JP2014166733A - Stereoscopic molding apparatus, molding liquid and stereoscopic molding powder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stereoscopic molding apparatus capable of molding of a stereoscopic molding, with an adhered pigment type ink being slightly detachable, a molding liquid and a stereoscopic molding powder used in the stereoscopic molding apparatus.SOLUTION: A stereoscopic molding apparatus includes a clearing head discharging a molding liquid to a stereoscopic molding powder and a color head discharging a pigment type ink. The CPU of the stereoscopic molding apparatus controls so as to form a molding layer by discharging the molding liquid from the clearing head and adhering the molding liquid to the stereoscopic powder to solidify the stereoscopic molding powder and color at least a part of the molding layer by discharging an ink from the color head to make the ink adhere to at least a part of the stereoscopic molding powder (S13). The CPU molds a colored stereoscopic molding by superimposing the at least partially colored molding layer (S9, S11). The CPU controls discharge of the ink from the color head so that the ink is adhered to a part of the stereoscopic molding powder corresponding to at least a part of the stereoscopic molding on the inner side relative to the surface.

Description

  The present invention relates to a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that forms a three-dimensional model by discharging a modeling liquid onto a three-dimensional modeling powder and solidifying the three-dimensional modeling powder, a modeling liquid used in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus, and a three-dimensional modeling powder.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that forms a three-dimensional modeled object by mixing and solidifying a three-dimensional modeling powder (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “powder”) and a modeling liquid (for example, patents). Reference 1). A three-dimensional modeling apparatus discharges a modeling liquid with respect to the powder arrange | positioned flat using an inkjet head. When the powder and the modeling liquid are mixed, they are solidified to form a layer of a three-dimensional modeled object. The above process is repeated based on modeling data, and a layer is piled up. As a result, a three-dimensional object having a shape desired by the operator is formed. In addition, a technique is disclosed in which dye-based ink is attached to a three-dimensional modeled object to color the three-dimensional modeled object (see Patent Document 2).

Special table 2010-515605 Japanese Patent No. 5059832

  In general, dye-based ink adhering to a three-dimensional model is likely to bleed. On the other hand, when pigment-based ink is used instead of dye-based ink, bleeding can be suppressed. On the other hand, there is a problem that the pigment-based ink attached to the three-dimensional model is easily peeled off from the three-dimensional model.

  The objective of this invention is providing the modeling liquid used for the three-dimensional model | molding apparatus which can model the three-dimensional model | molding object to which the pigment-type ink to which it adhered does not peel easily, and three-dimensional model | molding powder.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a first discharge unit capable of discharging the modeling liquid to a three-dimensional modeling powder that is solidified by mixing the modeling liquid, and a pigment-based ink. Forming the modeling layer by discharging the modeling liquid from the second discharging means capable of discharging, the first discharging means, adhering the modeling liquid to the three-dimensional modeling powder, and solidifying; and First control means for controlling the coloring of at least a part of the modeling layer by discharging the ink from the second discharging means and attaching the ink to at least a part of the three-dimensional modeling powder; and the first control A three-dimensional modeling apparatus comprising: a second control unit configured to perform control for modeling a colored three-dimensional modeled object by superimposing the modeling layer colored at least partially formed by the unit, wherein the first control Means As the ink in the portion of the stereolithography powder corresponding to at least a portion of the inner side than the surface of the serial three-dimensional object it is attached, and performs control to eject the ink from said second ejection means.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first aspect can model a three-dimensional modeling apparatus in a state in which pigment-based ink is attached to at least a part inside the surface. The pigment-based ink adhering to at least a part inside the surface is difficult to peel off from the three-dimensional object. Therefore, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus can model a three-dimensional modeled object in which pigment-based ink is difficult to peel off.

  1st aspect WHEREIN: Said 1st control means discharges the said modeling liquid from said 1st discharge means so that the said modeling liquid may adhere to the part of the said three-dimensional molded powder corresponding to the surface of the said three-dimensional molded item. Control may be performed. In addition, the first control unit may include a portion of the three-dimensional modeling powder corresponding to a part inside the surface of the three-dimensional modeling object, and a portion of the three-dimensional modeling powder corresponding to the surface of the three-dimensional modeling object. You may perform control which discharges the said ink from said 2nd discharge means so that the said ink may adhere.

  The modeling liquid which concerns on the 2nd aspect of this invention is a modeling liquid used for the three-dimensional modeling apparatus which concerns on a 1st aspect, Comprising: The flocculant for aggregating the said ink was added, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  When the modeling liquid according to the second aspect of the present invention is in contact with the ink in a state of adhering to the three-dimensional modeling powder, the ink aggregates. Aggregated ink is difficult to peel off from the three-dimensionally shaped powder. Therefore, by adding an aggregating agent to the modeling liquid, it is possible to model a three-dimensional modeled object in which the ink is more difficult to peel off.

  In the second embodiment, the flocculant may contain at least an alkali metal halide. The alkali metal halide may be at least one of sodium chloride and potassium chloride. The flocculant may be an acid.

  The three-dimensional modeling powder according to the third aspect of the present invention is a three-dimensional modeling powder used in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein an aggregating agent for aggregating the ink is added. To do.

  The three-dimensionally shaped powder according to the third aspect aggregates ink when the ink adheres. Aggregated ink is difficult to peel off from the three-dimensionally shaped powder. Therefore, by adding the flocculant to the three-dimensional modeled powder, it is possible to model a three-dimensional modeled product in which the ink is more difficult to peel off.

  In the third aspect, the flocculant may contain at least an alkali metal halide. The alkali metal halide may be at least one of sodium chloride and potassium chloride. The flocculant may be an acid.

1 is an external perspective view of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a modeling table 6, a powder supply mechanism 14, and a head 21. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1. FIG. It is the figure which expanded the outline | summary of the three-dimensional molded item 103, and a part of the three-dimensional molded item 103. FIG. It is the figure which expanded the outline | summary of the three-dimensional molded item 103, and a part of the three-dimensional molded item 103. FIG. It is a flowchart of a three-dimensional modeling process.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The lower left side and upper right side in FIG. 1 are the front side and the rear side of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1, respectively. The left-right direction and the up-down direction in FIG. 1 are the left-right direction and the up-down direction of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1, respectively.

