JP2020099994A - Method for forming three-dimensional molded product and system for forming three-dimensional molded product - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a method for forming a three-dimensional molded product by which cutting for forming perforation or notch can be easily executed with good accuracy.SOLUTION: A method for forming a three-dimensional molded product comprises: a step S1 at which a printing medium is prepared; a step S2 at which an ink is applied to the printing medium, thereby forming a foam suppression layer or an image layer; a step S3 at which perforation is formed in the printing medium; a step S4 at which the printing medium is foamed by heating; and a step S5 at which the printing medium is cut along the perforation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method for forming a three-dimensionally formed product such as a printed matter having irregularities formed by a foam layer, and a system for forming a three-dimensionally formed product.

Various techniques have been developed for forming a three-dimensionally formed product such as a printed product having irregularities formed by a foam layer.

For example, in Patent Document 1, a method of imparting unevenness to a three-dimensional object such as wallpaper by foaming a foam layer (foamable layer) and expanding the same, that is, a three-dimensional object such as wallpaper having an unevenness, A method of forming is disclosed.

JP, 2018-94554, A

The inventor considered to make a cut that forms a perforation or a notch in the three-dimensionally formed product as obtained in Patent Document 1. Here, the perforation is formed, for example, in order to easily separate a part of the three-dimensional object from other parts. The notch (for example, a half cut) is formed to define a sealing material (a part to be peeled from the release paper and attached to another) when the three-dimensional object is, for example, a seal with the release paper. However, when it is attempted to apply the above-mentioned cut to a three-dimensional object on which irregularities are formed, the convex portion formed by foaming interferes with the cutting, or it becomes difficult to cut at the correct position or the cut itself.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and a method for forming a three-dimensional object and a system for forming a three-dimensional object that can accurately and easily perform a cut for forming a perforation or a notch. It is intended to be provided.

(1) In order to achieve the above object, the method for forming a three-dimensionally shaped product according to the first aspect of the present invention is
Ink (for example, foaming) for controlling foaming of the foamed layer is formed on a sheet-shaped medium (for example, the print medium 10, 50) having a foamed layer (for example, the foamed layers 12, 54) that foams when heated. A coating step (for example, step S2 in FIG. 1) of applying a foaming suppression ink that forms the suppression layer 14;
A cutting step (for example, step S3 in FIG. 1) of applying a cut for forming perforations (for example, perforations 23 and 24) or notches (for example, notches 63 and 64) to the medium;
A foaming step of foaming the foam layer by heating the medium after the applying step and the cutting step (for example, step S4 in FIG. 1),
Equipped with.

According to such a configuration, since a cut for forming a perforation or a notch is performed before foaming, the cut is accurately and easily performed without being disturbed by the convex portion formed by foaming. I can do it. The order of the applying step and the cutting step in the forming method is arbitrary, and the forming method having the applying step first and the forming method having the cutting step first are included in the forming method of the three-dimensional formed object.

(2) In the method for forming a three-dimensional formed article according to (1) above,
A printing step of printing an image on the medium (for example, step S2 of FIG. 1),
You may do it.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to form a three-dimensional object to which an image is added.

(3) In the method for forming a three-dimensional formed article according to (2) above,
In the printing step, a plurality of images arranged in the width direction of the medium are printed on the medium (for example, as shown in FIG. 3A, a plurality of image layers 14 arranged in the width direction are printed). ,
In the cutting step, the perforations or notches extending along the length direction of the medium are formed between the plurality of images (for example, the perforations 23 and the notches 63 are formed).
You may do it.

With such a configuration, it is possible to form perforations or cuts having a suitable shape. For example, when forming perforations, a part of the three-dimensional object can be separated from the other part along the perforations after that, and at that time, the width of the part should be narrower than the width direction of the medium. It is possible to separate the part of the three-dimensionally formed product with a desired size.

(4) In the method for forming a three-dimensional product according to any one of (1) to (3) above,
The applying step and the cutting step are performed by the same device (for example, an inkjet printer having a function capable of forming perforations or cuts),
You may do it.

With such a configuration, it is possible to easily form perforations or cuts. The coating process and the cutting process may be performed by different devices (a printing device such as an inkjet printer for the coating process and a cutting device such as a cutting plotter for the cutting process).

(5) In the method for forming a three-dimensional formed article according to any one of (1) to (4) above,
In the cutting step, a cut for forming the perforations is applied to the medium,
You may do it.

With such a configuration, it is possible to separate a part of the three-dimensional formed object from the other part by the perforation.

