JP6510179B2 - Three-dimensional printer and three-dimensional object manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a three-dimensional printer and a three-dimensional object manufacturing method.

  As a conventional method for producing a three-dimensional structure, for example, in addition to a sheet laminating method as described in Patent Document 1, a melt deposition method (FDM: Fused Deposition Molding), an inkjet method, an inkjet binder method, an optical shaping method (SL: Stereo Lithography), powder sintering method (SLS: Selective Laser Sintering), etc. are known. As an inkjet method, for example, a method may be used in which an ultraviolet curable resin is jetted by a three-dimensional printer to laminate a mask pattern. This method is, for example, a multi-layered type in which data of the final design, mechanism and the like of the external appearance of the three-dimensional object are converted into data by three-dimensional CAD and then the data is sliced by a computer etc. The mask pattern data is created, and the ultraviolet curable resin is jetted from the head on the basis of the mask pattern data to laminate the three-dimensional object.

JP 2003-71530 A

  By the way, the three-dimensional structure manufactured by the inkjet method using the 3D printer as described above has room for further improvement, for example, in terms of surface smoothness.

  This invention is made in view of said situation, Comprising: It aims at providing the three-dimensional printer which can manufacture a modeling target with a smooth surface, and a three-dimensional modeling thing manufacturing method. .

  In order to achieve the above object, in the three-dimensional printer according to the present invention, an ink supply unit capable of supplying an ink whose curing degree changes by exposure to the work surface, and the ink supply unit supplies the ink to the work surface A plurality of elements which can be exposed to the ink, arranged along the main scanning direction, and movable along the sub scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction; A working surface relative moving unit capable of relatively moving the working surface along the vertical direction, an ink supply control that controls the ink supply unit to supply the ink to the working surface, and the exposure unit after the ink supply control Exposure control for controlling the exposure unit to move the ink along the sub scanning direction and exposing the ink based on shape data of each layer of the object to be shaped; and the work surface phase after the exposure control Wherein the controlling the moving unit and a said work surface along said vertical direction is executable repeatedly moving control for relatively moving the side away from the exposure unit controller.

  Thus, the three-dimensional printer controls, for example, the ink supply unit to supply the ink to the work surface, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the exposure unit in which the elements are arranged along the main scanning direction is in the subscanning direction While moving, the ink of the portion corresponding to the object to be shaped is exposed and cured based on the shape data of each layer of the object to be shaped, and then the working surface is moved relatively in the vertical direction to sequentially perform these operations By repeating, each layer which comprises a modeling target object can be formed. As a result, since it becomes possible for the three-dimensional printer to form each layer of the object to be formed after the liquid surface of the ink constituting each layer of the object to be formed becomes smooth, the object to be formed having a smooth surface Can be manufactured.

  Further, in the three-dimensional printer, the ink supply unit has a forming ink supply unit capable of supplying a forming ink for forming the forming object as the ink whose degree of curing changes by exposure to light; The working surface relative moving unit has a frame-like member surrounding the working surface, and the control device controls the shaping ink supply unit in the ink supply control, and the working surface is surrounded by the frame-like member. The formation ink is supplied, and in the exposure control, after the liquid surface of the formation ink supplied to the work surface surrounded by the frame-like member is smoothed by the ink supply control, the exposure unit is subjected to the sub-scanning The exposure unit may be controlled while being moved along a direction to expose the forming ink based on shape data of each layer of the forming object.

  Thereby, for example, the three-dimensional printer supplies the forming ink to the working surface surrounded by the frame-like member, and after the surface of the forming ink supplied to the working surface becomes smooth, it follows the main scanning direction. The forming ink is exposed and cured based on the shape data of each layer of the object to be formed while moving the exposure unit in which the elements are arranged in the sub scanning direction, and the working surface is moved relatively to sequentially perform these operations. By repeating, each layer which comprises a modeling target object can be formed. As a result, since the three-dimensional printer can form the object to be formed in a state in which the liquid surface of the forming ink constituting each layer of the object to be formed is smooth, manufacturing the object to be formed having a smooth surface Can.

  Further, in the three-dimensional printer, the ink supply unit may expose a forming ink supply unit capable of supplying a forming ink for forming the forming object as the ink whose curing degree is changed by exposure. Support ink that forms a support body along the contour of the object to be formed can be supplied as the ink whose degree of cure changes, and a support ink supply unit that can move along the sub-scanning direction is included. The control device controls the support ink supply unit while moving the support ink supply unit along the sub-scanning direction as the ink supply control, and the shape data of the contour of the object to be formed is provided for each layer. After performing support ink supply control to supply the support ink to the work surface based on the above, the exposure unit is used as the side control as the exposure control. The support unit exposure control is performed to control the exposure unit while moving along a direction, and to expose the support ink based on the shape data of each layer of the contour of the object to be formed to form the support body, Thereafter, as the ink supply control, the formation ink supply control is performed to control the formation ink supply unit and supply the formation ink to the work surface surrounded by the support body, and the work surrounded by the support body After the liquid surface of the molding ink supplied to the surface is smoothed, the exposure unit is controlled while moving the exposure unit along the sub-scanning direction as the exposure control to control each layer of the object to be molded. It is possible to execute a shaped object exposure control of exposing the shaped ink based on shape data.

  Thus, the three-dimensional printer, for example, forms a support on the work surface as a mold along the contour of the object on the work surface, and then forms ink on the work surface surrounded by the support. After the surface of the forming ink supplied to the working surface is smoothed, the exposure unit in which the elements are arranged is moved in the sub scanning direction along the main scanning direction, and the layer for each forming object is formed. The respective layers constituting the object to be shaped can be formed by sequentially exposing and curing the forming ink based on the shape data and relatively moving the work surface and repeating these operations. As a result, since the three-dimensional printer can form the object to be formed in a state in which the liquid surface of the forming ink constituting each layer of the object to be formed is smooth, manufacturing the object to be formed having a smooth surface Since the support body can be formed on the work surface as a mold along the contour of the object to be formed and the layers constituting the object to be formed can be formed using this support, the workability is also improved. can do.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the method for producing a three-dimensional structure according to the present invention, an ink supplying step of supplying an ink whose curing degree changes by exposure to a working surface, and the ink after the ink supplying step Corresponding to the shape data of each layer of the object to be formed while moving the exposure portion in which a plurality of elements which can be exposed are arranged along the main scanning direction along the sub scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction An exposure step of exposing the ink, and a moving step of moving the working surface relative to the exposure portion in the vertical direction after the exposure step, the ink supply step and the exposure step The moving step is repeatedly performed.

  Accordingly, in the above-described three-dimensional structure manufacturing method, after the ink is supplied to the work surface and a predetermined time has elapsed, the formation is performed while moving the exposure portion in which the elements are arranged in the sub scanning direction along the main scanning direction. Based on the shape data of each layer of the object, the ink of the portion corresponding to the object to be shaped is exposed and cured, the working surface is relatively moved, and the process is repeated to construct the object to be shaped. Each layer can be formed. As a result, since it becomes possible for the three-dimensional printer to form each layer of the object to be formed after the liquid surface of the ink constituting each layer of the object to be formed becomes smooth, the object to be formed having a smooth surface Can be manufactured.

