JP2015104890A - Three-dimensional shaping apparatus, three-dimensional shaping method, control program for three-dimensional shaping apparatus, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique capable of not only manufacturing a three-dimensionally shaped object with a closed space inside, but also easily manufacturing a high-strength three-dimensionally shaped object with high-accuracy dimensions and shapes.SOLUTION: A head 2 and a lower seat 3 are configured to be relatively movable in a horizontal direction, and an upper seat 4 is configured to be movable in a vertical direction. A liquid ink curable by irradiation with ultraviolet light L is discharged downward by a head 2. The ink discharged from the head 2 is received by an upper surface of the lower seat 3 and adhered to the upper surface. The ink adhered to the upper surface of the lower seat 3 is irradiated with the ultraviolet light L by an ultraviolet light irradiation device 5 and cures, with the ink interposed between the upper surface of the lower seat 3 and an undersurface of the upper seat 4. When the upper seat 4 is lifted after the ink has cured by the irradiation with the ultraviolet light L, the cured ink moves together with the upper seat 4, adhering to the upper seat side and peels off from the upper surface of the lower seat 3.

Description

  The present invention relates to a three-dimensional modeling technique, and more particularly to a technique for manufacturing an arbitrary three-dimensional modeled object by discharging a liquid modeling material and curing it by irradiation with light, and laminating and integrating them. .

  The conventional three-dimensional modeling technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a method in which a liquid modeling material is ejected in accordance with cross-sectional data obtained by slicing a model designed by three-dimensional CAD into a plurality of thin cross-sectional bodies. The inkjet head is controlled to move in the horizontal direction. As a result, a cross-sectional shape based on the cross-sectional data is formed, and the liquid modeling material discharged on the stage is cured, thereby creating a cross-section for one layer. Thereafter, the stage is lowered by a distance corresponding to the thickness of one layer, and the same operation as described above is repeated, whereby a new layer is laminated on the upper side of the first layer. The three-dimensional structure is manufactured by laminating and integrating the thin layers formed in this way continuously. According to such an ink jet system, it is possible to manufacture a three-dimensional structure with high accuracy and high strength.

JP 2005-59289 A

However, in the conventional three-dimensional modeling technology, when manufacturing a three-dimensional model having a closed space inside, a liquid modeling material is used to form a portion corresponding to the ceiling surface of the closed space in the process of stacking the modeling material. Even if is discharged, since the layered body does not exist directly under the discharged modeling material, the discharged modeling material hangs down. For this reason, a three-dimensional structure having a closed space inside cannot be manufactured, or even if it can be manufactured, the accuracy of the dimensional shape will be low.
In order to avoid this, as in the conventional three-dimensional modeling technique, when forming a part corresponding to the ceiling surface of the closed space, a separate inkjet head is used to inject a thermoplastic resin material having a melting temperature lower than that of the modeling material. It is conceivable to form the overhang support part by discharging from the nozzle. By doing so, the discharged liquid modeling material is received by the overhang support portion and does not hang down, so that the modeling material can be laminated.
However, after completion of the stacking of the modeling material, even if an attempt is made to melt and remove the resin material on which the overhang support portion is formed by heating at a temperature at which the modeling material does not melt, the resin material is removed because it is confined in the closed space I can't. As a result, the conventional three-dimensional modeling technique cannot manufacture a three-dimensional modeled object having a closed space inside.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and can produce a three-dimensional structure having a closed space inside, and has a high-precision and high-strength three-dimensional shape. It aims at providing the technique which can manufacture a molded article easily.

  In order to achieve this object, a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the present invention includes a head that discharges a liquid modeling material that is cured by irradiation with predetermined light downward, and a modeling material that is discharged from the head. The lower seat, the upper seat having the lower surface, and the modeling material attached to the upper surface of the lower seat interposed between the upper surface of the lower seat and the lower surface of the upper seat. A three-dimensional modeling apparatus including a first light irradiation unit that irradiates the predetermined light toward a material and hardens the modeling material, wherein the head and the lower seat move relatively in a horizontal direction. The upper seat and the lower seat are configured to be relatively movable in a direction in which the upper surface of the lower seat and the lower surface of the upper seat are opposed to each other and in a direction in which they are separated from each other, and the first light irradiation The modeling material is cured by the irradiation of the predetermined light by the means After that, when the lower seat and the upper seat move relative to each other in the separating direction, the cured modeling material moves together with the upper seat in a state of adhering to the upper seat side, while peeling from the upper surface of the lower seat. It is comprised so that it may do.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the invention described in claim 2 is the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lower seat is configured by a member that allows the predetermined light to pass therethrough, while the first light irradiation. The predetermined light emitted from the means passes through the lower seat from below the lower seat and is irradiated onto the modeling material.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the invention described in claim 3 is the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the three-dimensional modeling apparatus is directed toward the modeling material discharged from the head and attached to the upper surface of the lower seat. Irradiating the light of curing the modeling material to the range of the small region by the first light irradiation means or the second light irradiation means separate from the first light irradiation means without interposing the modeling material between the lower surface of the upper seat, The small area is moved following the head, and the degree of curing of the modeling material by irradiation of the small area is determined in a state where the modeling material is interposed between the upper surface of the lower seat and the lower surface of the upper seat. It is characterized in that it is lower than the degree of curing of the modeling material by irradiation with one light irradiation means.

  A three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the second light irradiation means is fixed to the head, and the upper surface of the lower seat is discharged from the head. The small region is irradiated with light for curing the modeling material by the second light irradiation means in a state where the modeling material is not interposed between the modeling material and the lower surface of the upper seat. It is characterized by.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the invention described in claim 5 is the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the head is configured to be movable in a horizontal direction, The upper seat is configured to be vertically movable from a position close to the lower seat to a position above the head.

  A three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein the head is configured to be movable in one horizontal direction, and the lower seat is in the one direction. It is configured to be movable in an orthogonal horizontal direction.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the invention described in claim 7 is the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the entire movable range when the head moves is the same. It is characterized in that it is positioned outside the movable range when the upper seat moves.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the invention described in claim 8 is the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least a part of a movable range when the head moves. Is wrapped with a movable range when the upper seat moves, while the head is configured to be movable outside the movable range when the upper seat moves.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the invention described in claim 9 is the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the head is formed by the first light irradiation unit. It is configured to be movable to the outside of the irradiation range irradiated with the light.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the invention described in claim 10 is the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the head has a discharge portion that discharges a modeling material, and the head is outside the irradiation range. When moved in the direction, a lid that covers the discharge part is further provided, and the lid is arranged outside the irradiation range.

  In the three-dimensional modeling method according to the invention described in claim 11, the head and the lower seat are moved relative to each other in the horizontal direction, and the liquid modeling material that is cured by irradiation with predetermined light is directed downward toward the head. A modeling material discharging step for discharging the molding material, a modeling material attaching step for receiving the modeling material discharged in the modeling material discharging step on the upper surface of the lower seat, and attaching the modeling material to the upper surface, and an upper surface of the lower seat in the modeling material attaching step In a state where the modeling material adhered to the lower seat is interposed between the upper surface of the lower seat and the lower surface of the upper seat, the predetermined light is irradiated to the modeling material by the first light irradiation means to cure the modeling material. After the modeling material is cured by performing the modeling material curing step and the modeling material curing step, the lower seat and the upper seat are relatively separated from each other in a state where the modeling material is attached to the upper seat side. Is moving a building material peeling step of peeling the build material from the top surface of the lower seat, the one in which the production of laminated and integrated to the 3D object with the build material by repeating the steps.

