JP2021154714A - Three-dimensional printer device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a three-dimensional printer device which enables high precision optical shaping at a reduced light spot size.SOLUTION: A three-dimensional printer device 100 comprises a printer head 10, a liquid tank 110 storing a photocurable liquid, a platform 200 to be stuck with a molding, a Z-direction stage part capable of performing the movement adjustment of the platform 200 in a height direction Z, an X-direction stage part 240 capable of performing the movement adjustment of the printer head 10 in a main scattering direction X, a Y-direction stage part capable of performing the movement adjustment of the printer head 10 in a sub-scattering direction Y, a control unit 300 including an optical output control unit 330 controlling the optical output of each light emitting element 21 of the printer head 10, a height direction control unit 310 performing the movement adjustment control in the height direction Z and a sub-scattering direction control unit 320 performing the movement adjustment control in the sub-scanning direction Y and a shift adjustment unit 340 performing the shift adjustment of the printer head 10 to the main scanning direction X.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a three-dimensional printer device.

Conventionally, as a three-dimensional printer head, a method of condensing a plurality of lasers, guiding them with a fiber, arranging them in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array, and irradiating the powder with light to perform high-speed modeling has been shown (for example, a patent). Reference 1). With this method, the thickness of the fiber is the pitch of the light, so even if a thin wire is used, the interval of the irradiated light will be the same pitch as the diameter of the fiber.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-340924

However, in the case of a method in which laser elements are arranged in an array to emit light, the width of the laser element is limited. As a light source for stereolithography, it is possible to create a beautiful model by narrowing down the spot of light and narrowing the pitch, but since the fiber diameter and the size of the laser element are limited, it is high with a small light spot size. There was a problem that it was difficult to perform fine stereolithography.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional printer device capable of high-definition stereolithography with a small light spot size.

[1] In the present invention, a light emitting element array in which each light emitting element is arranged at a predetermined pitch and a light emitted from each light emitting element of the light emitting element array arranged corresponding to the light emitting element array are incident surfaces. A printer head configured with a rod lens array that is incident on the surface of the light and emits the light from an exit surface opposite to the incident surface, and light that is cured by the light emitted from the printer head. A liquid tank for accommodating a curable liquid, a platform to which a molded product cured by the light adheres, and a direction in which the liquid level of the platform moves up and down with respect to the photocurable liquid in the liquid tank. The printer is located in a Z-direction stage portion that can be moved and adjusted in the height direction Z, a main scanning direction X that is the direction in which each light emitting element of the light emitting element array is arranged, and a sub-scanning direction Y that is orthogonal to the height direction Z, respectively. Controls the light output of the Y-direction stage unit that allows the movement and adjustment of the head for the printer, the X-direction stage unit that allows the head for the printer to be moved and adjusted in the main scanning direction X, and the light emitting elements of the head for the printer. Optical output control unit, height direction control unit that performs movement adjustment control in the height direction Z, sub-scanning direction control unit that performs movement adjustment control in the sub-scanning direction Y, and the printer in the main scanning direction X. Provided is a three-dimensional printer device having a control unit having a shift adjustment unit for adjusting the shift of the head of the light beam.
[2] The sub-scanning direction control unit reciprocates the printer head in the sub-scanning direction Y, and the printer head reciprocates the printer head by half the pitch of the light emitting element array on the outward path and the return path. The shift adjustment in the main scanning direction X may be possible.
[3] The light emitting element array is configured by arranging a plurality of submounts side by side, the sub-scanning direction control unit reciprocates the printer head in the sub-scanning direction Y, and the printer head is on the outward path. On the return trip, the shift adjustment may be possible in the main scanning direction X by an integral multiple of the width of the submount of the light emitting element array.

According to the present invention, high-definition stereolithography is possible with a small light spot size.