  The three-dimensional printer and the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method according to the present invention has an effect that a surface forming object having a smooth surface can be manufactured.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration view showing a schematic configuration of the ink jet printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration view showing a schematic configuration of the UV-LED array according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic view for explaining an example of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic view for explaining an example of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic view for explaining an example of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of the ink jet printer according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a three-dimensional structure manufacturing method according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic view for explaining an example of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic view for explaining an example of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic view for explaining an example of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a schematic view for explaining an example of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration view showing a schematic configuration of the ink jet printer according to the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a schematic view for explaining an example of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method according to the third embodiment. FIG. 15 is a schematic view illustrating an example of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method according to the third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a schematic view illustrating an example of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method according to the third embodiment. FIG. 17 is a schematic view illustrating an example of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method according to the third embodiment. FIG. 18 is a schematic view for explaining an example of a three-dimensional structure manufacturing method according to the third embodiment. FIG. 19 is a schematic view for explaining an example of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method according to the third embodiment. FIG. 20 is a plan view illustrating an example of a shaped object and a support body manufactured by the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method according to the third embodiment. FIG. 21 is a schematic view illustrating an arrangement example of a shaped ink supply unit, a support ink supply unit, and a UV-LED array of the ink jet printer according to the third embodiment. FIG. 22 is a schematic view illustrating an arrangement example of a shaped ink supply unit, a support ink supply unit, and a UV-LED array of the ink jet printer according to the third embodiment. FIG. 23 is a schematic view illustrating an arrangement example of a shaped ink supply unit, a support ink supply unit, and a UV-LED array of the ink jet printer according to the third embodiment. FIG. 24 is a schematic view illustrating an arrangement example of a shaped ink supply unit, a support ink supply unit, and a UV-LED array of the ink jet printer according to the third embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. The present invention is not limited by this embodiment. Further, constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily replaced by persons skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same.

Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration view showing a schematic configuration of the ink jet printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a UV-LED array having a predetermined resolution (for example, 150 dpi to 2400 dpi) according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method according to the first embodiment. FIG.4, FIG.5, FIG.6 is a schematic diagram explaining an example of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG.

  An inkjet printer 1 as a three-dimensional printer according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that manufactures a three-dimensional three-dimensional object to be modeled using a so-called inkjet method. The inkjet printer 1 typically divides the object to be formed into a plurality of layers in the vertical direction based on three-dimensional data of the object to be formed, and forms the object based on shape data of each layer of the object to be formed. By laminating the material (the curing of the forming ink) sequentially from the lowermost layer, the forming object according to the three-dimensional data is formed.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet printer 1 exposes the mounting unit 2 as a working surface relative moving unit, the guide rail (Y bar) 3, the carriage 4, the ink supply unit 5, and A UV (Ultraviolet) -LED (Light Emitting Diode) array 6 as a part, a carriage drive unit 7, a control device 8, and an input device 9 are provided.

  The mounting unit 2 includes the mounting table 21 and the mounting table driving unit 22, and the mounting table driving unit 22 is driven to move the mounting table 21 up and down along the vertical direction. The formed work surface 23 can move up and down along the vertical direction. Thus, the placement unit 2 can move the working surface 23 closer to or away from the ink supply unit 5, the UV-LED array 6, and the like described later along the vertical direction. That is, the placement unit 2 functions as a working surface relative moving unit that allows the working surface 23 to be moved relative to the ink supply unit 5 and the UV-LED array 6 along the vertical direction. The work surface 23 is formed as a horizontal surface on the upper surface in the vertical direction of the mounting table 21 formed in a plate shape. The work surface 23 is formed in, for example, a substantially rectangular shape, but is not limited thereto. The mounting unit 2 of the present embodiment has a frame-shaped member 24 surrounding the periphery of the work surface 23. The frame-like member 24 is erected on the mounting table 21 along the vertical direction so as to surround the work surface 23. Typically, the frame-like member 24 is formed to a position higher than the height along the vertical direction of the object to be manufactured that can be manufactured by the inkjet printer 1. The mounting table driving unit 22 includes, for example, a driving source such as an electric motor, and a transmission mechanism such as a gear group, and the driving force generated by the driving source is transmitted along the mounting table 21 vertically through the transmission mechanism. It is converted into power to be moved up and down, and the mounting table 21 is moved up and down. The mounting table drive unit 22 is electrically connected to the control device 8, and the drive of the mounting table drive unit 22 is controlled by the control device 8. The working surface relative movement unit is not limited to the configuration of the mounting unit 2 described above, and the ink supply unit 5 and the UV can be moved by moving the ink supply unit 5 and the UV-LED array 6 side up and down along the vertical direction. The working surface 23 may be movable relative to the LED array 6 along the vertical direction.

  The guide rails 3 are provided above the mounting table 21 in the vertical direction at predetermined intervals. The guide rail 3 is provided along the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. A plurality of guide rails 3 may be provided at intervals along the main scanning direction. The guide rail 3 guides the reciprocating movement of the carriage 4 in the sub-scanning direction.

  Here, the main scanning direction is a direction in which the LED elements 61 as light emitting elements of the UV-LED array 6 described later are arrayed, and is a first horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The sub-scanning direction is a vertical direction and a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first horizontal direction.

  The carriage 4 is held by the guide rails 3 and is movable along the guide rails 3. Thus, the carriage 4 is configured to be reciprocally movable along the sub scanning direction. The carriage 4 is controlled to move in the sub scanning direction. In the carriage 4, the ink supply unit 5 and the UV-LED array 6 are provided on a surface facing the mounting table 21 in the vertical direction via a holder or the like.

  The ink supply unit 5 can supply the working surface 23 with the ink whose degree of curing changes by exposure. The ink supply unit 5 of the present embodiment includes at least a forming ink supply unit 51 capable of supplying a forming ink forming an object to be formed as an ink whose degree of curing changes by exposure. The ink supply unit 5, in this case, the modeling ink supply unit 51 is provided on the carriage 4 and can discharge the ink stored in the ink tank onto the work surface 23. The shaping ink supply unit 51 can reciprocate along the sub scanning direction as the carriage 4 moves along the sub scanning direction. The modeling ink supply unit 51 is connected to the ink tank via various ink flow paths, regulators, pumps, and the like. Depending on the number of ink tanks, in other words, the number of types of ink that can be printed simultaneously, one or more modeling ink supply units 51 may be provided. The modeling ink supply unit 51 is an inkjet head capable of discharging the ink in the ink tank toward the work surface 23 by an inkjet method. Here, as a modeling ink whose degree of cure changes by exposure, for example, a UV (ultraviolet) curing ink which cures by irradiating ultraviolet rays can be used. For example, according to the color of the modeling object to be manufactured White ink, colored ink, transparent ink and the like can be used as appropriate. The modeling ink supply unit 51 of the ink supply unit 5 is electrically connected to the control device 8, and the control of the drive is controlled by the control device 8.

  The UV-LED array 6 has a plurality of LED elements 61 as light emitting elements and a housing 62 as illustrated in FIG. 2. In the UV-LED array 6, a plurality of LED elements 61 that can be exposed to the ink supplied from the ink supply unit 5 to the work surface 23 are arranged along the main scanning direction. The LED element 61 is provided on the surface of the housing 62 facing the work surface 23. In the UV-LED array 6, for example, the LED elements 61 are arranged at 600 dpi to 1200 dpi equivalent along the main scanning direction. Typically, the UV-LED array 6 has a plurality of LED elements 61 so as to be equal to the length along the main scanning direction of the object to be manufactured that can be manufactured by the ink jet printer 1 and longer than that. It is arranged. Here, the UV-LED array 6 can be irradiated with ultraviolet light by the LED element 61. The UV-LED array 6 is provided with an optical system 6 a such as a SELFOC (registered trademark) lens or a lens array between each LED element 61 and the work surface 23. The UV-LED array 6 is provided on the carriage 4 and can reciprocate along the sub-scanning direction as the carriage 4 moves along the sub-scanning direction. The UV-LED array 6 is electrically connected to the controller 8, and the drive of the UV-LED array 6 is controlled by the controller 8.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the carriage drive unit 7 is a drive device that moves the carriage 4 relative to the guide rail 3 in the sub-scanning direction. The carriage drive unit 7 includes, for example, a transmission mechanism such as a conveyance belt connected to the carriage 4 and a drive source such as an electric motor for driving the conveyance belt, and the power generated by the drive source is transmitted through the transmission mechanism. Then, the carriage 4 is converted into motive power for moving in the sub scanning direction, and the carriage 4 is moved in the sub scanning direction. The carriage drive unit 7 is electrically connected to the control device 8, and the drive of the carriage drive unit 7 is controlled by the control device 8.

