JP2011178051A - Fabrication method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve quality of an object to be fabricated. <P>SOLUTION: A fabrication method comprises: a fabricating step and a dissolution step to dissolve a bank 163 with an aqueous fluid after the fabrication step. The fabrication step carries out the following steps one by one in piles for each of cross-sectional elements: a bank forming step for dividing a solid to be fabricated into a plurality of cross-sectional elements and forming the bank 163 surrounding the cross-sectional element along the outer edge of the cross-sectional element from a water soluble sheet 175; a coating step for applying a curable functional liquid 57 whose curing is accelerated when irradiated with ultraviolet ray 177 in a region surrounded by the bank 163 after the bank forming step; and an exposure step for irradiating the curable functional liquid 57 in the region surrounded by the bank 163 with the ultraviolet ray 177. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a modeling method and the like.

Conventionally, a lamination method is known as one of methods for modeling a solid (modeling method). In the laminating method, generally, a solid body can be formed by laminating each of a plurality of cross-sectional elements that define a solid external shape while sequentially forming a cross-sectional pattern.
In such a lamination method, conventionally, there is a method in which a cross-sectional pattern is printed on a sheet with a printer, and a solid body is formed from a laminated body in which the printed sheets are sequentially laminated (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-62927 A

In the modeling method described in Patent Document 1, a laminate is formed after a cross-sectional pattern is printed on a water-soluble sheet with a water-insoluble resin. And when modeling a solid from a layered product, a layered product is washed with warm water. Thereby, a solid can be modeled.
Patent Document 1 exemplifies water-soluble paper as a water-soluble sheet. The paper contains paper fibers. For this reason, if a solid is modeled from a laminated body in which water-soluble paper is laminated, it becomes easy to stand if the solid is formed by paper fibers.
That is, the conventional modeling method has a problem that it is difficult to improve the quality of the modeled object.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

  [Application Example 1] A bank forming step of dividing a solid to be shaped into a plurality of cross-sectional elements and forming a bank surrounding the cross-sectional element along an outer edge of the cross-sectional element with a water-soluble material, and the bank In the region surrounded by the bank, after the forming step, an application step of applying a liquid material having a property of being accelerated by receiving active energy and exhibiting water insolubility at least in a cured state; After the coating step, an energy application step of applying the activation energy to the liquid material in the region surrounded by the bank is sequentially performed over the plurality of cross-sectional elements for each cross-sectional element. The modeling method characterized by including the modeling process and the melt | dissolution process which dissolves the bank with the liquid containing water after the modeling process.

The modeling method of this application example includes a modeling process and a melting process. In this modeling method, a solid to be modeled is divided into a plurality of cross-sectional elements.
And in a modeling process, a bank formation process, an application process, and an energy provision process are carried out in piles sequentially over a plurality of section elements for every section element.
In the bank forming step, a bank surrounding the cross-sectional element is formed along the outer edge of the cross-sectional element with a material exhibiting water solubility.
After the bank forming process, in the coating process, a liquid material is applied in a region surrounded by the bank. The liquid has a property that curing is accelerated by receiving active energy. Further, the liquid material is insoluble in water at least in a cured state.
After the coating process, in the energy application process, active energy is applied to the liquid in the region surrounded by the bank.
After the modeling process, in the melting process, the bank is melted with a liquid containing water.
As described above, a solid in which a plurality of cross-sectional patterns are stacked can be formed.
In this modeling method, since the cross-sectional pattern is formed by curing the liquid applied in the region surrounded by the bank, the accuracy of the bank can be easily reflected in the cross-sectional pattern. For this reason, for example, compared with the case where a solid is modeled from a laminate in which a water-soluble paper having a cross-sectional pattern printed with a water-insoluble resin is laminated, it is possible to easily improve the quality of the three-dimensional model. .

  [Application Example 2] In the modeling method described above, in the modeling process, the sectional pattern which is the sectional element that has been cured by receiving the activation energy, and the new section surrounded by the new bank A modeling method, wherein the active energy is applied to the new liquid material in a state in which the new liquid material is overlapped in the region of the cross-sectional element.

In this application example, in the modeling process, the active energy is applied to the new liquid material in a state where the cross-sectional pattern and the new liquid material are overlapped, so that the overlapping cross-sectional patterns can be combined. Thereby, a some cross-sectional pattern can be laminated | stacked.
The cross-sectional pattern is a cross-sectional element that has been cured by receiving active energy. Further, the new liquid material is a liquid material applied in the area of a new cross-sectional element surrounded by a new bank.

  Application Example 3 In the above modeling method, in the modeling process, the new bank surrounding the new cross-sectional element in the cross-sectional pattern that is the cross-sectional element that has been cured by receiving the activation energy. Is formed, and the active energy is imparted to the new liquid material applied in the region surrounded by the new bank.

In this application example, in the modeling process, a new bank is formed on the cross-sectional pattern, and active energy is applied to a new liquid material applied in a region surrounded by the new bank. Thereby, the cross-sectional patterns which overlap can be couple | bonded. As a result, a plurality of cross-sectional patterns can be stacked.
The cross-sectional pattern is a cross-sectional element that has been cured by receiving active energy. The new bank is a bank surrounding a new cross-sectional element.

  Application Example 4 In the above modeling method, in the bank forming step, the bank is formed with a water-soluble sheet.

  In this application example, since the bank is formed with a water-soluble sheet in the bank forming step, the bank can be formed with a water-soluble material.

  Application Example 5 In the above-described modeling method, in the bank forming step, the bank is patterned by applying a liquid containing water to the water-soluble sheet. .

  In this application example, in the bank forming step, the bank is patterned by applying a liquid containing water to a water-soluble sheet, so that the bank can be formed of a water-soluble material.

  Application Example 6 In the above modeling method, the liquid material has photocurability that is a property that curing is accelerated by light irradiation, and in the energy application step, the liquid material The modeling method characterized by irradiating the light.

  In this application example, the liquid material has photocurability. The photo-curing property is a property that curing is accelerated by receiving light irradiation. And in an energy provision process, light is irradiated to a liquid. Thereby, hardening of the liquid which comprises a cross-sectional element can be accelerated | stimulated.