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional perspective view showing the overall configuration of a printer head and a three-dimensional printer device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration and a control unit of the three-dimensional printer device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the A direction. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a set distance between the light emitting element of the printer head and the rod lens array according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional perspective view showing the operation of the forward path and the return path of the printer head. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a light spot during an outward scan in the sub-scanning direction at a certain sub-scanning direction Y position, and FIG. 5B is a light spot during a return scan in the sub-scanning direction. It is a figure which shows that the position of the light spot is deviated by 1/2 pitch in the outward path and the return path, and FIG. It is a figure which shows. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the three-dimensional printer device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a three-dimensional perspective view showing the outbound and inbound operations of the printer head according to the second embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
(Configuration of Printer Head 10)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printer head 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a light emitting element array 20 in which each light emitting element 21 is arranged at a predetermined pitch and an arrangement corresponding to the light emitting element array 20. The rod lens array 30 is provided with a rod lens array 30 in which light emitted from each light emitting element 21 of the light emitting element array 20 is incident on the incident surface 31 and light is emitted from the emitting surface 32 on the side opposite to the incident surface 31. It is configured. The light emitting element array 20 and the rod lens array 30 are both fixed to the housing 70 in a predetermined positional relationship to form an assembly.

(Light emitting element array 20)
As shown in FIG. 2, in the light emitting element array 20, each light emitting element 21 is mounted and arranged on the substrate 25 at a predetermined pitch. The substrate 25 is fixed to the housing 70. The light emitting elements 21 are arranged in an array on the substrate 25 at a predetermined pitch, for example, 120 μm. The light emitting elements 21 can be arranged side by side by the required width in the main scanning direction.

As each light emitting element 21, a laser element having a predetermined wavelength can be used. The predetermined wavelength can be various wavelengths such as ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared, but in the present embodiment, the light emitting element 21 uses an ultraviolet light laser element. Each light emitting element 21 is preferably a laser having coherent property and capable of increasing the output. Each light emitting element 21 is connected to an optical output control unit 330 that controls the light output of each light emitting element 21, and irradiates light linearly in the main scanning direction X.

(Rod lens array 30)
The rod lens array 30 is an array-like optical system in which a large number of rod-shaped rod lenses are arranged in parallel and an erecting equal-magnification image by each rod lens is superposed to form one continuous image as a whole. In the present embodiment, as the rod lens array 30, a Selfock (registered trademark) lens array in which a large number of refractive index distribution type lenses are arranged to form one continuous image as a whole is used.

As shown in FIG. 3, the rod lens array 30 emits light when the light emitting element array 20 (light emitting element 21) is arranged at a position (focal length) of the focal length f from the incident surface 31 of the rod lens array 30. The laser beam L emitted from the array 20 (light emitting element 21) is imaged at a position (focal position) at a focal length f from the emission surface 32 of the rod lens array 30. As a result, the printer head 10 can irradiate the object with the laser beam L having a small light spot size.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the light emitting element array 20 (light emitting element 21) and the rod lens array 30 are fixed to the housing 70 in the above-mentioned positional relationship with the assembly. The printer head 10 is configured.

(Configuration of 3D Printer Device 100)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the three-dimensional printer device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention contains a printer head 10 and a photocurable liquid that is cured by light emitted from the printer head 10. The tank 110, the platform 200 to which the molded product cured by light adheres, and the platform 200 in the height direction Z in which the liquid level 115a moves up and down with respect to the photocurable liquid 115 of the liquid tank 110. The movement-adjustable Z-direction stage unit 210, the X-direction stage unit 240 that allows the printer head 10 to be moved and adjusted in the main scanning direction X, and the main scanning direction in which each light emitting element 21 of the light emitting element array 20 is arranged. The Y-direction stage unit 220 that allows the printer head 10 to be moved and adjusted in the sub-scanning direction Y that is orthogonal to the direction X and the height direction Z, and the optical output that controls the optical output of each light emitting element 21 of the printer head 10. To the control unit 330, the height direction control unit 310 that performs the movement adjustment control in the height direction Z, the control unit 300 having the sub-scanning direction control unit 320 that performs the movement adjustment control in the sub-scanning direction Y, and the main scanning direction X. It is configured to include a shift adjusting unit 340 that adjusts the shift of the printer head 10. The three-dimensional printer device 100 selectively cures the photocurable liquid three-dimensionally by the printer head 10, the Z-direction stage unit 210, the Y-direction stage unit 220, and the X-direction stage unit 240. As a result, a three-dimensionally cured object is formed to realize a three-dimensional print.

