivery path, 84: purge drive portion, 86: delivery port, 100: three-dimensional modeling device, 100b: three-dimensional modeling device, 100c: three-dimensional modeling device, 110: 110 Ejection unit, 200: modeling stage unit, 210: table, 220: modeling platform, 230: moving mechanism, 300: control unit, AX: central axis, Dn: hole diameter, Ef: area, Fd: distribution direction, G: gap, OB: three-dimensional structure, OBt: upper surface, RX: rotational axis, W1, W1b, W2, W2b, W3, W4, Wd2: width, Wd: diameter

Claims (8)

A molten material supply device used for a three-dimensional modeling device, comprising:
A first flow path for circulating a molten material obtained by melting a thermoplastic resin;
A nozzle communicating with the first flow path and discharging the molten material;
A flow rate adjusting mechanism including a butterfly valve provided in the first flow path. The molten material supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The butterfly valve includes a plate member rotatably disposed in the first flow path,
The cross section in the plane perpendicular to the direction in which the molten material flows in the space provided with the plate-like member in the first flow passage is the portion of the portion where the plate-like member in the first flow passage is not provided A molten material supply device having a larger cross section in a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the molten material flows. The molten material supply apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
Furthermore, a molten material supply device comprising: a suction unit that sucks the molten material into the branch flow channel connected to the first flow channel and generates a negative pressure in the first flow channel. The molten material supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
The molten material supply device, further comprising: a purge unit connected to the first flow path for delivering gas to the first flow path. The molten material supply apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
The position at which the purge unit is connected to the first flow path is the nozzle side of the first flow path with respect to the position provided with the butterfly valve. The molten material supply apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
And a control unit for controlling the flow rate adjustment mechanism and the purge unit.
The said control part is a molten material supply apparatus which operates the said purge part, after closing the said flow volume adjustment mechanism and stopping circulation of the material of the said 1st flow path.   The three-dimensional modeling apparatus provided with the molten material supply apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-6. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein
And a melting portion for melting the thermoplastic resin,
The fusion zone is
A communicating portion communicating with the first flow path, and a facing portion having a heater;
And a flat screw including a groove portion facing the facing portion and rotated to feed the material to the communication hole and melt the material to supply the material to the communication hole.
A three-dimensional modeling apparatus, which melts the thermoplastic resin supplied between the flat screw and the facing portion by rotation of the flat screw and heating by the heater.

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