JP2018111849A - Production device of molded article, and production method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a production device of a molded article having high relative density, suppressed contamination of sputter, high strength and high quality, and a production method.SOLUTION: A production device 100 of molded articles includes: a metal powder feeder 20; a molding light beam irradiation device 30 for irradiating a molding light beam L1 on a surface of metal powder 15 fed to irradiation range Ar1; and a molding part 70 for performing a molding treatment for laminating molding by solidifying by sintering or melting by heating metal powder 15 by controlling a molding light beam irradiation device 30. The molding part 70 solidifies the metal powder 15 along a molding path H having a predetermined width α, and the molding part 70 moves the molding light beam L1 in a main direction M of the molding path H when irradiating the molding light beam L1 along the molding path H and reciprocates the molding light beam L1 in a width direction J in the region Ar2 where a thermal influence due to heating immediate before remains in the molding path H.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method for manufacturing a layered object using metal powder as a raw material using laser light.

  In recent years, powdered metal is sintered or melted by laser light irradiation to be solidified, and layered one by one to produce a three-dimensional shaped object. For example, metal AM (Additive) as shown in Patent Document 1 is used. The development of Manufacturing) has become active. In such a metal AM, in order to secure the strength of the solidified shaped object, the density (relative density) of the shaped object is improved so as to be as close as possible to the original density (true density) of the metal used. There is a need. Usually, in order to improve the relative density of a modeled object made of metal AM, it is considered effective to increase the energy density of laser light to be irradiated.

JP-A-2015-199197

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the laser beam is irradiated so that the irradiation locus is linear. Normally, when the laser beam is irradiated so that the irradiation locus is a straight line, the power density is maximized at the center position of the laser beam irradiation spot. For this reason, when the laser light output is increased to increase the energy density and improve the relative density of the modeled object, the power density at the center position of the irradiation spot becomes too high, and the metal exceeds the melting and evaporates. There is a risk that. In this case, there is a possibility that the molten metal is scattered around as spatter due to the evaporation reaction force when the metal evaporates. If this spatter is mixed into the modeled object as an impurity, the quality of the modeled product will deteriorate.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method for a high-strength and high-quality shaped article that has a high relative density and suppresses mixing of spatter. .

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is a manufacturing apparatus for a modeled object that is solidified by sintering or melting a metal powder by irradiation with a modeling light beam to perform layered modeling. The manufacturing apparatus includes a metal powder supply device that supplies the metal powder to an irradiation range of the modeling light beam, and a modeling light beam irradiation device that irradiates the surface of the metal powder supplied to the irradiation range with the modeling light beam; And a modeling unit that controls the modeling light beam irradiation device to heat the metal powder and solidify it by the sintering or the melting to perform a layered modeling process. And when the said modeling part solidifies the said metal powder along the modeling path | route which has predetermined width, and irradiates the said modeling light beam along the said modeling path | route, the said modeling light beam is the main direction of the said modeling path | route. And the modeling light beam is reciprocated in the width direction in a region where the thermal influence from the immediately preceding heating remains in the modeling path.

  Thereby, for example, even if the irradiation of the modeling light beam is apparently moved along the modeling path at the same movement speed as in the conventional technique, the movement does not reciprocate within a predetermined width of the modeling path. While moving. For this reason, the moving speed of the actual modeling light beam in the reciprocating motion can be sufficiently increased. Therefore, it is possible to secure a sufficient energy density as a whole while suppressing the generation of excessive power density in the reciprocating motion. Thereby, while the metal of the irradiated part evaporates and it can prevent that a molten metal disperses around as a sputter | spatter, the density (relative density) of a molded article can be improved.

  Moreover, the manufacturing method which concerns on Claim 8 of this invention is a manufacturing method of the molded article which solidifies by sintering or fuse | melting metal powder by irradiation of a modeling light beam, and laminate-modeling. The manufacturing method includes: a metal powder supply process for supplying the metal powder to the irradiation range of the modeling light beam; and the modeling light beam irradiation device is controlled to heat the metal powder to solidify by the sintering or the melting. And a modeling process for performing a modeling process for modeling. And when the said modeling process solidifies the said metal powder along the modeling path | route which has predetermined width, and irradiates the said modeling light beam along the said modeling path | route, the said modeling light beam is made into the main direction of the said modeling path | route. And the modeling light beam is reciprocated in the width direction in a region where the thermal influence from the immediately preceding heating remains in the modeling path. Thereby, the modeling thing similar to the modeling thing manufactured in Claim 1 can be manufactured.

It is a schematic diagram of the manufacturing apparatus concerning a first embodiment. It is a top view of the metal powder supply apparatus in FIG. It is an enlarged plan view of the thin film layer of metal powder. It is a partial perspective view of the modeling light beam irradiation apparatus in FIG. It is a figure explaining a modeling path and an irradiation locus. It is the figure which took out only the irradiation locus | trajectory of FIG. It is a graph which shows the power density in the laser beam irradiation part in a prior art. It is a graph which shows the power density in the modeling path which concerns on 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart of the manufacturing method which concerns on 1st embodiment. It is a schematic diagram of the manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment. It is a figure explaining the irradiation locus of modification 1. It is a figure explaining the irradiation locus of modification 2.