In the first embodiment, the sub-scanning direction control unit 320 reciprocates the printer head 10 in the sub-scanning direction Y, and the printer head 10 reciprocates the pitch between the elements of the light emitting element array 21 in the outward path and the return path. It is configured to adjust the shift in the main scanning direction X by half the amount.

FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional perspective view showing the operation of the forward path and the return path of the printer head. As shown in FIG. 4, the shift adjustment in the main scanning direction X moves the printer head 10 in the main scanning direction X by the X-direction stage unit 240. In the first embodiment, the printer head 10 is moved in the direction of the outward path F, and is moved to a predetermined sub-scanning direction Y position, that is, a sub-scanning direction position where _{Y j} = Y _{m, which will be described later.} Here, the shift is adjusted by moving the printer head 10 in the main scanning direction X by 1/2 pitch. In this shift-adjusted state, the printer head 10 is moved in the direction of the return path R.

FIG. 5A is a diagram showing light spots during an outward scan in the sub-scanning direction at a certain sub-scanning direction Y position. The light spot is irradiated at the array pitch P between the light emitting elements 21 of the printer head 10. As an example, the element arrangement pitch P is 120 μm.

FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the light spots at the time of the return scan in the sub-scanning direction, and the positions of the light spots are deviated by 1/2 pitch (60 μm) between the outward path and the return path. That is, at the time of the return scan, the position of the light spot scans between the light spots on the outward path.

FIG. 5C is a diagram showing a light spot in which the outward path and the return path in the sub-scanning direction are combined at a certain sub-scanning direction Y position. By the outward scan and the return scan of the printer head 10, the positions of the light spots are irradiated side by side in the main scanning direction X at a 1/2 pitch. Therefore, even if the light spot diameter is narrowed down and irradiated, small light spots are lined up in the main scanning direction X without gaps, and high-definition modeling becomes possible.

(Liquid tank 110)
As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid tank 110 is roughly composed of an accommodating portion 111 and a main body portion 112. The accommodating portion 111 is a recess for accommodating the photocurable liquid 115. The liquid level 115a of the photocurable liquid 115 housed in the accommodating portion 111 is the imaging position of the laser beam L emitted from the rod lens array 30.

Here, the photocurable liquid 115 is a liquid photocurable resin, and the photocurable resin is a resin that is polymerized and cured by light having a specific wavelength. The wavelength range in which the polymerization reaction of the photocurable resin occurs is from the long wavelength range side to the short wavelength range in the order of infrared rays, visible rays, and ultraviolet rays. In the present embodiment, since the laser wavelength of the light emitting element 21 to be used is ultraviolet light, a resin that is cured by this ultraviolet wavelength is selected. For example, an epoxy resin or an acrylic resin can be used as an example of a photocurable resin corresponding to ultraviolet light.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the main body portion 112 is a base portion on which the Z-direction stage portion 210, the Y-direction stage portion 220, and the like are mounted. The main body 112 is made of a material that has sufficient rigidity to serve as a base for each stage and that can stably contain the photocurable liquid 115 that is a liquid. As an example of the main body 112, iron-based, copper-based metal, or the like can be used.