(6) In the method for forming a three-dimensional formed article according to (5) above,
In the cutting step, the ratio of the length of the uncut portion to the length of the cut portion (for example, L1:L2 or L3:L4 for L1 to L4 in FIG. 5) is in the range of 1:1 to 1:5. Forming the perforations,
You may do it.

With such a configuration, it is possible to easily separate a part of the three-dimensionally formed object from the other part by the perforation.

(7) In order to achieve the above object, the three-dimensionally formed object forming system (for example, the forming system 100) according to the second aspect of the present invention is
Ink (for example, foaming) for controlling foaming of the foamed layer is formed on a sheet-shaped medium (for example, the print medium 10, 50) having a foamed layer (for example, the foamed layers 12, 54) that foams when heated. A coating means (for example, a printing function of the inkjet printer 110) for coating a foaming suppression ink forming the suppression layer 14;
A cutting device (for example, a cutting function of the inkjet printer 110 or a cutting device such as a cutting plotter) for making a cut for forming perforations (for example, perforations 23 and 24) or notches (for example, notches 63 and 64) on the medium. )When,
Foaming means (for example, a heater 121) for foaming the foam layer by heating the medium on which the ink is applied and which has been cut,
Equipped with.

According to such a configuration, since a cut for forming a perforation or a notch is made before foaming, the above-mentioned cut is not disturbed by the convex portion formed by foaming, and the above-mentioned cut is easily performed with high accuracy. Can be run to

The flowchart which showed the process of the formation method of the three-dimensional formed object which concerns on embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing of a print medium. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a print medium after forming an image layer and the like. (B) is AA sectional drawing in (a). FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a print medium after perforations are formed. (B) is a figure which shows the AA sectional view in (a) and the cutter for forming perforation. It is an enlarged view of the "VII" part in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows a mode that the foaming layer was foamed by heating. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the foamed print medium is cut along perforations. The schematic block diagram of the formation system of the solid thing which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a print medium wound in a roll shape and partially fed out. Sectional drawing of the print medium which concerns on a modification. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a print medium after forming a notch. (B) is a figure which shows the BB sectional view in (a) and the cutter for forming a notch. FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing a state in which a sealing material, which is an oval three-dimensional object, is peeled off from a release paper of a printing medium after foaming. (B) is sectional drawing which shows a mode that the sealing material of (a) was peeled off.

Hereinafter, a method for forming a three-dimensional formed article according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Method of forming a three-dimensional object)
As shown in FIG. 1, a method for forming a three-dimensional formed object (here, it is also a three-dimensional printed object on which various kinds of printing have been performed) includes a step S1 of preparing a print medium, and suppression of foaming by applying ink to the print medium. Step S2 of forming layers and image layers, step S3 of forming perforations on the print medium, step S4 of foaming the print medium by heating, and step S5 of cutting the print medium along the perforations. .. Hereinafter, each step will be described in detail.

(Step S1)
In step S1, the print medium 10 is prepared (step S1). As shown in FIG. 2, the print medium 10 is a sheet-shaped medium having a flat surface, and is composed of a laminated base material 11 and a foam layer 12.

The base material 11 supports the foam layer 12. Examples of the base material 11 include a paper sheet, a non-woven sheet, and a plastic film. The thickness of the base material 11 may be, for example, 0.025 mm to 0.3 mm, more preferably 0.05 mm to 0.12 mm.

The foam layer 12 is a layer of a thermoplastic resin containing a chemical foaming agent, and may further contain a foaming aid, a plasticizer, a filler, a pigment, and a flame retardant, if necessary. The thickness of the foam layer 12 may be, for example, 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, more preferably 0.15 mm to 0.3 mm.

Examples of the thermoplastic resin of the foam layer 12 include polyvinyl chloride resin, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polyethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), acrylic resin, urethane resin and the like. Further, the polyvinyl chloride preferably uses soft polyvinyl chloride containing a plasticizer described below as a base resin.

Examples of the chemical foaming agent for the foam layer 12 include azodicarbonamide, N,N'-dinitrosopentamethylenetetramine, and 4,4'-oxybis(benzenesulfonylhydrazide), and it is preferable to use azodicarbonamide. .. The chemical foaming agent is vaporized by heating, whereby the foam layer 12 foams (the surface rises). That is, the foam layer 12 foams when heated.

Examples of the foaming aid of the foam layer 12 include zinc compounds such as zinc stearate and barium compounds such as barium stearate.

As a plasticizer for the foam layer 12, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, diisononyl phthalate (DINP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), di-2-ethylhexyl adipate (DOA), diisononyl adipate (DINA) , Tri-2-ethylhexyl trimellitate (TOTM), tricresyl phosphate (TCP), and the like.

