JP2020001368A - Adjustment method of shaping device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an adjustment method of a shaping device for manufacturing a stereoscopic shaped object, wherein an amount of ink ejected by an inkjet head can be appropriately controlled.SOLUTION: This invention relates to an adjustment method of a shaping device including a table 4 on which a stereoscopic shaped object is shaped, and an inkjet head 5 that ejects ink toward the table 4 to form the shaped object, the method including: an electronic balance installation step of placing an electronic balance 11 for measuring weight of an ink ejected by the inkjet head 5 on the table 4; and an ink ejection amount setting step of measuring the weight of the ink ejected by the inkjet head 5 by the electronic balance 11 placed on the table 4, and adjusting and setting the amount of ink ejected by the inkjet head 5 based on the measurement result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a method of adjusting a molding apparatus for producing a three-dimensional molded object.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a modeling apparatus (a three-dimensional model manufacturing apparatus) for manufacturing a three-dimensional model is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). The modeling apparatus described in Patent Literature 1 includes a table on which a modeled object is formed and placed, a plurality of inkjet heads that eject ink toward the table, and a carriage on which the inkjet head is mounted. The inkjet head discharges an ultraviolet curable ink. The carriage is equipped with an ultraviolet irradiator that irradiates the ink ejected by the inkjet head with ultraviolet light to cure the ink. In the modeling device described in Patent Literature 1, an ink layer formed by ink that is ejected from an inkjet head and is cured by ultraviolet light emitted from an ultraviolet irradiator is sequentially stacked on an upper surface of a table to form a three-dimensional molded object. Manufactured.

JP 2018-89963 A

  In the modeling apparatus described in Patent Literature 1, an ink layer formed by ink that is ejected from an inkjet head and is cured by ultraviolet light irradiated from an ultraviolet irradiator is sequentially stacked on an upper surface of a table to manufacture a molded article. . For this reason, in this modeling apparatus, it is difficult to produce a molded article having an appropriate shape unless the amount of ink ejected by the inkjet head is appropriately controlled.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method of adjusting a modeling apparatus that enables an amount of ink ejected by an inkjet head to be appropriately controlled in a modeling apparatus that manufactures a three-dimensional model.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a method for adjusting a modeling apparatus according to the present invention includes: a molding apparatus including: a table on which a three-dimensional molded object is molded; and an inkjet head configured to eject ink toward the table to form the molded object. An adjustment method of an apparatus, comprising: an electronic balance setting step of placing an electronic balance on a table for measuring the weight of ink ejected by an inkjet head; and an ink ejected by the inkjet head by the electronic balance placed on the table. And measuring an amount of ink ejected by the inkjet head based on the measurement result.

  In the present invention, for example, the ink jet head includes a piezoelectric element for discharging ink from the nozzle of the ink jet head, and in the ink discharge amount setting step, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element is adjusted and set.

  In the adjustment method of the molding apparatus of the present invention, in the ink ejection amount setting step, the weight of the ink ejected by the inkjet head is measured, and the amount of the ink ejected by the inkjet head is adjusted and set based on the measurement result. . Therefore, if the shaping apparatus is adjusted by the adjustment method of the present invention, for example, when the inkjet head includes a piezoelectric element, a constant amount of ink is ejected from the nozzle when a constant voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element. It becomes possible. Therefore, if the shaping apparatus is adjusted by the adjusting method of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately control the amount of ink ejected by the inkjet head in the shaping apparatus, and as a result, it is possible to manufacture an appropriate shaped object Will be possible.

  In the adjusting method of the modeling apparatus of the present invention, in the electronic balance setting step, the electronic balance is mounted on the table on which the model is formed, and in the ink discharge amount setting step, the electronic balance mounted on the table is set. Is used to measure the weight of the ink ejected from the inkjet head. Therefore, if the shaping apparatus is adjusted by the adjusting method of the present invention, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated space for installing the electronic balance in the shaping apparatus. Therefore, if the shaping apparatus is adjusted by the adjusting method of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size of the shaping apparatus.

  In the present invention, the ink discharge amount setting step includes an ink discharge step in which the ink jet head automatically discharges the ink into an ink receiving container placed on the electronic balance, and a weight of the ink discharged by the ink jet head in the ink discharge step. It is preferable to include an ink weight measurement step in which the balance automatically measures the ink, and an ink ejection amount correction step in which the amount of ink ejected by the inkjet head is automatically corrected based on the measurement result in the ink weight measurement step. With such a configuration, in the ink ejection amount setting step, it is possible to automatically adjust and set the amount of ink ejected by the inkjet head.

  In the present invention, for example, in the ink discharge amount setting step, the ink discharge step and the ink weight measurement step are performed again after the ink discharge amount correction step.

  In the present invention, for example, a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink are formed in an inkjet head, and in the inkjet head, a nozzle row is constituted by a plurality of nozzles arranged in a front-rear direction orthogonal to a vertical direction. Then, the nozzle row automatically discharges the ink, in the ink weight measurement step, the electronic balance automatically measures the weight of the ink discharged from the nozzle row in the ink discharge step, and in the ink discharge amount correction step, the ink weight measurement step Automatically corrects the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle array based on the measurement result in the above.

  In the present invention, the modeling apparatus includes a plurality of inkjet heads arranged in a left-right direction orthogonal to the up-down direction and the front-rear direction, and one of the left-right directions is a first direction, and the other is a second direction. In the ink ejection amount setting step, for all the nozzle rows included in the modeling apparatus, the nozzle rows are arranged in order from the nozzle row arranged at the end in the first direction to the nozzle row arranged at the end in the second direction. It is preferable to adjust and set the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle row.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to adjust and set the ink discharge amount of the nozzle row by aligning the nozzle row whose ink discharge amount is adjusted and set once with the ink receiving container. Become. Therefore, for example, after performing the ink discharge step and the ink weight measurement step for all the nozzle rows included in the modeling apparatus in order for each nozzle row (that is, after measuring the weight of the ink discharged by the nozzle rows, ), It is possible to shorten the adjustment time of the molding apparatus as compared with the case where the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle rows is adjusted and set for all the nozzle rows included in the molding apparatus in order for each nozzle row. Will be possible.

  In the present invention, the modeling apparatus includes a plurality of inkjet heads arranged in a left-right direction orthogonal to the up-down direction and the front-rear direction, and one of the left-right directions is a first direction, and the other is a second direction. In the ink ejection amount setting step, for all the nozzle rows included in the modeling apparatus, the nozzle rows are arranged in order from the nozzle row arranged at the end in the first direction to the nozzle row arranged at the end in the second direction. Performing the ink discharging step and the ink weight measuring step, and determining whether the weight of the ink measured in the ink weight measuring step or the amount of the ink calculated based on the weight of the ink measured in the ink weight measuring step is a predetermined value. A determination step of automatically determining whether or not the ink is within the reference range, and after the determination step, for each nozzle row in which the weight or amount of ink is out of the reference range, In turn, it may be set by adjusting the amount of ink nozzle row discharges.

