JP6859770B2 - Droplet ejection device, information processing device, droplet ejection method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a droplet ejection device, an information processing apparatus, a droplet ejection method and a program.

Binder jet method, laser sintering method (LS), and electron beam sintering method (EBM) are known as three-dimensional modeling methods by powder lamination (hereinafter referred to as "powder lamination modeling method").

The binder jet method is a technique for coagulating powder by ejecting binder ink (modeling liquid) from an inkjet head to form a three-dimensional modeled object. Materials used for powders include, for example, gypsum, sand, metal, ceramics, glass and the like.

In the binder jet method, in order to prevent defects caused by insufficient solidification of the powder from occurring in the three-dimensional model, usually, droplets (dots) of adjacent binder inks are sufficiently overlapped (droplets are applied). Discharge the binder ink so that there are no unfilled areas).

However, when such ejection is performed, as the modeling area increases, the amount of excess binder ink ejected increases, so that the rate of penetration of the binder ink into the powder and drying from the powder surface slows down, and the binder ink becomes slower. Remains on the powder surface.

If recoating (supplying the powder for forming the next layer) is performed with the binder ink remaining on the powder surface, the recorder drags the binder ink, which significantly deteriorates the molding accuracy. Further, if the recoating is performed after waiting for the binder ink to permeate into the powder, the molding speed may be lowered and the excess binder ink may seep out from the molding range, resulting in deterioration of the molding accuracy. is there.

Here, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for changing the amount of the binder applied according to the modeling location.

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, 1.05 to 5. A 00-fold-fold binder is applied, and even if such a technique is used, the above-mentioned adverse effects due to the excess of the modeling liquid cannot be eliminated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is capable of preventing the occurrence of defects due to insufficient solidification of the powder material and preventing the deterioration of the modeling accuracy of the three-dimensional modeled object. It is an object of the present invention to provide a processing apparatus, a droplet ejection method and a program.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the droplet ejection device according to one aspect of the present invention stacks the formed layers by repeating the operation of forming the layers with the supplied powder material. A laminated portion and a discharge portion for forming a three-dimensional modeled object by repeating an operation of discharging a modeling liquid to the layer each time the layer is formed are provided, and the discharging portion is of the modeling liquid. The modeling liquid is based on a pattern in which the amount of the modeling liquid discharged to each pixel decreases as the amount of the modeling liquid discharged to each pixel decreases with respect to a predetermined area with respect to the modeling liquid coating area which is the region on the layer to be discharged. Is discharged.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of defects due to insufficient solidification of the powder material and to prevent the deterioration of the modeling accuracy of the three-dimensional modeled object.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the modeling system of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an example of the appearance configuration of the droplet ejection device of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a series of flows of the modeling operation by the droplet ejection device of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a series of flows of the modeling operation by the droplet ejection device of the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a series of flows of the modeling operation by the droplet ejection device of the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a series of flows of the modeling operation by the droplet ejection device of the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a series of flows of the modeling operation by the droplet ejection device of the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a series of flows of the modeling operation by the droplet ejection device of the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the droplet ejection device of the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the droplet ejection device and the information processing device of the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a comparative example with the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a comparative example with the present embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a modeling liquid coating region of the present embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a discharge pattern of the modeling liquid of the present embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a modeling liquid coating region of the present embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a discharge pattern of the modeling liquid of the present embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a modeling liquid coating region of the present embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a discharge pattern of the modeling liquid of the present embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a modeling liquid coating region of the present embodiment. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing procedures performed by the information processing apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the processing procedure performed by the droplet ejection device of the present embodiment. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing another example of the flow of the processing procedure performed by the droplet ejection device of the present embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a droplet ejection device, an information processing apparatus, a droplet ejection method, and a program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following, as an example of a droplet ejection device, a binder jet-type powder lamination molding device that forms a three-dimensional model by ejecting a binder ink as a modeling liquid from a piezo-type inkjet head onto a powder material as an example. As explained, the present invention is not limited to this. Examples of the powder material include, but are not limited to, gypsum, sand, metal, ceramic, and glass.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the modeling system 10 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the modeling system 10 includes a droplet ejection device 100 and an information processing device 200. The form of connection between the droplet ejection device 100 and the information processing device 200 may be any, and examples thereof include a connection via a network and a form in which both are directly connected by a communication cable.

The droplet ejection device 100 is a three-dimensional modeled object by forming a layer from a powder material and repeating an operation of ejecting a modeling liquid to the layer based on layer information (slice data) generated by the information processing apparatus 200. Is to be modeled. In the present embodiment, as described above, the case where the droplet ejection device 100 is a binder jet type powder additive manufacturing device will be described as an example, but the present embodiment is not limited to this.

