JP2000043150A - Photo fabrication method, apparatus therefor and composite machine component - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a machine component with high axial strength by forming an central axis member of a rotational axis with a material different from a photo-setting resin and by repeatedly laminating the photo-setting resin at the outer peripheral side, so as to integrally shape the rotational member and the rotational axis. SOLUTION: A metal axis is used as a rotational axis 26, and a photo-setting resin is repeatedly laminated in a predetermined part around it. In the manufacturing method, the rotational axis 26 is attached to a rotational actuator 20 and then rotated, and a shutter 16 is opened to irradiate the laser beam 11. The laser beam 11 is focused in the entire circumference of the metal axis 26 through a reflector 4 and a condenser lens 5, thereby setting the resin. The shutter 16 is then closed again, an X-stage 33 is transferred by the resin width set by the single irradiation and the shutter is the opened again to irradiate the laser beam. This repetition lasts by the dimension (w) is irradiated. A Z- stage driving actuator 9 lowers a Z-stage 18 to lower the metal axis 26 by the thickness (t) of the resin-set single layer, so as to form a second resin layer. Thereafter, the operation is repeated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical shaping method and an optical shaping apparatus for forming a three-dimensional object by irradiating a photocurable resin with a laser beam, and a rotating shaft and a rotating body made of the photocurable resin. And a composite machine component comprising:

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example of a conventional stereolithography apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. This apparatus is an optical shaping apparatus to which a so-called free liquid surface method is applied, and includes a laser oscillator 1, an XY stage 2, an XY stage drive actuator 3, a reflecting mirror 4, a condenser lens 5, a resin tank 6, a photo-curable resin 7, Z stage 8, Z stage drive actuator 9, modeling object 10,
It comprises a Z-axis rod 14, a shutter 16 and the like.

[0003] Among them, the laser oscillator 1, the XY stage drive actuator 3, the Z stage drive actuator 9 and the resin tank 6 are all fixed to a stationary system 12 so as not to move relative to each other. The XY stage 2 is configured to be independently movable by an XY stage drive actuator 3 in a horizontal direction (X-axis direction indicated by an arrow 13) in FIG. 9 and in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface (Y-axis direction). I have.

[0004] The Z stage 8 is connected to a Z stage drive actuator 9 via a Z axis rod 14.
The Z-axis rod 14 moves up and down by the operation of the stage drive actuator 9 (Z-stage operation direction indicated by arrow 15).
And the Z stage 8 and the modeled object 10 laminated thereon
Moves in the Z direction. The resin tank 6 is filled with a photocurable resin 7. The photocurable resin 7 has a property of being cured when irradiated with the laser beam 11 having a predetermined energy or more, and is stored in a liquid state in the resin tank 6.

[0005] The reflecting mirror 4 and the condenser lens 5 are fixed to the XY stage 2, and the laser light 11 output from the laser oscillator 1 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 4, and the photocurable resin 7 is reflected by the condenser lens 5. It is adjusted to focus on the liquid surface. Further, a shutter 16 is provided in front of the laser oscillator 1, and the opening and closing operation of the shutter 16 switches between passing and blocking of the laser light 11.

Then, by controlling the shutter 16 and the XY stage drive actuator 3 by a control device (not shown), the resin in the portion irradiated with the laser beam is cured in a predetermined shape, and as shown in FIG. , One-dimensional object 17 is formed. When the shaping of one layer is completed, the Z stage 8 is moved by the thickness t (see FIG. 11) of the shaped object.
Is lowered. And like the first layer, the second layer,
Repeat the lamination with the third layer,... [FIG. 10 (b), FIG.
0 (c)], and the molded object is completed.

Next, another example of the conventional optical shaping apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of an optical shaping apparatus using a so-called regulated liquid level method, and FIG.
The structure of the stereolithography apparatus of the free liquid surface method shown in FIG. In this apparatus, the resin tank 6
A transmission member such as a glass plate 22 is attached to the bottom surface of the glass tank 22, and the laser beam transmitted through the glass 22 is adjusted to be focused at a predetermined depth of the resin tank 6. Therefore, by adjusting the position of the Z stage 8, FIG.
As in the case described with reference to FIG. 11C and FIG. 11, a three-dimensional object can be formed by laminating a photocurable resin on the Z stage 8.

