JP6935544B2 - Modeling equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a modeling apparatus and a modeling method.

In recent years, the development of a modeling device (3D modeling device) for modeling a three-dimensional model has been progressing. Further, as a configuration of a modeling apparatus, a configuration capable of modeling in various modeling modes has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-26915

When modeling a modeled object with a modeling device, for example, modeling is performed by a layered manufacturing method in which a plurality of layers are sequentially laminated. Further, in this case, each layer to be laminated is formed by ejecting a modeling material using an inkjet head or the like.

However, in this case, since it is necessary to form many layers in layers, it usually takes a lot of time for modeling. More specifically, when modeling is performed with a conventional modeling device, the modeling speed in the direction of stacking layers (stacking direction) is, for example, about 1 to 2 cm / h. Therefore, for example, when trying to model a modeled object having a height of about 10 cm, it takes about half a day.

On the other hand, for example, if the number of inkjet heads used for modeling is increased, the modeling speed can be increased. However, in this case, due to the increase in size of the head portion including the inkjet head, the increase in size of the drive unit for driving the enlarged head portion, and the like, it is inevitable that the apparatus becomes larger and more expensive.

Further, in recent years, not only colorless and monochromatic shaped objects but also shaped objects colored in various colors have been studied. In this case, it is necessary to use many inkjet heads in order to perform modeling using inks for coloring a plurality of colors. Then, in such a case, if the number of inkjet heads is simply increased in order to increase the molding speed, the problems of increasing the size and price of the apparatus become particularly remarkable. More specifically, for example, when trying to double the molding speed, simply thinking, the number of inkjet heads is doubled for all the color inks used. However, when the number of inkjet heads is increased in this way, the problems of increasing the size and price of the apparatus become extremely large.

Therefore, conventionally, it has been desired to increase the modeling speed by a more appropriate method. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a modeling apparatus and a modeling method capable of solving the above problems.

The inventor of the present application has conducted diligent research on a method for increasing the modeling speed more appropriately. Moreover, in this research, it was considered to increase the molding speed while suppressing the increase in the number of inkjet heads as much as possible. Then, instead of increasing the modeling speed in all cases, for example, by increasing the modeling speed only when modeling is performed under specific conditions, modeling is performed while minimizing the increase in the number of inkjet heads. We have found that the speed can be increased.

More specifically, for example, when modeling while coloring with high accuracy, it is considered that modeling is performed at a standard speed, and the modeling speed is increased only at the time of modeling in other specific modeling modes. rice field. Further, in this case, in the modeling mode in which modeling is performed at high speed, it is considered to increase the modeling speed by using the coloring ink for purposes other than coloring (for example, modeling inside the modeled object).

In addition, the inventor of the present application has examined a method for increasing the modeling speed more appropriately in the case of increasing the modeling speed by such a method. Then, in this case, it has been found that the molding speed may be increased more appropriately by increasing the ejection capacity of the inkjet head forming the support layer around the modeled object.

More specifically, as described above, for each part of the modeled object, the modeling speed can be increased by using, for example, coloring ink for purposes other than coloring. However, in the case of the support layer, since it is removed (for example, dissolved and removed) after the completion of modeling, it cannot usually be formed by mixing other materials such as coloring ink. Moreover, even if it is mixed, it is necessary to make it a small amount so as not to affect the function of the support layer. This is because, for example, when an ink other than the material of the support layer is mixed to form the support layer, it becomes difficult to remove the support layer. In addition, it may not be desirable for the support layer to have an unnecessary color. Therefore, when trying to increase the molding speed, the material of the support layer cannot be appropriately supplemented with other inks or the like, so that the ejection capacity of the inkjet head forming the support layer may become a rate-determining condition. be.

On the other hand, if the ejection capacity of the inkjet head forming the support layer is increased, the molding speed can be appropriately increased without changing the number of inkjet heads for other inks and the ejection capacity. Further, as a result, it is possible to more appropriately increase the molding speed while suppressing an increase in the number of inkjet heads used.

That is, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is a modeling device for modeling a modeled object by ejecting a material from a nozzle array in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in the nozzle array direction, and the plurality of nozzle arrays are formed. The head portion includes a head portion having the head portion and a scanning drive portion that causes the head portion to perform a scanning operation of ejecting a material of the modeled object while moving relative to the modeled object being modeled. As a plurality of nozzle rows, a first nozzle row group consisting of one or more nozzle rows that eject a material of the first color as a material of the modeled object, and a first nozzle row group that is different from the first color as the material of the modeled object. For support consisting of a second nozzle row group consisting of one or more nozzle rows that eject materials of two colors and one or more nozzle rows that eject materials of a support layer that supports the periphery of the modeled object being modeled. Having a nozzle row group, the modeling apparatus performs a modeling operation based on a preset modeling mode, and in at least one of the modeling modes, the first nozzle row group and the second nozzle row The group is used to form at least a part of the modeled object, and the support layer is formed at least a part around the modeled object, and the maximum value of the material that can be discharged per unit time in one scanning operation. When is defined as the material discharge capacity, the material discharge capacity of the support nozzle row group is larger than the material discharge capacity of the first nozzle row group.

With this configuration, for example, the molding speed can be appropriately increased by forming at least a part of the modeled object using a plurality of types of materials by the first nozzle row group and the second nozzle row group. Further, by increasing the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group, it is possible to appropriately prevent the molding speed from being lowered due to the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group. Further, as a result, for example, the modeling speed can be increased by a more appropriate method.

Further, in this case, since the molding speed can be increased without changing the number of nozzle rows other than the support nozzle row group, it is possible to prevent a large increase in the number of nozzle rows. Further, as a result, for example, it is possible to appropriately achieve both the reduction in size and weight of the head portion and the improvement in the molding speed.

Here, the modeling material discharged from the first nozzle row group and the second nozzle row group is, for example, an ultraviolet curable ink that is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays. In this case, the ink is, for example, a liquid ejected from a nozzle by an inkjet method. Further, the material of the support layer to be ejected from the support nozzle row group may also be ultraviolet curable ink. In this case, as the material of the support layer, for example, it is preferable to use a material that cures weaker than the material of the modeling that constitutes the modeled object. With this configuration, for example, the support layer can be appropriately removed by dissolution removal or the like after the completion of modeling.

Further, the first nozzle row group ejects, for example, modeling ink (model material or the like) of a predetermined color. Further, the first nozzle row group may eject light-reflecting ink such as white. Further, in this case, the light-reflecting ink may be considered as a modeling ink. In addition, the first nozzle row group ejects ink that does not form a region by itself in this modeling mode. In this case, the ink that does not form a region by itself is, for example, an ink that is formed by further using an ink of a color other than this ink in a region formed by using this ink.

Further, the second nozzle row group ejects, for example, one of the inks for coloring a plurality of colors. In this case, the multi-color coloring ink is, for example, a multi-color coloring ink used when modeling a colored modeled object in a modeling apparatus. Further, the second nozzle row group may eject clear ink which is a transparent color ink. Further, the nozzle row group for ejecting clear ink may be considered as a nozzle row group for clear ink different from the first nozzle row group and the second nozzle row group.

Further, the modeling device is, for example, a device capable of modeling in a plurality of preset modeling modes. More specifically, the modeling apparatus can execute, for example, a surface decoration mode, an internal coloring mode, and the like as the modeling mode. In this case, the surface decoration mode is, for example, a modeling mode in which the surface of the modeled object is colored. Further, the internal coloring mode is, for example, a modeling mode in which at least one of the coloring inks is used for modeling the inside of the modeled object to perform modeling at a higher speed than the surface decoration mode. In this case, in the internal coloring mode, the modeling apparatus forms at least a part of the modeled object by using, for example, the first nozzle row group and the second nozzle row group, and supports at least a part around the modeled object. Form a layer.