  Application Example 7 In the modeling method described above, in the application step, the liquid material is applied in an area surrounded by the bank by discharging the liquid material by an inkjet method. Modeling method to do.

  In this application example, in the application step, the liquid material is applied to the region surrounded by the bank by discharging the liquid material by an ink jet method. Thereby, a liquid body can be apply | coated in the area | region enclosed by the bank.

The perspective view which shows the structure of the outline of the modeling system in this embodiment. The perspective view which shows the structure of the outline of the modeling apparatus in this embodiment. The front view when the carriage in this embodiment is seen in the A viewing direction in FIG. FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the ejection head in the present embodiment. Sectional drawing in the BB line in FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the outline of the modeling system in this embodiment. The figure which shows the flow of the drawing process in this embodiment. The figure which shows the flow of the exposure process in this embodiment. The figure which shows the flow of the modeling method in this embodiment. The figure explaining the some cross-sectional element in this embodiment. Sectional drawing explaining the laminated body in this embodiment. The figure which shows the flow of the modeling method in this embodiment. The figure which shows the flow of the modeling method in this embodiment. The figure which shows the flow of the modeling method in this embodiment. The figure which shows the flow of the modeling method in this embodiment.

Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, in order to make each structure the size which can be recognized, the structure and the scale of a member may differ.
The modeling system 1 of this embodiment has the computer 3 and the modeling apparatus 5 as shown in FIG.
The computer 3 performs arithmetic processing for extracting a plurality of cross-sectional elements from the shape data of the solid 7 that is a modeling target. Further, the computer 3 outputs the extracted section element data (hereinafter referred to as section data) to the modeling apparatus 5.
The modeling apparatus 5 models the solid 7 by drawing cross-sectional elements based on the cross-sectional data output from the computer 3 and sequentially stacking the drawn cross-sectional elements.

As shown in FIG. 2, which is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration, the modeling device 5 in the embodiment includes a table 9, a table transport device 11, a carriage 12, a carriage transport device 13, a carriage lifting device 15, And an exposure device 17.
The carriage 12 is provided with a head unit 14.
In the modeling apparatus 5, a desired pattern is drawn on the workpiece W by discharging the liquid material as droplets from the head unit 14 while changing the relative position of the head unit 14 and the workpiece W in plan view. can do. In the present embodiment, the modeling apparatus 5 draws a cross-sectional element on the workpiece W based on the cross-sectional data output from the computer 3 (FIG. 1).
In the figure, the Y direction indicates the moving direction of the workpiece W, and the X direction indicates a direction orthogonal to the Y direction in plan view. A direction orthogonal to the XY plane defined by the X direction and the Y direction is defined as the Z direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the table transport device 11 includes a surface plate 21, a guide rail 23a, and a guide rail 23b.
The surface plate 21 is made of a material having a small coefficient of thermal expansion, such as stone, and is placed so as to extend along the Y direction. The guide rail 23 a and the guide rail 23 b are disposed on the upper surface 21 a of the surface plate 21. Each of the guide rail 23a and the guide rail 23b extends along the Y direction. The guide rail 23a and the guide rail 23b are arranged in a state where there is a gap in the X direction.
The table 9 is provided in a state of facing the upper surface 21a of the surface plate 21 with the guide rail 23a and the guide rail 23b interposed therebetween. The table 9 is placed on the guide rail 23 a and the guide rail 23 b in a state where it floats from the surface plate 21. The table 9 has a table surface 9a that is a surface on which the workpiece W is placed. The table surface 9a is directed to the side (upper side) opposite to the surface plate 21 side. The table 9 is guided along the Y direction by the guide rail 23a and the guide rail 23b, and is configured to be able to reciprocate on the surface plate 21 along the Y direction.

The table 9 is configured to reciprocate in the Y direction by a moving mechanism and a power source (not shown). As the moving mechanism, for example, a mechanism combining a ball screw and a ball nut, a linear guide mechanism, or the like may be employed. In the present embodiment, a table transport motor described later is employed as a power source for moving the table 9 along the Y direction. Various motors such as a stepping motor, a servo motor, and a linear motor can be adopted as the table transport motor.
The power from the table transport motor is transmitted to the table 9 through the moving mechanism. Thereby, the table 9 can reciprocate along the guide rail 23a and the guide rail 23b, ie, along the Y direction. That is, the table transport device 11 can reciprocate the workpiece W placed on the table surface 9a of the table 9 along the Y direction.
Further, the table transport device 11 has a table position detection device to be described later. The table position detection device detects the position of the table 9 in the Y direction. Based on the detection result of the table position detection device, the position of the workpiece W in the Y direction can be grasped.

The head unit 14 has a head plate 31 and an ejection head 33 as shown in FIG. 3 which is a front view when the carriage 12 is viewed in the direction A in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4 which is a bottom view, the discharge head 33 has a nozzle surface 35. A plurality of nozzles 37 are formed on the nozzle surface 35. In FIG. 4, the nozzles 37 are exaggerated and the number of the nozzles 37 is reduced in order to easily show the nozzles 37.
In the ejection head 33, the plurality of nozzles 37 constitute twelve nozzle rows 39 arranged along the Y direction. The twelve nozzle rows 39 are arranged in a state where there is a gap in the X direction. In each nozzle row 39, the plurality of nozzles 37 are formed at a predetermined nozzle interval P along the Y direction.

In the following, when each of the 12 nozzle rows 39 is identified, the nozzle row 39a, the nozzle row 39b, the nozzle row 39c, the nozzle row 39d, the nozzle row 39e, the nozzle row 39f, the nozzle row 39g, the nozzle row 39h, The notation of nozzle row 39i, nozzle row 39j, nozzle row 39k, and nozzle row 39m is used.
In the ejection head 33, the nozzle row 39a and the nozzle row 39b are shifted from each other by a distance of P / 2 in the Y direction. The nozzle row 39c and the nozzle row 39d are also shifted from each other by a distance of P / 2 in the Y direction. Similarly, the nozzle row 39e and the nozzle row 39f are also shifted from each other by a distance of P / 2 in the Y direction, and the nozzle row 39g and the nozzle row 39h are also shifted from each other by a distance of P / 2 in the Y direction. Similarly, the nozzle row 39i and the nozzle row 39j are also shifted from each other by a distance of P / 2 in the Y direction, and the nozzle row 39k and the nozzle row 39m are also shifted from each other by a distance of P / 2 in the Y direction.