  In this case, after the determination step, the adjustment and setting of the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle row is performed only for the nozzle row whose ink weight or amount is out of the reference range. The adjustment time of the molding apparatus can be reduced as compared with the case where the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle rows is adjusted and set for all the nozzle rows included in the molding apparatus.

  In the present invention, when the nozzle row in which the weight or the amount of the ink is out of the reference range is defined as the adjustment nozzle row, after the determination step, the adjustment nozzle row which is arranged closest to the second direction side is arranged closest to the first direction side. It is preferable to adjust and set the amount of ink ejected by the adjustment nozzle row in order toward each adjustment nozzle row. With this configuration, after the determination step, the adjustment nozzle rows are sequentially arranged for each adjustment nozzle row from the adjustment nozzle row arranged in the first direction to the adjustment nozzle row arranged in the second direction. Compared to the case where the amount of ink to be ejected is adjusted and set, the time to align the adjustment nozzle row and the ink receiving container, which is set by adjusting the amount of ink ejected first after the judgment step, is shortened. It becomes possible to do. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the adjustment time of the modeling device.

  Here, in the modeling apparatus adjusted by the adjustment method of the present invention, generally, the viscosity of the ink in the nozzles changes after the ink discharging process due to heat or the like generated when the ink is discharged. There is. Further, when the viscosity of the ink in the nozzle changes, for example, even if a constant voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element, the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle may change.

  Further, for example, for all the nozzle rows included in the modeling apparatus, the nozzle rows are arranged in order from the nozzle row arranged at the first direction end to the nozzle row arranged at the second direction end for each nozzle row. In the case where the amount of ink to be ejected is adjusted and set, in the ink ejection process after the ink ejection amount correction process for a certain nozzle row, the elapsed time from the previous ink ejection process becomes short. There is a possibility that the viscosity of the ink ejected in the ink ejection process after the amount correction process is different from the viscosity of the ink ejected in the previous ink ejection process. Therefore, in this case, although the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle array is corrected in the ink ejection amount correction step, the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle array in the ink ejection step after the ink ejection amount correction step is: In the ink ejection amount setting step, the amount of ink to be ejected from the nozzle array may not be able to be appropriately set in the ink ejection amount setting step without the ejection amount corresponding to the correction in the ink ejection amount correction step.

  Further, for example, after the determination step, the adjustment nozzle rows discharge in order from the adjustment nozzle row arranged in the second direction to the adjustment nozzle row arranged in the first direction. When the amount of ink is adjusted and set, in particular, in the ink discharge step after the determination step for the adjustment nozzle row arranged in the second direction, the elapsed time from the ink discharge step before the determination step Be shorter. Therefore, in this case, in particular, the viscosity of the ink ejected in the ink ejection process after the determination process in the adjustment nozzle array arranged closest to the second direction side is determined in the ink ejection process before the determination process. The viscosity may be different from the viscosity of the ink. Therefore, the ink ejection amount in the ink ejection step before the determination step and the ink ejection amount in the ink ejection step after the judgment step change, and in the ink ejection amount setting step, the amount of ink ejected by the nozzle array is changed. The amount may not be set properly.

  Therefore, in the present invention, the ink jet head is preferably an ink circulation type ink jet head having an ink supply port for supplying ink and an ink discharge port for discharging ink. According to the study of the inventor of the present application, with such a configuration, for all the nozzle rows included in the modeling apparatus, the nozzle row is arranged from the nozzle row arranged at the first direction end to the nozzle row arranged at the second direction end. Therefore, even if the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle row is adjusted and set for each nozzle row in order, the viscosity of the ink ejected in the ink ejection process after the ink ejection amount correction process and the ink The amount of variation with the viscosity of the ink ejected in the ejection step is suppressed, and the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle array in the ink ejection step after the ink ejection amount correction step is adjusted according to the correction in the ink ejection amount correction step. It is possible to set the discharge amount. According to the study of the inventor of the present application, with such a configuration, after the determination step, from the adjustment nozzle row arranged most in the second direction to the adjustment nozzle row arranged most in the first direction, Even if the amount of ink ejected from the adjustment nozzle row is adjusted and set for each adjustment nozzle row in order, the viscosity of the ink ejected in the ink ejection step after the determination step and the ink ejection before the determination step Suppresses the variation of the viscosity of the ink ejected in the process and the difference between the ink ejection amount in the ink ejection process before the judgment process and the ink ejection amount in the ink ejection process after the judgment process It becomes possible to do.

  In the present invention, the modeling apparatus includes a table elevating mechanism for elevating and lowering the table, a carriage on which the ink jet head is mounted, and a carriage moving mechanism for moving the carriage in the main scanning direction. After the carriage is moved to the predetermined position while being lowered to the predetermined position, it is preferable to install an electronic balance on which the ink receiving container is placed below the ink jet head.

  After setting the electronic balance on which the ink receiving container is placed on the table lowered to the predetermined position, when the carriage is moved to the predetermined position, the ink jet head that moves together with the carriage contacts the ink receiving container on the table. With this configuration, if the ink receiving container is likely to come into contact with the inkjet head when the electronic balance on which the ink receiving container is placed is placed on a table, the ink receiving container may be attached to the inkjet head. After the table is lowered to a position where it does not contact, the electronic balance on which the ink receiving container is placed can be set on the table. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent contact between the ink jet head and the ink receiving container.

  In the present invention, in the electronic balance setting step, it is preferable to print a mark of the mounting position of the electronic balance on the table by the inkjet head before lowering the table to the predetermined position. With such a configuration, the electronic balance may be placed on the mark printed on the table, so that the electronic balance can be easily set on the table.

  As described above, if the shaping apparatus is adjusted by the shaping apparatus adjustment method of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately control the amount of ink ejected from the inkjet head in the shaping apparatus.