Further, the modeling apparatus may be capable of modeling in a plurality of surface decoration modes in which the modeling speeds are different from each other, for example. In this case, for example, in the first surface decoration mode, the surface of the modeled object is colored under predetermined conditions. Further, in the second surface decoration mode, modeling is performed under conditions that are partially different from those in the first surface decoration mode, and the surface of the modeled object is colored while being compared with the first surface decoration mode. Also performs modeling at high speed.

Further, in this case, the method of forming the light reflection region formed inside the colored region colored by the coloring ink is different between the first surface decoration mode and the second surface decoration mode. More specifically, at the time of modeling in the first surface decoration mode, a light-reflecting region is formed by using a light-reflective ink and not using a clear ink. Further, at the time of modeling in the second surface decoration mode, a light reflecting region is formed by using the light reflecting ink and the clear ink.

Further, in this case, it is preferable that the method of forming the colored region is further different between the first surface decoration mode and the second surface decoration mode. More specifically, in this case, in the second surface decoration mode, the colored region is formed by using the clear ink at a larger ratio than in the molding in the first surface decoration mode. In this way, for example, the modeling speed in the second surface decoration mode can be appropriately increased.

Further, as the configuration of the present invention, it is conceivable to use a modeling method or the like having the same characteristics as described above. In this case as well, for example, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

According to the present invention, for example, the modeling speed can be increased by an appropriate method.

It is a figure which shows an example of the modeling apparatus 10 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 1A shows an example of the configuration of the main part of the modeling apparatus 10. FIG. 1B shows an example of the configuration of the head portion 12 in the modeling apparatus 10. FIG. 1C shows an example of the configuration of the inkjet head in the head portion 12. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation of modeling performed by the modeling apparatus 10. FIG. 2A shows an example of a coloring mode that can be executed by the modeling apparatus 10. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the modeled object 50 modeled by the surface decoration mode. FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the modeled object 50 modeled in the single color / coloring mode. Although FIGS. 2 (b) and 2 (c) show XY cross sections, the ZZ cross section and the ZZ cross section are also cross-sectional views having the same configuration. It is a figure which shows an example of the method of ejecting the ink of each color to each area at the time of modeling in the surface decoration mode. Various examples of how to eject ink into the modeled object 50 are shown. FIG. 4A shows an example of continuity in the Y direction. FIG. 4B shows an example of continuity in the X direction. FIG. 4C shows an example of two-dimensional dispersion with four heads. FIG. 4D shows an example of two-dimensional dispersion with five heads. FIG. 4E shows an example of how to eject ink when forming the inside of the modeled object 50 so as to express a predetermined color. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation which forms the layer of one ink using ink of a plurality of colors. It is a figure which shows the modification of the way of discharging from each nozzle row. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation when the position which forms a 3D pixel in the same nozzle row is made different for each layer. It is a figure which shows the example of the case where the modeling is performed without clarifying the boundary between the light reflection region 304 and the separation region 306. It is a figure explaining the molding mode which is preferable to increase the material ejection capacity of a group of nozzles for clear ink. FIG. 9A shows an example of the configuration of the head portion 12 when the material ejection capacity of the clear ink nozzle row group is increased. FIG. 9B shows an example of the modeling operation in the first surface decoration mode. FIG. 9C shows an example of the modeling operation in the second surface decoration mode. It is a figure explaining the method of increasing the material discharge capacity of a group of nozzles. FIG. 10A shows an example of a method for increasing the material ejection capacity of the nozzle row group. FIG. 10B shows another example of a method of increasing the material ejection capacity of the nozzle row group. FIG. 10 (c) shows still another example of a method of increasing the material ejection capacity of the nozzle train group.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of a modeling apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A shows an example of the configuration of the main part of the modeling apparatus 10. FIG. 1B shows an example of the configuration of the head portion 12 in the modeling apparatus 10. FIG. 1C shows an example of the configuration of the inkjet head in the head portion 12.

The modeling apparatus 10 may have the same or the same configuration as the known modeling apparatus, except for the points described below. More specifically, except for the points described below, the modeling apparatus 10 is known to perform modeling by, for example, ejecting droplets (ink droplets) as a material of the modeled object 50 using an inkjet head. It may have the same or similar configuration as the device. In addition to the configurations shown in the figure, the modeling device 10 may further include various configurations necessary for modeling, coloring, and the like of the modeled object 50, for example.

In this example, the modeling device 10 is a modeling device (3D modeling device) that models the modeled object 50 by the additive manufacturing method. In this case, the additive manufacturing method is, for example, a method of stacking a plurality of layers to form a modeled object 50. The modeled object 50 is, for example, a three-dimensional three-dimensional structure. Further, in this example, the modeling device 10 includes a head unit 12, a modeling table 14, a scanning drive unit 16, and a control unit 20.

The head portion 12 is a portion for discharging the material of the modeled object 50. In this case, ejecting the material of the modeled object 50 means, for example, ejecting droplets (ink droplets) of ink that is the material of the modeled object 50. In this case, the ink is, for example, a liquid discharged from the inkjet head. Further, the head portion 12 has a plurality of inkjet heads and an ultraviolet light source. In this case, the inkjet head is, for example, an ejection head that ejects droplets by an inkjet method.

More specifically, the head portion 12 ejects droplets of ink that are cured according to predetermined conditions from a plurality of inkjet heads as droplets that are the material of the modeled object 50. Then, by curing the ink after landing, each layer constituting the modeled object 50 is formed in layers. Further, in this example, as the ink, an ultraviolet curable ink (UV ink) that is cured from a liquid state by irradiation with ultraviolet rays is used.

Further, in this example, the head portion 12 further discharges the material of the support layer 52 in addition to the material of the modeled object 50. Further, as a result, the modeling device 10 forms a support layer 52 around the modeled object 50, if necessary. In this case, the support layer 52 is, for example, a laminated structure that supports the modeled object 50 by surrounding the outer periphery of the modeled object 50 being modeled. The support layer 52 is formed as needed at the time of modeling the modeled object 50, and is removed after the modeling is completed. Further, a more specific configuration of the head portion 12 will be described in detail later.

The modeling table 14 is a trapezoidal member that supports the modeling object 50 being modeled, is arranged at a position facing the inkjet head in the head portion 12, and the modeled object 50 being modeled is placed on the upper surface. Further, in this example, the modeling table 14 has a configuration in which at least the upper surface can be moved in the stacking direction (Z direction in the drawing), and is driven by the scanning drive unit 16 to model the modeled object 50. At least the upper surface moves as the process progresses. In this case, the laminating direction is, for example, the direction in which the modeling materials are laminated in the additive manufacturing method. More specifically, in this example, the stacking direction is a direction (Z direction in the figure) orthogonal to the main scanning direction (Y direction in the figure) and the sub scanning direction (X direction in the figure).

The scanning drive unit 16 is a drive unit that causes the head unit 12 to perform a scanning operation that moves relative to the modeled object 50 being modeled. In this case, moving relative to the modeled object 50 being modeled means, for example, moving relative to the modeling table 14. Further, in this example, the scanning drive unit 16 causes the head unit 12 to perform preset main scanning operation (Y scanning), sub-scanning operation (X scanning), and stacking direction scanning (Z scanning).

Here, having the head portion 12 perform the main scanning operation means, for example, causing the inkjet head of the head portion 12 to perform the main scanning operation. The main scanning operation is, for example, an operation of ejecting ink while moving in the main scanning direction. Further, the main scanning operation is an example of a scanning operation in which the material of the modeled object 50 is ejected while moving relative to the modeled object 50 being modeled. In this example, the scanning drive unit 16 fixes the position of the modeling table 14 in the main scanning direction and moves the side of the head unit 12 to cause the head unit 12 to perform the main scanning operation. In a modified example of the configuration of the modeling device 10, the side of the modeled object 50 may be moved by, for example, fixing the position of the head portion 12 in the main scanning direction and moving the modeling table 14, for example.

Further, during the main scanning operation of this example, the scanning drive unit 16 further drives the ultraviolet light source in the head unit 12. More specifically, the scanning drive unit 16 cures the ink that has landed on the surface to be modeled 50 by, for example, turning on the ultraviolet light source during the main scanning operation. The modeled surface of the modeled object 50 is, for example, a surface on which the next ink layer is formed by the head portion 12.