Examples of the filler of the foam layer 12 include calcium carbonate, talc, clay mineral and the like.

Examples of the pigment of the foam layer 12 include pigments of any color, for example, white pigments such as titanium oxide.

Examples of the flame retardant for the foam layer 12 include phosphoric acid flame retardants, phosphoric acid ester flame retardants, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, chlorine flame retardants, and the like.

(Step S2)
In step S2, the foam suppression layer 13 and the image layer 14 are formed (printed) on the surface of the print medium 10. FIG. 3 shows a print medium 10P which is the print medium 10 after the foam suppression layer 13 and the image layer 14 are formed. The foam suppression layer 13 is a layer that suppresses foaming (reaction) of the foam layer 12, and is formed in a region of the foam layer 12 where foaming is not desired. The image layer 14 is a layer representing an image, and the image is printed by printing the image layer 14. The image to be printed is a landscape, a pattern, characters, etc., and the content thereof is not particularly limited. In step S2, the foam suppression layer 13 is formed first, and then the image layer 14 is formed. Here, as shown in FIG. 3A, nine image layers 14 (that is, nine images) are formed in a 3×3 matrix shape in the length direction and the width direction. The nine image layers 14 each represent the same image. The foam suppression layer 13 is formed below each of the nine image layers 14 in the same shape in each of the image layers 14. In other words, due to the foaming described below, the nine images (images represented by the image layers 14) are formed with unevenness of the same shape (areas that are raised due to foaming and areas where foaming is suppressed by the foam suppression layer 13). Asperities are formed.

The foam suppressing layer 13 is printed with a foam suppressing ink, and the image layer 14 is printed with various color inks. These inks are applied by, for example, various printers (printing devices) such as inkjet printers.

The nine image layers 14 are formed spaced apart from each other. In the print medium 10P, the portion where the image layer 14 is not formed (between the image layers 14) is also referred to as a blank space 21 and a blank space 22. The margin 21 extends in the length direction of the print medium 10P, and the margin 22 extends in the width direction of the print medium 10P. The margin 21 and the margin 22 form a grid-shaped margin.

The foam suppressing ink that forms the foam suppressing layer 13 is an arbitrary ink that contains a foam suppressing agent that suppresses foaming of the foam layer 12, and is compatible with the color ink described later, for example, a solvent ink or a water-based ink. Depending on the material, the foam suppression ink may penetrate into the foam layer 12 and suppress foaming of the foam layer 12. In this case, the foam suppression layer 13 may not be formed (in this case, the foam suppression layer 13 in the figure indicates the application position of the foam suppression ink).

Examples of the foaming inhibitor include 1,2,3-benzotriazole, 1-[N,N-bis(2-ethylhexyl)aminomethyl]benzotriazole, 1-[N,N-bis(2-ethylhexyl)amino. Examples thereof include benzotriazole compounds such as methyl]methylbenzotriazole and 2,2′-[[(methyl-1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)methyl]imino]bisethanol. The foaming inhibitors may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

When the foam suppressing ink is a solvent ink, the foam suppressing ink contains a solvent and a foam suppressing agent. 1-[N,N-bis(2-ethylhexyl)aminomethyl]methylbenzotriazole etc. are mentioned as a foaming inhibitor mix|blended with a solvent ink. The concentration of the foam suppressing agent in the foam suppressing ink is, for example, 1 to 80 wt %, preferably 5 to 20 wt %. Examples of the solvent include lactone solvents such as gamma-butyrolactone and epsilon-caprolactone, and one or two or more glycol ether solvents such as glycol ether solvents such as diethylene glycol ethyl methyl ether and dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether. To use.

When the foam suppressing ink is a water-based ink, the foam suppressing ink contains water and a foam suppressing agent. The foaming inhibitor incorporated into the solvent ink is preferably soluble in water and solid at room temperature. As such a foaming inhibitor, 2,2'-[[(methyl-1H-benzotriazol-1-yl) Methyl]imino]bisethanol, 1,2,3-benzotriazole and the like can be mentioned. Such a foam suppressing agent is advantageous in that it can prevent the color ink from bleeding in the image layer 14 printed on the foam suppressing layer 13. The concentration of the foam suppressing agent in the foam suppressing ink is, for example, 1 to 30 wt%, preferably 5 to 20 wt%. The foaming-suppressing ink, which is a water-based ink, may further contain a moisturizer and a surface conditioner, if necessary. Examples of the moisturizer include glycerin, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol and the like. The concentration of the moisturizing agent in the foam suppression ink is, for example, 5 to 50 wt%, preferably 20 to 50 wt%. Examples of the surface conditioning agent include acetylene-based surface conditioning agents and silicon-based surface conditioning agents. The concentration of the surface conditioner of the moisturizer in the foam suppression ink is, for example, 0.1 to 1 wt %.

