JP2000246804A - Method and device for producing three-dimensionally molded article, and the three-dimensionally molde article - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately reproduce the gradation properties of surface color of a cubic model becoming the base of a three-dimensionally molded article in the case of producing the same by laminating a plurality of colored sheets. SOLUTION: A coloring region 40 is specified on a transparent sheet 1 in accordance with the shapes of respective sections of a cubic model. All faces of the whole area of the coloring region 40 are covered with a toner layer 56 of white and thereafter toner layers 52 of three primary colors in which toners of three primary colors are spatially applied to gradation distribution, are imparted to form a coloring layer 50 of a structure with two layers. Or, the coloring layer 50 of a structure with one layer in which the apertures in dots 52 of toner of three primary colors are burried by toner W of white, is formed. Therefore, since light L is not transmitted through the transparent sheet 1 in the coloring region 40, gradation properties and color tone properties in representation of surface color of a laminate are raised.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for manufacturing a three-dimensional model by stacking sheets or the like representing sections of a three-dimensional model, and in particular, to a three-dimensional model with coloring (coloring). About the improvement to obtain.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Based on shape data of a predetermined three-dimensional model, three-dimensional modeling faithfully conforming to the shape data is performed by bonding and laminating sheets on which the cross-sectional shape of the three-dimensional model is printed, and cutting out according to the outline of the cross-sectional shape. 2. Description of the Related Art A modeling device capable of reproducing an object is known.

In such a three-dimensional structure, it is desired to enhance the visual value by reflecting not only the shape of the three-dimensional model but also the color.

[0004] The most basic method for coloring a three-dimensional object is to color a region corresponding to the contour of a cross section of a three-dimensional model on each surface of a plurality of white sheets, and then apply them to the surface. A method of cutting out and laminating the layers can be considered. In the three-dimensional structure obtained by doing so, colors appear in the appearance.

[0005] However, when a white sheet is used, a portion (hereinafter, referred to as a "step-up portion") of the laminated body constituting the three-dimensional structure in which the sheet size is gradually reduced and stacked (hereinafter referred to as a "step-up portion"). While it is necessary to color the upper surface side of the sheet, it is necessary to color the lower surface side of the sheet in a portion where the sheet size is gradually increased and stacked (hereinafter referred to as “overhang portion”).

Therefore, for example, in an apparatus configured to add color to the back surface of a sheet, the sheet in the step-up section must be stacked after the colored sheet is turned over.

On the other hand, a method using a transparent sheet has been proposed. In this method, the color of one side of the transparent sheet can be observed from the other side, so that the transparent sheet is inverted. There is the advantage that there is no need. In addition, when the lower surface of the transparent sheet is used as a toner transfer surface, when heat is applied by heat from a heat roller or a hot press to adhere the sheets, the toner remaining on the heat roller or the hot press falls onto the sheet and There is an advantage that the situation of contamination can be prevented.

[0008]

However, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, when the color toner dots 52 are spatially distributed on the transparent sheet 1 for coloring to express gradation, the gaps 51 of the arrangement of the color toner dots 52 are obtained.
The light L from the opposite surface of the sheet is transmitted through the filter, and there is a problem that the color tone and the gradation are visually changed.
In particular, the amount of the transmitted light L is relatively large in a portion having a light color tone due to a small amount of the color toner attached thereto, and the expression of the color tone and gradation tends to be inaccurate.

For this reason, it is desired to prevent color and gradation changes when such a transparent sheet is used to achieve accurate color expression.

Even when the opaque sheet described above is used, if the sheet is a color sheet, the color of the color sheet itself, that is, the sheet color, passes through the gap between the dot arrangements of the respective color toners. There is also a problem that accurate color expression cannot be achieved because it appears in a part. For example, even when yellow dots are discretely distributed to express pale yellow, if the sheet is blue, it will have a green appearance.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional model capable of accurately reproducing the surface color of a three-dimensional model when a transparent sheet is used. To get things and their manufacturing techniques.

It is a second object of the present invention to obtain a three-dimensional structure capable of accurately reproducing the surface color of a three-dimensional model for use of an opaque color sheet, and a technique for manufacturing the three-dimensional structure. .

Further, a third object of the present invention is to expand the idea of a new technology for achieving the first and second objects, thereby laminating only the color toner layer without using a sheet. 3
It is an object of the present invention to produce a three-dimensional structure and to accurately reproduce the surface color of a three-dimensional model in a three-dimensional structure obtained thereby.

[0014]

[Definition of terms] Each term in this specification is defined as follows.

The term "color" includes both chromatic and achromatic colors unless otherwise specified. Therefore, black and white are also included in “color”.

The term "color carrier" is a general term for a solid coloring material (such as toner) and a liquid coloring material (such as ink). Pigments and dyes are also "color carriers"
include.

The term "transparent sheet" refers to not only a completely colorless and transparent sheet but also any sheet having a substantial light transmittance, such as a lightly colored translucent sheet.

[0018]

In order to achieve the first object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a stacked body of a plurality of sheets representing each cross section of a predetermined three-dimensional model is converted into data of the three-dimensional model. A method of obtaining a three-dimensional structure by creating a three-dimensional object based on the shape of the three-dimensional model, (a) the step of preparing a plurality of transparent sheets, (b) based on the shape of the three-dimensional model An area defining step of defining a part contributing to the appearance color of the three-dimensional structure as a coloring area,
(c) a coloring step of providing a coloring layer covered by a combination of a predetermined base color and a unique color corresponding to the surface color of the three-dimensional model on the coloring area, and (d) after the coloring step,
(d-1) a step of cutting the plurality of sheets according to the shape of each cross section of the three-dimensional model, and (d-2) a step of stacking the plurality of sheets in a predetermined order, Obtaining a laminate.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the first aspect, the base color is white.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the method of manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the first or second aspect, the coloring layer includes a first layer formed as the base color solid layer, It comprises a spatial gradation distribution of color elements corresponding to the intrinsic colors, and includes a second layer formed so as to overlap the first layer.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the method of manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the third aspect, the coloring region is defined unified only on the upper surface or the lower surface of each of the plurality of sheets. The coloring step (c-1) forms the second layer above the first layer when the in-process sheet that is to be colored at that time is the sheet of the step-up portion of the laminate, When the sheet under processing is a sheet of an overhang portion of the laminate, a step of forming the second layer below the first layer is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the first or second aspect, the coloring layer includes a spatial gradation distribution of a color element corresponding to the unique color; It is characterized by being formed by a complementary pattern distribution with a base color arranged so as to fill the gap of the spatial gradation distribution.

On the other hand, the invention according to claim 6 corresponds to the second object, wherein a stacked body of a plurality of sheets representing each cross section of a predetermined three-dimensional model is created based on the data of the three-dimensional model. A method of obtaining a three-dimensional structure by (a) preparing a plurality of sheets having a predetermined opaque color, (b) based on the shape of the three-dimensional model, the surface of the plurality of sheets An area defining step of defining a portion contributing to the appearance color of the three-dimensional structure as a coloring area; and (c) covering with a combination of a base color different from the predetermined color and a unique color corresponding to the surface color of the three-dimensional model. A coloring step of giving the exhausted coloring layer on the coloring area, and (d) after the coloring step, (d-1) a step of cutting the plurality of sheets according to the shape of each cross section of the three-dimensional model. , (D-
2) a step of laminating the plurality of sheets in a predetermined sequence to obtain the laminate.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the sixth aspect, the predetermined color is a color other than white, and the base color is white.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the sixth or seventh aspect, the coloring layer is formed on each sheet as the base color solid layer. And a second layer formed of a spatial gradation distribution of color elements corresponding to the intrinsic color and formed on the first layer.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to any one of the fifth to eighth aspects, the chromatic layer includes a spatial gradation of a color element corresponding to the unique color. It is characterized by being formed by a complementary pattern distribution of a distribution and a base color arranged so as to fill a gap of the spatial gradation distribution.