It is a block diagram for explaining the adjustment method of the shaping apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a configuration of an apparatus main body shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the ink jet head illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the ink jet head illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a process chart for explaining an example of an electronic balance setting step of placing the electronic balance on the table shown in FIG. 2. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of an ink ejection amount setting step of adjusting and setting the amount of ink ejected by the inkjet head shown in FIG. 2. 6 is a flowchart for explaining another example of an ink ejection amount setting step of adjusting and setting the amount of ink ejected by the inkjet head shown in FIG. 2. 6 is a flowchart for explaining another example of an ink ejection amount setting step of adjusting and setting the amount of ink ejected by the inkjet head shown in FIG. 2.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Schematic configuration of modeling device)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a method of adjusting the molding apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the apparatus main body 2 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the inkjet head 5 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the inkjet head 5 shown in FIG.

  The modeling device 1 is an ink jet printer for manufacturing a three-dimensional model (three-dimensional model). The modeling apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 2 that is a main body of the modeling apparatus 1 and a personal computer (PC) 3 built in the modeling apparatus 1. The apparatus main body 2 has a table 4 on which a modeled object is formed, an inkjet head 5 (hereinafter, referred to as a “head 5”) for forming a modeled object by discharging ink toward the table 4, and the head 5 is mounted. And a carriage 6 to be operated. Note that the PC 3 may be externally attached to the modeling device 1.

  The apparatus main body 2 includes a carriage moving mechanism 8 for moving the carriage 6 in a main scanning direction (Y direction in FIG. 2 and the like) orthogonal to a vertical direction (Z direction in FIG. 2 and the like), and a table elevating and lowering table for raising and lowering the table 4. A mechanism 9 and a table moving mechanism 10 for moving the table 4 in a sub-scanning direction (X direction in FIG. 2 and the like) orthogonal to the vertical direction and the main scanning direction are provided. In the following description, the main scanning direction (Y direction) is referred to as a “left-right direction”, and the sub-scanning direction (X direction) is referred to as a “front-back direction”. The Y1 direction, which is one of the left and right directions, is referred to as “left direction”, and the Y2 direction, which is the other of left and right directions, is referred to as “right direction”. The right direction (Y1 direction) of the present embodiment is a first direction, and the left direction (Y2 direction) is a second direction.

  The carriage moving mechanism 8 includes, for example, a belt to which the carriage 6 is attached, two pulleys around which the belt is bridged, and a motor that drives the pulley. The table lifting / lowering mechanism 9 includes, for example, a nut member attached to the table 4, a screw member engaged with the nut member, and a motor for rotating the screw member. The table moving mechanism 10 includes, for example, a nut member attached to the table 4, a screw member engaged with the nut member, and a motor for rotating the screw member.

  A plurality of heads 5 are mounted on the carriage 6. That is, the modeling apparatus 1 (specifically, the apparatus main body 2) includes a plurality of heads 5. The modeling apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes eight heads 5. The eight heads 5 are mounted on the carriage 6 so as to be adjacent in the left-right direction. That is, the eight heads 5 are arranged in the left-right direction. In the following description, when the eight heads 5 are distinguished from each other, each of the eight heads 5 is described as “head 51 to head 58”. The heads 51 to 58 are arranged in this order from left to right. That is, the head 51 is located at the left end, and the head 58 is located at the right end.

  The head 5 has a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink. In the head 5, as shown in FIG. 4, a nozzle row 7 is configured by a plurality of nozzles arranged in the front-rear direction (specifically, arranged linearly in the front-rear direction). In the head 5, a plurality of nozzle rows 7 are arranged in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, two nozzle rows 7 are arranged in the left-right direction. That is, the modeling apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes 16 nozzle rows 7. The two nozzle rows 7 formed on one head 5 eject the same color ink. In the following description, when the 16 nozzle rows 7 are distinguished from each other, each of the 16 nozzle rows 7 is described as “nozzle row 701 to nozzle row 716”.

  The nozzle rows 701 and 702 are formed on the head 51, the nozzle rows 703 and 704 are formed on the head 52, the nozzle rows 705 and 706 are formed on the head 53, and the nozzle rows 707 and 708 are formed on the head 54. Have been. The nozzle rows 709 and 710 are formed on the head 55, the nozzle rows 711 and 712 are formed on the head 56, the nozzle rows 713 and 714 are formed on the head 57, and the nozzle rows 715 and 716 are formed on the head 58. Is formed. The nozzle rows 701 to 716 are arranged in this order from left to right. That is, the nozzle row 701 is located at the left end, and the nozzle row 716 is located at the right end.

  The head 5 includes a piezoelectric element (piezo element) for discharging ink from the nozzle. Specifically, the head 5 includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements for individually ejecting ink from each of the plurality of nozzles. The head 5 discharges ultraviolet curable ink. The head 5 of the present embodiment is an ink circulation type head that circulates ink inside the head 5, and includes an ink supply port 13 to which ink is supplied and an ink discharge port 14 to discharge ink. The modeling device 1 includes a sub-tank 15 connected to the head 5 via a pipe. The modeling apparatus 1 includes, for example, eight sub-tanks 15, and one sub-tank 15 is connected to each of the eight heads 5.

  The sub-tank 15 is connected to the ink supply port 13 via a pipe and stores the ink supplied to the head 5. The supply-side sub-tank is connected to the ink discharge port 14 via the pipe and receives the ink discharged from the head 5. And a discharge-side sub-tank to be accommodated. A main tank (not shown) is connected to the supply-side sub-tank via a pipe. The supply side sub-tank can be supplied with ink from the main tank.

  The internal pressure of the supply-side sub-tank and the internal pressure of the discharge-side sub-tank are negative. Further, the internal pressure of the supply-side sub-tank is higher than the internal pressure of the discharge-side sub-tank. In this embodiment, due to the difference between the internal pressure of the supply-side sub-tank and the internal pressure of the discharge-side sub-tank, ink is always supplied from the supply-side sub-tank to the head 5, and ink is discharged from the head 5 to the discharge-side sub-tank. I have. That is, the ink inside the head 5 is always circulated by the ink moving from the supply side sub tank to the discharge side sub tank via the head 5 due to the difference between the internal pressure of the supply side sub tank and the internal pressure of the discharge side sub tank. I do.

  The carriage 6 includes an ultraviolet irradiator (not shown) for irradiating the ink ejected by the head 5 with ultraviolet rays to cure the ink, and a flattening roller (illustration) for flattening the surface (upper surface) of the ink ejected by the head 5. Omitted). In the modeling device 1, an ink layer formed by ink cured by the ultraviolet light emitted from the head 5 and irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiator is sequentially laminated on the upper surface of the table 4 to produce a three-dimensional molded object.

(Method of adjusting the molding device)
FIG. 5 is a process chart for explaining an example of an electronic balance setting step of mounting the electronic balance 11 on the table 4 shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of an ink ejection amount setting step of adjusting and setting the amount of ink ejected by the head 5 shown in FIG.