The layer information is information indicating how to discharge a modeling liquid to a layer formed of a powder material to form a three-dimensional modeled object. In detail, the layer information is information obtained by slicing a model of a three-dimensional modeled object into an xy plane, and the position (coordinates) of the layer and the amount of the modeling liquid to be discharged are represented by dots. .. The layer information is an individual image pattern (dot pattern) for each layer.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an example of the appearance configuration of the droplet ejection device 100 of the present embodiment, and FIGS. 3 to 8 show a series of flows of the modeling operation by the droplet ejection device 100 of the present embodiment. It is a figure. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 8, the droplet ejection device 100 includes a recorder 1, a cleaning blade 2, a supply tank 11, a modeling tank 12, a stage 13, a stage 14, a powder material 15, and a powder. The material 16 and the head unit 21 are provided.

The supply tank 11 is a tank for storing the powder material 15 for supply, and the modeling tank 12 is a tank for depositing the powder material 15 supplied from the supply tank 11 as the powder material 16. In the examples shown in FIGS. 2 to 8, the size of the supply tank 11 and the size of the modeling tank 12 are the same size, but the size is not limited to this, and the sizes may be different from each other.

The stage 13 is provided so as to be able to move up and down in the supply tank 11, and by controlling the ascending amount of the stage 13, the supply amount of the powder material 15 supplied to the modeling tank 12 can be controlled. The stage 14 is provided so as to be able to move up and down in the modeling tank 12, and by controlling the amount of descent of the stage 14, the pitch (stacking pitch) of the layers formed by the powder material 15 supplied from the supply tank 11 is controlled. It is possible.

The recorder 1 moves from the supply tank 11 to the modeling tank 12 while rotating, so that the powder material 15 overflowing from the supply tank 11 as the stage 13 rises is conveyed to the modeling tank 12 and the transferred powder. The material 15 is leveled on the modeling tank 12 to obtain a powder material 16. The rotation speed and moving speed of the recorder 1 can be controlled according to the powder characteristics of the powder material. The cleaning blade 2 scrapes off the powder material adhering to the recorder 1 and contributes to ensuring the flatness of the powder material 16 deposited in the modeling tank 12.

The head unit 21 discharges the modeling liquid to the layer formed by the powder material 16 on the modeling tank 12 based on the layer information (slice data) generated by the information processing apparatus 200. In this embodiment, the scanning direction of the head unit 21 and the resolution of the discharge are not limited.

Hereinafter, the modeling operation by the droplet ejection device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, the stage 13 is raised by a predetermined amount of increase in the supply tank 11, and the stage 14 is lowered by a predetermined amount of decrease in the modeling tank 12.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4, the recorder 1 is moved from the supply tank 11 to the modeling tank 12 while rotating, so that the powder material 15 overflowing from the supply tank 11 as the stage 13 rises is transferred to the modeling tank 12. At the same time, the transferred powder material 15 is leveled on the modeling tank 12. As a result, one layer is formed by the powder material 16 on the uppermost surface of the modeling tank 12.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5, when a layer for one layer is formed by the powder material 16 on the uppermost surface of the modeling tank 12, the head unit 21 is generated by the information processing device 200 while scanning the layer. The modeling liquid 22 is discharged based on the layer information (slice data) of the layer. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the powder material at the portion where the modeling liquid 22 is discharged solidifies to form one layer of the modeled object 31.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6, the stage 13 is raised in the supply tank 11 by a predetermined amount of increase, and the stage 14 is lowered in the modeling tank 12 by a predetermined amount of decrease.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7, the recorder 1 is moved from the supply tank 11 to the modeling tank 12 while rotating, so that the powder material 15 overflowing from the supply tank 11 as the stage 13 rises is transferred to the modeling tank 12. At the same time, the transferred powder material 15 is leveled on the modeling tank 12. As a result, a new layer for one layer is formed by the powder material 16 on the uppermost surface of the modeling tank 12 (a new layer is laminated on the layer formed in FIG. 4).

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 8, when a new layer for one layer is formed by the powder material 16 on the uppermost surface of the modeling tank 12, the head unit 21 scans the layer and the information processing apparatus 200. The modeling liquid 22 is discharged based on the layer information (slice data) of the layer generated by. As a result, the powder material at the portion where the modeling liquid 22 is discharged solidifies, and a new modeled object is formed on the modeled object 31, and the modeled object has two layers.

Hereinafter, by repeating the series of operations of FIGS. 6 to 8, a three-dimensional modeled object to be modeled is finally formed in the modeling tank 12.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the droplet ejection device 100 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the droplet ejection device 100 of the present embodiment includes a recorder 1, a stage 13, a stage 14, a head unit 21, and a controller unit 103. Further, the controller unit 103 includes a unit control circuit 131, a memory 132, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 133, and an I / F 134.

The I / F 134 is an interface for connecting the droplet ejection device 100 to the external information processing device 200.