  The control device 8 controls each part of the ink jet printer 1 including the shaped ink supply unit 51 of the ink supply unit 5, the UV-LED array 6, the carriage drive unit 7, the mounting table drive unit 22 and the like. The control device 8 includes hardware such as an arithmetic device and a memory and a program for realizing predetermined functions of these. The control device 8 controls the ink supply unit 5 to control the discharge amount of ink (forming ink) through the forming ink supply unit 51, the discharge timing, the discharge period, and the like. The control device 8 controls the UV-LED array 6 to control the intensity of the ultraviolet light emitted from the LED element 61, the exposure timing, the exposure period, and the like. The control device 8 controls the carriage drive unit 7 to control the relative movement of the carriage 4 in the sub-scanning direction. The control device 8 controls the mounting table driving unit 22 to control the relative movement of the mounting table 21 in the vertical direction.

  The input device 9 is connected to the control device 8 and inputs three-dimensional data on the shape of the object to be formed. The input device 9 is configured by, for example, a PC connected to the control device 8 in a wired or wireless manner, various terminals, and the like.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3, an example of a three-dimensional structure manufacturing method using the inkjet printer 1 described above will be described. The three-dimensional structure manufacturing method described with reference to FIG. 3 is performed by the control device 8 of the ink jet printer 1. In addition, in the case of description of FIG. 3, the schematic diagram of FIGS. 4-6 is also referred to suitably.

  The three-dimensional structure manufacturing method of the present embodiment includes a shape data generation process (step ST1), an ink supply process (step ST2), an exposure process (step ST3), and a movement process (step ST5). The forming object is manufactured by repeatedly performing the supply step (step ST2), the exposure step (step ST3), and the moving step (step ST5) and performing printing for each predetermined layer. In the shape data generation process (step ST1), the ink supply process (step ST2), the exposure process (step ST3), and the movement process (step ST5), the control device 8 of the ink jet printer 1 drives each part of the ink jet printer 1 It is done by being controlled.

  In the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method of the present embodiment, first, shape data for each layer of a formation target is generated as a shape data generation step (step ST1). In this case, the control device 8 calculates and generates shape data of a formation target for each predetermined layer along the vertical direction based on three-dimensional data on the shape of the formation target input from the input device 9.

  Next, as illustrated in FIG. 4 as an ink supply process, an ink whose degree of cure changes by exposure is supplied to the work surface 23 (step ST2). In this case, the control device 8 controls the ink supply unit 5 to execute the ink supply control for supplying the ink to the work surface 23. More specifically, in the ink supply control, the control device 8 of the present embodiment controls the shaping ink supply unit 51 of the ink supply unit 5 and supplies the formation ink 10 to the work surface 23 surrounded by the frame-shaped member 24. Do. The control device 8 supplies the shaping ink 10 in an amount corresponding to the thickness of a predetermined layer along the vertical direction to the work surface 23 surrounded by the frame-like member 24. In addition, at this time, the control device 8 does not perform the irradiation of the ultraviolet light by the UV-LED array 6, and the flowability of the modeling ink 10 is sufficiently ensured. That is, in the ink supply control, the control device 8 of the present embodiment performs uncured printing of one layer of the layer with the UV curable molding ink 10 to form a liquid layer of the UV curable molding ink 10.

  Next, as illustrated in FIG. 5 as the exposure step, after the ink supply step (step ST2), the shape data for each layer of the object to be formed is moved while moving the UV-LED array 6 along the sub scanning direction. The ink supplied to the work surface 23 is exposed based on the exposure (step ST3). In this case, the control device 8 controls the carriage driving unit 7 after the ink supply control to control the UV-LED array 6 while moving the UV-LED array 6 along the sub scanning direction, and the shape data generation process (step Based on the shape data of each layer of the object to be formed generated in ST1), exposure control for exposing the forming ink 10 supplied to the working surface 23 is executed. More specifically, in the exposure control, the control device 8 of the present embodiment drives the carriage after the liquid level of the formed ink 10 supplied to the work surface 23 surrounded by the frame-like member 24 is smoothed by the ink supply control. The unit 7 is controlled to move the UV-LED array 6 along the sub scanning direction and the UV-LED array 6 is controlled to expose the forming ink 10 based on the shape data of each layer of the object to be formed The ink 10 is cured. That is, in the shape data of each layer of the object to be shaped, the control device 8 forms the object to be shaped by irradiating ultraviolet light from the LED element 61 at a position corresponding to the portion constituting the object to be shaped Only the shaping ink 10 in the portion to be cured is cured, whereby the shaped object 11 is formed by the cured portion 10 a of the shaping ink 10.

  Next, it is determined whether the formation of the object to be shaped 11 is finished (step ST4). In this case, the control device 8 is based on three-dimensional data on the shape of the object to be formed input from the input device 9, shape data for each layer of the object to be formed generated in the shape data generation step (step ST1), etc. Then, it is determined whether or not the formation of the object 11 has been completed.

  When it is determined that the formation of the object 11 is not completed (step ST4: No), the working surface 23 is separated from the UV-LED array 6 along the vertical direction after the exposure step (step ST3) as a moving step. The relative movement is performed for one layer (step ST5), the process returns to step ST2, and the steps after step ST2 are repeatedly executed. In this case, the control unit 8 controls the mounting table driving unit 22 of the mounting unit 2 after the exposure control and separates the work surface 23 from the UV-LED array 6 along the vertical direction, here, the lower side in the vertical direction. Execute movement control to move relatively to the side. Then, as exemplified in FIG. 6, the control device 8 performs the ink supply process (step ST2) by the ink supply control to the next layer (here, the second layer), the exposure process (step ST3) by the exposure control, The movement process (step ST5) by control is repeated, and each layer of the object 11 is sequentially formed.

  When it is determined in step ST4 that the formation of the object to be shaped 11 is finished (step ST4: Yes), the control device 8 ends the three-dimensional object manufacturing method of the present embodiment. In addition, what is necessary is just to remove the excess modeling ink which is not hardened | cured, after completion of the modeling target object 11. FIG.

  According to the inkjet printer 1 according to the embodiment described above, the ink supplying unit 5 capable of supplying the ink whose curing degree changes by exposure to the working surface 23 and the ink supplying unit 5 supply the working surface 23 UV-LED array 6 in which a plurality of LED elements 61 which can be exposed to the selected ink are arranged along the main scanning direction and movable along the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction; The control unit 8 includes a placement unit 2 that can move the working surface 23 relative to the array 6 in the vertical direction. The controller 8 controls the ink supply unit 5 to supply the ink to the work surface 23 and controls the ink supply. After the ink supply control, the UV-LED array 6 is moved while moving the UV-LED array 6 along the sub scanning direction. The exposure control for exposing the ink supplied to the working surface 23 based on the shape data of each layer of the object to be controlled and the mounting unit 2 after the exposure control by controlling the working surface 23 in the vertical direction It is possible to repeatedly execute movement control to move relatively along the side away from the UV-LED array 6.