Furthermore, a tenth aspect of the present invention corresponds to the third object, and forms a laminate of a plurality of color layers representing each cross section of a predetermined three-dimensional model based on the data of the three-dimensional model. (A) sequentially forming a plurality of powdery or paste-like modeling layers containing a color corresponding to the appearance color at each cross-sectional position of the three-dimensional modeling object. A shaping layer forming step of laminating and forming, (b) a step of coagulating a portion of the shaping layer corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the three-dimensional model, each time the shaping layer is newly formed, (c) Removing the uncondensed part of each modeling layer to obtain the laminate, wherein the modeling layer forming step (a-1) forms the modeling layer based on the shape of the three-dimensional model. Color the part that contributes to the appearance of the three-dimensional object in the area to be Comprising the steps of: defined as a pass,
(a-2) covering the colored area with a spatial distribution of a first color carrier of a predetermined base color and a second color carrier expressing a unique color corresponding to the surface color of the three-dimensional model; It is characterized by having.

[0028] According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the unique color is a spatial three-dimensional object including three primary colors. It is characterized by being represented by a gradation distribution.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the second or seventh aspect, it is preferable that the mutually overlapping regions of the plurality of sheets are bonded by a white color carrier. Features.

The inventions of claims 13 to 16 have a structure suitable for carrying out these manufacturing methods.

[0031] The apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention obtains a three-dimensional object by creating a stacked body of a plurality of sheets representing each cross section of a predetermined three-dimensional model based on the data of the three-dimensional model. A plurality of color carrier sources, comprising: (a) a first carrier supply source for supplying a white color carrier, and a second carrier supply source for supplying a non-white color carrier; (b) By selectively driving and controlling the plurality of color supply sources according to the appearance color at each cross-sectional position of the three-dimensional model, a white color carrier and a non-white color carrier are provided in the coloring region of each sheet. Coloring control means for applying and coloring; (c)
It is characterized by comprising laminating means for laminating each sheet after coloring to obtain a sheet laminated body, and (d) cutting means for cutting each sheet according to each sectional shape of the three-dimensional model.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the thirteenth aspect, each of the plurality of sheets is a transparent sheet, and the coloring control means comprises: A first control unit for driving the first carrier supply source to apply a white color carrier to the whole of the coloring region of each sheet; and (b-2) driving the second carrier supply source, and A second control unit for giving a gradation distribution of a color carrier other than white to the coloring area of the sheet.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the thirteenth aspect, the coloring control means (b-1) drives the first and second carrier supply sources. Then, a complementary distribution generation control means for forming a coloring layer having a complementary spatial distribution of a white color carrier and a non-white color carrier in the coloring region of each sheet is provided.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for obtaining a three-dimensional object by creating a laminate of a plurality of color layers representing respective cross sections of a predetermined three-dimensional model based on the data of the three-dimensional model. (A) a plurality of color carrier supply sources each including a first carrier supply source for supplying a white color carrier, and a second toner supply source for supplying a color carrier other than white; By selectively driving and controlling the plurality of color carrier supply sources according to the appearance color at each cross-sectional position of the predetermined three-dimensional model, a plurality of color carriers are provided with a spatial distribution of a plurality of color carriers in a predetermined coloring region. A molding layer forming means for sequentially laminating and forming a powdery or paste-like modeling layer, and (c) a condensing means for sequentially condensing each of the modeling layers according to the cross-sectional shape of the three-dimensional model. And

Further, the seventeenth to twenty-first aspects of the invention have the advantage of a three-dimensional structure manufactured by such a manufacturing method or manufacturing apparatus.

The three-dimensional structure according to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention includes: (a) a plurality of transparent sheets laminated on each other; and (b) an appearance of the three-dimensional structure for each of the plurality of transparent sheets. And a coloring layer that covers a coloring region defined in a portion appearing in the color layer, and in the coloring layer, the coloring region is completely covered by a spatial combination of a predetermined base color and a unique color different from the base color. It is characterized by having.

[0037] The three-dimensional structure according to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention is provided by:
A plurality of color sheets laminated to each other and having a predetermined opaque color; and (b) a coloring layer for each of the plurality of color sheets, which covers a coloring area defined in a portion appearing in the appearance of the three-dimensional structure. And wherein the coloring layer covers the coloring region with a combination of a predetermined base color and a unique color different from the base color.

A three-dimensional structure according to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention is the three-dimensional structure according to the seventeenth or eighteenth aspect, wherein the color layer is (b-1) a solid color having the base color. It is characterized in that it has a laminated structure of a base color layer and (b-2) a unique color layer in which the unique colors are spatially distributed in gradation.

A three-dimensional structure according to a twentieth aspect is the seventeenth aspect.
20. The three-dimensional structure according to claim 18, wherein in the coloring layer, the base color and the intrinsic color are spatially complementarily distributed to cover the coloring region. .

A three-dimensional structure according to claim 21, wherein the three-dimensional structure is formed as a laminate of a plurality of color carrier condensed layers obtained by consolidating a powdery or paste-like forming layer containing a color carrier, and each color carrier is formed. A portion of the condensed layer that appears in the appearance of the three-dimensional structure is a combination forming layer in which a white color carrier and a non-white color carrier are spatially distributed.

[0041]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS <A. Overview of Manufacturing of Three-Dimensional Model> Before describing a specific configuration and operation of the embodiment of the present invention, an overview of a process of manufacturing a three-dimensional model using a laminate will be described.

When producing a three-dimensional structure that reproduces the three-dimensional model MD shown in FIG. 1A, first, the shape and surface color of the three-dimensional model MD are determined using three-dimensional CAD data or a three-dimensional shape measuring instrument. Is obtained. Next, from the original data D0, each cross-sectional data CDj (j = 1, 2,..., M,.
Create n). These cross-section data CDj include a plurality of cross-sections CRj (j = 1, 2,..., M,..., N) obtained by slicing the three-dimensional model MD at regular intervals in a predetermined direction (usually the horizontal direction).
Is data representing the shape and color of each of these.

The section data CDj contains the following information.

(1) Contour data Da for defining the contour of the cross section CRj: (2) Ring for coloring the cross section CRj in correspondence with the position and color of the coloring applied to the surface of the three-dimensional model MD. Image data Db of a colored area in the shape of a circle (area CLR in FIG. 2): (3) an adhesive area (area ADR in FIG. 2: normal in area ADR used in forming a laminate) Is an area surrounded by the colored area CLR). In these, the colored area CLR is an area related to the appearance color of the three-dimensional structure, and the colored area CLR is colored.

On the other hand, a plurality of rectangular sheets as shown in FIG. 2A are prepared, and the coloring area CLR is colored based on the above-described cross-sectional data CDj. Also, the bonding area ADR
Is provided with an adhesive toner or the like. It should be noted that such coloring and application of the adhesive toner can be performed on the front surface of the sheet, or can be performed on the back surface, depending on the element arrangement of the apparatus.

Then, the colored sheets are sequentially laminated as shown in FIG. 2 (c), and are bonded to the adjacent sheets by using the bonding toner in the bonding area ADR. Further, the sheet is cut along the contour of the cross section CRj using the cutting means CM.

After this process has been performed for all the cross sections CRj, unnecessary portions of each sheet are removed by using the cut lines as boundaries, so that the laminate S shown in FIG.
A three-dimensional structure as K is obtained.

In this three-dimensional structure, since the color given to the coloring area CLR of each sheet appears near the surface, the appearance and color of the three-dimensional model MD of FIG. 1A are reproduced. It has become.

<B. First Embodiment><B-1. Main Configuration of Apparatus> FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a three-dimensional structure manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus 100 feeds the transparent sheets 1 one by one, and applies a color toner to the transparent sheets 1 fed from the paper feeding section 5 to apply coloring. Coloring part 10 and the transparent sheet 1 colored by the coloring part 10
And a shaping unit 20 for stacking and cutting. Also,
The data processing unit 30 creates information on each section of the three-dimensional model from data of a predetermined three-dimensional model, and controls each of the above-described units based on the information.

<Sheet Feeding Unit 5> In the sheet feeding unit 5, a plurality of transparent sheets 1 stacked on a sheet feeding tray or a sheet feeding cassette are arranged. Each of these transparent sheets 1 has a rectangular planar shape and is, for example, a transparent sheet made of resin. Although not shown, the paper feeding unit 5 conveys the transparent sheets 1 to the coloring unit 10 one by one using a paper feeding mechanism used in an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer.