  With reference to FIG.1 and FIG.2, the structure of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 is demonstrated. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 can model a three-dimensional modeled object by driving the head 21 and the like that eject modeling liquid and pigment-based ink according to the modeling data. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 can receive modeling data from a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) 100 via a network or the like. The PC 100 creates modeling data based on the three-dimensional data indicating the three-dimensional shape and color of the object, and provides the modeling data to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1. Note that the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 may acquire modeling data from another device. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 may acquire three-dimensional data indicating the three-dimensional shape and color of the object from the PC 100 and create modeling data based on the acquired three-dimensional data.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 mainly includes a base 2, a modeling table 6, a powder supply mechanism 14, a flattening roller 18, a head 21, a tank 31, and a powder recovery unit 13. The base 2 is formed in a rectangular plate shape with the left-right direction as the longitudinal direction, and supports the entire three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1. The modeling table 6 includes a stage 9. The three-dimensional model is modeled on the stage 9. The powder supply mechanism 14 supplies the three-dimensional modeling powder onto the supply unit 12 (see FIG. 2) of the modeling table 6. The flattening roller 18 moves the 3D modeling powder placed on the supply unit 12 onto the stage 9 to flatten it, thereby forming a layer of 3D modeling powder (hereinafter referred to as “powder layer”). To do. The head 21 discharges the modeling liquid and the ink onto the powder layer formed on the stage 9. The tank 31 stores a modeling liquid and ink to be discharged from the head 21. The powder collection unit 13 collects excess three-dimensionally shaped powder (hereinafter referred to as “uncured powder”) remaining around the three-dimensionally shaped object without solidifying. Each configuration will be described below.

  The modeling table 6 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the modeling table 6 includes a base portion 7 that supports the modeling table 6 and a frame portion 8 that is supported on the upper portion of the base portion 7. A through hole (not shown) penetrating in the front-rear direction is formed in each of the left and right sides of the base portion 7. Two rails 3 extending in the front-rear direction are provided in the approximate center of the base 2. The two rails 3 are provided at a predetermined height from the upper surface of the base 2 by a support portion 4 provided at the front end portion of the base 2 and a support portion (not shown) provided at the rear end portion. It is supported. Each of the two rails 3 passes through each of the two through holes formed in the base portion 7.

  A longitudinal movement motor 41 (see FIG. 3) for moving the modeling table 6 back and forth is provided at the rear side end of the base 2. When the front-rear motor 41 is driven, power is transmitted to the modeling table 6 via a carriage belt (not shown), and the modeling table 6 moves in the front-rear direction along the two rails 3. The powder supply mechanism 14, the flattening roller 18, and the head 21 move relative to the stage 9 of the modeling table 6 in the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the shape of the frame part 8 is a substantially cube. The frame portion 8 has a concave portion having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view with an upper surface opened at the center. The frame portion 8 holds the stage 9 (see FIG. 1) in the concave portion so as to be movable up and down. The upper surface of the stage 9 is kept horizontal. A recovery path 10 is connected to the right side surface of the frame 8 to guide uncured powder from the space below the stage 9 to the powder recovery unit 13 (see FIG. 1). In the vicinity of the rear end portion of the frame portion 8, there is provided a powder dropping port 11 that is a concave portion having a rectangular shape in plan view with an upper surface opened. When the powder layer is formed, surplus powder accumulated by the flattening roller 18 falls on the powder dropping port 11. A plate-shaped supply unit 12 extends horizontally from the upper end on the front side of the modeling table 6 to the front. The three-dimensional shaped powder supplied by the powder supply mechanism 14 is placed on the supply unit 12.

  The stage 9 (see FIG. 1) moves up and down by the power of a stage lifting motor 42 (see FIG. 3) provided on the modeling table 6. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 models a three-dimensional modeled object while gradually lowering the stage 9 from the upper part of the lifting range. Although not shown, the stage 9 includes an upper stage and a lower stage. The upper stage and the lower stage are plate members having substantially the same shape, and are arranged horizontally. The upper stage and the lower stage are both provided with a plurality of holes penetrating in the thickness direction. However, the upper stage and the lower stage are formed so that the positions of the holes of the upper stage and the holes of the lower stage do not overlap in plan view. Accordingly, in the state where the stage 9 is stationary, the three-dimensional modeling powder is deposited on the stage 9. Uncured powder falls from the holes of the upper stage and the lower stage, and is sucked into the powder recovery unit 13 through the recovery path 10.

  The powder supply mechanism 14 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the powder supply mechanism 14 includes a storage unit 15 and a powder supply roller 16. The upper part of the storage part 15 is formed in a box shape whose width in the front-rear direction gradually increases upward. The storage unit 15 stores the three-dimensionally shaped powder inside. The lower part of the storage part 15 becomes an opening, and the three-dimensional modeling powder in the storage part 15 falls from the opening. The powder supply roller 16 is provided so as to be rotatable slightly above the opening at the bottom of the storage unit 15. Since there is no gap between the storage unit 15 and the powder supply roller 16, the three-dimensional shaped powder does not fall downward from the gap. The rotating shaft of the powder supply roller 16 extends in the left-right direction. The powder supply roller 16 is rotatably supported at the right end and the left end of the storage unit 15. On the outer peripheral surface of the powder supply roller 16, a concave portion 17 that is long in the left-right direction and recessed toward the center is provided. In the recess 17, the three-dimensional modeling powder stored in the storage unit 15 is stored. Therefore, when the powder supply roller 16 is rotated by the power of the powder supply motor 44 (see FIG. 3), the three-dimensionally shaped powder accumulated in the recess 17 falls downward.

