JP2015193123A - Printer for forming three-dimensional shaped object - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer for forming a three-dimensional shaped object (3D printer), which can be particularly advantageously used in forming a three-dimensional shaped object.SOLUTION: A printer for forming a three-dimensional shaped object includes at least: a rectangular frame body composed of two sets of a couple of cross members; frame body supporting means; a first set of shaft bodies fixed to the cross member or the supporting means, disposed in parallel with each of the cross members; a first set of linear motion bearings installed to be slidable to each of the shaft bodies of the first set; means for imparting driving force to drive the sliding of the linear bearings of the first set; a couple of second sets of shaft members for each of the sets for connecting the opposed first linear motion bearings to each other for fixation; lifting means disposed in a rectangular space region formed by a couple of second shaft bodies of one set and a couple of second shaft bodies of the other set, and supported by the second linear motion bearing installed to be slidable to each of the shaft bodies of the second set; an ink material discharging nozzle installed on the lifting means; and an ink material supply tube for supplying an ink material to the ink material discharge nozzle.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer for forming a three-dimensional structure. More specifically, in the present invention, a liquid shaped article forming material (ink material) is ejected from a nozzle in an image-like manner toward the surface of a sheet-like substrate having a flat or substantially flat surface, and the surface of the sheet-like substrate is discharged. A three-dimensional structure that can be advantageously used in a method of forming a three-dimensional structure on the surface of the substrate by forming a three-dimensional structure made of an ink material and then curing (or solidifying) the ink material three-dimensional structure. A printer for forming an object is provided.

  In recent years, printers for forming a three-dimensional structure have attracted attention. The printer for forming a three-dimensional structure is commonly referred to as a 3D printer, and a curable ink material is accumulated or laminated on the surface of a sheet-like substrate having a mainly flat or substantially flat surface, and then generated. The ink material is used in a process of forming a three-dimensional structure on the substrate by curing the three-dimensional structure.

  As a method of forming a three-dimensional structure using a printer for forming a three-dimensional structure, a layered curable ink material is prepared, and the layered curable ink material is sequentially stacked and arranged at an image forming position of the printer, and the curable ink is formed. A method of converting a laminate of materials into a three-dimensional structure using a processing means such as a laser and curing, or a liquid curable ink through a nozzle toward the surface of a substrate placed at a formation object formation position of a printer A method is known in which a material is released in an image-like manner, and then a formed ink material shaped article is cured.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a model fabrication material on a base having a heated fabrication chamber for fabricating a three-dimensional object, a base disposed in the fabrication chamber, and a model fabrication material distribution outlet inside the fabrication chamber. And a xyz gantry coupled to the dispensing head and the base for generating three-dimensional relative motion between the dispensing head and the base, the xyz- A three-dimensional model fabrication device is described, wherein a z-gantry is disposed outside the fabrication chamber and separated from the chamber by a deformable insulation. FIG. 1 attached to Patent Document 1 shows a three-dimensional model manufacturing apparatus having an xy gantry including an xy gantry that moves the distribution head in a plane direction and a z-lift that moves the base up and down. Is shown.

Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2003-502184

  The three-dimensional model manufacturing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an xy coupled to the distribution head and the base between the distribution head and a liftable base on which a three-dimensional model is formed on the surface. An improvement of a three-dimensional model production apparatus (3D printer) of a type that generates a three-dimensional relative motion by a −z gantry, wherein the xyz gantry is disposed outside the chamber and is deformable. It is characterized by having an isolated structure. And the drive mechanism which brings about the two-dimensional movement in the xy gantry which moves the distribution head specifically disclosed is a mechanism which consists of a combination of many pulleys and belts. The z lift for moving (raising and lowering) the base in the z-direction (vertical direction) is an elevating device composed of guide screws and guide nuts provided on the opposing side surfaces of the chamber.