  According to the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method of the embodiment described above, the ink supplying step (step ST2) of supplying the ink whose curing degree changes with exposure to the work surface 23, and the ink supplying step (step ST2) Of the object to be modeled while moving the UV-LED array 6 in which a plurality of LED elements 61, which can be exposed to ink after that), are arranged along the main scanning direction along the sub scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. Relative to the exposure step (step ST3) of exposing the ink on the basis of the shape data for each layer and the side of the work surface 23 separated from the UV-LED array 6 along the vertical direction after the exposure step (step ST3) And an ink supply process (step ST2), an exposure process (step ST3), and a movement process (step ST5). Repeatedly to run.

  More specifically, according to the inkjet printer 1 according to the embodiment described above, the ink supply unit 5 can supply the forming ink for forming the object to be formed as the ink whose degree of curing changes by exposure. A mounting ink supply unit 51 is provided, and the mounting unit 2 includes a frame-shaped member 24 surrounding the work surface 23. Then, in the ink supply control, the control device 8 controls the shaping ink supply unit 51 to supply the shaping ink to the work surface 23 surrounded by the frame-like member 24. In the exposure control, the controller 8 smoothes the liquid level of the formed ink supplied to the work surface 23 surrounded by the frame-like member 24 by the ink supply control, and then the UV-LED array 6 along the sub-scanning direction The UV-LED array 6 is controlled while being moved to expose the forming ink based on the shape data of each layer of the forming object.

  Therefore, in the inkjet printer 1 and the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method described above, it is possible to manufacture a formation target having a smooth surface. That is, according to the inkjet printer 1 and the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method of the present embodiment, after the liquid level of the forming ink supplied to the work surface 23 surrounded by the frame-like member 24 becomes smooth, the main scanning direction Are formed in the respective layers in the respective layers based on the shape data of each layer of the object while moving the UV-LED array 6 in which the LED elements 61 are arranged along the sub-scanning direction. It can be exposed and cured at once. Then, in the ink jet printer 1 and the three-dimensional object manufacturing method, the mounting unit 2 is controlled, the working surface 23 is relatively moved, and these operations are sequentially repeated to form each layer constituting the object to be formed. You can go Thus, according to the inkjet printer 1 and the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the object to be formed can be formed with the liquid surface of the forming ink in a smooth state. The surface of the shaped object manufactured by the manufacturing method can be smoothed.

  In addition, according to the inkjet printer 1 and the three-dimensional object manufacturing method, the object to be formed is reciprocated along the sub-scanning direction by reciprocating the UV-LED array 6 in which the LED elements 61 are arrayed along the main scanning direction. The respective layers can be hardened and formed, so that the production speed of the object to be shaped can be improved. Furthermore, according to the inkjet printer 1 and the method for producing a three-dimensional structure, by adding a reinforcing material such as a filler at the time of supply of the formation ink, it is possible to modify the ink forming the formation object For example, the strength of the manufactured object to be shaped can be improved.

  In the above description, the shaping ink supply unit 51 of the ink supply unit 5 is described as an inkjet head that discharges the shaping ink in the ink tank toward the work surface 23 by the inkjet method, but the invention is not limited thereto. . In this case, the shaping ink supply unit 51 may be, for example, an ink nozzle that causes the shaping ink to flow into the work surface 23 surrounded by the frame-shaped member 24. In this case, in the inkjet printer 1 and the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method described above, it is possible to manufacture an object having a smooth surface by using an ink (material) that is difficult to print by the inkjet method.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of the ink jet printer according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a three-dimensional structure manufacturing method according to the second embodiment. FIG.9, FIG.10, FIG.11, FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram explaining an example of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. The three-dimensional printer and the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method according to the second embodiment are different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the ink supply unit and the like. Other than the above, duplicate explanations of the configurations, operations, and effects common to the above-described embodiment will be omitted as much as possible.

  An inkjet printer 201 as a three-dimensional printer according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 7 includes a mounting unit 202 as a working surface relative moving unit, a guide rail 3, a carriage 4, an ink supply unit 205, and an exposure unit. , A carriage driver 7, a controller 208, and an input device 9. The configurations of the guide rail 3, the carriage 4, the UV-LED array 6, the carriage drive unit 7, the input device 9 and the like are substantially the same as those of the ink jet printer 1 described above.

  The placement unit 202 is configured substantially the same as the placement unit 2 described above in that the placement unit 202 includes the placement table 21 and the placement table driving unit 22. The placement unit 202 of the present embodiment has a frame-like member 224 surrounding the periphery of the work surface 23. The frame-shaped member 224 of the present embodiment is configured separately from the mounting table 21. Here, the mounting table 21 is configured to be able to vertically move the space portion surrounded by the frame-like member 224 in the vertical direction. The placement unit 202 may not include the frame-like member 224 itself.

  The ink supply unit 205 can supply the working surface 23 with an ink whose degree of cure changes by exposure. The ink supply unit 205 according to the present embodiment changes the degree of curing by exposing the forming ink supply unit 251 capable of supplying a forming ink forming the forming object as the ink whose degree of curing changes by exposure. A support ink supply portion 252 capable of supplying a support ink forming a support along the contour of the object to be formed and movable along the sub-scanning direction is provided as the ink to be processed. The shaping ink supply unit 251 of the present embodiment is configured by, for example, an ink nozzle (dispenser) that pours the shaping ink onto the work surface 23. In the modeling ink supply unit 251, a flow control valve 251a provided in the nozzle is electrically connected to the control device 208, and the drive of the modeling ink supply unit 251 is controlled by the control device 208. The shaping ink is substantially similar to that described above. The support ink supply unit 252 is provided on the carriage 4 and can discharge the ink stored in the ink tank to the work surface 23. The support ink supply unit 252 can reciprocate along the sub-scanning direction as the carriage 4 moves along the sub-scanning direction. The support ink supply unit 252 is connected to the ink tank via various ink flow paths, regulators, pumps, and the like. One or more support ink supply units 252 are provided according to the number of ink tanks, in other words, the number of types of ink that can be printed simultaneously. The support ink supply unit 252 is an inkjet head capable of discharging the ink in the ink tank toward the work surface 23 using an inkjet method. In addition, the support ink supply unit 252 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of discharge ports along the main scanning direction. Typically, like the UV-LED array 6, the support ink supply unit 252 has a length equal to or longer than the length along the main scanning direction of the object to be manufactured by the ink jet printer 201. Thus, a plurality of discharge ports are arranged. Here, as the support ink whose degree of cure changes by exposure to light, for example, a UV (ultraviolet light) -curable ink which cures by irradiation with ultraviolet light can be used. It is preferable to use an ink, or a readily soluble UV curable ink that easily dissolves after curing. The support ink supply unit 252 of the ink supply unit 205 is electrically connected to the control device 208, and the drive of the support ink supply unit 252 is controlled by the control device 208.

  The control device 208 controls each part of the ink jet printer 201 including the shaped ink supply unit 251 of the ink supply unit 205, the support ink supply unit 252, the UV-LED array 6, the carriage drive unit 7, the mounting table drive unit 22 and the like. The control device 208 is configured from hardware such as an arithmetic device and a memory and a program for realizing predetermined functions of these.

  Next, an example of a three-dimensional structure manufacturing method using the inkjet printer 201 described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The three-dimensional structure manufacturing method described in FIG. 8 is executed by the control device 208 of the ink jet printer 201. In addition, in the case of description of FIG. 8, the schematic diagram of FIGS. 9-12 is also suitably referred.