<1. First embodiment>
(1-1. Overview)
An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional structure (corresponding to a structure) according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus for laminating a three-dimensional structure by solidifying a metal powder by sintering or melting by irradiation with a modeling light beam, which will be described in detail later. In the present embodiment, the modeling light beam is laser light, particularly laser light having an infrared wavelength (described in detail later). Hereinafter, the laser beam having the infrared wavelength according to the present embodiment is referred to as an infrared laser beam L1.

However, laser light of any wavelength such as near-infrared wavelength laser light, short-wavelength laser light, and mid-far-infrared wavelength laser light may be used as the infrared wavelength laser light. Note that the short wavelength laser light is laser light having a short wavelength (for example, a wavelength of 0.2 to 0.6 μm) shorter than the near infrared wavelength. Examples of the short wavelength laser include a UV laser, a green laser, and a blue laser. The mid-infrared wavelength laser beam is a laser beam having a wavelength longer than the near-infrared wavelength. An example of the mid-infrared wavelength laser light is a CO ₂ laser. Further, the modeling light beam is not limited to laser light, and may be an electron beam.

  As the metal forming the metal powder, any metal may be used. For example, maraging steel, stainless steel (SUS), titanium steel (Ti), copper, and aluminum can be applied. Moreover, in this embodiment, when carrying out the layered modeling of the three-dimensional modeled object, the metal powder is melted and then solidified for the layered modeling. However, the three-dimensional structure may be manufactured by solidifying and layering by sintering instead of melting.

(1-2. Manufacturing equipment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a chamber 10, a metal powder supply device 20, a modeling light beam irradiation device 30, and a control unit 45. The control unit 45 includes a metal powder supply control unit 25, a laser light irradiation control unit 49, and a modeling unit 70.

The chamber 10 is a casing formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is a container capable of blocking outside air and inside air. The chamber 10 includes a device capable of replacing the internal air with an inert gas such as He (helium), N ₂ (nitrogen), or Ar (argon) (not shown). It should be noted that the chamber 10 may be configured to be able to be depressurized instead of replacing the inside with an inert gas.

  The metal powder supply device 20 is provided inside the chamber 10. The metal powder supply device 20 is controlled by the metal powder supply control unit 25 of the control unit 45, and the metal powder 15 that is a raw material of the three-dimensional structure is irradiated with an infrared laser light L1 (corresponding to a modeling light beam) irradiation range Ar1 ( (See FIG. 2). The metal powder 15 is, for example, titanium steel (Ti) powder. Here, the metal powder 15 refers to an aggregate in which a plurality of titanium steel powders TiM are collected. Each particle size of the metal powder 15 (titanium steel powder TiM) is about 10 μm to 50 μm.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the metal powder supply device 20 includes a modeling container 21 and a powder container 22. As shown in FIG. 1, a modeling object lifting table 23 is provided in the modeling container 21. A thin film layer 15 a of the metal powder 15 is formed on the model lift table 23. In the plan view, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 3, the thin film layer 15 a has each titanium steel powder TiM arranged in contact with the adjacent titanium steel powder TiM. In the depth direction, the thin film layer 15a is formed of, for example, about 1 to 2 layers of titanium steel powder TiM (not shown). Then, by irradiating the surface of the thin film layer 15a with the infrared laser light L1, the one or two metal powders 15 of the thin film layer 15a are melted and then solidified to form the solidified thin film layer 15b.

  When the solidified thin film layer 15b is formed, the metal powder supply device 20 is controlled by the metal powder supply control unit 25, and the model lift table 23 is moved downward. In the same manner as described above, the thin film layer 15a is formed again on the model lift table 23. Thereafter, the thin film layer 15a is melted and solidified again by irradiating the thin film layer 15a with the infrared laser light L1, and the solidified thin film layer 15b is formed. A desired three-dimensional structure is laminated by repeating such operations.

  In the powder container 22, the metal powder 15 is accommodated on the feed table 24, and the metal powder 15 is supplied by moving the feed table 24 upward. Note that support shafts 23a and 24a are attached to the model lifting table 23 and the feed table 24, respectively. The support shafts 23a and 24a are connected to a drive device (not shown) and are moved up and down by the operation of the drive device.

  In addition, the metal powder supply device 20 is provided with a recoater 26 that moves over the entire region of the opening of the modeling container 21 and the powder container 22. The recoater 26 is moved from the right to the left in FIGS. As a result, the metal powder 15 supplied by the ascent of the feed table 24 is transported onto the shaped article lifting table 23, and the thin film layer 15 a of the metal powder 15 is formed on the shaped article lifting table 23.

