JP2019188813A - Manufacturing method of molded article - Google Patents

Abstract

To form a high quality stereoscopic image in a stereoscopic image formation method and a stereoscopic image formation system.SOLUTION: A stereoscopic image formation method includes: forming a heat absorbing part easily absorbing heat energy than a medium in the medium foam expanding dependent on absorbed calorie (Step S1:heat absorbing part formation process); forming a first image in a first area satisfying prescribed reference regarding to planed foam expansion height on the foam expanding surface of the medium (Step S3:first image formation process); foam expanding the medium by irradiating heat energy to the heat absorbing part (Step S4: heat energy irradiation process); and forming a second image in a second area not satisfying the prescribed reference on the foam expanding surface of the medium (Step S6: second image formation process).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a stereoscopic image forming method and a stereoscopic image forming system that radiate thermal energy to a medium that expands and expands according to the amount of heat absorbed.

  Conventionally, a portion selected from a color image to be printed later on a thermal expansion layer of a medium (for example, a thermal expansion sheet) having a thermal expansion layer that expands and expands on the surface according to the amount of absorbed heat, A three-dimensional image forming apparatus is known that prints a heat absorbing portion in an area where a heat absorbing portion (for example, black toner) is to be formed, and expands and prints the printed portion of the heat absorbing portion by radiant heat radiation. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). In this three-dimensional image forming apparatus, after a foaming expansion of the printing portion of the heat absorption unit is performed, a solid white image is printed on the entire surface of the medium, and then a color image is further printed.

Japanese Patent No. 5212504

  However, in the above-described stereoscopic image forming apparatus that prints a solid white image and a color image on the surface of a foam expanded medium, a part where the expansion amount of the medium is relatively large and a part where the expansion amount of the medium is relatively small or foaming is performed. There is a difference in height between the part that does not expand.

  For this reason, the interval between the head portion of, for example, an ink jet printer that prints a solid white image and a color image, and the foamed and expanded medium varies depending on the portion of the medium. Accordingly, when printing is performed at a position in which the head portion is aligned with a portion where the amount of expansion and expansion of the medium is large, an interval between the portion where the amount of expansion and expansion of the medium is small or a portion where the expansion and expansion of the medium is not large is increased.

  As described above, when the distance between the head portion and the portion where the amount of foam expansion of the medium is small or the portion where the medium does not expand is large, defective image formation such as ink scattering and printing unevenness occurs. This makes it difficult to form a high-quality stereoscopic image.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a stereoscopic image forming method and a stereoscopic image forming system capable of forming a high-quality stereoscopic image.

In one aspect, the three-dimensional image forming method forms a heat absorbing portion that absorbs heat energy more easily than the medium in the medium that expands and expands according to the amount of heat absorbed, and the medium expands on the surface that expands and expands. By forming a first image in a first region where the expected expansion and expansion height of the medium is a portion where the amount of expansion and expansion of the medium is relatively small or a portion where the expansion and expansion of the medium is not performed, and radiating heat energy to the heat absorbing portion The medium is foamed and expanded, and a second image is formed in a second area different from the first area on the surface of the medium that is expanded and expanded.
In another aspect, the three-dimensional image forming method forms a heat absorbing portion that absorbs heat energy more easily than the medium in the medium that expands and expands according to the amount of heat absorbed, and the surface of the medium that expands and expands. Forming a first image in a first region where the expected foam expansion height satisfies a predetermined criterion, and radiating thermal energy to the heat absorption unit, thereby expanding and expanding the medium; A second image is formed in a second region that does not satisfy the predetermined criterion on the surface that expands and expands, and the predetermined criterion is that the predetermined expansion expansion height is equal to or less than a threshold value, or the predetermined expansion is performed. It includes that the heat absorption property of the heat absorption part determined according to the expansion height is not more than a threshold value.

In another aspect, the three-dimensional image forming system includes a heat absorbing portion forming unit that forms a heat absorbing portion that absorbs heat energy more easily than the medium in the medium that expands and expands according to the amount of heat absorbed, and the medium. The first image formation for forming the first image in a first region where the expected foam expansion height on the foam expansion surface is a portion where the amount of foam expansion of the medium is relatively small or a portion where the foam expansion does not occur. Means, thermal energy radiation means for foaming and expanding the medium by radiating thermal energy to the medium on which the first image is formed, and the predetermined reference on the foam-expanded surface of the medium. And a second image forming unit that forms a second image in a second region that is not satisfied.
In another aspect, the three-dimensional image forming system includes a heat absorbing portion forming unit that forms a heat absorbing portion that absorbs heat energy more easily than the medium in the medium that expands and expands according to the amount of heat absorbed, and the medium. A first image forming means for forming a first image in a first region where a predetermined foam expansion height on the foam expansion surface satisfies a predetermined criterion; and the medium on which the first image is formed. Radiating thermal energy to the heat absorbing portion of the medium to expand the medium to expand and expand the medium, and a second region that does not satisfy the predetermined criterion on the surface of the medium that expands and expands A second image forming unit that forms the image of the predetermined foaming expansion height is equal to or less than a threshold value, or the predetermined reference is determined according to the predetermined foaming expansion height Heat absorption part Osamusei is less than or equal to the threshold.