The color ink forming the image layer 14 is an ink of any system compatible with the thermoplastic resin of the foaming layer 12 and the foaming suppressing ink of the foaming suppressing layer 13, for example, solvent ink or latex ink. BS4 and SS21 manufactured by Mimaki Engineering Co., Ltd. can be used as an example of the solvent ink, and Lx101 manufactured by Mimaki Engineering Co., Ltd. can be used as an example of the latex ink.

For example, when polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or the like having no ink receiving layer is used as the thermoplastic resin of the foam layer 12, a solvent ink containing a pigment as a colorant is used as the color ink, and the foam suppressing ink is described above. It is preferable to use the solvent-based ink. On the other hand, for the print medium 10 using another material for the foam layer 12, a latex ink containing a pigment as a colorant may be used as the color ink, and the above-described water-based ink may be used as the foam suppression ink. preferable.

(Step S3)
In step S3, a cut is performed to form perforations 23 and 24 on the print medium 10P. The print medium 10P on which the perforations 23 and 24 are formed is referred to as a print medium 10Q and is shown in FIG. The perforations 23 and 24 can be formed by, for example, cutting the cutter 111 (FIG. 4B) so as to intermittently penetrate the print medium 10P at intervals. Of the perforations 23 and 24, the perforations 23 are linearly formed in the margin 21 along the length direction and pass between the plurality of image layers 14 arranged in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the perforation 23 is composed of alternately arranged portions of length L1 that are not cut and portions of length L2 that are cut. In addition, the perforations 24 are linearly formed in the margin 22 along the width direction and pass between the plurality of image layers 14 arranged in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the perforations 24 are composed of alternately arranged portions of length L3 that are not cut and portions of length L4 that are cut. The perforations 23 and 24 are arranged between the plurality of image layers 14 arranged in the width direction and the length direction, respectively.

(Step S4)
In step S4, the print medium 10Q is heated. The heating is performed by the heater 121 shown in FIG. 6, for example. The print medium 10R in FIG. 6 is the print medium 10Q after heating. The heater 121 heats the print medium 10Q in a non-contact manner. The heating of the print medium 10Q is preferably performed as soon as possible after the foaming suppression layer 13 and the image layer 14 are formed. The heater 121 can heat the print medium 10Q at 180° C. to 240° C., and heats the print medium 10Q for 1 to 4 minutes. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the region of the foam layer 12 where the foam suppression layer 13 is not formed is heated and expands (foams). On the other hand, in the region of the foam layer 12 in which the foam suppression layer 13 is formed, the reaction is suppressed, and expansion (foaming) of the foam layer 12 is suppressed. Therefore, the print medium 10R in FIG. 6 is a print medium 10Q foamed by heating (a print medium 10Q having irregularities), and is also a three-dimensional object. As shown in FIG. 6, in the print medium 10R, which is the print medium 10Q after foaming, an expanded region 12a (a raised region) in which the foam layer 12 has expanded, and an expansion suppression region 12b in which expansion of the foam layer 12 is suppressed. Are formed. As a result, only a desired region of the print medium 10 can be inflated, and the surface of the print medium 10 can be made uneven. After step S4, the print medium 10R is cooled, and the process proceeds to step S5.

(Step S5)
In step S5, a cutting process of cutting the print medium 10R along the perforations 23 and 24 is executed. The cutting of the print medium 10R may be performed by hand or with a commercially available cutter knife, and the cutting method is not particularly limited. By cutting the print medium 10R along the perforations 23 and 24, as shown in FIG. 7, a portion of the print medium 10R (three-dimensional formed object) on which one image layer 14 and unevenness are formed is oval-sized. The three-dimensional formation 40 can be separated from other parts of the print medium 10R. In this way, the print medium 10R can be divided into the small-sized three-dimensionally formed objects 40 on which the image layers 14 are formed. Note that, in FIG. 7, it is shown that the unevenness is formed by dots, and the actual unevenness is omitted.