  The flattening roller 18 will be described. The flattening roller 18 moves and flattens the three-dimensional modeling powder supplied to the supply unit 12 of the modeling table 6 on the stage 9 to form a new powder layer. As shown in FIG. 2, the rotation shaft 19 of the flattening roller 18 extends in a direction (left-right direction) intersecting the moving direction of the modeling table 6 in a state parallel to the upper surface of the stage 9 (that is, in a horizontal state). . The rotating shaft 19 is connected to a flattening roller rotating motor 43 (see FIG. 3) disposed in the powder recovery unit 13 (see FIG. 1). When the flattening roller rotation motor 43 is driven, the flattening roller 18 rotates in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the right side. When forming the powder layer, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 moves the modeling table 6 from the rear to the front while rotating the flattening roller 18. As a result, the three-dimensional shaped powder is flattened on the stage 9 (see FIG. 1). The surplus powder accumulated on the back side of the flattening roller 18 falls to the powder drop port 11 formed on the back side of the modeling table 6.

  A plate-like blade 20 is fixed to the front surface of the storage unit 15 of the powder supply mechanism 14. The blade 20 extends obliquely downward and forward from the front wall surface of the storage unit 15 and is in contact with the back side of the flattening roller 18 without a gap. The three-dimensional modeling powder adhered to the flattening roller 18 is removed by the blade 20. Further, the blade 20 can prevent the three-dimensionally shaped powder on the back side of the flattening roller 18 from scattering to the front side. Therefore, the upper surface of the powder layer formed by the flattening roller 18 is kept flat. The possibility that the scattered three-dimensionally shaped powder adheres to the head 21 described below also decreases.

  The head 21 will be described. The head 21 discharges the modeling liquid and ink downward. The powder layer is solidified by being mixed with the discharged modeling liquid and ink. The modeling liquid can solidify the powder layer better than the ink. The modeling liquid is a colorless clear modeling liquid. The ink can solidify and color the powder layer. As shown in FIG. 1, a guide rail 23 for guiding the movement of the head 21 in the left-right direction is provided above the modeling table 6 and in front of the flattening roller 18. The guide rail 23 extends horizontally straight from the right side surface of the left body portion 39 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 to the right side, and is connected to the left side surface of the powder recovery unit 13. The guide rail 23 penetrates the head 21 in the left-right direction. The head 21 can move in the left-right direction along the guide rail 23. A head moving motor 45 (see FIG. 3) for moving the head 21 is provided on the left body 39 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1. When the head moving motor 45 is driven, power is transmitted to the head 21 via a carriage belt (not shown), and the head 21 moves in the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the head 21 includes four color heads 24 (24K, 24M, 24C, 24Y) and a clear head 25. The color heads 24K, 24M, 24C, and 24Y eject black, magenta, cyan, and yellow inks, respectively. As the ink, pigment-based ink is used. The clear head 25 discharges a modeling liquid (clear modeling liquid). The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 includes a tank 31 that stores a modeling liquid. The tank 31 is connected to the head 21 by a connection pipe 29 composed of a plurality of tubes, and supplies modeling liquid and ink to the head 21 through the connection pipe 29.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the powder recovery unit 13 is disposed between the modeling table 6 and the right body 40. The powder recovery unit 13 includes a pump (not shown) for sucking uncured powder in the modeling table 6. In addition, an operation panel 53 including an input unit and a display unit is provided in front of the right body unit 40 in order to receive an operation input from an operator.

  The three-dimensional shaped powder will be described. As the three-dimensional modeling powder, for example, a well-known gypsum powder is used. The gypsum is preferably calcined gypsum. The particle diameter of the powder is preferably 10 μm to 500 μm.

  The modeling liquid will be described. As the modeling liquid, for example, water-based ink whose viscosity, surface tension, and pH are adapted to the discharge device is used. A flocculant is added to the modeling liquid. The aggregating agent is a pigment aggregating agent for aggregating pigment-based ink. The flocculant contains at least an alkali metal halide. Examples of the alkali metal include sodium, potassium, lithium, rubidium, cesium and the like. Examples of the alkali metal halide include alkali metal fluorides, alkali metal chlorides, alkali metal bromides, alkali metal iodides, and the like, and alkali metal chlorides and alkali metal iodides are preferable. Examples of the alkali metal chloride include sodium chloride, potassium chloride, lithium chloride and the like. Examples of the alkali metal iodide include sodium iodide and potassium iodide. One alkali metal halide may be used alone, or two or more alkali metal halides may be used in combination. The alkali metal halide is preferably at least one of sodium chloride and potassium chloride.

  By adding the flocculant to the modeling liquid, the pigment-based ink aggregates when the modeling liquid adhering to the three-dimensional modeling powder comes into contact with the pigment-based ink. Aggregated pigment-based ink is difficult to peel off from the three-dimensional model. Therefore, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 can model a three-dimensional modeled object in which the pigment-based ink is difficult to peel off by adding a flocculant to the modeling liquid. Further, when the flocculant contains at least an alkali metal halide, the pigment-based ink can be favorably aggregated. In addition, by using at least one of sodium chloride and potassium chloride as the alkali metal halide contained in the flocculant, it becomes possible to further favorably aggregate the pigment-based ink.

  The pigment-based ink will be described. As the pigment-based ink, for example, an ink containing a pigment, water, a water-soluble organic solvent, an emulsion adhesive, and the like is used. Examples of the pigment that can be used include carbon black, inorganic pigments, and organic pigments. Examples of carbon black include furnace black, lamp black, acetylene black, and channel black. Examples of inorganic pigments include titanium oxide, iron oxide inorganic pigments, and carbon black inorganic pigments. Examples of the organic pigment include azo pigments such as azo lakes, insoluble azo pigments, condensed azo pigments and chelate azo pigments; phthalocyanine pigments, perylene and perinone pigments, anthraquinone pigments, quinacridone pigments, dioxazine pigments, thioindigo pigments, isoindolinone pigments, and quinophthalone. Examples thereof include polycyclic pigments such as pigments; dye lake pigments such as basic dye type lake pigments and acid dye type lake pigments; nitro pigments, nitroso pigments, aniline black daylight fluorescent pigments, and the like.

