US 11,697,158 B2
Three-dimensional shaping method
Akihiko Tsunoya, Okaya (JP)
Assigned to Seiko Epson Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Dec. 15, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/122,430.
Claims priority of application No. 2019-228029 (JP), filed on Dec. 18, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0187616 A1, Jun. 24, 2021
Int. Cl. B22F 10/47 (2021.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B22F 10/14 (2021.01); B28B 11/24 (2006.01); B22F 10/43 (2021.01)
CPC B22F 10/47 (2021.01) [B22F 10/14 (2021.01); B22F 10/43 (2021.01); B28B 11/243 (2013.01); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12)] 7 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A three-dimensional shaping method, comprising:
a molded body forming step of forming a molded body having a plurality of projection portions using a material containing a powder and a binder, the plurality of projections extending in a first direction;
a supporting step of supporting the molded body by a support having elongate groove portions at positions configured to insert each of the projection portions in a state where the plurality of projection portions are inserted into the elongate groove portions; and
a sintering step of sintering the powder by heating the molded body in a state of being supported by the support, wherein
the elongate groove portion extends from an insertion position of the projection portion in a specified direction towards a center of the molded body, the specified direction specifies a direction of shrinkage of the molded body to allow controlled shrinkage of the molded body in the specified direction that is transverse to the first direction and toward the center of the molded body, the projection portion moving longitudinally along the elongate groove portion in the direction of shrinkage of the molded body during the sintering step.