(Adjustment of printer head 10)
In the present embodiment, as described in the first embodiment, the distance from the exit surface 32 of the rod lens array 30 of the printer head 10 to the liquid level 115a is defined as the distance d2. This distance d2 is a distance at which the beam diameter expands to a size of 1/2 of the beam interval between the light emitting elements 21. That is, in the printer head 10, the beam diameter of the light emitted from the rod lens array 30 is halved from each light emitting element 21 of the light emitting element array 20 at the liquid level 115a of the liquid tank 110. It is set.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the printer head 10, the Z-direction adjusting unit (not shown) has a liquid level from the exit surface 32 of the rod lens array 30 of the printer head 10 as described in the first embodiment. Adjust so that the distance to 115a is the distance d2. This adjustment is performed at the time of initial setting of the three-dimensional printer device 100. Further, it can be executed at any time when the liquid level 115a changes.

(Z-direction stage portion 210)
The height of the Z-direction stage portion 210 is such that the platform 200 to which the molded product formed by curing by light adheres and the liquid level 115a of the platform 200 moves up and down with respect to the photocurable liquid 115 of the liquid tank 110. It is configured as a stage unit that can be moved and adjusted in the direction Z. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the platform 200 and the Z-direction stage portion 210 are arranged in the liquid tank 110.

Z direction stage 210, as shown in FIG. 2, illustration is omitted Z drive unit is connected to the control unit 300, the control signal S movement of _Z by the height direction Z, adjustment is performed.

(Y-direction stage portion 220)
The Y-direction stage unit 220 is a stage unit that can be moved and adjusted in the sub-scanning direction Y that is orthogonal to the main scanning direction X and the height direction Z, which are the directions in which the light emitting elements 21 of the light emitting element array 20 are arranged. As shown in FIG. 1, the Y-direction stage portion 220 is attached to the main body portion 112 of the liquid tank 110 so that the printer head 10 can be moved in the sub-scanning direction Y. As a result, the Y-direction stage unit 220 moves the printer head 10 in the sub-scanning direction Y, and irradiates the liquid surface 115a with a two-dimensional image together with the linear output of the laser beam L in the main scanning direction X. can do.

Y direction stage 220, as shown in FIG. 2, illustration is omitted Y driver is connected to the control unit 300, the movement in the sub-scanning direction Y, an adjustment is performed by the control signal S _Y.

(X-direction stage unit 240)
The X-direction stage unit 240 is a stage unit that allows the printer head 10 to be moved and adjusted in the main scanning direction X. As shown in FIG. 1, the X-direction stage unit 240 allows the printer head 10 to be moved and adjusted in the direction in which the light emitting elements 21 of the light emitting element array 20 are arranged, that is, in the main scanning direction X. In the first embodiment, the amount of movement is 1/2 pitch, which is half of the arrangement pitch P between the light emitting elements 21. By making it movable by an integral multiple of 1/2 pitch, it is effective for correcting missing dots, which will be described later.

X direction stage 240, as shown in FIG. 2, illustration is omitted X driver is connected to the control unit 300, the movement in the main scanning direction X, adjustment is performed by the control signal S _P.

(Control unit 300)
As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 300 includes a height direction control unit 310, a sub-scanning direction control unit 320, an optical output control unit 330, a shift adjustment unit 340, and a 3D data unit 350. .. The control unit 300 is, for example, a micro composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs calculations, processing, etc. on the acquired data according to a program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that is a semiconductor memory, a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. It is a computer. The RAM is used, for example, as a storage area for temporarily storing the calculation result and the like. Further, the control unit 300 has an interface unit and the like for signal input / output processing.

(Height direction control unit 310)
The height direction control unit 310 moves the platform 200 in the height direction Z by a predetermined amount by driving the Z direction stage unit 210 each time the molding of each layer in the height direction Z is completed. To do. The height direction control unit 310 outputs the control signal S _Z to the Z direction stage unit 210 to perform movement and adjustment in the height direction Z. The height direction control unit 310 can detect the position information of the Z direction stage unit 210 and control the position of the Z direction stage unit 210 in the height direction Z.

The height direction control unit 310 moves the platform 200 in the height direction Z (downward direction shown in FIG. 2). The height direction control unit 310 grows a formation (modeled object) adhering to the platform 200 by lowering the platform 200 downward according to 3D data each time the molding of each layer in the height direction Z is completed. Can be done.