The CPU 133 uses the memory 132 as a work area to control the operation of each unit of the droplet ejection device 100 via the unit control circuit 131. Specifically, the CPU 133 controls the operation of each unit based on the layer information received from the information processing device 200, and forms a three-dimensional modeled object.

The recorder 1 is controlled to move between the supply tank 11 and the modeling tank 12 based on a drive signal from the CPU 133 (unit control circuit 131). The stage 13 is controlled to move up and down in the supply tank 11 based on a drive signal from the CPU 133 (unit control circuit 131). The stage 14 is controlled to move up and down in the modeling tank 12 based on a drive signal from the CPU 133 (unit control circuit 131).

The head unit 21 is composed of a plurality of discharge heads that discharge the modeling liquid. Each discharge head is provided with a piezo, and when a drive signal is applied to the piezo by the CPU 133 (unit control circuit 131), the piezo causes a contraction motion, and the pressure change due to the contraction motion causes the modeling liquid to be discharged. To do.

Returning to FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 200 is one or more computers for generating the above-mentioned layer information (slice data). A printer driver is installed in the information processing device 200, and the printer driver generates layer information for each layer from image data of a model of a three-dimensional model.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 200 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the information processing device 200 includes a control device 201 such as a CPU, a main storage device 203 such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD. It is equipped with an auxiliary storage device 205 such as (Solid State Drive), a display device 207 such as a display, an input device 209 such as a touch panel and a key switch, and a communication device 211 such as a communication interface. It is the hardware configuration used.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the droplet ejection device 100 and the information processing apparatus 200 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the droplet ejection device 100 includes a receiving unit 151, a stacking unit 153, and an ejection unit 155, and the information processing apparatus 200 includes a layer information generating unit 251 and a transmitting unit 253. including.

The receiving unit 151 can be realized by, for example, a controller unit 103 or the like. The laminated portion 153 can be realized by, for example, a recorder 1, a stage 13, a stage 14, a controller unit 103, and the like. The discharge unit 155 can be realized by, for example, a head unit 21 and a controller unit 103.

The layer information generation unit 251 can be realized by, for example, the control device 201 and the main storage device 203. The transmission unit 253 can be realized by, for example, the control device 201, the main storage device 203, the communication device 211, and the like.

The layer information generation unit 251 discharges the modeling liquid to each of the plurality of layers formed of the powder material 16 of the modeling tank 12 to form a three-dimensional modeled object (slice data). To generate. As described above, the layer information is information obtained by slicing a model of a three-dimensional modeled object into an xy plane, and the position of the layer and the amount of the modeling liquid to be discharged are represented by dots. In the layer information, the position (coordinates) of the layer to discharge the modeling liquid is indicated by the position of the dot, and the amount of the modeling liquid to be discharged (discharge amount) is indicated by the size of the dot. However, it is not limited to this.

By the way, in the binder jet method, in order to prevent defects caused by insufficient solidification of the powder from occurring in the three-dimensional modeled object, the discharged modeling liquid is usually discharged at the adjacent locations where the modeling liquid is discharged. The dots are set large so that a sufficient amount of modeling liquid is discharged so that they overlap each other (so that there are no spots where the droplets are not applied).

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a comparative example with the present embodiment, and shows the amount of the modeling liquid discharged into the region composed of 3 pixels × 3 pixels in the prior art. In the example shown in FIG. 12, each pixel is indicated by a square, and the modeling liquid discharged to each pixel is indicated by a circle.

In the example shown in FIG. 12, since a sufficient amount of the modeling liquid is discharged to all the pixels, the overlapping portion 301 of the modeling liquid is formed in the region composed of 3 pixels × 3 pixels on the xy plane. There are a total of 12 locations. The number of overlapping parts of the modeling liquid is obtained from the number of pixels constituting the region. For example, in the case of a region composed of m pixels × n pixels, the number of overlapping parts of the modeling liquid is 2 × m × n. It is obtained by −mn (see FIG. 13). From this, it can be seen that as the area to be discharged of the modeling liquid increases, the number of overlapping points of the modeling liquid also increases.

Here, if the area to be discharged of the modeling liquid is small, the amount of the modeling liquid in the overlapping portion is small, so that the product dries quickly. However, if the area to be discharged of the modeling liquid is large, the amount of the modeling liquid in the overlapping portion is large. As a result, drying is slowed down, so that it remains on the powder surface (the surface of the layer formed by the powder material 16).

For this reason, if recoating is performed with the molding liquid remaining on the powder surface, the recorder 1 drags the molding liquid, which significantly deteriorates the molding accuracy. Further, if the recoating is performed after waiting for the molding liquid to permeate into the powder material 16, the molding speed is lowered and the excess binder ink exudes from the molding range, which causes deterioration of the molding accuracy. There is a risk.