  The control program of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the invention described in claim 12 is directed to lowering a liquid modeling material that is cured by irradiation with predetermined light while moving the head and the lower seat relatively in the horizontal direction. A modeling material discharge function for discharging by the head toward the head, a modeling material adhesion function for receiving the modeling material discharged by execution of the modeling material ejection function on the upper surface of the lower seat, and adhering to the upper surface, and the modeling material adhesion function The predetermined light is directed toward the modeling material by the first light irradiation means in a state where the modeling material attached to the upper surface of the lower seat is interposed between the upper surface of the lower seat and the lower surface of the upper seat. The modeling material curing function for irradiating and curing the modeling material, and the modeling material is cured by executing the modeling material curing function, and then the molding material is attached to the upper seat side, and the lower seat and the upper seat are mutually attached. Is intended to execute the upper surface of the lower seat is moved relatively in a direction away a building material release function on a computer for peeling the build material.

  A recording medium according to the invention described in claim 13 is a computer-readable recording medium on which the control program for the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 12 is recorded.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the liquid modeling material is discharged downward from the head, and the discharged modeling material is received by the upper surface of the lower seat and adheres to the upper surface. Never do. For this reason, in a state where the modeling material is interposed between the upper surface of the lower seat and the lower surface of the upper seat, the predetermined material is irradiated to cure the modeling material and adhere to the upper seat side, and is peeled off from the upper surface of the lower seat and laminated. By forming, it is possible to easily manufacture a three-dimensional structure having a closed space inside and having a high dimensional shape. Moreover, since the modeling material after hardening couple | bonds together and forms a lump of 3D modeling objects, a strong 3D modeling object can be manufactured.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the lower seat is formed of a member that can transmit predetermined light, while the predetermined light emitted from the first light irradiation means passes through the lower seat from below the lower seat. Therefore, it is possible to irradiate the modeling material with certain light reliably and easily regardless of the state in which the modeling material is interposed between the upper surface of the lower seat and the lower surface of the upper seat. it can.
According to the invention described in claim 3, since the small area irradiated with light by the first light irradiation means or the second light irradiation means is moved following the head, the modeling material is discharged onto the upper surface of the lower seat. Immediately after being done, the modeling material can be cured by irradiation of the small area. For this reason, there is no possibility that the droplets of the adjacent modeling material out of the modeling material discharged onto the upper surface of the lower seat are mixed. Further, the degree of curing of the modeling material by irradiation of the small area is the degree of curing of the modeling material by irradiation of the first light irradiation means in a state where the modeling material is interposed between the upper surface of the lower seat and the lower surface of the upper seat. The modeling material can be made into a semi-cured state by irradiation of a small region, and then the modeling material is completely cured by irradiating predetermined light by the first light irradiation means. It can be reliably attached to the upper seat side.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the second light irradiation means for irradiating light to the small area is fixed to the head, the small area can be moved following the head accurately and moved. The mechanism can be configured with a simple structure.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the head is configured to be movable in the horizontal direction, and the upper seat is configured to be movable up and down in a vertical direction from a position close to the lower seat to a position above the head. By moving to a position above the height position of the head, contact with the head moving in the horizontal direction can be easily avoided.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the head is configured to be movable in one direction in the horizontal direction, and the lower seat is configured to be movable in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the one direction. Since the movement is in a single direction, the movement control is simplified, and the accuracy of each movement position can be increased.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the entire movable range when the head moves is positioned outside the movable range when the upper seat moves, the modeling material is discharged onto the upper surface of the lower seat by the head. Even when the upper seat is not worried about interference with the head, the upper seat is slightly touched so that the lower surface of the modeling material attached to the lower surface and the upper surface of the modeling material attached to the upper surface of the lower seat does not contact each other. It can be lowered to a height that leaves a gap. In addition, by lowering, the operation time for lowering the upper seat so that the lower surface of the upper seat or the lower surface of the modeling material attached and cured to the lower surface is brought into contact with the upper surface of the modeling material attached to the upper surface of the lower seat and cured. Can be shortened as much as possible. As a result, the work time required for modeling the three-dimensional structure can be shortened accordingly.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since at least a part of the movable range when the head moves is overlapped with the movable range when the upper seat moves, the occupied volume of the entire three-dimensional modeling apparatus is reduced accordingly. can do. In addition, since the head is configured to be movable outside the movable range when the upper seat moves, the head adheres to the lower surface of the upper seat or the lower surface even though the movable range of the head and the upper seat is wrapped. When the lower surface of the modeling material is brought into contact with the upper surface of the modeling material attached to the upper surface of the lower seat and cured, the upper seat can be lowered without hindrance by moving the head outside the movable range of the upper seat. it can.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the head is configured to be movable outwardly from the irradiation range irradiated with the predetermined light by the first light irradiation means. By moving and retreating the head to the outside, it is possible to avoid clogging of the discharge portion due to curing of the modeling material of the discharge portion of the head by irradiation with predetermined light.
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the lid for covering the discharge portion of the head is provided when the head moves outside the irradiation range irradiated with the predetermined light by the first light irradiation means, the discharge portion While the modeling material is not discharged from the container, it is possible to prevent the modeling material of the discharge part from drying by covering the discharge part with the lid. Further, since the lid is arranged outside the irradiation range where the predetermined light is irradiated by the first light irradiation means, it is possible to avoid the modeling material attached to the lid from being cured by the irradiation of the predetermined light. It is possible to prevent problems due to curing.

  According to the eleventh aspect, the same effect as that of the first aspect can be obtained. Therefore, description of the effect of the invention is omitted.

  If the control program according to the invention of claim 12 and claim 13 is used in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus, the same effect as that of the invention of claim 1 can be obtained. Therefore, description of the effect of the invention is omitted.

It is a front view which shows the structure of the outline of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the structure of the outline of the apparatus. It is a top view which shows the structure of the outline of the apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the same apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process of manufacturing a three-dimensional molded item with the same apparatus. It is the schematic for demonstrating a part of process of manufacturing a three-dimensional molded item with the same apparatus. It is the schematic for demonstrating other one part of the process of manufacturing a three-dimensional molded item with the same apparatus. It is the schematic for demonstrating the 1st modification of embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic for demonstrating the 2nd modification of embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 shows a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, about each figure, the outline structure was shown, and the ratio of the reduced scale of each structural member is shown mutually differing for convenience of drawing. In these drawings, the vertical direction is the Z direction, the upward direction is the Z1 direction, and the downward direction is the Z2 direction. One direction in the horizontal direction (the moving direction of the head 2 described later) that is orthogonal to the Z direction is defined as the X direction, and is defined as the X1 direction and the X2 direction according to the respective directions in the X direction. The direction perpendicular to the Z direction and the X direction is defined as the Y direction, and the Y1 direction and the Y2 direction are defined according to the respective directions in the Y direction.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 configures a liquid UV curable ink A (the “modeling material” of the present invention) that is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet light L (which constitutes “predetermined light” of the present invention). Ink A ”) is ejected downward, a lower seat 3 disposed below the head 2 for receiving and adhering the ink A ejected from the head 2, and disposed above the lower seat 3. And an ultraviolet irradiation device 5 that irradiates the ink A attached to the lower seat 3 with ultraviolet rays L to cure the ink A. The ultraviolet irradiation device 5 constitutes the “first light irradiation means” of the present invention. Ink A not only can use a transparent liquid UV curable ink as it is, but it can also generate ink A of a desired color by appropriately mixing a color material into the transparent liquid UV curable ink. it can.

  The head 2 is configured to be selectively movable in the X1 direction or the X2 direction along a head rail 7 that extends in the X direction and is long in the X direction. This is performed by driving a provided head driving linear motor 8 (see FIG. 4). The movement range of the head 2 in the X1 direction and the X2 direction is set to be movable to the outside of the irradiation range when the ultraviolet ray L is irradiated by the ultraviolet ray irradiation device 5. The lower seats 3 are arranged in parallel to each other and extend in the Y direction, and on the pair of lower seat rails 9, 9 that are long in the Y direction, alternatively in the Y1 direction or the Y2 direction along the lower seat rails 9, 9. The lower seat 3 is configured to be movable, and is moved by driving a lower seat driving linear motor 10 (see FIG. 4) provided in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1.

