JP2017189885A - Solid object molding device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable molding of an object as quickly as possible when using a plurality of nozzles to mold divided areas in parallel.SOLUTION: A solid object molding device 1 for molding a solid object by molding a two-dimensional layer in each of divided areas using a plurality of nozzles 51A-D includes: dividing means 4 for extracting design data for molding the solid object and dividing an area in which a two-dimensional layer is to be molded; and driving means 5 for driving each of the nozzles 51A-D for each area divided by the dividing means 4. The driving means 5 has a pair of parallel linear guides 52, and a plurality of vertical axis guides 53 provided so as to cross the pair of linear guides 52, and drives the nozzles 51A-D along the linear guides 52 and the vertical axis guides 53.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a three-dimensional object forming apparatus called a 3D printer, and more particularly to a three-dimensional object forming apparatus that can form a three-dimensional object in parallel using a plurality of nozzles.

  Currently, a three-dimensional object modeling apparatus called a 3D printer forms a model using a hot melt lamination method (FDM method), an optical modeling method (STL method), a powder sintering method (SLS method), or the like. Generally popular. Among them, the hot melt laminating method is a method in which resin melted by heat is ejected from a nozzle and stacked one layer at a time. The stereolithography method ejects a photocurable resin that is cured by irradiation of ultraviolet rays from a nozzle. Then, an ultraviolet laser is irradiated, and the layers formed by this are sequentially stacked. In the powder sintering method, a powdery material is irradiated with a high-power laser beam to sinter, and the sintered layers are sequentially laminated.

  By the way, in such a three-dimensional object modeling apparatus, any two-dimensional layer formed by reciprocating the nozzle in the region of a layer (hereinafter referred to as a two-dimensional layer) obtained by cutting the design data is sequentially stacked. Although a three-dimensional model is modeled, under the present circumstances, it takes a very long time to model each layer, so it may take several tens of hours to model a large model.

  For this reason, a method has been proposed in which a plurality of nozzles are provided and driven simultaneously in parallel so that one model can be quickly modeled.

  For example, in Patent Document 1 below, when modeling a modeled object by an optical modeling method, a plurality of nozzles are provided, and they are driven within each driving region to model a two-dimensional layer. There has been proposed a three-dimensional object forming apparatus in which the boundary portion is difficult to understand by irradiating the overlapping portion of the boundary portion of the region with ultraviolet rays.

JP-A-2015-199195

  However, when modeling a modeled object with such a plurality of nozzles, since the drive area of each nozzle is specified in advance, depending on the shape of the modeled object, a specific area of the two-dimensional layer that has been cut into circles There may be a case where only a large number of nozzles are operating and the other nozzles have to wait. For this reason, even if a plurality of nozzles are provided, there is a problem that the modeling time cannot be reduced in proportion to the number of nozzles.

  In addition, when the two-dimensional layer is stacked by driving the nozzle in the drive region specified in advance as described above, if the boundary portion of the region coincides with the upper and lower sides, the boundary portion becomes weak, or the If the modeled object is a container that contains water or the like, there also arises a problem that water leaks from the boundary portion.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problem, so that when a region divided using a plurality of nozzles is formed in parallel, a modeled object can be modeled as quickly as possible. An object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional object shaping apparatus.

That is, in order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a three-dimensional object forming apparatus in which a layer is formed for each region divided using a plurality of nozzles to form a three-dimensional object. And a driving unit that drives each nozzle for each of the areas divided by the dividing unit. The means is configured to have a pair of parallel linear guides and a plurality of longitudinal guides provided so as to straddle the pair of linear guides, and drive the nozzle along the linear guides and the longitudinal guides. It is what I did.

  If comprised in this way, since a nozzle can be moved along a vertical-axis guide and a linear guide, the drive area | region of each nozzle can be overlapped and modeling time can be shortened now. .

  In such an invention, the region of the two-dimensional layer is divided so that the boundary portion and the boundary portion in the lower divided region do not coincide with each other.