  The three-dimensional structure manufacturing method of this embodiment includes a shape data generation process (step ST201), a support ink supply / support body exposure process (step ST202), a formation ink supply process (step ST203), and a structure exposure process. A support ink supply / support body exposure process (step ST202), a forming ink supply process (step ST203), a shaped object exposure process (step ST204), and a transfer process (step ST204) and a transfer process (step ST206). The object to be shaped is manufactured by repeatedly performing step ST206) and performing printing for each predetermined layer. The shape data generation step (step ST201), the support ink supply / support body exposure step (step ST202), the formation ink supply step (step ST203), the shaped object exposure step (step ST204), and the movement step (step ST206) The control unit 208 of the printer 201 controls the drive of each part of the ink jet printer 201 to perform the operation.

  In the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method of the present embodiment, first, shape data for each layer of a formation target is generated as a shape data generation step (step ST201). In this case, the control device 208 generates shape data of a formation target for each predetermined layer along the vertical direction, based on three-dimensional data on the shape of the formation target input from the input device 9. Here, the shape data for each layer of the object to be shaped includes the shape data for each layer of the contour of the object to be shaped.

  Next, as illustrated in FIG. 9 as the support ink supply / support body exposure step, based on the shape data of each layer of the contour of the object to be formed while moving the support ink supply unit 252 along the sub-scanning direction. The support ink supply process of supplying the support ink 12 to the work surface 23 is performed. Thereafter, as the support ink supply / support body exposure process, the support ink supplied to the working surface 23 based on the shape data of each layer of the contour of the object to be formed while moving the UV-LED array 6 along the sub scanning direction. 12. A support body exposure process of exposing 12 to form the support body 13 is performed (step ST202). In this case, as the ink supply control, the control device 208 controls the carriage drive unit 7 to move the support ink supply unit 252 along the sub scanning direction, and controls the support ink supply unit 252 to generate the shape data (step ST201). Support ink supply control for supplying the support ink 12 to the work surface 23 based on the shape data for each layer of the contour of the object to be formed generated in 2.). Then, the control device 208 immediately controls the UV-LED array 6 while moving the UV-LED array 6 along the sub-scanning direction as exposure control, to form shape data for each layer of the contour of the object to be shaped. Based on the exposure, the support ink 12 is exposed to light, and the support ink 12 is cured to perform support body exposure control for forming the support body 13. The controller 208 typically executes support ink supply control and support body exposure control during the forward movement of the carriage 4 in the sub scanning direction or during the backward movement. That is, in the shape data for each layer of the contour of the object to be shaped, the control device 208 discharges the support ink 12 to a position along the portion constituting the contour of the object to be shaped by the support ink supply control. Immediately after landing, the support ink 12 landed on the work surface 23 is exposed and cured by body exposure control to form the support body 13 along the contour of the object to be shaped.

  Next, as exemplified in FIG. 10 as the forming ink supply process, the forming ink 10 is supplied to the working surface 23 surrounded by the support body 13 formed in the support ink supply / support body exposure process (step ST202) ( Step ST203). In this case, as the ink supply control, the control device 208 executes the formation ink supply control of controlling the formation ink supply unit 251 and supplying the formation ink 10 to the work surface 23 surrounded by the support body 13. That is, the control device 208 forms the support ink 13 formed in the support ink supply / support body exposure process (step ST202) from the modeling ink supply unit 251 on the work surface 23 surrounded by the support object 13 using the support object 13 as a mold. Pour in the ink 10. The control device 208 supplies the shaping ink 10 in an amount corresponding to the thickness of a predetermined layer along the vertical direction to the work surface 23 surrounded by the support body 13. In addition, at this time, the control device 208 does not perform the irradiation of the ultraviolet light by the UV-LED array 6 and keeps the flowability of the modeling ink 10 sufficiently ensured. That is, in the shaping ink supply control, the control device 208 of the present embodiment performs uncured printing of one layer of the layer with the UV curing shaping ink 10 to form a liquid layer of the UV curing shaping ink 10 .

  Next, as illustrated in FIG. 11 as the shaped object exposure step, after the liquid surface of the shaped ink 10 supplied to the working surface 23 surrounded by the support body 13 is smoothed, the UV-LED array 6 is While moving along the scanning direction, the forming ink is exposed based on the shape data of each layer of the forming object (step ST204). In this case, the control device 208 controls the carriage drive unit 7 as the exposure control after the liquid surface of the shaping ink 10 supplied to the working surface 23 surrounded by the support body 13 is smoothed. Control the UV-LED array 6 while moving it along the sub-scanning direction, and expose the forming ink 10 based on the shape data of each layer of the forming object generated in the shape data generating step (step ST201) Execute model object exposure control. That is, the control device 208 uses the support body 13 as a mold along the contour of the object to be formed, and the object to be formed is made to the forming ink 10 poured into the area surrounded by the support body 13. By irradiating the ultraviolet ray from the LED element 61 at a position corresponding to the portion to be formed and exposing it, the shaping ink 10 is cured, and thereby the shaping target object 11 is formed by the cured portion 10 a of the shaping ink 10 .

  Next, it is determined whether the formation of the object to be shaped 11 is finished (step ST205). In this case, the control device 208 is based on three-dimensional data on the shape of the object to be formed input from the input device 9, shape data for each layer of the object to be formed generated in the shape data generation step (step ST201), etc. Then, it is determined whether or not the formation of the object 11 has been completed.

  When it is determined that the formation of the object to be shaped 11 is not completed (step ST205: No), the UV-LED array 6 along the working surface 23 in the vertical direction after the object exposure step (step ST204) as a moving step. Is moved relative to the other layer by one layer (step ST206), the process returns to step ST202, and the steps after step ST202 are repeatedly executed. In this case, the control device 208 controls the mounting table driving unit 22 of the mounting unit 2 after the shaped object exposure control and separates the work surface 23 from the UV-LED array 6 in the vertical direction, here, the vertical Execute movement control to move relatively downward in the direction. Then, as exemplified in FIG. 12, the control device 208 performs support ink supply control for the next layer (here, the second layer) and support ink supply / support body exposure process by support body exposure control (step ST202). ), Forming ink supply process (step ST203) by formation ink supply control, and forming object exposure process (step ST204) by forming object exposure control are repeated, and each layer of the formation object 11 is sequentially formed.

  If the control device 208 determines in step ST205 that the formation of the object to be shaped 11 is finished (step ST205: Yes), the three-dimensional object manufacturing method of the present embodiment ends. The support body 13 may be peeled off, removed, or dissolved and removed from the object 11 after completion of the object 11.

  According to the inkjet printer 201 and the three-dimensional object manufacturing method according to the embodiment described above, the ink supply unit 205 supplies a forming ink for forming an object to be formed as an ink whose degree of curing changes by exposure. It is possible to supply a forming ink supply unit 251 which is possible and a support ink which forms a support body along the contour of a forming object as an ink whose curing degree is changed by exposure and which moves along the sub scanning direction And a support ink supply 252, which is possible. Then, the control device 208 controls the support ink supply unit 252 while moving the support ink supply unit 252 along the sub-scanning direction as the ink supply control, and works based on the shape data of each layer of the contour of the object to be formed. After executing support ink supply control for supplying support ink to the surface 23, as the exposure control, the UV-LED array 6 is controlled while moving the UV-LED array 6 along the sub-scanning direction to control the contour of the object to be shaped. Support body exposure control is performed to expose support ink and form a support body based on shape data for each layer. Thereafter, the control device 208 executes, as the ink supply control, the formation ink supply control for controlling the formation ink supply unit 251 and supplying the formation ink to the work surface 23 surrounded by the support body and surrounded by the support body After the liquid surface of the forming ink supplied to the work surface 23 is smoothed, the layer of the object to be formed is controlled by controlling the UV-LED array 6 while moving the UV-LED array 6 along the sub scanning direction as exposure control. A formed object exposure control is performed to expose the formed ink based on each shape data.