  The lower seat 3 includes a lower seat body 3a and a transparent or translucent thin film body 3b attached to the upper surface of the lower seat body 3a so as to cover substantially the entire area thereof. The material of the film body 3b is made of a resin such as silicon, Teflon (registered trademark), or a fluorine-based resin, and the ink A that adheres to the upper surface of the film body 3b and hardens easily peels off. The lower body 3a is made of a transparent or translucent member (for example, an acrylic material or a glass material), and can transmit the ultraviolet rays L together with the film body 3b attached to the upper surface of the lower body 3a. It is configured. Instead of the film body 3b, a release material made of silicon, Teflon (registered trademark), fluorine resin or the like may be applied to the upper surface of the lower body 3a.

  The upper seat 4 extends in the Z direction and extends in the Z direction along the long upper seat rail 12 in the Z1 direction (the direction in which the lower surface of the upper seat 4 is separated from the upper surface of the lower seat 3) or in the Z2 direction (the lower surface of the upper seat 4 is lower). It is configured to be selectively movable in the direction facing and approaching the upper surface of the seat 3. The upper seat 4 is configured to be movable to a position above the height position of the head 2 when moving in the Z1 direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the movable range K (region extending in the Z direction) when the upper seat 4 moves is a part of the movable range H (region extending in the X direction) when the head 2 moves. On the other hand, the head 2 is configured to be movable outside the movable range K of the upper seat 4. The movement of the upper seat 4 is performed by driving an upper seat driving linear motor 13 (see FIG. 4) provided in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1. The linear motors 8, 10, and 13 include a stator disposed on the head rail 7, the lower seat rails 9 and 9, and the upper seat rail 12, and the head 2, the lower seat 3, and the upper seat so as to face the stator. 4 have movers respectively disposed. A permanent magnet is used for one of the stator and the mover, and an electromagnet is used for the other, and a magnetic thrust is generated between the stator and the mover by energizing a coil constituting the electromagnet. 2, the lower seat 3 and the upper seat 4 are each driven. These linear motors 8, 10, and 13 are driven and controlled by a control device 19 described later, and are controlled so that the head 2, the lower seat 3 and the upper seat 4 are accurately positioned at desired movement positions.

  The ultraviolet irradiation device 5 includes a main projector 14 that emits ultraviolet light L, and a reflecting mirror 15 that reflects the ultraviolet light L emitted from the main projector 14 and irradiates it from below the lower seat 3. The main projector 14 and the reflecting mirror 15 are arranged below the pair of lower rails 9 and 9 and arranged side by side with a certain gap in the Y direction. The reflecting surface of the reflecting mirror 15 is the main projector 14. Is inclined at approximately 45 degrees so as to reflect the ultraviolet rays L emitted in a substantially horizontal direction upward. The head rail 7, the lower seat rails 9 and 9, the upper seat rail 12, the main projector 14, and the reflecting mirror 15 are respectively fixed to a base body 17 constituting a frame of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1.

  A pair of sub-projectors 18a and 18b that emit ultraviolet rays downward and irradiate a small area are fixed to both sides of the head 2 in the X direction, and move together with the head 2 in the X1 direction and the X2 direction. . The pair of sub projectors 18a and 18b constitutes “second light irradiation means” of the present invention. Devices such as the linear motors 8, 10 and 13, the main projector 14, and the sub projectors 18 a and 18 b (hereinafter referred to as “devices to be controlled”) are control devices 19 (this book) provided in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1. It operates based on a drive signal from the drive control unit 20 of the “computer” of the invention.As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 19 includes a storage unit 22 and controls each control target device. The storage unit 22 stores a control program 23 and a three-dimensional data 24 of the three-dimensional structure in the storage unit 22. The three-dimensional data 24 includes the shape data of the three-dimensional structure and each part (surface and internal) of the three-dimensional structure. The control program 23 and the three-dimensional data 24 are obtained by connecting another computer (not shown) to the control device 19 by wireless communication or wired communication. Transferred from computer to the storage unit 22 of the control device 19 stores.

  Instead of this storage method, a control program 23 or three-dimensional data 24 recorded on a recording medium 25 such as a CD (compact disk), a DVD (digital versatile disk) or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory is used as a control device. You may memorize | store in the memory | storage part 22 by reading by 19 reading apparatuses 27. FIG. The drive control unit 20 of the control device 19 has a calculation unit including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and the calculation unit generates a three-dimensional structure based on the three-dimensional data 24 stored in the storage unit 22. Divide into multiple layers and build 2D data for each layer.

  Further, the head 2 is provided with discharge portions 2a, 2b, and 2c that can discharge ink A of different colors (three colors in the present embodiment) in a line in the X direction, and each of these discharge portions 2a. , 2b, and 2c are connected to an ink tank 29 in which liquid ink A is stored through a flexible pipe 28, respectively. Each discharge part 2a, 2b, 2c has a plurality of thin discharge holes (not shown) formed close to each other for each discharge part 2a, 2b, 2c, and forms a discharge hole group. Each discharge hole group is individually connected to an ink tank 29 via a pipe 28.

Each discharge hole group provided in each discharge part 2a, 2b, 2c is respectively comprised by the 1 line discharge hole group by which the several discharge hole adjoined mutually and was arranged in a line in the Y direction. Instead of this, two or more rows of the one-row ejection hole groups may be arranged close to each other in the X direction. In that case, these one-row ejection hole groups may be arranged in the same position in the Y direction, or may be arranged to be shifted from each other in the Y direction. Examples of the dimension shifted in the Y direction include a half of the distance between the ejection holes located at both ends in the Y direction of the one-line ejection hole group or a dimension in the vicinity thereof.
Further, two or more discharge unit groups are provided with the discharge units 2a, 2b, and 2c as one discharge unit group, and viewed from the X direction, the adjacent discharge unit groups are arranged so as to be shifted in the Y direction. A so-called staggered arrangement may be used.

  The drive control unit 20 of the control device 19 accurately controls the ejection amount from the plurality of ejection holes of the ejection units 2a, 2b, and 2c to eject ink A, and the ejection position (position on the lower seat 3). However, the relative movement between the head 2 and the lower seat 3 is accurately controlled by the drive control unit 20 of the control device 19, so that the desired position can be accurately positioned. As a result, it is possible to manufacture a three-dimensional structure having a high dimensional shape. For example, an accuracy of about 0.017 millimeters can be obtained by discharging 1440 dpi (number of dots per inch). In each of the ink tanks 29, the ink A having a color corresponding to the color of the ink A ejected from the ejection units 2a, 2b, and 2c is stored. Each of the ink tanks 29 is fixed to the base 17 and is configured such that each pipe 28 bends and follows as the head 2 moves in the X1 direction and the X2 direction.

  The ink tanks 29 are fixed to the head 2 so that the ink tanks 29 and the head 2 move integrally, so that the pipe 28 is bent to follow the movement of the head 2. May be avoided. The head 2 has piezoelectric elements (piezo elements) 30a, 30b, and 30c for each of the ejection units 2a, 2b, and 2c, and drives the drive control unit 20 based on a drive signal from the drive control unit 20 of the control device 19. When a drive voltage (pulse voltage) output from the circuit is applied to each piezoelectric element 30a, 30b, 30c, each piezoelectric element 30a, 30b, 30c expands and contracts due to its electrostrictive action. By this expansion and contraction, an ink chamber (not shown) communicated with a discharge hole (not shown) of each of the discharge parts 2a, 2b, 2c is expanded and compressed, whereby a plurality of discharges of each of the discharge parts 2a, 2b, 2c. Ink A is ejected from the holes. Instead, it may be discharged by a bubble jet (registered trademark) system.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, in the vicinity of the end portion on the X2 direction side of the head rail 7, the head 2 rises when the head 2 moves to the end portion and covers the ejection portions 2 a, 2 b, 2 c of the head 2. Discharge unit coating device 33 configured so that lid 32 can be moved up and down at a height position (a position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1) and a height position to be opened (a position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1). And fixed to the base 17. While the ink A is not being ejected, the ejection parts 2a, 2b, 2c of the head 2 are covered with the lid 32 so that the ink A of the ejection parts 2a, 2b, 2c is not dried. The lid 32 is moved up and down by driving the electric cylinder 34 of the discharge unit coating device 33 based on the drive signal from the drive control unit 20 of the control device 19, and the ink A in the discharge units 2 a, 2 b and 2 c. It is controlled according to the execution and interruption of the discharge.