Further, having the head portion 12 perform the sub-scanning operation means, for example, causing the inkjet head of the head portion 12 to perform the sub-scanning operation. The sub-scanning operation is, for example, an operation of moving relative to the modeling table 14 in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. The sub-scanning operation may be an operation of moving relative to the modeling table 14 in the sub-scanning direction by a preset feed amount.

Further, in this example, the scanning drive unit 16 causes the head unit 12 to perform a sub-scanning operation between the main scanning operations. In this case, the scanning drive unit 16 causes the head unit 12 to perform the sub-scanning operation by, for example, fixing the position of the head unit 12 in the sub-scanning direction and moving the modeling table 14. Further, the scanning drive unit 16 may cause the head unit 12 to perform the sub-scanning operation by fixing the position of the modeling table 14 in the sub-scanning direction and moving the head unit 12. Further, the scanning drive unit 16 causes the head unit 12 to perform a sub-scanning operation only when necessary, according to the size of the modeled object 50 to be modeled. Therefore, for example, when modeling a small-sized model 50, the model 50 may be modeled without performing the sub-scanning operation.

Further, having the head portion 12 perform the stacking direction scanning means, for example, causing the inkjet head of the head portion 12 to perform the stacking direction scanning. Further, the stacking direction scanning is an operation of moving the head portion 12 in the stacking direction relative to the modeled object 50 by moving at least one of the head portion 12 or the modeling table 14 in the stacking direction, for example. In this case, moving the head portion 12 in the stacking direction means, for example, moving the inkjet head in the head portion 12 in the stacking direction. Further, moving the modeling table 14 in the stacking direction means, for example, moving the position of at least the upper surface of the modeling table 14.

Further, the scanning drive unit 16 causes the head unit 12 to scan in the stacking direction in accordance with the progress of the modeling operation, so that the distance between the head units, which is the distance between the inkjet head and the modeling table 14 in the head unit 12, is the distance between the head units. To change. The distance between the head bases may be, for example, the distance between the nozzle surface on which the nozzle (nozzle hole) is formed in the inkjet head and the upper surface of the modeling base 14. More specifically, in this example, the scanning drive unit 16 fixes the position of the head unit 12 in the stacking direction and moves the modeling table 14. The scanning drive unit 16 may move the head unit 12 by fixing the position of the modeling table 14 in the stacking direction.

The control unit 20 is, for example, the CPU of the modeling device 10, and controls the modeling operation of the modeling object 50 by controlling each unit of the modeling device 10. It is preferable that the control unit 20 controls each part of the modeling apparatus 10 based on, for example, the shape information of the modeled object 50 to be modeled, the color image information, and the like. According to this example, the modeled object 50 can be appropriately modeled.

Subsequently, a more specific configuration of the head portion 12 will be described. In this example, the head portion 12 has a plurality of inkjet heads. Further, each inkjet head has a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in a predetermined nozzle row direction on a surface facing the modeling table 14. Further, the modeling device 10 models the modeled object 50 by ejecting materials from a plurality of nozzle rows in the head portion 12.

More specifically, in this example, the head portion 12 includes a carriage 100, a plurality of inkjet heads, an ultraviolet light source 104, and a flattening roller 106. The carriage 100 is a holding member that holds a plurality of inkjet heads, an ultraviolet light source 104, and a flattening roller 106. Further, as a plurality of inkjet heads, the head portion 12 includes a plurality of inkjet heads 102S, an inkjet head 102W, an inkjet head 102T, an inkjet head 102C, an inkjet head 102M, an inkjet head 102Y, and an inkjet. It has a head 102K. These plurality of inkjet heads are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction, for example, by aligning the positions in the sub-scanning direction.

The plurality of inkjet heads 102S are inkjet heads (heads for the support layer) that eject the material of the support layer 52. In this example, as the material of the support layer 52, an ultraviolet curable ink having a weaker degree of curing by ultraviolet rays than the material of the modeled object 50 is used. In this case, each of the plurality of inkjet heads 102S ejects ultraviolet curable ink, which is a material for the support layer 52, from each nozzle in the nozzle row.

The support layer 52 is, for example, a layer for supporting the overhang shape of the modeled object 50 from below to enable modeling. Further, it is also conceivable to discharge the material of the support layer 52 into the modeling area of the modeling table 14 to form the support layer 52 in a plate shape before the start of the modeling operation. With this configuration, for example, the unevenness of the surface of the modeling table 14 can be corrected to more appropriately secure the flatness. As the material of the support layer 52, it is preferable to use a water-soluble material that can be dissolved in water after the modeled object 50 is formed. Further, in this case, it is preferable to use a material having a weaker degree of curing than the material constituting the modeled object 50 and easily decomposing. Further, as the material of the support layer 52, for example, a known material for the support layer can be preferably used. With this configuration, for example, the support layer 52 can be appropriately removed by dissolution removal or the like after the completion of modeling.

Further, in the head portion 12, the inkjet heads other than the plurality of inkjet heads 102S are heads for modeling objects (modeling material ejection heads) used for modeling the modeled object 50. Further, among the heads for modeling objects, the inkjet head 102W is an inkjet head that ejects white (W) ink, and ejects white ink from each nozzle in the nozzle row. Further, in this example, the white ink is an example of a light-reflecting ink, and is used, for example, when forming a region having a property of reflecting light (light-reflecting region) in the modeled object 50. This light reflection region is, for example, a region for performing full-color expression by subtractive color mixing on the surface of the modeled object 50. As the white ink, for example, an ultraviolet curable ink containing an inorganic pigment as a component can be preferably used. In addition to the material in the light reflecting region, the white ink can also be used as, for example, one of the internal materials constituting the shape of the modeled object 50. In this case, the white ink is used as the modeling ink. The modeling ink is, for example, an ink used for forming the inside of the modeled object 50 or the like. The white ink is also the only material used when modeling the white model 50. Furthermore, it also serves as a color material for expressing a light color when mixed with inks of other colors.

The inkjet head 102T is an inkjet head that ejects clear ink, and ejects clear ink from each nozzle in the nozzle row. The clear ink is, for example, a clear color ink which is a colorless transparent color (T). The clear ink is an example of a transparent color ink. The clear ink can be used, for example, as one of the internal materials constituting the shape of the modeled object 50. The clear ink is also the only material used when modeling the transparent modeled object 50. It also serves as a color material for expressing a light color when mixed with inks of other colors.

Further, in this example, the clear ink is used to make the ink density constant by compensating for the change in the density of the coloring ink, for example, when the surface of the modeled object 50 is colored in full color. But use it. Further, when coloring is performed by surface decoration, the clear ink can also be used as a material for separating the light reflection region and the coloring region (color layer). It can also be used for forming a protective (color fading, scratches, stains) region (protective film) to be arranged on the outermost layer of the modeled object 50.

The inkjet head 102C, the inkjet head 102M, the inkjet head 102Y, and the inkjet head 102K (hereinafter referred to as inkjet heads 102C to K) are coloring inkjet heads (decorative heads) used when modeling the colored model 50. , Each ink of a plurality of colors of coloring ink (decorative ink) used for coloring is ejected from each nozzle in the nozzle row. More specifically, the inkjet head 102C ejects cyan (C color) ink. The inkjet head 102M ejects magenta (M color) ink. The inkjet head 102Y ejects yellow (Y color) ink. The inkjet head 102K ejects black (K color) ink. Further, in this case, each color of CMYK is an example of a process color used for expressing a full color. Further, the full-color expression is, for example, a color expression performed by a combination capable of subtractive color mixing with process color ink.