  According to the present invention, a high-quality stereoscopic image can be formed.

It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the three-dimensional image formation method which concerns on one embodiment of this invention (after 1st area | region printing and before foaming expansion of a medium). It is sectional drawing for explaining the three-dimensional image formation method which concerns on one embodiment of this invention (after foam expansion of a medium, and after 2nd area | region printing). It is a flowchart for demonstrating the three-dimensional image formation method which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the predetermined | prescribed reference | standard of area | region division in one embodiment of this invention (before medium foam expansion). It is sectional drawing (after medium foaming expansion) for demonstrating the predetermined | prescribed reference | standard of area | region division in one embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a stereoscopic image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the internal structure of the three-dimensional image formation system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an inkjet printer unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a circuit block diagram including the control part of the three-dimensional image formation system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a stereoscopic image forming method and a stereoscopic image forming system according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a stereoscopic image forming method will be described, and then a stereoscopic image forming system will be described.

<Stereoscopic image forming method>
FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view (after printing the first region A1 and before foaming and expansion of the medium) for describing a stereoscopic image forming method according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view (after the foam expansion of the medium and after the second area A2 printing) for explaining the stereoscopic image forming method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the stereoscopic image forming method according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1A, the medium M includes a base material 101 and a foamed resin layer 102.
The base material 101 is made of a cloth such as paper or canvas, a panel material such as plastic, and the material is not particularly limited.

  In the foamed resin layer 102, a thermal foaming agent (thermally expandable microcapsule) is dispersedly arranged in a binder that is a thermoplastic resin provided on the substrate 101. Thereby, the foam expansion layer 102 expands and expands according to the amount of heat absorbed. Such a medium M is, for example, a thermally expandable sheet, and a known commercial product can be used.

  A black toner is printed based on the foaming data in a portion where the foamed resin layer 102 on the surface of the medium M that is to expand and expand is to be three-dimensionalized, whereby a heat absorbing toner layer 103 that is an example of a heat absorbing portion. Is formed (step S1: heat absorption part forming step shown in FIG. 2). This heat absorption part formation process S1 is performed by the black toner printing part 2 shown in FIG. 5, for example.

  The heat absorbing toner layer 103 absorbs heat energy more easily than the medium M (for example, both the base material 101 and the foamed resin layer 102). Note that the color of the heat absorbing toner layer 103 is not limited to black. The heat absorption part is not limited to the toner layer as long as it absorbs heat for radiating from the radiated heat energy to the foamed resin layer 102, and is formed by inkjet printing, offset printing, silk printing, or the like. There is no particular limitation.

  When the heat absorption toner layer 103 receives the same amount of heat energy, the foamed resin layer 102 has more heat energy in a region corresponding to a portion where the concentration (for example, area gradation) of the heat absorption toner layer 103 is deeper. To absorb. Basically, the foaming height of the foamed resin layer 102 has a positive correlation with the amount of heat absorbed by the foamed resin layer 102, so that the portion where the density of the heat absorbing toner layer 103 is formed is higher. The foaming height of the resin layer 102 is increased.

Therefore, the density of the heat absorbing toner layer 103 is determined so as to correspond to the target height of the three-dimensional shape formed when the foamed resin layer 102 expands and expands.
Note that the positive correlation described above tends to be weakened when a certain density threshold that varies depending on various conditions such as the material of the foamed resin layer 102 and the material of the heat absorbing toner layer 103 is exceeded. Further, the heat absorbing toner layer 103 has a back surface of the base material 101, that is, a surface on the opposite side of the surface of the base material 101 on which the foamed resin layer 102 is formed in order to complement the expansion of the foamed resin layer 102. It may be further formed.

  Alternatively, the heat absorbing toner layer 103 may not be formed on the surface of the foamed resin layer 102 but may be formed only on the back surface of the substrate 101. When the heat-absorbing toner layer 103 is not formed on the surface of the foamed resin layer 102, a first light / dark difference suppressing part forming step S2 and a second light / dark difference suppressing part forming step S5 described later can be omitted.

