JP5338256B2 - Stereoscopic image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a three-dimensional image forming apparatus such as a three-dimensional printer that can laminate and print a three-dimensional image by ejecting toner.

  Conventionally, as a method for forming a three-dimensional image on recording paper or the like, an image forming toner capable of forming a three-dimensional image using a general copying machine, a printer, or the like, or such an image forming toner is used. An image forming apparatus using toner has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

  Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming toner containing a binder resin and a foaming agent configured such that the foaming agent is not substantially exposed on the toner surface.

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a three-dimensional image can be formed on a recording medium by using a toner containing a binder resin and a foaming agent. Attempts to obtain this result in a large foaming at the interface between the foaming toner and the paper, so that the adhesive strength between the paper to be used and the foaming toner is insufficient, and the three-dimensional toner image is peeled off from the paper. there were. In addition, if the foamable toner is to be greatly expanded, the foamable toner spreads in the lateral direction, a sufficient height cannot be obtained, and the stereoscopic image becomes insufficient. was there.

  In order to solve the above problems, a general image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer is used to form a stereoscopic image made of a foaming toner on a recording medium so as to have sufficient adhesive strength and durability. An image forming apparatus has been proposed (see Patent Document 2).

  In Patent Document 2, when a stereoscopic image is formed by an image forming apparatus, in addition to a normal non-foamable toner, a foamable toner containing at least a binder resin and a foaming agent is used as the toner. In addition, a toner image made of non-foamable toner is first formed at the same location on a recording medium on which a stereoscopic image is formed, and a toner made of foamable toner is formed on the toner image made of the non-foamable toner. A three-dimensional image is formed on a recording medium by forming an image in a laminated state, and a three-dimensional image made of foamable toner is formed on the recording medium using an image forming apparatus such as a general copying machine or a printer. An image forming apparatus capable of being formed is disclosed.

JP 2000-131875 A JP 2001-134091 A

  However, although the technique of Patent Document 2 can solve the problems of Patent Document 1, the hardness of a stereoscopic image to be formed depends on an isotropic and uniform texture such as a foaming agent. There was a problem of calling.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, such as a three-dimensional printer that can realize a three-dimensional image having anisotropy and almost the same texture as a three-dimensional object to be formed by using a minimum amount of toner. An object is to provide a stereoscopic image forming apparatus.

According to the present invention , a certain area is obtained by a combination ratio of a first memory storing stereoscopic shape data of a stereoscopic image and the first and second toners whose main components are resins having different hardnesses for a predetermined injection time. A second memory storing print control data defining the ejection order of the first and second toners within the ejection time for each type of stereoscopic image, and the first toner And a head unit that stores the second toner and ejects the first and second toners stored in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction in an order based on the print control data to form a print layer. The solid shape data is read from the first memory, a horizontal section is obtained, the coordinates of the outline formed by the section are obtained, the head section is controlled based on the print control data, and the outline of the section is defined as the edge. Printing layer The operation of forming a bottom surface of the stereo geometry data to the top is to provide a stereoscopic image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a, a three-dimensional forming control means for repeating at a predetermined interval.

According to the three-dimensional image forming apparatus of the present invention, the texture of the three-dimensional image and the mechanical characteristics thereof can be realized by stacking the printing layers formed by the combination of two types of toners and their injection order. Close figures can be made.
Further, according to the inventions of claims 5 to 7, the formed solid expands and contracts due to temperature, humidity, voltage application, or current conduction, so a figure having a real three-dimensional muscle is obtained. Can be formed. That is, a figure capable of “one-part multi-dimensional drive” can be realized. Further, according to the invention described in claim 8, it is possible to produce a power generator that efficiently generates power by heat, an electric field, a magnetic field, or the like, by combining and injecting two toners having different materials and physical characteristics. .

  Unlike the conventional method, the present invention has anisotropy and is almost the same as a three-dimensional object to be formed (hereinafter referred to as “formation target”) by combining two types of toners having different materials or physical characteristics. A three-dimensional image having a texture and mechanical or physical characteristics is formed. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to FIGS.