The ultraviolet light source 104 is a light source (UV light source) for curing the ink, and generates ultraviolet rays for curing the ultraviolet curable ink. As the ultraviolet light source 104, for example, a UV LED (ultraviolet LED) or the like can be preferably used. It is also conceivable to use a metal halide lamp, a mercury lamp, or the like as the ultraviolet light source 104. The flattening roller 106 is a configuration for flattening a layer of ink formed during modeling of the modeled object 50. The flattening roller 106 flattens the ink layer by contacting the surface of the ink layer and removing a part of the ink before curing, for example, during the main scanning operation.

By using the head portion 12 having the above configuration, the ink layer constituting the modeled object 50 can be appropriately formed. Further, by forming a plurality of layers of ink in layers, the modeled object 50 can be appropriately modeled.

The specific configuration of the head portion 12 is not limited to the configuration described above, and can be variously modified. For example, as the head portion 12, as the inkjet head for coloring, in addition to the inkjet heads 102C to K, the light color of each color, the inkjet head for colors such as R (red) G (green) B (blue) and orange, and the like are used. You may also have more. Further, as the ink for modeling the internal region of the modeled object 50, instead of using white ink, ink dedicated to modeling may be used. In this case, the head portion 12 further includes, for example, an inkjet head that ejects modeling ink (model material MO) of a predetermined color. Further, the arrangement of the plurality of inkjet heads in the head portion 12 can be variously modified. For example, some inkjet heads may be displaced from other inkjet heads in the sub-scanning direction.

Further, the head portion 12 may have a plurality of ultraviolet light sources 104. In this case, it is preferable to arrange the plurality of ultraviolet light sources 104 so as to sandwich the arrangement of the plurality of inkjet heads in the main scanning direction. Further, the head portion 12 may have a plurality of flattening rollers 106.

Subsequently, the configuration of each inkjet head in the head portion 12 will be described in more detail. In this example, the head unit 12 has an inkjet head (hereinafter, referred to as an inkjet head 102) having the same configuration as each of the plurality of inkjet heads described above. As the inkjet head 102, for example, a known inkjet head can be preferably used.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 1C, the inkjet head 102 has a nozzle row 200 in which a plurality of nozzles 202 are arranged in a nozzle row direction parallel to the sub-scanning direction. More specifically, each inkjet head 102 has two rows of nozzle rows 200, as shown as a first nozzle row and a second nozzle row in the drawing. In each nozzle row 200, a plurality of nozzles 202 are arranged in the sub-scanning direction as shown as the first nozzle, the second nozzle, the nth nozzle, and the like in the drawing. Further, the nozzle rows 200 are arranged so that the positions of the nozzles 202 in the sub-scanning direction are deviated by half a pitch. In this case, the half pitch is a distance of half the nozzle spacing in one nozzle row 200.

More specifically, in the illustrated configuration, each nozzle row 200 is a row in which a plurality of nozzles 202 are arranged at a resolution of 200 dpi. In this case, in each nozzle row 200, the distance between the nozzles 202 is 1/200 inch. Further, when the positions of the nozzles 202 in the sub-scanning direction are shifted by half a pitch (1/400 inch) between the two nozzle rows 200, it can be realized by one main scanning operation with one inkjet head 102. The resolution in the sub-scanning direction (recording density in the X direction) is 400 dpi. Therefore, each inkjet head 102 in the head portion 12 forms an array of ink dots at a density at which the resolution in the sub-scanning direction becomes 400 dpi in one main scanning operation.

Here, as described above, in this example, the head unit 12 ejects a plurality of different types of materials by a plurality of inkjet heads. Further, each of the plurality of inkjet heads has two rows of nozzle rows 200. Then, in this case, the plurality of nozzle rows in the head portion 12 can be considered by being divided into nozzle rows grouped for each nozzle row that ejects ink of the same color. In this case, the nozzle row group is a group (group) composed of one or more nozzle rows 200 that eject ink of the same color.

More specifically, in this example, the head portion 12 has four nozzle rows 200 for two inkjet heads 102S as nozzle rows 200 for ejecting ink that is a material for the support layer 52. Then, in this case, these four nozzle rows 200 can be considered as a support nozzle row group which is a nozzle row group for the material of the support layer 52.

Further, the head portion 12 has two nozzle rows 200 for one inkjet head as nozzle rows 200 for ejecting inks of each color other than the material of the support layer 52. Then, in this case, the two nozzle rows 200 for each color can be considered as a group of nozzle rows for ink of each color. In this case, the nozzle row group for ink of each color is, for example, a nozzle row group for white ink which is a nozzle row group for white ink, a nozzle row group for clear ink which is a nozzle row group for clear ink, and C. C color nozzle row group which is a nozzle row group for color ink, M color nozzle row group which is a nozzle row group for M color ink, and Y color nozzle which is a nozzle row group for Y color ink. It is a row group and a nozzle row group for K color, which is a nozzle row group for K color ink.

As described above, in this example, the two nozzle rows 200 included in one inkjet head 102 are displaced in the sub-scanning direction. Therefore, it is possible to consider that the two nozzle rows 200 are put together to be substantially one nozzle row. In this case, the number of nozzle rows constituting each nozzle row group may be the actual number of nozzle rows.

Further, when a plurality of nozzle rows are divided into nozzle row groups as described above, the material ejection capacity can be considered for each nozzle row group. In this case, the material ejection capacity is, for example, the maximum value of the material that can be ejected in a unit time in one main scanning operation. The material that can be ejected in a unit time in one main scanning operation is, for example, a material that can be ejected to a region through which the nozzle train group passes during the unit time during the main scanning operation. .. Therefore, the material ejection capacity may be considered as, for example, the maximum value of the material that can be ejected with respect to the area of this region. Then, it is preferable to set this material discharge capacity according to the characteristics of the modeled object 50 to be modeled.

More specifically, when the modeled object 50 is modeled using various materials as in this example, it is conceivable that the amount to be discharged in one main scanning operation differs depending on the material. In such a case, if the material ejection capacity of the corresponding nozzle row group for any of the materials is insufficient, the modeled object 50 cannot be appropriately modeled as it is. Therefore, in such a case, for example, increasing the number of passes in the multi-pass operation or during the main scanning operation so that a sufficient amount of ejection can be performed in each main scanning operation even in the nozzle row group. It is necessary to reduce the moving speed of the head portion 12 of the head portion 12. However, if such a change is made, the modeling speed may decrease and the time required for modeling may increase significantly.

On the other hand, in order to prevent a shortage of material ejection capacity and perform high-speed modeling, for example, increase the number of inkjet heads for each material and increase the material ejection capacity of each nozzle row group. It is also possible. However, in this case, the head portion 12 becomes large, and it is inevitable that the modeling device 10 becomes large and expensive. Therefore, it is not preferable to easily increase the material ejection capacity of each nozzle row group.

Therefore, the inventor of the present application has conducted diligent research on a method of increasing the molding speed while avoiding the head portion 12 becoming larger than necessary. Then, it was found that it is preferable to increase the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group among the nozzle row groups in the head portion 12 in terms of achieving both the reduction in size and weight of the head portion 12 and the improvement in the molding speed. rice field.

More specifically, in the modeling apparatus 10, for example, the user may select one of a plurality of modeling modes according to the purpose of modeling to perform modeling. Then, in this case, for example, it is conceivable to make it possible to select a modeling mode in which modeling is performed at a higher speed and a modeling mode in which modeling is intentionally performed at a low speed in order to prioritize the accuracy of modeling. Further, in the modeling mode in which the modeling is prioritized at a higher speed, for example, it is conceivable to use a plurality of nozzle rows for forming each region of the modeled object 50. More specifically, in this case, for example, it is conceivable that the inks of each color of CMYK for coloring are used as inks for modeling, not for coloring, which is the original purpose. With this configuration, for example, modeling can be performed at a higher speed by using a larger number of nozzle rows to perform modeling. Further, as a modeling mode in which modeling is intentionally performed at a low speed with priority given to the accuracy of modeling, for example, a modeling mode in which modeling is performed while coloring with inks of each color of CMYK for coloring can be considered. In this case, for example, it is conceivable to color the surface region of the modeled object 50 that can be visually recognized from the outside with inks of each color of CMYK.