  Next, on the heat absorbing toner layer 103, the first satisfying a predetermined standard relating to the expected foam expansion height which is the foam height (the height after foaming or the height to be foamed) of the foamed resin layer 102. The first white ink layer W1, which is an example of a first density difference suppression unit that suppresses the density difference of the heat-absorbing toner layer 103, is printed in the area A1 (step S2: formation of the first density difference suppression unit). Process). This first contrast difference suppressing portion forming step S2 is performed by, for example, the ink jet printer portion 3 shown in FIGS. Note that the first white ink layer W1 is, for example, a solid white image. However, the color of the first contrast difference suppressing unit is not limited to white. Further, the first density difference suppressing unit is not limited to the ink layer.

  The predetermined criterion includes, for example, that the expected foam expansion height of the medium M is equal to or less than a threshold value. Such a region that satisfies the predetermined criterion is the first region A1, and a region that does not satisfy the predetermined criterion is a second region A2 described later.

  FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are cross-sectional views (before and after expansion of the medium) for explaining the predetermined criteria for the area division in the present embodiment. In addition, in FIG. 1B, although the unevenness | corrugation in the surface of the foamed resin layer 102-1 after foaming expansion is typically shown like a rectangular wave, an actual unevenness | corrugation has a curved-surface part as shown to FIG. 3B. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, the print head 32, which is an example of the head unit, is shown smaller than that shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The size of the print head 32 is arbitrary.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, for example, half the maximum foaming height hmax (for example, 2.5 mm) of the foamed resin layer 102 after foaming expansion is set to the threshold value ht (for example, 1.25 mm) for the expected foaming expansion height. Is set. Further, the first white ink layer W1 and the first white ink layer W1 are formed on the heat absorbing toner layer 103 as the first area A1 in which the area below the threshold value ht satisfies the predetermined standard as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. A color ink layer C1 is formed.

  Further, a region where the foaming height exceeds the threshold value ht is defined as a second region A2 that does not satisfy the predetermined standard, and as shown in FIG. 3B, a second white ink layer is formed on the foamed resin layer 102-1 after foaming and expansion. W2 and the second color ink layer C2 are formed. The threshold value ht is not limited to a value half the maximum foaming height hmax, and may be set as appropriate.

  The foamed resin layer 102 is not foamed and expanded at the stage of the first light / dark difference suppressing part forming step S2 and the first image forming process S3 described later, but a three-dimensional image is formed with respect to the expected foaming expansion height. Therefore, it may be determined, for example, by a later-described control unit shown in FIG. 7 whether or not the above-mentioned predetermined standard is satisfied based on the planned foaming expansion height.

  As described above, the foamed resin layer 102 has a higher foaming height as the density of the heat-absorbing toner layer 103 is higher. Therefore, the heat-absorbing toner layer 102 is used as a predetermined standard for the expected foam expansion height. It may be adopted that the formation concentration (that is, heat absorption) when 103 is formed on the foamed resin layer 102 by area gradation is equal to or less than a threshold value.

  Further, the first white ink layer W1 is formed on the entire surface of the heat absorbing toner layer 103 in the first light / dark difference suppressing portion forming step S2, thereby omitting the light / dark difference suppressing portion forming step S5 described later. May be. In this case, since the first white ink layer W1 and the second white ink layer W2 can be formed in one step, the number of manufacturing steps can be reduced. On the other hand, heat absorption of the heat-absorbing toner layer 103 in the second region A2 in which the expansion amount of foaming is larger than that in the first region A1 is performed by performing the second density difference suppressing portion forming step S5 after the thermal energy radiation step S4. It is possible to improve the property compared to the case where the second shade difference suppressing part forming step S5 is performed before the thermal energy radiation step S4.

  Returning to FIG. 1A and FIG. 2, the color ink layer C1 constituting the color image is formed as an example of the first image in the first region A1 where the first white ink layer W1 is formed (see FIG. 1A). Step S3: First image forming step). The first image forming step S3 is performed by, for example, the ink jet printer unit 3 shown in FIGS. The image formed in the first image forming step S3 may be a black and white image and is not limited to a color image.

  1A and 3A of the ink jet printer unit 3 has a predetermined margin between the print resin layer 102 and the foamed resin layer 102 in the first density difference suppressing unit forming step S2 and the first image forming step S3. Printing is performed at a position where m (for example, 0.3 mm) is maintained. The margin m is a minimum interval for preventing the print head 32 and the foamed resin layer 102 from contacting each other. However, actually, since the heat absorbing toner 103, the first white ink layer W1, and the first color ink layer C1 are formed on the foamed resin layer 102, these heat absorbing toner 103, and It is desirable that the first white ink layer W1 and the first color ink layer C1 also have a margin m that does not contact the print head 32.

  Next, the medium M is foamed by radiating thermal radiation (an example of thermal energy) (step S4: thermal energy radiation process). This thermal energy radiation process S4 is performed by the thermal expansion processing part 3 shown in FIG. 5, for example. As a result, the heat absorbing toner layer 103 absorbs heat radiation, and the heat is transmitted to the thermal foaming agent contained in the foamed resin layer 102, causing the thermal foaming agent to undergo an expansion reaction. Therefore, the foamed resin layer 102 expands and expands according to the black density of the heat absorbing toner layer 103.