In the stereolithography apparatus using the regulated liquid level method, since the liquid level is in contact with the glass plate 22, the glass plate 2
There is an advantage that the precision of the modeled object can be determined by the processing precision of the surface of No. 2, and more precise processing can be performed as compared with the free liquid surface method. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a mechanical part obtained by integrally processing a shaft and a gear using a conventional optical shaping apparatus.

[0009]

By the way, in the conventional optical shaping apparatus and the optical shaping method, all the formed objects are formed by a photocurable resin. For example, in a mechanical part in which the gear 24 and the shaft 23 are integrally processed as shown in FIG. 13, the entire part is processed using a photocurable resin. When an object formed with such a photocurable resin is actually used as a mechanical part, a predetermined strength is required for the shaft 23 and the gear 24 to which the rotational driving force is input. Since it is considerably inferior in strength as compared to metal materials (inferior in tensile strength by one or two digits), it has been difficult to secure sufficient strength.

Therefore, it is conceivable to form a mechanical part by combining a metal with such a photocurable resin. However, in a conventional stereolithography apparatus, only a photocurable resin can be used as a material. There is a problem that it is not possible to process a mechanical part having a strength higher than the material strength of the resin. When processing a long shaft-like part (a part whose dimension in the length direction is larger than the dimension in the radial direction) as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, since the resin is laminated in the axial direction of the component, the integrated component 39 is formed in the vertical direction on the Z stage 8, and there is a problem that deformation such as buckling easily occurs due to its own weight. there were.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problem (first problem), and provides an optical shaping method and an optical shaping apparatus capable of increasing the strength of a molded object. A first object is to provide a high composite machine component. By the way, a minute shaft (for example, a diameter of about 0.7 to 1 mm) 26 which requires strength is fixed to the stationary system 12 and a small resin gear (for example, a gear outer diameter of about 3 mm) 27 around the shaft 26. When rotating is used (see FIG. 15), a metal shaft is used as the shaft member 26 if sufficient strength cannot be secured with a resin shaft.

Generally, a rolling bearing (ball bearing) is interposed between the fixed metal shaft 26 and the resin gear 27 to reduce the frictional resistance of the sliding portions of the two. The smaller the size of the shaft 26 and the gear 27 becomes, the smaller the number of commercially available rolling bearings corresponding to the size becomes. Therefore, it becomes difficult to interpose a rolling bearing between the shaft 26 and the gear 27. Therefore, the sliding contact portion between the shaft 26 and the gear 27 must be a sliding bearing.

In this case, when the metal shaft is in sliding contact with the resin gear, the coefficient of friction is larger than when the resin shaft is in sliding contact with the resin gear, and the resin gear is significantly worn. Was. Therefore, in such a case, there is a demand that the surface of the sliding contact portion of the metal shaft be coated with a photocurable resin to reduce the friction coefficient and wear. However, the conventional optical shaping apparatus has a problem that the surface of the metal shaft cannot be coated with a photocurable resin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problem (the second problem), and is an optical shaping method and an optical shaping apparatus capable of coating a surface of a minute metal shaft with a photocurable resin. The second object is to provide