When modeling is performed in such various modeling modes, the upper limit of the modeling speed in each modeling mode is determined, for example, according to the material ejection capacity of the nozzle train group used in the modeling mode. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable to appropriately set the material ejection capacity of the nozzle row group to be used in each modeling mode. Further, in this case, it is particularly desirable to appropriately prevent the modeling speed from being lowered due to the influence of the material ejection capacity of any of the nozzle row groups in the modeling mode in which the modeling is performed at a higher speed.

In this regard, the inventor of the present application has focused on the difference between the support nozzle row group and other nozzle row groups. More specifically, in this example, the nozzle row group other than the support nozzle row group discharges the material of the modeled object 50 which is the product of modeling. On the other hand, the support nozzle row group discharges not the material constituting the modeled object 50 but the material of the support layer 52 removed after modeling. Therefore, the support nozzle row group discharges a material having properties different from those of other nozzle row groups. Further, as a result, in any of the modeling modes, it is necessary to form the support layer 52 substantially only by the support nozzle row group. More specifically, when modeling is performed by the modeling device 10 shown in FIG. 1, it is necessary to form the support layer 52 using only the inkjet head 102S, for example.

It should be noted that the formation of the support layer 52 is substantially performed only by the support nozzle row group, for example, at least the main part of the support layer 52 is formed only by the support nozzle row group. Therefore, for example, it is conceivable to use a nozzle row group other than the support nozzle row group for a part of the support layer 52. More specifically, forming the support layer 52 substantially only by the support nozzle row group means that, for example, 60% or more, preferably 80% or more of the support layer 52 is formed only by the support nozzle row group. It may be to do.

On the other hand, when focusing on the operation of modeling the modeled object 50, for example, in the modeling mode in which modeling is performed at a higher speed, it is conceivable to model the modeled object 50 using all of the support nozzle row groups. More specifically, in the case of the configuration of the modeling apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet head 102W, the inkjet head 102T, the inkjet head 102C, the inkjet head 102M, the inkjet head 102Y, and the inkjet head 102K shown as the head for the modeled object are used. It becomes possible to model the modeled object 50.

In this case, it is considered that the modeling speed in the modeling mode in which the modeling is performed at a higher speed is determined, for example, by the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group as a rate-determining condition. Therefore, in the modeling mode in which modeling is performed at a higher speed, it can be said that it is preferable to appropriately increase the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group in order to perform modeling at sufficiently high speed.

On the other hand, in this example, among the inkjet heads for various purposes in the head portion 12, only a plurality of inkjet heads 102S are used to increase the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group. As a result, in this example, the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group is larger than the material ejection capacity of the nozzle row group that ejects ink of any other color. Therefore, according to this example, for example, high-speed modeling can be performed more appropriately.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the number of inkjet heads 102S, which are heads for the support layer, is two. On the other hand, the number of modeling heads made of all inkjet heads other than the inkjet head 102S is six. Therefore, in order to further increase the molding speed, for example, it is conceivable to further increase the number of inkjet heads 102S and further increase the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group. However, if the number of inkjet heads 102S is increased too much, problems such as an increase in size of the head portion 12 may occur. Further, for example, in another modeling mode, the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group may become larger than necessary. Therefore, it is preferable that the number of inkjet heads 102S is appropriately determined in consideration of the balance with the size of the head portion 12. In this case as well, the molding speed can be appropriately increased by increasing the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group to be larger than the material ejection capacity of the other nozzle row group.

Further, in this case, since the molding speed can be increased without changing the number of nozzle rows other than the support nozzle row group, it is possible to prevent a large increase in the number of nozzle rows. Further, as a result, for example, it is possible to appropriately achieve both the reduction in size and weight of the head portion 12 and the improvement in the molding speed.

Here, when the features of this example are considered more generalized, any one of the nozzle row groups other than the support nozzle row group can be considered as the first nozzle row group. In this case, the first nozzle row group is, for example, a nozzle row group composed of one or more nozzle rows that eject a material of the first color as a material of the modeled object 50. Further, any other nozzle group can be considered as a second nozzle row group. In this case, the second nozzle row group is, for example, a nozzle row group composed of one or more nozzle rows that eject a material of a second color different from the first color as a material of the modeled object 50. Further, in this case, the modeling apparatus 10 performs a modeling operation based on, for example, a preset modeling mode, and uses the first nozzle row group and the second nozzle row group in the operation of at least one of the modeling modes. Form at least a part of the modeled object 50. In addition, the support layer 52 is formed at least in a part around the modeled object 50. In this case, it can be said that it is preferable that the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group is at least larger than the material ejection capacity of the first nozzle row group.

With this configuration, for example, the molding speed can be appropriately increased by forming at least a part of the modeled object using a plurality of types of materials by the first nozzle row group and the second nozzle row group. Further, by increasing the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group, it is possible to appropriately prevent the molding speed from being lowered due to the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group. Further, as a result, for example, the modeling speed can be increased by a more appropriate method.

Further, in this example, the nozzle row group for white ink is an example of the first nozzle row group. Further, when considered more generalized, the nozzle row group that ejects the ink of any one color other than white may be considered as the first nozzle row group. That is, any nozzle row group other than the nozzle row group for white ink may be considered as the first nozzle row group. In this case, the first nozzle row group may be, for example, a nozzle row group that ejects ink that does not form a region by itself in any of the modeling modes that perform modeling at high speed. Further, the ink that does not form a region by itself is, for example, an ink that is formed by further using an ink of a color other than this ink in a region formed by using this ink. Further, in a modified example of the configuration of the modeling apparatus 10, when, for example, a modeling ink of a predetermined color other than white (for example, an ink dedicated to modeling) is used, the nozzle row group for ejecting this ink is the first nozzle row group. You can also think of it as.

Further, each of the C color nozzle row group, the M color nozzle row group, the Y color nozzle row group, and the K color nozzle row group, which are the nozzle row groups for coloring, is an example of the second nozzle row group. be. In this case, the nozzle row included in the second nozzle row group ejects one of the inks for coloring a plurality of colors. Further, it is preferable that the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group is larger than the material ejection capacity of the second nozzle row group. With this configuration, for example, the modeling speed can be increased more appropriately.

Further, in this example, the clear ink nozzle row group may be considered as an example of the second nozzle row group. Each of the C color nozzle row group, the M color nozzle row group, the Y color nozzle row group, and the K color nozzle row group can be considered as an example of the first nozzle row group. In this case, for example, any one of the C color nozzle row group, the M color nozzle row group, the Y color nozzle row group, and the K color nozzle row group is considered as an example of the first nozzle row group, and any of the others. May be considered as an example of the second nozzle row group.

Subsequently, the modeling operation performed by the modeling device 10 of this example will be described in more detail. FIG. 2 shows an example of a modeling operation performed by the modeling device 10. In this example, the modeling device 10 is a device capable of modeling in a plurality of preset modeling modes. Further, as these modeling modes, the modeling apparatus 10 can at least perform modeling in the coloring mode, which is a modeling mode in which the colored model 50 is modeled using the nozzle row group for coloring.

FIG. 2A shows an example of a coloring mode that can be executed by the modeling apparatus 10. In this example, the modeling apparatus 10 has at least a surface decoration mode, which is a modeling mode for coloring the surface of the modeled object 50 with full color, and a single color / coloring mode, which is a modeling mode for coloring the inside and the surface of the modeled object 50 with a single color. Mode and can be executed.

At the time of modeling in the surface decoration mode, the modeling device 10 models the modeled object 50 while performing automatic coloring in full color based on the data input as the modeling data of the modeled object 50, for example. As the data in this case, it is conceivable to use the color data of the surface of the modeled object. Further, as the color data, for example, when the modeled object is a person, it is conceivable to use data indicating a color or pattern such as skin color or clothing. When the modeled object is a structure, it is conceivable to use data indicating the pattern of the material, the color of the characters, and the like. Further, at the time of modeling in the surface decoration mode, the modeling apparatus 10 may color the surface of the modeled object with a single color by a color (selected color) selected by the user. Further, at the time of modeling in the single color / coloring mode, the modeling device 10 performs modeling while coloring the inside and the surface of the modeling device 10 with a color automatically set according to, for example, the remaining amount of ink. In this case, for example, it is preferable to automatically set at least one of the type of ink to be used and the ink usage ratio. Further, at the time of modeling in the single color / coloring mode, the modeling device 10 may perform coloring with a single color by a color (selected color) selected by the user.

