Method for manufacturing three-dimensional shaped object and three-dimensional shaping apparatus

A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object, comprising:

• a plasticizing step of plasticizing at least a part of a shaping material containing a thermoplastic resin to generate a plasticized material;
• a fiber introducing step including at least one of a step of introducing a covered fiber material, which is a first fiber material covered with a covering material, into the plasticized material after being discharged from a nozzle opening, and a step of introducing the covered fiber material into the shaping material or the plasticized material before being discharged from the nozzle opening;
• a cutting step of cutting the covered fiber material after the fiber introducing step, the cutting step including a step of cutting the covered fiber material by operating a discharge amount control mechanism, which is configured to control a discharge amount of the plasticized material from the nozzle opening, that is provided upstream of the nozzle opening to cut the covered fiber material disposed between the discharge amount control mechanism and a cutter blade provided in an introduction flow path that delivers the plasticized material to the nozzle opening;
• and
• a shaping step of shaping a three-dimensional shaped object including the covered fiber material,
• wherein the plasticizing step includes, in a plasticizing apparatus that includes a flat screw that has a groove forming surface in which a groove portion is formed, a facing portion that has a facing surface facing the groove forming surface and that is formed with a communication hole communicating with the nozzle opening, and a heater that is configured to heat the flat screw or the facing portion, a step of guiding at least a part of the thermoplastic resin supplied between the flat screw the facing portion to the communication hole while plasticizing the thermoplastic resin by rotation of the flat screw and heating of the heater.

A three-dimensional shaping apparatus, comprising:

• a plasticizing unit configured to plasticize at least a part of a shaping material containing a thermoplastic resin to generate a plasticized material;
• a discharging unit having a nozzle opening;
• a fiber introducing unit having at least one of a function of introducing a covered fiber material, which is a fiber material covered with a covering material, into the plasticized material after being discharged from the nozzle opening, and a function of introducing the covered fiber material into the shaping material or the plasticized material before being discharged from the nozzle opening;
• a discharge control mechanism configured to control a discharge amount of the plasticized material from the nozzle opening, the discharge control mechanism being provided upstream of the nozzle opening;
• a cutter blade cooperating with the discharge control mechanism to cut the covered fiber material disposed between the discharge amount control mechanism and the cutter blade, the cutter blade being provided in an introduction flow path that delivers the plasticized material to the nozzle opening;
• a control unit configured to control the plasticizing unit, the discharging unit, and the fiber introducing unit to shape a three-dimensional shaped object including the covered fiber material;
• and
• a discharge amount control mechanism configured to control a discharge amount of the plasticized material from the nozzle opening and simultaneously cutting the covered fiber material.

A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object, comprising:

• a plasticizing step of plasticizing at least a part of a shaping material containing a thermoplastic resin to generate a plasticized material;
• a fiber introducing step including at least one of a step of introducing a covered fiber material, which is a first fiber material covered with a covering material, into the plasticized material after being discharged from a nozzle opening, and a step of introducing the covered fiber material into the shaping material or the plasticized material before being discharged from the nozzle opening;
• a cutting step of cutting the covered fiber material after the fiber introducing step, the cutting step including a step of cutting the covered fiber material by operating a discharge amount control mechanism, which is configured to control a discharge amount of the plasticized material from the nozzle opening, that is provided upstream of the nozzle opening to cut the covered fiber material disposed between the discharge amount control mechanism and a cutter blade provided in an introduction flow path that delivers the plasticized material to the nozzle opening;
• and
• a shaping step of shaping a three-dimensional shaped object including the covered fiber material,
• wherein the discharge amount control mechanism has a valve that rotates about an axis intersecting a direction in which the introduction flow path extends, and has a rod located downstream of the valve and arranged in a branch flow path connected to the introduction flow path, the branch flow path extending along a direction intersecting the direction in which the introduction flow path extends, and in the cutting step, the covered fiber material is sandwiched and cut between the rod and the cutter blade by moving the rod to protrude from the branch flow path into the introduction flow path.