[0015]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical shaping method according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein a light-curing resin which is cured by irradiating a laser beam is used to fix the rotating shaft and the rotating shaft. An optical shaping method for manufacturing a composite machine part having a rotating member to be formed, wherein a central shaft member of the rotating shaft is formed from a material different from the photocurable resin, and an outer peripheral side of the central shaft member is formed. By repeating the lamination of the photocurable resin, the rotating member is formed integrally with the rotating shaft.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stereolithography method, comprising: using a photocurable resin which is cured by irradiating a laser beam, forming a rotary shaft and a rotary member pivotally supported by the rotary shaft. An optical shaping method for manufacturing a composite mechanical part provided, comprising: forming a center shaft member of the rotation shaft from a material different from the photocurable resin; The contact portion is coated with a photocurable resin, and thereafter, a rotating member formed of the photocurable resin is inserted into a portion coated with the photocurable resin.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the stereolithography method according to the first or second aspect, wherein the laser beam is irradiated along a circumferential direction of the central shaft member. The photo-curable resin is laminated or coated on the center shaft member. Claim 4
The stereolithography method according to the present invention is the stereolithography method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the laser beam is irradiated along the axial direction of the central shaft member, whereby the central shaft member is cured by the light. It is characterized by laminating or coating a conductive resin.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical molding apparatus, comprising: a laser oscillator capable of emitting a laser beam; and a resin tank for storing a liquid photocurable resin which is cured when the laser beam is irradiated by a predetermined amount. A first table provided in the resin tank and movable in a vertical direction, and a rotation mechanism that is installed on the first table and that can rotationally drive a rotation shaft having a rotation center axis in a horizontal plane;
A second stage provided above the resin bath and movable in a horizontal direction along the axial direction of the rotating shaft; and a liquid surface of the photo-curable resin provided on the second stage for applying the laser beam. It is characterized in that it comprises a condensing lens for focusing on the above.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical shaping apparatus, comprising: a laser oscillator capable of emitting a laser beam; and a resin tank for storing a liquid photocurable resin which is cured when a predetermined amount of the laser beam is irradiated. A laser permeable member provided on the bottom surface of the resin tank, a first table provided in the resin tank, which is movable in a vertical direction, and a rotation center in a horizontal plane provided on the first table. A rotation mechanism capable of rotating and driving a rotation shaft, a second table provided below the resin tank and movable in a horizontal direction along an axial direction of the rotation shaft, and a second table provided on the second table. It is characterized by comprising a condenser lens that focuses the laser light incident through a laser transmitting member at a predetermined depth in the resin tank.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composite machine component having a rotating shaft and a rotating member fixed to the rotating shaft, wherein the central shaft member of the rotating shaft is the rotating member. The rotation member is formed integrally with the rotation shaft by forming a photo-curable resin on the outer peripheral side of the center shaft member in a multilayered manner.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (A) Description of First Embodiment First, a stereolithography apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the entire configuration, and FIG.
Is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a composite machine component formed using the present apparatus, FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of a composite machine part formed using the present apparatus, and FIG. It is a schematic diagram for explaining the processing procedure at the time of modeling a composite machine part using an apparatus.

The stereolithography apparatus according to the first embodiment is
It mainly solves the first problem of the prior art. Further, in the stereolithography apparatus of the first embodiment, the free liquid surface method is applied, and the configuration of the Z stage (first table) is different from that of the conventional stereolithography apparatus shown in FIG. ing. Further, since the apparatus does not require a degree of freedom in the Y direction, an X stage drive actuator 33 and an X stage (second stage) 34 are used instead of the XY stage drive actuator 3 and the XY stage 2 shown in FIG. The X stage 34 is provided in the X-axis feed direction (arrow 35 in FIG. 1,
36). Except for this, the configuration is substantially the same as that of the conventional stereolithography apparatus shown in FIG. 9. In the stereolithography apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the same components as those of the conventional stereolithography apparatus are denoted by the same reference numerals. A detailed description of these will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the present apparatus comprises: a laser oscillator 1 capable of emitting laser light; a resin tank 6 for storing a liquid photocurable resin 7 which is cured when irradiated with a predetermined amount of laser light; A Z stage (first table) 18 provided in the resin tank 6 and movable in the vertical direction; and a rotating shaft 26 installed on the Z stage 18 and having a rotation center axis (θ axis) 30 in a horizontal plane.
Actuator (rotation mechanism) 29 that can rotationally drive the motor
And an X stage (second stage) 34 provided above the resin tank 6 and movable in the horizontal direction along the direction of the axis (θ axis) 30 of the rotary shaft 26, and the X stage 34. A condensing lens 5 for focusing the laser light on the liquid surface of the photocurable resin is provided.

The Z stage 18 is configured to be vertically movable by a Z stage drive actuator 9, so that the height position of the rotating shaft 26 in the resin tank 6 can be changed. . A reflecting mirror 4 is attached to the X stage 34 provided above the resin tank 6 in addition to the condenser lens 5, and the laser light 11 emitted from the laser oscillator 1 is reflected through the shutter 16. Mirror 4
And is focused by the condenser lens 5 on the photocurable resin in the resin tank 6.