In this example, the surface decoration mode is an example of a modeling mode in which at least the surface of the modeled object 50 is colored with inks for coloring a plurality of colors. In this case, the surface of the modeled object 50 is, for example, a region of the modeled object 50 that can be visually recognized from the outside. The surface decoration mode is also an example of a full-color coloring mode in which the surface of the modeled object 50 is decorated in full color. Further, the single color / coloring mode is an example of an internal coloring mode in which coloring ink is used for modeling the inside of the modeled object 50. Further, in this case, the internal coloring mode is, for example, a modeling mode in which at least one of the coloring inks is used for the internal modeling of the modeled object 50 to perform modeling at a higher speed than the surface decoration mode. Further, the monochromatic / coloring mode is also an example of a monochromatic color coloring mode in which the modeled object 50 is colored with a monochromatic color.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the elliptical modeled object 50 formed by the surface decoration mode, and shows an example of the configuration of the modeled object 50 together with the support layer 52. In this example, when modeling in the surface decoration mode, the modeling device 10 models a modeled object 50 having an internal area 302, a light reflection area 304, a separation area 306, a colored area 308, and a protective area 310. The inner region 302, the light reflection region 304, the separation region 306, the coloring region 308, and the protection region 310 are formed so as to be arranged in this order from the inside to the outside of the modeled object 50. Further, the modeling device 10 forms a support layer 52 on the outside of the protective region 310.

The total thickness of the three layers of the light reflection region 304, the separation region 306, and the coloring region 308 that realize the surface decoration function is, for example, about 200 μm to 1 mm in the normal direction inside the surface of the modeled object. be. Further, from the viewpoint of the resolution of surface decoration, this thickness is preferably a thinner thickness of 300 μm or less. Further, in this, the internal region 302 and the light reflection region 304 may be formed of, for example, the same white ink. Further, the separation region 306 and the protection region 310 are not essential, and layers may be formed depending on the discharge position accuracy and the purpose of use of the modeled object, respectively.

The internal area 302 is an area that constitutes the inside of the modeled object 50. In this example, the internal region 302 is a region in which modeling layers, which are layers of ink formed of the modeling ink of the modeling object 50, are laminated, and constitutes the shape of the modeling object 50. At the time of modeling in the surface decoration mode, the internal region 302 may be formed by using only one type of ink (single type of ink) or may be formed by using a plurality of types of ink. For example, the formation of the internal region 302 can be considered to be formed with white ink. Further, in addition to the white ink, at least one of the coloring inks may be further used to form the internal region 302. Further, for example, the internal region 302 may be formed by using inks for coloring a plurality of colors. In this case, for example, the internal region 302 may be formed only with the coloring ink without using the white ink.

The light-reflecting region 304 is a region formed by using a light-reflecting ink outside the internal region 302. In this example, the modeling apparatus 10 forms the light reflection region 304 by overlapping and forming layers of ink formed of white ink. In this case, by forming the light reflection region 304 inside the coloring region 308, full-color expression in the subtractive color mixing method becomes possible. Further, as a result, for example, the colored modeled object 50 can be appropriately modeled.

The thickness of the light reflection region 304 is preferably about 100 μm to 1 mm and has a uniform thickness. In this case, the thickness of the region is, for example, the thickness in the normal direction on the surface of the region. Further, in this example, the modeling apparatus 10 forms the light reflection region 304 using only white ink. In a modified example of the configuration of the modeling apparatus 10, for example, when modeling is performed at a higher speed, it is conceivable to form the light reflection region 304 by further using clear ink in addition to the white ink.

The separation region 306 is a region formed by the clear ink between the light reflection region 304 and the coloring region 308. In this example, the modeling apparatus 10 forms the separation region 306 by overlapping and forming layers of ink formed only of clear ink. By forming the separation region 306, it is possible to appropriately prevent the white ink in the light reflection region 304 and the coloring ink in the coloring region 308 from being mixed. The thickness of the separation region 306 is preferably uniform, for example, about 50 to 500 μm.

The colored region 308 is a region to be colored on the surface of the modeled object 50. In this example, the modeling apparatus 10 forms a colored region 308 by superimposing a decorative layer which is a layer of ink formed by using ink for coloring each color of CMYK and clear ink. In this case, by using the clear ink in addition to the coloring ink, it is possible to compensate for the change in the amount of the coloring ink used due to the difference in the colors to be expressed. Further, as a result, each decorative layer constituting the separation region 306 can be appropriately formed with a constant thickness. With this configuration, full-color expression can be performed appropriately. The thickness of the colored region 308 is preferably uniform, for example, about 50 to 500 μm. Further, for example, in terms of the resolution of a colored image, it is more preferably 150 μm or less.

The protection area 310 is a transparent area for protecting the surface of the modeled object 50. In this example, the modeling apparatus 10 forms a protective region 310 by forming layers of ink formed only of clear ink in layers. By forming the protective region 310, it is possible to appropriately protect the surface of the colored region 308 in the modeled object 50 from rubbing and fading. The thickness of the protection region 310 is preferably uniform, for example, about 10 to 500 μm.

Further, the support layer 52 is a layer for supporting the modeled object 50 being modeled. In this example, the modeling apparatus 10 forms the support layer 52 by stacking layers formed of ink that is a material of the support layer 52. Forming the support layer 52 at the time of modeling may mean, for example, forming the support layer 52 at least a part around the modeled object 50, if necessary, according to the shape of the modeled object 50 to be modeled. ..

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the modeled object 50 to be modeled in the monochromatic / coloring mode, and an example of the configuration of the modeled object 50 is shown together with the support layer 52. In this example, when modeling is performed in the monochromatic / coloring mode, the modeling device 10 models the modeled object 50 composed of only the monochromatic colored region 312. Further, a support layer 52 is formed on the outside of the monochromatic colored region 312.

In this case, the monochromatic colored region 312 is a region in which modeling layers, which are layers of ink formed of the modeling ink of the modeling object 50, are laminated, and constitutes the shape of the modeling object 50. Further, in this example, the modeling apparatus 10 forms an ink layer formed by using any of the inks of each color (W, T, C, M, Y, K) which are inks other than the material of the support layer 52. By forming them in layers, a monochromatic colored region 312 is formed. Further, in this case, the monochromatic coloring region 312 is colored monochromaticly according to the combination of inks used.

With this configuration, for example, a modeled object 50 whose interior and surface are colored in a single color can be appropriately modeled. More specifically, for example, the white (W) ink is 40%, the clear ink (T) is 20%, the C color ink is 20%, and the M color ink is 20%. When the inks of each color are ejected so as to be uniform in the three-dimensional direction in 302, the light blue modeled object 50 can be modeled. Further, even at the time of modeling in the single color / coloring mode, the support layer 52 is formed at least a part around the modeled object 50, if necessary.

Here, in the case of modeling in the single color / coloring mode, the modeling apparatus 10 forms the single color coloring region 312 using a plurality of color inks, thereby forming the single color coloring region 312 with only one color ink. In comparison, the modeled object 50 can be modeled at a higher speed. Further, when this feature is considered more generalized, it is considered to be an operation of forming at least a part of the modeled object 50 by using the first nozzle row group and the second nozzle row group in the head portion 12 (see FIG. 1). be able to. Further, in this case, as described in connection with FIG. 1, by using a configuration in which the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group is increased, the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group is a rate-determining condition of the molding speed. Can be properly prevented from becoming. Therefore, according to this example, for example, high-speed modeling can be appropriately performed in the single color / coloring mode.