  The flocculant contained in the modeling liquid may be an acid. In this case, the flocculant may contain one or both of succinate ions and acetate ions. When the flocculant is succinate ion alone, the blending amount of succinate ion with respect to the entire modeling liquid is, for example, 1% by weight to 10% by weight, and preferably 1% by weight to 5% by weight. In the case of acetate ion alone, the compounding amount of acetate ion with respect to the entire modeling liquid is, for example, 1% by weight to 10% by weight, and preferably 1% by weight to 5% by weight. When using a succinic acid ion and an acetate ion together, the total compounding quantity of the said both ion with respect to the whole modeling liquid is 1 weight%-10 weight%, for example, Preferably, it is 1 weight%-5 weight%. By using an aggregating agent contained in the modeling liquid as an acid, the pigment-based ink can be satisfactorily aggregated when the modeling liquid adhering to the three-dimensional modeling powder comes into contact with the pigment-based ink.

  The flocculant added to the modeling liquid may be added to the three-dimensional modeling powder, or may be added only to the three-dimensional modeling powder. In addition, since acetic acid is in a solution state at normal temperature and cannot be added to the three-dimensional shaped powder, a material other than acetic acid is used among the above acid materials. When the flocculant is added to the three-dimensional shaped powder, when the pigment-based ink discharged to the three-dimensional shaped powder comes into contact with the flocculant added to the three-dimensional shaped powder, the pigment-based ink aggregates. . Aggregated ink is difficult to peel off from the three-dimensional model. Therefore, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 can model a three-dimensional modeled object in which the ink is more difficult to peel off by adding the flocculant to the three-dimensional modeled powder.

  With reference to FIG. 3, the electrical configuration of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 will be described. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 includes a CPU 50 that controls the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1. A RAM 51, a ROM 52, an operation panel 53, an external communication I / F 54, a motor drive unit 55, and a head drive unit 56 are connected to the CPU 50 via a bus 59.

  Various data such as modeling data received from the PC 100 are temporarily stored in the RAM 51. The ROM 52 stores a control program for controlling the operation of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1, an initial value, and the like. The external communication I / F 54 connects the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 to an external device such as the PC 100. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 can also acquire data from other devices (for example, a USB memory, a server, etc.) via a USB interface, the Internet, or the like. The motor drive unit 55 controls the operations of the longitudinal movement motor 41, the stage elevating motor 42, the flattening roller rotation motor 43, the powder supply motor 44, and the head movement motor 45 according to the control of the CPU 50. The head drive unit 56 is connected to the head 21 and drives the piezoelectric elements provided in the ejection channels of the head 21.

  The CPU 50 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 performs ejection control when ejecting the modeling liquid and ink from the head 21 based on the modeling data acquired from the PC 100. In this embodiment, the CPU 50 discharges ink not only to the part corresponding to the surface of the three-dimensional object in the powder layer but also to a part corresponding to the inside in the process of forming the three-dimensional object. Thus, the modeling data is corrected. The CPU 50 performs ejection control of the modeling liquid and ink based on the corrected modeling data. Specifically, it is as follows.

  The CPU 50 controls the head moving motor 45 to move the head 21 in the left-right direction along the guide rail 23, and controls the longitudinal movement motor 41 to move the modeling table 6 back and forth along the rail 3. Move in the direction. In this way, the CPU 50 changes the position of the head 21 relative to the powder layer on the stage 9, thereby moving the head 21 in a plurality of positions in the two-dimensional direction (left-right direction and front-rear direction) with respect to the powder layer ( Hereinafter, it is referred to as “a plurality of head positions”).

  The modeling data includes data in which the ejection position information and the head type are associated with each modeling layer to be stacked. The ejection position information includes a plurality of positions (a plurality of head positions) of the head 21 with respect to the powder layer, a plurality of positions at which the modeling liquid is ejected, and a plurality of positions at which the ink is ejected (hereinafter referred to as “a plurality of positions”). This information is referred to as “discharge position”. The head type is information indicating the type of the color head 24 (24K, 24M, 24C, 24Y) and the clear head 25. The modeling layer is obtained by ejecting the modeling liquid and ink from the three-dimensional modeling powder of the powder layer. It is partially solidified.

  The head 21 includes color heads 24K, 24M, 24C, 24Y and a clear head 25, which are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. Here, the position where the ink ejected from each of the color heads 24K, 24M, 24C, 24Y adheres to the powder layer and the position where the modeling liquid ejected from the clear head 25 adheres to the powder layer are the same. Assume that the ejection directions of the color head 24 and the clear head 25 are adjusted.

  The PC 100 creates modeling data and provides it to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1. The CPU 50 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 performs ejection control of the modeling liquid and the ink based on the modeling data acquired from the PC 100. The CPU 50 controls to discharge at least one of the modeling liquid and the ink from the head 21 of the type indicated by the head type at the plurality of discharge positions indicated by the discharge position information included in the modeling data among the plurality of head positions. I do. When the head type is the clear head 25, since the modeling liquid is discharged from the clear head 25, the three-dimensional modeling powder is solidified at the portion where the modeling liquid is attached. When the head type is the color head 24, since the ink is ejected from the color head 24, the three-dimensional modeling powder is solidified and colored. The CPU 50 repeats the control of discharging at least one of the modeling liquid and the ink from the head 21 while gradually lowering the stage 9. As a result, the three-dimensional modeling powder is partially solidified, and a partially colored powder layer, that is, a modeling layer is laminated, so that the three-dimensional modeling object is finally modeled.