Therefore, the opening / closing control of the shutter 16 (ie, on / off control of the laser beam) and the operation control of each of the stage driving actuators 9 and 33 (ie, each stage 1
8, 34) and the operation control of the rotary actuator (that is, the phase control of the rotary shaft 26) to cure the photocurable resin at an arbitrary position on the surface of the rotary shaft 26 so as to cure the photocurable resin. It is possible to perform lamination and coating (adhesion of a photocurable resin) of a conductive resin.

Since the optical shaping apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above, it can be used as a small mechanical part composed of, for example, a metal shaft and a photocurable resin gear as shown in FIGS. A composite machine part as shown in FIG. 3 can be formed. In addition, the minute here means the rotation shaft 26.
Is about 0.7 to 1 mm, and the outer diameter of the gear (rotating member) 27 is about 3 mm.

Generally, in such a mechanical part, the shaft 2
6, the tooth surface of the gear 27 and the joint between the shaft 26 and the gear 27 need to be strong.
By compounding the shaft 26 using metal and resin,
This is an example in which the strength of the shaft 26 is improved. That is, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a metal core (center shaft member) 25 is provided at the center of the rotating shaft 26, and the surface of the metal core is repeatedly coated with a photocurable resin, and the resin is sequentially laminated in the radial direction. Thus, the resin shaft 28 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the metal core 25, and the resin gear 27 is formed at a predetermined portion of the resin shaft 28.

That is, a metal shaft core 25 which is superior in strength to the resin is used for a portion where strength is required (in this case, the shaft 26), and the outer periphery of the metal shaft 25 is made of a photocurable resin. By forming the resin shaft 28 by curing, the overall strength is improved. On the other hand, the composite machine component shown in FIG. 3 is an example in which a metal shaft is used as the rotation shaft 26 and a resin gear 27 is formed at a predetermined portion around the metal shaft. As for the strength, the strength of the shaft 26 is improved as in the composite machine component shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, a procedure (an optical shaping method) for forming a small composite mechanical component including a metal shaft 26 and a photo-curable resin gear 27 as shown in FIG. 3 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 4A, a rotating shaft (metal shaft) 26 is attached to a rotating actuator 29,
The metal shaft 26 is rotated around the θ axis 30 at a predetermined speed. Then, in this state, the shutter 16 is opened and the laser beam 11 is irradiated.

The laser beam 11 is focused on the surface of the metal shaft 26 via the reflecting mirror 4 and the condenser lens 5 (see FIG. 1), and the resin starts to harden along the circumferential direction of the metal shaft 26. When the metal shaft has rotated 360 ° and the resin has adhered to the entire surface of the metal shaft 26 over the entire circumference, the shutter 16 is closed and the irradiation of the laser beam is stopped. Next, the X stage 33 is moved in the X-axis direction by the width of the resin that is cured by one laser beam irradiation,
The irradiation position 37 of the laser is displaced. Then, the shutter 16 is opened again to irradiate the laser beam, and the resin is cured adjacent to the resin adhered last time. By repeating such an operation, a predetermined width dimension w (see FIG. 1) is irradiated with laser light to cure the resin [FIG.
(B)].

Next, the Z-stage drive actuator 9 is operated to lower the entire structure such as the metal shaft 26 by the thickness t (see FIG. 11) of the cured resin layer, and the laser beam is irradiated. Then, a second resin layer is formed. By repeating such an operation, a resin gear 27 as shown in FIGS. 4C and 3 is finally formed on the surface of the metal shaft 26. In this case, since the resin is hardened along the circumferential direction of the metal shaft 26, the processed gear 2 is hardened.
When 7 is viewed from the axial direction, a so-called laminated resin state (see reference numeral 38 in FIG. 4C) in which the resin is laminated in the shape of a tree ring is obtained.

In the case of a mechanical part as shown in FIG. 2, a laser beam is applied over the entire length and the entire circumference of the metal core 25 to cause the resin to adhere to the entire metal core 25, and then the same as described above. Then, the gear 27 may be formed by changing the irradiation position 37 of the laser beam to a predetermined portion where the gear is formed. As described in detail above, according to the optical shaping apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) It is possible to integrally process the shaft and the gear using different materials. (2) Thereby, it is possible to provide a composite mechanical component having significantly improved shaft strength as compared with a case where a mechanical component including a shaft and a gear is formed using only the photocurable resin. (3) Shape deformation of an integral part of the shaft and the gear can be suppressed as much as possible. That is, in the case of processing a long shaft-like part (a part whose dimension in the length direction is larger than the dimension in the radial direction) as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, since the resin is laminated in the axial direction of the component, the integrated component 39 is formed in the vertical direction on the Z stage 8, and deformation such as buckling is likely to occur due to its own weight.