  Note that even if a portion of the foamed resin layer 102 where the heat-absorbing toner layer 103 is not formed (for example, a part of the first region A1) absorbs heat energy, the amount of heat is kept small enough. The height does not change or the change in height is sufficiently small compared to the portion where the heat absorbing toner layer 103 is formed.

  Next, in the second area A2 on the heat absorption toner layer 103 that does not satisfy the above-described predetermined standard, that is, in the area where the expected expansion expansion height exceeds the threshold value ht shown in FIGS. 1B and 3B, the heat absorption toner layer 103 is formed. The second white ink layer W2, which is an example of the second density difference suppression unit that suppresses the density difference, is printed (step S5: second density difference suppression unit forming step). This second density difference suppressing part forming step S5 is performed, for example, by the ink jet printer part 3 shown in FIGS. Note that the second white ink layer W2 is, for example, a solid white image. However, the color of the second contrast difference suppressing unit is not limited to white. Further, the second contrast difference suppressing unit is not limited to the ink layer.

  Next, a color ink layer C2 constituting a color image is formed as an example of the second image in the second region A2 where the second white ink layer W2 is formed (step S6: second). Image forming step). This second image forming step S6 is performed, for example, by the ink jet printer unit 3 shown in FIGS. The image formed in the second image forming step S6 may be a black and white image and is not limited to a color image.

  In the second density difference suppressing portion forming step S5 and the second image forming step S6 described above, the print head 32 shown in FIGS. 1B and 3B of the ink jet printer portion 3 has the foamed resin layer 102-1 after the foam expansion. Printing is performed at a position where a predetermined margin m (for example, 0.3 mm) is maintained between the maximum foaming height hmax. This margin m is the same as the margin m shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 3A in the above-described first contrast difference suppressing portion forming step S2 and first image forming step S3. Note that the sum of the margin m and the maximum foaming height hmax of the foamed resin layer 102-1 after foaming expansion is the distance s between the print head 32 and the foamed resin layer 102 before foaming expansion, as shown in FIG. 3B. Become.

<Stereoscopic image forming system>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a stereoscopic image forming system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 4, the three-dimensional image forming system 1 includes a black toner printing unit 2 that is an example of a heat absorption unit forming unit, a thermal expansion processing unit 3 that is an example of a thermal energy radiating unit, and a first image forming unit. And an inkjet printer unit 4 which is an example of a second image forming unit.

  The ink jet printer unit 4 also functions as an example of first density difference suppression unit forming means and second density difference suppression unit forming means. The first image forming unit, the second image forming unit, the first density difference suppressing unit forming unit, and the second density difference suppressing unit forming unit are all provided by a single inkjet printer unit 4. Instead, it may be divided into 2 to 4 devices.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the stereoscopic image forming system 1 in one embodiment of the present invention.
In the three-dimensional image forming system 1 shown in FIG. 5, the black toner printing unit 2 is disposed at the bottom, the inkjet printer unit 3 is disposed thereon, and the thermal expansion processing unit 4 is disposed at the top. In FIG. 5, the black toner printing unit 2, the inkjet printer unit 3, and the thermal expansion processing unit 4 are integrally disposed, but may be independently disposed as separate devices.

  The black toner printing unit 2 is disposed below the ink jet printer unit 3. The black toner printing unit 2 includes an endless transfer belt 6 extending in the horizontal direction at the center inside the apparatus housing 2a. The transfer belt 6 is stretched between a driving roller 7 and a driven roller 8 while being stretched by a tension mechanism (not shown), and is driven by the driving roller 7 to be counterclockwise as indicated by an arrow b in FIG. Circulate to

  A photosensitive drum 11 of the image forming unit 9 is disposed in contact with the upper circulation moving surface of the transfer belt 6. The photosensitive drum 11 is provided with a developing roller 12 and the like following the cleaner, the initialization charger, the optical writing head (not shown) and so on so as to surround the peripheral surface.

  The developing roller 12 is disposed in the side opening of the toner container 13. A black toner K is accommodated in the toner container 13. This black toner K is, for example, a non-magnetic one-component toner. The developing roller 12 carries a thin layer of black toner K accommodated in the toner container 13 on its surface, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 11 by the optical writing head. Then, an image of black toner K is developed.

  A primary transfer roller 14 is pressed against the lower portion of the photosensitive drum 11 via a transfer belt 6 to form a primary transfer portion. A bias voltage is supplied to the primary transfer roller 14 from a bias power source (not shown).