Specifically, as shown in the example of FIG. 3, the three-dimensional printer 1 is controlled by controlling the printing layer 31 formed by the combination of toners A and B having different materials, physical characteristics, and mechanical characteristics and the injection order thereof. Then, the toners A and B are ejected in a predetermined ejection order and stacked to form a solid.
As a result, a printing layer is printed one layer at a time in accordance with n contour shapes obtained by horizontally cutting a three-dimensional object to be formed (hereinafter referred to as “forming object”). From the height of the forming object and the thickness of the printing layer, By stacking the calculated n printing layers, it is possible to form a stereoscopic image to be formed.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of a main part of a stereoscopic image forming apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as “stereoscopic printer”) according to the present invention. A memory 13, a storage memory 14, a head drive unit 15, a head unit 16, a shape data input unit 117, and a display unit 18 having a display screen such as an LCD are provided. Reference numeral 20 denotes a base for holding recording paper or the like. Moreover, the display part 18 is not essential.

  The operation unit 11 includes keys and the like for giving necessary instructions by the user such as activation of the stereoscopic printer 1, and corresponding signals are sent to the control unit 12 when these keys are operated.

  The control unit 12 is composed of a CPU and the like, summarizes the internal components shown in the figure, and controls the operations of the internal components by a control program and an operation program stored in the program storage area 143 of the storage memory 14.

  In the operation program, cross-sectional data (two-dimensional data) of a three-dimensional image is cut out from the three-dimensional shape data, and the toner ejection range (main scanning direction (X direction) and sub-scanning direction (Y) of the head unit 16 for printing the cross section. Direction control range), a drive control signal generation program for generating a drive signal for driving the injection header based on the toner injection range determined by the injection range determination program, A toner ejection control program for controlling the ejection amount (that is, ejection time) per unit time of toners A and B (described later) by the head unit 16 based on the composition print data stored in the composition print data storage area 142 It is included.

  The temporary storage memory 13 is composed of a primary storage memory such as a DRAM, stores various data necessary for the stereoscopic printer, and is stored in the program storage area 143 of the storage memory 14 when the stereoscopic printer 1 is activated. Programs and data necessary for the operation of the control unit 12 such as programs and operation programs are stored. In addition, the temporary storage memory 13 temporarily stores the work memory for temporarily storing the 3D shape data stored in the 3D shape data storage area 143 of the storage memory 14 and the cross-sectional data of the 3D image cut out by the injection range determination program. It is also used as a work memory necessary for data processing by other programs.

  The storage memory 14 is composed of a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk device, and stores a solid shape data storage area 141 for storing solid shape data and a combination pattern of toners A and B (composition print data (FIG. 4)). A composition print data storage area 142 for storing data, and a program storage area 143 for storing various programs. Note that three-dimensional shape data, composition print data, and various programs may be stored in separate memories.

  The shape data input unit 17 inputs solid shape data and stores it in the storage memory 14. The shape data input unit 17 receives a recording medium reading device that reads a recording medium such as a CD on which three-dimensional shape data is recorded and records it in the storage memory 14, and three-dimensional shape data transmitted from an external shape data generation device. Corresponds to a data receiving device or interface.

  In this embodiment, the solid shape data stored in the solid shape data storage area 141 is not shown, but the name and the type of the solid (the solid is a person image (a person wearing clothes) (Male), (female)), nude figures (male), (female)), creatures other than human beings, structures, medals, etc., structures, ... And

  Based on the drive control signal from the control unit 12, the head drive unit 15 moves the head unit 16 in the main scanning direction (X direction) and the sub-scanning direction (Y direction) within a toner ejection range within a horizontal plane within a predetermined time. Move. Further, when the movement of the head unit 15 in a toner ejection range on a certain horizontal plane is finished, the operation of moving the head unit 16 along the Z axis (upward) by a predetermined distance is performed at least for the height of the formed stereoscopic image. If the formed three-dimensional image is removed or the user performs a return operation of the head unit 16, it is returned to the initial position.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the head unit 16 receives the toner A and mounts the cartridge 16 including the ejection unit 161 that ejects the toner A in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 12 and the toner B, and from the control unit 12. The cartridge 117 having the ejection portion 171 that ejects the toner B in accordance with the control signal is detachably configured, and includes the toner ejection openings 151 and 152 ejected from the ejection portions 161 and 171, and the header While moving in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction without a horizontal plane by the drive unit 15, the toners A and B are moved vertically upward by a predetermined distance while printing according to the composition print data corresponding to the three-dimensional type. A three-dimensional image is formed while superimposing a print layer made of a three-dimensional shape on a horizontal direction. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 20 denotes a base for placing a base for forming a stereoscopic image.