  With reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a case where a rectangular solid three-dimensional object 103 is formed by the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 will be described as an example. The left side, the right side, the lower left side, the upper right side, the upper side, and the lower side in FIGS. 4 and 5 are referred to as the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, and the lower side of the three-dimensional structure 103, respectively. W1 and W2 in FIG. 4 are enlarged views of a part of the modeling layers 103A and 103B constituting the three-dimensional modeled object 103 (the corner part on the right rear side) as viewed from above. W <b> 3 in FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a part of the modeling layer 103 </ b> C constituting the three-dimensional modeled object 103 (the corner part on the right rear side) as viewed from above. In W1 to W3, the round lines (the round solid line and the round dotted line) indicate a plurality of head positions 106 that are a plurality of positions when the head 21 is relatively moved in the two-dimensional direction (left-right direction and front-rear direction). As described above, the plurality of head positions 106 are aligned and arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction. A round solid line indicates a plurality of modeling liquid discharge positions 107 from which the modeling liquid is discharged from the clear head 25. The black circles indicate a plurality of ink ejection positions 108, 109, and 110 where ink is ejected from the color head 24.

  As shown in W2 of FIG. 4 and W3 of FIG. 5, the modeling data includes a rectangular interior 102 (a thick line 105 out of W2 and W3) that is a planar view shape of the three-dimensional modeled object 103 among the plurality of head positions 106. Discharge position information indicating a plurality of discharge positions 107 (round solid lines) arranged in the left front area with respect to the rear end side and the right end side of the three-dimensional model 103 in plan view is included. Each of these ejection position information is associated with a head type indicating the clear head 25. When the CPU 50 performs the modeling process based on the modeling data, the modeling liquid is discharged from the clear head 25 indicated by the head type in a state where the heads 21 are arranged at the plurality of discharge positions 107. On the other hand, in the state where the heads 21 are arranged at the plurality of head positions 121 (round dotted lines) excluding the plurality of ejection positions 107 (round solid lines) among the plurality of head positions 106, the modeling liquid is not ejected. For this reason, the powder layer in which the rectangular region is solidified, that is, a part of the modeling layers 103 </ b> B and 103 </ b> C constituting the three-dimensional model 103 is modeled by the discharged modeling liquid.

  The CPU 50 repeats the process of discharging the modeling liquid from the clear head 25 in a state where the heads 21 are arranged at the plurality of discharge positions 107 while gradually lowering the stage 9. Thus, the plurality of modeling layers (for example, the modeling layers 103E, 103D, 103C, and 103B) are sequentially stacked, and the rectangular solid three-dimensional object 103 is finally modeled.

  Further, the modeling data includes ejection position information for ejecting ink instead of the modeling liquid at a plurality of ejection positions corresponding to the surface of the three-dimensional modeled object 103 among the plurality of head positions 106. Specifically, it is as follows. W <b> 1 indicates a part of the modeling layer 103 </ b> A that forms the upper surface 103 </ b> F of the three-dimensional model 103. In order to color the surface 103F with ink, it is necessary to eject ink from the color head 24 and deposit the ink on the modeling layer 103A in the process of modeling the modeling layer 103A. Therefore, among a plurality of head positions 106 corresponding to the modeling layer 103A, a plurality of head positions arranged in the interior 102 are a plurality of ejection positions 108 (black circles) for ejecting ink. Note that the modeling liquid is not discharged at the plurality of discharge positions. The PC 100 creates modeling data by associating the ejection position information indicating the plurality of ejection positions 108 with the head type indicating the color head 24.

  When the CPU 50 performs a modeling process based on the created modeling data, the powder is discharged from the color head 24 indicated by the head type in a state where the heads 21 are arranged at the plurality of ejection positions 108 in the process of modeling the modeling layer 103A. Ink is ejected onto the body layer. The three-dimensional modeling powder of the modeling layer 103A is colored by the ink ejected at each of the plurality of ejection positions 108. In addition, the three-dimensional modeling powder of the modeling layer 103A is solidified with ink to form the modeling layer 103A. As a result, the three-dimensional model 103 with the surface 103F colored is finally modeled.

  Further, in order to color the rear surface 103G and the right surface 103H of the three-dimensional structure 103 with ink, as shown by W2 and W3, the thick line 105 among the head positions 106 corresponding to the modeling layers 103B and 103C. It is necessary to eject ink from the color head 24 at a plurality of head positions 111 adjacent to, and color a portion corresponding to the adjacent portion of the thick line 105 in the powder layer. The same applies to the modeling layer 103D. This is because among the modeling layers 103B, 103C, 103D..., The colored surfaces 103G and 103H are formed by laminating the portions corresponding to the plurality of head positions 111 in a colored state. . Therefore, the PC 100 sets a plurality of head positions 111 adjacent to the thick line 105 as a plurality of ejection positions 109 (black circles) for ejecting ink. The PC 100 creates modeling data by associating the ejection position information indicating the plurality of ejection positions 109 with the head type indicating the color head 24. Note that the modeling liquid is not discharged at the plurality of discharge positions 109.

  When the CPU 50 performs a modeling process based on the created modeling data, the color head 24 indicated by the head type in a state where the heads 21 are arranged at the plurality of ejection positions 109 in the process of modeling the modeling layers 103B and 103C. Ink is ejected from the powder onto the powder layer. The same applies to the case where the modeling layer 103D. Colored surfaces 103G and 103H are formed by stacking the modeling layers 103B, 103C, 103D,. As a result, the three-dimensional model 103 with the surfaces 103G and 103H colored is finally modeled.

  Further, in this embodiment, the CPU 50 inks not only the part of the powder layer corresponding to the surface of the three-dimensional structure 103 but also the part of the powder layer corresponding to the inside of the surface of the three-dimensional structure 103. The modeling data is corrected so that is discharged. As shown in W2 of FIG. 4, in the state where the color head 24 is arranged at the plurality of discharge positions 110 in addition to the plurality of discharge positions 109 among the plurality of head positions 106 corresponding to the modeling layer 103B, the color head Ink is discharged from 24 to the powder layer. The plurality of ejection positions 110 are a part of the plurality of head positions 106 arranged in the interior 102. The plurality of ejection positions 110 are randomly selected from the plurality of head positions 106 arranged in the interior 102 and are set as a plurality of ejection positions 110 for ejecting ink. The CPU 50 corrects the modeling data created by the PC 100 by adding the ejection position information indicating the plurality of ejection positions 110 and the head type indicating the color head 24 in association with the modeling data.