  The lid 32 is connected to an electric pump 35 via a pipe 37. Each ink tank is provided by operating the electric pump 35 in a state in which the discharge portions 2a, 2b, 2c of the head 2 are covered with the lid body 32 and applying low pressure to the discharge holes of the discharge portions 2a, 2b, 2c. The ink A is sucked in advance from 29 to each of the ejection portions 2a, 2b, and 2c, so that it can be immediately ejected. In addition to this, the electric pump 35 can be used to suck and remove the ink A containing bubbles, or to suck out the ink A or dust clogged in the discharge parts 2a, 2b, 2c together with the cleaning liquid from the discharge parts 2a, 2b, 2c. . The electric pump 35 operates based on a drive signal from the drive control unit 20 of the control device 19. The piezoelectric elements (piezo elements) 30a, 30b, and 30c, the electric cylinder 34, and the electric pump 35 of the head 2 described above are included in the devices to be controlled.

  Further, a flushing plate 38 for discharging and discarding ink A from each of the discharge portions 2a, 2b, and 2c at an appropriate timing in order to maintain a good discharge state of the ink A is provided in the vicinity of the discharge portion coating device 33. Has been placed. The flushing plate 38 is connected to the ink storage tank 40 via a pipe 39, and the ink A discarded on the flushing plate 38 flows into the pipe 39 and is stored in the ink storage tank 40. The flushing plate 38 and the ink storage tank 40 are fixed to the substrate 17. The flushing plate 38 and the lid 32 of the discharge unit coating device 33 are disposed outside the irradiation range where the ultraviolet ray L is irradiated by the ultraviolet ray irradiation device 5. As a result, the ink A adhering to the upper surface of the lid 32 and the flushing plate 38 is not cured by the irradiation of the ultraviolet light L, and the communication path from the lid 32 to the pipe 37 and the communication path from the flushing plate 38 to the pipe 39 are eliminated. Can be prevented from clogging due to the curing of the ink A.

<Control of 3D modeling apparatus 1>
Next, the main control of the 3D modeling apparatus 1 (which constitutes the “3D modeling method” of the present invention) when manufacturing a 3D model using the 3D modeling apparatus 1 described above is illustrated. This will be described with reference to FIGS. In this description, the control program 23 for controlling each control target device is already stored in the storage unit 22 before the control of each control target device of the 3D modeling apparatus 1 is performed. In addition, the three-dimensional data 24 (including shape data and color data) of the three-dimensional structure to be manufactured is transferred to and stored in the storage unit 22 of the control device 19 from another computer or the like by wireless communication or wired communication. Keep it.

  First, in step S1 shown in FIG. 5, based on the stored three-dimensional data 24, the calculation means of the drive control unit 20 of the control device 19 divides the three-dimensional structure into a plurality of layers, and the two-dimensional for each layer. Build data (including shape data and color data). In this description, it is assumed that the data is divided into n layers, and two-dimensional data for each layer from the first layer to the n-th layer is constructed. The value of n is set based on the viscosity of the ink A, the height dimension of the three-dimensional structure, and the like.

  Based on the two-dimensional data of the n layers constructed in step S1, the drive control unit 20 of the control device 19 controls each control target device, and the following steps are sequentially executed. First, in order to start modeling from the first layer among n layers, the layer number N is set to N = 1 in step S2, and then in step S3, the moving direction of the head 2 is set to the X1 direction and the lower seat 3 Are respectively set in the Y1 direction. Next, in step S4, the head 2 is moved to the initial position of the head rail 7, the lower seat 3 is moved to the initial position of the lower seat rails 9 and 9, and the upper seat 4 is moved to the initial position of the upper seat rail 12, respectively.

  Next, in step S5, the head 2 and the lower base 3 are moved to a position at which modeling of the Nth layer (initially the first layer set in step S2) is started. Next, in step S6, the head 2 is set along the head rail 7 while ejecting ink A from the ejection portions 2a, 2b, 2c toward the upper surface of the lower seat 3 based on the two-dimensional data of the Nth layer. Move in the direction (initially the X1 direction set in step S3). At this time, the sub projector 18b moves the head 2 while emitting only the sub projector 18a without emitting light, and irradiates the ink A just ejected onto the lower seat 3 with ultraviolet rays to temporarily cure the ink A. The temporary curing referred to here is not a state in which the ink A is completely cured, but is a level in which adjacent droplets (hereinafter referred to as “ink droplets”) of the ink A discharged on the lower base 3 do not mix with each other. A semi-cured state.

The reason why the sub projector 18b is not allowed to emit light is that the sub projector 18b is positioned in front of the moving direction of the head 2, and thus even if the sub-projector 18b emits light, the ink A just ejected is not irradiated with ultraviolet rays, thus preventing unnecessary light emission. Because. In order to simplify the control instead of the control of emitting only one of the pair of sub projectors 18a and 18b and not emitting the other, both the sub projectors 18a and 18b may emit light at the same time. You may make it stop light emission simultaneously.
The ink A ejected from each ejection part 2a, 2b, 2c is superposed on the same part on the lower seat 3 by controlling each piezoelectric element 30a, 30b, 30c and appropriately adjusting the ejection amount. Thus, the ink A ejected from the ejection units 2a, 2b, and 2c can be mixed to obtain a desired color. As the color, by appropriately selecting the type of ink A, not only chromatic and achromatic colors but also transparency and translucency can be expressed.

When the ink A is ejected from the ejection portions 2a, 2b, 2c of the head 2 onto the lower seat 3, the main projector 14 is not driven (the ultraviolet ray L is not emitted). Instead, the main projector 14 is driven to block the light path of the ultraviolet light L with a shielding plate (not shown) while the ultraviolet light L is emitted so that the ultraviolet light L is not irradiated to the ink A on the lower base 3. Also good. In any case, since the ultraviolet ray L is not irradiated from the main projector 14, it is only necessary to move the head 2 to the end of the movement in the X direction based on the two-dimensional data during the discharge operation of the ink A. It is not necessary to move the head 2 to the outside of the irradiation range of the ultraviolet rays L in the X1 direction and the X2 direction, including the movement in the reverse direction.
FIG. 6A shows a situation in which ink A having different colors depending on the movement position of the head 2 in the X1 direction is ejected as ink droplets. In FIG. 6, for convenience of drawing, each ink droplet of ink A ejected on the lower base 3 is enlarged and illustrated in an elliptical shape, and the color difference of each ink droplet is divided between white and black only. It is shown separately.

  After the ink discharge operation is performed to the extreme end of the movement in the X direction based on the two-dimensional data, in step S7, the ink discharge operation of the entire region of the Nth layer (initially the first layer set in step S2) is performed. It is determined whether it has not finished yet. Since it is not completed at first, it is determined Yes and the process proceeds to step S8, and the lower seat 3 is moved along the lower seat rails 9 and 9 in the set direction (Y1 direction set in step S3). The amount of movement (hereinafter referred to as “1 pitch”) at this time is set to a size equal to or smaller than the width corresponding to the Y-direction width of the ink A ejected from the ejection portions 2a, 2b, 2c onto the lower seat 3. . After the lower base 3 is moved by one pitch in the setting direction, in step S9, the ink A is discharged from the discharge portions 2a, 2b, 2c toward the lower base 3 based on the two-dimensional data of the Nth layer. At the same time, the head 2 is moved in the opposite direction while irradiating ultraviolet rays from the sub projector 18b toward the ink A adhering to the lower base 3. At this time, the sub projector 18a does not emit light in order to prevent unnecessary light emission. As described above, the pair of sub projectors 18a and 18b does not emit light at the same time, and only one of them emits light. For convenience of explanation, in the following explanation, either one of the pair of sub projectors 18a and 18b is used. In the case where only the secondary projector is pointed out without being specified, it is simply referred to as “secondary projector 18”.

