US 12,304,150 B2
Three-dimensional molding device
Taki Hashimoto, Nagano (JP); and Masayuki Gozu, Nagano (JP)
Assigned to Seiko Epson Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Jan. 19, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/156,433.
Claims priority of application No. 2022-007690 (JP), filed on Jan. 21, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0234299 A1, Jul. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. B29C 64/393 (2017.01); B29C 64/209 (2017.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B33Y 50/02 (2015.01)
CPC B29C 64/393 (2017.08) [B29C 64/209 (2017.08); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 50/02 (2014.12)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A three-dimensional molding device comprising:
a molding unit including a nozzle configured to eject a molding material from a nozzle opening formed in a distal end portion;
a stage having a deposition surface on which the molding material is deposited;
a movement mechanism including three electric actuators, attached to the stage so as to support the stage, and configured to move the stage to change relative positions of the nozzle and the stage, the movement mechanism further including a base support that has a top surface on which the stage is mounted and has a side surface which is connected to an outer end of the top surface and is perpendicular to the top surface;
a measurement unit configured to measure a distance between the deposition surface and the distal end portion;
an upper heater configured to move in conjunction with the nozzle, the upper heater having a through hole that penetrates the upper heater; and
a control unit configured to control the movement mechanism, wherein the measurement unit includes
a contact-type first detector configured to move in conjunction with the nozzle, the contact-type first detector being supported by the upper heater, the first detector having a first contactor,
a first movement unit configured to move the first detector, and
a contact-type second detector configured to move in conjunction with the stage, the second detector being fixed to the side surface of the base support, the second detector having a second contactor,
a distal end of the first contactor being movable through the through-hole by the first movement unit,
the first contactor and the second contactor being configured to be directly contactable with each other, and
the first detector and the second detector are configured such that, while the first contactor and the second contactor are in contact with each other, one of the first detector and the second detector detects the contact of the first contactor and the second contactor.