On the other hand, in the present apparatus, a high-strength member such as metal is used for the rotating shaft or its axial center member, and the resin is adhered to the surface of the rotating shaft or the shaft while constantly rotating. Therefore, it is possible to form and process long parts with little deformation. (4) Since the direction in which the resin adheres is the circumferential direction of the shaft,
Comparing the rigidity of the shaft in the tension / compression direction and the rigidity in the torsion direction, the rigidity of the shaft in the torsion direction is stronger.

Although a case has been described above where a metal is used as the material of the rotating shaft, a material other than the metal may be used. Also, the rotating member is not limited to a gear,
It can be widely applied to members fixed to a rotating shaft. (B) Description of Second Embodiment Next, a stereolithography apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the entire configuration. The second embodiment mainly solves the first problem of the prior art, and employs a regulated liquid level method instead of the free liquid level method of the first embodiment.

Here, the optical shaping apparatus according to the second embodiment is obtained by substantially reversing the configuration of the optical shaping apparatus (see FIG. 1) described in the first embodiment in the vertical direction.
As shown in (1), the Z stage 18, the Z stage drive actuator 9 and the Z axis rod 14 are arranged in a direction opposite to the vertical direction with respect to the device of the first embodiment. Thus, the metal shaft 26 and the rotary actuator 29 are configured to be suspended above the glass plate (transmission member) 22.

The X stage 34 is provided below the resin tank 6, and the laser light 11 from the laser oscillator 1
The light is reflected by the reflecting mirror 4 and enters from below the resin tank 6. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the optical shaping apparatus according to the second embodiment stores a laser oscillator 1 capable of emitting laser light and a liquid photocurable resin which is cured when irradiated with a predetermined amount of laser light. A resin tank 6, a glass plate (laser transmitting member) 22 provided on the bottom surface of the resin tank 6, a vertically movable Z stage (first table) 18 provided in the resin tank 6, A rotation actuator (rotation mechanism) 29 that is mounted on the stage and that can rotationally drive a rotation shaft 26 having a rotation center in a horizontal plane; and a movement that is provided below the resin tank 6 and moves horizontally along the axial direction of the rotation shaft 26. A possible X stage (second stage) 33 and a condensing lens 5 disposed on the X stage 33 for focusing the laser beam at a predetermined depth in the resin tank 6 via the glass plate 22 are provided. And adjust the position of the Z stage 18 In Rukoto, it has become to be laminated photocurable resin to a rotating shaft 26 on the Z stage 18. Note that other configurations are the first
This is almost the same as the embodiment, and the description is omitted.

Since the optical shaping apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the same effects as in the first embodiment. That is,
In the optical molding apparatus to which the regulated liquid level method as described above is applied, since the liquid level of the photocurable resin is in contact with the glass plate 22, the accuracy of the molded object can be determined by the processing accuracy of the surface of the glass plate 22. In addition to the above-described effects, the liquid surface on which the laser beam is incident does not undulate as compared with the free liquid level method, so that the processing can be performed with higher precision than the free liquid level method. (C) Description of Third Embodiment Next, a composite machine component according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the composite machine component, and FIG. 7 is the composite machine component. FIG. The third embodiment mainly solves the second problem of the prior art.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the composite machine part according to the third embodiment has a rotating shaft 26 and a gear (rotating member) 27, and these rotating shaft 26, gear 27 and Are configured to be relatively rotatable. Here, the rotating shaft 26 and the gear 27 are formed separately.
The rotation shaft 26 is formed of metal, and the gear 27 is formed using a photo-curable resin. A sliding bearing 4 is provided on the surface of the rotating shaft 26 which is in sliding contact with the gear 27.
0 is provided. The slide bearing 40 is formed by coating a predetermined portion of the surface of the metal shaft 26 with a photocurable resin over the entire circumference using the optical shaping apparatus described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment. The resin gear 27 is rotatably fitted into the sliding bearing 40.