  By the way, the amount of movement of one pitch of the lower seat 3 is smaller than the Y-direction width dimension of the ink A ejected from the ejection portions 2a, 2b, 2c onto the lower seat 3, for example, half of the Y-direction width dimension. When the head 2 reciprocates once in the X direction, the discharge site on the lower seat 3 that discharges the ink A, the discharge site when moving in the X1 direction, and the discharge site when moving in the X2 direction, The ejection of the ink A from each ejection part 2a, 2b, 2c is controlled so as not to wrap. Accordingly, the ink A is not overlaid on the same portion on the lower seat 3 in the ink ejection operation of the same layer.

  When the head 2 is moved by ejecting the ink A, the amount of ultraviolet light emitted from the sub projector 18 toward the ink A on the lower base 3 is such that adjacent ink droplets on the lower base 3 do not mix with each other. Viscosity is the amount to be applied to ink A. Specifically, it is set to 30 to 50% of the amount of light necessary for the ink A to be completely cured. As a result, since the ink A is temporarily cured, it is possible to prevent adjacent ink droplets having different colors from being mixed and resulting in an unintended color.

The size of the irradiation width in the Y direction of the ultraviolet rays applied to the ink A on the lower base 3 from the sub projector 18 is such that the ink droplets on the lower base 3 are irradiated only once with the movement of the head 2 in the X direction. It is set to a small value so that the ultraviolet rays are not irradiated multiple times each time the head 2 moves in the X direction.
However, since the size of the irradiation width is large due to the structure of the sub-projector 18, if the ink droplets on the lower base 3 are irradiated with ultraviolet rays several times each time the head 2 moves in the X direction, take that into consideration. Then, the irradiation light quantity of the sub projector 18 is set to a small value.

  In this case, not only one of the sub projectors 18a and 18b may emit light, but both may emit light simultaneously. Thereby, both the sub projectors 18a and 18b can irradiate the ink droplets on the lower base 3 with ultraviolet rays and contribute to the temporary curing of the ink A. In this case, in the modeling of one layer, the last stage of the process of ejecting the ink A is to move the head 2 in the X direction while the ejection of the ink A is interrupted, and from the sub projector 3 to the lower seat 3. Only the upper ink A is irradiated with ultraviolet rays. In this way, the entire projector A on the lower base 3 is uniformly irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the sub projector 18.

  Next, in step S10, it is determined whether or not the Nth layer ink ejection operation has been completed. If it is not completed, it is determined No, and the process goes to step S11 to move the lower seat 3 by one pitch in the setting direction. Thereafter, returning to step S6, based on the two-dimensional data of the Nth layer, the head 2 is moved in the setting direction while ejecting the ink A from each ejection unit 2a, 2b, 2c and irradiating the sub projector 18 with ultraviolet rays. .

  Thus, the head 2 is reciprocated alternately in the X1 direction and the X2 direction, and the base 3 is moved by one pitch in the Y1 direction each time the head 2 is moved, and the ink based on the two-dimensional data of the first layer. A discharge operation is performed. Eventually, when the ink ejection work based on the two-dimensional data of the first layer is completed, it is determined No in step S7 and the process proceeds to step S12, or Yes is determined in step S10 and the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, after the head 2 is retracted and moved to the position just above the lid 32 of the discharge unit coating device 33 so that the upper seat 4 does not come into contact with the upper seat 4 after that, the lid 32 is raised to raise the head. The two discharge parts 2a, 2b, 2c are covered with a lid 32. By covering, the drying of the ink A in the ejection parts 2a, 2b, 2c is prevented.

  Next, in step S <b> 13, the lower seat 3 is moved in the Y direction so that the lower seat 3 is positioned directly below the upper seat 4, and then the upper seat 4 is in contact with the ink A on the lower seat 3 until the lower surface of the upper seat 4 contacts. Is lowered in the Z2 direction. As the positioning control in the Z2 direction when lowering the upper seat 4, prior to this control, the thickness of the ink A that has been discharged onto the lower seat 3 and temporarily cured is obtained in advance through experiments or the like. Based on this thickness, the upper surface height position of the film body 3b of the lower seat 3, and the Z-direction position of the upper seat 4 monitored by the control device 19, the lower seat 4 is lowered. It may be. In the process after the second layer in the control in this case, the lowest position of the upper seat 4 when it is most lowered in the lowering process of the upper seat 4 in step S13 in the previous layer is stored. Instead of the upper surface height position of the film body 3b, the lower seat 4 is positioned to be lowered based on the lowest position. FIG. 6B shows a state in which the upper seat 4 is in contact with the ink A. FIG.

  Next, in step S 14, ultraviolet light L is emitted from the main projector 14 with the ink A interposed between the upper surface of the lower seat 3 and the lower surface of the upper seat 4, and the lower portion of the lower seat 3 is reflected by the reflection mirror 15. Then, ultraviolet rays L are irradiated toward the lower seat 3. The irradiated ultraviolet ray L passes through the lower seat body 3a and the film body 3b of the lower seat 3 and is irradiated to the ink A on the lower seat 3, and the ink A is cured. If the area of the ink A adhering to the lower base 3 is larger than the range in which the main projector 14 and the reflecting mirror 15 can irradiate the ultraviolet rays L, the entire area of the ink A cannot be irradiated at once. The ultraviolet ray L is irradiated for each partial region of the ink A by appropriately changing at least one of the arrangement position and the arrangement angle. As a result, the entire ink A can be irradiated with the ultraviolet rays L without leakage.

  The arrangement position and the arrangement angle of the main projector 14 and the reflecting mirror 15 are changed by controlling a driving device (not shown) by the control device 19, respectively. FIG. 6C shows a state in which the ink L on the lower base 3 is irradiated with the ultraviolet rays L. FIG. The light quantity and irradiation time of the ultraviolet light L are set to be more than the amount necessary for the ink A on the lower seat 3 to be cured and adhere to the lower surface of the upper seat 4 in consideration of the ultraviolet irradiation by the sub projector 18 described above. , Have been obtained by experiments in advance. As the irradiation time of the ultraviolet ray L required for curing, for example, several microseconds to several milliseconds or several times as long can be mentioned. The ink droplets of the ink A on the lower base 3 are integrated by curing by irradiation with the ultraviolet ray L.

  After the ink A on the lower seat 3 is cured, the upper seat 4 is raised in a state where the cured ink A is attached to the lower surface of the upper seat 4 in step S15, and the ink A is peeled off from the lower seat 3. FIG. 7D shows a state where the upper seat 4 is raised. In FIG. 7, for convenience of explanation, the shape of each ink droplet is illustrated as an elliptical shape before curing and a rectangular shape after curing, and for the sake of drawing, the color difference of each ink droplet is shown as white and black. It is distinguished by only.

  Next, in step S <b> 16, it is determined whether or not the current layer number N that has been shaped is the last layer number n. If it is not the last layer number n, it will be judged No and it will transfer to step S17, increment the layer number N to N + 1, will return to step S5, and will start modeling of the 2nd layer. Steps S5 to S17 described above are repeated until the layer number N reaches the last layer number n. In step S12 in the second and subsequent modeling steps, the upper seat 4 is lowered in the Z2 direction until the lower surface of the cured ink A that has already adhered to the lower surface of the upper seat 4 contacts the ink A on the lower seat 3. . FIG. 7 (e) shows that the first layer and the second layer of ink A are irradiated between the lower seat 3 and the upper seat 4 with ultraviolet light L, and the second layer of ink A is irradiated. The state where the curing is completed and the first layer ink A and the second layer ink A are laminated and integrated by the curing is illustrated.