  Therefore, in the inkjet printer 201 and the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method described above, it is possible to manufacture a surface forming object having a smooth surface. That is, according to the inkjet printer 201 and the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method of the present embodiment, first, a support body is formed as a form along the contour of the object to be formed on the work surface 23 by the support ink. After the liquid surface of the formed ink supplied to the working surface 23 surrounded by the formed support body becomes smooth, the shape data of each layer of the formed object while moving the UV-LED array 6 in the sub scanning direction In the respective layers, the forming ink of the portion constituting the forming object can be exposed and cured at once. Then, in the ink jet printer 201 and the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method, the mounting portion 202 is controlled, the working surface 23 is moved relative to one another, and these operations are sequentially repeated to form each layer constituting the object to be formed You can go Thus, according to the inkjet printer 201 and the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the object to be formed can be formed in a state where the liquid surface of the forming ink is smooth. The surface of the object to be shaped manufactured by the manufacturing method can be smoothed, and a support is formed on the work surface 23 as a mold along the contour of the object to be shaped. Since each layer to be configured can be formed, workability can also be improved.

  In the above description, the modeling ink supply unit 251 is described as being configured by the ink nozzles, but, for example, as in the third embodiment described below, the modeling ink is used similarly to the support ink supply unit 252. You may be comprised by the inkjet head which can discharge by an inkjet system. In this case, the modeling ink supply unit 251 and the support ink supply unit 252 are both provided on the carriage 4. In this case, the control device 208 may discharge and form the support ink and the shaping ink substantially simultaneously. More specifically, the control device 208 discharges the support ink to a position along the portion forming the contour of the object to be formed during the forward movement of the carriage 4 in the sub scanning direction or during the backward movement. Immediately after landing, the support ink is exposed and cured to form a support body, and at the same time the molding ink is discharged onto the work surface 23 surrounded by the support body and at this point the flow is sufficient without curing the molding ink. It is kept in the state of After that, the controller 208 smoothes the liquid surface of the shaping ink supplied to the working surface 23 surrounded by the support body 13 and moves the UV-LED array 6 along the sub-scanning direction to be shaped object The forming ink is exposed and cured based on the shape data of each layer to form a forming object. In this case, the support ink and the shaping ink are, for example, ink materials having different wavelengths of ultraviolet light for curing (for example, one is a resin material that cures with normal ultraviolet light of about 365 to 400 nm, and the other is 255 to 350 nm It is preferable to use a resin material that cures with a certain degree of deep ultraviolet light. Thus, for example, even if the inkjet printer 201 discharges the support ink and the modeling ink at the same time and exposes it, the support ink is cured, while the modeling ink is in a state where the fluidity is sufficiently ensured, and the liquid level is smooth. It can be cured after being solidified. In addition, the inkjet printer 201 may interpose a release agent for facilitating peeling of the support from the object to be shaped, between the support ink and the shaping ink.

Third Embodiment
FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration view showing a schematic configuration of the ink jet printer according to the third embodiment. FIG.14, FIG.15, FIG.16, FIG.17, FIG. 18, FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram explaining an example of the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method which concerns on Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 20 is a plan view illustrating an example of a shaped object and a support body manufactured by the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method according to the third embodiment. FIGS. 21, 22, 23, and 24 are schematic views showing an arrangement example of a shaped ink supply unit, a support ink supply unit, and a UV-LED array of the ink jet printer according to the third embodiment. The three-dimensional printer and the three-dimensional object manufacturing method according to the third embodiment are different from those of the second embodiment in the configuration of the ink supply unit and the like and the processing contents in the support ink supply / support body exposure step. Other than the above, duplicate explanations of the configurations, operations, and effects common to the above-described embodiment will be omitted as much as possible.

  An inkjet printer 301 as a three-dimensional printer according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 13 includes a mounting unit 202 as a working surface relative moving unit, a guide rail 3, a carriage 4, and an ink supply unit 305 as an ink supply unit. And a UV-LED array 6 as an exposure unit, a carriage drive unit 7, a control device 308, and an input device 9. The configuration of the placement unit 202, the guide rail 3, the carriage 4, the UV-LED array 6, the carriage drive unit 7, the input device 9 and the like is substantially the same as that of the above-described ink jet printer 201.

  The ink supply unit 305 of the present embodiment includes the above-described shaped ink supply unit 51 and a support ink supply unit 252. As described above, the modeling ink supply unit 51 and the support ink supply unit 252 are both inkjet heads capable of discharging the ink in the ink tank toward the work surface 23 by the inkjet method. The modeling ink supply unit 51 and the support ink supply unit 252 are provided on the carriage 4 together with the UV-LED array 6, and can discharge the modeling ink and the support ink stored in the ink tank to the work surface 23. The modeling ink supply unit 51 and the support ink supply unit 252 of the ink supply unit 305 are electrically connected to the control device 308, and the drive thereof is controlled by the control device 8.

  The control device 308 of this embodiment differs from the above-described inkjet printer 201 in the processing content in the support ink supply / support body exposure process (step ST202) described above with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, an example of a three-dimensional structure manufacturing method using the ink jet printer 301 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 19. In the following description, the flowchart of FIG. 8 is also referred to as appropriate, and redundant descriptions are appropriately omitted.

  In the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method of the present embodiment, first, shape data for each layer of a formation target is generated as a shape data generation step (step ST201).

  Next, as the support ink supply / support body exposure process, while moving the support ink supply unit 252 along the sub scanning direction, the support ink 12 is applied to the working surface 23 based on the shape data of each layer of the contour of the object Supply the support ink supply process. Thereafter, as the support ink supply / support body exposure process, the support ink supplied to the working surface 23 based on the shape data of each layer of the contour of the object to be formed while moving the UV-LED array 6 along the sub scanning direction. 12. A support body exposure process of exposing 12 to form the support body 13 is performed (step ST202).

  In this case, as the ink supply control, the control device 308 controls the carriage driving unit 7 to move the support ink supply unit 252 along the sub scanning direction, and controls the support ink supply unit 252 to generate the shape data (step ST201). Support ink supply control for supplying the support ink 12 to the work surface 23 based on the shape data for each layer of the contour of the object to be formed generated in 2.). More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the control device 308 of the present embodiment corresponds to the edge portion of the final support body 13 (see FIG. 17) according to the contour of the object to be formed. The support ink 12 is supplied to the work surface 23 so as to print only the portion to be printed. Then, the control device 308 immediately controls the UV-LED array 6 while moving the UV-LED array 6 along the sub-scanning direction as exposure control, to form shape data for each layer of the contour of the object to be shaped. Based on this, the support ink 12 is exposed to a portion of the support ink 12 corresponding to the edge portion of the final support body 13 and the support ink 12 is cured to perform support body exposure control for forming the edge portion of the support body 13. That is, in the shape data for each layer of the contour of the object to be formed, the control device 308 controls the edge portion of the position along the portion constituting the contour of the object to be shaped by supporting ink supply control (edge portion supply control). The support ink 12 is discharged and the support ink 12 landed on the work surface 23 by support body exposure control (edge partial exposure control) is exposed and cured immediately after landing, and the support body along the contour of the object to be modeled Only 13 edge portions are formed.

  Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the control device 308 controls the carriage drive unit 7 and controls the support ink supply unit 252 while moving the support ink supply unit 252 along the sub scanning direction as ink supply control. The support ink 12 is supplied between the edge portions of the support body 13 cured above. At this point of time, the control device 308 does not immediately perform the irradiation of the ultraviolet light by the UV-LED array 6 and keeps the flowability of the support ink 12 sufficiently ensured. Then, as shown in FIG. 16, the control device 308 smoothes the liquid surface of the support ink 12 supplied to the part surrounded by the edge portion of the support body 13, and then the UV-LED array 6 in the sub scanning direction Based on the shape data of each layer of the object to be shaped, the support ink 12 of the portion surrounded by the edge portion of the support body 13 is exposed while being moved along the above. The control device 308 of this embodiment forms the final support body 13 in this manner.

  Next, as exemplified in FIG. 17 as the forming ink supply process, the forming ink 10 is supplied to the work surface 23 surrounded by the support body 13 formed in the support ink supply / support body exposure process (step ST202) ( Step ST203). In this case, as the ink supply control, the control device 308 executes the formation ink supply control of controlling the formation ink supply unit 51 and supplying the formation ink 10 to the work surface 23 surrounded by the support body 13. At this point of time, the control device 308 does not perform the irradiation of the ultraviolet light by the UV-LED array 6 and keeps the flowability of the modeling ink 10 sufficiently ensured. That is, in the shaping ink supply control, the control device 308 performs uncuring printing of one layer of the layer with the UV curing shaping ink 10 to form a liquid layer of the UV curing shaping ink 10.

  Next, as illustrated in FIG. 18 as the shaped object exposure step, after the liquid surface of the shaped ink 10 supplied to the working surface 23 surrounded by the support body 13 is smoothed, the UV-LED array 6 is While moving along the scanning direction, the forming ink is exposed based on the shape data of each layer of the forming object (step ST204). In this case, the control device 308 controls the carriage drive unit 7 as the exposure control after the liquid surface of the modeling ink 10 supplied to the work surface 23 surrounded by the support body 13 is smoothed. Control the UV-LED array 6 while moving it along the sub-scanning direction, and expose the forming ink 10 based on the shape data of each layer of the forming object generated in the shape data generating step (step ST201) Execute model object exposure control.

  Next, it is determined whether the formation of the object to be shaped 11 is finished (step ST205). In this case, the control device 308 is based on three-dimensional data on the shape of the object to be formed input from the input device 9, shape data for each layer of the object to be formed generated in the shape data generation step (step ST201), etc. Then, it is determined whether or not the formation of the object 11 has been completed.

  When it is determined that the formation of the object to be shaped 11 is not completed (step ST205: No), the UV-LED array 6 along the working surface 23 in the vertical direction after the object exposure step (step ST204) as a moving step. Is moved relative to the other layer by one layer (step ST206), the process returns to step ST202, and the steps after step ST202 are repeatedly executed. Then, as exemplified in FIG. 19, the control device 308 performs support ink supply control for the next layer (here, the second layer), and support ink supply / support body exposure process by support body exposure control (step ST202). ), Forming ink supply process (step ST203) by formation ink supply control, and forming object exposure process (step ST204) by forming object exposure control are repeated, and each layer of the formation object 11 is sequentially formed.

  If the control device 308 determines in step ST205 that the formation of the object 11 is finished (step ST205: Yes), the three-dimensional object manufacturing method of the present embodiment ends. FIG. 20 shows an example of the object to be shaped 11 and the support body 13 manufactured as described above. For example, the object to be shaped 11 has a substantially solid truncated cone shape, and the support body 13 has a cylindrical shape. It has a substantially frusto-conical shape. The support body 13 may be peeled off, removed, or dissolved and removed from the object 11 after completion of the object 11.

  In the inkjet printer 301 and the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method according to the embodiment described above, it is possible to manufacture a formation target having a smooth surface. That is, according to the inkjet printer 301 and the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method of the present embodiment, first, a support body is formed on the working surface 23 as a mold along the contour of the object to be formed by the support ink. After the liquid surface of the formed ink supplied to the working surface 23 surrounded by the formed support body becomes smooth, the shape data of each layer of the formed object while moving the UV-LED array 6 in the sub scanning direction In the respective layers, the forming ink of the portion constituting the forming object can be exposed and cured at once. Then, in the inkjet printer 301 and the three-dimensional object manufacturing method, the mounting unit 202 is controlled, the working surface 23 is moved relative to one another, and these operations are sequentially repeated to form each layer constituting the object to be formed You can go Thus, according to the inkjet printer 301 and the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the object to be formed can be formed with the liquid surface of the forming ink in a smooth state. The surface of the object to be shaped manufactured by the manufacturing method can be smoothed, and a support is formed on the work surface 23 as a mold along the contour of the object to be shaped. Since each layer to be configured can be formed, workability can also be improved.

  In the inkjet printer 301 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the UV-LED array 6, the shaping ink supply unit 51, and the support ink supply unit 252 are provided on the carriage 4. FIGS. 21, 22, 23, and 24 illustrate specific examples of the arrangement of the UV-LED array 6, the shaped ink supply unit 51, and the support ink supply unit 252.

  In the example of FIG. 21, the UV-LED array 6, the shaping ink supply unit 51, and the support ink supply unit 252 are coaxially provided on the same guide rail 3 along the sub scanning direction, and basically In the structure, three move together in the sub-scanning direction, and only the necessary one operates each time.

  In the example of FIG. 22, the UV-LED array 6 includes a first UV-LED array 6A and a second UV-LED array 6B, and the guide rails 3 include a first guide rail 3A, a second guide rail 3B, and the like. Have. The first UV-LED array 6A and the support ink supply unit 252 are coaxially provided on the first guide rail 3A, and the second UV-LED array 6B and the shaping ink supply unit 51 are the same as the first guide rail 3A. Are coaxially provided on different second guide rails 3B. The first UV-LED array 6A and the support ink supply unit 252 basically move together in the sub-scanning direction, and the support ink supplied by the support ink supply unit 252 is immediately moved to the first UV-LED immediately after landing. It can be cured or pre-cured by array 6A. The second UV-LED array 6B and the modeling ink supply unit 51 basically move together in the sub-scanning direction, and immediately after landing, the modeling ink supplied by the modeling ink supply unit 51 is the second UV-LED It can be cured or temporarily cured by the array 6B. In addition, the 1st UV-LED array 6A, the 2nd UV-LED array 6B, the modeling ink supply part 51, and the support ink supply part 252 can also operate only what is required independently. In this case, the UV-LED array 6 and the guide rail 3 are configured to be relatively movable with respect to the mounting table 21 along the main scanning direction (direction orthogonal to the guide rail 3 along the sub scanning direction). For example, printing can be performed sequentially while moving relative to the mounting table 21.

  In the example of FIG. 23, the UV-LED array 6 includes a first UV-LED array 6A and a second UV-LED array 6B, and the guide rails 3 include a first guide rail 3A, a second guide rail 3B, and the like. , And third guide rails 3C. The first UV-LED array 6A and the support ink supply unit 252 are coaxially provided on the first guide rail 3A, and the shaping ink supply unit 51 is on the second guide rail 3B different from the first guide rail 3A. The second UV-LED array 6B is separately provided on the third guide rail 3C different from the first guide rail 3A and the second guide rail 3B. The first UV-LED array 6A and the support ink supply unit 252 basically move together in the sub-scanning direction, and the support ink supplied by the support ink supply unit 252 is immediately moved to the first UV-LED immediately after landing. It can be cured or pre-cured by array 6A. On the other hand, the second UV-LED array 6B and the shaping ink supply unit 51 are basically movable separately in the sub-scanning direction, and the flattening time of the shaping ink supplied by the shaping ink supply unit 51, etc. It is operable to be independently adjustable. In this case, the UV-LED array 6 and the guide rail 3 are configured to be relatively movable with respect to the mounting table 21 along the main scanning direction (direction orthogonal to the guide rail 3 along the sub scanning direction). For example, printing can be performed sequentially while moving relative to the mounting table 21.