  If comprised in this way, while being able to reinforce the boundary part of the division area of each layer, a water leak etc. can also be prevented now.

  Further, the upper divided region is set so as to shift the respective boundary portions in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction orthogonal to each other in the horizontal plane of the two-dimensional layer.

  With this setting, not only the boundary portion along the X-axis direction but also the boundary portion along the Y-axis direction can be reinforced, and the strength of the three-dimensional structure can be maintained.

  According to the present invention, in the three-dimensional object formation apparatus that forms a layer for each region divided using a plurality of nozzles to form a three-dimensional object, design data for modeling the object And dividing means for dividing the area for modeling the two-dimensional layer, and driving means for driving each nozzle for each area divided by the dividing means, the driving means is a pair of parallel Since it is configured to have a linear guide and a plurality of vertical axis guides provided so as to straddle the pair of linear guides, the nozzle is driven along the linear guide and the vertical axis guide. The drive area of the nozzle can be overlapped, and the modeling time can be shortened.

The figure which shows the arrangement | positioning state of the nozzle of the three-dimensional object modeling apparatus in one embodiment of this invention The figure which provided a plurality of nozzles in the vertical axis guide in the same form The figure which shows the functional block in the same form The figure which shows the boundary part of the two-dimensional layer and division area in the same form The figure which shows the state which shifted the division area in the same form The figure which shows the flowchart of the operation | movement in the same form

  Hereinafter, a three-dimensional object formation apparatus 1 showing an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 3, the three-dimensional object modeling apparatus 1 in this embodiment receives and stores design data for modeling a three-dimensional object, and is stored in the storage means 2. Drive data generation means 3 that reads design data and generates two-dimensional layer data for modeling a two-dimensional layer, and the two-dimensional layer data is divided into regions S1 to S5 (corresponding to the drive regions of the nozzles 51A to 51D). 4), and a driving unit 5 that drives the plurality of nozzles 51A to 51D according to the two-dimensional layer data divided by the dividing unit 4. Characteristically, as shown in FIG. 1 and the like, when driving the nozzles 51A to 51D, a pair of linear guides 52 are provided along the X-axis direction, and a plurality of vertical guides are provided so as to straddle the linear guides 52. An axis guide 53 is provided in the Y-axis direction, and the nozzles 51A to 51D are moved in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction along the linear guide 52 and the vertical axis guide 53. In addition, by moving the nozzles 51A to 51D in this way, the drive regions of the nozzles 51A to 51D are overlapped, and the modeling time can be shortened. Hereinafter, the configuration of the three-dimensional object formation apparatus 1 in the present embodiment will be described in detail.

  First, the memory | storage means 2 memorize | stores the design data required when modeling a solid thing. This design data is created using 3D CAD software or 3DCG software installed in a personal computer or the like. The created data is stored as STL data converted into a collection of fine triangles.

  The drive data generation means 3 reads the design data stored in the storage means 2 and creates two-dimensional layer data obtained by cutting the STL data necessary for instructing the shaping into a horizontal plane, and the drive means 5 is output.

  The driving unit 5 is configured to move the nozzles 51A to 51D in accordance with the two-dimensional layer data output from the driving data generation unit 3 and eject a material from the tip to form a two-dimensional layer. As this modeling method, the above-described hot melt lamination method (FDM method), stereolithography method (STL method), powder sintering method (SLS method), etc. can be used. Shall be used. When a two-dimensional layer is formed by the driving means 5, as shown in FIG. 1, a thermoplastic resin such as ABS resin or PLA resin is dissolved and supplied to the plurality of nozzles 51A to 51D, and the dissolved resin is supplied. It is made to eject from the tip of nozzles 51A-D. These nozzles 51A-D are attached to a drive mechanism 50 that moves in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the nozzles 51A-D are driven in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction based on the two-dimensional layer data to generate heat. A plastic resin is ejected. Then, after the modeling of the two-dimensional layer is completed, the nozzles 51A to 51D are moved in the Z-axis direction, and the two-dimensional layer is similarly modeled based on the upper-layer two-dimensional layer data.