The ejection head 33 includes a nozzle plate 46, a cavity plate 47, a vibration plate 48, and a plurality of piezoelectric elements 49, as shown in FIG. is doing.
The nozzle plate 46 has a nozzle surface 35. The plurality of nozzles 37 are provided on the nozzle plate 46.
The cavity plate 47 is provided on the surface opposite to the nozzle surface 35 of the nozzle plate 46. A plurality of cavities 51 are formed in the cavity plate 47. Each cavity 51 is provided corresponding to each nozzle 37 and communicates with each corresponding nozzle 37. A functional liquid 53 (liquid material) is supplied to each cavity 51 from a tank (not shown).

The diaphragm 48 is provided on the surface of the cavity plate 47 opposite to the nozzle plate 46 side. The vibration plate 48 vibrates in the Z direction (longitudinal vibration), thereby enlarging or reducing the volume in the cavity 51.
The plurality of piezoelectric elements 49 are respectively provided on the surface of the diaphragm 48 opposite to the cavity plate 47 side. Each piezoelectric element 49 is provided corresponding to each cavity 51 and faces each cavity 51 with the diaphragm 48 interposed therebetween. Each piezoelectric element 49 expands based on the drive signal. Thereby, the diaphragm 48 reduces the volume in the cavity 51. At this time, pressure is applied to the functional liquid 53 in the cavity 51. As a result, the functional liquid 53 is discharged as droplets 55 from the nozzle 37. The method of discharging the droplet 55 by the discharge head 33 is one of ink jet methods. The ink jet method is one of coating methods.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ejection head 33 having the above configuration is supported by the head plate 31 with the nozzle surface 35 protruding from the head plate 31.
As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 12 supports a head unit 14. Here, the head unit 14 is supported by the carriage 12 with the nozzle surface 35 facing downward in the Z direction.
In the present embodiment, the longitudinal vibration type piezoelectric element 49 is adopted, but the pressurizing means for applying pressure to the functional liquid 53 is not limited to this, and for example, the lower electrode and the piezoelectric layer A flexural deformation type piezoelectric element in which an electrode and an upper electrode are laminated may be employed. Further, as the pressurizing means, a so-called electrostatic actuator that generates static electricity between the diaphragm and the electrode, deforms the diaphragm by electrostatic force, and ejects droplets from the nozzles can be employed. Furthermore, the structure which generate | occur | produces a bubble in a nozzle using a heat generating body, and gives a pressure to a functional liquid with the bubble may be employ | adopted.

In this embodiment, as the functional liquid 53, two kinds of liquid bodies that are cured by receiving active energy and liquid bodies containing water are employed. Hereinafter, the functional liquid 53 that is cured by receiving active energy is referred to as a curable functional liquid 57. Further, the functional liquid 53 composed of a liquid containing water is called an aqueous functional liquid 59.
In this embodiment, light is adopted as the active energy. That is, in the present embodiment, the curable functional liquid 57 has photocurability, which is a property that curing is accelerated by receiving light irradiation. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, ultraviolet light is employed as light that promotes curing of the curable functional liquid 57. The curable functional liquid 57 is insoluble in the cured state.
As the curable functional liquid 57 that is cured by being irradiated with light, a resin material to which a photocuring agent is added may be employed. As the resin material, for example, an acrylic or epoxy resin material may be employed. As the photocuring agent, for example, a radical polymerization type photopolymerization initiator or a cationic polymerization type photopolymerization initiator may be employed.
Examples of radical polymerization type photopolymerization initiators include isobutyl benzoin ether, isopropyl benzoin ether, benzoin ethyl ether, benzoin methyl ether, benzyl, hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, diethoxyacetophenone, chlorothioxanthone, and isopropylthioxanthone. .
Examples of the cationic polymerization type photopolymerization initiator include aryl sulfonium salt derivatives, allyl iodonium salt derivatives, diazonium salt derivatives, and triazine initiators.

Curability having unique functions by adding functional materials such as pigments and dyes such as pigments and surface modifying materials such as lyophilicity and liquid repellency to the curable functional liquid 57 having the above-described configuration. A functional liquid 57 can be generated.
In the curable functional liquid 57 containing pigments such as pigments and dyes, for example, cross-sectional elements drawn on the workpiece W can be expressed in color. Hereinafter, the curable functional liquid 57 containing a pigment such as a pigment or a dye is referred to as a color paint.
Further, for example, by adopting a resin material having optical transparency as the resin material as a component of the curable functional liquid 57, the functional liquid 53 having optical transparency can be configured. Hereinafter, the functional liquid 53 having light transmittance is referred to as a light-transmitting paint. The curable functional liquid 57 having such light permeability can be used as a clear ink, for example.
As the use of the clear ink, for example, a use as an overcoat layer for covering an image, a use as a base layer before forming an image, and the like can be considered. In the following, the curable functional liquid 57 applied as a base layer is referred to as a base paint.
As the base paint, not only the light-transmitting paint but also a curable functional liquid 57 obtained by adding various pigments to the light-transmitting paint can be employed.

In the present embodiment, five types of color paints having different colors are employed as the curable functional liquid 57. In the five types of color paints, colors different from each other are yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K), and white (W), respectively.
In the following description, when the five types of the curable functional liquid 57 are identified for each color, the curable functional liquid 57Y, the curable functional liquid 57M, the curable functional liquid 57C, the curable functional liquid 57K, and the curable function The notation liquid 57W is used.
Examples of pigments that can be applied to color paints include azo pigments, which are a kind of organic pigments, and polycyclic pigments.
Examples of yellow (Y) pigments include azo pigments such as fast yellow and disazo yellow, and polycyclic pigments such as isoindolinone yellow.
Examples of the magenta (M) pigment include quinacridone magenta, which is a polycyclic pigment, and unsubstituted quinacridone.
Examples of the cyan (C) pigment include phthalocyanine blue which is a polycyclic pigment.
Examples of the black (K) pigment include carbon black, and examples of the white (W) pigment include titanium oxide.