Since the overlapping portion of the modeling liquid occurs not only in the xy plane but also in the yz plane and the xz plane, the latter problem also occurs in the yz plane and the xz plane.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to secure the permeation distance of the modeling liquid and reduce the excess modeling liquid, the layer information generation unit 251 applies the modeling liquid, which is an area on the layer to be discharged of the modeling liquid. Layer information indicating that the modeling liquid is discharged is generated based on a pattern in which the discharge amount of the modeling liquid decreases as the amount of the modeling liquid discharged is closer to the center with respect to the attached area. Specifically, the pattern in which the discharge amount of the modeling liquid decreases as it is closer to the center with respect to a predetermined area is composed of a plurality of dots representing the discharge amount of the modeling liquid, and the closer to the center, the more the discharge amount of the modeling liquid is discharged. The pattern is such that the number of dots whose amount is suppressed increases.

Hereinafter, the pattern used in this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the pattern to be used is properly used according to the size of the molding liquid application area. The magnitude relationship between the threshold values A0 to A2 used in the following description is A0 <A1 <A2. In the present embodiment, for example, 2 mm can be used as the value of the threshold value A0, for example 4 mm as the value of the threshold value A1, and for example 6 mm as the value of the threshold value A2, but the value is not limited to this, and the values of the threshold values A0 to A2 are used. May be used as an appropriate value depending on the powder material and the modeling liquid.

First, the pattern used for the modeling liquid coating region 311 shown in FIG. 14 will be described. As shown in FIG. 14, the modeling liquid application region 311 is assumed to be an region in which at least one of the horizontal length X and the vertical length Y is equal to or less than the threshold value A0. Note that X and Y may be the number of pixels or the like instead of the actual length. As described above, the modeling liquid application region 311 is a small region, the amount of excess modeling liquid which is the total amount of the modeling liquid at the overlapping portion is small, and the influence on the modeling accuracy is small.

Therefore, when the layer information generation unit 251 generates the layer information of the layer including the modeling liquid coating area 311, the pattern corresponding to the modeling liquid coating area 311 is applied to each pixel as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the dot pattern is used to indicate that the modeling liquid is discharged with the same discharge amount as in the conventional case, and the size of the dots is not modified.

Next, the pattern used for the modeling liquid coating area 321 shown in FIG. 16 will be described. As shown in FIG. 16, the modeling liquid coating area 321 is assumed to be an area in which at least one of the horizontal length X and the vertical length Y is larger than the threshold value A0 and equal to or less than the threshold value A1. As described above, the modeling liquid coating area 321 is a slightly large area, and the amount of excess modeling liquid, which is the total amount of the modeling liquid at the overlapping portion, is also slightly large, and the influence on the modeling accuracy is also slightly large.

For this reason, in the modeling liquid coating area 321, dots in which the discharge amount of the modeling liquid is suppressed are arranged so as not to be adjacent in the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal directions in the central portion (of the second type of pattern). An example) is used.

Specifically, when the layer information generation unit 251 generates layer information of the layer including the modeling liquid coating area 321, the pattern corresponding to the internal region 322 of the modeling liquid coating area 321 is shown in FIG. As described above, the dots 326 whose size has been reduced so as to suppress the discharge amount of the modeling liquid are arranged so as not to be adjacent to each other in the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal directions, and the modeling liquid is discharged between the dots 326 with the same discharge amount as before. The size of the dots is modified so that the dot pattern is such that the dots 325 indicating that the dots are arranged are arranged.

Here, the discharge amount of the modeling liquid indicated by the dot 326 is smaller than the discharge amount of the modeling liquid indicated by the dot 325, and the discharge amount of the modeling liquid indicated by the dot 325 is changed to the volume of the overlapping portion 301 of the modeling liquid described above. It shall be larger than the amount obtained by subtracting the amount of the corresponding modeling liquid. That is, the amount of the modeling liquid suppressed at the dot 326 is smaller than the amount of the modeling liquid corresponding to the volume of the overlapping portion 301 of the modeling liquid described above. As a result, the discharge amount of the modeling liquid indicated by the dots 326 becomes a sufficient amount with respect to the voids in the layer by combining the surplus modeling liquids among the modeling liquids indicated by the surrounding dots 325. Can be sufficiently filled so that there are no places where the modeling liquid is not applied.

When the layer information generation unit 251 generates layer information of a layer adjacent to the layer including the modeling liquid coating area 321, the pattern corresponding to the internal region 322 of the modeling liquid coating area 321 is an interlayer (z). Also in the direction), the arrangement is different so that the dots 326 in which the discharge amount of the modeling liquid is suppressed are not adjacent to each other.

In the case of the example shown in FIG. 17, for the n-1 layer located below the n layer, the arrangement of the dots 326 of the n layer is shifted by one in the x direction, and the arrangement is set below the n-1 layer. For the n-2 layer located, the arrangement of the dots 326 of the n-1 layer is shifted by one in the y direction and one in the x direction, and for the n-3 layer located below the n-2 layer, n. -The arrangement of the dots 326 in the second layer is shifted by one in the x direction.