(Three-dimensional object formation system)
The method for forming the three-dimensional object (particularly, the print medium 10R) can be executed by, for example, the three-dimensional object forming system 100 shown in FIG. The forming system 100 includes an inkjet printer 110 and a heating device 120. In this forming system 100, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the print medium 10 is wound in a roll shape, and is sequentially fed forward from the tip and travels (note that the feeding and running directions are as shown in FIG. 3 and the like). The length direction). The forming system 100 also includes a mechanism for feeding and running the print medium 10 forward, a mechanism for supporting the print medium 10, and the like (neither is shown).

The inkjet printer 110 is, for example, an apparatus such as CJV300 series, CJV150 series, which is an inkjet printer having a cut-n-plotter function of Mimaki Engineering Co., Ltd. (for example, a cutting function capable of forming perforations by the cutter 111). Good. The inkjet printer 110 prints the foam suppression layer 13 and the image layer 14 on the print medium 10 running forward (which may be temporarily stopped for printing and cutting), and then forms the perforations 23 and 24. Make a cut. The cutting may be performed while the printing is performed. A printer other than the inkjet printer may be adopted as the device for printing and cutting (for example, a screen printing device or the like).

The heating device 120 is arranged downstream of the inkjet printer 110. The heating device 120 includes the above-mentioned heater 121, and the heater 121 heats the foaming suppression layer 13, the image layer 14, and the print medium 10 (print medium 10Q) after the perforations 23 and 24 are formed. The foam layer 12 of 10 is foamed to form irregularities (expansion region 12a, expansion suppression region 12b).

(About perforation)
Here, the perforations 23 and 24 formed on the print medium 10 will be described. The functions required of the perforations 23 and 24 formed in step S3 of FIG. 1 are that the cutting of the printing medium 10 shown in step S5 can be easily performed by using a hand or a cutter knife, and the perforations 23 and 24 can be formed. It is necessary to take care so as not to cut or greatly deform the portions where the perforations 23 and 24 are formed when the print medium 10 on which the marks are formed is run. The inventor has prepared a plurality of print media in which the lengths L1 and L3 of the uncut portions and the lengths L2 and L4 of the cut portions of the perforations 23 and 24 shown in FIG. The size of the perforation was determined by experiments. Here, a plurality of pairs of a print medium before foaming and a print medium after foaming are prepared as the plurality of print media, and perforations (lengths L1 to L4) are made different for each pair (printing of the same pair). Perforations between media (lengths L1 to L4 are common). The perforations of the print medium after foaming are formed before foaming. Each printing medium is the same printing medium (same material and forming method) only with or without foaming and perforation. Paper is azodicarbonamide (ADCA) as a foaming agent and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as a base resin. ), diisononyl phthalate (DINP) as a plasticizer, calcium carbonate as a filler, rutile titanium oxide as a pigment, and a foamable resin layer (foaming layer 12) using zinc stearate as a stabilizer (foaming aid). It was done. The print medium before foaming and the print medium after foaming were prepared mainly for verifying the ease of cutting from the perforations when the print medium was run (after the perforation was formed). Because the print medium can be run both before and after foaming).

As a result of the experiment, when the lengths L1 and L3 of the uncut portions of the perforations 23 and 24 are set to 1 mm, it is difficult to cut the print medium unless the lengths L2 and L4 of the cut portions are set to 1 mm or more. Unless it is set to the following (especially, the length L4), there is a problem that the print medium is cut when it is run (the same before and after foaming). When the lengths L1 and L3 of the uncut portions of the perforations 23 and 24 are set to 2 mm, the lengths L2 and L4 of the cut portions are set to 3 mm or more (particularly, the length L4) to cut the print medium. However, there is a problem such that the print medium 10 is cut when the print medium 10 runs unless the distance is 10 mm or less (the same before and after foaming). From this, the ratio (L1:L2) of the length L1 of the uncut portion of the perforation 23 to the length L2 of the cut portion, and the length L3 of the uncut portion of the perforation 24 and the length of the cut portion. It has been found that the ratio (L3:L4) to the height L4 is preferably in the range of 1:1 to 1:5.

It has also been found that it is preferable to set the lengths L1 and L3 of the uncut portions of the perforations 23 and 24 to 2 mm or less. If the lengths L1 and L3 of the non-cut portions are 3 mm or more, it becomes difficult to cut the print medium 10 (cut along the perforations 23 and 24) in step S5. However, this also depends on the thickness and strength of the print medium 10 (if the thickness and strength of the print medium 10 are low, even if the lengths L1 and L3 of the non-cut portions are 3 mm or more, the cutting may be easy. is there).