  Before manufacturing a modeled object by the modeling apparatus 1, the amount of ink ejected by the head 5 is adjusted and set. At this time, first, the electronic balance 11 for measuring the weight of the ink ejected from the head 5 is placed on the table 4 (electronic balance setting step). Specifically, in the electronic balance setting step, the electronic balance 11 on which the ink receiving container 12 is mounted is mounted on the table 4. The electronic balance 11 is electrically connected to the PC 3. Note that the electronic balance 11 is provided with a screw for adjusting the height, so that the height of the ink receiving container 12 placed on the electronic balance 11 can be adjusted.

  In the electronic balance installation step, first, as shown in FIG. 5, a mark of the mounting position of the electronic balance 11 is printed on the table 4 by the head 5. That is, the head 5 ejects ink, and prints a mark on the table 4 on the mounting position of the electronic balance 11. Thereafter, the table 4 is lowered to a predetermined position. Specifically, when the electronic balance 11 on which the ink receiving container 12 is placed is placed on the table 4, the table 4 is moved to a position where the upper end of the ink receiving container 12 is located below the lower surface of the head 5. Is lowered.

  Thereafter, the carriage 6 is moved to a predetermined position. Specifically, the carriage 6 is moved to a position where the mark of the mounting position of the electronic balance 11 is printed. Thereafter, the electronic balance 11 on which the ink receiving container 12 is placed is installed below the head 5. Specifically, the operator of the modeling apparatus 1 places the electronic balance 11 on which the ink receiving container 12 is placed on the upper surface of the table 4 at the position where the mark is printed. Note that the table 4 may be lowered to the predetermined position after the carriage 6 is moved to the predetermined position.

  When the electronic balance 11 is set on the table 4, the weight of the ink ejected by the head 5 is measured by the electronic balance 11 placed on the table 4, and the amount of ink ejected by the head 5 is determined based on the measurement result. Adjustment and setting (ink ejection amount setting step). Specifically, in the ink ejection amount setting step, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element of the head 5 is adjusted and set based on the measurement result of the weight of the ink ejected by the head 5. In the ink ejection amount setting step, the weight of the ink ejected by the heads 5 is measured for each of all the heads 5 (that is, the eight heads 51 to 58) included in the modeling apparatus 1 and based on the measurement result. The amount of ink ejected by the head 5 is adjusted and set.

  In the ink discharge amount setting step, when a predetermined setting start button is pressed by the operator, as shown in FIG. 6, first, the electronic balance 11 automatically resets the weight based on a control command from the PC 3 (step S1). . Thereafter, based on a control command from the PC 3, the head 5 automatically discharges ink to the ink receiving container 12 placed on the electronic balance 11 (Step S2, ink discharging step).

  In step S2, a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric elements corresponding to one or a plurality of nozzle rows 7 which are the nozzle rows 7 selected in advance and which eject the same color ink, and the ink is ejected from the nozzle rows 7. Is done. That is, in step S2 (ink ejection step), a predetermined number of nozzle rows 7 automatically eject ink. In step S2 of this embodiment, one nozzle row 7 automatically discharges ink. In the present embodiment, in the first step S2 after the setting start button is pressed by the operator, the nozzle row 701 automatically discharges ink. In step S2, for example, one nozzle row 7 discharges 50,000 times (50,000 shots) of ink.

  Thereafter, the electronic balance 11 automatically measures the weight of the ink discharged from the head 5 to the ink receiving container 12 in step S2 (step S3, an ink weight measuring step). That is, in step S3 (ink weight measuring step), the electronic balance 11 automatically measures the weight of the ink ejected by the predetermined number of nozzle rows 7 (specifically, one nozzle row 7) in step S2. The data of the weight measured in step S3 is input to the PC 3, and based on the input data, the PC 3 determines the amount of ink ejected by the head 5 in step S2 (specifically, one nozzle row 7). Is calculated (step S4).

  Thereafter, the PC 3 determines whether the calculated amount of ink is within a predetermined reference range (Step S5). If the calculated amount of ink is within the predetermined reference range in step S5, the PC 3 sets the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element in step S2 as a reference voltage (step S6). Thereafter, the PC 3 determines whether or not ink has been ejected from all the nozzle rows 7 of the modeling apparatus 1 (that is, 16 nozzle rows 701 to 716) (Step S7).

  In step S7, if ink has not been ejected from all the nozzle rows 7, one nozzle row 7 that has not ejected ink is selected (step S8), and the process returns to step S1. In step S2 after step S8, ink is ejected from the nozzle row 7 selected in step S8. In step S8 of the present embodiment, the nozzle row 7 adjacent to the right side of the nozzle row 7 from which ink was ejected in the previous step S2 is selected. For example, if the nozzle row 7 that ejected ink in the previous step S2 is the nozzle row 701, the nozzle row 702 is selected in step S8, and the nozzle row 7 that ejected ink in the previous step S2 becomes the nozzle row 701. If it is 702, the nozzle row 703 is selected in step S8. In step S8, the selected nozzle row 7 and the ink receiving container 12 are aligned.

  On the other hand, if the ink has been ejected from all the nozzle rows 7 in step S7, the PC 3 stores the data log (step S9). When the data log is saved, the ink discharge amount setting step ends.

  If the calculated amount of ink is out of the predetermined reference range in step S5, the PC 3 corresponds to the nozzle row 7 that ejected the ink in step S2 based on the calculated amount of ink. Then, a correction value (voltage correction value) of the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element is calculated (step S10). Thereafter, the PC 3 determines whether or not the voltage correction value calculated in Step S10 is within a predetermined reference range (Step S11). If the voltage correction value is within the predetermined reference range in step S11, the PC 3 determines whether the number of times of calculation of the voltage correction value is less than the predetermined number (whether the number of corrections is less than N). ) Is determined (step S12).

  If the number of times of calculation of the voltage correction value is less than the predetermined number in step S12, the PC 3 transmits the voltage correction value calculated in step S10 to the device main body 2, and the device main body 2 receives the voltage correction value from the PC 3. After correcting the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element in step S2 based on the voltage correction value (step S13), the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, if the voltage correction value is out of the predetermined reference range in step S11, or if the number of correction value calculations is equal to or more than the predetermined number in step S12, the PC 3 Is displayed on the display section (step S14), and the process proceeds to step S7. For example, when the life of the head 5 is approaching, the voltage correction value calculated in step S10 becomes large, and in step S11, the voltage correction value may deviate from a predetermined reference range.