As a result, the dots 326 in which the discharge amount of the modeling liquid is suppressed are not adjacent to each other between the n-3 layers to the n layers, and it is possible to prevent the permeation of the modeling liquid from being biased and to homogenize the structure of the three-dimensional model. Can be done.

When the layer information generation unit 251 generates the layer information of the layer including the modeling liquid coating area 321, the pattern corresponding to the external region 323 of the modeling liquid coating area 321 is the same dot pattern as in FIG. However, the size of the dots will not be modified.

In the present embodiment, the molding liquid is discharged to the molding liquid coating area 321 in a pattern in which the discharge amount is adjusted in advance so that the amount of the excess molding liquid generated in the central portion is reduced in advance. Even if the external modeling liquid permeates the central portion, it is possible to prevent the excess modeling liquid from seeping out from the modeling range while preventing the permeation of the modeling liquid and the delay in the drying speed. If the amount of the modeling liquid applied is uniformly reduced over the entire region, the permeation distance of the modeling liquid becomes shallow and the pre-layer is not sufficiently permeated. However, as in the present embodiment, By reducing the amount of the molding liquid toward the center, it is possible to reduce the excess molding liquid remaining on the powder surface while the permeation distance of most of the molding liquid is the same as before.

Next, the pattern used for the modeling liquid coating region 331 shown in FIG. 18 will be described. As shown in FIG. 18, the modeling liquid application region 331 is a region in which at least one of the horizontal length X and the vertical length Y is larger than the threshold value A1 and equal to or lower than the threshold value A2. As described above, the modeling liquid coating area 331 is a large area, and the amount of excess modeling liquid, which is the total amount of the modeling liquid at the overlapping portion, is large, and the influence on the modeling accuracy is large.

For this reason, in the modeling liquid coating area 331, dots in which the discharge amount of the modeling liquid is suppressed are arranged so as not to be adjacent in the vertical and horizontal directions and to be adjacent in the diagonal direction in the central portion. A pattern (an example of the first type of pattern) is used in which the dots whose discharge amount of the modeling liquid is suppressed are arranged so as not to be adjacent to each other in the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal directions on the peripheral edge portion.

Specifically, when the layer information generation unit 251 generates layer information of the layer including the modeling liquid coating area 331, the pattern corresponding to the internal region 332 of the modeling liquid coating area 331 is shown in FIG. As described above, the dots 336 whose size has been reduced so as to suppress the discharge amount of the modeling liquid are arranged so as not to be adjacent in the vertical and horizontal directions and to be adjacent in the diagonal direction, and the same discharge as before is performed between the dots 336. The size of the dots is modified so that the dot pattern is such that the dots 335 indicating that the modeling liquid is discharged by the amount are arranged.

The discharge amount of the modeling liquid indicated by the dot 336 is the same as the discharge amount of the modeling liquid indicated by the dot 326, and the discharge amount of the modeling liquid indicated by the dot 335 is the same as the discharge amount of the modeling liquid indicated by the dot 325. Suppose there is. As a result, the discharge amount of the modeling liquid indicated by the dots 336 becomes a sufficient amount with respect to the voids in the layer by combining the surplus modeling liquids among the modeling liquids indicated by the surrounding dots 335. Can be sufficiently filled so that there are no places where the modeling liquid is not applied.

Further, when the layer information generation unit 251 generates the layer information of the layer adjacent to the layer including the modeling liquid coating area 331, the layer (z) for the pattern corresponding to the internal region 332 of the modeling liquid coating area 331 Also in the direction), the arrangement is different so that the dots 336 in which the discharge amount of the modeling liquid is suppressed are not adjacent to each other.

In the case of the example shown in FIG. 19, for the n-1 layer located below the n layer, the arrangement of the dots 336 of the n layer is shifted by one in the y direction and one in the x direction. As a result, the dots 336 in which the discharge amount of the modeling liquid is suppressed are not adjacent to each other between the n-1 layer to the n layer, and it is possible to prevent the permeation of the modeling liquid from being biased.

When the layer information generation unit 251 generates the layer information of the layer including the modeling liquid coating region 331, the pattern corresponding to the peripheral region 333 of the internal region 332 of the modeling liquid coating region 331 is shown in FIG. The same dot pattern is used, and the pattern corresponding to the outer region 334 of the modeling liquid coating area 331 is the same dot pattern as in FIG.

In the present embodiment, the molding liquid is discharged to the molding liquid coating area 331 in a pattern in which the discharge amount is adjusted in advance so that the amount of excess molding liquid generated as the vicinity of the center portion is closer to the center portion. Therefore, even if the external modeling liquid permeates the central portion, it is possible to prevent the excess modeling liquid from seeping out from the modeling range while preventing the permeation of the modeling liquid and the delay in the drying speed. If the amount of the modeling liquid applied is uniformly reduced over the entire region, the permeation distance of the modeling liquid becomes shallow and the pre-layer is not sufficiently permeated. However, as in the present embodiment, By reducing the amount of the molding liquid toward the center, it is possible to reduce the excess molding liquid remaining on the powder surface while the permeation distance of most of the molding liquid is the same as before.