<Coloring part 10> The coloring part 10 is provided with a photosensitive drum 18 capable of forming an electrostatic latent image on its surface by being exposed to light from an exposure unit 19 after being charged by a charger. ing. This exposure pattern is determined based on the cross-sectional data CDj of the three-dimensional model MD.

The rotary developing device 11 has color toners of three primary colors C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow) and W (white).
a, 11b, 11c, 11d and a developing device 11 having an adhesive toner for adhering a plurality of transparent sheets 1 to each other
e. As the adhesive toner, a transparent toner can be used. Further, when the adhesive is mixed with the white toner and used for bonding, the developing device 11d using the white toner can also serve as the developing device for the bonding toner. In this case, the developing device 11e can be omitted, which contributes to shortening of the transfer time as a whole. Instead of the three primary colors of the color material, R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color toners, which are the three primary colors of color light, may be used.

The rotary developing device 11 includes a plurality of developing sleeves 1 for applying each toner to the photosensitive drum 18.
2, one of the developing sleeves 12 selected at that time can contact the photosensitive drum 18.

Then, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 18 is developed with toner from the developing sleeve 12, and the toner image is once transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 13 and then to the transparent sheet 1. . The intermediate transfer belt 13 includes a driving roller 14a, a driven roller 1
4b, driven in a loop by the primary transfer roller 15 and the support roller 16a.

In the coloring section 10, two heat rollers 17 (17a, 17b) used for fixing the toner are arranged vertically. As a fixing method of the toner, not only the heating by the heat roller 17 but also a flash fixing method, an oven fixing method, and a fixing method by laser irradiation may be adopted.

<Modeling Unit 20> The modeling unit 20 includes a stacking table 21 for stacking the colored sheets 1A obtained by applying the coloring layer to the transparent sheet 1. In FIG. 3, the colored sheet 1 after being subjected to a cutting process described later
A shows a state in which A is stacked on the stacking table 21 as a processed sheet 1B.

Above the stacking table 21, the colored sheet 1A
And a heat roller 23 for heating and pressing the colored sheet 1A. Also, the cross-sectional data C of the three-dimensional model MD
Cutter 2 for cutting colored sheet 1A based on Dj
4 are provided. The cutter 24 can move around the surface of the colored sheet 1A at least in the plane direction (X and Y directions) and can rotate around the Z axis. Further, the cutter 24 and the mounting table 21 can be relatively moved in the vertical direction (Z direction), and can be positioned near the surface of the colored sheet 1A at the top at that time.

Although the cutter 24 in this embodiment is a mechanical cutter using a blade, it is also possible to use an ultrasonic cutter using ultrasonic waves or a laser cutter using laser light (for example, a CO2 laser). good. An advantage of using these wave energy type cutters is that by changing the output or scanning speed of ultrasonic waves and laser light, it is possible to cope with various types of transparent sheets and thicknesses formed of different materials and the like. .

When a transparent sheet of a light separating material is used as the transparent sheet 1, light in a predetermined wavelength region (a wavelength region corresponding to the decomposition characteristics of the light separating material) is converged and irradiated. Thereby, the colored sheet 1A can be cut.

<B-2. Outline of Operation of Apparatus> FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the outline of the operation of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing apparatus 100. The data processing and control operations described below correspond to the data of FIG. The processing is executed by software by a microcomputer built in the processing unit 30. FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of defining each area in the transparent sheet 1 from information of the three-dimensional model MD. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the colored sheet 1A stacked on the processed sheet 1B is cut to form a three-dimensional object. It is a perspective view explaining the state in the middle of the operation | movement which produces a structure. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a three-dimensional structure 4 manufactured as a stacked body of the processed sheets 1B by the manufacturing apparatus 100.

In step ST1 shown in FIG. 2, the section data CDj is created from the original data D0 of the three-dimensional model MD in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the cross-sectional shape data CDj includes image data of the ring-shaped coloring region 40 corresponding to the region CLR of FIG. 2 and image data of the bonding region 41 corresponding to the region CLR of FIG. In.

The coloring area 40 is an area relating to the appearance color of the three-dimensional structure 4, and the coloring area 40 is colored.

The colored area 40 may be set near the contour of the cross-sectional area of the three-dimensional model MD. That is, when the processed sheet 1B is laminated by applying a color to the outline portion, the color is transmitted through the transparent portion of the processed sheet 1B and is reflected on the side surface of the laminated body of the three-dimensional structure 4 as if it were. It looks as if the surface of the three-dimensional structure 4 is colored.

Here, the outer boundary 40a of the coloring area 40 may be outside the outline 42 in consideration of the positioning error by the roller 24 and the like. Similarly, the inner boundary 40b may be located inside the outline 43.

The bonding area 41 is formed of a plurality of colored sheets 1A.
Is a portion where the adjacent colored sheets 1A overlap each other (logical product portion). When the inner boundary 40b is arranged inside the outline 42 as described above, the inner boundary 40b is a portion surrounded by the inner boundary 40b.

In the next step ST2, for the transparent sheet 1 conveyed to the coloring section 10, the exposure device 19 and the rotary developing device 1 are driven in accordance with the cross-sectional data CRj data, and the same electrostatic transfer as in electrophotography is performed. By the coloring area 4
0 is colored by applying each color toner,
Is applied with an adhesive toner and developed. In this embodiment using the transparent sheet 1, such a toner is applied only to the lower surface of each transparent sheet 1, and the toner application surface to each transparent sheet 1 is unified to those lower surfaces. Have been. The details of the coloring operation will be described later.

In step ST3, the colored sheet 1A is heated while being conveyed one by one by the heat roller 17, and each toner is fixed. Here, as the bonding toner, one having a fixing temperature different from the fixing temperature of the color toner for coloring (for example, one having a lower fixing temperature)
In the case where is used, the development with the color toner and the fixing with the heat roller 17 can be performed first, and then the development with the adhesive toner and the fixing with the heat roller 17 can be performed.

The colored sheet 1A that has been thus developed and fixed with toner is conveyed onto the stacking table 21, and the processing of coloring and cutting has been completed by the positioning roller 22 so far. It is positioned on the laminated body of the processed sheet 1B, and is laminated on this laminated body. In addition,
After fixing by the heat roller 17, the static electricity charged on the colored sheet 1A before lamination may be eliminated.

In step ST4, the colored toner sheet 1A is heated and pressed downward by the heat roller 23 to melt the adhesive toner transferred to the adhesive area 41 of the colored sheet 1A. Is adhered to the processed sheet 1B stacked directly under the sheet.

For the bonding, not only heating and pressing by a heat roller method but also heating and pressing by a hot pressing method are effective. In the heat roller method and the hot press method, the heating temperature and the pressing force can be controlled, and the type of the transparent sheet 1, the amount of toner transfer, the environmental temperature, the number of stacked sheets,
It can be changed according to the lamination state and the like.

In the next step ST5, the cutter 2
4 is activated, and based on the shape data of the outline of the cross section CRj of the three-dimensional model MD, the colored sheet 1A after lamination and bonding
To the contour line 42 of the cross section CRj of the three-dimensional model MD (FIG.
(See). Also, cut lines 42a and 42b extending from the outline 42 to the outer peripheral portion of the colored sheet 1A.
May be cut at a perforation or the like. The outer region 43 of the contour 42 is an unnecessary part in finally obtaining the three-dimensional structure 4 of FIG. 6, and the processed sheet 1B (FIG. 6) can be obtained by manually removing the outer region 43 later. can get.

At the time of the above-mentioned cutting, a smooth cutting is made possible by controlling the operation so that the cutting edge of the cutter 24 is always aligned with the tangential direction of the contour line 42. Further, if the pressure for pressing the cutter 24 against the transparent sheet and the moving speed of the blade are made variable depending on the type and thickness of the colored sheet 1A, cutting can be performed more smoothly. Further, it is possible to change the protruding amount of the blade.

Note that instead of the cut lines 42a and 42b,
A mesh or radial cut may be made.
By doing so, the work of removing the external region 43 becomes easy.