  At this time, the thickness of the thin film layer 15 a is determined by the descending amount of the model lift table 23. In the present embodiment, the thin film layer 15a has a thickness of about 50 μm to 100 μm. However, this thickness is only an example and is not limited to this thickness. The method for forming the thin film layer 15a is not limited to the above-described mode. The thin film layer 15 a may be formed by dropping and supplying the metal powder 15 onto the model lifting table 23 while moving above the model lifting table 23.

  The modeling light beam irradiation device 30 is a device that irradiates the surface of the thin film layer 15a of the metal powder 15 in the chamber 10 supplied to the irradiation range Ar1 (see FIG. 2) by the metal powder supply device 20 with the infrared laser light L1. is there. The modeling light beam irradiation device 30 is controlled by the laser light irradiation control unit 49 of the control unit 45. As shown in FIG. 1, the modeling light beam irradiation device 30 includes a laser oscillator 31 and a laser head 32. Further, the laser oscillator 31 includes an optical fiber 35 that transmits the infrared laser light L <b> 1 oscillated from the laser oscillator 31 to the laser head 32.

The laser oscillator 31 oscillates so that the wavelength becomes a predetermined infrared wavelength set in advance, and generates an infrared laser beam L1 that is a laser beam of a continuous wave CW. Specifically, as the infrared laser beam L1, HoYAG (wavelength: about 1.5 μm), YVO (yttrium vanadate, wavelength: about 1.06 μm), Yb (ytterbium, wavelength: about 1.09 μm), fiber laser , And CO ₂ laser (wavelength: about 10.6 μm) can be used. As a result, the laser oscillator 31 can be manufactured at low cost, and energy consumption is small and inexpensive even during operation.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the laser head 32 is disposed at a predetermined distance from the surface of the thin film layer 15 a of the metal powder 15 in the chamber 10 and the axis is vertical. As shown in FIG. 4, the laser head 32 includes a collimating lens 33, a mirror 34, a galvano scanner 36, and an fθ lens 38. The collimating lens 33, the mirror 34, the galvano scanner 36, and the fθ lens 38 are disposed in the housing of the laser head 32. The collimating lens 33 collimates the infrared laser light L1 emitted from the optical fiber 35 and converts it into parallel light.

  The mirror 34 changes the traveling direction of the infrared laser light L1 so that the collimated infrared laser light L1 enters the galvano scanner 36. In the present embodiment, the mirror 34 converts the traveling direction of the infrared laser light L1 by 90 degrees.

  The galvano scanner 36 changes the traveling direction of the laser light L, and irradiates the infrared laser light L1 to a predetermined position on the surface of the thin film layer 15a via the fθ lens 38. That is, the laser head 32 can freely change the irradiation angle of the infrared laser light L1 oscillated from the laser oscillator 31 by the galvano scanner 36.

  As the galvano scanner 36, for example, a known scanner including a pair of movable mirrors (not shown) capable of swinging in two orthogonal directions is used. The fθ lens 38 is a lens that condenses the parallel laser light L incident from the galvano scanner 36. Further, the infrared laser light L1 irradiated from the laser head 32 is irradiated into the chamber 10 through transparent glass or resin provided on the upper surface of the chamber 10. In the above, the used infrared laser beam L1 is a YAG laser, and is a continuous wave CW laser beam.

  The modeling unit 70 controls the operation of the modeling light beam irradiation device 30 via the laser beam irradiation control unit 49. The modeling unit 70 operates the modeling light beam irradiation device 30 to set the infrared laser beam L1 (modeling light beam) on the surface of the thin film layer 15a of the metal powder 15 supplied to the irradiation range Ar1. Irradiate along. At this time, the spot diameter φd (not shown) of the infrared laser light L1 on the surface of the thin film layer 15a is, for example, about φ50 μm. However, this is merely an example, and the spot diameter φd may be set arbitrarily.

  The infrared laser beam L1 is irradiated along the main direction M of the modeling path H to melt the thin film layer 15a of the metal powder 15, and then solidified. In this way, the modeling unit 70 irradiates the infrared laser beam L1 along the modeling path H to produce a three-dimensional modeled object, thereby producing a high-quality and high-strength three-dimensional modeled object. And Details will be described later.

(1-3. Modeling path H)
Next, the modeling path H to be set will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the modeling path H extends in a main direction M that is a direction intersecting the width direction J. The modeling path H is generally set along the titanium steel powder TiM aligned in the thin film layer 15a. Specifically, in the plan view of FIG. 5, the modeling path H is set with a predetermined width α while a line connecting the centers of the aligned titanium steel powders TiM is the modeling path center C. The modeling path H is a path that is set as a range that covers the movement of the center point (irradiation center) of the irradiation spot when the infrared laser light L1 moves along the irradiation trajectory T described later. In the present embodiment, the rectangular shape is set.