In the present embodiment, since different five color paints (curable functional liquid 57) are employed, color expression in the three-dimensional object 7 can be realized.
In the ejection head 33, the 12 nozzle rows 39 (FIG. 4) described above are divided for each color of the functional liquid 53. In the present embodiment, the nozzles 37 belonging to the nozzle row 39a and the nozzle row 39b discharge the curable functional liquid 57K as the droplets 55. The nozzles 37 belonging to the nozzle row 39c and the nozzle row 39d discharge the curable functional liquid 57C as droplets 55. The nozzles 37 belonging to the nozzle row 39e and the nozzle row 39f discharge the curable functional liquid 57M as droplets 55. The nozzles 37 belonging to the nozzle row 39g and the nozzle row 39h discharge the curable functional liquid 57Y as droplets 55. The nozzles 37 belonging to the nozzle row 39i and the nozzle row 39j discharge the curable functional liquid 57W as droplets 55. The nozzles 37 belonging to the nozzle row 39k and the nozzle row 39m discharge the aqueous functional liquid 59 as droplets 55.

As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage transport device 13 includes a gantry 61 and a guide rail 63. Further, the carriage transport device 13 includes a carriage position detection device (not shown) described later and a carriage transport motor (not shown) described later.
The gantry 61 extends in the X direction and straddles the table transport device 11 in the X direction. The gantry 61 faces the table transport device 11 on the side opposite to the surface plate 21 side of the table 9. The gantry 61 is supported by a column 67a and a column 67b. The column 67a and the column 67b are provided at positions facing each other in the X direction across the surface plate 21. Each of the support columns 67a and the support columns 67b protrudes above the table 9 in the Z direction. Thereby, a gap is maintained between the gantry 61 and the table 9.

The guide rail 63 is provided on the surface plate 21 side of the gantry 61. The guide rail 63 extends along the X direction, and is provided across the width of the gantry 61 in the X direction.
The carriage 12 described above is supported by the guide rail 63. In a state where the carriage 12 is supported by the guide rail 63, the nozzle surface 35 of the discharge head 33 faces the table 9 side in the Z direction. The carriage 12 is guided along the X direction by the guide rail 63 and is supported by the guide rail 63 in a state where the carriage 12 can reciprocate in the X direction. In plan view, the nozzle surface 35 and the table surface 9a of the table 9 face each other with a gap therebetween when the carriage 12 overlaps the table 9.
The carriage position detection device detects the position of the carriage 12 in the X direction.

The carriage 12 is configured to reciprocate in the X direction by a moving mechanism and a power source (not shown). As the moving mechanism, for example, a mechanism combining a ball screw and a ball nut, a linear guide mechanism, or the like may be employed. In the present embodiment, a carriage transport motor described later is employed as a power source for moving the carriage 12 along the X direction. As the carriage conveyance motor, various motors such as a stepping motor, a servo motor, and a linear motor can be employed.
The power from the carriage transport motor is transmitted to the carriage 12 via the moving mechanism. Thus, the carriage 12 can reciprocate along the guide rail 63, that is, along the X direction. That is, the carriage conveyance device 13 can reciprocate the head unit 14 supported by the carriage 12 along the X direction.

The carriage lifting / lowering device 15 includes the above-described support 67a and support 67b. The carriage lifting / lowering device 15 includes a lifting / lowering position detection device (not shown) described later and a lifting motor (not shown) described later.
The column 67a has a guide rail 69a. The column 67b has a guide rail 69b. Each of the guide rail 69a and the guide rail 69b extends along the Z direction. The guide rail 69a and the guide rail 69b guide the gantry 61 so as to be movable up and down along the Z direction. That is, the column 67a and the column 67b support the gantry 61 in a state in which it can be moved up and down in the Z direction via the guide rail 69a and the guide rail 69b.

The gantry 61 is configured to be movable up and down in the Z direction by a lifting mechanism and a power source (not shown). As the lifting mechanism, for example, a mechanism in which a ball screw and a ball nut are combined, a linear guide mechanism, or the like can be employed. In the present embodiment, a lifting motor, which will be described later, is employed as a power source for lifting the gantry 61 along the Z direction. As the lifting motor, for example, various motors such as a stepping motor, a servo motor, and a linear motor can be employed.
The power from the lifting motor is transmitted to the gantry 61 via the lifting mechanism. Thereby, the mount frame 61 can be moved up and down along the guide rail 69a and the guide rail 69b, that is, along the Z direction. That is, the carriage lifting / lowering device 15 can lift / lower the head unit 14 supported by the carriage 12 along the Z direction.
The lift position detection device detects the position of the carriage 12 in the Z direction. The position of the ejection head 33 in the Z direction can be grasped based on the detection result of the lift position detection device.

The exposure device 17 includes a support column 81 and a light source device 83. The exposure device 17 is a device that irradiates the cross-sectional element drawn on the workpiece W with ultraviolet light. The exposure device 17 is provided on one end side of the surface plate 21 in the Y direction.
The support column 81 is provided on one end side in the Y direction of the surface plate 21 and straddles the surface plate 21 in the X direction in plan view.
The light source device 83 is provided at a position overlapping the surface plate 21 in plan view. The light source device 83 is suspended from the beam portion 81a of the column 81 downward in the Z direction. Note that a gap is maintained between the table 9 and the light source device 83 in a state where the table 9 and the light source device 83 overlap each other in plan view.