When step ST5 is completed, a series of processes for one transparent sheet 1 is completed, and then operations of steps ST2 to ST5 are performed on a new transparent sheet 1. This operation is performed by a series of cross sections CRj of the three-dimensional model MD.
By sequentially repeating (j = 1, 2,..., N), a target three-dimensional structure 4 is obtained.

In step ST5, each time one colored sheet 1A is cut along the contour 42 of the sectional area, the outer peripheral area 4 on the transparent sheet 1 is cut.
3 may be removed, but after the lamination and cutting of all the colored sheets 1A are completed, the unnecessary portion (the outer peripheral region 43) may be removed like a die cutting.

<Coloring Principle> The details of the coloring process for the coloring area 40 shown in FIG. 5 will be described.

In this embodiment, the rotary developing device 1
By transferring the white color toner (hereinafter, “white toner”) to the transparent sheet 1 in addition to the C, M, and Y color toners (hereinafter, “three primary color toners”), which are the three primary colors of the colorant, A coloring layer is formed on the transparent sheet 1.

The mode of transferring the white toner is as follows (1)
As described later with reference to FIG. 8A, the white toner W is transferred to the gap between the dot arrays 52 forming the spatial gradation distribution of the three primary color toners, and the complementary spatial distribution of the three primary color toners and the white toner is used. (Therefore, the coloring layer has a single-layer structure), and (2) the entire coloring region 40 is overlapped with the transfer layer 57 of the three primary color toners as described later with reference to FIG. 8B. And a method of forming such a white toner layer 56 (therefore, the coloring layer has a two-layer structure).

In any case, the light transmitted through the transparent sheet 1 is cut by the presence of the white toner layer to enhance the color tone and gradation by the three primary color toners, and the characteristic of neutral color (achromatic color) of white. The three primary color toners have the effect of improving color clarity.

Of these color toners, the three primary color toners are carriers for expressing an “inherent color” corresponding to the surface color of the three-dimensional model MD, and the white toner does not have a color carrier of such an intrinsic color. He is a "base color" carrier that gives the place a ground color.

Hereinafter, these will be described in detail.

<Coloring Layer with Single Layer Structure> The transfer pattern of the three primary color toners among the color toners is determined by using an area gradation method such as a dither method or a density pattern method utilizing the integration action of human vision. be able to.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the concept of the area gradation method. First, as shown in FIG. 7 (a), one of the three primary colors C (cyan) is used for coloring using the area gradation method.
Is arranged and transferred as fine grid-like dots. Each dot may have a rectangular shape or a square shape in which four squares are rounded.

Next, similarly to the above, M (magenta), which is the remaining of the three primary colors, is transferred as shown in FIG. 7B, and Y (yellow) is transferred as shown in FIG. 7C. In FIG. 7C, the ratio of the dots of the three primary color toners C, M, and Y is the same, and the dots are formed at all of the discrete arrangement positions allocated to each color. An arrangement state corresponding to the gradation is obtained. Further, the toner of each color may be transferred so as to overlap so as to be mixed.

In the case of FIG. 7C, since light passes through the gap 50 between the dots of the three primary colors, a predetermined gradation cannot be obtained. This situation is shown in FIG.
As described in the above. Therefore, FIG. 7 (d) and FIG.
As shown in (a), if the transmitted light L is blocked by filling the gap portion 51 with white toner W, the influence of the transmitted light L can be eliminated.

In addition, white as the base color as described above,
If the coloring layer 50 on the coloring region 40 is configured so as to be covered with a complementary pattern distribution with the three primary colors expressing the intrinsic colors, it is possible to realize predetermined gradations of various colors. It should be noted that the coloring area 40 is determined by such a combination of toners.
It is best to completely cover the entirety of the coloring region 40 without any gap, but there may be a portion where the toner does not adhere to only a part of the entire area of the coloring region 40.

As described above, even when the transparent sheet 1 is used, 3D corresponding to the color data of the surface of the three-dimensional model MD is used.
Coloring of the three-dimensional structure 4 having accurate gradation can be achieved.

The situation near the surface of the three-dimensional structure 4 obtained by the above-described coloring method is as shown in FIG. 9, and details of each coloring layer 50 in FIG. 9 are as shown in FIG. Has become.

FIG. 9A corresponds to the step-up portion in the three-dimensional structure 4, that is, the upwardly convex portion A in FIG. 6, and FIG. 9B is the overhang portion in the three-dimensional structure 4, that is, FIG. It corresponds to the downwardly convex portion B. FIG.
9 (a) and FIG. 9 (b) are colored only from one surface (the lower surface in this example) of the transparent sheet 1. FIG.
In the case of (a), the opaque sheet is sandwiched between the sheets on which the coloring layers 50 are laminated, and does not appear in the appearance color of the modeled object 4. However, in this embodiment, the transparent sheet 1 is used. Despite being sandwiched by a plurality of sheets, the appearance color of the three-dimensional structure 4 can be observed through the transparent sheet 1.

<Coloring Layer of Two-Layer Structure> FIG. 8B shows a two-layer structure of the white toner layer 56 over the entire coloring area 40 and the three primary color toner layers 57 spatially distributed in gradation. Here is an example of usage. In this case, the gap portion 51 may exist in the three primary color toner layers. That is, the white toner layer 5
6, the light L is blocked, and white color is arranged on the entire surface under the three primary color toner layers 57, so that predetermined gradation in various colors can be realized as in the case of the opaque white sheet. Become like However, in this case, when it is intended to observe both the surface color of the step-up portion and the overhang portion in the three-dimensional structure 4, the step-up portion is turned over of the colored sheet 1 </ b> A as described later. After performing the operation, laminate.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining coloring with the two-layered toner. White toner layer 56 in FIG.
Is a solid layer over the entire color region 40, and a toner layer 57 forming a spatial gradation distribution of each color component of the three primary colors.
a or 57b is arranged on top of it. Among them, FIG. 10A corresponds to a step-up portion in the three-dimensional structure 4, and FIG. 10B corresponds to an overhang portion in the three-dimensional structure 4. FIG. 10 (a)
Comparing FIG. 10B with FIG. 10B, it can be seen that the vertical positional relationship between the white toner layer 56 and the three primary color toner layers 57 is reversed.

That is, in the step-up section, the three primary color toner layers 57a of each colored sheet 1A are
6 and above. In the overhang portion, the three primary color toner layers 57b of the colored sheet 1A are formed below the white toner layer 56. However, the vertical relationship here defines the stacking direction of the stacked body constituting the three-dimensional structure 4 as the vertical direction.

This is because the directions contributing to the formation of the appearance color of the three-dimensional structure 4 are different. That is, FIG.
In FIG. 10A, the coloring layer 10 is exposed without being hidden by an adjacent sheet in the upward direction UP, whereas in FIG. 10B, it is in the downward direction DN. Therefore, the three primary color toner layers 57 are arranged on the surface of the two main surfaces of the white toner layer 56 that faces the expression direction UP or DN.

In the case of FIG. 10A, the transfer order of the toner layers 56 and 57 is as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 11A, the dots of the three primary colors C, M and Y are spatially distributed. After being arranged in a lattice and transferred onto the transparent sheet 1, FIG.
The layer of the white toner W is transferred as shown in FIG.

In the case of FIG. 10A, first, FIG.
After the transfer of the white W toner as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the toner dots of the three primary colors C, M, and Y are spatially distributed and arranged in a grid and transferred. This FIG.
In (b), the dots of the three primary colors C, M, and Y and the dots of the white toner W appear to be on the same plane.
Actually, toner layers of the three primary colors C, M, and Y are on the white toner layer.

For these transfers, the transfer may be performed directly on the transparent sheet 1. However, in the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, two layers of the toner are transferred to the intermediate transfer body 13, and
The two toner layers on the intermediate transfer body 11 are transferred to the transparent sheet 1. This enables efficient transfer.