  In the present embodiment, the predetermined width α is, for example, 100 μm. At this time, the predetermined width α is a distance larger than the distance between the contact points of each titanium steel powder TiM on which the modeling path H is set and the adjacent titanium steel powder TiM on both sides in the width direction of the modeling path H. That is, in the present embodiment, both ends in the width direction J of the modeling path H enter the adjacent titanium steel powder TiM. However, 100 μm is merely an example, and the size of the predetermined width α may be set arbitrarily.

  And by control of the modeling part 70, while the infrared laser beam L1 moves to the main direction M of the modeling path | route H, in the range of the width direction J of the modeling path | route H, the thermal influence by the last heating remains. It is controlled to reciprocate within the area Ar2. That is, it reciprocates a minute distance so that it can reciprocate within the area Ar2 where the thermal effect from the previous heating remains. The irradiation locus of the infrared laser light L1 at this time will be referred to as an irradiation locus T and will be described below. The irradiation trajectory T is preset and stored in the modeling unit 70. Moreover, M1-M3 in FIG. 5 has shown that irradiation of the infrared laser beam L1 is performed in this order.

  In the above, “immediate heating” refers to heating by the reciprocation immediately before the reciprocation that is performed, assuming that the reciprocation of the infrared laser beam L1 is currently being implemented. It shall be said. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the “immediate heating” may be heating performed a predetermined time in advance. At this time, the predetermined time may have a width or a point. The range of the area Ar2 is set in advance by experiments or the like, and the shape of the reciprocating movement locus (irradiation locus T) is set based on the set area Ar2. Note that the range of the area Ar2 shown in FIG. 5 is a pattern in which the infrared laser beam L1 is reciprocated once from the P1 position to the P2 position of the spiral irradiation locus T described later, and the heat effect due to heating remains. It is shown as an example.

(1-4. Irradiation locus T)
Next, the irradiation locus T will be described. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the present embodiment, the irradiation locus T has a spiral shape. Here, the spiral in a spiral shape is not a spiral in a three-dimensional space, but a curve projected on a two-dimensional plane. As an example, this curve may have a shape obtained by projecting a spiral view in a three-dimensional space from a diagonal direction onto a plan view. In other words, the spiral irradiation trajectory T can be said to be a shape obtained by combining a circle and a straight line having a component in a direction parallel to the main direction M. The shape of the spiral irradiation trajectory T is not limited to the shape shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and can be arbitrarily set.

  The infrared laser beam L1 reciprocates within the range in the width direction J of the modeling path H by tracing and moving a preset spiral irradiation locus T. In the present embodiment, it is the central point of the irradiation spot of the infrared laser light L1 that moves by tracing the spiral irradiation locus T as described above.

  At this time, the spiral width D (diameter) is equal to the predetermined width α of the modeling path H. That is, the magnitude of the reciprocating motion of the infrared laser light L1 is, for example, about 100 μm and is very small. Therefore, the infrared laser beam L1 moves and irradiates in the main direction M of the modeling path H while slightly vibrating (reciprocating) in the width direction J of the modeling path H as described above. Irradiation of the infrared laser light L1 performed along the spiral irradiation locus T is realized by controlling the operation of the galvano scanner 36 as described above.

  In this way, the infrared laser beam L1 is irradiated while reciprocating to the full width of the predetermined width α of the modeling path H. Therefore, a part of the adjacent titanium steel powder TiM is also directly heated, and heat is also transferred well from the titanium steel powder TiM in the modeling path H where the whole is heated. Thereby, the titanium steel powder TiM actually heated as a whole and the adjacent titanium steel powder TiM can be melt-bonded satisfactorily. As described above, the size of the predetermined width α of the modeling path H is set according to the laser spot diameter and the laser output necessary to continue to form a fixed molten pool. However, the size of the predetermined width α is not limited to the above aspect. The predetermined width α may be a width up to a contact point with the titanium steel powder TiM adjacent on both sides. Further, the predetermined width α may be a small width existing only inside the titanium steel powder TiM that is actually heated entirely.

  When the irradiation of the infrared laser light L1 reciprocates within the predetermined width α of the modeling path H based on the spiral irradiation locus T, the section Q moves in the main direction M during one reciprocation, And a section R that moves in a direction opposite to the main direction M (see FIG. 6). However, when compared at each position of the irradiation trajectory T before and after one reciprocation, the position P2 after the reciprocation moves in the main direction M with respect to the position P1 before the reciprocation. Accordingly, it can be said that the irradiation locus T apparently moves along the main direction M of the modeling path H. Therefore, it can be said that the infrared laser light L1 irradiated based on the irradiation locus T solidifies the thin film layer 15a of the metal powder 15 while moving along the main direction M of the modeling path H.