  When the CPU 50 performs a modeling process based on the corrected modeling data, the color head 24 indicated by the head type in a state where the heads 21 are arranged at the plurality of ejection positions 109 and 110 in the process of modeling the modeling layer 103B. Ink is ejected from the powder onto the powder layer. In addition, ink is discharged from the color head 24 indicated by the head type to the powder layer in a state where the head 21 is disposed at the plurality of discharge positions 108 in the process of forming the modeling layer 103A to be laminated on the upper side of the modeling layer 103B. The The plurality of ejection positions 108 (W1) of the modeling layer 103A and the plurality of ejection positions 110 (W2) of the modeling layer 103B are adjacent to each other in the vertical direction by stacking the modeling layers 103A and 103B. Moreover, the part arrange | positioned in the left-right direction among the some discharge positions 109 of modeling layer 103B, 103C, and a part of several discharge position 110 adjoin the front-back direction, and the some discharge position of modeling layer 103B, 103C A portion of 109 that is arranged in the front-rear direction and a part of the plurality of ejection positions 110 are adjacent in the left-right direction. Therefore, in addition to the surfaces 103F, 103G, and 103H, the three-dimensional structure 103 in which the ink is attached to a part of the inner portions of the surfaces 103F, 103G, and 103H is formed.

  In the powder layer, in addition to the portion corresponding to the surface of the three-dimensional structure 103, the reason why ink is ejected to a part of the portion corresponding to the inside of the surface is as follows. That is, the pigment-based ink attached to a part of the portion inside the surface of the three-dimensional structure 103 is covered with the solidified three-dimensional structure powder, and thus is difficult to peel off from the three-dimensional structure 103. Become. Also, the pigment-based ink adhering to a part of the portion inside the surface of the three-dimensional structure 103 and the pigment-based ink adhering to the surface are adjacent to each other in the depth direction, and both are in contact and integrated. To do. Accordingly, the pigment-based ink attached to a part of the portion inside the surface of the three-dimensional structure 103 is difficult to peel off from the three-dimensional structure 103, and the pigment-based ink attached to the surface of the three-dimensional structure 103 is also used. It becomes difficult to peel off from the three-dimensional structure 103. Therefore, in addition to the portion corresponding to the surface of the three-dimensional structure 103 in the powder layer, the pigment-based ink adhered to the surface by discharging the ink to a part of the portion corresponding to the inside of the surface. It is possible to model the three-dimensional model 103 that is difficult to peel off.

  With reference to FIG. 6, the three-dimensional modeling process performed by CPU50 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 is demonstrated. The three-dimensional modeling process is started when the CPU 50 reads out and executes a program stored in the ROM 52 when an instruction to start modeling a three-dimensional model is input via the input unit of the operation panel 53.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 50 first executes an initialization process (S1). By the initialization process, the head 21 is ready to eject the modeling liquid and ink. The CPU 50 drives the longitudinal movement motor 41 to move the modeling table 6 in the front-rear direction until the supply unit 12 is disposed below the powder supply mechanism 14. The CPU 50 stores a variable Z in which 1 is stored (details will be described later) in the RAM 51. The user inputs a modeling data transmission instruction to the PC 100 to be transmitted to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1. The PC 100 transmits modeling data to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1. The CPU 50 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 receives modeling data from the PC 100 via the external communication I / F 54 and stores it in the RAM 51 (S3). CPU50 performs the process which corrects modeling data (S5).

  Details of the processing for correcting the modeling data are as follows. The CPU 50 arranges a plurality of discharge positions indicated by the discharge position information for a plurality of layers included in the modeling data stored in the RAM 51 in the three-dimensional direction of the plurality of discharge positions by sequentially arranging them in the stacking direction of the modeling layers. It is possible to specify the positional relationship of (front-rear direction, left-right direction, and vertical direction). CPU50 specifies the discharge position information of the some discharge position corresponding to the surface of the three-dimensional molded item 103 among the discharge position information for several layers contained in modeling data. When it is assumed that all surfaces of the three-dimensional structure 103 are colored with ink, the discharge type information of a plurality of discharge positions corresponding to the surface of the three-dimensional structure 103 corresponds to the head type indicating the color head 24. This is the attached ejection position information.

  Next, the CPU 50 specifies the discharge position information of the discharge position corresponding to the portion inside the surface of the three-dimensional structure 103. Specifically, the CPU 50 indicates the head type indicating the clear head 25 out of the discharge position information indicating the discharge position adjacent to the discharge position corresponding to the surface of the three-dimensional structure 103 in any one of the three-dimensional directions. Is specified. At the discharge position indicated by the specified discharge position information, the modeling liquid is discharged from the clear head 25, and a portion inside the surface of the three-dimensional structure 103 is formed. Therefore, the specified discharge position information is the discharge position information of the discharge position corresponding to the portion inside the surface of the three-dimensional structure 103.

  Next, the CPU 50 selects some of the plurality of ejection positions from among the ejection positions indicated by the identified ejection position information. The CPU 50 calculates a random number based on a known algorithm, and randomly selects some of the plurality of ejection positions based on the calculated random number. The CPU 50 corrects the modeling data so that ink is ejected at the selected plurality of selected ejection positions. Specifically, the CPU 50 associates the head type indicating the color head 24 with the ejection position information indicating each of the selected partial ejection positions. Note that the ejection position information associated with the head type indicating the color head 24 may or may not be associated with the head type indicating the clear head 25.

  After the data correction (S5), the CPU 50 stores the modeling data for modeling the Z-th modeling layer from the lower side among the corrected modeling data, and the modeling data corrected in the process of S5. (S7). The CPU 50 performs a powder supply / flattening process (S9). Details are as follows.