The height direction control unit 310 controls the printer head 10 to be moved downward by a predetermined movement amount ΔZ in the height direction Z by driving the Z direction stage unit 210 during three-dimensional printing. This predetermined movement amount ΔZ corresponds to the increment of each Z data of the slice data described later.

By driving the Z-direction stage unit 210, the height direction control unit 310 sequentially moves the printer head 10 downward by a predetermined movement amount ΔZ from the initial position (height direction Z) of the printer head 10. Move to. This downward movement control is executed every time the two-dimensional image formation is completed by the movement of the printer head 10 in the sub-scanning direction Y and the linear output of the laser beam L in the main scanning direction X.

The position control of the Z-direction stage unit 210 by the height direction control unit 310 may be open control in which the Z-direction stage unit 210 is sequentially moved by the predetermined movement amount ΔZ described above, or the Z position of the Z-direction stage unit 210. The position may be controlled by feeding back the closed control.

(Sub-scanning direction control unit 320)
The sub-scanning direction control unit 320 moves the printer head 10 in the sub-scanning direction Y by a predetermined amount each time the main scanning operation of causing each light emitting element 21 to emit light linearly in the main scanning direction X is completed. To do. The sub-scanning direction control unit 320 outputs the control signal S _Y to the Y-direction stage unit 220 to move and adjust the sub-scanning direction Y in the sub-scanning direction Y. The sub-scanning direction control unit 320 can detect the position information of the Y-direction stage unit 220 and control the position of the Y-direction stage unit 220 in the sub-scanning direction Y.

The sub-scanning direction control unit 320 moves the printer head 10 in the sub-scanning direction Y and adjusts it to a predetermined Y initial position. As a result, the initial position (secondary scanning direction Y) of the printer head 10 in the three-dimensional printer device 100 can be set.

During three-dimensional printing, the sub-scanning direction control unit 320 controls the printer head 10 to be moved in the sub-scanning direction Y by a predetermined movement amount ΔY by driving the Y-direction stage unit 220. This predetermined movement amount ΔY corresponds to the increment of each Y data of the slice data described later.

By driving the Y-direction stage unit 220, the sub-scanning direction control unit 320 sequentially scans the printer head 10 by a predetermined movement amount ΔY from the initial position (sub-scanning direction Y) of the printer head 10 described above. Move in direction Y. This movement control in the sub-scanning direction Y is executed every time the laser beam L is linearly irradiated in the main scanning direction X to complete the image formation in the main scanning direction.

The position control of the Y-direction stage unit 220 by the sub-scanning direction control unit 320 may be open control in which the Y-direction stage unit 220 is sequentially moved by the predetermined movement amount ΔY, or the Y position of the Y-direction stage unit 220. The position may be controlled by feeding back the closed control.

(Optical output control unit 330)
The optical output control unit 330 performs a main scanning operation in which each light emitting element 21 emits light linearly in the main scanning direction X. The light output control unit 330 controls the light output value (light emitting power) of each light emitting element 21 of the light emitting element array 20. That is, the optical output control unit 330 mainly sets a predetermined optical amplitude value (optical peak value) or a pulse width of a drive signal that defines a light emission time to a predetermined amount based on the optical output value data. Control is performed to emit a linear laser beam L in the scanning direction X.

In the present embodiment, the light emission power of each light emitting element 21 is controlled by controlling the light amplitude value (light peak value) to be constant by APC (Automatic Power Control) and controlling the pulse width of the drive signal to control the light output. Do it. The light output control in the main scanning direction X controls the light output at each X position based on the 3D data to be molded, so that a desired linear laser beam L is emitted to the printer head 10.