  In the above description, the apparent average moving speed of the infrared laser beam L1 moving along the main direction M is set to the first speed V1 (corresponding to the first average moving speed), and the infrared laser reciprocally moves in a spiral shape. When the actual average moving speed of the light L1 is set to the second speed V2 (corresponding to the second average moving speed), the relationship between the first speed V1 and the second speed V2 is set so that V1 <V2. The

  The speeds of the first speed V1 and the second speed V2 are not constant. The first speed V1 includes a case where the speed direction is reversed. At the second speed V2, the speed is slowest at the end position in the width direction of the modeling path H, and the speed is fastest at the center in the width direction. In the present embodiment, the first speed V1 is, for example, about 0.7 m / s to 1 m / s. Further, the second speed V2 is, for example, about 7 m / s.

(1-5. Action)
Next, the modeling path H (irradiation trajectory T) is set as described above, and the infrared laser light L1 is irradiated to the thin film layer 15a of the metal powder 15 along the set modeling path H (irradiation trajectory T). The operation of the case will be described.

In the three-dimensional structure manufacturing apparatus, in order to improve the relative density of the three-dimensional structure, the energy density E (J / mm ³ ) of the infrared laser light L1 input to the three-dimensional structure is increased. It is known that this is necessary. Further, it is known that the output P (W) of the infrared laser light L1 may be increased in order to increase the energy density E (J / mm ³ ).

Below, the formula (1) which calculates | requires the energy density E at the time of manufacturing a three-dimensional structure (layered object) for reference is described. From the equation (1), the proportional relationship between the energy density E (J / mm ³ ) and the output P (W) of the infrared laser light L1 can be seen.

E = P / vst (1)
E: Energy density (J / mm ³ )
P: Laser output (W)
v: Scanning speed (mm / s)
s: Scanning pitch (mm)
t: Lamination thickness (mm)
In the above description, the scanning pitch s is a distance between each modeling path center C in a plurality of adjacent main directions M. The laminated thickness t is the thickness of the titanium steel powder TiM in the thin film layer 15a.

However, when the laser beam shaping path is linear and the moving speed of the laser beam is low as in the prior art (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-199197), the energy density E (J / mm ³ ) is increased. Therefore, when the output P (W) of the laser beam is increased, the power density F (W / mm ² ) at the laser beam irradiation point (the center point of the irradiation spot) may increase beyond the allowable value X. Yes (see graph in FIG. 7).

The horizontal axis of the graph of FIG. 7 is the distance (mm) from the modeling path center C. The vertical axis represents the power density F (W / mm ² ). For reference, the abscissa indicates the outer peripheral positions a and a of the irradiation spot diameter of the laser beam in the prior art. The power density F (W / mm ² ) is obtained by (laser light output P) / (irradiation spot area). The power density F (W / mm ² ) also has a characteristic that is inversely proportional to the moving speed (scanning speed) of the laser beam.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, in order to increase the energy density E (J / mm ³ ), even if the output P (W) of the infrared laser light L1 is increased, the power density F (W / mm ² ). The modeling path H (irradiation trajectory T) was set so as not to increase.

  In the present embodiment, when the infrared laser light L1 starts to be applied to the thin film layer 15a, the irradiated infrared laser light L1 is moved along the main direction M of the modeling path H as shown in FIG. At the same time, it is reciprocated (slightly vibrated) along the spiral irradiation locus T within the range of the predetermined width α of the modeling path H.

At this time, the first speed V1 (for example, 0.7 m / s to 1 m / s), which is the apparent speed of the infrared laser light L1 moving along the main direction M, is spiral as described above. It is smaller than the actual second speed V2 (for example, 7 m / s) of the reciprocating infrared laser beam L1 (V1 <V2). That is, when the infrared laser light L1 actually moves along the irradiation locus T, the infrared laser light L1 is moved at a high speed (second speed V2). For this reason, at each position on the irradiation locus T, the power density F (W / mm ² ) exceeding the allowable value X does not appear as in the prior art.

Specifically, as described above, the second speed V2 of the infrared laser light L1 is the slowest at the end position in the width direction of the modeling path H, and the fastest at the center in the width direction. Get faster. However, it is set so as not to fall below the moving speed of the laser beam in the prior art at any position. For this reason, the power density F (W / mm ² ) has the characteristics shown in the graph of FIG. The horizontal axis of the graph of FIG. 8 is the distance (mm) from the modeling path center C. The vertical axis represents the power density F (W / mm ² ).

In the graph of FIG. 8, the concave portion at the center indicates the power density F (W / mm ² ) in the vicinity of the modeling path center C where the moving speed of the infrared laser light L1 is fast. Further, the convex portions on both sides indicate the power density F (W / mm ² ) at the turn-back position of the spiral irradiation locus T where the moving speed of the infrared laser light L1 is slow.

Thus, the infrared laser light L1 moves on the irradiation locus T at the second speed V2, so that the power density F (W / mm ² ) in the irradiation part of the infrared laser light L1 is lowered as a whole. The power density F (W / mm ² ) does not exceed the allowable value X described above. At this time, the output P of the infrared laser light L1 is equivalent to the output P of the laser light irradiation in the prior art. For this reason, the energy density E (J / mm ³ ) is equivalent.

Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to further improve the relative density of the three-dimensional structure, an infrared laser is used to increase the power density F (W / mm ² ) at the convex portions on both sides to the vicinity of the allowable value X. What is necessary is just to increase the output P of the light L1. Thereby, since energy density E (J / mm < ³ >) can be increased, in a three-dimensional structure, the relative density with respect to the true density of titanium steel can be improved, and intensity | strength can be ensured. At this time, since the power density F (W / mm ² ) does not exceed the allowable value X, the metal of the irradiated portion irradiated with the infrared laser light L1 evaporates, and the molten metal is caused by the evaporation reaction force when evaporated. There is no risk of scattering around as spatter. For this reason, since a sputter | spatter is not mixed in a molded article as an impurity, quality improves as a three-dimensional molded article.

(1-6. Manufacturing method)
Next, the manufacturing method of a molded article is demonstrated based on the flowchart of FIG. The manufacturing method of a molded article includes a metal powder supply step S10 and a modeling step S20.

  First, the preparation stage will be described. First, the metal powder 15 is put into the powder container 22. Next, the air in the chamber 10 of the manufacturing apparatus 100 is replaced with, for example, He gas by a gas replacement device (not shown).

  In the metal powder supply step S10, the metal powder supply control unit 25 of the control unit 45 operates the metal powder supply device 20 to supply the metal powder 15 on the model lifting table 23, and the metal powder 15 is supplied to the irradiation range Ar1. A thin film layer 15a is formed. For this reason, the metal powder supply control unit 25 first raises the feed table 24 on which the metal powder 15 is placed, and lowers the shaped article lifting table 23 by one or two layers of the thin film layer 15a.

  Then, the recoater 26 is moved from right to left in FIG. 1 to supply the metal powder 15 from the powder container 22 to the modeling container 21 and form a thin film layer 15a of powder on the model lifting table 23. To do.

  Next, in modeling process S20, modeling part 70 controls modeling light beam irradiation device 30, irradiates infrared laser beam L1 (modeling light beam) to thin film layer 15a of metal powder 15, and heats thin film layer 15a. Solidification is performed by sintering or melting, and a modeling process is performed for layered modeling.

  In detail, in modeling process S20, after irradiating infrared laser beam L1 (modeling light beam) along modeling path H which has predetermined width alpha, and melting metal powder 15, it solidifies. At this time, when irradiating the infrared laser light L1 along the modeling path H, the infrared laser light L1 is moved in the main direction M of the modeling path H, and the infrared laser light L1 is within the range in the width direction. A reciprocation is made along the irradiation trajectory T. In addition, when reciprocating, it reciprocates within the area | region Ar2 in which the heat influence by the last heating remains. Detailed processing is as described above. Thereby, the high-strength and high-quality three-dimensional structure described above can be manufactured.

<2. Other>
(2-1. Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In 2nd embodiment, the manufacturing apparatus 200 of a molded article is further provided with the feedback apparatus 210 with respect to the manufacturing apparatus 100 of 1st embodiment (refer FIG. 10). The feedback device 210 includes a photo sensor 130 (corresponding to an evaporation detection sensor) and an output calculation control unit 140. When the photosensor 130 irradiates the infrared laser beam L1 (shaped light beam) along the modeling path H having the predetermined width α, the metal powder 15 (titanium steel powder TiM) melts at the irradiation point. When evaporating after melting, the evaporation amount of the evaporated metal powder 15 is detected.

  The amount of metal evaporation is detected by the photosensor 130 detecting the plasma generated when the metal evaporates. Note that the photosensor 130 may be disposed anywhere as long as plasma can be detected. In the present embodiment, as an example, the photosensor 130 is disposed in the laser head 32. Further, since the photo sensor 130 is a known product, further detailed description is omitted. In addition to the photosensor, plasma may be detected by temperature measurement using an infrared radiation thermometer or the like.

  The output calculation control unit 140 is provided in the control unit 45. The output calculation control unit 140 calculates an appropriate output value of the infrared laser light L1 based on the amount of metal evaporation detected by the photosensor 130 (evaporation detection sensor). Thereafter, the calculated output value is transmitted to the laser light irradiation control unit 49. The laser light irradiation control unit 49 controls the output value of the infrared laser light L1 (modeling light beam) irradiated by the modeling light beam irradiation device 30 to be the commanded output value.

As described above, when metal evaporation is detected by the photosensor 130, the output P of the irradiated infrared laser light L1 is too large, and the power density F (W / mm ² ) exceeds the allowable value X. Show. For this reason, the output calculation control unit 140 performs control for reducing the output P of the infrared laser light L1 by a predetermined amount, control for increasing the laser scanning speed, and the like. Thereby, evaporation of a metal can be prevented and a high-strength and high-quality three-dimensional structure can be manufactured more efficiently.