With the above configuration, the table 9 can be superimposed on the light source device 83 in plan view.
The light source device 83 has a light source (not shown). The light source emits ultraviolet light. As the light source, for example, a mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, a xenon lamp, an excimer lamp, or the like can be employed.
Ultraviolet light from the light source of the light source device 83 is irradiated from the light source device 83 toward the surface plate 21. For this reason, the ultraviolet light from the light source device 83 can reach the workpiece W placed on the table 9 in a state where the table 9 and the light source device 83 are superimposed on each other in plan view.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the modeling apparatus 5 includes a control unit 111 that controls the operation of each of the above-described configurations. The control unit 111 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 113, a drive control unit 115, and a memory unit 117. The drive control unit 115 and the memory unit 117 are connected to the CPU 113 via the bus 119.
The modeling apparatus 5 includes a carriage transport motor 121, a table transport motor 122, a lift motor 124, a carriage position detection device 125, a table position detection device 126, and a lift position detection device 127. .
The carriage transport motor 121, the table transport motor 122, and the lifting motor 124 are connected to the control unit 111 via the input / output interface 133 and the bus 119, respectively. Further, the carriage position detection device 125, the table position detection device 126, and the lift position detection device 127 are also connected to the control unit 111 via the input / output interface 133 and the bus 119, respectively.

The carriage transport motor 121 generates power for driving the carriage 12 along the X direction. The table transport motor 122 generates power for driving the table 9. The elevating motor 124 generates power for elevating the carriage 12 along the Z direction.
The carriage position detection device 125 detects the position of the carriage 12 in the X direction. The table position detection device 126 detects the position of the table 9 in the Y direction. The lift position detection device 127 detects the position of the carriage 12 in the Z direction.
The ejection head 33 and the light source device 83 are also connected to the control unit 111 via the input / output interface 133 and the bus 119, respectively. The computer 3 is also connected to the control unit 111 via the input / output interface 133 and the bus 119.

The CPU 113 performs various arithmetic processes as a processor. The drive control unit 115 controls driving of each component. The memory unit 117 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read-Only Memory), and the like. In the memory unit 117, an area for storing program software 135 in which a procedure for controlling the operation of the modeling apparatus 5 is described, a data development unit 137 that is a region for temporarily developing various data, and the like are set. Examples of data developed in the data development unit 137 include cross-sectional data indicating cross-sectional elements to be drawn, program data such as drawing processing, and the like.
The drive control unit 115 includes a motor control unit 141, a position detection control unit 143, a discharge control unit 145, and an exposure control unit 147.

The motor control unit 141 individually controls driving of the carriage transport motor 121, driving of the table transport motor 122, and driving of the lifting motor 124 based on a command from the CPU 113.
The position detection control unit 143 individually controls the carriage position detection device 125, the table position detection device 126, and the lift position detection device 127 based on a command from the CPU 113.
The position detection control unit 143 causes the carriage position detection device 125 to detect the position of the carriage 12 in the X direction based on a command from the CPU 113 and outputs the detection result to the CPU 113.

Further, the position detection control unit 143 causes the table position detection device 126 to detect the position of the table 9 in the Y direction based on a command from the CPU 113 and outputs the detection result to the CPU 113.
Further, the position detection control unit 143 causes the lift position detection device 127 to detect the position of the carriage 12 in the Z direction based on a command from the CPU 113 and outputs the detection result to the CPU 113.
The discharge controller 145 controls the driving of the discharge head 33 based on a command from the CPU 113.
The exposure control unit 147 individually controls the light emission state of the light source of the light source device 83 based on a command from the CPU 113.

Here, the drawing process in the modeling apparatus 5 will be described.
In the modeling apparatus 5, when the control unit 111 (FIG. 6) acquires cross-sectional data from the computer 3 via the input / output interface 133 and the bus 119, the drawing process illustrated in FIG. 7 is performed by the CPU 113 for each cross-sectional data.
Here, in the cross-sectional data, the cross-sectional elements to be drawn are expressed in a bitmap shape. The drawing of the cross-sectional element on the workpiece W is performed with the droplet 55 being ejected from the ejection head 33 at a predetermined cycle while the ejection head 33 and the workpiece W are relatively reciprocated while the ejection head 33 faces the workpiece W. This is done by discharging.

In the drawing process, the CPU 113 first outputs a carriage conveyance command to the motor control unit 141 (FIG. 6) in step S1. At this time, the motor control unit 141 controls driving of the carriage transport motor 121 to move the carriage 12 to the forward path start position of the drawing area. Here, the drawing area is an area where the locus drawn along the Y direction by the table 9 shown in FIG. 2 and the locus drawn along the X direction by the ejection head 33 overlap. The forward path start position is a position where the forward path when the carriage 12 is reciprocated is started. In the present embodiment, the forward path start position is located on the column 67a side of the surface plate 21 in the X direction. The forward path start position is located outside the surface plate 21 in plan view.
Next, in step S2, the CPU 113 outputs a substrate transport command to the motor control unit 141 (FIG. 6). At this time, the motor control unit 141 controls the drive of the table transport motor 122 to move the workpiece W to the drawing area.

Next, in step S3, the CPU 113 outputs a carriage scanning command to the motor control unit 141 (FIG. 6). At this time, the motor control unit 141 controls the drive of the carriage transport motor 121 to start the reciprocation of the carriage 12.
Here, in the reciprocating movement of the carriage 12, the carriage 12 reciprocates between the above-described forward path start position and the backward path start position. That is, the path that returns from the forward path start position to the forward path start position and returns to the forward path start position is one round trip of the carriage 12. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the path from the forward path start position to the return path start position is the forward path of the carriage 12. On the other hand, the path from the return path start position to the forward path start position is the return path of the carriage 12.
The return path start position is a position facing the forward path start position with the surface plate 21 (FIG. 2) sandwiched in the X direction. The return path start position is located outside the surface plate 21 in plan view. For this reason, the forward path start position and the backward path start position are opposed to each other with the surface plate 21 sandwiched in the X direction in plan view.

Next, in step S4, the CPU 113 outputs a discharge command to the discharge control unit 145 (FIG. 6). At this time, the discharge controller 145 controls the drive of the discharge head 33 and discharges the droplet 55 from each nozzle 37 based on the cross-sectional data. As a result, the forward drawing is performed.
Next, in step S5, the CPU 113 determines whether or not the position of the carriage 12 has reached the return path start position. At this time, if it is determined that the position of the carriage 12 has reached the return path start position (Yes), the process proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, if it is determined that the position of the carriage 12 has not reached the return path start position (No), the process waits until the position of the carriage 12 reaches the return path start position.