  The primary transfer roller 14 applies a bias voltage supplied from a bias power source to the transfer belt 6 in the primary transfer portion, and transfers an image of the black toner K developed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 11 to the transfer belt 6. Transcript to.

  A secondary transfer roller 15 is brought into pressure contact with the driven roller 8 over which the right end portion of the transfer belt 6 shown in FIG. 5 is stretched via the transfer belt 6 to form a secondary transfer portion. A bias voltage is supplied to the secondary transfer roller 15 from a bias power source (not shown).

  The secondary transfer roller 15 applies a bias voltage supplied from a bias power source to the transfer belt 6 at the secondary transfer unit, and the image of the black toner K that is primarily transferred to the transfer belt 6 is transferred to the image forming conveyance path. As indicated by the arrows along the line 16, the image is transferred to the medium M conveyed from below in FIG.

  The medium M is stacked and stored in a sheet storage unit 18 having a paper supply cassette, and the uppermost sheet is taken out by a paper supply roller (not shown) and sent out to the image forming conveyance path 16. Further, the medium M is transported through the image forming transport path 19 and the image of the black toner K is transferred while passing through the secondary transfer portion.

  The medium M that has passed through the secondary transfer portion while being transferred with the black toner K image is conveyed along the fixing conveyance path 19 to the fixing unit 21. The heating roller 22 and the pressing roller 23 of the fixing unit 21 sandwich the medium M and convey it while applying heat and pressure.

  The medium M is further transported by the heating roller 22 and the pressing roller 23, is transported to the fixing unit discharge roller pair 24, and is discharged to the upper inkjet printer unit 3. Here, since the conveyance speed of the medium M in the fixing unit 21 is relatively high, the amount of expansion of the black toner print portion of the medium M can be ignored by the heating of the heating roller 22.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the inkjet printer unit 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The ink jet printer unit 3 shown in FIG. 6 is arranged between the conveyance paths c and d shown in FIG. 5 and between the conveyance path e and the medium discharge port 28 provided with the paper discharge tray 29 outside in FIG. An internal frame 37 is shown. The ink jet printer unit 3 performs the first density difference suppressing unit forming step S2 and the first image forming step S3 between the transport paths c and d, so that the transport path e and the medium discharge port 28 are connected. In the meantime, the above-described second contrast difference suppressing portion forming step S5 and second image forming step S6 are performed.

  The ink jet printer unit 3 includes a carriage 31 provided so as to be capable of reciprocating in a direction indicated by a double-headed arrow g orthogonal to the paper transport direction. A print head 32 that executes printing and an ink cartridge 33 (33w, 33c, 33m, 33y) that stores ink are attached to the carriage 31.

  The cartridges 33w, 33c, 33m, and 33y contain color inks of white W, cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y, respectively. Each of these cartridges has a configuration in which each ink chamber is integrated into one housing, and is connected to a print head 32 having respective nozzles for ejecting each color ink.

  On the one hand, the carriage 31 is slidably supported by the guide rail 34, and on the other hand, it is fixed to the toothed drive belt 35. As a result, the print head 32 and the ink cartridges 33 (33w, 33c, 33m, 33y) are reciprocally driven together with the carriage 31 in the direction perpendicular to the paper conveyance direction indicated by the double-directional arrow g in FIG. The

  A flexible communication cable 36 is connected via an internal frame 37 between the print head 32 and a later-described control unit of the stereoscopic image forming system 1. Print data and control signals are sent from the control unit to the print head 32 through the flexible communication cable 36.

A platen 38 that faces the print head 32 and extends in the main scanning direction of the print head 32 and forms a part of the sheet conveyance path is disposed at the lower end portion of the internal frame 37.
In addition, the medium M contacts the platen 38 and the pair of paper feed rollers 39 (the lower roller is behind the medium M and cannot be seen in FIG. 6) and the paper discharge roller pair 41 (the lower roller is not visible in the same manner). Is intermittently conveyed in the printing sub-scanning direction indicated by the arrow h in FIG.

  While the intermittent conveyance of the medium M is stopped, the print head 32 is driven by the motor 42 via the toothed drive belt 35 and the carriage 31 and ejects ink droplets in the state of being close to the medium M to print on the paper surface. To do. In this way, the first white ink layer W1 shown in FIGS. 1A and 3A is first printed on the entire surface of the medium M by repeating the intermittent conveyance of the medium M and the printing during the reciprocating movement by the print head 32.

  Thereafter, printing of the first color ink layer C1 is performed. For example, the medium M on which the first white ink layer W1 is formed is reversely conveyed in the direction opposite to the printing sub-scanning direction indicated by the arrow h, and the first color ink layer C1 is printed while being conveyed again in the arrow h direction. Just do it.