In the case where the white toner layer 56 and the three primary color toner layers 57a (57b) are formed on the intermediate transfer member 13 and then transferred to the transparent sheet 1 collectively, the white toner layer 56 56 and three primary color toner layers 57
It should be noted that the transfer order with a (57b) is reversed from the above. That is, as can be seen from FIG.
Since the intermediate transfer member 13 is in the form of an endless belt, the vertical relationship between the toner layers sequentially transferred from the photosensitive drum 18 below the intermediate transfer member 13 and the upward rotation of the intermediate transfer member 13 collectively form the transparent sheet 1. The upper and lower relation of each toner layer at the time of transfer is reversed. Therefore, when the toner layers including a plurality of layers are collectively transferred to the transparent sheet 1 using the intermediate transfer body 13 as shown in FIG. 3, the transfer order from the photosensitive drum 13 to the intermediate transfer body 13 is as follows. In the case of the step-up section as shown in FIG. 10A, the order is such that the transfer of the white toner layer is performed after the transfer of the three primary color toner layers. In the case of the overhang section as shown in FIG. In this sequence, the transfer of the three primary color toner layers is performed after the transfer of the toner layers.

<B-3. Specific Coloring Operation of Apparatus> FIG.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a coloring operation of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing apparatus 100. The flowchart in FIG. 13 corresponds to step ST2 in the flowchart in FIG.

First, in step ST11, the color layer is set to 1
It is determined whether to have a layered structure or a two-layered structure. If one device 100 is configured as a dedicated device that achieves only one of these, this determination is not necessary, but here, the device 100 can be operated by any of the operators. A description will be given of a case where the configuration is such that This selection can be made by a switch operation of the operator.

<Case of Single-Layer Coloring Layer> When the coloring layer has a single-layer structure, there is no particular limitation on the order of applying the three primary color toners and the white toner. Therefore, the cross-sectional data C describing each cross section of the three-dimensional model MD in step ST12
With reference to the first data of Dj, the exposing unit 19 causes the surface of the photosensitive drum 18 to emit first color components (C,
(M, Y, W) exposure pattern. For example, when the first component is the C component, the four developing devices 11 for the color toner in the rotary developing device 11
a, 11b, 11c, and 11d, the developing unit 11a corresponding to the C component is selected and driven, and the developing unit 11a
The rotary developing device 11 is rotated until the upper position is brought into contact with the toner, and the toner of the C component is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 18 and developed. This C toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 13.

Thereafter, the second to fourth color components (for example, M,
Exposure and development are sequentially performed for Y and W), and the image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 13 to obtain a state corresponding to FIG.

Further, the area of the bonding area 41 is exposed and recorded on the photosensitive drum 18, and a developing toner is applied to the photosensitive drum 18 from the developing device 11 e to develop the electrostatic latent image thereon. Is transferred to

At this time, by using a transparent toner or a white toner for bonding, when the bonding toner is applied to the bonding area 41, the toner in the bonding area 41 is transferred to the coloring area 40 via the transparent sheet 1. It is possible to prevent show-through. This is the same in other methods using the transparent sheet 1.

In the subsequent step ST16, the intermediate transfer belt 13 is operated to transfer the composite toner layer on the belt 13 to the transparent sheet 1. Here, each toner is electrostatically transferred to the transparent sheet 1 by sandwiching the transparent sheet 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 13 on which the toner has been transferred between the secondary transfer roller 16b and the support roller 16a. Next, the toner that has been electrostatically transferred to the transparent sheet 1 is heated by the heat roller 17 and fixed to the transparent sheet 1. Then, the colored sheet 1A obtained by fixing the toner is conveyed to the modeling unit 20.

<In the case of a coloring layer having a two-layer structure> On the other hand, when a coloring layer having a two-layer structure is to be formed, the cross-sectional data CDj is referred to in step ST13 to determine whether the cross-section belongs to the step-up portion of the laminate. , Know if it belongs to the overhang part. For this purpose, the cross-sectional data CDj includes:
A flag indicating beforehand whether the section belongs to the step-up portion or the overhang portion of the laminate is given in advance. However, the vertically extending portion of the laminate is determined to belong to either the step-up portion or the overhang portion in a pseudo manner.

In the case of the step-up section, FIG.
As described in (a), it is necessary to arrange the white toner layer 57a below the three primary color toner layers 56 (in this example, the side closer to the transparent sheet 1 to which the coloring layer is applied). Considering that the upside down in the transfer via the intermediate transfer belt 13 is reversed, this is done by first creating a white toner image and transferring it to the intermediate transfer belt 13 as shown in FIG. Is achieved by a process in which three primary color toner images are sequentially created and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 13. Thereafter, transfer of the adhesive toner is performed. The mutual transfer order of the three primary color toners C, M, and Y is arbitrary, and the transfer of the adhesive toner is also arbitrary.
However, when a white toner is used as the bonding toner, the white toner is transferred to the bonding area 41 simultaneously with the transfer of the white toner to the coloring area 40. This situation is the same in the transfer of the adhesive toner in the following description. Thus, a colored sheet 1A corresponding to FIG. 10A is obtained.

In the case of the overhang portion, FIG.
As described in (b), it is necessary to arrange the white toner layer 57a above the three primary color toner layers 56 (in this example, farther from the transparent sheet 1 to which the coloring layers are applied).
Therefore, in consideration of the fact that the image is transferred upside down by the intermediate transfer belt 13 in the same manner as described above, the step ST
As shown in FIG. 15, three primary color toner images are sequentially created and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 13, and then a white toner image is created and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 13. Three primary color toners C, M,
The mutual transfer order of Y is arbitrary, and the transfer of the adhesive toner is also arbitrary. This is similar to the step-up unit, through which the colored sheet 1A corresponding to FIG. can get.

In both cases of the step-up portion and the overhang portion, a laminate of the shaped sheet 4 can be obtained through step ST16.

By coloring the coloring region 40 as described above, it is possible to color the three-dimensional modeled object 4 having an accurate gradation corresponding to the color data on the surface of the three-dimensional model.

<C. Second Embodiment><C-1. Second Embodiment: Main Configuration of Apparatus> FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a three-dimensional structure manufacturing apparatus 150 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The device 150 of the second embodiment is a device in the case of using the color sheet 2 having an opaque color, and has a configuration in which a sheet reversing unit 35 is added to the device 100 of the first embodiment.

The sheet reversing section 35 reverses the front and back of the sheet 2 colored by the coloring section 10 and conveys the sheet 2 to the modeling section 20.
The sheet 2 has an access path 36 a of the reversing section 35 and a main path 36.
b can be selected.

<Coloring Principle> Next, the operation of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing apparatus 150 will be described. The basic operation of the manufacturing apparatus 150 is the same as that of the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the first embodiment. The operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is performed, and a color sheet is used as a base material instead of the colored sheet 1A in the first embodiment. A colored sheet 2A (FIG. 14) is obtained,
The sheets are laminated and cut to obtain a laminate of the processed sheet 2B. Then, by removing unnecessary portions of the laminate, a desired three-dimensional structure can be obtained.

When the color sheet 2 is used, there is a similar situation as when the transparent sheet 1 is used. That is, when an opaque color sheet is used in place of the transparent sheet 1 in FIG. 23, the color sheet starts from the gap portion 51 where the three primary colors C, M, and Y, which are arranged in a grid, are not colored. The ground color is exposed. The color scheme of the three-dimensional model MD is based on the assumption that the ground color of the sheet is a specific color (hereinafter, “reference color”; typically, white). Therefore, when the color of the color sheet is different from the reference color,
A desired gradation cannot be obtained.

Therefore, similarly to the coloring method of the transparent sheet 1, as shown in FIG. 7D, the gap portion 51 is colored with white toner W, and the colored region is covered with white toner and three primary color toners. Try to run out. This makes it possible to realize predetermined gradations in various colors as if the white sheet were colored with three primary colors. A specific coloring method will be described below.

FIG. 15 shows the coloring of a three-dimensional object by the above-described coloring method. Coloring layer 60 in FIG.
Reference numerals a and 60b denote a one-layer structure including a spatial combination distribution of toners of white and three primary colors, and have a configuration that covers the coloring region 40. FIG. 15 (a) is a sectional view of FIG.
FIG. 15B corresponds to the overhang portion B in the three-dimensional structure 4. 15 (a) and 15 (b), it can be seen that the vertical relationship between the color sheet 2 and the coloring layer 57 is reversed. This is because the color sheet 2 is opaque, and in FIG. 15A, the coloring in the coloring area 40 is displayed without being hidden by the adjacent sheet in the upward direction UP. This is because it is the downward DN in b). Therefore, the coloring layer 60 needs to be arranged on the surface of the two main surfaces of the color sheet 2 that faces the expression direction UP or DN depending on whether it is the step-up portion or the overhang portion.