  The CPU 50 adjusts the height of the stage 9 from a position where the upper surface is arranged on the same plane as the upper surface of the modeling table 6 to a position lower by the thickness of the powder layer to be formed. The CPU 50 drives the powder supply motor 44 to supply the solid modeling powder to the supply unit 12. The three-dimensional modeling powder is placed on the supply unit 12. Next, the CPU 50 drives the flattening roller rotation motor 43 to start the rotation of the flattening roller 18 and simultaneously drives the forward / backward movement motor 41 to move the modeling table 6 from the rear to the front. The flattening roller 18 moves the three-dimensionally shaped powder on the supply unit 12 to the concave portion of the frame unit 8. The three-dimensional modeling powder is placed on the stage 9 in the recess. The flattening roller 18 flattens the solid modeling powder on the stage 9. A powder layer is formed on the stage 9. The thickness (lamination pitch) of the powder layer is equal to the distance between the upper surface of the modeling table 6 and the upper surface of the stage 9. The flattening roller 18 moves the three-dimensionally shaped powder (excess powder) that does not fit into the recess toward the powder dropping port 11. Surplus powder falls to the powder drop port 11.

  After the powder layer is formed on the stage 9, the CPU 50 drives the forward / backward movement motor 41, and moves the modeling table 6 from the front to the rear until the front end of the stage 9 is disposed below the head 21. Move. The CPU 50 drives the head moving motor 47 to move the head 21 to the right side until the head 21 is disposed above the right side of the front end portion of the stage 9 (S11). Hereinafter, the positions of the head 21 and the modeling table 6 described above are referred to as “initial positions”.

  The CPU 50 selects one by one in order from the plurality of discharge positions indicated by the discharge position information of the modeling data read in S7. The CPU 50 executes movement control of the head 21 and the modeling table 6 so that the head 21 is disposed at the selected discharge position (S13). When the head type associated with the discharge position information of the modeling data indicates the clear head 25, the CPU 50 discharges the modeling liquid from the clear head 25 (S13). When the modeling liquid is discharged, the three-dimensional modeling powder and the modeling liquid are mixed, and the three-dimensional modeling powder is solidified by combining the modeling materials included in the three-dimensional modeling powder. When the head type associated with the ejection position information of the modeling data indicates the color head 24, the CPU 50 ejects ink from the color head 24 (any one of 24K, 24M, 24C, 24Y) (S13). When ink is ejected, the three-dimensional shaped powder is solidified and colored. In addition, since ejection control is performed based on the modeling data corrected in S5, ink is also ejected to a part of the powder layer corresponding to the inside of the surface of the three-dimensional model 103.

  The CPU 50 performs the process of S13 on all of the ejection positions indicated by the ejection position information of the modeling data read out in S7, and determines whether the modeling of the Zth modeling layer from the lower side is completed (S15). When the process of S13 is not performed on all the ejection positions indicated by the ejection position information of the modeling data (S15: NO), the process returns to S13. The CPU 50 selects the next discharge position. The CPU 50 executes movement control of the head 21 and the modeling table 6 so that the head 21 is disposed at the selected ejection position, and performs ejection control of the modeling liquid and ink from the head 21 (S13). On the other hand, when the process of S13 is performed on all of the ejection positions indicated by the ejection position information of the modeling data, the modeling of the Zth modeling layer from the lower side is completed (S15: YES). The process proceeds to S17.

  CPU50 judges whether modeling of all the modeling layers was completed and modeling of solid modeling thing 113 was completed (S17). When the modeling of all the modeling layers has not been completed (S17: NO), the CPU 50 updates the variable Z by adding 1 (S19). The process returns to S7. CPU50 reads the modeling data of the Zth modeling layer from the bottom (the modeling layer one upper side of the modeling layer processed last time) (S7). The CPU 50 lowers the stage 9 by the thickness of the powder layer and stacks the powder layer (S9). CPU50 arranges head 21 and modeling stand 6 in an initial position (S11). The CPU 50 models the modeling layer by executing movement control of the head 21 and the modeling table 6 and controlling the ejection of the modeling liquid from the head 21 (S13).

  On the other hand, when the modeling of all the modeling layers is completed and the modeling of the three-dimensional modeled object 113 is completed (S17: YES), the three-dimensional modeled object 113 and the excess remaining around the three-dimensional modeled object 113 without solidifying The three-dimensional modeling powder (uncured powder) is placed on the stage 9. The CPU 50 drives a vibration motor (not shown) to vibrate the stage 9. Uncured powder falls from the holes of the upper stage and the lower stage, and is sucked into the powder recovery unit 13 through the recovery path 10. As a result, only the modeled three-dimensional model 113 is placed on the stage 9. The three-dimensional modeling process ends.

  As described above, the CPU 50 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 can attach the pigment-based ink to a part of the portion inside the surface of the three-dimensional model 103 to be modeled. Usually, the pigment-based ink attached to the surface of the three-dimensional structure 103 is easily peeled off from the three-dimensional structure 103. However, in the three-dimensional structure 103 formed by the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1, pigment-based ink adheres to a part of the portion inside the surface. The pigment-based ink adhering to a part of the portion inside the surface is difficult to peel off from the three-dimensional object 103. Therefore, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 can model the three-dimensional modeled object 103 in which the pigment-based ink is hardly peeled off and can maintain a good color development state.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible. The CPU 50 may further modify the modeling data so that the modeling liquid is discharged to a portion corresponding to the surface of the three-dimensional modeled object 103 in the powder layer. In this case, the surface of the three-dimensional structure 103 to be formed is mixed with the three-dimensional structure powder solidified with the modeling liquid and ink. For this reason, since the ink is fixed by the solidified three-dimensional modeling powder, it is difficult for the ink to be peeled off from the three-dimensional structure 103. Further, the pigment-based ink attached to a part of the portion inside the surface of the three-dimensional structure 103 is covered with the modeling layer solidified with the modeling liquid, and is confined inside. Accordingly, the pigment-based ink in a state of being attached to a part of the portion inside the surface of the three-dimensional structure 103 is further hardly peeled off from the three-dimensional structure 103. Further, the CPU 50 may further modify the modeling data so that the modeling liquid is ejected to a portion of the powder layer corresponding to the surface of the three-dimensional modeled object 103 where ink is not ejected.