  The ink jet printer unit 3 expands and expands in a thermal expansion processing unit 4 to be described later, and the second white ink is applied to the medium M-1 (see FIG. 1B) conveyed along the conveyance path e shown in FIG. Printing of the layer W2 and the second color ink layer C2 is also performed. The medium M-1 on which the second white ink layer W2 and the second color ink layer C2 are formed is discharged from the medium discharge port 28 to the discharge tray 29 along the conveyance path f shown in FIG.

  In the thermal expansion processing unit 4, a medium transport path 25 is formed at the top, and four transport roller pairs 26 (26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d) are arranged along the medium transport path 25. A light source unit 27 is disposed substantially below the center of the medium transport path 25.

  The light source unit 27 includes an elongated halogen lamp 27a and a reflecting mirror 27b having a substantially semicircular cross section surrounding the lower half of the halogen lamp 27a. The medium M is disposed in the entire depth direction of FIG. Heat over.

  For example, the halogen lamp 27a is 900 W, and is disposed at a position 4 cm away from the surface of the medium M transported through the medium transport path 25. The conveyance speed of the conveyance roller pair 26 that conveys the medium M is 20 mm / second. Under this condition, the medium M is heated to 100 ° C. to 110 ° C., and the portion of the foamed resin layer 102 of the medium M shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, on which the heat absorbing toner layer 103 is printed, thermally expands.

  The medium M-1 in which the foamed resin layer 102 located on the back surface side of the heat absorbing toner layer 103 is thermally expanded in the thermal expansion processing unit 4 is conveyed to the above-described inkjet printer unit 3 along the conveyance path e. .

FIG. 7 is a circuit block diagram including a control unit of the stereoscopic image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 7, the circuit block is centered on a central processing unit (CPU) 45, and the CPU 45 is connected to an I / F_CONT (interface controller) 46, a PR_CONT (printer controller) 47, via a data bus, respectively. In addition, an image cutout unit 48 is connected.

  A printer printing unit 49 is connected to the PR_CONT 47 described above. The image cutout unit 48 is also connected to the I / F_CONT 46 on the other side. The image cutout unit 48 includes an image processing application similar to that mounted on a personal computer or the like.

  Further, the CPU 45 includes a ROM (read only memory) 51, an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable ROM) 52, an operation panel 53 of the main body operation unit, and a sensor unit 54 to which an output from a sensor arranged in each unit is input. It is connected. The ROM 51 stores a system program. The operation panel 53 includes a touch-type display screen.

The CPU 45 reads the system program stored in the ROM 51 and controls each part according to the read system program to perform processing.
That is, in each unit, first, the I / F_CONT 46 converts print data supplied from a host device such as a personal computer into bitmap data and develops it in the frame memory 55.

  In the frame memory 55, storage areas corresponding to the print data of the black toner K and the print data of the color inks of white W, cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y are set, and the image of each color is stored in this storage area. The print data is expanded. The expanded data is output to the PR_CONT 47, and is output from the PR_CONT 47 to the printer printing unit 49.

  The printer printing unit 49 is an engine unit, and is a rotational drive system including the photosensitive drum 11 and the primary transfer roller 14 of the black toner printing unit 2 shown in FIG. 5 under the control of the PR_CONT 47, which is shown in FIG. The voltage applied to the image forming unit 9 having a driven portion such as an initialization charger and an optical writing head, and the drive output to a process load such as driving of the transfer belt 6 and the fixing portion 21 are controlled.

  Further, the printer printing unit 49 controls the driving of the four pairs of conveying rollers 26 of the thermal expansion processing unit 4 shown in FIG. 5, the light emission driving of the light source unit 27, and the timing thereof. Further, the printer printing unit 49 controls the operation of each unit of the inkjet printer unit 3 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

  The image data of the black toner K output from the PR_CONT 47 is supplied from the printer printing unit 49 to the optical writing head (not shown) of the image forming unit 9 of the black toner printing unit 2 shown in FIG. Further, the image data of each of the white W, cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y color inks output from the PR_CONT 47 is supplied to the print head 32 of the inkjet printer unit 3 shown in FIG.

  In the first embodiment described above, the heat-absorbing toner layer 103, which is an example of a heat-absorbing part that absorbs heat energy more easily than the medium M, is formed on the medium M that expands and expands according to the amount of heat absorbed. Heat absorption part formation process S1) shown in FIG. Further, the first color ink layer C1 as an example of the first image is formed in the first area A1 that satisfies a predetermined standard regarding the expected foam expansion height on the surface of the medium M (first image formation). Step S3). Further, the medium M is expanded and expanded by radiating thermal energy to the medium M (thermal energy radiation step S4). Further, the second color ink layer C2 as an example of the second image is formed in the second region A2 that does not satisfy the predetermined criterion on the surface of the foamed and expanded medium M-1 (second image). Image forming step S6). The predetermined criterion includes, for example, that the expected foam expansion height is equal to or less than the threshold value ht, or that the heat absorption property of the heat absorbing toner layer 103 is equal to or less than the threshold value.