  In the example of FIG. 24, the UV-LED array 6 includes a first UV-LED array 6A, a second UV-LED array 6B, and a third UV-LED array 6C, and the guide rail 3 includes the first guide rail 3A. , A second guide rail 3B, a third guide rail 3C, and a fourth guide rail 3D. The first UV-LED array 6A and the support ink supply unit 252 are coaxially provided on the first guide rail 3A, and the second UV-LED array 6B is a second guide rail 3B different from the first guide rail 3A. The ink supply unit 51 is independently provided on the third guide rail 3C different from the first guide rail 3A and the second guide rail 3B, and the third UV-LED array 6C is provided on the first The guide rails 3A, the second guide rails 3B, and the third guide rails 3C are independently provided on the fourth guide rails 3D different from each other. The first UV-LED array 6A and the support ink supply unit 252 basically move together in the sub-scanning direction, and the support ink supplied by the support ink supply unit 252 is immediately moved to the first UV-LED immediately after landing. It can be cured or pre-cured by array 6A. In addition, the second UV-LED array 6B and the support ink supply unit 252 are basically movable separately in the sub-scanning direction, and the second UV after the formation ink supplied by the support ink supply unit 252 is flattened. -It can also be cured or temporarily cured by the LED array 6B. Furthermore, the third UV-LED array 6C and the modeling ink supply unit 51 are basically movable separately in the sub-scanning direction, and the flattening time of the modeling ink supplied by the modeling ink supply unit 51, etc. It is operable to be independently adjustable. In this case, the UV-LED array 6 and the guide rail 3 are configured to be relatively movable with respect to the mounting table 21 along the main scanning direction (direction orthogonal to the guide rail 3 along the sub scanning direction). For example, printing can be performed sequentially while moving relative to the mounting table 21.

  The three-dimensional printer and the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention described above are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. is there. The three-dimensional printer and the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method according to the present embodiment may be configured by appropriately combining the components of the embodiments and the modifications described above.

  In the three-dimensional printer and three-dimensional object manufacturing method described above, it is also possible to manufacture an object having a plurality of colors using, for example, a plurality of types of white ink, colored ink, transparent ink, etc. . In this case, the three-dimensional printer, for example, forms each layer for each ink of different color and transparent ink, and interposes the transparent ink in the ink between different colors or in the non-colored portion in each layer, etc. It should just form a thing. Further, in the three-dimensional printer and the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method described above, a release agent may be interposed between the work surface and the formation ink.

1, 201, 301 Ink jet printer (three-dimensional printer)
2, 202 Mounting unit (working surface relative moving unit)
Reference Signs List 3 guide rail 4 carriage 5, 205, 305 ink supply unit 6 UV-LED array (exposure unit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 7 Carriage drive part 8, 208, 308 Control apparatus 9 Input device 10 Molding ink 10a Curing part 11 Molding object 12 Support ink 13 Support body 21 Mounting base 22 Mounting base drive part 23 Working surface 24, 224 Frame-like member 51 Molding ink Supply unit 61 LED element 62 casing 251 modeling ink supply unit 251 a flow rate control valve 252 support ink supply unit

Claims (4)

An ink supply unit capable of supplying to the work surface an ink whose degree of cure changes by exposure to light;
An exposure unit having an element that can be exposed to the ink supplied from the ink supply unit to the work surface;
A work surface relative movement unit capable of moving the work surface in the vertical direction relative to the exposure unit;
The ink supply control for controlling the ink supply unit to supply the ink to the work surface, the exposure control for controlling the exposure unit after the ink supply control to expose the ink, and the exposure control after the exposure control A control device capable of repeatedly executing movement control for controlling the work surface relative movement unit and relatively moving the work surface to the side separated from the exposure unit along the vertical direction;
The ink supply unit has a forming ink supply unit capable of supplying a forming ink forming an object to be formed as the ink whose degree of curing changes by exposure to light;
The working surface relative moving unit has a frame-like member surrounding the working surface,
The control device calculates and generates shape data of the object to be formed for each predetermined layer along the vertical direction based on three-dimensional data on the shape of the object to be formed, and in the ink supply control, the formation ink is supplied Controlling a portion to supply a forming ink of an amount corresponding to the thickness of a predetermined layer along the vertical direction to a work surface surrounded by the frame-like member ,
3D printer. In the exposure control, the control device controls the exposure unit after the liquid level of the shaping ink supplied to the work surface surrounded by the frame-like member is smoothed by the ink supply control, and the shaping is performed. Exposing the shaping ink based on the shape data of each layer of the object;
The three-dimensional printer according to claim 1. An ink supply unit capable of supplying to the work surface an ink whose degree of cure changes by exposure to light;
An exposure unit having an element that can be exposed to the ink supplied from the ink supply unit to the work surface;
A work surface relative movement unit capable of moving the work surface in the vertical direction relative to the exposure unit;
The ink supply control for controlling the ink supply unit to supply the ink to the work surface, the exposure control for controlling the exposure unit after the ink supply control to expose the ink, and the exposure control after the exposure control A control device capable of repeatedly executing movement control for controlling the work surface relative movement unit and relatively moving the work surface to the side separated from the exposure unit along the vertical direction;
The ink supply unit is a molding ink supply unit capable of supplying a molding ink for forming a molding object as the ink whose curing degree is changed by exposure, and the ink whose curing degree is changed by exposure And a support ink supply unit capable of supplying a support ink that forms a mold with a support along the contour of the object to be shaped .
The work surface relative moving unit is formed with a mold surrounding the work surface,
The control device executes, as the ink supply control, the support ink supply control that controls the support ink supply unit and supplies the support ink to the work surface based on shape data for each layer of the contour of the object to be formed After that, as the exposure control, the support unit exposure which controls the exposure unit and exposes the support ink based on the shape data of each layer of the contour of the object to be formed to form the mold with the support body Control is executed, and then, as the ink supply control, formation ink supply control is performed to control the formation ink supply unit and supply the formation ink to the work surface surrounded by the support body, and the support body the work surface surrounded by the formed mold, based on the three-dimensional data concerning the shape of the shaped object, the shaped object for each predetermined layer along the vertical direction It calculates Jo data, generated to control the build ink supply unit, supplies a shaped ink in an amount corresponding to the thickness of a predetermined layer along the vertical direction,
As the exposure control, after the liquid surface of the shaping ink supplied to the work surface surrounded by the mold is smoothed by the ink supply control, the exposure unit is controlled to control the layer shape of the object to be shaped. A three-dimensional printer characterized in that a shaped object exposure control for exposing the shaped ink is performed based on shape data. An ink supplying step of supplying the working surface with the ink whose curing degree changes by exposure to light;
An exposure step of exposing the ink with an element that can be exposed to the ink after the ink supply step;
Moving the work surface relative to the exposure unit along the vertical direction after the exposure step;
Repeatedly performing the ink supply step, the exposure step, and the transfer step;
The ink supply step supplies a forming ink for forming an object to be formed, as the ink whose degree of curing changes by exposure.
A frame-like member surrounding the work surface is disposed on the work surface,
In the ink supply step, shape data of the object to be formed for each predetermined layer along the vertical direction is calculated and generated based on three-dimensional data on the shape of the object to be formed, and the predetermined layer along the vertical direction is generated . Supplying an amount of modeling ink corresponding to the thickness to the work surface surrounded by the frame-like member ;
Three-dimensional object manufacturing method.

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