  When the ink A is discharged onto the lower base 3, the surface and the inside of the three-dimensional structure are individually selected for each part by appropriately selecting the discharge portion that discharges the ink A among the discharge portions 2a, 2b, and 2c. It is possible to obtain a desired color, and it is also possible to make the surface transparent so that the colored portion can be seen through. Since the ink A itself has a color as described above, after the ink A is cured and integrated by the irradiation of the ultraviolet ray L, the color is applied to the inside of the three-dimensional structure, so that even on the surface of the three-dimensional structure. Even if a part is damaged by impact, there is almost no influence on the color of the three-dimensional structure.

  FIG. 7 (f) shows the upper seat 4 in the Z2 direction so that the lower surface of the ink A from the first layer to the fourth layer integrated by curing comes into contact with the ink A ejected onto the lower seat 3. The state of being lowered is illustrated. FIG. 7 (g) shows that the seventh layer of ink A has been cured, integrated with the first to sixth layers of ink A that have already been cured and integrated, The state where the ink A from the first layer to the seventh layer rises in the Z1 direction together with the upper seat 4 and peels from the upper surface of the lower seat 3 is illustrated. FIG. 7 (g) shows a state in which the closed space C is formed as a result of intentionally interrupting the ejection of the ink A in a part of the region from the second layer to the fifth layer. Is illustrated.

Thus, when the layer number N where the modeling is finished becomes the last layer number n, it is determined Yes in step S16 and the modeling is terminated.
Thereafter, the three-dimensional structure attached to the lower surface of the upper seat 4 is separated from the lower surface of the upper seat 4 by a cutting means such as a scissors or a cutter. Instead of the method of cutting by the cutting means, a UV curable ink of a thermoplastic resin material having a melting temperature lower than that of the cured ink A is discharged onto the lower seat 3 from a separate discharge portion before the first layer is formed. Then, the same modeling as the first layer may be performed to form a base layer, and the first layer and subsequent layers may be stacked after the base layer. Thus, after the modeling of the three-dimensional structure is completed, the three-dimensional structure can be easily separated from the lower surface of the upper seat 4 without using a cutting means by heating and melting the base layer.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention as described above, the ink A is ejected downward from the head 2, and the ejected ink A is received by the upper surface of the lower seat 3 and adheres to the upper surface. It does not hang down from the position. For this reason, the ink A is irradiated with the ink A between the upper surface of the lower seat 3 and the lower surface of the upper seat 4 to cure the ink A and adhere to the upper seat 4 side, and peel from the upper surface of the lower seat 3. By forming them in a stacked manner, it is possible to easily manufacture a three-dimensional structure having a closed space C inside and having a high dimensional shape. In addition, by ejecting ink A having different colors from the ejection portions 2a, 2b, and 2c of the head 2, it is possible to manufacture a three-dimensional structure having different colors for each part including the inside. In addition, since the cured ink A is integrally bonded to form a lump of three-dimensional structure, a strong three-dimensional structure can be manufactured.

  In addition, the lower base 3 is made of a transparent member capable of transmitting the ultraviolet light L, while the ultraviolet light L emitted from the main projector 14 passes through the lower seat 3 from below the lower seat 3 and is applied to the ink A. As a result, the ink A can be reliably and easily irradiated with the ultraviolet rays L regardless of the state in which the ink A is interposed between the upper surface of the lower seat 3 and the lower surface of the upper seat 4.

Further, since the pair of sub projectors 18a and 18b are fixed to the head 2, the irradiation area (small area) for irradiating the ultraviolet rays can be moved following the head 2 accurately, and the mechanism for following the movement can be simplified. It can be configured with a simple structure.
Further, since the ink A on the lower base 3 is cured by irradiating the sub projector 18 with ultraviolet rays while moving with the head 2, adjacent ink droplets of the ink A just ejected on the upper surface of the lower base 3. There is no risk of mixing with each other. For this reason, it is prevented that adjacent ink droplets having different colors are mixed and become unintended colors.
Further, the degree of curing of ink A by the irradiation of ultraviolet rays from the sub projector 18 is made lower than the degree of curing of ink A by the irradiation of ultraviolet rays L from the ultraviolet irradiation device 5. The ink A can be brought into a semi-cured state by light irradiation, and then the ultraviolet light L is irradiated by the ultraviolet light irradiation device 5 so as to be completely cured, so that the ink A can be adhered to the upper seat 4 side. .

  Further, since the head 2 is configured to be movable in the X direction, the lower seat 3 is configured to be movable in the Y direction, and the upper seat 4 is configured to be movable up and down in the Z direction, the upper seat 4 is positioned at a height position of the head 2. By moving to a higher position, contact with the head 2 moving in the X direction can be easily avoided. In order to avoid this, the movement of the upper seat 4 is originally attached to the lower surface of the upper seat 4 in the Z1 direction out of the Z direction, which is configured to be able to move up and down with high accuracy. Since it is only necessary to move to a height position where the 3D object and the head 2 do not come into contact with each other, the apparatus does not have to be increased in size and complexity as compared with the case of avoiding movement in the horizontal direction. The moving distance and moving time can also be shortened. Further, there is no possibility that the horizontal position accuracy of the upper seat 4 opposite to the lower seat 3 is deteriorated due to the addition of the horizontal moving mechanism to the upper seat 4 in the Z-direction lifting mechanism.

Further, since the movement of the head 2, the lower seat 3 and the upper seat 4 is respectively in a single direction, the control by the drive control unit 20 of the control device 19 is simplified, and the accuracy of the respective movement positions can be increased.
In addition, since the movable range H when the head 2 moves and the movable range K when the upper seat 4 moves are wrapped, the occupied volume of the entire 3D modeling apparatus 1 can be reduced accordingly. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 can be made compact in the Y direction by wrapping a part of the movable range H of the head 2 with the movable range K of the upper seat 4 as viewed from the X direction shown in FIG. 2 may be overlapped with the movable range K of the upper seat 4 instead of a part of the movable range H of the head 2 when viewed from the X direction shown in FIG. In that case, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 1 can be made more compact in the Y direction.
As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 3, the head 2 is configured to be movable outwardly from the movable range K when the upper seat 4 moves. When the upper surface of the upper seat 4 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the ink A adhered to the upper surface of the lower seat 3, the lower surface of the upper seat 4 is cured. By moving the head 2 to the outside of the movable range K, the upper seat 4 can be lowered without hindrance.

In addition, since the head 2 is configured to be movable outside the irradiation range irradiated with the ultraviolet ray L by the ultraviolet irradiation device 5, the head 2 is moved and retracted outside the irradiation range during the irradiation of the ultraviolet ray L. It can be avoided that the ink A of each of the two ejection portions 2a, 2b, and 2c is cured by the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays L and the ejection portions 2a, 2b, and 2c are clogged.
In addition, when the head 2 moves outward in the X2 direction of the irradiation range irradiated with the ultraviolet ray L by the ultraviolet ray irradiating device 5, the lid body 32 that covers the ejection portions 2a, 2b, 2c of the head 2 is provided. While the ink A is not ejected from the ejection sections 2a, 2b, 2c, the ejection sections 2a, 2b, 2c are covered with the lid 32 to prevent the ink A of each ejection section 2a, 2b, 2c from drying. be able to. Further, since the lid body 32 is arranged outside the irradiation range where the ultraviolet ray L is irradiated by the ultraviolet ray irradiation device 5, it is possible to avoid the ink A adhering to the lid body 32 from being cured by the irradiation of the ultraviolet ray L. In addition, problems due to curing can be prevented.

  Next, two modifications of the present invention will be described below. In these modified examples, the same parts as those described in the above-described embodiment will not be illustrated or described, and only different parts will be described in detail. In the drawings referred to in these modified examples, the same or equivalent members as those described in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Also in these modified examples, it goes without saying that the same actions and effects can be achieved with the same or equivalent configurations as those of the above-described embodiment of the present invention.