  Therefore, before the foam expansion of the medium M, the print head 32 of the ink jet printer section 3, which is an example of the head section, is brought close to a portion where the expansion amount of the medium M is relatively small or a portion where the expansion is not expanded. One color ink layer C1 can be formed. Further, after the foam expansion of the medium M, the print head 32 can be brought close to the portion where the expansion amount of the medium M is relatively large to form the second color ink layer C2. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the interval between the print head 32 and the printing position (image forming position) on the surface of the medium M from increasing. That is, in particular, the print head 32 is brought closer to a portion where the expansion amount of the medium M is relatively small or a portion where the expansion is not expanded as compared with the case where the color ink layer is formed after the expansion of the medium M. A color ink layer can be formed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of image formation defects such as ink scattering and printing unevenness. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a high-quality stereoscopic image can be formed.

  In the present embodiment, the heat absorbing toner layer 103 is formed on the surface of the medium M (foamed resin layer 102). Then, after the heat absorption toner layer 103 is formed and before the first color ink layer C1 is formed, the first area difference A1 is the first density difference that suppresses the density difference of the heat absorption toner layer 103. A first white ink layer W1 that is an example of a suppression unit is formed. Further, after the thermal energy is radiated to the medium M, before the second color ink layer C2 is formed, the second density difference that suppresses the density difference of the heat absorbing toner layer 103 is formed in the second area A2. A second white ink layer W2 that is an example of a suppression unit is formed. Therefore, the first white ink layer W1 and the second white ink layer W2 suppress the density difference of the heat absorbing toner layer 103 in a manner such as covering the heat absorbing toner layer 103, for example. The print quality of the color ink layer C1 and the second color ink layer C2 can be improved.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention includes the invention described in the claim, and its equivalent range. The invention described in the scope of claims at the beginning of the filing of the present application will be appended.

[Appendix 1]
In the medium that expands and expands according to the amount of heat absorbed, a heat absorption part that absorbs heat energy more easily than the medium is formed,
Forming a first image in a first region that satisfies a predetermined criterion regarding a predetermined foam expansion height on the foam expansion surface of the medium;
By radiating thermal energy to the heat absorbing part, the medium is expanded and expanded,
Forming a second image in a second region that does not satisfy the predetermined criterion on the foam-expanding surface of the medium;
A three-dimensional image forming method.

[Appendix 2]
The predetermined standard includes that the expected foam expansion height is equal to or less than a threshold value, or that the heat absorption of the heat absorption part determined according to the planned foam expansion height is equal to or less than the threshold value. The three-dimensional image forming method according to supplementary note 1, characterized by:

[Appendix 3]
In the step of forming the heat absorption part, the heat absorption part is formed on the foam-expanding surface of the medium,
After forming the heat absorption part and before forming the first image, the first density difference suppression part for suppressing the density difference of the heat absorption part is formed in the first region,
After radiating thermal energy to the medium, before forming the second image, a second density difference suppression unit that suppresses the density difference of the heat absorption unit is formed in the second region.
The three-dimensional image forming method according to appendix 1 or 2, wherein

[Appendix 4]
In the step of forming the heat absorption part, the heat absorption part is formed on the foam-expanding surface of the medium,
After forming the heat absorption part and before forming the first image, the first density difference suppressing part for suppressing the density difference of the heat absorption part is defined as the first area and the second area. To form,
The three-dimensional image forming method according to appendix 1 or 2, wherein

[Appendix 5]
A heat-absorbing part forming means for forming a heat-absorbing part that absorbs heat energy more easily than the medium in the medium that expands and expands according to the amount of heat absorbed;
A first image forming unit that forms a first image in a first region that satisfies a predetermined criterion regarding a predetermined foam expansion height on the foam expansion surface of the medium;
Thermal energy radiating means for foaming and expanding the medium by radiating thermal energy to the heat absorbing portion of the medium on which the first image is formed;
A second image forming unit that forms a second image in a second region that does not satisfy the predetermined criterion on the foaming and expanding surface of the medium;
A stereoscopic image forming system comprising:

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Stereoscopic image formation system 2 Black toner printing part 3 Inkjet printer part 4 Thermal expansion process part 101 Base material 102 Foamed resin layer 103 Heat absorption toner layer M, M-1 Medium C1, C2 1st color ink layer, 2nd Color ink layers W1, W2 First white ink layer, second white ink layer

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a shaped article .

The objective of this invention is providing the manufacturing method of a molded article which can manufacture a high quality molded article .