(Shift adjustment unit 340)
The shift adjustment unit 340 adjusts the shift of the printer head 10 in the main scanning direction X. The shift adjustment unit 340 sets the shift amount to zero when the printer head 10 moves outward in the sub-scanning direction Y. That is, the X-direction stage unit 240 does not move the printer head 10. When the printer head 10 moves back in the sub-scanning direction Y, the shift adjusting unit 340 sets the shift amount to 1/2 pitch, which is half of the array pitch P between the light emitting elements 21. That is, the X-direction stage unit 240 moves the printer head 10 in the main scanning direction X by 1/2 pitch.

The position control of the X-direction stage unit 240 by the shift adjustment unit 340 may be an open control in which the X-direction stage unit 240 is moved by the above-mentioned 1/2 pitch, and the X position of the X-direction stage unit 240 is fed back. It may be closed control which controls the position by.

(3D data unit 350)
The 3D data unit 350 prepares the three-dimensional shape formed by the three-dimensional printer device 100 as three-dimensional data. The 3D data unit 350 includes X, Y, Z coordinate data, and 3D data having an optical output value at each coordinate as 3D model data for executing 3D printing on the 3D printer device 100. This 3D data may be created externally and input to the control unit 300, or may be created by the 3D data unit 350.

3D data unit 350 is, for example, the 3D model was sliced in a Z direction, to create a slice data from _{Z 0} to _{Z n.} This slice data is data for each one layer in 3D printing. The slice data Z _i (i is an integer from 0 to n) is composed of a data string of an X coordinate value, a Y coordinate value, and an optical output value at the _{height position Z i.} As an example, the X coordinate value at the height position Z _i value defined by the pitch of the light emitting element array 20, Y-coordinate value is a value defined by the resolution of the predetermined movement amount ΔY in the Y-direction stage 220, It can be Y _j (j is an integer from 0 to m). Further, the light output value at the height position Z _i can be X-coordinate value, the pulse width of the drive signal in the Y-coordinate values.

(Operation of 3D printer device 100)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the three-dimensional printer device according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the operation of the three-dimensional printer device 100 will be described based on this.

(Step1)
The control unit 300 prepares 3D data in the 3D data unit 350. The 3D data is a three-dimensional data formed by the three-dimensional shape formed by the three-dimensional printer device 100, and is created externally and input to the control unit 300, or created by the 3D data unit 350.

(Step2)
The control unit 300 sets i = 0 in the height direction control unit 310.

(Step3)
Height direction control unit 310, by outputting a control signal S _Z in Z direction stage 210 to move the platform 200 in the height direction Z _i, to adjust the distance between the liquid surface 115a at a predetermined distance .. Note that i is an integer from 0 to n, and when i = 0, the initial position (height position Z ₀ ) of the printer head 10 in the three-dimensional printer device 100 is set.

(Step4)
The control unit 300 sets j = 0 in the sub-scanning direction control unit 320. Further, the shift adjusting unit 340 sets the shift amount to zero in the main scanning direction X. The X-direction stage unit 240 moves the printer head 10 to a position where the shift amount is zero.

(Step 5)
The sub-scanning direction control unit 320 moves the printer head 10 in the sub-scanning direction Y _{j by outputting the control signal SY} to the Y-direction stage unit 220. Note that j is an integer from 0 to m, and when j = 0, the initial position (secondary scanning direction Y ₀ ) of the printer head 10 in the three-dimensional printer device 100 is set.

(Step 6)
The control unit 300 outputs light in the main scanning direction X by the light output control unit 330. That is, the optical output control unit 330 outputs a control signal S _X to the printer head 10, by emitting linearly in the main scanning direction X of the light-emitting elements 21, a laser beam L to the liquid surface 115a do. Since the photocurable liquid 115 in the liquid tank 110 is a photocurable resin that cures in response to the laser light L, the resin liquid in the region irradiated with the laser light L (the range of the beam diameter) is cured. The cured molded product adheres to the platform 200.

(Step7)
The control unit 300 determines whether or not _{Y j} = Y _m. If Y _j = Y _m , the process proceeds to Step 8 (Step 7: Yes), and if Y _j = Y _m , the process returns to Step 5 as j = j + 1 (Step 7: No). For Y j ₌ Y _m, the process proceeds to return the print molding, if not Y j ₌ Y _m, will continue forward print forming of the i-th layer.