<First Modification>
In the embodiment described above, an example in which the sub projector 18 irradiates ultraviolet rays while discharging the ink A onto the lower base 3 so that adjacent ink droplets having different colors are not mixed is shown. As in the first modification shown in FIG. 8, the pair of sub projectors 18a and 18b may be omitted. In the first modification, every other ink droplet of ink A is thinned and ejected, and ejected onto the lower base 3 so as to form a checkered pattern with or without ejection, so that between adjacent ink droplets. A gap is provided so that adjacent ink droplets do not mix. In FIG. 8, for convenience of explanation, the shape of each ink droplet is illustrated as an elliptical shape before curing and a rectangular shape after curing, and for the sake of drawing, the color difference of each ink droplet is only white and black. This is shown separately.

  FIG. 8A shows a state in which every other ink droplet is thinned and the first layer is ejected, and FIG. 8B shows the ink A that has been thinned and ejected by the first layer. The state in which the upper seat 4 is raised in a state of being attached to the upper seat 4 after being cured by being irradiated with the ultraviolet light L emitted from the main projector 14 of the ultraviolet irradiation device 5 is illustrated. FIG. 8C shows a state in which the first layer of ink A is ejected in a checkered pattern at a position corresponding to the thinning position, and FIG. The state in which the upper seat 4 is lowered toward the lower seat 3 so that the thinning position of the attached ink A matches the position of the ink A on the lower seat 3 is illustrated.

  FIG. 8 (e) shows a state in which the ink A adhering to the upper base 4 in a checkered pattern in a cured state and the ink A on the lower base 3 intervening at the thinning position of the ink A. ing. FIG. 8 (f) shows that the ink A on the lower seat 3 is cured by being irradiated with the ultraviolet ray L and is attached to the lower surface of the upper seat 4 and is also attached to the ink A attached to the upper seat 4. A state in which the first layer is formed by integrating the inks A on the third side is shown.

<Second Modification>
In the embodiment and the first modification described above, the three-dimensional structure has a relatively large cross-sectional area orthogonal to the height direction over the entire height direction, and a large area of attachment to the lower surface of the upper seat 4. An example is shown. On the other hand, the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the height direction varies greatly depending on the height direction. In particular, in the case of a three-dimensional structure with a small adhesion area to the lower surface of the upper seat 4, to the lower surface of the upper seat 4. The adhesive strength of is weakened. For this reason, if the upper seat 4 is raised in a state where the three-dimensional structure is adhered to the upper seat 4, the three-dimensional structure may be peeled off from the lower surface of the upper seat 4 due to its own weight.

  In order to prevent this fall, as in the second modification shown in FIG. 9, the space between the lower surface of the upper seat 4 and the three-dimensional structure so as to surround the adhering portion of the three-dimensional structure on the upper seat 4 The plurality of columnar bodies 42 may be suspended in a comb shape with a gap therebetween, and the three-dimensional structure 42 may be suspended from the upper seat 4 by the columnar bodies 42. In FIG. 9, in order to clarify the difference between the columnar body 42 and the three-dimensional structure, the columnar body 42 is a white rectangle with hatching, and the portion of the three-dimensional structure is a white rectangle without hatching. Each is illustrated. The plurality of columnar bodies 42 are separated by a cutting means such as a scissors or a cutter after the three-dimensional structure has been formed. As another separation method, a UV curable ink of a thermoplastic resin material having a melting temperature lower than that of the modeling material is discharged from the separate discharge portion onto the lower seat 3 in the process of modeling the three-dimensional structure, and the three-dimensional It is formed simultaneously with the modeling of the modeled object. The plurality of columnar bodies 42 can be easily separated from the three-dimensional structure by heating, melting, and removing after the three-dimensional structure has been formed.

  The above-described embodiment and each modification of the present invention are examples for explaining the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and each modification. The invention can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist or idea of the invention that can be read from the entire specification, and the configuration after such change is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment and each modification, the means for ejecting ink A to an arbitrary position on the lower base 3 and the ink A on the lower base 3 are irradiated with ultraviolet light L and cured, Although an example in which the means for forming the layers is configured as one unit has been shown, each means may be configured as a separate device.
Further, in the above-described embodiment and each modification, the example in which the ultraviolet light L emitted from the main projector 14 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 15 and applied to the ink A on the lower base 3 is shown. It may be omitted and the ultraviolet light L emitted from the main projector 14 may be directly applied to the ink A on the lower base 3. On the contrary, the ultraviolet ray L emitted from the main projector 14 may be irradiated to the ink A on the lower seat 3 by bending the optical path of the ultraviolet ray L by reflection of a plurality of reflecting mirrors. By appropriately disposing a plurality of reflecting mirrors, the main projector 14 can be disposed at a desired position (for example, a height position above the head 2).

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the movable range H when the head 2 moves and the movable range K when the upper seat 4 moves is shown, but instead, the movable range of the head 2 is moved. The entire range H may be positioned outside the movable range K of the upper seat 4 so that the movable ranges H and K do not wrap. In this case, even when the ink A is being discharged onto the upper surface of the lower seat 3 by the head 2, the upper seat 4 adheres to the lower surface or the lower surface of the ink A and is cured without worrying about interference with the head 2. Can be lowered to a height that leaves a slight gap so that the upper surface of the ink A attached to the upper surface of the lower seat 3 does not contact. As a result, the operation time for lowering the upper seat 4 to allow the lower surface of the upper seat 4 or the lower surface of the ink A adhered and cured to the lower surface to come into contact with the upper surface of the ink A adhered to the upper surface of the lower seat 3 is allowed. Can be shortened. As a result, the work time required for modeling the three-dimensional structure can be shortened accordingly.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the ultraviolet light emitted from the pair of sub projectors 18a and 18b separate from the ultraviolet irradiation device 5 is irradiated to the ink A on the lower base 3 to be temporarily cured has been shown. Alternatively, the ink L on the lower base 3 may be irradiated with the ultraviolet light L emitted from the main projector 14 of the ultraviolet irradiation device 5 to be temporarily cured. In this case, the pair of sub projectors 18a and 18b can be omitted. Specifically, the amount of ultraviolet light L emitted from the main projector 14 and applied to the ink A on the lower base 3 is adjusted to a light amount suitable for the temporary curing only when the temporary curing is performed, and the head 2 is followed. The irradiation area is moved in the X direction. Needless to say, the amount of light in this case is such that the degree of curing of the ink A due to the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays L at that amount of light is applied to the ink A in a state of being interposed between the lower seat 3 and the upper seat 4. Is set to be lower than the degree of curing of the ink A due to the irradiation of the ultraviolet ray L when adhering to the upper seat 4 side.

Further, as an irradiation region in this case, the ultraviolet rays L are irradiated only once on the ink droplets on the lower base 3 (the ultraviolet rays L are not repeatedly irradiated a plurality of times each time the head 2 moves in the X direction). ) Is set to such a small area. As a result, only the ink A just ejected onto the lower base 3 can be irradiated with the ultraviolet rays L. As an example of a method for setting the irradiation region of the ultraviolet light L to a small region, a shielding plate (not shown) having a small opening is further provided as a constituent member of the ultraviolet irradiation device 5, and the ultraviolet light emitted from the main projector 14 is provided. A method of blocking the light path of L with a shielding plate and allowing the ultraviolet light L to pass only through a small opening can be mentioned.
Since the irradiation area cannot be set to a small area due to the structure of the ultraviolet irradiation device 5, when the ultraviolet rays L are irradiated to the ink droplets on the lower base 3 multiple times each time the head 2 moves in the X direction. Considering this, the amount of light emitted from the main projector 14 is set to a small value.