(Effect of this embodiment)
In the present embodiment, the perforations 23 and 24 for cutting are formed on the print medium 10 before the print medium 10 is heated and expanded (step S4 in FIG. 1) (step S3 in FIG. 1). Therefore, the perforations 23 and 24 for cutting are formed on the print medium 10 before foaming. That is, the perforations 23 and 24 can be easily formed by forming them on the print medium 10 having no unevenness. Further, since the perforations 23 and 24 are easily formed, the perforations 23 and 24 can be formed at accurate positions on the print medium 10. As a result, the dimensional accuracy of the three-dimensional object 40 to be formed can be increased. For example, it may be necessary to press the print medium when forming the perforations 23 and 24 (the inkjet printer 110 presses the print medium to prevent misalignment at the time of cutting when performing cutting). A pressing mechanism may be provided), and when the perforations 23 and 24 are formed on the print medium on which the concavo-convex is formed, the protrusion may be crushed or obstructed by the pressing, but By forming the eyes 23 and 24 on the print medium 10 having no unevenness, these inconveniences do not occur, and the perforations 23 and 24 can be formed easily and accurately. In addition, a mark image (such as a register mark image) is printed on the print medium 10 in advance, and when the perforations 23 and 24 are formed, the position of the cutter is corrected based on the image (for example, the inkjet printer described above). 110 is equipped with a camera and a control unit (such as a computer that controls the operation of printing or a cutter), and the camera may read the image, and the control unit may perform a correction process to adjust the position of the cutter. In the case where the perforations 23 and 24 are formed after foaming, the image portion of the mark also rises and the image is distorted, and the position of the cutter may not be accurately corrected. By forming the perforations 23 and 24 on the print medium 10 having no unevenness, the image is not distorted, the inconvenience does not occur, and the perforations 23 and 24 can be formed easily and accurately. Further, since the print medium after foaming has unevenness, for example, when the blade of the cutter is put on the slope of the convex portion, there may be a problem that the blade slips on the slope and the blade cannot be cut well. However, in the above embodiment, since the blade of the cutter is inserted in the print medium before foaming, the inconvenience does not occur. Therefore, the perforations 23 and 24 can be formed easily and accurately.

Further, since the print medium 10 wound into a roll can be run and the heat treatment can be performed as it is, the loss of the print medium can be small and the production cost can be suppressed. Further, since the image formed by the image layer 14 is represented on the print medium 10, the designability is improved. Further, the formation of the foam suppression layer 13 and the image layer 14 and the formation of the perforations 23 and 24 are performed by the same apparatus (inkjet printer 110), which facilitates the formation of these and the formation positions thereof. It is easy to align.

In addition to perforations 24 along the width direction, perforations 23 along the length (flow) direction are also formed on the print medium 10. As a result, it is possible to form perforations having a suitable shape. Then, a three-dimensional object having a desired size can be created, and a particularly small three-dimensional object (in particular, an oval three-dimensional object 40 having a width narrower than that of the print medium) can be created. The three-dimensional formed object thus created can be used for posters, postcards, etc., and its application range can be expanded. Also, since a three-dimensional object (three-dimensional ornament) that has been cut along the perforation line can be attached to the object to be decorated (decorative box, furniture, electric appliance, etc.), after attaching it to the non-decoration item. The work of cutting a three-dimensional object becomes unnecessary. This can simplify the work of decorating the object to be decorated.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. Hereinafter, modified examples will be described.

(Modification 1)
As the print medium 10, for example, the print medium 50 of FIG. 10 may be adopted. The print medium 50 includes a laminated release paper 51, an adhesive layer 52, a base material 53 (which may be the same as the base material 11), and a foam layer 54 (which may be the same as the foam layer 12). There is. The print medium 50 is a seal with release paper, and the adhesive layer 52, the base material 53, and the foam layer 54 can be separated from the release paper 51 as a unit. It should be noted that a portion composed of the adhesive layer 52, the base material 53, and the foam layer 54 is also referred to as a seal material that is peeled from the release paper 51.

When such a print medium 50 is adopted, as shown in FIG. 11, notches 63 may be formed instead of the perforations 23, and notches 64 may be formed instead of the perforations 24. Like the perforations 23, the cuts 63 are formed linearly in the margin 21 along the width direction. Like the perforations 24, the cuts 64 are formed linearly in the margin 22 along the length direction.