(Step 8)
In the shift adjustment unit 340, the shift amount in the main scanning direction X is set to 1/2 pitch. As a result, the stage unit 240 in the X direction moves the printer head 10 in the main scanning direction X by 1/2 pitch to adjust the shift.

(Step 9)
The sub-scanning direction control unit 320 moves the printer head 10 in the sub-scanning direction Y _{j-1 by outputting the control signal SY} to the Y-direction stage unit 220. That is, it is moved in the return direction R.

(Step 10)
The control unit 300 outputs light in the main scanning direction X by the light output control unit 330. That is, the optical output control unit 330 outputs a control signal S _X to the printer head 10, by emitting linearly in the main scanning direction X of the light-emitting elements 21, a laser beam L to the liquid surface 115a do. Since the photocurable liquid 115 in the liquid tank 110 is a photocurable resin that cures in response to the laser light L, the resin liquid in the region irradiated with the laser light L (the range of the beam diameter) is cured. The cured molded product adheres to the platform 200.

(Step 11)
The control unit 300 determines whether or not _{Y j} = Y _0. If Y _j = Y ₀ , the process proceeds to Step 12 (Step 11: Yes), and if Y _j = Y ₀ , the process returns to Step 9 as j = j-1 (Step 11: No). If Y _j = Y _0, the process proceeds to the print molding of the next layer, and if Y _j = Y ₀ , the print molding of the return path of the i-th layer is continued.

(Step 12)
The control unit 300 determines whether or not _{Z i} = Z _n. If Z _i = Z _n , the process proceeds to Step 13 (Step 12: Yes), and if Z _i = Z _n , the process returns to Step 3 as i = i + 1 (Step 12: No). If Z _i = Z _n , the next layer (i + 1) is formed.

(Step 13)
Since the three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional data is completed by the cured photocurable resin by the three-dimensional printer device 100, the three-dimensional model formed by adhering to the platform 200 is separated and completed.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, the light emitting element array 20 is configured by arranging a plurality of submounts side by side. The sub-scanning direction control unit 320 reciprocates the printer head 10 in the sub-scanning direction Y, and the printer head 10 moves to the main scanning direction X by an integral multiple of the width of the sub-mount of the light emitting element array on the outward path and the return path. It is configured to make shift adjustments.

FIG. 7 is a three-dimensional perspective view showing the outbound and inbound operations of the printer head according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, in the printer head 10, the light emitting element array 20 has a plurality of submounts such as, for example, the light emitting element arrays 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, etc., as shown in FIG. It is composed of. One submount has a width W.

The shift adjustment unit 340 can move the printer head 10 in the main scanning direction X by the width W of the submount as a shift adjustment of the printer head 10 in the main scanning direction X.

The light emitting element array 20 is mounted on the submount to dissipate heat from the laser element, but when the submount does not shine, the missing dots are eliminated by shifting the submount units as shown in FIG. Is possible.