  The two types of toner cartridges mounted on the ejection units 161 and 167 of the head unit 16 are mainly composed of toners of materials having different physical characteristics and mechanical characteristics. In the embodiment, different types of toners are used. A user selects two types of toner cartridges containing toner according to the three-dimensional texture to be formed and physical or mechanical characteristics from among a plurality of cartridges (see step S4 in FIG. 5) and mounts them.

(Principle of the present invention)
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a print layer based on a toner composition which is the principle of the present invention. The print layer 31-1 shown in FIG. 3A is a case where the injection order of the toner A and the toner B by the three-dimensional printer 1 is ABBB. FIG. 3A shows a multiple print layer in which a print layer 31-2 having the same ejection order is overlaid on the print layer 31-1. Also, the print layer 32-1 shown in FIG. 3B is a print layer whose injection order is AABB. In FIG. 3B, the print layer 32 having the same injection order is placed on the print layer 32-1. 2 shows a multiple printing layer on which -2. .., Similarly, the printing layer 38-1 shown in FIG. 3 (h) is a printing layer whose injection order is AAAB, and in FIG. 3 (h), the same ejection is performed on the printing layer 38-1. The multiple printing layer which piled up the printing layer 38-2 of the order is shown.

Here, for example, when the printing layer made of the toner A made of a hard material and the toner B made of a material having plasticity such as rubber is formed and stacked by the three-dimensional printer 1, “AAAB”, “AAAB”, “ If the amount of B is small, such as "AAAB" ..., the overall hardness will be hard, and if there is a large amount of B, such as "ABBB", "ABBB", "ABBB" ..., the whole will become plastic and rubbery. Various mechanical properties can be realized in three dimensions depending on the appearance rate and appearance pattern of A and B. In other words, actuators close to wood and real muscles, and highly efficient power generators can be made.
Further, when the appearance rates of A and B are configured as a pattern three-dimensionally, an anisotropic material, that is, a three-dimensional image having anisotropy and almost the same texture as the object to be formed, can be controlled by the material or physical control. Two different types of minimum toner can be used.

(Example of toner composition)
The following examples can be listed as examples of toner combinations, but the toner combinations are not limited to the following.
(1) Example using toner A and toner B made of materials having different hardnesses;
For example, a toner mainly composed of a hard acrylic resin is used as the toner A, and a toner mainly composed of a plastic silicone resin is used as the toner B, and the toner A and the toner B are ejected in a predetermined ejection order. A three-dimensional image can be formed by forming a print layer and laminating based on the three-dimensional shape to be formed.
According to this example, the hardness (softness) of the three-dimensional image can be adjusted and the texture can be improved by the configuration of the toner ejection order (composition print data).

(2) Example using toner A and toner B having different melting points;
For example, a toner mainly composed of a polyacetal resin having a melting point of 130 degrees is used as the toner A, and a toner mainly composed of a PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) resin having a melting point of 76 degrees is used as the toner B. A three-dimensional image can be formed by ejecting toner A and toner B in the ejection order to form a print layer and laminating based on the three-dimensional shape to be formed.
According to this example, if heat is applied after forming a stereoscopic image, it can be partially deformed, so that the stereoscopic image can be shaped. Moreover, since only the easily meltable portion is deformed, a pseudo solid can be made.

(3) Example using toner A and toner B having different conductivity, dielectric constant and magnetism;
For example, a toner mainly composed of a non-magnetic polyacetal resin is used as the toner A, and a toner mainly composed of a magnetic ferrite powdered PET resin is used as the toner B. A solid can be formed by injecting B to form a printed layer and laminating based on the three-dimensional shape to be formed.
According to this example, a functional member such as a core or an anti-magnetic plate can be created as a three-dimensional object. Further, when conductive powder is put into the toner B, an antenna can be directly formed on the casing by forming a coil shape or an antenna element shape.