As described above, in the coloring of the transparent sheet 1 in the first embodiment, the coloring of one surface of the sheet 1 is sufficient because the transmission of the color in the transparent portion can be used. In coloring, when the three-dimensional structure 4 includes both the step-up portion and the overhang portion, and it is desired to observe both of the surface colors, it is necessary to switch the coloring surface. In this case, the color sheet 2 is sent to the sheet reversing device 35, and the color sheet 2 is turned upside down and stacked by the modeling unit 20.

As in the first embodiment, as in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, a white toner layer 62 over the entire coloring area and a three primary color toner layer spatially distributed in gradation are used. The coloring may be performed by the coloring layer 50 having a two-layer structure of 63. In this case as well, in order to correspond to various shapes of the three-dimensional structure 4, the color sheet 2
It is preferable that the sheet 2 is turned upside down and stacked at the modeling section 20.

<C-2. Specific Operation of Apparatus> Next, the coloring operation of the manufacturing apparatus 150 will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the coloring operation of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing apparatus 150, and corresponds to step ST2 in the flowchart of FIG.

As can be seen by comparing the flowchart of FIG. 17 with the flowchart of FIG. 13, steps ST21, ST22 and ST26 of FIG.
Steps ST11, ST12, and ST16 are different, and the difference is whether the transparent sheet 1 or the color sheet 2 is used. Therefore, description of steps ST21, ST22 and ST26 will be omitted.

When it is determined in step ST21 of FIG. 17 that the structure has a two-layer structure, in step ST23,
After the three primary color toner layers spatially distributed in gradation are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 13, the solid white toner layer in a range corresponding to the colored area 40 is transferred. The point in time at which the transparent adhesive toner layer is transferred is arbitrary.

In both the one-layer structure and the two-layer structure, step ST1 after step ST26 is performed.
In 01, by referring to the cross-sectional data CDj of the three-dimensional model MD, it is determined whether the cross-section being processed at that time belongs to the step-up portion or the overhang portion.

When the coloring layer belongs to the overhang portion, the coloring layer may remain downward as shown in FIG.
The colored sheet 2A is conveyed to the stacking table 21 and stacked without being inverted.

If the section being processed belongs to the step-up section of the laminate, the colored sheet 2A is reversed by the sheet reversing section 35 through the path 36a shown in FIG. 14 (step ST102). It is transported to the modeling unit 30.

By the above operation, even when the color sheet 2 is used, coloring with accurate gradation of the three-dimensional structure 4 corresponding to the color data on the surface of the three-dimensional model MD can be performed. .

<D. Third Embodiment> The devices of the first and second embodiments use the transparent sheet 1 or the color sheet 2 and form a coloring layer thereon. By the way, in any of the apparatuses according to the embodiments, a white toner (generally, a color carrier of a base color) is used.
The color region 40 is completely covered by a combination of the three primary color toners (generally, one or a plurality of color carriers expressing the intrinsic color of the three-dimensional model). The entire area of the bonding area 41 is covered with the bonding toner. Therefore, the entire region formed by the combination of these regions 40 and 41 is densely covered with various kinds of toner in a plate shape, and a laminate can be formed without a sheet supporting these toner layers. Will be.

Therefore, the third embodiment of the present invention is configured to create a three-dimensional structure without using a sheet.

<D-1. Main Configuration of Apparatus> FIG. 18 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a three-dimensional structure manufacturing apparatus 200 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The three-dimensional model manufacturing apparatus 200 generates a recording image based on each section information of the three-dimensional model MD, a coloring section 10A for applying a color with toner, a modeling section 20A for laminating toner, and a printing section for each section. A data processing unit 30A for performing control.

The coloring section 10A is different from the coloring section 1 except for the two heat rollers 17 in the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the first embodiment.
The configuration is the same as that of 0. The coloring section 10A is movable at least in the X and Y directions.

Further, the modeling section 20A includes a stacking table 21 for stacking the toner layers 7 colored by the coloring section 10A, and a laser irradiation device 70 for coagulating the toner layers 7 with laser light. The laser irradiator 70 converts the laser light into X, Y
By scanning in the direction, a predetermined area of the toner layer 7 on the processed toner layer 7S is condensed.

The manufacturing apparatus 200 of the second embodiment is
In comparison with the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the first embodiment, equipment such as a paper feed mechanism and a cutter is not required, and the apparatus can be simplified.

<D-2. Operation of Apparatus> FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining the basic operation of the three-dimensional manufacturing apparatus 200, and FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of coloring by the manufacturing apparatus 200.

As in the first embodiment, three-dimensional CAD data or original data D0 including three-dimensional shape data and color data of a three-dimensional model MD obtained by a three-dimensional shape measuring instrument or the like are used to execute steps shown in FIG. ST
At 31, cross-sectional data CDj including shape data and color data at each cross-section of the three-dimensional model is created.

Next, in step ST32, the coloring section 30
A moves above the processed toner layer 7S on the stacking base 21, and the processed toner layer 7
The colored area 75 and the adhesive area 76 are colored with the color toner by electrostatic transfer in the area above S.

Here, in the case of a three-dimensional structure having an overhang portion, that is, in the case where the color region to be transferred is larger than the color region 75 to be transferred, the upper color region can be supported. As described above, the dummy toner is transferred to the outside of the coloring area 75. The details of step ST32 are the same as those in the flow of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
The details of the coloring method will be described later.

In Step ST33, the laser irradiation device 7
The laser light from 0 is scanned to condense the colored area 75 and the adhesive area 76 and adhere to the toner layer immediately below. Here, it is preferable to perform processing for one toner layer transferred in step ST32.

Upon completion of step ST33, toner layer 1
A series of processes for the layer is completed, and then the operations of steps ST32 to ST33 are performed on the new toner layer. This operation is performed for all cross-sectional data CDj of the three-dimensional model.
Is repeated, and the dummy toner which is still in the powder state is manually removed at the end to obtain a target three-dimensional structure.

<Details of Coloring> FIG. 20 shows the coloring state of the three-dimensional structure in the case of the third embodiment in which the three-dimensional structure is formed by laminating the color toner itself. FIG.
In the color layer 77 at 0 (a), similarly to the first embodiment, the color area 40 is formed by combining the white toner and the three primary color toners.
The structure is such that it is completely covered with a layer structure. Further, as shown in FIG. 20B, the coloring may be performed by two layers of a white toner layer 78 over the entire coloring region 75 and a primary color toner layer 79 spatially distributed in gradation. good.

By coloring the coloring area 75 as described above, it is possible to perform coloring with an accurate gradation of the modeled object corresponding to the color data on the surface of the three-dimensional model.

According to the principle of the third embodiment, 3
In the production of the three-dimensional structure, a powdery or paste-like (semi-milled) color carrier that is condensed by the action of heat or light can be used. The toner used as a color carrier in the third embodiment is a typical example of such a carrier. In the case of a paste-like color carrier, a color layer is printed in a form printed on a laminate. And it is preferable to form an adhesive layer.

<E. Other Embodiments and Modifications> In the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the first embodiment, the sheets are colored before lamination, but may be colored after lamination.
This device is as shown in FIG. Apparatus 100 of FIG.
In A, the coloring portion 10B can move at least in the X and Y directions to color after lamination. Then, after the transparent sheet 1 is laminated on the lamination table 21, the colored portion 10B is
1 and the sheet is colored. In this case, the transfer surface of the toner is the upper surface of the sheet 1.

The manufacturing apparatus 10 of the first and second embodiments
At 0 and 150, toner is used for coloring.
Coloring may be performed with ink as shown in FIG. FIG.
In the manufacturing apparatus 100B shown in FIG. 1, an ink jet device 90 is provided instead of the rotary developing device 11 of the first embodiment. Ink of each color (Y, M, C, W) is attached to the sheet from the ink jet device 90 to perform coloring. The manufacturing apparatus 100B can be more compact than the manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

In the above embodiments, white is used as the base color, but another color such as a light color may be used as the base color. Also, for achromatic colors other than white, such as gray and black, the surface color of the three-dimensional model may be determined based on the existence of such achromatic colors. Therefore, such achromatic colors may be used as the base colors.