  Steps S4, S5, and S10 to S13 of the present embodiment are ink ejection amount correction steps for automatically correcting the amount of ink ejected by the head 5 based on the measurement result in step S3, which is an ink weight measurement step. In the ink ejection amount correction step, the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle row 7 (specifically, the amount of ink ejected from one nozzle row 7) is automatically corrected based on the measurement result in the ink weight measurement step. I do. In the ink ejection amount correction step, as described above, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element in step S2 is automatically corrected. In the present embodiment, in the ink ejection amount setting step, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element of the head 5 is automatically adjusted and set. That is, in the present embodiment, in the ink ejection amount setting step, the amount of ink ejected by the head 5 is automatically adjusted and set.

  As described above, after step S13, the process returns to step S1 to execute steps S2 and S3. Therefore, in this embodiment, after the ink ejection amount correction step, the ink ejection step and the ink weight measurement step are performed again. That is, in the ink discharge amount setting step, the ink discharge step and the ink weight measurement step are performed again after the ink discharge amount correction step.

  Further, as described above, in the first step S2 after the setting start button is pressed by the operator, the nozzle row 701 automatically discharges ink. Further, as described above, when the reference voltage is set in step S6, the process proceeds to step S8 after step S7, and in step S8, the right side of the nozzle row 7 from which ink was ejected in the previous step S2 is adjacent. In order to select the nozzle row 7, in the ink ejection amount setting step, the nozzle row 701 arranged on the left end is shifted from the nozzle row 701 arranged on the right end to the nozzle row 716 arranged on the right end with respect to all the nozzle rows 701 to 716 included in the modeling apparatus 1. Thus, the amount of ink ejected from each nozzle row 7 is adjusted and set for each nozzle row 7 in order. That is, in the ink ejection amount setting step, when the amount of ink ejected from one nozzle row 7 is adjusted and set, one nozzle row 7 disposed on the right of this nozzle row 7 ejects. The amount of ink is adjusted and set.

(Main effects of this embodiment)
As described above, in the present embodiment, before manufacturing a molded article by the modeling apparatus 1, in the ink ejection amount setting step, the weight of the ink ejected by the head 5 is measured, and based on the measurement result, the head 5 ejects the ink. The amount of ink to be used is adjusted and set. For this reason, in the present embodiment, when a constant voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element when a molded object is manufactured by the molding apparatus 1, a constant voltage is applied from the nozzles of the head 5 (more specifically, from one nozzle row 7). It is possible to discharge an amount of ink. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to appropriately control the amount of ink ejected by the head 5 when manufacturing a modeled object, and as a result, it is possible to manufacture an appropriate modeled object.

  In the present embodiment, the electronic balance 11 is placed on the table 4 on which a model is formed in the electronic balance setting step, and the head 5 is moved by the electronic balance 11 placed on the table 4 in the ink discharge amount setting step. The weight of the ejected ink is measured. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated space for installing the electronic balance 11 in the apparatus main body 2. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the size of the apparatus main body 2 can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, in the electronic balance setting step, the table 4 is lowered to a predetermined position and the carriage 6 is moved to the predetermined position, and then, the electronic balance 11 on which the ink receiving container 12 is placed under the head 5. Is installed. As described above, the electronic balance 11 is provided with a screw for adjusting the height, and the height of the ink receiving container 12 placed on the electronic balance 11 can be adjusted. After the electronic balance 11 on which the ink receiving container 12 is placed is set on the table 4 lowered, the carriage 6 is moved to a predetermined position. Although there is a possibility of contact with the container 12, in this embodiment, when the ink receiving container 12 is likely to come into contact with the head 5 when the electronic balance 11 on which the ink receiving container 12 is placed is placed on the table 4, After the table 4 is lowered to a position where the ink receiving container 12 does not come into contact with 5, the electronic balance 11 on which the ink receiving container 12 is placed can be set on the table 4.Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to reliably prevent contact between the head 5 and the ink receiving container 12.

  In the present embodiment, in the electronic balance setting step, before the table 4 is lowered to a predetermined position, a mark of the mounting position of the electronic balance 11 is printed on the table 4 by the head 5. Therefore, in this embodiment, the electronic balance 11 may be placed on the mark printed on the table 4. Therefore, in this embodiment, the electronic balance 11 can be easily set on the table 4.

  In the present embodiment, in the ink ejection amount setting process, the nozzle rows are arranged from the nozzle row 701 arranged on the left end to the nozzle row 716 arranged on the right end for all the nozzle rows 701 to 716 provided in the modeling apparatus 1. The amount of ink ejected from each nozzle row 7 is adjusted and set in order for each nozzle 7. For this reason, in the present embodiment, if the nozzle row 7 in which the ink ejection amount is adjusted and set is aligned with the ink receiving container 12 once, the ink ejection amount of the nozzle row 7 is adjusted and set. Becomes possible. Therefore, in the present embodiment, for example, the weight of the ink ejected from the nozzle row 7 is measured in order for each of the nozzle rows 7 for all the nozzle rows 701 to 716, and then, for all the nozzle rows 701 to 716. The adjustment time of the modeling apparatus 1 can be reduced as compared with the case where the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle row 7 is adjusted and set for each nozzle row 7 in order.

  Here, in the modeling apparatus 1, the viscosity of the ink in the nozzles may change after step S2 (ink discharging step) due to the influence of heat or the like generated when discharging the ink. Also, when the viscosity of the ink in the nozzle changes, the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle may change even when a constant voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element. Further, in the present embodiment, for all the nozzle rows 701 to 716, the nozzle rows 7 are arranged in order from the nozzle row 701 arranged at the left end to the nozzle row 716 arranged at the right end in order for each nozzle row 7. Since the amount of ink to be ejected is adjusted and set, in step S2 after passing through step S13 for a certain nozzle row 7, the elapsed time from the previous step S2 becomes short, and after passing through step S13. The viscosity of the ink ejected in step S2 may be different from the viscosity of the ink ejected in the previous step S2.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, although the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle array 7 is corrected in the ink ejection amount correction process, the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle array 7 in step S2 after the ink ejection amount correction process is There is a possibility that the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle array 7 cannot be appropriately set in the ink ejection amount setting step without achieving the ejection amount according to the correction in the ink ejection amount correction step.

  However, in the present embodiment, since the head 5 is an ink circulation type head, according to the study of the present inventor, the viscosity of the ink ejected in step S2 after the ink ejection amount correction step and the ejection in the previous step S2 The amount of fluctuation of the ink viscosity is suppressed, and the amount of ink ejected by the nozzle array 7 in step S2 after the ink ejection amount correction step is set to the ejection amount according to the correction in the ink ejection amount correction step. It becomes possible. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the ink ejection amount setting step, it is possible to appropriately set the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle row 7.