(4) Method of using toner having different expansion coefficient depending on temperature, humidity (moisture content), applied voltage or conducting current (4-1) For example, as toner A, ABS (Acrylonitoril Butadience Styrene) which is easily extended by heat is used as a main component. The toner is composed mainly of polyimide which is hardly stretched by heat as toner B, and a printing layer is formed by injecting toner A and toner B according to a predetermined injection order. By stacking based on the above, a solid (product) can be formed.
According to this example, it is possible to manufacture an actuator that operates with heat, a key ring that is three-dimensionalized into a desired shape when a dryer is applied. Further, when the toner A is disposed so as to be partially extended by heat, only the portion is bent like a bimetal, so that the solid can be deformed into a desired shape.
(4-2) For example, as toner B, a toner mainly composed of ABS having a characteristic of hardly containing water and hardly expanding is used, and as toner B; A solid (product) can be molded by ejecting toner A and toner B in a predetermined ejection order to form a print layer and laminating them based on the three-dimensional shape to be formed.
According to this example, it is possible to make a dry / humidity sensing actuator that operates at a dry / wet level (that is, depending on the humidity by the bimetal principle). This dry / humidity sensing actuator can be applied to a mold prevention device for a house.
(4-3) For example, a toner mainly composed of ABS having a characteristic that does not expand even when a current is conducted as toner A, and a polypyrrole resin or piezo having a characteristic that expands when a current is conducted as toner B By using toner composed mainly of powdered polyimide (polyimide), ejecting toner A and toner B in a predetermined ejection order to form a printing layer, and laminating based on the three-dimensional shape of the object to be formed A solid (product) can be molded.
According to this example, a high-quality artificial muscle having a three-dimensional composition and an actuator can be created based on the bimetal principle. In addition, it is possible to create a power generator with a piezoelectric bimorph structure utilizing bending. Moreover, these operation directions can also be set.

As described above, the texture and the like of the three-dimensional image formed by the types of toners A and B and the order of combination are determined. It is necessary to determine the order of injection.
The combination of the types of toners A and B and the injection order are determined according to the desired three-dimensional image type (the three-dimensional image is a person image (a person (male) wearing clothes, a female )), Nude human figure (male), (female)), creatures other than human beings, structures, medals, etc., structures,... However, based on the composition print data as shown in FIG. 4, it is also possible to automatically determine the types of toners A and B and the order of combination only by selecting the type of stereoscopic image.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of composition print data. 40 is a composition print necessary for automatically determining the types of toners A and B and the combination order by simply selecting the type of stereoscopic image. An example of data is shown.
In FIG. 4, the composition print data 40 includes the type name (classification name) 41 of the solid to be formed, the names 42A and 42B of the toners A and B composing the print layer, and the type information (principal components, characteristics, etc.) of the toners A and B. ) 43A, 43B and the ejection order information 44 of the toners A and B, and the ejection time 45 required to form one print layer for a unit area, etc., and the composition print data recording area 142 of the storage memory 14 A plurality are stored.

The three-dimensional image type 41 includes a name (identification information) such as a person (female, male), a building, an object such as a medal, or a structure. Further, the type information 43A and 43B of the toners A and B includes the principal component names of the toners A and B or the identification information thereof as described in the above (Example of toner composition), and is stored in the three-dimensional shape data storage area 141. The three-dimensional shape data associated with the three-dimensional shape data is associated with the name of the solid.
The ejection order information 44 of the toners A and B includes an ejection order such as “ABBB” or a combination ratio such as “1: 3” (= “ABBB”) and “2: 2” (= “AABB”). The ejection time 46 is a toner ejection time t (for example, 1/50 sec for one pixel) for forming a predetermined number of pixels or a printing layer for a certain area g.

  If the time for forming a print layer for a predetermined area is 1/50 sec, if the combination information 45 is “ABBB”, the toner is ejected four times to form one layer. The time is 1/200 sec. Therefore, when the combination information 45 of the ejection order is “ABBB” or “1: 3”, the ejection time of the toner A is 1/200 sec, and the ejection time of the toner B is 1/200 × 3 = 3/200 sec. .

  On the other hand, if the number of pixels in the main scanning direction corresponding to the cross-sectional area of the three-dimensional shape is GX, the number of pixels in the sub-scanning direction is Y, the emission time for one layer is s, and the moving time of the head is k, printing of the cross section is performed. The time S is a value obtained by integrating the printing time SX = (GX / g) × (s + k) in the main scanning direction along the curve in the sub scanning direction, and the formation time “S” of the stereoscopic image is the printing time S of the cross section. Is the integrated value along the curve in the height direction.

  As a result, a three-dimensional image can be formed by laminating printing layers by the three-dimensional printer 1 from the desired three-dimensional composition print data 40 and the three-dimensional shape data of the three-dimensional image. In the embodiment, the configuration is such that when the user selects (or designates) the type of stereoscopic image to be formed, a stereoscopic image can be automatically formed based on the composition print data of the toners A and B. A detailed composition can also be configured so that a user can create a three-dimensional object by setting it within the screen of the three-dimensional printer 1.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the stereoscopic printer 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. The stereoscopic printer 1 cuts out cross-sectional data (two-dimensional data) of a stereoscopic image from a control program and stereoscopic shape data, and prints the cross-section. The ejection range determination program for determining the coordinates of the toner ejection range (the range in the main scanning direction (X direction) and the sub scanning direction (Y direction)) of the head unit 16 and the toner ejection range determined by the ejection range determination program Based on the drive control signal generation program for generating a drive signal for driving the injection header, the toner A by the head unit 16 based on the composition print data stored in the composition print data storage area 142 of the storage memory 14, A toner injection control program for controlling an injection amount per unit time (that is, an injection time) of B (described later), etc. The seed operation program to perform the formation of the three-dimensional image selected or designated.