In addition, as an example of a method for moving the small area irradiated to the ink A on the lower base 3 in the X direction following the head 2, at least one of the main projector 14, the reflecting mirror 15, and the shielding plate is arranged. There is a method in which the irradiation region is moved in the X direction following the head 2 by appropriately changing the position and the arrangement angle. The arrangement position and the arrangement angle of the main projector 14, the reflecting mirror 15, or the shielding plate are changed by controlling a driving device (not shown) by the control device 19.
In addition, an example in which a projector is used as a means for emitting ultraviolet rays as in the main projector 14 and the sub-projector 18 in the above-described embodiments and modifications is described. At least one of these projectors 14 and 18 is shown. Instead of the projector, an ultraviolet lamp may be used.

In the above-described embodiment and each modification, an example in which UV curable ink is used as a modeling material has been described. However, instead of this, a liquid resin that is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays may be used.
Further, in the above-described embodiment and each modified example, an example in which the ultraviolet irradiation device 5 that irradiates the ultraviolet light L that is invisible light and the UV curable ink that is cured by the irradiation of the ultraviolet light L by the ultraviolet irradiation device 5 are used. However, instead of this, an irradiation device for irradiating other invisible rays such as infrared rays, X-rays or laser beams, or a visible ray such as a laser beam having a wavelength in the visible light region, and irradiation of the rays by this irradiation device You may make it use the modeling material to harden | cure.

Moreover, in embodiment and each modification which were mentioned above, although the example which raises / lowers the upper seat 4 to the Z direction was shown, it replaces with this and raises / lowers the lower seat 3 to a Z direction, You may make it raise / lower both the upper seats 4 and move both relatively to a Z direction.
In the above-described embodiment and each modification, the head 2 is moved in the X direction and the lower seat 3 is moved in the Y direction. Instead, the lower seat 3 is moved in the Y direction. The head 2 is fixed to an XY table having rails extending in the X direction and rails extending in the Y direction and movable in the X direction and the Y direction, and the head 2 is moved to an arbitrary position in the horizontal direction. May be. Also by this, the head 2 can be accurately positioned with respect to the lower seat 3, and a three-dimensional structure having a high dimensional shape can be manufactured.

In the above-described embodiment and each modification, the linear motors 8, 10, and 13 are used as the motors that drive the movable members of the head 2, the lower seat 3, and the upper seat 4. Instead of at least one of the linear motors 8, 10, and 13, a nut member is assembled to the movable member, and the ball screw shaft with which the nut member is screwed is rotated by a servo motor so that the nut member However, the movable member may be driven by a screw feed mechanism that can move to an arbitrary position. Further, as the other driving means for the movable member, the movable member is fixed to a flexible transmission means such as a belt or a wire wound around a plurality of pulleys, and the pulley is driven to rotate. You may make it move a movable member with a transmission means.
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment and each modification, an example is shown in which three ejection units 2a, 2b, 2c and three ink tanks 29 are provided so that three colors of ink A can be ejected. However, the number of ejection units and ink tanks 29 may be appropriately selected so that one color, two colors, or four or more colors of ink A can be ejected.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 3D modeling apparatus 2 Head 2a, 2b, 2c Discharge part 3 Lower seat 4 Upper seat 5 Ultraviolet irradiation device (1st light irradiation means)
18a, 18b Sub projector (second light irradiation means)
19 Control device (computer)
23 Control program 25 Recording medium 32 Cover A UV curing ink (modeling material)
H Movable range K Movable range L Ultraviolet light (predetermined light)

Claims (13)

A head for discharging a liquid modeling material that is cured by irradiation with predetermined light downward;
A lower seat that receives the modeling material discharged from the head on the upper surface and adheres to the upper surface;
An upper seat having a lower surface;
In a state where the modeling material adhered to the upper surface of the lower seat is interposed between the upper surface of the lower seat and the lower surface of the upper seat, the predetermined material is irradiated to cure the modeling material. A three-dimensional modeling apparatus comprising a first light irradiation means,
The head and the lower seat are configured to be relatively movable in the horizontal direction,
The upper seat and the lower seat are configured to be relatively movable in a direction in which the upper surface of the lower seat and the lower surface of the upper seat face each other and in a direction away from each other,
After the modeling material is cured by irradiation of the predetermined light by the first light irradiation means, the cured modeling material is moved to the upper seat side when the lower seat and the upper seat move relatively in the separating direction. A three-dimensional modeling apparatus configured to move together with the upper seat in an attached state while peeling from the upper surface of the lower seat. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1,
While the lower seat is formed of a member that can transmit the predetermined light, the predetermined light emitted from the first light irradiation means transmits the lower seat from below the lower seat and irradiates the modeling material. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus characterized by being made. In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A first light irradiation means or a second light irradiation separate from the first light irradiation means in a state where the modeling material is not interposed between the lower surface of the upper seat and the modeling material discharged from the head and attached to the upper surface of the lower seat. Irradiating a small area with light to cure the modeling material by means,
Move the small area following the head,
The degree of curing of the modeling material by irradiation of the small area is determined by the curing of the modeling material by irradiation of the first light irradiation means in a state where the modeling material is interposed between the upper surface of the lower seat and the lower surface of the upper seat. A three-dimensional modeling apparatus characterized by being lower than the degree. In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 3,
Fixing the second light irradiation means to the head;
Light that cures the modeling material by the second light irradiating means in a state where the modeling material is not interposed between the modeling material and the lower surface of the upper seat toward the modeling material discharged from the head and attached to the upper surface of the lower seat. A three-dimensional modeling apparatus characterized by irradiating the small area. In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the head is configured to be movable in the horizontal direction, and the upper seat is configured to be vertically movable from a position close to the lower seat to a position above the head. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 5,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the head is configured to be movable in one horizontal direction, and the lower seat is configured to be movable in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the one direction. In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus characterized in that the entire movable range when the head moves is positioned outside the movable range when the upper seat moves. In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
While wrapping at least a part of the movable range when the head moves with the movable range when the upper seat moves,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the head is configured to be movable outwardly of a movable range when the upper seat moves. In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the head is configured to be movable outside an irradiation range in which the predetermined light is irradiated by the first light irradiation unit. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 9,
The head has a discharge part for discharging a modeling material,
When the head moves out of the irradiation range, a cover that covers the ejection unit is further provided,
A three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the lid is disposed outside the irradiation range. A modeling material discharging step of discharging a liquid modeling material that is cured by irradiation with predetermined light downward by the head while relatively moving the head and the lower seat in the horizontal direction;
A modeling material attaching step of receiving the modeling material discharged in the modeling material discharging step on the upper surface of the lower seat and attaching it to the upper surface;
In the state where the modeling material attached to the upper surface of the lower seat in the modeling material attaching step is interposed between the upper surface of the lower seat and the lower surface of the upper seat, the predetermined light is directed toward the modeling material as the first light. A modeling material curing step of curing the modeling material by irradiation with irradiation means;
After the modeling material is cured by performing the modeling material curing step, the lower seat and the upper seat are moved relative to each other in a state in which the modeling material is attached to the upper seat side, and the upper surface of the lower seat is moved. And a modeling material peeling step for peeling the modeling material from,
A three-dimensional modeling method for manufacturing a three-dimensional model by stacking and integrating the modeling materials by repeatedly performing the above steps. While moving the head and the lower seat relatively in the horizontal direction, a modeling material discharge function for discharging a liquid modeling material that is cured by irradiation with predetermined light downward by the head,
A modeling material adhesion function for receiving the modeling material discharged by the execution of the modeling material ejection function on the upper surface of the lower seat and adhering to the upper surface;
The predetermined light is directed toward the modeling material in a state in which the modeling material adhered to the upper surface of the lower seat by the execution of the modeling material adhesion function is interposed between the upper surface of the lower seat and the lower surface of the upper seat. A modeling material curing function for irradiating with one light irradiation means to cure the modeling material;
After the modeling material is cured by executing the modeling material curing function, the lower seat and the upper seat are moved relative to each other in a state in which the modeling material is attached to the upper seat side, and the upper surface of the lower seat is moved. A control program for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus for causing a computer to execute a modeling material peeling function for peeling the modeling material from the computer.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program for control of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of Claim 12.

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