Next, the pattern used for the modeling liquid coating area 341 shown in FIG. 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 20, it is assumed that the modeling liquid application region 341 is a region in which at least one of the horizontal length X and the vertical length Y is larger than the threshold value A2. As described above, the modeling liquid application region 341 is an extremely large region, and the amount of excess modeling liquid, which is the total amount of the modeling liquid at the overlapping portion, is extremely large, and the influence on the modeling accuracy is also extremely large.

Therefore, regarding the modeling liquid coating area 341, the pattern used in the modeling liquid coating area 311 shown in FIG. 14 described above, the pattern used in the modeling liquid coating area 321 shown in FIG. 16, and the modeling shown in FIG. 18 The combination of patterns used in the liquid coating area 331 is used.

Specifically, when the layer information generation unit 251 generates layer information of the layer including the modeling liquid coating area 341, the modeling shown in FIG. 18 is directed from the central portion to the outer peripheral portion of the modeling liquid coating area 341. The patterns used in the liquid coating area 331 were arranged, and the locations where the patterns used in the modeling liquid application area 331 could not be arranged due to space limitations were used in the modeling liquid application area 321 shown in FIG. The pattern is arranged, and the pattern used in the modeling liquid application area 311 shown in FIG. 14 is arranged in the place where the pattern used in the modeling liquid application area 321 cannot be arranged due to the space. In the example shown in FIG. 20, since the pattern used in the modeling liquid coating area 331 can be arranged in the modeling liquid coating area 341 without any gap, the pattern used in the modeling liquid coating area 321 and the modeling liquid coating are applied. The pattern used in region 311 is not arranged.

The transmission unit 253 transmits the layer information of each layer generated by the layer information generation unit 251 to the droplet ejection device 100.

The receiving unit 151 receives the layer information of each layer from the information processing device 200.

The laminating portion 153 stacks the formed layers by repeating the operation of forming a layer by using the supplied powder material 15 as the powder material 16 every time the powder material 15 is supplied.

The discharge unit 155 forms a three-dimensional modeled object by repeating the operation of discharging the modeling liquid to the layer each time the layer is formed by the laminated unit 153. Specifically, the discharge unit 155 discharges the modeling liquid to the layer based on the layer information of the corresponding layer among the layer information of each layer received by the reception unit 151. As a result, the discharge unit 155 discharges the modeling liquid based on a pattern in which the discharge amount of the modeling liquid decreases as it is closer to the center with respect to the modeling liquid coating region.

Therefore, the discharge unit 155 discharges the modeling liquid to the modeling liquid application region 311 described with reference to FIG. 14 so as to have the dot pattern shown in FIG. Further, the discharge unit 155 discharges the modeling liquid to the modeling liquid application region 321 described with reference to FIG. 16 so as to have the dot pattern shown in FIG. 17 in the internal region 322, and discharges the modeling liquid in the external region 323. , The modeling liquid is discharged so as to have the dot pattern shown in FIG. Further, the discharge unit 155 discharges the modeling liquid to the modeling liquid application region 331 described with reference to FIG. 18 so as to have the dot pattern shown in FIG. 19 in the internal region 332, and discharges the modeling liquid in the peripheral region 333. , The modeling liquid is discharged so as to have the dot pattern shown in FIG. 17, and the modeling liquid is discharged so as to have the dot pattern shown in FIG. 15 in the outer region 334. Further, with respect to the modeling liquid coating area 341 described with reference to FIG. 20, the discharge unit 155 is formed in the modeling liquid application area 331 shown in FIG. 18 from the central portion to the outer peripheral portion of the modeling liquid application area 341. The modeling liquid was discharged so as to be the used dot pattern, and the portion that could not be discharged by the dot pattern used in the modeling liquid coating area 331 due to space was used in the modeling liquid coating area 321 shown in FIG. The modeling liquid is discharged so as to form a dot pattern, and the dot pattern used in the modeling liquid coating area 311 shown in FIG. 14 is where the dot pattern used in the modeling liquid coating area 321 cannot be discharged due to space limitations. Discharge the modeling liquid so that

In the present embodiment, when the discharge unit 155 discharges the modeling liquid to the modeling liquid coating area, the discharge unit 155 discharges the modeling liquid based on the dots in which the discharge amount of the modeling liquid is suppressed. To the dots where the discharge amount of the modeling liquid is suppressed after discharging the modeling liquid based on the dots whose amount is not suppressed, or after discharging the modeling liquid based on the dots whose discharge amount is not suppressed. The modeling liquid based on this shall be discharged. In this way, since the molding liquid applied later permeates through the molding liquid applied earlier, not only the total amount of the molding liquid applied can be reduced, but also the formation of voids can be suppressed. However, the discharge amount method of the modeling liquid is not limited to this, and the discharge of the modeling liquid based on the dots in which the discharge amount of the modeling liquid is suppressed and the discharge amount of the modeling liquid based on the dots in which the discharge amount of the modeling liquid is not suppressed are not limited to this. Discharges may be performed in parallel.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing procedures performed by the information processing apparatus 200 of the present embodiment.