(Modification of the ink ejection amount setting step)
FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts for explaining another example of the ink ejection amount setting step of adjusting and setting the amount of ink ejected by the head 5 shown in FIG.

  In the ink ejection amount setting step, first, the weight of the ink ejected from the nozzle row 7 is measured for each of the nozzle rows 701 to 716 in order, and the ejection weight of the ink of all the nozzle rows 7 is measured. After the measurement is completed, the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle row 7 may be adjusted and set for each nozzle row 7 in order. Hereinafter, the step of measuring the weight of ink ejected by the nozzle array 7 is referred to as a first ink ejection amount setting step, and the step of adjusting and setting the amount of ink ejected by the nozzle array 7 is referred to as a second ink ejection amount setting. As a process, an ink ejection amount setting process according to this modified example will be described.

  In the first ink ejection amount setting step, when a predetermined setting start button is pressed by the operator, as shown in FIG. 7, first, the electronic balance 11 automatically resets the weight based on a control command from the PC 3 (step S1). S21). Thereafter, based on the control command from the PC 3, the head 5 automatically discharges the ink to the ink receiving container 12 placed on the electronic balance 11 (Step S22, ink discharging step). In step S22, as in step S2 described above, a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element corresponding to one nozzle row 7 selected in advance, and ink is ejected from this one nozzle row 7. In the first step S22 after the setting start button is pressed by the operator, the nozzle row 701 automatically discharges ink.

  Thereafter, in step S22, the electronic balance 11 automatically measures the weight of the ink discharged from the head 5 to the ink receiving container 12 (specifically, discharged from one nozzle row 7) (step S23, ink weight measurement). Process). The data of the weight measured in step S23 is input to PC3, and based on the input data, PC3 outputs the amount of ink ejected by head 5 in step S22 (that is, one nozzle array 7 ejects ink). The amount of ink is calculated (step S24).

  Thereafter, the PC 3 determines whether or not the calculated amount of ink is within a predetermined reference range (Step S25, determination step). That is, in step S25, it is automatically determined whether the calculated amount of ink is within a predetermined reference range. If the calculated amount of ink is within the predetermined reference range in step S25, the PC 3 determines that the adjustment of the nozzle array 7 that has ejected the ink in step S22 is not necessary, and the PC 3 determines in step S22 that the adjustment is not necessary. The voltage applied to the element is set as a reference voltage (Step S26). Thereafter, the PC 3 determines whether or not ink has been ejected from all the nozzle rows 7 (that is, the 16 nozzle rows 701 to 716) included in the modeling apparatus 1 (Step S27).

  If ink has not been ejected from all the nozzle rows 7 in step S27, one nozzle row 7 that has not ejected ink is selected (step S28), and the process returns to step S21. In step S22 after step S28, ink is ejected from the nozzle row 7 selected in step S28. As in the above-described embodiment, in step S28, the nozzle row 7 adjacent to the right side of the nozzle row 7 from which ink was ejected in the previous step S22 is selected. For example, if the nozzle row 7 that ejected ink in the previous step S22 is the nozzle row 701, the nozzle row 702 is selected in step S28, and the nozzle row 7 that ejected ink in the previous step S22 becomes the nozzle row 701. If it is 702, in step S28, the nozzle row 703 is selected. In step S28, the position of the selected nozzle row 7 and the position of the ink receiving container 12 are aligned.

  If the calculated amount of ink is out of the predetermined reference range in step S25, the PC 3 determines that adjustment of the nozzle array 7 that has ejected the ink in step S22 is necessary, and The determination result is stored (step S29), and thereafter, the process proceeds to step S27. If the ink has been ejected from all the nozzle rows 7 in step S27, the first ink ejection amount setting process ends.

  After the first ink discharge amount setting step, a second ink discharge amount setting step is performed. In the second ink ejection amount setting step, the ejection amount of the ink of the nozzle array 7 determined to need adjustment in step S29 is adjusted and set. That is, in the second ink ejection amount setting step, the ink ejection amount of the nozzle row 7 whose ink amount calculated in step S24 is out of the reference range is adjusted and set. In the following description, the nozzle row 7 in which the amount of ink calculated in step S24 is out of the reference range is referred to as “adjustment nozzle row 7”.

  When the first ink discharge amount setting step ends, the second ink discharge amount setting step automatically starts. In the second ink ejection amount setting step, as shown in FIG. 8, first, the electronic balance 11 automatically resets the weight based on a control command from the PC 3 (step S31). Thereafter, based on a control command from the PC 3, one pre-selected adjustment nozzle row 7 automatically discharges ink to the ink receiving container 12 mounted on the electronic balance 11 (step S32, an ink discharging step). ). In this modified example, in the first step S32 after the start of the second ink ejection amount setting process, the adjustment nozzle row 7 arranged on the rightmost side automatically ejects ink. For example, when the nozzle row 716 is included in the adjustment nozzle row 7, in the first step S32 after the start of the second ink discharge amount setting step, the nozzle row 716 automatically discharges ink.

  Thereafter, the electronic balance 11 automatically measures the weight of the ink discharged from the adjustment nozzle array 7 to the ink receiving container 12 in step S32 (step S33, an ink weight measuring step). The data of the weight measured in step S33 is input to the PC 3, and the PC 3 calculates the amount of ink ejected by one adjustment nozzle row 7 in step S32 based on the input data (step S34). .

  Thereafter, the PC 3 determines whether the calculated amount of ink is within a predetermined reference range (Step S35). If the calculated amount of ink is within the predetermined reference range in step S35, the PC 3 sets the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element in step S32 as a reference voltage (step S36). Thereafter, the PC 3 determines whether ink has been ejected from all the adjustment nozzle arrays 7 (Step S37).

  If ink has not been ejected from all the adjustment nozzle arrays 7 in step S37, one adjustment nozzle array 7 that has not ejected ink is selected (step S38), and the process returns to step S31. In step S32 after step S38, ink is ejected from the adjustment nozzle row 7 selected in step S38. In this modified example, in step S38, the adjustment nozzle row 7 adjacent to the left side of the adjustment nozzle row 7 from which ink was ejected in the previous step S32 is selected. For example, if the adjustment nozzle row 7 that ejected ink in the previous step S32 is the nozzle row 716, and the adjustment nozzle row 7 includes the nozzle row 715, the nozzle row 715 is selected in step S38. I do. In step S38, the selected adjustment nozzle row 7 and the ink receiving container 12 are aligned.

  On the other hand, if the ink has been ejected from all the adjustment nozzle arrays 7 in step S37, the PC 3 stores the data log (step S39). When the data log is saved, the second ink ejection amount setting step ends, and the ink ejection amount setting step ends.