  The drive mechanism 50 has a pair of linear guides 52 provided on opposite sides of the stage and a plurality of longitudinal guides 53 provided so as to be orthogonal to the linear guides 52. The vertical axis guide 53 is moved in the X axis direction by a motor (not shown) along the vertical axis guide 53, and the nozzle is moved in the Y axis direction by the motor (not shown) along the vertical axis guide 53. Yes. One nozzle may be provided on the vertical guide 53 as shown in FIG. 1, or a plurality of nozzles may be provided on the vertical guide 53 and moved independently as shown in FIG. Good. Then, by moving the vertical guide 53 in the X-axis direction, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drive regions of the nozzles 51 </ b> A to 51 </ b> D provided in the adjacent vertical guides 53 are overlapped. The two-dimensional layer can be formed by dividing the respective regions in the X-axis direction. In the case where a plurality of nozzles are provided on the vertical guide 53, the two-dimensional layer can be formed by dividing the vertical guide 53 in the Y-axis direction.

  In such a three-dimensional object modeling apparatus 1, in the present embodiment, a dividing unit 4 that divides a two-dimensional layer region corresponding to each of the nozzles 51A to 51D is provided.

  This dividing means 4 divides the region of the two-dimensional layer so that the two-dimensional layer can be formed in parallel within the movement range of each nozzle 51A to 51D, and coincides with the boundary portion B of the layer adjacent to the lower side The divided areas S1 to S5 are set so as not to cause them.

  When setting the divided regions S1 to S5, the two-dimensional layer data is read out, and for example, the formed two-dimensional layer is divided so as to be the same within a predetermined value range. Then, the data of the two-dimensional layer area divided in this way is output to the driving means 5 of the respective nozzles 51A to 51D, and the nozzles 51A to D are moved to the optimum positions to form the two-dimensional layer. If the area of the two-dimensional layer is divided so that the figure areas are substantially the same, the driving areas of the nozzles 51A to 51D can be averaged to shorten the work time.

  Next, when modeling the upper layer of this layer, similarly, the two-dimensional layer to be modeled is divided into five in the X-axis direction, and the two-dimensional layer is modeled. Upper divided areas S1 to S5 are set so as not to coincide with the boundary portions B of the areas S1 to S5. When the upper divided areas S1 to S5 are set, if the divided areas are set so that the graphic areas are the same as in the lower divided areas, the boundary portion B may coincide. In such a case, the set boundary is shifted by + δx in the X-axis direction, and when a plurality of nozzles are provided in the vertical axis guide 53, the boundary is also shifted by + δy in the Y-axis direction. . In the same manner, the upper boundary portion B is set to be shifted.

  Next, an operation flow of the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, when modeling a three-dimensional object, design data designed using a personal computer is stored in the storage means 2 and the design data stored in the storage means 2 is read (step S1). Then, the lowermost two-dimensional layer data is generated using the drive data generating means 3 (step S2), and the figure area of the two-dimensional layer is made the same within a predetermined range from the generated two-dimensional layer data. The two-dimensional layer is divided (step S3).

  Then, the data of the two-dimensional layer divided in this way is output to the driving means 5 (step S7), and the nozzles 51A to D are driven to form the two-dimensional layer (step S8). At this time, when the nozzles 51A to 51D are moved in the X-axis direction, the vertical axis guide 53 is moved within the range of the linear guide 52, and when the nozzles 51A to D are moved in the Y-axis direction, the range is within the range of the vertical axis guide 53. Move.

  Next, when the modeling of the two-dimensional layer is completed, the stage is lowered or the nozzles 51A to 51D are raised, and similarly, two-dimensional layer data is generated from the design data (steps S1 and S2). The dimension layer data is divided (step S3). At this time, if the layer to be modeled is the second or later layer (step S4: Yes), it is confirmed whether or not it matches the boundary portion B of the lower divided areas S1 to S5 (step S5). If there is, the boundary portion is shifted by + δx in the X-axis direction and + δy in the Y-axis direction (step S6). If they do not match, the set divided areas S1 to S5 are set. Then, the two-dimensional layer data of the divided areas S1 to S5 set in this way is output to the driving means 5 (step S7), and a two-dimensional layer is formed (step S8).