The cuts 63 and 64 are formed, for example, by half-cutting the print medium 50 after printing the foam suppression layer 13 and the image layer 14 in step S4. Half-cutting is performed by a cutter 112 (which may be the same as the cutter 111), as shown in FIG. Specifically, the cutter 112 completely cuts the adhesive layer 52, the base material 53, and the foam layer 54, while cutting the release paper 51 partially. As a result, the cuts 63 and 64 are formed. The print medium 10 after the cuts 63 and 64 are formed is also referred to as a print medium 50Q. After the half cut in step S4, the print medium 50Q is heated to foam the foam layer 54 in step S5. As a result, a print medium 50 (also referred to as a print medium 50R, which is also a three-dimensional object) having irregularities is obtained.

In this modified example, the seal material (here, the portion on which the unevenness and the image layer 14 are formed) that constitutes the print medium 50R, which is the print medium after the unevenness is formed, is surrounded by the cuts 63 and 64. A portion (a portion corresponding to one image layer 14) can be peeled off from the release paper 51 as an oval sealing material (a sealing material corresponding to one image, which is also a three-dimensional object) 70 (see FIG. 12). In FIG. 12, dots indicate that unevenness is formed, and actual unevenness is omitted.), and the sealing material 70 can be attached to another target. In this way, wallpaper seals, stickers, labels and the like can be formed as the seal material 70.

The formation system of the three-dimensional formed object in which the cuts 63 and 64 are formed can also adopt the same configuration as the formation system 100. However, the inkjet printer 110 is assumed to have a half cut function. When the inkjet printer 110 has a function capable of forming a notch and a perforation, the notch and the perforation may be provided on the print medium. In this case, by cutting the print medium along the perforations, it is possible to obtain a seal with release paper (a seal provided with unevenness) having a plurality of oval seal members partitioned by the notches.

Since the cuts 63 and 64 are formed in the same manner as the perforations 23 and 24 (for example, when the cuts 63 and 64 are formed, it is necessary to press the print medium), the cuts 63 and 64 are formed before foaming. By doing so, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment.

(Modification 2)
By laminating the surface of the print medium 10 on which the image layer 14 is formed, the water resistance and abrasion resistance of the three-dimensionally formed objects (print media 10R and 50R) may be improved. For the laminating process, for example, liquid laminating can be used. The laminating process can be performed at any stage such as after printing or after heat treatment.

(Modification 3)
The printing of the image layer 14 and the foam suppression layer 13 and the formation of perforations or cuts may be performed by different devices. For example, the printing may be performed by a printing device such as an inkjet printer (for example, a device that does not have a cutting function), and the cut that forms perforations or cuts may be performed by a cutting device such as a cutting plotter different from the printing device. Good. In this case, the cutting device may be arranged, for example, between the inkjet printer 110 (which does not have a cutting function here) and the heating device 120 in FIG. 8.

(Modification 4)
The number of images (images represented on the image layer 14) printed in the width direction or the length direction is arbitrary. Further, at least one of the plurality of images arranged in the width direction or the length direction may be different from the remaining images (including that the images are different from each other). Further, at least one of the unevenness (unevenness obtained by foaming of the foam layer) formed in each of the plurality of images (which may be the same or different) may be different from the unevenness formed in the remaining images. Good (including unevenness of each image).

(Modification 5)
The perforations and the half cuts may be formed in a diagonal direction with respect to the print medium, or may be formed in a curved shape. Accordingly, when the small-sized three-dimensional objects 40 and 70 (for example, wallpaper stickers) are attached to a predetermined object (for example, a wall) for decoration, the object has, for example, a complicated shape with a curved line (for example, a wall). Even if the boundary between the ceiling and the ceiling is a curved line), it is possible to obtain in advance a small-sized three-dimensional object having a shape suitable for the target, and the three-dimensional object can be cut and adjusted after being attached to the target. Is unnecessary, and the decoration with the three-dimensional object can be simplified.

(Modification 6)
By using a cardboard having a basis weight of 150 g/m ² as the base material of the print medium, it is possible to create a box having a three-dimensionally printed surface. When making such a box, the perforation as described above is formed at the bent portion of the box, or the notch as described above is made. Such perforations and cuts are also formed before the heat treatment of the print medium as in the above embodiment. Thus, the box having the surface provided with the unevenness due to the foaming of the foam layer can be bent at the bending portion and easily assembled.

(Modification 7)
The foam suppression layer 13 may be formed in the margins 21 and 22 between the image layers 14. As a result, foaming of a portion that forms perforations or cuts is suppressed, so that the three-dimensional object can be easily cut, or the operation of peeling the three-dimensional object from the release paper can be easily performed. In this case, the foam suppression layer 13 may be formed after the image layer 14 is formed. When the foam suppressing ink can pass through the image layer 14 and act on the foam layers 12 and 54, the foam suppressing ink may be applied from above the image layer after the image layer is formed.