First, the layer information generation unit 251 reads model data indicating a 3D model of the three-dimensional model to be modeled (step S101), and converts it into slice data (layer information) along the stacking pitch (step S103).

Subsequently, the layer information generation unit 251 acquires slice data of the unprocessed layer, and in the acquired slice data, a region in which at least one of the horizontal length X and the vertical length Y is larger than the threshold value A0 is formed. It is confirmed whether or not at least one is present (step S105). In the present embodiment, the order of acquiring slice data of the unprocessed layer is assumed to be the order of acquiring slice data in order from the first layer, but the order is not limited to this.

When there is a region in which at least one of the horizontal length X and the vertical length Y is larger than the threshold value A0 (Yes in step S105), the layer information generation unit 251 sets the dot pattern of the region to the size of the region. The slice data is modified so that the pattern corresponds to the size, and the discharge amount of the modeling liquid decreases as it is closer to the center, and the dots that discharge less the modeling liquid in the z direction are not adjacent to each other (the pattern is correct). Step S107).

On the other hand, when there is no region in which at least one of the horizontal length X and the vertical length Y is larger than the threshold value A0 (No in step S105), the layer information generation unit 251 does not modify the slice data (step S109). ..

Then, the layer information generation unit 251 repeats the processes of steps S105 to S109 (No in step S111) until the slice data of all layers is processed, and processes the slice data of all layers (Yes in step S111). The slice data of all layers are reintegrated (step S113).

Subsequently, the transmission unit 253 transfers the slice data reintegrated by the layer information generation unit 251 to the droplet ejection device 100 (step S115).

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the processing procedure performed by the droplet ejection device 100 of the present embodiment.

First, the droplet ejection device 100 reads the slice data after reintegration transferred from the information processing apparatus 200, and starts modeling the three-dimensional modeled object (step S201).

Subsequently, each time the powder material 15 is supplied, the laminating portion 153 uses the supplied powder material 15 as the powder material 16 to form a layer to be processed on the treated layer and laminates the layers (step S203). ).

Subsequently, the discharge unit 155 determines whether or not the slice data of the layer to be processed formed by the laminated unit 153 is corrected (whether or not the dot pattern contains dots that reduce the discharge amount of the modeling liquid). Is confirmed (step S205).

When the slice data of the layer to be processed has been modified (Yes in step S205), the discharge unit 155 first determines at least 1 based only on the modified dots (dots that reduce the discharge amount of the modeling liquid). The modeling liquid is discharged from one or more discharge heads (step S207), and then the modeling liquid is discharged from at least one discharge head based on the remaining uncorrected dots (step S209).

On the other hand, when the slice data of the layer to be processed is not corrected (No in step S205), the discharge unit 155 discharges the modeling liquid from at least one discharge head based on all the dots (step S211). ).

Then, the droplet ejection device 100 forms the next layer in steps S203 to S211 if the slice data of the next layer exists (Yes in step S213), and if the slice data of the next layer does not exist (in step S213). No) Since the modeling of the three-dimensional modeled object is completed, the modeling is completed (step S215).

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing another example of the flow of the processing procedure performed by the droplet ejection device 100 of the present embodiment.

First, the processes in steps S301 to S305 are the same as the processes in steps S201 to S205 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

Subsequently, if the slice data of the layer to be processed has been modified (Yes in step S305), the ejection unit 155 first models from at least one ejection head based only on the unmodified dots. The liquid is discharged (step S307), and then the modeling liquid is discharged from at least one or more discharge heads based on the remaining corrected dots (dots that reduce the discharge amount of the modeling liquid) (step S309). ..

Subsequent processes from steps S311 to S315 are the same as the processes from steps S211 to S215 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of defects due to insufficient solidification of the powder material and prevent the deterioration of the modeling accuracy of the three-dimensional modeled object.

(program)
The program executed by the droplet ejection device 100 and the information processing device 200 of the above embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a memory card, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). , A flexible disk (FD) or the like, which is stored in a computer-readable storage medium and provided.

Further, the programs executed by the droplet ejection device 100 and the information processing device 200 of the above embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading via the network. Good. Further, the program executed by the droplet ejection device 100 and the information processing device 200 of the above embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Further, the program executed by the droplet ejection device 100 and the information processing apparatus 200 of the above embodiment may be provided by incorporating it into a ROM or the like in advance.