The manufacturing method of the shaped article according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a first step of preparing a medium in which a thermal expansion layer that expands by heating is formed on a base material, and the above-described method when given energy is given. A second step of forming a pattern layer with a predetermined material on the medium so that the thermal expansion layer partially expands; and applying the predetermined energy to the medium on which the pattern layer is formed, A third step of partially expanding the expansion layer to form irregularities on the surface of the medium, and a predetermined height in which the irregularities formed in the third step are set to be less than a predetermined first height. For an area, an image is printed prior to the third step, while a height of the unevenness formed in the third step is set to a predetermined second height or more. Has a fourth step of printing an image after the third step. And wherein the door.

Moreover, the manufacturing method of the molded article of the 2nd aspect which concerns on this invention is the 1st process of preparing the medium in which the thermal expansion layer expanded by heating was formed on the base material, and the said thermal expansion layer is expandable. Secondly, the surface of the medium is bulged by expansion of the thermal expansion layer by partially applying heat at a temperature to the medium so that the surface corresponding to the portion of the medium to which the heat is applied is formed. For the predetermined region where the height of the unevenness formed in the step and the second step is set to be less than the predetermined first height, while printing an image prior to the second step, And a third step of printing an image after the second step for a predetermined region in which the height of the unevenness formed in the second step is set to be equal to or higher than a predetermined second height. It is characterized by.

According to the present invention, a high-quality molded article can be manufactured .

Claims (6)

In the medium that expands and expands according to the amount of heat absorbed, a heat absorption part that absorbs heat energy more easily than the medium is formed,
Forming a first image in a first region in which the expected foam expansion height on the foam expansion surface of the medium is a portion where the amount of foam expansion of the medium is relatively small or a portion where the medium does not expand and expand;
By radiating thermal energy to the heat absorbing part, the medium is expanded and expanded,
Forming a second image in a second region different from the first region on the foam-expanding surface of the medium;
A three-dimensional image forming method. In the medium that expands and expands according to the amount of heat absorbed, a heat absorption part that absorbs heat energy more easily than the medium is formed,
Forming a first image in a first region where a predetermined foam expansion height on the foam expansion surface of the medium satisfies a predetermined criterion;
By radiating thermal energy to the heat absorbing part, the medium is expanded and expanded,
Forming a second image in a second region that does not satisfy the predetermined criterion on the foam-expanding surface of the medium;
The predetermined standard includes that the expected foam expansion height is equal to or less than a threshold value, or that the heat absorption of the heat absorbing portion determined according to the planned foam expansion height is equal to or less than the threshold value. A three-dimensional image forming method. In the step of forming the heat absorption part, the heat absorption part is formed on the foam-expanding surface of the medium,
After forming the heat absorption part and before forming the first image, the first density difference suppression part for suppressing the density difference of the heat absorption part is formed in the first region,
After radiating thermal energy to the medium, before forming the second image, a second density difference suppression unit that suppresses the density difference of the heat absorption unit is formed in the second region.
The three-dimensional image forming method according to claim 1 or 2. In the step of forming the heat absorption part, the heat absorption part is formed on the foam-expanding surface of the medium,
After forming the heat absorption part and before forming the first image, the first density difference suppressing part for suppressing the density difference of the heat absorption part is defined as the first area and the second area. To form,
The three-dimensional image forming method according to claim 1 or 2. A heat-absorbing part forming means for forming a heat-absorbing part that absorbs heat energy more easily than the medium in the medium that expands and expands according to the amount of heat absorbed;
A first image forming a first image in a first area where a predetermined expansion expansion height of the medium on the expansion and expansion surface of the medium is a portion where the expansion and expansion amount of the medium is relatively small or a portion where the expansion and expansion of the medium is not expanded. Image forming means;
Thermal energy radiating means for foaming and expanding the medium by radiating thermal energy to the heat absorbing portion of the medium on which the first image is formed;
Second image forming means for forming a second image in a second region different from the first region on the foaming and expanding surface of the medium;
A stereoscopic image forming system comprising: A heat-absorbing part forming means for forming a heat-absorbing part that absorbs heat energy more easily than the medium in the medium that expands and expands according to the amount of heat absorbed;
First image forming means for forming a first image in a first region where a predetermined foam expansion height on the foam expansion surface of the medium satisfies a predetermined criterion;
Thermal energy radiating means for foaming and expanding the medium by radiating thermal energy to the heat absorbing portion of the medium on which the first image is formed;
A second image forming unit that forms a second image in a second region that does not satisfy the predetermined criterion on the foaming and expanding surface of the medium;
With
The predetermined standard includes that the expected foam expansion height is equal to or less than a threshold value, or that the heat absorption of the heat absorbing portion determined according to the planned foam expansion height is equal to or less than the threshold value. A stereoscopic image forming system characterized by the above.

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