  In FIG. 5, when the user activates the stereoscopic printer 1, the control unit 12 reads the control program, various operation programs, operation guidance message data, and the like from the program storage area 143 of the storage memory 14 to the temporary storage memory 16. The execution of the three-dimensional forming function as shown below based on the operation program is started.

  First, the control unit 12 displays a message asking whether the user sets the toner composition or the like on the display unit 18 or leaves it to the automatic setting of the stereoscopic printer 1 to prompt the user to select a signal from the operation unit 11. If the user sets, the process proceeds to step S3. If the user sets automatically, the process proceeds to step S2 (step S1).

  In the case of automatic setting, the control unit 12 prompts the selection of a solid to be formed by displaying a list of names of solids that can be formed on the display unit 18 (names of solid shape data stored in the storage memory 14), When the user selects (specifies) a solid name, the composition print data storage area 142 is searched by the solid name, and the matching composition print data (the solid type (classification) specified by the solid name, and the toners A and B) are searched. Name, type information of toners A and B (including principal components, characteristics, etc., injection order of toners A and B, etc.) are read from the composition print data storage area 142 and stored in the temporary storage memory 13, and the process proceeds to step S4. (Step S2).

  When the user sets the toner composition or the like, the control unit 12 selects a three-dimensional name that can be formed and predetermined setting items (names and types of toners A and B, injection order, print layer formation time, etc.) ( Or a setting screen (not shown) configured to be capable of being input) is displayed on the display unit 18 to prompt the user to enter a solid name key and select (specify) each setting item. When each setting item is selected (set), the selected (selected) setting item is stored in the temporary storage memory 13 (step S3).

  Next, the control unit 12 displays a message for confirming the names of the toners A and B selected (or set) by the user in step S2 or step S3 and the mounting of the toner cartridge containing them on the head unit 16. When the user performs a confirmation operation, the process proceeds to step S5 (step S4).

  When the user confirms that the toners A and B are mounted, the control unit 12 sends a control signal to the header drive unit 15 to move the head unit 16 to a predetermined print start position, and to counter the counter j and height in the sub-scanning direction. The initial value of the counter k is set to 1 (step S5).

  The control unit 12 reads the solid name selected in step S2 or the solid shape data of the solid name input in step S3 from the solid shape data recording area of the storage memory 14 and stores it in the temporary storage memory 13 (step S6). .

  The control unit 12 cuts out a horizontal section (k) in the height direction from the bottom of the three-dimensional shape data in the temporary storage memory 13 at an interval h (= thickness), and coordinates data of a contour formed by the shape of the section (k) ( Xzi, Yzj); (i = 1 to m, j = 1 to n, z (number of cross sections) k = H / h: H is the height of the solid) and the bottom of the solid formed based on the solid shape data Are sequentially acquired in steps of H7 (step S7) from the following step S7 to step S13 in increments of h from the top to the top. Note that the coordinates of the shape of the cross section cut out from the solid can be obtained by a known method.

  The control unit 12 examines the signal from the ejection unit 161 or the ejection unit 167 of the head unit 16 and the signal from the operation unit 11, and if a toner out signal is detected, sends a control signal to the head drive control unit 15 and the head unit 16. Then, the movement of the head unit 16 and the ejection of the toner are stopped. If no toner out signal is detected, the process proceeds to step S12 (step S8).

  Next, the control unit 12 holds the values of the counters j and k, moves the head unit 16 to the initial position, and prompts the user to replace the toner cartridge containing the toner A or toner B (“toner A (or Replace toner B) ") is displayed (step S9).

  The control unit 12 displays a message on the display unit 18 confirming the replacement of the toner cartridge. When the user performs a confirmation operation, the control unit 12 sends a control signal “restart” to the header drive unit 15 to stop the head unit 16 when it is stopped. The position is moved (returned), and the process proceeds to step S11 (step S10).