Further, as described above, when modeling in the single color / coloring mode, the modeling device 10 of this example colors the inside and the surface of the modeling device 10 with a color automatically set according to the remaining amount of ink, for example. While doing the modeling. More specifically, for example, when there is a small amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridge or ink tank of the modeling apparatus 10, it is conceivable to determine the ink to be used so as to avoid the ink. With this configuration, for example, the modeled object 50 can be modeled by efficiently using ink. Further, for example, when modeling a black monochromatic model 50, black may be expressed and modeled by combining Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan). With this configuration, for example, it is possible to perform modeling at a higher speed than when modeling is performed using only black (K color).

Further, in the single color / coloring mode, for example, it is possible to create a model 50 having a color that is a combination of W, T, C, M, Y, and K colors at an arbitrary ratio. For example, transparent, achromatic white, black, and intermediate densities of gray, C, M, Y in combination with transparent, and their secondary (combination of two colors) colors R, G, B, C, M. , Y and transparent, light color by combining white, etc. can be expressed.

It should be noted that the fact that the coloring ink can be used for the purpose of modeling is a characteristic peculiar to, for example, when modeling is performed using an ultraviolet curable ink or the like. Therefore, in this example, it can be considered that the speed of modeling is increased by utilizing the unique characteristics when modeling is performed using ultraviolet curable ink or the like. Further, when considered more generally without considering increasing the modeling speed, it is conceivable to form the single color coloring region 312 using only one type of ink (single ink). Therefore, for example, in a modeling mode in which a monochromatic model 50 is modeled without increasing the speed, the modeling device 10 forms a monochromatic colored region 312 with only one type of ink according to the color selected by the user. May be good.

Subsequently, a method of ejecting the coloring ink to the inside and the surface of the modeled object 50 will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of how to eject ink of each color to each region during modeling in the surface decoration mode, and shows a detailed configuration of each region in the case of modeling a donut-shaped model 50. An example is shown.

When the donut-shaped model 50 is modeled, the configuration of three-dimensional pixels (voxels) in one layer constituting the model 50 is schematically shown in FIG. In this case, one layer is, for example, one layer of ink in a cross section (slice surface) which is a surface perpendicular to the stacking direction. Further, the three-dimensional pixel is, for example, the smallest unit constituting the modeled object 50. Further, in this example, the three-dimensional pixel is, for example, a region formed by one ink droplet.

Here, in FIG. 3, the configuration when the internal region 302 is formed with inks for coloring a plurality of colors is illustrated. Further, as described above, the light reflection region 304 is illustrated with a configuration formed only with white (W) ink. The separation region 306 is illustrated with a configuration formed only with the clear ink (T). Further, the colored region 308 is illustrated with a configuration formed by using inks of each color for coloring (process color inks) and clear inks according to the colors to be colored. Further, in this configuration, the portion including the light reflection region 304, the separation region 306, and the coloring region 308 can be considered as the surface coloring portion. Further, for convenience of illustration, the protected area 310 (see FIG. 2) is omitted.

Further, in the colored region 308, based on the information of the color to be colored on the surface of the modeled object 50, for example, an error diffusion method is applied to the in-plane direction (X direction and Y direction) of the layer to form a two-dimensional structure. It is preferable to form the ink layer in the same manner as or in the same manner as when the image is printed by the inkjet method. When the error diffusion method is used, calculation time is required, but high-quality coloring (decoration) can be performed with high resolution. In addition, as another method for expressing full color, for example, a dither method, a Bayer method, or the like may be used. In these cases, by performing quantization using a mask, for example, the resolution may be lowered, but image processing can be performed easily and at high speed. Further, in any of the methods, for example, it is preferable to shift the calculation position of diffusion by the error diffusion method and the mask position by the dither method for each layer so that moire does not occur. In this case, for example, it is preferable to shift the mask in the in-plane direction (X direction and Y direction) of the layer.

Further, when modeling the inside of the modeled object 50 or the like using a plurality of types of inks having different colors, it is conceivable to use various combinations as a combination of ink ejection methods. FIG. 4 shows various examples of how ink is ejected into the modeled object 50.

In FIG. 4A, three-dimensional pixels formed of inks of the same color are continuous in the main scanning direction (Y direction), and adjacent three-dimensional pixels are formed of inks of different colors in the sub-scanning direction (X direction). An example of ejecting ink as described above (an example of continuous ink in the Y direction) is shown. FIG. 4B shows an example of ejecting ink so that three-dimensional pixels formed of inks of the same color are continuous in the sub-scanning direction and adjacent three-dimensional pixels are formed of inks of different colors in the main scanning direction ( An example of continuity in the X direction) is shown.

FIG. 4C shows an example (an example of two-dimensional dispersion with four heads) in which ink is ejected so that three-dimensional pixels formed by each of the four color inks are dispersed in a two-dimensional plane. In this case, as the four-color ink, it is conceivable to use four-color ink out of five types of ink, which is a combination of the four-color ink of CMYK and the clear ink. Further, in the figure, an example in which the three-dimensional pixels of each color are dispersed in the XY plane is shown. The dispersion of the three-dimensional pixels of each color may be performed not in the XY plane but in, for example, the YZ plane.

FIG. 4D shows an example (an example of two-dimensional dispersion with five heads) in which ink is ejected so that three-dimensional pixels formed by each of the five colors of ink are dispersed in a two-dimensional plane. In this case, as the five-color ink, it is conceivable to use five types of ink, which is a combination of the four-color ink of CMYK and the clear ink. Further, also in this case, the figure shows an example in which the three-dimensional pixels of each color are dispersed in the XY plane. The dispersion of the three-dimensional pixels of each color may be performed not in the XY plane but in, for example, the YZ plane.

Here, the examples shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D are examples of how to eject ink when the internal region 302 (see FIG. 2) is formed during modeling in the surface decoration mode, for example. .. Further, for example, at the time of modeling in the monochromatic / coloring mode, the monochromatic colored region 312 (see FIG. 2) may be formed in the same manner as or in the same manner as the examples shown in FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (d).

Further, the formation of the internal region 302 at the time of modeling in the surface decoration mode and the monochromatic coloring region 312 at the time of modeling in the monochromatic / coloring mode may be performed so as to express a predetermined predetermined color, for example. Conceivable. FIG. 4E shows an example of how to eject ink when forming the inside of the modeled object 50 so as to express a predetermined color. This example is an example of a discharge method when the inside of the modeled object 50 is colored with a predetermined color, for example. Further, more specifically, the illustrated example is an example in which a flame green monochromatic model 50 is modeled.

If it is configured as in each of the above examples, for example, the inside of the modeled object 50 can be appropriately formed by using inks of a plurality of colors. Further, as a result, the modeled object 50 can be appropriately modeled. Further, in each example, by scanning the adjacent layers so that the ejections from the nozzles of the same inkjet head do not overlap at the same position, the variation in the ejection amount of ink droplets is averaged and the molding is performed with high accuracy. You get things.

Subsequently, the operation of forming one ink layer using the inks of a plurality of colors will be described in more detail. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an operation of forming one ink layer using inks of a plurality of colors, and shows an example of a position where inks are ejected by a plurality of inkjet heads that eject inks of different colors. ..

In the illustrated case, as the plurality of inkjet heads, the first head, the second head, and the third head, which are three inkjet heads that eject inks of different colors from each other, are used. More specifically, for example, when ejecting ink as shown in FIG. 3, each of the first head, the second head, and the third head is one of C color, M color, and Y color. Compatible with inkjet heads. Further, the operation shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to the operation of forming each three-dimensional pixel in one layer constituting the donut-shaped model 50.

Further, in FIG. 5, each cell indicating the ejection position by each inkjet head represents the recording position by ink in the layer. Further, in this example, this recording position is a position (X, Y coordinate position) arranged in the X direction and the Y direction at a pitch of 1/400 inch. Further, each inkjet head moves in the main scanning direction (Y direction) and ejects ink according to the data for controlling coloring. Further, in the illustrated case, each inkjet head ejects ink so that the interval in the main scanning direction is 3 pitch intervals.