Since the composite machine component according to the third embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above, it is formed more in accordance with, for example, the following processing procedure. First, the rotary actuator 29 of the optical shaping apparatus shown in FIG.
At both ends of the metal shaft 26 are attached. Next, while the metal shaft 26 is rotated by the rotary actuator 29, the photocurable resin is sequentially adhered to a portion of the surface of the metal shaft 26 that is in sliding contact with the gear 27 (that is, a coating process is performed on the sliding contact portion). . Then, such a procedure is repeated several times (see FIGS. 4A and 4B), and the resin is laminated by a thickness required for the slide bearing.

Thereafter, a resin gear 27 is fitted to the coating portion on the metal shaft 26, and the coating portion functions as the bearing 40. Thus, the composite machine component is completed. Therefore, according to the composite machine component of the third embodiment, the frictional resistance of the sliding contact portion between the metal shaft 26 and the resin gear 27 can be greatly reduced, and the wear of the resin gear 27 is suppressed as much as possible. There is an advantage that can be.

The composite machine component of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, a photocurable resin may be coated over the entire length of the metal shaft 26,
This coated portion may function as a slide bearing. Further, the material of the shaft 26 is not limited to metal, and may be changed to another material as appropriate. (D) Description of Fourth Embodiment Next, an optical shaping method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, this 4th Embodiment,
It is mainly intended to solve the first problem of the prior art.

The fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the stereolithography method for forming a mechanical part is different from that of the first embodiment and the second embodiment. It is similar to the device. Specifically, in the fourth embodiment, the traveling direction of the laser beam applied to the outer periphery of the rotary shaft 26 is set to the axial direction, and the X-stage drive actuator 33 and the rotary actuator 29
The operation control of the shutter 16 is different from the first and second embodiments.

In this case, during the irradiation with the laser beam,
The operation of the rotation actuator 29 is stopped, and only the X stage drive actuator 33 is operated. After laminating a photo-curable resin by a predetermined length (width of the gear) on the rotating shaft 26, the rotary actuator is rotated by a predetermined phase so that the resin is newly attached adjacent to the resin adhered this time. 29 is activated. Then, such operations are repeated to form a composite machine component.

Since the optical shaping method according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above, FIGS.
The processing procedure of a minute mechanical part (composite mechanical part) composed of a metal shaft 26 and a light-curable resin gear 27 using (e) will be specifically described as follows.
Here, the term “micro” means that the diameter of the rotating shaft is 0.7 to 1
mm and the outer diameter of the gear is about 3 mm.

First, both ends of the metal shaft 26 are attached to the rotary actuator 29, and the X stage 34 is moved to a predetermined position. Then, with the rotation of the metal shaft 26 stopped, the shutter 16 is opened, the X stage 34 is sent in the X-axis direction, and the laser beam is scanned in the axial direction. When the laser beam is scanned by the width of the gear 27, the shutter 16 is closed and the irradiation of the laser beam is temporarily stopped. As a result, FIG.
As shown in (2), the resin adheres to the surface of the metal shaft 26 in a direction parallel to the axial direction.

Next, the rotary actuator 29 is rotated so that the laser irradiation position 37 moves by the width 42 of the resin cured as described above. Then, the shutter 16 is opened again, the X stage 34 is sent in the opposite direction to the above, and the present resin is applied adjacent to the resin applied last time. Then, such an operation is repeatedly performed (see FIG. 8B).

Further, when the above operation is repeated and the rotary actuator 29 rotates 360 °, the first layer adheres to the surface of the metal shaft 26 over the entire circumference as shown in FIG. Then, the second layer, the third layer,.
Are formed repeatedly (see FIG. 8 (d)), and finally an integral part of the rotating shaft 26 and the gear 27 is formed as shown in FIG. 8 (e).

Therefore, according to the stereolithography method according to the fourth embodiment, the direction of resin adhesion is the axial direction, and the rigidity of the shaft in the tension / compression direction is compared with the rigidity in the torsion direction. There is an advantage that the rigidity in the direction becomes stronger. In each of the above-described embodiments, the description has been given using the gear as the rotating member. However, the rotating member is not limited to the gear only, and may be any mechanical component fixed or pivoted to the shaft, such as a pulley. Good.