The program executed by the droplet ejection device 100 and the information processing apparatus 200 of the above-described embodiment has a modular configuration for realizing each of the above-described parts on a computer. As actual hardware, for example, the CPU reads a program from the ROM onto the RAM and executes the program, so that each of the above functional units is realized on the computer.

The above embodiment is presented as an example, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The new embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

10 Modeling system 100 Droplet ejection device 151 Receiver 153 Stacked section 155 Discharge section 200 Information processing device 251 Layer information generator 253 Transmitter

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-0884332

Claims (12)

By repeating the operation of forming a layer with the supplied powder material, the laminated portion for laminating the formed layer and the laminated portion
Each time the layer is formed, it is provided with a discharge unit for modeling a three-dimensional model by repeating the operation of discharging the modeling liquid to the layer.
The discharge portion is smaller as the amount of the modeling liquid discharged to each pixel is closer to the center with respect to a predetermined area with respect to the modeling liquid coating area which is the region on the layer to be the discharge target of the modeling liquid. A droplet ejection device that ejects the modeling liquid based on the pattern. The droplet ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the pattern is composed of a plurality of dots representing the ejection amount of the modeling liquid, and the number of dots in which the ejection amount of the modeling liquid is suppressed increases as the distance from the center is closer. In the first type of the pattern, the dots in which the discharge amount of the modeling liquid is suppressed are arranged in the central portion so as not to be adjacent in the vertical and horizontal directions and to be adjacent in the diagonal direction, and the peripheral edge of the central portion. The droplet ejection device according to claim 2, wherein the dots in which the ejection amount of the modeling liquid is suppressed are arranged so as not to be adjacent to each other in the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal directions. The droplet ejection according to claim 2 or 3, wherein in the second type of the pattern, dots in which the ejection amount of the modeling liquid is suppressed are arranged so as not to be adjacent to each other in the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal directions in the central portion. apparatus. The second type of pattern is a smaller pattern than the pattern of the first type,
The discharge unit discharges the modeling liquid to the modeling liquid coating region based on the combination of the first type pattern and the second type pattern with respect to the shape of the modeling liquid coating region. The droplet ejection device according to claim 4. The droplet ejection device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein in the pattern, dots in which the ejection amount of the modeling liquid is suppressed are arranged so as not to be adjacent to each other between the layers. The discharge unit discharges the modeling liquid to the modeling liquid coating area based on the pattern when the length of the width of the modeling liquid coating area exceeds the threshold value. The droplet ejection device according to any one. The suppressed amount of the modeling liquid in the dots in which the discharge amount of the modeling liquid is suppressed is smaller than the amount of the modeling liquid overlapping with the adjacent dots in the vertical and horizontal directions when the discharge amount of the modeling liquid is not suppressed. The droplet ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. When the molding liquid is discharged to the molding liquid coating region, the discharge unit discharges the modeling liquid based on the dots in which the discharge amount of the modeling liquid is suppressed, and then the discharge amount of the modeling liquid. The discharge amount of the modeling liquid is suppressed after the discharge of the modeling liquid based on the dots for which is not suppressed or the discharge amount of the modeling liquid based on the dots for which the discharge amount of the modeling liquid is not suppressed is performed. The droplet ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which ejects the modeling liquid based on the dots. It is provided with a layer information generation unit that generates layer information indicating how to discharge a modeling liquid to form a three-dimensional modeled object for each of a plurality of layers formed of a powder material.
The layer information is smaller as the amount of the modeling liquid discharged to each pixel is closer to the center with respect to a predetermined area with respect to the region on the layer that is the target of discharging the modeling liquid. An information processing device indicating that the modeling liquid is discharged based on the pattern. By repeating the operation of forming a layer with the supplied powder material, a laminating step of laminating the formed layer and a laminating step
Each time the layer is formed, the operation of discharging the modeling liquid to the layer is repeated to include a discharge step of modeling a three-dimensional modeled object.
In the discharge step, the amount of the modeling liquid discharged to each pixel is smaller as the amount of the modeling liquid discharged to each pixel is closer to the center with respect to the predetermined area with respect to the area on the layer to be the target of discharging the modeling liquid. A droplet ejection method for ejecting the modeling liquid based on the above pattern. By repeating the operation of forming a layer with the supplied powder material, a laminating step of laminating the formed layer and a laminating step
Each time the layer is formed, the computer is made to execute a discharge step of modeling a three-dimensional model by repeating the operation of discharging the modeling liquid to the layer.
In the discharge step, the amount of the modeling liquid discharged to each pixel is smaller as the amount of the modeling liquid discharged to each pixel is closer to the center with respect to the predetermined area with respect to the area on the layer to be the target of discharging the modeling liquid. A program that discharges the modeling liquid based on the pattern.

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