When a color sheet is used, the base color may be different from the color sheet. For example,
In the case of using a blue color sheet, if the surface color of the three-dimensional model is also blue, it is difficult to express the gradation of the three-dimensional object, but if a color other than blue is used as the base color,
It is relatively easy to visually recognize a change in blue gradation.

When the three primary colors are used to represent the intrinsic color corresponding to the surface color of the three-dimensional model, full-color expression is possible. However, any number of colors can be used as long as they are different from the base color. For example, when white is used as the base color, if a red color carrier is used, white to pure red can be expressed by its spatial gradation distribution, but gradation expression in the intermediate gradation (pink) Becomes accurate. Further, gradation expression can be performed by a grayscale image of toner.

In the above embodiment, the coloring layer has a one-layer or two-layer structure. However, even if the number of layers is three or more, it is included in the scope of the present invention as long as the coloring region is substantially covered. .

In the first embodiment, a cut sheet that can be processed one by one is used, but a continuous sheet may be used.

In the three-dimensional structure 4 (FIG. 5) of the first and second embodiments, the thickness of each sheet is equal, but the thickness of the sheet may be changed according to the cross-sectional shape. In this case, the sheet feeding unit 5 is provided with sheets of different thicknesses.

◎ In lamination of the shaped article of each embodiment,
By providing a measuring device capable of measuring the height of the stack and measuring the height of the stack as appropriate during the stacking and feeding back the cross-section data, a more accurate modeled object can be created.

◎ In the toner of each embodiment, Bk
(Black) toner may be added separately. in this case,
This is effective for suppressing the consumption of chromatic color toner and expressing clear black with sharp edges such as characters.

Regarding the bonding of the sheets of the first and second embodiments, temporary bonding may be performed by electrostatic attraction, and heating and pressure bonding may be performed at intervals of several sheets or at the end of lamination. Thereby, it is possible to create a modeled object faster.

It is not essential to transfer the toner for bonding to the entire surface of the bonding area 41, and partial bonding may be used as long as a predetermined bonding strength can be obtained.

In the manufacturing apparatus 150 of the second embodiment, instead of providing the sheet reversing section 35, another developing device 11 and another intermediate transfer body 13 are provided to transfer the color sheet 2 to both sides. You may do it. In this case, the sheet 2 does not need to be inverted.

[0155]

As described above, according to the method of the first aspect of the present invention, a transparent sheet is covered with a combination of a predetermined base color and a unique color corresponding to the surface color of a three-dimensional model. Since the coloring is performed by the coloring layer, it is possible to suppress the transmission of light, which is a disturbance in the reproduction of the gradation, through the coloring layer. As a result, a three-dimensional structure that can accurately reproduce the gradation of the surface color of the three-dimensional model can be obtained.

According to the method of the second and seventh aspects of the present invention, since the base color is white, the gradation of the surface color of the three-dimensional model can be particularly easily reproduced.

According to the method of the third aspect of the present invention, the coloring layer includes the first layer formed as a solid layer of the base color,
It is composed of a spatial gradation distribution of color elements corresponding to the intrinsic color, and is configured to include the second layer formed so as to overlap the first layer. The transmission of the layer can be suppressed. As a result, a three-dimensional structure that can accurately reproduce the gradation of the surface color of the three-dimensional model can be obtained.

According to the method of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the first layer formed as a base color solid layer is formed depending on whether the sheet being processed is a step-up portion or an overhang portion of the laminate. The arrangement of the second layer formed on the first layer corresponding to the unique color is reversed. As a result, in the three-dimensional structure obtained by this method, the gradation can be accurately reproduced according to the shape of the three-dimensional model.

According to the fifth and ninth aspects of the present invention, the chromatic layer fills the gap between the spatial gradation distribution of the color element corresponding to the unique color and the spatial gradation distribution. Since it is formed by a complementary pattern distribution with the arranged base colors, the gradation can be reproduced richly. In forming the coloring layer, there is little restriction on the order of forming each color carrier.

Further, according to the method of the present invention, the coloring layer covered by the combination of the base color different from the predetermined color in the opaque sheet and the unique color corresponding to the surface color of the three-dimensional model is used. Is performed, it is possible to suppress the coloring of a predetermined color that is a disturbance in the reproduction of the gradation. As a result, a three-dimensional structure that can accurately reproduce the gradation of the surface color of the three-dimensional model can be obtained.

Further, according to the method of the present invention, the chromatic layers correspond to the first layer formed on each sheet as a solid layer having a base color different from the predetermined color on the opaque sheet, and correspond to the unique color. Of the color components to be spatially distributed.
Since it is configured to include the second layer formed so as to be superimposed on the layer, it is possible to suppress the generation of a predetermined color which is a disturbance in the reproduction of the gradation. As a result, a three-dimensional structure that can accurately reproduce the gradation of the surface color of the three-dimensional model can be obtained.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention,
Since the color region is completely covered by a spatial distribution of a first color carrier of a predetermined base color and a second color carrier expressing a unique color corresponding to the surface color of the three-dimensional model, disturbance of gradation reproduction is generated. Can be suppressed. As a result, a three-dimensional structure that can accurately reproduce the gradation of the surface color of the three-dimensional model can be obtained.

According to the method of the eleventh aspect,
Since the intrinsic colors are expressed by the spatial gradation distribution of a plurality of color elements including the three primary colors, full-color display is possible in a three-dimensional structure obtained thereby, and the visual expression is particularly high. .

According to the method of the twelfth aspect,
Since the bonding between the sheets is performed using a white color carrier, the type of the color carrier to be used can be reduced, and the time required for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure can be reduced. In particular, when a white color carrier is used for bonding the transparent sheet, show-through through the inside of the transparent sheet can be prevented.

In the apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, a white color carrier and a non-white color carrier can be applied to the coloring area of each sheet for coloring. An apparatus suitable for carrying out the method invention of claim 7 is provided.

The apparatus according to the invention of claim 14 is an apparatus suitable for carrying out the method of claims 3, 4, and 8.

The device according to the invention of claim 15 is a device suitable for carrying out the method invention of claims 5 and 9.

The apparatus according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention is suitable for implementing the method according to the tenth aspect of the present invention.

Further, the seventeenth to twenty-first aspects of the invention have the advantage that the three-dimensional structure produced by each of the above-described method inventions has excellent reproducibility of gradation and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of manufacturing a three-dimensional structure using a laminate.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the principle of manufacturing a three-dimensional structure using a laminate.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a three-dimensional structure manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a basic operation of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing apparatus 100.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a cross-sectional shape of a three-dimensional model and a coloring area.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a three-dimensional structure.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating coloring of a three-dimensional structure.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the effect of light on the transparent sheet 1.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating coloring on a three-dimensional structure.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating coloring of a three-dimensional structure.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating coloring of a three-dimensional structure.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating coloring on a three-dimensional structure.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a coloring operation of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing apparatus 100.

FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a three-dimensional structure manufacturing apparatus 150 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating coloring on a three-dimensional structure.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating coloring on a three-dimensional structure.

17 is a flowchart illustrating a coloring operation of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing apparatus 100. FIG.

FIG. 18 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a three-dimensional structure manufacturing apparatus 200 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a basic operation of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing apparatus 200.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating coloring on a three-dimensional structure.