  In the same manner, the boundary portions B are alternately shifted to the final layer while being alternately shifted (step S9), and a final three-dimensional model is formed.

  Thus, according to the above-described embodiment, in the three-dimensional object formation apparatus 1 that forms a three-dimensional object by modeling a two-dimensional layer for each of the divided regions S1 to S5 using the plurality of nozzles 51A to 51D. Extracting design data for modeling a three-dimensional modeled object, dividing means 4 for dividing a region for modeling a two-dimensional layer, and each nozzle 51A for each of divided areas S1 to S5 divided by the dividing means 4 Drive means 5 for driving .about.D, and this drive means 5 has a pair of parallel linear guides 52 and a plurality of longitudinal guides 53 provided so as to straddle the pair of linear guides 52. Since the nozzles 51A to 51D are driven along the linear guide 52 and the vertical axis guide 53, the drive areas of the respective nozzles 51A to D can be overlapped, It is possible to shorten the form time.

  Further, since the dividing means 4 is used to set the upper two-dimensional divided areas S1 to S5 so as not to coincide with the boundary portions B of the adjacent lower divided areas S1 to S5, the divided areas of each layer While the boundary part B of S1-S5 can be reinforced, a water leak etc. can also be prevented now.

  Further, when a plurality of nozzles 51A to 51D and 51a to 51d are provided on the vertical guide 53, the upper layer is shifted so that the respective boundary portions B in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction perpendicular to each other in the horizontal plane of the two-dimensional layer are shifted. Since the divided regions S1 to S5 are set, not only the boundary portion B along the X-axis direction but also the boundary portion B along the Y-axis direction can be reinforced, and the strength of the three-dimensional structure can be maintained. Will be able to.

  In addition, this invention can be implemented in various aspects, without being limited to the said embodiment.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, a three-dimensional structure is modeled by the hot melt lamination method, but the same configuration can be applied to modeling a three-dimensional model using a method other than this. it can.

  In the above embodiment, when the two-dimensional layer is divided, it is divided into five. However, the number of divided regions may be two, or may be six or more. Further, the shape of the divided region may be any shape.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, although the area | region was divided | segmented so that the figure area of each two-dimensional layer became substantially the same, a two-dimensional layer was modeled in the position remove | deviated from the drive area | region of each nozzle 51A-D. If this is necessary, the divided area may be set within the drive area of the nozzles 51A to 51D.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Three-dimensional object shaping apparatus 2 ... Memory | storage means 3 ... Drive data generation means 4 ... Dividing means 5 ... Drive means 50 ... Drive mechanism 51A-D, ad ... Nozzle 52 ... Linear guide 53 ... Vertical guides S1 to S5..Division area B ... Boundary portion

Claims (3)

In the three-dimensional object formation apparatus that forms a layer for each region divided using a plurality of nozzles to form a three-dimensional object,
A dividing unit that extracts design data for modeling the modeled object and divides a region for modeling a two-dimensional layer;
Driving means for driving each nozzle for each area divided by the dividing means,
The drive means is configured to have a pair of parallel linear guides and a plurality of longitudinal guides provided so as to straddle the pair of linear guides, and the nozzles are arranged along the linear guides and the longitudinal guides. A three-dimensional object shaping apparatus characterized by being driven. The three-dimensional object modeling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dividing unit is configured to divide a two-dimensional layer region so that a boundary portion and a boundary portion in a lower divided region do not coincide with each other. 2. The three-dimensional object according to claim 1, wherein the dividing means sets an upper divided area so as to shift respective boundary portions in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction perpendicular to each other in a horizontal plane of the two-dimensional layer. Object modeling device.

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