  If the calculated amount of ink is out of the predetermined reference range in step S35, the PC 3 sends the adjustment nozzle row 7 that has ejected the ink in step S32 to the adjustment nozzle row 7 based on the calculated amount of ink. A correction value (voltage correction value) of the voltage applied to the corresponding piezoelectric element is calculated (step S40). Thereafter, the PC 3 determines whether or not the voltage correction value calculated in Step S40 is within a predetermined reference range (Step S41). If the voltage correction value is within the predetermined reference range in step S41, the PC 3 determines whether the number of times of calculation of the voltage correction value is less than the predetermined number (step S42).

  If the number of times of calculation of the voltage correction value is less than the predetermined number in step S42, the PC 3 transmits the voltage correction value calculated in step S40 to the device body 2, and the device body 2 receives the voltage correction value from the PC 3. After correcting the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element in step S32 based on the voltage correction value (step S43), the process returns to step S31. On the other hand, if the voltage correction value is out of the predetermined reference range in step S41, or if the number of correction value calculations is equal to or more than the predetermined number in step S42, the PC 3 Is displayed on the display section (step S44), and the process proceeds to step S37.

  In this modification, steps S34, S35, and S40 to S43 are ink ejection amount correction steps for automatically correcting the amount of ink ejected by the head 5 based on the measurement result in step S33, which is an ink weight measurement step. In the ink ejection amount correction step, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element in step S32 is automatically corrected.

  Further, in this modified example, in the first ink ejection amount setting step, for all the nozzle rows 701 to 716 included in the modeling apparatus 1, the nozzle row 701 arranged at the left end is changed to the nozzle row 716 arranged at the right end. Toward this end, the ink discharging step (Step S22) and the ink weight measuring step (Step S23) are sequentially performed for each of the nozzle rows 7, and the ink weight calculated based on the ink weight measured in the ink weight measuring step. A determination step (step S25) of automatically determining whether the amount is within a predetermined reference range is performed.

  Further, in this modified example, in the second ink ejection amount setting step after the first ink ejection amount setting step, the adjustment nozzle rows 7 for the adjustment nozzle rows 7 in which the ink amount is out of the reference range are sequentially arranged. , The amount of ink ejected by the adjustment nozzle array 7 is adjusted and set. Specifically, the amount of ink ejected by the adjustment nozzle array 7 is adjusted in order from the adjustment nozzle array 7 arranged on the rightmost side to the adjustment nozzle array 7 arranged on the leftmost side. Is set.

  In this modified example, in the second ink ejection amount setting step, the adjustment and setting of the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle array 7 is performed only for the adjustment nozzle array 7 in which the amount of ink is out of the reference range. For example, in the second ink ejection amount setting step, the adjustment time of the modeling apparatus 1 is reduced as compared with the case where the adjustment and the setting of the amount of ink ejected by the nozzle array 7 are performed for all the nozzle arrays 701 to 716. It becomes possible to shorten.

  In this modified example, in the first ink ejection amount setting step, the ink ejection step and the ink weight are sequentially performed for each nozzle row 7 from the nozzle row 701 arranged at the left end to the nozzle row 716 arranged at the right end. In addition to performing the measurement step, in the second ink ejection amount setting step, the adjustment nozzle row 7 is sequentially adjusted from the adjustment nozzle row 7 arranged on the rightmost side to the adjustment nozzle row 7 arranged on the leftmost side. The amount of ink ejected from the nozzle row 7 is adjusted and set. Therefore, in the second ink ejection amount setting step, the adjustment nozzle rows 7 are ejected in order from the adjustment nozzle row 7 arranged on the leftmost side to the adjustment nozzle row 7 arranged on the rightmost side for each adjustment nozzle row 7. Immediately after the start of the second ink ejection amount setting step, the adjustment nozzle row 7 where the ink ejection amount is adjusted and set and the ink receiving container 12 are compared with the case where the amount of ink to be adjusted is set. It becomes possible to shorten the time for matching. Therefore, the adjustment time of the modeling device 1 can be further reduced.

  In this modification, in particular, in the adjustment nozzle row 7 arranged on the rightmost side, from the end of ink ejection in step S22 to the start of ink ejection in step S32 immediately after the start of the second ink ejection amount setting step. Elapsed time becomes shorter. Therefore, the viscosity of the ink ejected in step S32 immediately after the start of the second ink ejection amount setting process is particularly affected by the influence of heat or the like generated when the ink is ejected, particularly in the adjustment nozzle row 7 arranged on the rightmost side. , The viscosity of the ink ejected in step S22 changes, and the ejection amount of ink ejected in step S32 immediately after the start of the second ink ejection amount setting process and the ink ejection amount in step S22 change. There is a risk. If the ejection amount of the ink ejected in step S32 immediately after the start of the second ink ejection amount setting process and the ejection amount of the ink in step S22 change, the adjustment nozzle in the second ink ejection amount setting process is changed. There is a possibility that the amount of ink ejected from the row 7 cannot be set appropriately.

  However, in this modified example, since the head 5 is an ink circulation type head, according to the study of the present inventor, as in the above-described embodiment, the second ink ejection is performed in the adjustment nozzle row 7 disposed on the rightmost side. The amount of fluctuation between the viscosity of the ink ejected in step S32 immediately after the start of the amount setting process and the viscosity of the ink ejected in step S22 is suppressed, and the ink ejected in step S32 immediately after the start of the second ink ejection amount setting process is suppressed. It is possible to suppress the difference between the amount of ink ejected in step S22 and the amount of ink ejected in step S22. Therefore, in the second ink ejection amount setting step, it is possible to appropriately set the amount of ink ejected by the adjustment nozzle row 7.

  In the second ink ejection amount setting step, the adjustment and setting of the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle array 7 may be performed for all the nozzle arrays 701 to 716. In this case, the amount of ink ejected from each nozzle row 7 is adjusted and set in order for each nozzle row 7 from the nozzle row 701 arranged at the left end to the nozzle row 716 arranged at the right end. Alternatively, the amount of ink ejected from each nozzle row 7 may be adjusted and set for each nozzle row 7 in order from the nozzle row 716 arranged at the right end to the nozzle row 701 arranged at the left end. good. In this case, the nozzle row 715, the nozzle row 716, the nozzle row 713, the nozzle row 714, the nozzle row 711, the nozzle row 712, the nozzle row 709, the nozzle row 710, the nozzle row 707, the nozzle row 708, the nozzle row 705 , The nozzle rows 706, 703, 704, 701, and 702 in this order, and the amount of ink ejected from each nozzle row 7 may be adjusted and set for each nozzle row 7. . In the second ink ejection amount setting step, the adjustment nozzle rows 7 are ejected in order from the adjustment nozzle row 7 arranged on the leftmost side to the adjustment nozzle row 7 arranged on the rightmost side. The amount of ink to be used may be adjusted and set.