(2-2. Modification 1 and Modification 2)
In the first and second embodiments described above, the irradiation locus T of the infrared laser light L1 (modeling light beam) has been described as being spiral. However, it is not limited to this aspect. As a first modification, the reciprocating irradiation trajectory T may be rectangular as shown in FIG. A corresponding effect can also be expected by this. As a second modification, the reciprocating irradiation trajectory T may have a sawtooth shape as shown in FIG. A corresponding effect can also be expected by this.

<3. Effects according to the embodiment>
The manufacturing apparatus 100 for a model according to the above embodiment solidifies and molds the metal powder 15 by sintering or melting by irradiation with infrared laser light L1 (modeling light beam). And according to the manufacturing apparatus 100, the metal powder supply apparatus 20 which supplies the metal powder 15 to the irradiation range Ar1 of the infrared laser beam L1, and the infrared laser beam L1 on the surface of the metal powder 15 supplied to the irradiation range Ar1. A modeling light beam irradiation device 30 that irradiates the modeling light, and a modeling unit 70 that controls the modeling light beam irradiation device 30 to heat and solidify the metal powder 15 by sintering or melting to perform layering modeling. And the modeling part 70 solidifies the metal powder 15 along the modeling path | route H which has the predetermined width (alpha), and when the modeling part 70 irradiates the infrared laser beam L1 along the modeling path | route H, an infrared laser is irradiated. The light L1 is moved in the main direction M of the modeling path H, and the infrared laser beam L1 is reciprocated in the width direction J within the area Ar2 where the thermal influence from the previous heating remains in the modeling path H.

  As described above, when the manufacturing apparatus 100 for a modeled object irradiates the infrared laser light L1 (modeling light beam) along the main direction M of the modeling path H, the infrared laser beam L1 is irradiated in the main direction M of the modeling path H. In addition, the irradiation of the infrared laser light L1 is reciprocated in the width direction J within the region Ar2 in which the thermal influence from the immediately preceding heating remains in the modeling path H.

  For this reason, for example, even if the irradiation of the infrared laser beam L1 apparently moves along the modeling path H at the same moving speed as in the conventional technique, the movement is minute within the predetermined width α of the modeling path H. Therefore, the moving speed of the actual infrared laser beam L1 (modeling light beam) in the reciprocating motion can be sufficiently increased.

Accordingly, it is possible to ensure a sufficient energy density E (J / mm ³ ) as a whole while suppressing the generation of an excessive power density F (W / mm ² ) during reciprocation. Thereby, while the metal of the irradiated part evaporates and it can prevent that a molten metal disperses around as a sputter | spatter, the density (relative density) of a molded article can be improved.

Moreover, according to the said embodiment, the infrared laser beam L1 (modeling light beam) reciprocating within the predetermined width | variety (alpha) of the modeling path | route H moves to the main direction M of the modeling path | route H during one reciprocation. . As described above, the infrared laser beam L1 (modeling light beam) apparently moves at a low speed in the main direction M, and actually reciprocates at a high speed, so that an excessive power density F (W / mm ^2). ) Can be effectively suppressed.

Moreover, according to the said embodiment, in irradiation of the infrared laser beam L1, the 1st speed V1 (1st average movement speed) which is an apparent average moving speed in the main direction M of the modeling path | route H is modeling path | route H. Is smaller than a second speed V2 (second average moving speed) that is an actual average moving speed of the reciprocating motion in the width direction J. Thereby, at the time of irradiation with the infrared laser light L1, by moving the main direction M at a low speed while suppressing the power density F (W / mm ² ) by the second speed V2, a sufficient energy density E ( J / mm ³ ) can be applied to the irradiated portion of the metal powder 15, and the relative density of the shaped object can be improved.

  Moreover, according to the said embodiment, the irradiation locus | trajectory T of the infrared laser beam L1 (modeling light beam) which reciprocates is helical. For this reason, in the reciprocating motion, there is no position where the second speed V2 (second average moving speed) becomes “0”, which is efficient.

  Moreover, according to the said embodiment, the irradiation locus | trajectory T of the infrared laser beam L1 (modeling light beam) which reciprocates is a rectangular shape. For this reason, in the reciprocating motion, the second speed V2 (second average moving speed) is “0” at the bending point, but the modeling path H is formed in a straight line and can be controlled easily.

  Moreover, according to the said embodiment, the irradiation locus | trajectory T of the said modeling light beam which reciprocates is a sawtooth shape. Also in this aspect, the second speed V2 (second average moving speed) is “0” at the bending point in the reciprocating motion as described above, but the modeling path H is formed in a straight line, and the control is relatively It can be done easily.