FIG. 21 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a three-dimensional structure manufacturing apparatus 100A according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a three-dimensional structure manufacturing apparatus 100B according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating the influence of light transmission when a transparent sheet is used.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Transparent sheet 2 Color sheet 4 Three-dimensional molded article 10 Coloring part 11 Rotary developing device 19 Exposure device 24 Cutter 35 Sheet reversing part 40 Coloring area 41 Adhesion area 42 Outline 50 Gap part 55, 60, 70 Coloring layer 56, 62 , 78 White toner layer 57, 63, 79 Three primary color toner layer 70 Laser irradiation device 90 Inkjet device MD Solid model

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A method for obtaining a three-dimensional structure by creating a laminate of a plurality of sheets representing respective cross sections of a predetermined three-dimensional model based on data of the three-dimensional model, comprising: A step of preparing a plurality of sheets; and (b) an area defining step of defining, as a colored area, a portion contributing to the appearance color of the three-dimensional structure on the surfaces of the plurality of sheets based on the shape of the three-dimensional model. (C) a coloring step of providing a coloring layer covered by a combination of a predetermined base color and a unique color according to the surface color of the three-dimensional model on the coloring area, and (d) after the coloring step, (d-1) cutting the plurality of sheets according to the shape of each cross section of the three-dimensional model, and (d-2) laminating the plurality of sheets in a predetermined order, And obtaining a laminate. Method of manufacturing a dimension shaped object. 2. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to claim 1, wherein the base color is white. 3. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to claim 1, wherein the coloring layer corresponds to the first layer formed as a solid layer of the base color and the unique color. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure, comprising: a second layer formed of a spatial gradation distribution of color elements and formed on the first layer. 4. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to claim 3, wherein the coloring region is defined only on the upper surface or the lower surface of each of the plurality of sheets, and the coloring step includes: (c-1) when the in-process sheet that is to be colored at that time is the sheet of the step-up portion of the laminate, forms the second layer above the first layer, and the in-process sheet is Forming a second layer below the first layer when the sheet is an overhang portion of the laminate, a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure. 5. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to claim 1, wherein the coloring layer includes a spatial gradation distribution of a color element corresponding to the unique color, and the spatial gradation. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure, wherein the three-dimensional structure is formed by a complementary pattern distribution with a base color arranged so as to fill a gap between distributions. 6. A method for obtaining a three-dimensional structure by creating a stacked body of a plurality of sheets representing each cross section of a predetermined three-dimensional model based on data of the three-dimensional model, wherein: A step of preparing a plurality of sheets having a predetermined color; and (b) defining a portion of the surfaces of the plurality of sheets that contributes to the appearance color of the three-dimensional structure as a coloring area based on the shape of the three-dimensional model. (C) a coloring step of providing a coloring layer covered with a combination of a base color different from the predetermined color and a unique color corresponding to the surface color of the three-dimensional model on the coloring region, d) after the coloring step, (d-1) a step of cutting the plurality of sheets according to the shape of each cross section of the three-dimensional model, and (d-2) a step of stacking the plurality of sheets. A process for obtaining the laminate by executing the processes in a predetermined sequence Method for producing three-dimensional shaped object, characterized in that it comprises a and. 7. The method of manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined color is a color other than white, and the base color is white. . 8. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to claim 6, wherein the coloring layer includes: a first layer formed on each sheet as the base color solid layer; A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure, comprising: a second layer formed of a spatial gradation distribution of color elements corresponding to colors and formed on the first layer. 9. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to claim 5, wherein the color layer includes a spatial gradation distribution of a color element corresponding to the unique color, and the space. A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional structure, wherein the three-dimensional structure is formed by a complementary pattern distribution with a base color arranged so as to fill a gap of a target gradation distribution. 10. A method for obtaining a three-dimensional structure by creating a laminate of a plurality of color layers representing respective cross sections of a predetermined three-dimensional model based on the data of the three-dimensional model, wherein: A forming layer forming step of sequentially laminating and forming a plurality of powdery or paste-like forming layers each including a color corresponding to the appearance color at each cross-sectional position of the three-dimensional structure, and (b) the forming layer is newly formed. Consolidating a portion of the modeling layer corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the three-dimensional model, wherein the forming layer forming step comprises: (a-1) forming the shape of the three-dimensional model. (A) defining a portion contributing to the appearance of the three-dimensional structure as a coloring region in an area where the modeling layer is to be formed, based on: (a-2) a first color carrier having a predetermined base color; A second color representing a unique color corresponding to the surface color of the three-dimensional model. The method for producing three-dimensional shaped object, characterized in that it comprises the steps of completely covering the colored region by the spatial distribution of the color carrier. 11. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to claim 1, wherein the unique color is represented by a spatial gradation distribution of a plurality of color elements including three primary colors. A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional structure. 12. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to claim 2, wherein the mutually overlapping regions of the plurality of sheets are adhered by a white color carrier. A method for manufacturing a molded article. 13. An apparatus for obtaining a three-dimensional structure by creating a stacked body of a plurality of sheets representing respective cross sections of a predetermined three-dimensional model based on the data of the three-dimensional model, wherein: A plurality of color carrier sources including a first carrier source for supplying a color carrier and a second carrier source for supplying a color carrier other than white; and (b) each cross-sectional position of the three-dimensional model. A color control means for selectively driving and controlling the plurality of color supply sources according to the surface color in the above to apply a white color carrier and a non-white color carrier to the color region of each sheet to color the sheet; (c) laminating means for laminating each sheet after coloring to obtain a sheet laminate, and (d) cutting means for cutting each sheet according to each cross-sectional shape of the three-dimensional model. Apparatus for producing three-dimensional shaped object. 14. The apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of sheets is a transparent sheet, and the coloring control unit includes: (b-1) controlling the first carrier supply source. (B-2) driving the second carrier supply source to apply a white color carrier to the entire coloring region of each sheet, and driving the second carrier supply source to add white color carrier to the coloring region of each sheet. And a second control means for giving a gradation distribution of a color carrier other than the above.
Equipment for manufacturing three-dimensional objects. 15. The apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to claim 13, wherein the coloring control means: (b-1) driving the first and second carrier supply sources to form a white color carrier. An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional structure, comprising: a complementary distribution generation control means for forming a colored layer having a complementary spatial distribution of a color carrier other than white and a color carrier in the colored region of each sheet. 16. An apparatus for obtaining a three-dimensional structure by creating a laminate of a plurality of color layers representing respective cross sections of a predetermined three-dimensional model based on the data of the three-dimensional model, wherein: A plurality of color carrier sources configured to include a first carrier supply source for supplying a color carrier of a second color and a second toner supply source for supplying a color carrier other than white; By selectively driving and controlling the plurality of color carrier supply sources according to the appearance color at the cross-sectional position, a plurality of powder or paste forms in which a predetermined color region is provided with a spatial distribution of a plurality of color carriers. And (c) a coagulating means for sequentially consolidating the respective modeling layers in accordance with the cross-sectional shape of the three-dimensional model.
Equipment for manufacturing three-dimensional objects. 17. A three-dimensional structure, comprising: (a) a plurality of transparent sheets stacked on each other; and (b) a part of each of the plurality of transparent sheets which appears in the appearance of the three-dimensional structure. A coloring layer covering the colored region, wherein the colored layer covers the colored region by a spatial combination of a predetermined base color and a unique color different from the base color. Characteristic three-dimensional object. 18. A three-dimensional structure, comprising: (a) a plurality of color sheets stacked on each other and having an opaque predetermined color; and (b) a plurality of color sheets each of the plurality of color sheets.
A coloring layer that covers a coloring region defined in a portion appearing in the appearance of the three-dimensional structure, wherein in the coloring layer, the coloring region is formed by a combination of a predetermined base color and a unique color different from the base color. A three-dimensional structure characterized by covering the whole. 19. The three-dimensional structure according to claim 17, wherein the coloring layer comprises: (b-1) a solid base color layer having the base color; and (b-2) A three-dimensional structure, wherein the three-dimensional structure has a laminated structure of: a unique color layer in which the unique colors are spatially distributed in gradation. 20. The three-dimensional structure according to claim 17, wherein in the coloring layer, the base color and the intrinsic color are spatially complementarily distributed to cover the coloring region. A three-dimensional object characterized by exhaustion. 21. A three-dimensional structure, wherein each of the color carriers is formed as a laminate of a plurality of color carrier condensed layers obtained by consolidating a powdery or paste-like formation layer containing a color carrier. A three-dimensional structure, wherein a portion of the condensed layer that appears in the appearance of the three-dimensional structure is a combination forming layer in which a white color carrier and a non-white color carrier are spatially distributed.