(Other embodiments)
The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, after calculating the voltage correction value in steps S10 and S40, the PC 3 determines whether the number of times of calculation of the voltage correction value is less than a predetermined number, and determines whether the number of times of calculation of the voltage correction value is equal to the predetermined number. If it is less than the number of times, it may be determined whether or not the voltage correction values calculated in steps S10 and S40 are within a predetermined reference range. In this case, when the voltage correction value is within the predetermined reference range, the process proceeds to steps S13 and S43.

  In the above-described embodiment, after the table 4 is lowered to the predetermined position, the electronic balance 11 on which the ink receiving container 12 is placed is set on the table 4, and then the carriage 6 may be moved to the predetermined position. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the mark of the mounting position of the electronic balance 11 need not be printed on the table 4. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the head 5 may not be an ink circulation type head.

  In the above-described embodiment, the number of nozzle rows 7 that eject ink in steps S2, S22, and S32 may be two. That is, in steps S2, S22, and S32, two nozzle rows 7 formed in one head 5 may eject ink. In the above-described embodiment, the number of nozzle rows 7 formed in one head 5 may be one, or may be three or more.

  In the above-described embodiment, the PC 3 may determine in steps S5, S25, and S35 whether or not the weight of the ink measured in steps S3, S23, and S33 is within a predetermined reference range. In this case, steps S4, S24, and S34 become unnecessary. In this case, the nozzle row 7 in which the weight of the ink measured in step S23 is out of the reference range becomes the adjustment nozzle row 7.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Modeling apparatus 4 Table 5 Head (ink jet head)
Reference Signs List 6 carriage 7 nozzle row 8 carriage moving mechanism 9 table lifting mechanism 11 electronic balance 12 ink receiving container 13 ink supply port 14 ink discharge port S1-S14 ink discharge amount setting step S2 ink discharge step S3 ink weight measurement step S4, S5, S10 To S13 Ink ejection amount correction step S21 to S29, S31 to S44 Ink ejection amount setting step S22, S32 Ink ejection step S23, S33 Ink weight measurement step S25 Judgment step S34, S35, S40 to S43 Ink ejection amount correction step X Y left-right direction Y1 first direction Y2 second direction Z up-down direction

Claims (11)

A method for adjusting a molding apparatus including a table on which a three-dimensional molded object is molded, and an inkjet head configured to eject ink toward the table to form the molded object,
An electronic balance setting step of placing an electronic balance for measuring the weight of ink ejected by the inkjet head on the table, and the weight of the ink ejected by the inkjet head by the electronic balance placed on the table. An ink ejection amount setting step of measuring and adjusting the amount of ink ejected by the inkjet head based on the measurement result. The inkjet head includes a piezoelectric element that ejects ink from nozzles of the inkjet head,
The method according to claim 1, wherein in the ink ejection amount setting step, a voltage applied to the piezoelectric element is adjusted and set.   The ink ejection amount setting step includes an ink ejection step in which the inkjet head automatically ejects ink to an ink receiving container placed on the electronic balance, and a weight of the ink ejected by the inkjet head in the ink ejection step. An ink weight measurement step in which the electronic balance automatically measures, and an ink ejection amount correction step of automatically correcting the amount of ink ejected by the inkjet head based on the measurement result in the ink weight measurement step. The method for adjusting a molding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein   4. The method according to claim 3, wherein in the ink discharge amount setting step, the ink discharge step and the ink weight measurement step are performed again after the ink discharge amount correction step. In the inkjet head, a plurality of nozzles for discharging ink are formed,
In the inkjet head, a nozzle row is configured by a plurality of nozzles arranged in a front-rear direction orthogonal to a vertical direction,
In the ink discharging step, the nozzle row automatically discharges ink,
In the ink weight measuring step, the electronic balance automatically measures the weight of the ink discharged by the nozzle row in the ink discharging step,
The method according to claim 4, wherein in the ink ejection amount correction step, the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle array is automatically corrected based on a measurement result in the ink weight measurement step. The modeling device includes a plurality of inkjet heads arranged in a horizontal direction orthogonal to a vertical direction and a front-back direction,
If one of the left and right directions is a first direction and the other is a second direction,
In the ink discharge amount setting step, for all of the nozzle rows included in the modeling apparatus, from the nozzle row arranged at the first direction end toward the nozzle row arranged at the second direction end, The method according to claim 5, wherein the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle row is adjusted and set in order for each nozzle row. The modeling device includes a plurality of inkjet heads arranged in a horizontal direction orthogonal to a vertical direction and a front-back direction,
If one of the left and right directions is a first direction and the other is a second direction,
In the ink discharge amount setting step, for all of the nozzle rows included in the modeling apparatus, from the nozzle row arranged at the first direction end toward the nozzle row arranged at the second direction end, Performing the ink ejection step and the ink weight measurement step in order for each nozzle row, based on the weight of the ink measured in the ink weight measurement step, or the weight of the ink measured in the ink weight measurement step Performing a determination step of automatically determining whether the calculated amount of ink is within a predetermined reference range, and after the determination step, the nozzle row whose ink weight or amount is out of the reference range. The method according to claim 5, wherein the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle row is adjusted and set in order for each nozzle row. When the nozzle row in which the weight or amount of the ink is out of the reference range is an adjustment nozzle row,
After the determination step, the adjustment nozzle rows are ejected in order from the adjustment nozzle row arranged in the second direction side to the adjustment nozzle row arranged in the first direction side for each of the adjustment nozzle rows. The method according to claim 7, wherein the amount of ink to be adjusted is adjusted and set.   9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the ink jet head is an ink circulation type ink jet head having an ink supply port through which ink is supplied and an ink discharge port through which ink is discharged. . The shaping apparatus includes a table elevating mechanism for elevating the table, a carriage on which the ink jet head is mounted, and a carriage moving mechanism for moving the carriage in the main scanning direction,
In the electronic balance installation step, the table is lowered to a predetermined position, and after the carriage is moved to a predetermined position, the electronic balance on which an ink receiving container is placed is installed below the inkjet head. The method for adjusting a modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein:   The molding apparatus according to claim 10, wherein in the electronic balance installation step, before the table is lowered to a predetermined position, a mark of a mounting position of the electronic balance is printed on the table by the inkjet head. Adjustment method.

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