  As described above, the xy-z gantry that is a three-dimensional movement device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an xy gantry that moves the distribution head in a two-dimensional direction and a z-lift that moves the base up and down. However, when it is used as a three-dimensional moving device of a 3D printer, there are some problems. For example, when the size of the three-dimensional model formed on the surface of the base is large in the xy direction, it is necessary to increase the size of the base in the two-dimensional direction. Control of movement is not easy. In addition, when the 3D model is a heavy object, in addition to the weight of the 3D model, the base for stably supporting the 3D model formed as a heavy object needs to be solid. Similarly, it is not easy to control the stable up-and-down movement of the base having the three-dimensional model formed on the surface. Furthermore, even when the three-dimensional model has a shape that is biased to a specific position on the surface of the base, similarly, it is not easy to control the stable up-and-down movement of the base on which the three-dimensional model is formed.

  Furthermore, the drive mechanism comprising a combination of a plurality of pulleys and belts that provide two-dimensional movement in the xy gantry specifically disclosed in Patent Document 1 is affected by the heat from the chamber. Therefore, in order to effectively prevent diffusion of heat from the chamber to the xy gantry, it is necessary to sufficiently consider the material and thickness of the heat insulating material.

  The inventor of the present invention has examined the drive system of the three-dimensional relative motion incorporated in the 3D printer (referred to as a three-dimensional structure forming printer in the present invention), and as a result, particularly the size of the three-dimensional structure to be manufactured. If the weight of the three-dimensional structure is heavy, or if the weight of the three-dimensional structure is heavy, the three-dimensional structure is formed without moving up and down the base having the three-dimensional structure forming surface on which the three-dimensional structure is formed. The above-mentioned problem can be avoided by moving (up and down) the ink material distribution nozzle (ink material discharge nozzle) not only in the xy direction (plane direction) but also in the z direction. I found.

  As a result of further research, the ink material discharge nozzle is moved in the xy direction by using a two-dimensional movement mechanism using a plurality of shaft bodies and linear motion bearings. We found that stable movement in the direction could be secured.

  The present invention is an invention completed as a result of the above-described research by the inventor, and resides in a three-dimensional structure forming printer having the following configuration.

  A pair of cross members are combined in a pair so as to face each other in pairs, a rectangular frame, frame support means for supporting the frame, and an arrangement parallel to each of the cross members First shaft set fixed to cross member or support means, first linear bearing set slidably mounted on each first set shaft body, first set linear motion Driving force applying means for driving the sliding of the bearing, a pair of second shaft bodies for each pair for connecting and fixing the opposing first linear bearings to each other, a pair of the second shaft bodies And a pair of second shafts formed in a rectangular space region and supported by a second linear bearing slidably mounted on each of the second set of shafts. Elevating means, an ink material discharge nozzle mounted on the elevating means, and supplying ink material to the ink material discharge nozzle Comprising at least the 3D object formation printer the ink material supply tube.

The preferable aspect of the printer for three-dimensional structure formation of this invention is described below.
(1) The frame support means includes columnar support means mounted at each of the four corners of the frame.
(2) A three-dimensional structure forming surface is attached to the columnar support means.
(3) The three-dimensional structure image forming surface is not attached to the columnar support means.

  In the printer for forming a three-dimensional structure of the present invention, a sheet-like object is arranged at a position below the ink material discharge nozzle, a three-dimensional object is formed on the surface of the sheet-like object, and then the three-dimensional object is formed on the surface. Can be advantageously used in the implementation of a method for forming a three-dimensional structure, which includes repeatedly performing the step of taking out the sheet-like material formed with the ink material from the position below the ink material discharge nozzle.

  The printer for forming a three-dimensional structure of the present invention also arranges a long sheet at a position below the ink material discharge nozzle, forms a three-dimensional structure on the surface of the long sheet, and then forms a tertiary on the surface. Three-dimensional structure formation consisting of repeatedly performing a process of taking out the three-dimensional structure formation surface from a position below the ink material discharge nozzle by moving the long sheet on which the original structure is formed in the length direction thereof It can be used advantageously in the implementation of the method.