  The control unit 12 controls the ejection units 161 and 171 of the head unit 15 to eject the toners A and B according to the ejection order and ejection time of the composition print data stored in the temporary storage memory 13, and for a predetermined number of pixels. While forming a printing layer (or a predetermined area), a control signal “main scanning” is sent to the header drive unit 15 to move the head unit 16 to a three-dimensional height h × k (height counter: initial value = 1), Within the horizontal contour where the counter value in the sub-scanning direction is j (initial value = 1), the contour is moved from the initial end to the end, and when it reaches the end, the process proceeds to step S12 (step S11).

  The control unit 12 adds 1 to the counter value j in the sub-scanning direction, sends a control signal “line feed” to the header driving unit 15, moves the head unit 16 to the next line, and returns to step S 7. The process is repeated until all the parts in the contour h are scanned, and when all the parts in the contour are scanned, the process proceeds to step S13 (step S12).

  When all the parts in the contour have been scanned, the control unit 12 adds 1 to the height counter k, and returns to step S7 with j = 1. The value of the counter k is H / h (that is, the horizontal direction The number of cross-sections cut out) is repeated until it becomes equal to or greater than H / h, and the process proceeds to step S14 (step S13).

  When the value of the counter k exceeds H / h, that is, when the solid has been formed, the control unit 12 sends a control signal “initial position” to the header drive unit 15 to return the head unit 16 to a predetermined initial position and perform processing. Is finished (step S14).

  According to the description of the flowchart, a printing layer having the same shape and thickness as the outline formed by the cross-section cut out in the horizontal direction can be formed using toners A and B in steps S11 and S12. Furthermore, since a printed layer having the same shape and thickness as the contour is laminated along the surface shape in the height direction in step S13, a desired stereoscopic image can be formed.

  In this embodiment, since the toners A and B contained in the cartridge are used, there is a case where the volume of the stereoscopic image to be formed is large and the cartridge needs to be replaced. In such a case, as shown in steps S8 to S10 of the flowchart of FIG. 5, when the toner out signal is received from the head unit 16, the operation of the head unit 16 is stopped, and when the cartridge replacement is completed, the head driving unit 16 and the head drive unit 16 are sent control signals ("restart") to continue the operation of the head unit 16, but in order to save toner and reduce the frequency of cartridge replacement, in step S10, the contour According to the shape, coordinate data (hollow data) in the X-axis direction of a portion not printed in the contour (hereinafter referred to as “hollow portion”) is also calculated. When hollow data is detected in step S11, the control unit 12 May be configured to control the head unit 16 so as not to eject the toner.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a three-dimensional cross section and a three-dimensional image formed by the three-dimensional printer of the present invention, and FIG. 6A shows printing layers 51-1, 51-2,. FIG. 6B shows a completed image 50. FIG. 6B shows an image 51 in the middle of solid formation by stacking 51-j.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of a main part of the stereoscopic image forming printer of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the head part of the three-dimensional printer shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the formation layer by the toner composition which is the principle of this invention. It is a figure which shows one Example of composition print data. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of a stereo printer. It is a figure which shows the example of the cross section and solid image of a solid | solid formed by the stereoscopic printer of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 3D printer (image forming device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Control part 14 Storage memory 15 Head drive part 16 Head part 17 Shape data input part 161,167 Injection | emission part 31-1, 31-2, 32-1, 32-2, ..., 38-1, 38-2 Print layer 40 Composition print data (print control data)
141 Three-dimensional shape data recording area 142 Composition print data recording area ABBB, AABB, AAAAB Combination of injection order

Claims (1)

A first memory storing stereoscopic shape data of a stereoscopic image;
In order to form a printing layer for a certain area with a combination ratio of the first and second toners whose main components are resins having different hardnesses at a predetermined ejection time, the first and second areas within the ejection time are formed. A second memory that stores print control data that defines the ejection order of the two toners for each type of stereoscopic image;
The first toner and the second toner are accommodated, and the first and second toners accommodated while moving in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction are ejected in the order based on the print control data to form a print layer. A head part to be formed;
The three-dimensional shape data is read from the first memory to obtain a horizontal cross section, the coordinates of the outline formed by the cross section are obtained, and the head section is controlled based on the print control data to define the outline of the cross section. Three-dimensional formation control means for repeating the operation of forming a printing layer as a part from the bottom surface to the top of the three-dimensional shape data at a predetermined interval;
A three-dimensional image forming apparatus comprising:

Images