  In the above embodiment, the CPU 50 may first discharge the modeling liquid from the clear head 25 after discharging the ink from the color head 24 to all the colored portions of the powder layer. Alternatively, the CPU 50 may first discharge the modeling liquid from the clear head 25 to the entire solidified portion of the powder layer, and then discharge the ink from the color head 24 to the colored portion. When the modeling liquid and the ink are ejected at different timings, the modeling liquid may be ejected first or the ink may be ejected first, but the modeling liquid is preferably ejected first. The reason is that the ink is ejected to the modeling liquid to which the flocculant is added, so that the ejected ink can be immediately aggregated by the flocculant and the ink bleeding can be suppressed.

  In addition, when the flocculant is added to the three-dimensional shaped powder, it is preferable to eject the ink first. The reason is that when ink is ejected after the modeling liquid is ejected, the ink may be smeared out by the modeling liquid before the ink is aggregated by the aggregating agent added to the three-dimensional modeling powder. On the other hand, when the modeling liquid is ejected after the ink is ejected, the ink can be immediately aggregated by the aggregating agent added to the three-dimensional modeling powder, and the ink bleeding can be suppressed. When the ink bleeding is suppressed, the boundary portion of the ink attached to the three-dimensional structure 103 can be clarified. In addition, since the ink can be confined by solidifying the three-dimensional modeling powder with the modeling liquid, the ink can be further prevented from being peeled off from the three-dimensional model 103.

  In the embodiment described above, the CPU 50 randomly determines the position of the ink to be ejected to a part of the powder layer corresponding to the inside of the surface of the three-dimensional structure 103. The position of the ejected ink may have a predetermined regularity. The CPU 50 may specify a regular position based on various well-known calculation formulas and determine the position as an ink ejection position.

  The position in the depth direction of the ink ejected to a part of the powder layer corresponding to the inside of the surface of the three-dimensional structure 103 is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the process of modeling the modeling layers 103C and 103D, the CPU 50 may set positions corresponding to the plurality of ejection positions 110 among the plurality of head positions 106 arranged in the interior 102 as a plurality of ink ejection positions. The CPU 50 may correct the modeling data and perform the modeling process so that ink is ejected from the plurality of ink ejection positions. Further, in the process of modeling the modeling layers 103C and 103D, all of the plurality of head positions 106 arranged in the interior 102 may be set as a plurality of ink ejection positions. In other words, the CPU 50 may eject ink to all the portions of the powder layer corresponding to the inside of the surface of the three-dimensional structure 103.

  In the above-described embodiment, the CPU 50 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 corrects the modeling data acquired from the PC 100 and models the three-dimensional model 103 based on the corrected modeling data. The modeling data may be corrected by the PC 100. The CPU 50 may acquire corrected modeling data (hereinafter referred to as “corrected modeling data”) from the PC 100. The CPU 50 may model the three-dimensional model 113 by performing discharge control of the modeling liquid from the head 21 based on the acquired corrected modeling data.

  In the above-described embodiment, the position of the head 21 with respect to the powder layer is two-dimensionally changed by moving the head 21 in the left-right direction and moving the modeling table 6 in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, instead of the head 21, a head (line head) in which a plurality of ejection openings for ejecting the modeling liquid and the ink are arranged in the left-right direction may be used.

  The shape of the three-dimensional structure 103 in the above-described embodiments and modifications is an example, and is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped shape. It may be any shape. For example, the shape of the three-dimensional structure 103 may be various shapes such as a spherical shape, a hollow shape, and a saddle shape.

  The clear head 25 that discharges the modeling liquid corresponds to the “first discharge unit” of the present invention. The color head 24 that ejects ink corresponds to the “second ejection unit” of the present invention. The CPU 50 that performs the process of S13 corresponds to the “first control means” of the present invention. The CPU 50 that performs the processes of S9 and S11 corresponds to the “second control means” of the present invention.

1 3D modeling apparatus 24 Color head 25 Clear head 50 CPU
103 3D objects

Claims (11)

A first discharge means capable of discharging the modeling liquid to the three-dimensional modeling powder that is solidified by mixing the modeling liquid;
Second ejection means capable of ejecting pigment-based ink;
Discharging the modeling liquid from the first discharge means, forming the modeling layer by adhering and solidifying the modeling liquid on the three-dimensional modeling powder, and discharging the ink from the second discharge means; First control means for controlling the coloring of at least a part of the modeling layer by attaching the ink to at least a part of the three-dimensional modeling powder;
A three-dimensional modeling apparatus comprising: a second control unit that performs control to model a colored three-dimensional modeled object by superimposing the modeling layer formed by the first control unit,
The first control means includes
A three-dimensional structure characterized in that the ink is discharged from the second discharge means so that the ink adheres to a part of the three-dimensional structure powder corresponding to at least a part inside the surface of the three-dimensional structure. Modeling equipment. The first control means includes
The control for discharging the modeling liquid from the first discharge unit is performed so that the modeling liquid adheres to a part of the three-dimensional modeling powder corresponding to the surface of the three-dimensional modeled object. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus of description. The first control means includes
The ink adheres to the part of the three-dimensional modeled powder corresponding to a part inside the surface of the three-dimensional modeled article and the part of the three-dimensional modeled powder corresponding to the surface of the three-dimensional modeled article. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed to eject the ink from a second ejection unit. A modeling liquid used in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1,
A modeling liquid to which a flocculant for aggregating the ink is added.   The modeling liquid according to claim 4, wherein the flocculant contains at least an alkali metal halide.   The modeling liquid according to claim 5, wherein the alkali metal halide is at least one of sodium chloride and potassium chloride. The modeling liquid according to claim 4, wherein the flocculant is an acid.
A three-dimensional modeling powder used in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A three-dimensionally shaped powder characterized in that a flocculant for aggregating the ink is added.   The three-dimensional modeled powder according to claim 8, wherein the flocculant contains at least an alkali metal halide.   The three-dimensional shaped powder according to claim 9, wherein the alkali metal halide is at least one of sodium chloride and potassium chloride.   The three-dimensional shaped powder according to claim 8, wherein the flocculant is an acid.

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