In step S6, the CPU 113 outputs a discharge stop command to the discharge control unit 145 (FIG. 6). At this time, the ejection control unit 145 stops driving the ejection head 33 and stops ejection of the droplet 55 from each nozzle 37. Thereby, the drawing in the forward path is completed.
Next, in step S7, the CPU 113 outputs a line feed command to the motor control unit 141 (FIG. 6). At this time, the motor control unit 141 controls driving of the table transport motor 122 to move the work W in the Y direction (new line), and move a new area in the work W where a pattern is to be drawn to the drawing area.
Next, in step S8, the CPU 113 outputs a discharge command to the discharge control unit 145 (FIG. 6). At this time, the discharge controller 145 controls the drive of the discharge head 33 and discharges the droplet 55 from each nozzle 37 based on the cross-sectional data. As a result, drawing on the return path is performed.

Next, in step S9, the CPU 113 determines whether the position of the carriage 12 has reached the forward path start position. At this time, if it is determined that the position of the carriage 12 has reached the forward path start position (Yes), the process proceeds to step S10. On the other hand, if it is determined that the position of the carriage 12 has not reached the forward path start position (No), the process waits until the position of the carriage 12 reaches the forward path start position.
In step S10, the CPU 113 outputs a discharge stop command to the discharge control unit 145 (FIG. 6). At this time, the ejection control unit 145 stops driving the ejection head 33 and stops ejection of the droplet 55 from each nozzle 37. Thereby, drawing on the return path is completed.

Next, in step S <b> 11, the CPU 113 determines whether drawing of the cross-sectional element based on the cross-sectional data is finished. At this time, if it is determined that the drawing of the cross-sectional element is finished (Yes), the processing is finished. On the other hand, if it is determined that the drawing of the cross-sectional element is not completed (No), the process proceeds to step S12.
In step S12, the CPU 113 outputs a line feed command to the motor control unit 141 (FIG. 6), and then shifts the processing to step S4. At this time, in step S12, the motor control unit 141 controls the driving of the table transport motor 122 to move the work W in the Y direction (new line), and to draw a new area in the work W where a pattern is to be drawn. Move to.

Next, the exposure process in the modeling apparatus 5 will be described.
In the modeling apparatus 5, when the drawing process with the curable functional liquid 57 is completed, the exposure process shown in FIG. 8 is started by the CPU 113. The exposure process is performed every time the drawing process is performed with the curable functional liquid 57 based on the cross-sectional data.
In the exposure process, the CPU 113 first outputs a substrate transport command to the motor control unit 141 (FIG. 6) in step S31. At this time, the motor control unit 141 controls the drive of the table transport motor 122 to move the workpiece W to the exposure area. The exposure area is an area overlapping the exposure device 17 in plan view.

Next, in step S32, the CPU 113 outputs an exposure command to the exposure control unit 147 (FIG. 6). At this time, the exposure control unit 147 controls the driving of the light source of the exposure device 17 to turn on the light source of the exposure device 17.
Next, in step S33, the CPU 113 outputs an exposure stop command to the exposure control unit 147 (FIG. 6), and then ends the process. At this time, in step S <b> 33, the exposure control unit 147 controls the driving of the light source of the exposure apparatus 17 to turn off the light source of the exposure apparatus 17.
As described above, the cross-sectional element is exposed to ultraviolet light.

Here, the flow of the modeling method in the present embodiment will be described.
The modeling method in the present embodiment includes a cross-section data generation step S51, a modeling step S52, and a dissolution step S53, as shown in FIG.
Furthermore, modeling process S52 contains bank formation process S521, drawing process S522, and exposure process S523.
In the cross-section data generation step S51, as described above, a plurality of cross-section data is generated from the shape data of the solid 7 that is the modeling target. In the cross section data generation step S51, the computer 3 generates cross section data.

In the modeling system 1, the computer 3 extracts a plurality of cross-sectional elements from the shape data of the solid 7 to be modeled. As shown in FIG. 10, the three-dimensional body 7 includes a plurality of cross-sectional elements 161. When a plurality of cross-sectional elements 161 are sequentially stacked, a solid 7 that is a modeling target is formed. That is, the plurality of cross-sectional elements 161 are elements that form the shape of the solid 7 that is a modeling target. In this example, an example in which the solid 7 is divided into three cross-sectional elements 161 is shown. In the following, when each of the three cross-sectional elements 161 is individually identified, the three cross-sectional elements 161 are expressed as cross-sectional elements 161 _j (j is an integer from 1 to 3).
The computer 3 generates a plurality of cross-sectional data based on the extracted plurality of cross-sectional elements 161. At this time, one section data is generated from one section element 161. Each of the plurality of cross-section data is output to the modeling apparatus 5.

In the bank forming step S <b> 521, for each cross-sectional element 161, a bank surrounding the cross-sectional element 161 is formed along the outer edge of the cross-sectional element 161. At this time, the bank is formed of a water-soluble material.
After the bank formation step S521, in the drawing step S522, the cross-sectional element 161 is drawn by applying the curable functional liquid 57 in the region surrounded by the bank based on the cross-sectional data. In the drawing step S522, drawing of cross-sectional elements is performed based on the drawing process (FIG. 7) in the modeling apparatus 5.

After the drawing step S522, in the exposure step S523, the cross-sectional element 161 is exposed to ultraviolet light by the exposure device 17 for each drawn cross-sectional element 161. Thereby, hardening of the cross-sectional element 161 is accelerated | stimulated. The cross-sectional element 161 whose hardening has been accelerated is called a cross-sectional pattern.
The bank formation step S521, the drawing step S522, and the exposure step S523 are repeatedly performed until the cross-sectional data of new cross-sectional elements to be drawn is exhausted. Thereby, the laminated body 167 shown in FIG. 11 may be formed. In the stacked body 167, a plurality of cross-sectional patterns 165 are overlapped. At this time, in the stacked body 167, the bank 163 is attached to the cross-sectional pattern 165.
Here, the bank 163 is provided for each cross-sectional pattern 165 corresponding to the cross-sectional element 161. The bank 163 surrounds a cross-sectional pattern 165 corresponding to the cross-sectional element 161. In the following, the respective banks 163, in identifying individually to correspond to the cross sectional element 161, notation bank 163 _j is used. Further, when each of the cross-sectional patterns 165 is individually identified corresponding to the cross-sectional element 161 _j , the notation of the cross-sectional pattern 165 _j is used.