(Modification 8)
In the above-described embodiments and the like, the foam suppression layer 13 and the image layer 14 representing an image are formed on the print medium 10 in step S2 of FIG. 1. However, a print medium on which an image is printed is prepared in advance, and then in step S2. It is also possible to perform only printing of the foam suppression layer 13 (application of the foam suppression ink). In this case, by forming the foam suppression layer 13 in the non-printed area, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the foam layers 12 and 54 without hindering the function of the pre-printed image. When the foam suppressing ink can pass through the image layer 14 and act on the foam layers 12 and 54, the foam suppressing ink may be applied on the image.

(Modification 9)
A part or all of the image printed on the print medium 10 may be expressed by the foam suppression ink colored in a desired color. For example, the foam suppression layer 13 and the image layer 14 may cooperate to express one image. Printing time can be shortened. The foamed layers 12 and 54 may be foamed to express the design only by the irregularities, and in this case, the image is not necessary.

(Modification 10)
The foam layers 12 and 54 are made of a thermoplastic resin layer in which microcapsules made of a thermoplastic resin (such as acrylonitrile) encapsulating a volatile solvent (such as liquid hydrocarbon) that volatilizes and expands by heating are dispersed and foamed. A carbon black ink may be printed on the area (heating area) to form a three-dimensionally formed product. This method utilizes the characteristics of carbon molecules that absorb electromagnetic waves due to the molecular structure of covalent bonds. By irradiating electromagnetic waves, the areas of the foamed layers 12, 54 on which the carbon black ink is printed are heated. Inflate. As described above, the control of the foaming of the foam layers 12 and 54 (the control of the place where foaming occurs and the place where the foaming is suppressed) is performed by using one of the ink that suppresses foaming and the ink that induces or promotes foaming (that is, , Ink for controlling foaming of the foam layer). The carbon black ink may be applied so as to form a part of the image.

(Modification 11)
Further, the cut for forming the perforations 23, 24 or the cuts 63, 64 may be performed on the print medium 10 before the formation of the foam suppression layer 13 and the image layer 14, or may be performed after the foam suppression layer 13 is formed. And the image layer 14 may be formed thereafter. In addition, it is preferable to perform the cutting after the formation of the foam suppression layer 13 (or the application of the carbon black ink) and the formation of the image layer 14. As a result, it is possible to prevent the ink from entering the cut portions (in the cut portions of the perforations 23 and 24, in the cuts 63 and 64), and thus, for example, applying the color ink or the like on or near the cut portions. In such a case, the oval three-dimensional formed objects 40, 70 (particularly the side end faces) can be finished neatly.

10, 10P, 10Q, 10R Printing medium 11 Base material 12 Foaming layer 12a Expansion area 12b Expansion suppression area 13 Foaming suppression layer 14 Image layer 21,22 Margin 23,24 Perforation 40 Oval three-dimensional object 50,50Q,50R printing Medium 51 Release paper 52 Adhesive layer 53 Base material 54 Foaming layer 63, 64 Notch 70 Oval sealing material (three-dimensional object)
100 Forming System 110 Inkjet Printer 111, 112 Cutter 120 Heating Device 121 Heater

Claims (7)

A sheet-shaped medium having a foam layer that expands when heated, an applying step of applying ink for controlling foaming of the foam layer,
A cutting step for making a cut to form perforations or cuts in the medium,
A foaming step of foaming the foam layer by heating the medium after the applying step and the cutting step,
A method for forming a three-dimensional object, comprising: A printing process for printing an image on the medium,
The method for forming a three-dimensional object according to claim 1. In the printing step, a plurality of images arranged in the width direction of the medium are printed on the medium,
In the cutting step, between the plurality of images, forming the perforations or cuts extending along the length direction of the medium,
The method for forming a three-dimensional product according to claim 2. The applying step and the cutting step are performed by the same device,
The method for forming a three-dimensional product according to any one of claims 1 to 3. In the cutting step, a cut for forming the perforations is applied to the medium,
The method for forming a three-dimensional product according to any one of claims 1 to 4. In the cutting step, the perforation is formed such that the ratio of the length of the uncut portion to the length of the cut portion is in the range of 1:1 to 1:5.
The method for forming a three-dimensional object according to claim 5. A sheet-shaped medium having a foamed layer that expands when heated, an application unit that applies ink for controlling foaming of the foamed layer,
Cutting means for making a cut to form perforations or cuts in the medium,
Foaming means for foaming the foam layer by heating the medium to which the ink is applied and which has been cut,
A formation system for a three-dimensional object.