  Moreover, according to the said embodiment, when the modeling part 70 irradiates infrared laser beam L1 (modeling light beam) along the modeling path | route H, the irradiated metal powder 15 fuse | melts and the evaporation amount evaporated after melting | dissolving The photosensor 130 (evaporation detection sensor) for detecting the light and the output P of the infrared laser beam L1 (modeling light beam) irradiated by the modeling light beam irradiation device 30 based on the evaporation amount detected by the photosensor 130 (evaporation detection sensor). An output calculation control unit 140 for controlling the output. Thereby, the evaporation of the metal powder 15 can be reliably prevented, and a high-strength and high-quality three-dimensional structure can be manufactured more efficiently.

  Moreover, the manufacturing method of the modeling object of the said embodiment is a manufacturing method of the modeling object which solidifies and solidifies the metal powder 15 by sintering or fusion | melting by irradiation of the infrared laser beam L1 (modeling light beam). And the manufacturing method of a modeling object is the metal powder supply process S10 which supplies metal powder 15 to irradiation range Ar1 of infrared laser beam L1, and irradiates infrared laser beam L1, and heats metal powder 15 to sinter or A modeling step S20 for performing a modeling process for solidification by melting and layered modeling. In the modeling step S20, when the metal powder 15 is solidified along the modeling path H having the predetermined width α and the infrared laser light L1 is irradiated along the modeling path H, the infrared laser light L1 is applied to the modeling path H. While moving in the main direction M, the infrared laser beam L1 is reciprocated in the width direction J in the region Ar2 where the heat effect from the immediately preceding heating remains in the modeling path H. Thereby, the modeling thing similar to the modeling thing manufactured with the said manufacturing apparatus can be manufactured.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15; Metal powder, 15a; Thin film layer, 20; Metal powder supply apparatus, 25; Metal powder supply control part, 30; Modeling light beam irradiation apparatus, 45; Control part, 49; Laser light irradiation control part, 70; 100; 200; Manufacturing apparatus; 130; Evaporation detection sensor (photo sensor); 140; Output calculation control unit; Ar1; Irradiation range; Ar2; Region; H; Modeling path; Infrared laser beam), M: main direction, P: output, S10: metal powder supply process, S20: modeling process, T: irradiation locus, V1: first average moving speed (first speed), V2: second average Movement speed (second speed), α: predetermined width.

Claims (8)

It is a manufacturing apparatus for a shaped article that is solidified by sintering or melting a metal powder by irradiation with a modeling light beam,
A metal powder supply device for supplying the metal powder to the irradiation range of the modeling light beam;
A modeling light beam irradiation device for irradiating the surface of the metal powder supplied to the irradiation range with the modeling light beam;
A modeling unit for controlling the modeling light beam irradiation device to heat the metal powder and solidify by the sintering or melting to perform a modeling process for layered modeling;
With
The modeling unit solidifies the metal powder along a modeling path having a predetermined width,
When the modeling unit irradiates the modeling light beam along the modeling path, the modeling unit moves the modeling light beam in the main direction of the modeling path, and a thermal influence from heating immediately before remains in the modeling path. The manufacturing apparatus of a molded article which reciprocates the said modeling light beam in the width direction within the area | region which exists. The modeling light beam reciprocating within the predetermined width of the modeling path is
The manufacturing apparatus of a molded article according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus moves in the main direction of the modeling path during one reciprocating movement. In the irradiation of the modeling light beam,
The first average movement speed that is an apparent average movement speed in the main direction of the modeling path is smaller than the second average movement speed that is an actual average movement speed of the reciprocation in the width direction of the modeling path. The manufacturing apparatus of the molded article of Claim 1 or 2.   The manufacturing object manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an irradiation trajectory T of the reciprocating modeling light beam is spiral.   The manufacturing object manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an irradiation trajectory T of the reciprocating modeling light beam is rectangular.   The manufacturing object manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an irradiation trajectory T of the reciprocating modeling light beam has a sawtooth shape. When the modeling part irradiates the modeling light beam along the modeling path, the irradiated metal powder is melted, and an evaporation detection sensor that detects an evaporation amount evaporated after melting,
The output calculation control part which controls the output of the said modeling light beam which the said modeling light beam irradiation apparatus irradiates based on the said evaporation amount which the said evaporation detection sensor detected to any one of Claims 1-6 The manufacturing apparatus of the described molded article. It is a manufacturing method of a shaped article that is solidified by sintering or melting a metal powder by irradiation of a modeling light beam,
A metal powder supply step of supplying the metal powder to the irradiation range of the modeling light beam;
A modeling step of performing modeling processing to irradiate the modeling light beam and heat the metal powder to solidify by the sintering or melting and laminate modeling,
With
The modeling process
Solidifying the metal powder along a shaping path having a predetermined width;
When irradiating the modeling light beam along the modeling path, the modeling light beam is moved in the main direction of the modeling path, and in the region where the thermal influence from the immediately preceding heating remains in the modeling path. A manufacturing method of a modeled object in which a modeling light beam is reciprocated in the width direction.

Images