  The three-dimensional movement mechanism employed in the three-dimensional structure forming printer of the present invention is not only a three-dimensional movement mechanism of the three-dimensional structure formation printer, A rectangular frame configured to be combined so as to face each other, a frame support means for supporting the frame, and a first member fixed to the cross member or the support means in an arrangement parallel to each of the cross members. A set of shaft bodies, a first set of linear motion bearings slidably mounted on each of the first set of shaft bodies, a driving force applying means for driving sliding of the first set of linear motion bearings, A pair of second shaft bodies, a pair of second shaft bodies in one set and a pair of second shaft bodies in the other set for each set for coupling and fixing the opposing first linear motion bearings to each other Arranged in a rectangular space formed by the second and second slidably mounted on each of the second set of shafts It can also be utilized as a three-dimensional moving mechanism including a lifting means which is supported by the dynamic bearing.

  In the printer for forming a three-dimensional structure of the present invention, a base (three-dimensional structure support means for holding the formed three-dimensional structure on the surface by moving the relatively light ink material discharge nozzle in the three-dimensional direction. ) Does not need to be moved, the structure of the printer itself is simplified, and a stable three-dimensional structure forming operation is possible. Further, by using the printer for forming a three-dimensional structure according to the present invention, it is possible to continuously replace a model object support sheet or use a long model object support sheet formed in a roll shape or a belt shape. It is possible to form a three-dimensional structure.

It is a perspective view of an example of the printer for three-dimensional structure formation according to the present invention. It is a top view of the printer for three-dimensional structure formation shown in FIG. It is a front view of the printer for three-dimensional structure formation shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view (right side view) of the printer for forming a three-dimensional structure shown in FIG. 1.

  A printer for forming a three-dimensional structure of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a typical configuration example of a printer for forming a three-dimensional structure according to the present invention. FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 are respectively views of the printer for forming a three-dimensional structure of FIG. It is a top view, a front view, and a side view (right side view).

  In the configuration example of the three-dimensional structure forming printer of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the three-dimensional structure forming printer has two pairs of cross members (11a, 11a ′, 11b, 11b ′). A rectangular frame configured to be opposed to each other, a frame support means (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) for supporting the frame, and an arrangement parallel to each of the cross members. The first shaft body set (13a, 13a ′, 13b, 13b ′) fixed to the cross member or the supporting means and the first straight body slidably mounted on each of the first set shaft bodies. A set of dynamic bearings (14a, 14a ', 14b, 14b'), driving force applying means for driving sliding of the first set of linear motion bearings (motor 15a, rotary shaft 16a, pulleys 17a, 17a ', belt, respectively) A set including 18a and 18a ', and a motor 15b A pair of second shaft bodies (19a, 19a) for each set for connecting and fixing the rotary shaft 16b, pulleys 17b, 17b ′, belts 18b, 18b ′) and the opposing first linear bearings to each other. ', 19b, 19b'), a rectangular shape formed by a pair of second shaft bodies (19a, 19a ') and a pair of second shaft bodies (19b, 19b'). Second linear motion bearings (20a, 20a ′, 20b, 20b ′) arranged in the space region and slidably mounted on the second set of shaft bodies (19a, 19a ′, 19b, 19b ′), respectively. ) Supported by the lifting means (the base 21 fixed to the second linear bearing, the nut fixed to the base, the screw shaft 22 fitted to the nut, and the upper end of the screw shaft. Screw shaft rotating means 23, lifting platform mounted at the lower end of the screw shaft Including 4), elevating ink material discharge nozzle 25 is mounted on the unit, and comprises at least an ink material supply tube 26 for supplying the ink material to ink material discharge nozzle.

  In the configuration example of the three-dimensional structure forming printer illustrated in FIG. 1, a sheet that supports the formed three-dimensional structure or supports the formed three-dimensional structure below the ink material discharge nozzle. The model support plate 27 on which the material is placed is provided in the space formed by the frame support means (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d), but this model support plate is not always necessary. That is, the three-dimensional structure support plate is arranged at the bottom in the space formed by the frame support means, and the three-dimensional structure support plate having the three-dimensional structure formed on the surface after the formation of the three-dimensional structure A desired three-dimensional structure can be continuously manufactured by repeatedly performing the operation of taking out the space. Moreover, as the three-dimensional structure support plate, a long sheet wound from a roll, an intermittently rotating belt, or the like can be used.