[0050]

As described above in detail, in the stereolithography method according to the first aspect of the present invention, the center shaft member of the rotating shaft is formed of a material different from the photocurable resin, and the outer peripheral side of the center shaft member is formed. Is formed by repeating the lamination of the photocurable resin, and the rotating member is formed integrally with the rotating shaft, so that a mechanical component composed of the rotating shaft and the rotating member is formed using only the photocurable resin. Also, there is an advantage that a mechanical part having high axial strength can be formed.

In the stereolithography method according to the second aspect of the present invention, the center shaft member of the rotating shaft is formed of a material different from the photocurable resin, and the rotating shaft is in sliding contact with the surface of the center shaft member. Coat the part with photo-curable resin,
Then, since the rotating member formed of the photocurable resin is fitted to the portion coated with the photocurable resin, the frictional resistance of the sliding contact portion between the rotating shaft and the rotating member can be significantly reduced, and the rotation can be reduced. There is an advantage that abrasion of the member can be suppressed as much as possible.

In the stereolithography method according to the third aspect of the present invention, the photocurable resin is laminated or coated along the circumferential direction of the center shaft member. When the rigidity in the direction of tension and compression is compared with the rigidity in the direction of torsion, there is an advantage that the rigidity of the shaft in the direction of torsion becomes stronger. Further, in the stereolithography method according to the present invention, since the photocurable resin is laminated or coated along the axial direction of the central shaft member, the direction of adhesion of the resin becomes the axial direction, and the shaft is pulled and compressed. Comparing the rigidity in the direction and the rigidity in the torsion direction, there is an advantage that the rigidity in the tension / compression direction of the shaft is stronger.

Further, in the optical shaping apparatus according to the present invention, the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator is supplied to the liquid of the photocurable resin in the resin tank by the condenser lens provided on the second stage. Focus on the surface. At this time, the rotating shaft installed on the first table and having a rotation center axis in a horizontal plane is rotated by the rotation mechanism, or the second table is moved in the horizontal direction along the axis of the rotation center axis of the rotation axis. By doing so, a resin layer is formed on the surface of the rotating shaft, so that there is an advantage that the rotating shaft and the rotating member can be integrally processed using different materials. Further, thereby, it is possible to provide a composite mechanical component having significantly improved shaft strength as compared with a case where a mechanical component including a rotating shaft and a rotating member is formed using only the photocurable resin.

Further, in the optical shaping apparatus according to the present invention, the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator is supplied to the inside of the resin tank via the condenser lens provided on the second table below the resin tank. Is incident on. At this time, the laser light enters the resin tank via a laser transmitting member provided on the bottom surface of the resin tank, and the laser light is focused by the condenser lens at a predetermined depth in the resin tank. At this time, the rotating shaft installed on the first table and having a rotation center axis in a horizontal plane is rotated by the rotation mechanism, or the second table is moved in the horizontal direction along the axis of the rotation center axis of the rotation axis. By doing
In addition to the advantages and effects of the optical shaping apparatus according to the fifth aspect, there is an advantage that the accuracy of the shaping can be improved. That is, since the liquid level of the photocurable resin is in contact with the laser transmitting member on the bottom surface of the resin tank, the accuracy of the molded object can be determined by the processing accuracy of the surface of the laser transmitting member. Further, since the surface of the liquid on which the laser beam is incident does not undulate, there is an advantage that high-precision processing is possible.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the center shaft member of the rotating shaft is formed of a material different from that of the rotating member, and a photo-curable resin is laminated on the outer peripheral side of the center shaft member in multiple layers. Thus, since the rotating member is formed integrally with the rotating shaft, there is an advantage that the shaft strength of the mechanical component is greatly improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an entire configuration of an optical shaping apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a composite machine component formed using the optical forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of the composite machine component formed using the optical forming device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a processing procedure when forming a composite machine component using the optical forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an entire configuration of an optical shaping apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a composite machine component according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a composite machine component according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an optical shaping method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a conventional optical shaping apparatus, and is a diagram showing an optical shaping apparatus to which a free liquid surface method is applied.