After performing bank formation process S521, drawing process S522, and exposure process S523 for every cross-section element 161 for every cross-section element 161, in dissolution process S53, the bank 163 adhering to the solid 7 is made of a liquid containing water. Melt.
As described above, the bank 163 is formed of a water-soluble material. For this reason, the bank 163 can be dissolved with a liquid containing water. In the present embodiment, the bank 163 is melted by immersing the laminate 167 in a liquid containing water.
By the above, the solid 7 can be formed.

In the present embodiment, a part of the bank forming step S521 and the drawing step S522 are realized by a drawing process in the modeling apparatus 5. In the present embodiment, the patterning process of the bank 163 and the application process of the curable functional liquid 57 in the region surrounded by the bank 163 are performed based on the drawing process in the modeling apparatus 5 (FIG. 7).
Here, the flow of the modeling method will be described using the solid 7 shown in FIG. 10 as an example.
First, as shown to Fig.12 (a), the lamination sheet 171 is prepared as the workpiece | work W. FIG. The laminated sheet has a configuration in which a heat release sheet 173 and a water-soluble sheet 175 are laminated. As the thermal release sheet 173, for example, Riva Alpha manufactured by Nitto Denko Corporation can be adopted. In addition, as the water-soluble sheet 175, for example, a PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) sheet or the like can be employed.
The thickness of the water-soluble sheet 175 is set to the thickness t ₁ (FIG. 10) of the cross-sectional element 161 ₁ .

Then, as shown in FIG. 12 (b), to form the bank 163 _1. At this time, the bank 163 ₁ may be formed by performing patterning processing on a water-soluble sheet 175. The patterning process of the water-soluble sheet 175 is performed based on the above-described drawing process (FIG. 7). In the present embodiment, the patterning process of the water-soluble sheet 175 is performed by discharging the aqueous functional liquid 59 as the droplet 55 from the discharge head 33 toward the water-soluble sheet 175 based on the cross-sectional data.
Then, as shown in FIG. 12 (c), applying a curable functional fluid 57 within the region surrounded by the bank 163 _1. At this time, the application of the curable functional liquid 57 is performed based on the above-described drawing process (FIG. 7). Coating of the curable functional fluid 57 from the ejection head 33, the curable functional liquid 57 toward the inside region surrounded by the bank 163 ₁ is performed by discharging droplets 55.
Next, the curable functional liquid 57 is exposed to ultraviolet light 177. At this time, the ultraviolet light 177 is exposed to the curable functional liquid 57 based on the above-described exposure process (FIG. 8). Thereby, as shown in FIG. 12D, a cross-sectional pattern 165 ₁ is formed in a region surrounded by the bank 163 ₁ .

Then, as shown in FIG. 13 (a), laminating a water-soluble sheet 179 on the bank 163 _1. Note that the water-soluble sheet 179 may be made of the same material as the water-soluble sheet 175. The thickness of the water-soluble sheet 179 is set to the thickness t ₂ (FIG. 10) of the cross-sectional element 161 ₂ .
Here, the water-soluble sheet 179, the openings 179a in a region overlapping the cross pattern 165 ₁ in a plan view are formed. Therefore, the water-soluble sheet 179 in plan view, surrounds the cross-sectional pattern 165 ₁ from the outside. The water-soluble sheet 179 is a bank 163 _2.
Then, as shown in FIG. 13 (b), applying a curable functional fluid 57 within the region surrounded by the bank 163 _2. At this time, the application of the curable functional liquid 57 is performed based on the above-described drawing process (FIG. 7).
Next, the curable functional liquid 57 is exposed to ultraviolet light 177. At this time, the ultraviolet light 177 is exposed to the curable functional liquid 57 based on the above-described exposure process (FIG. 8). Thus, as shown in FIG. 13 (c), cross-sectional pattern 165 ₂ in the region surrounded by the bank 163 ₂ is formed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 14 (a), laminating a water-soluble sheet 181 on the bank 163 _2. The material of the water-soluble sheet 181 can be the same material as that of the water-soluble sheet 175. The thickness of the water-soluble sheet 181 is set to the thickness t ₃ (FIG. 10) of the cross-sectional element 161 ₃ .
Then, as shown in FIG. 14 (b), to form the bank 163 _3. In this case, the bank 163 ₃ may be formed by performing patterning processing on a water-soluble sheet 181. The patterning process of the water-soluble sheet 181 is performed with the aqueous functional liquid 59 based on the drawing process (FIG. 7) described above.

Then, as shown in FIG. 15 (a), applying a curable functional fluid 57 within the region surrounded by the bank 163 _3. At this time, the application of the curable functional liquid 57 is performed based on the above-described drawing process (FIG. 7).
Next, the curable functional liquid 57 is exposed to ultraviolet light 177. At this time, the ultraviolet light 177 is exposed to the curable functional liquid 57 based on the above-described exposure process (FIG. 8). As a result, as shown in FIG. 15B, a cross-sectional pattern 165 ₃ is formed in a region surrounded by the bank 163 ₃ .
Note that the gap amount between the ejection head 33 and the bank 163 is adjusted for each drawing of the cross-sectional element 161. This can be achieved by controlling the drive of the lifting motor 124 shown in FIG.
As described above, a stacked body 167 in which the bank 163 _j and the cross-sectional pattern 165 _j are sequentially overlapped can be formed.
Next, the heat release sheet 173 is peeled from the laminate 167 by heating the heat release sheet 173.
Next, the laminate 167 is immersed in a liquid containing water. Thereby, the solid 7 can be formed.

In the present embodiment, the curable functional liquid 57 corresponds to a liquid, the drawing process S522 corresponds to a coating process, and the exposure process S523 corresponds to an energy application process.
In the present embodiment, since the cross-sectional pattern 165 is formed by curing the curable functional liquid 57 applied in the region surrounded by the bank 163 in the modeling step S52, the accuracy of the bank 163 is reflected in the cross-sectional pattern 165. It can be made easier. For this reason, for example, compared with the case where a solid is modeled from a laminate in which a water-soluble paper having a cross-sectional pattern printed with a water-insoluble resin is laminated, it is possible to easily improve the quality of the three-dimensional model. .