(Effect of 3D Printer Device According to Embodiment)
According to the three-dimensional printer device of the present embodiment, the following effects are obtained.
(1) In the first embodiment, the printer head 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention corresponds to the light emitting element array 20 in which the light emitting elements 21 are arranged at a predetermined pitch and the light emitting element array 20. The rod lens array 30 is arranged so that the light emitted from each light emitting element 21 of the light emitting element array 20 is incident on the incident surface 31 and the light is emitted from the emitting surface 32 on the side opposite to the incident surface 31. It is composed of. The sub-scanning direction control unit 320 reciprocates the printer head 10 in the sub-scanning direction Y, and the printer head 10 shifts to the main scanning direction X by half the pitch of the light emitting element array 21 on the outward path and the return path. It is configured to make adjustments. As a result, the position of the light spot can be shifted by 1/2 pitch between the outward path and the return path in the sub-scanning direction, and even if the light spot diameter is narrowed down and irradiated, small light spots are lined up in the main scanning direction X without any gap. , High-definition modeling is possible.
(2) In the second embodiment, the light emitting element array 20 is configured by arranging a plurality of submounts side by side. The scanning direction control unit 320 reciprocates the printer head 10 in the sub-scanning direction Y, and the printer head shifts and adjusts to the main scanning direction X by an integral multiple of the width of the submount of the light emitting element array on the outward path and the return path. Is configured to do. As a result, even if the laser element is mounted on the submount for heat dissipation but does not shine in the submount unit, it is possible to eliminate missing dots by shifting the laser element in the submount unit by adjusting the shift.
(3) The printer head 10 emits light by arranging light sources in an array, but when one element of the light emitting element array 20 does not shine, a portion that is not formed due to missing dots is formed. However, by adjusting the shift of the shift adjusting unit 340, it is possible to eliminate the missing dot portion by using the pitch shift by a predetermined amount.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be carried out within a range that does not deviate from the gist of the invention. Moreover, the above-described embodiment does not limit the invention according to the claims. It should also be noted that not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention.

10 ... Printer head, 20 ... Light emitting element array, 21 ... Light emitting element, 25 ... Substrate, 30 ... Rod lens array, 31 ... Incident surface, 32 ... Emitting surface, 70 ... Housing, 100 ... Three-dimensional printer device, 110 ... Liquid tank, 111 ... Accommodating part, 112 ... Main body part, 115 ... Photocurable liquid, 115a ... Liquid level, 200 ... Platform, 210 ... Z direction stage part, 220 ... Y direction stage part, 240 ... X direction stage part , 300 ... Control unit, 310 ... Height direction control unit, 320 ... Sub-scanning direction control unit, 330 ... Optical output control unit, 340 ... Shift adjustment unit, 350 ... 3D data unit, L ... Laser light, X ... Main scanning Direction, Y ... Sub-scanning direction, Z ... Height direction

Claims (3)

A light emitting element array in which each light emitting element is arranged at a predetermined pitch, and light emitted from each light emitting element of the light emitting element array, which is arranged corresponding to the light emitting element array, is incident on an incident surface, and the incident surface is incident. A head for a printer configured to include a rod lens array in which the light is emitted from an exit surface on the opposite side to the above.
A liquid tank containing a photocurable liquid that is cured by the light emitted from the printer head, and
A platform to which a molded product cured by the light adheres, and a Z whose liquid level can be moved and adjusted in the height direction Z, which is the direction in which the liquid level moves up and down with respect to the photocurable liquid in the liquid tank. Directional stage part and
A Y-direction stage unit that allows the printer head to be moved and adjusted in a sub-scanning direction Y that is orthogonal to the main scanning direction X and the height direction Z, which are the directions in which the light emitting elements of the light emitting element array are arranged.
An X-direction stage unit that allows the printer head to be moved and adjusted in the main scanning direction X, and
An optical output control unit that controls the light output of each light emitting element of the printer head, a height direction control unit that controls movement adjustment in the height direction Z, and a sub scan that controls movement adjustment in the sub scanning direction Y. A direction control unit, a control unit having a shift adjustment unit that adjusts the shift of the printer head in the main scanning direction X, and a control unit.
3D printer device. The sub-scanning direction control unit reciprocates the printer head in the sub-scanning direction Y, and the printer head reciprocates in the main scanning direction by half the pitch of the light emitting element array on the outward path and the return path. The three-dimensional printer device according to claim 1, wherein the shift adjustment to X is possible. The light emitting element array is configured by arranging a plurality of submounts side by side, the sub-scanning direction control unit reciprocates the printer head in the sub-scanning direction Y, and the printer head reciprocates in the outward path and the return path. The three-dimensional printer device according to claim 1, wherein the shift adjustment can be performed in the main scanning direction X by an integral multiple of the width of the submount of the light emitting element array.

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