  In addition, in the rectangular frame formed by combining a pair of cross members so as to face each other in two sets (11a, 11a ′, 11b, 11b ′), the cross members need to be coupled to each other. The cross members may be coupled to each other via a frame support means to form a rectangular frame.

  Also, the frame body support means does not need to be a columnar object as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, and the frame body support means does not need to be arranged at the four corners of the frame body.

  Furthermore, the driving force applying means for driving the sliding motion of the first set of linear motion bearings need not have the configuration including the motor, the rotating shaft, the pulley, and the belt shown in FIGS. The driving force applying means can be used.

  Further, with respect to the lifting means supported by the second linear bearing, the base shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the nut fixed to the base, the screw shaft fitted to the nut, and the screw shaft It is not necessary to comprise the screw shaft rotating means mounted on the upper end portion and the lifting platform mounted on the lower end portion of the screw shaft, and any lifting means can be used.

10 Configuration Example of Printer for Forming Three-Dimensional Structure according to the Present Invention 11a, 11a ′, 11b, 11b ′ Cross members 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d constituting the frame body support means 13a, 13a ′, 13b, 13b ′ First shaft body 14a, 14a ', 14b, 14b' First linear bearing 15a, 15b Motor 16a, 16b Rotating shaft 17a, 17a ', 17b, 17b' Pulley 18a, Belt 18a ', 18b, 18b' Belt 19a, 19a ′, 19b, 19b ′ Second shaft body 20a, 20a ′, 20b, 20b ′ Second linear motion bearing 21 Base 22 Screw shaft 23 Screw shaft rotating means 24 Lifting table 25 Ink material discharge nozzle 26 Ink Material supply tube 27 Model object support plate

Claims (7)

  A pair of cross members are combined in a pair so as to face each other in pairs, a rectangular frame, frame support means for supporting the frame, and an arrangement parallel to each of the cross members First shaft set fixed to cross member or support means, first linear bearing set slidably mounted on each first set shaft body, first set linear motion Driving force applying means for driving the sliding of the bearing, a pair of second shaft bodies for each pair for connecting and fixing the opposing first linear bearings to each other, a pair of the second shaft bodies And a pair of second shafts formed in a rectangular space region and supported by a second linear bearing slidably mounted on each of the second set of shafts. Elevating means, an ink material discharge nozzle mounted on the elevating means, and supplying ink material to the ink material discharge nozzle Comprising at least the 3D object formation printer the ink material supply tube.   The three-dimensional structure forming printer according to claim 1, wherein the frame support means includes columnar support means mounted at each of the four corners of the frame.   The three-dimensional structure forming printer according to claim 2, wherein a three-dimensional structure forming surface is attached to the columnar support means.   The three-dimensional structure forming printer according to claim 2, wherein a three-dimensional structure forming surface is not attached to the columnar support means.   A sheet-like object is arranged at a position below the ink material discharge nozzle of the printer for forming a three-dimensional object according to claim 1, and the three-dimensional object is formed on the surface of the sheet-like object, and then the three-dimensional object is formed on the surface. A three-dimensional structure forming method comprising repeatedly performing a step of taking out a sheet-like object on which a formed object is formed from a position below an ink material discharge nozzle.   A long sheet is arranged at a position below the ink material discharge nozzle of the printer for forming a three-dimensional structure according to claim 1, and a three-dimensional structure is formed on the surface of the long sheet, and then on the surface. A three-dimensional structure forming method comprising repeatedly performing a step of taking out a long sheet on which a three-dimensional structure is formed from a position below an ink material discharge nozzle by moving the long sheet in the length direction.   A pair of cross members are combined in a pair so as to face each other in pairs, a rectangular frame, frame support means for supporting the frame, and an arrangement parallel to each of the cross members First shaft set fixed to cross member or support means, first linear bearing set slidably mounted on each first set shaft body, first set linear motion Driving force applying means for driving the sliding of the bearing, a pair of second shaft bodies for each pair for connecting and fixing the opposing first linear bearings to each other, a pair of the second shaft bodies And a pair of second shafts formed in a rectangular space region and supported by a second linear bearing slidably mounted on each of the second set of shafts. A three-dimensional movement mechanism including lifting means.

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