In the present embodiment, by applying overlapping the new curable functional liquid 57 in the cross-sectional pattern 165 _1, a method of forming stacked sectional pattern 165 ₂ to cross pattern 165 ₁ is adopted. However, the method for forming the cross-sectional pattern 165 is not limited to this. As a method for forming the cross-sectional pattern 165, for example, the cross-sectional element 161 _j is drawn on the table 9, and the previous cross-sectional pattern 165 _j-1 is overlapped with the curable functional liquid 57 constituting the cross-sectional element 161 _j. A method of exposing the cross-sectional element 161 _j after mounting can also be adopted.
In this method, first, after forming a cross pattern 165 ₁ is retracted the cross pattern 165 ₁ from the table 9 to another location.
Next, draw a cross sectional element 161 ₂ on the table 9.
Next, the previous cross-sectional pattern 165 ₁ is placed on the cross-sectional element 161 ₂ in an overlapping manner.
Then, exposing the cross sectional element 161 ₂ with ultraviolet light 177. Thereby, the cross-sectional pattern 165 ₁ and the cross-sectional pattern 165 ₂ are joined to each other.

The laminated body 167 can be formed by sequentially overlapping the cross-sectional patterns 165 over the plurality of cross-sectional elements 161 by the above method.
In the modeling apparatus 5 to which this method can be applied, a configuration in which the exposure apparatus 17 is retracted closer to the surface plate 21 than the table 9 can be employed. Further, in this configuration, a table 9 having light transmittance with respect to the ultraviolet light 177 is employed. In the exposure step S523, the exposure device 17 irradiates the cross-sectional element 161 with the ultraviolet light 177 from the light source device 83 through the table 9 in a state where the table 9 and the exposure device 17 are overlapped in plan view.
With the above configuration, the cross-sectional element 161 can be irradiated with the ultraviolet light 177 through the table 9 in a state where the table 9 and the exposure device 17 overlap in plan view.
The solid 7 can also be formed by applying the method for forming the cross-sectional pattern 165 and the modeling apparatus 5 described above.

  In the present embodiment, an ink jet method, which is one of the application methods, is employed as a method for applying the functional liquid 53 in the drawing step S522. However, the coating method is not limited to the inkjet method, and a dispensing method, a printing method, or the like can also be employed. However, it is preferable to employ the ink jet method in that an arbitrary amount of the functional liquid 53 can be easily applied to an arbitrary portion of the workpiece W.

  In this embodiment, five kinds of color paints of yellow, magenta, cyan, black and white are employed. However, the color of the color paint is not limited to these five types. As the color of the color paint, for example, one kind or more of any kind of color paint such as seven kinds obtained by adding light cyan or light magenta to these five kinds can be adopted.

Moreover, in this embodiment, although light is employ | adopted as active energy for promoting hardening of the curable functional liquid 57, active energy is not limited to light, For example, heat can also be employ | adopted. In other words, as the curable functional liquid 57, a liquid having thermosetting properties, which is a property that curing is accelerated by being heated, may be employed.
In this case, the exposure device 17 is replaced with a heating device, and the exposure step S523 is replaced with a heating step. In the heating step, the cross-sectional pattern 165 can be formed by heating the curable functional liquid 57 constituting the cross-sectional element 161 with a heating device.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Modeling system, 3 ... Computer, 5 ... Modeling apparatus, 7 ... Solid, 9 ... Table, 11 ... Table conveyance apparatus, 12 ... Carriage, 13 ... Carriage conveyance apparatus, 15 ... Carriage raising / lowering apparatus, 17 ... Exposure apparatus, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Surface plate, 33 ... Discharge head, 53 ... Functional liquid, 55 ... Droplet, 57 ... Hardening functional liquid, 59 ... Aqueous functional liquid, 83 ... Light source device, 161 ... Cross-sectional element, 163 ... Bank, 165 ... Cross section Pattern, 167 ... Laminate, 171 ... Laminated sheet, 173 ... Thermal release sheet, 175 ... Water soluble sheet, 177 ... Ultraviolet light, 179 ... Water soluble sheet, 181 ... Water soluble sheet.

Claims (7)

A bank forming step of dividing a solid to be shaped into a plurality of cross-sectional elements and forming a bank surrounding the cross-sectional element along an outer edge of the cross-sectional element with a material exhibiting water solubility;
After the bank formation step, an application step of applying a liquid material that has a property of promoting curing by receiving active energy in the region surrounded by the bank and that is at least water-insoluble in the cured state When,
After the coating step, an energy application step of applying the activation energy to the liquid material in the region surrounded by the bank is sequentially performed over the plurality of cross-sectional elements for each cross-sectional element. Modeling process,
After the modeling step, a dissolution step of dissolving the bank with a liquid containing water,
A modeling method characterized by this. In the modeling process, a cross-sectional pattern that is the cross-sectional element that has been cured by receiving the activation energy, and a new liquid material in a region of the new cross-sectional element surrounded by the new bank In the stacked state, the active energy is imparted to the new liquid.
The modeling method according to claim 1, wherein: In the modeling step, a new bank that surrounds the new cross-sectional element is formed on the cross-sectional pattern that is the cross-sectional element that has been cured by receiving the activation energy, and is surrounded by the new bank. Imparting the active energy to the new liquid applied in the region
The modeling method according to claim 1, wherein: In the bank forming step, the bank is formed with a water-soluble sheet.
The shaping | molding method as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. In the bank forming step, the bank is patterned by applying a liquid containing water to the water-soluble sheet.
The modeling method according to claim 4, wherein: The liquid material has photocurability, which is a property that curing is accelerated by irradiation with light,
In the energy application step, the liquid is irradiated with the light.
The modeling method according to claim 1, wherein: In the application step, the liquid material is applied in a region surrounded by the bank by discharging the liquid material by an inkjet method.
The modeling method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein:

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