US 11,718,042 B2
Three-dimensional modeling apparatus and method for controlling three-dimensional modeling apparatus
Koichi Saito, Matsumoto (JP); Kohei Yuwaki, Shiojiri (JP); Kazuhide Nakamura, Asahi (JP); and Shunsuke Mizukami, Hokuto (JP)
Assigned to SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Filed by SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Oct. 13, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/965,151.
Application 17/965,151 is a division of application No. 17/124,944, filed on Dec. 17, 2020, granted, now 11,548,231.
Application 17/124,944 is a continuation of application No. 16/048,922, filed on Jul. 30, 2018, granted, now 10,946,587, issued on Mar. 16, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 2017-147613 (JP), filed on Jul. 31, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2023/0030930 A1, Feb. 2, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B29C 64/393 (2017.01); B29C 64/106 (2017.01); B33Y 50/02 (2015.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B29C 64/209 (2017.01)
CPC B29C 64/393 (2017.08) [B29C 64/106 (2017.08); B29C 64/209 (2017.08); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 50/02 (2014.12)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A three-dimensional modeling apparatus that produces a three-dimensional object, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus comprising:
a nozzle having an ejection port that ejects a plasticized material;
a plasticization unit configured to plasticize a material containing thermoplastic resin to generate the plasticized material;
an open/close unit that is disposed in a flow path through which the plasticized material flow and controls an outflow of the plasticized material from the ejection port by opening and closing the flow path;
a suction unit that is disposed in the flow path downstream of the open/close unit and suction the plasticized material in the flow path; and
a controller configured to control the plasticization unit, the open/close unit, and the suction unit,
wherein when stopping the outflow of the plasticized material from the ejection port, the controller drives the open/close unit such that the flow path is closed, and then drives the suction unit such that the plasticized material in the flow path is sucked.