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining a molding process of a molding object in a conventional optical molding apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a view for explaining a layered state of a formed object in a conventional optical forming apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a conventional optical shaping apparatus, and is a diagram showing an optical shaping apparatus to which a regulated liquid level method is applied.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an integral part of a shaft and a gear formed using a conventional optical forming apparatus.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a stereolithography method in a case where a mechanical part is molded using a conventional stereolithography apparatus.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram for explaining a problem of a conventional mechanical part.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser oscillator 2 XY stage 3 XY stage drive actuator 4 Reflecting mirror 5 Condensing lens 6 Resin tank 7 Photocurable resin 8 Z stage 9 Z stage drive actuator 10 Modeling object 11 Laser beam 12 Stationary system 13 XY stage operation direction 14 Z Shaft rod 15 Z stage operation direction 16 Shutter 17 Modeling object (one layer) 18 Z stage (first table) 22 Glass plate (laser transmitting member) 23 Rotating shaft or shaft portion 24 Gear portion 25 Metal core (center shaft member) 26 rotating shaft or metal shaft 27 gear (rotating member) 29 rotating actuator (rotating mechanism) 30 θ axis (center of rotation) 33 X stage drive actuator 34 X stage (second stage) 40 sliding bearing

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shin Asano, 1-8-1, Koura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-shi Inside the Basic Technology Research Laboratories, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (72) Takayuki Goto 1--8-1, Koura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-shi Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Fundamental Technology Laboratory F-term (reference) 4F203 AA44 AH04 AH12 DA12 DB01 DC07 DF01 DF16 DF24 DL19 DM14 4F213 AA44 AH04 AH12 WA25 WA54 WA97 WL03 WL06 WL13 WL35 WL43 WL73 WL76 WL96

Claims (7)

[Claims] An optical shaping method for manufacturing a composite machine component having a rotating shaft and a rotating member fixed to the rotating shaft, using a photocurable resin that is cured by irradiating a laser beam. Forming the central shaft member of the rotating shaft from a material different from the photocurable resin, and repeating lamination of the photocurable resin on the outer peripheral side of the central shaft member, thereby integrating the rotating member with the rotating shaft. A stereolithography method, characterized in that it is formed into a shape. 2. An optical molding method for molding a composite machine component having a rotating shaft and a rotating member pivotally supported by the rotating shaft, using a photocurable resin that is cured by irradiating a laser beam. Forming a central shaft member of the rotating shaft with a material different from the photocurable resin, and coating the surface of the central shaft member with a photocurable resin on which the rotating shaft slides, A stereolithography method, comprising: inserting a rotating member formed of the photocurable resin into a portion coated with the photocurable resin. 3. The photo-curable resin is laminated or coated on the central shaft member by irradiating the laser beam along the circumferential direction of the central shaft member. The stereolithography method according to 2. 4. The center shaft member is laminated or coated with the photocurable resin by irradiating the laser beam along the axial direction of the center shaft member. The stereolithography method described. 5. A laser oscillator capable of emitting laser light, a resin tank for storing a liquid photocurable resin which is cured when irradiated with a predetermined amount of the laser light, and provided in the resin tank and moved in a vertical direction. A possible first base, a rotation mechanism installed on the first base and capable of rotating and driving a rotation shaft having a rotation center axis in a horizontal plane, and an axial direction of the rotation shaft provided above the resin tank. And a condensing lens provided on the second stage for focusing the laser beam on the liquid surface of the photocurable resin. An optical shaping device, characterized in that: 6. A laser oscillator capable of emitting a laser beam, a resin tank for storing a liquid photocurable resin which is cured by irradiating a predetermined amount of the laser beam, and a laser transmission provided on a bottom surface of the resin tank. A member, a first base provided in the resin tank and movable in a vertical direction, a rotation mechanism installed on the first base and capable of rotating and driving a rotation shaft having a rotation center in a horizontal plane, and the resin A second stage provided below the tank and movable in the horizontal direction along the axial direction of the rotating shaft; and a laser beam incident on the second stage provided through the laser transmitting member. An optical shaping apparatus comprising: a condenser lens for focusing at a predetermined depth in the resin tank. 7. A composite machine component comprising a rotating shaft and a rotating member fixed to the rotating shaft, wherein a central shaft member of the rotating shaft is formed of a different material from the rotating member, and an outer periphery of the central shaft member A composite machine part, wherein the rotating member is formed integrally with the rotating shaft by laminating a photocurable resin on the side of the multilayer.