The numbers in the squares represent the nozzle row number (L) and the nozzle arrangement number (n). For example, the number Ln in the mass represents the discharge from the nth nozzle of the Lth nozzle row. A blank cell represents a position where ink is not ejected regardless of the data. By ejecting ink with each inkjet head as shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to appropriately perform an operation of forming one ink layer using inks of a plurality of colors.

Further, FIG. 5 shows a case where discharge is performed so that the discharge positions of one nozzle row are continuous in a row in the X direction. However, the method of discharging from each nozzle row is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 5, and can be variously changed.

FIG. 6 shows a modified example of how to discharge from each nozzle row. With such a configuration, since the ejection positions by one nozzle array are not connected in a row, the influence of the variation in the ink ejection amount between the inkjet heads can be reduced. Further, as a result, for example, modeling with high accuracy can be performed more appropriately.

Here, when modeling is performed by the additive manufacturing method, cells at the same position (X, Y coordinate positions) of each layer usually overlap in the Z-axis direction between different ink layers. On the other hand, for example, by shifting the position of forming the same nozzle row in each layer each time the layer changes, the position of forming a three-dimensional pixel with the same nozzle (discharging position by the same nozzle) is changed for each layer. You may. In this case, for example, it is conceivable to shift the discharge position in the Y direction each time the layer changes. With this configuration, for example, three-dimensional pixels overlapping in the stacking direction can be formed by a plurality of nozzles. Further, as a result, for example, the influence of the variation in the ink ejection amount for each nozzle can be appropriately suppressed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an operation when the positions for forming three-dimensional pixels in the same nozzle row are different for each layer, and the nth layer and the nth layer, which are three layers continuously overlapping in the stacking direction (Z direction), are shown. An example of a nozzle that forms a three-dimensional pixel at each position of the n + 1 layer and the n + 2 layer is shown.

In this case, the ejection position is changed so as not to eject from the same nozzle to the same XY coordinate position between at least two consecutive layers. More specifically, for example, when focusing on the squares of the coordinates (Y5, X3) in the figure, when the nth layer is formed, a three-dimensional pixel is formed by the second nozzle of the third nozzle row, and the n + 1 layer and the third layer are formed. In the n + 2 layer, three-dimensional pixels are formed by other nozzles. Therefore, at this coordinate position, ink is ejected from three different nozzles for the three layers. The same applies to each of the other coordinates.

Here, when ink is ejected by the inkjet method, there is usually some variation in the amount of ink ejected from each nozzle (capacity per ink droplet). More specifically, the variation of the discharge amount between the nozzles is, for example, about 10%. Therefore, when ink is ejected from the same nozzle at the same position in layers, the nozzle with a large ejection amount becomes thicker in the stacking direction, and the nozzle with a small ejection amount becomes thinner in the stacking direction. It becomes a bad shape. On the other hand, when ejecting ink as shown in FIG. 7, in the operation of forming a continuous ink layer (modeling layer, etc.) using a plurality of inkjet heads, the same inkjet is used at the same position of the X and Y coordinates. Ink will not be ejected by the head. Then, in this case, the variation in the ejection amount between the nozzles is averaged by laminating the ink layers. More specifically, for example, when focusing on the three layers shown in the figure, the height of the ink can be averaged by ejecting ink from three different inkjet heads at the same position. Further, in this case, since the height of the lamination becomes more uniform, it is possible to reduce the amount of scraping (ink removal amount) by surface leveling by the flattening roller 106 (see FIG. 1). In addition, this can save the amount of ink used.

Further, the specific modeling method performed by the modeling apparatus 10 is not limited to the method described above, and various further changes can be made. For example, the number of nozzle rows constituting each nozzle group can be changed in various ways. In this case, for example, by increasing the number of nozzle rows, it is possible to improve the accuracy of modeling and speed up the modeling. Further, the number of nozzle rows included in one inkjet head can be changed in various ways.

Further, in the above, regarding the inside of the modeled object 50 and the like, the configuration in which the same nozzle does not eject to the same XY coordinate position between two continuous layers has been described with reference to FIG. Regarding this point, when a plurality of inkjet heads 102S (see FIG. 1) are used as in this example, the same XY from the same nozzle is similarly used between two consecutive layers even when the support layer 52 is formed. The configuration may be such that the ejection is not performed at the coordinate position.

In addition, the method of forming each region constituting the modeled object 50 can be changed in various ways. For example, when modeling is performed in the surface decoration mode using clear ink (T color) having low transparency, it is conceivable to perform modeling without clarifying the boundary between the light reflection region 304 and the separation region 306. ..

FIG. 8 shows an example in which modeling is performed without clarifying the boundary between the light reflection region 304 and the separation region 306. In this case, it is conceivable that the regions that function as the light reflection region 304 and the separation region 306 are formed by gradienting the densities of the white (W) ink and the clear ink (T). Even with this configuration, modeling in the surface decoration mode can be performed appropriately.

Further, in the above, the configuration for increasing the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group has been mainly described. However, depending on the characteristics of the modeling mode executed by the modeling apparatus 10, it may be preferable to increase the material ejection capacity of the nozzle array group other than the support nozzle array group. More specifically, for example, the ink used in the head for a modeled object in the head portion 12 contains a colorless and transparent clear ink. Further, the clear ink is used when forming a transparent region such as a protective region 310 (see FIG. 2) in the modeled object 50. Then, in order to form such a transparent region, it is necessary to use only the clear ink without using other colored inks. Therefore, depending on the modeling mode executed by the modeling apparatus 10, it may be preferable to increase the material ejection capacity of the clear ink nozzle row group. Therefore, an example of such a modeling mode will be described below.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a modeling mode in which it is preferable to increase the material ejection capacity of the clear ink nozzle row group. Except for the points described below, in FIG. 9, the configuration in which the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 8 are hidden has the same or the same characteristics as the configurations in FIGS. 1 to 8.

FIG. 9A shows an example of the configuration of the head portion 12 when the material ejection capacity of the clear ink nozzle row group is increased. In this configuration, the head portion 12 has one more inkjet head 102T for clear ink than the head portion 12 shown in FIG. 1 (b). Further, as a result, the material ejection capacity of the clear ink nozzle row group is made larger than that of the other nozzle row groups that eject each of the modeling inks of the modeled object 50. More specifically, in this case, the material ejection capacity of the clear ink nozzle row group is as follows: white ink nozzle row group, C color nozzle row group, M color nozzle row group, Y color nozzle row group, and K. It is larger than each material ejection capacity of the color nozzle row group.

Further, also in this case, the head portion 12 has two inkjet heads 102S. Therefore, the material ejection capacity of the clear ink nozzle row group is equal to the material ejection capacity of the nozzle row group other than the support nozzle row group. Equal material ejection capacity means, for example, substantially equal material ejection capacity. Further, the material discharge capacities are substantially equal, for example, the design material discharge capacities may be equal.

9 (b) and 9 (c) show an example of a modeling mode in which modeling is performed using the head portion 12 illustrated in FIG. 9 (a). In this configuration, the modeling apparatus 10 can execute at least a plurality of types of surface decoration modes in which the modeling speeds are different from each other as the modeling mode for modeling the modeled object 50. More specifically, the modeling apparatus 10 colors the surface of the modeled object 50 with a plurality of colors of coloring ink in the same manner as or in the same manner as in the case described with reference to FIG. 2B and the like. The first surface decoration mode in which the above is performed, and the second surface decoration mode in which the surface of the modeled object 50 is colored with a plurality of colors of coloring inks and the modeling is performed at a higher speed than the first surface decoration mode. Surface decoration mode and can be executed.

FIG. 9B shows an example of the modeling operation in the first surface decoration mode. As described above, the first surface decoration mode is a modeling mode in which modeling is performed in the same manner as or in the same manner as in the case described with reference to FIG. 2B and the like. In this case, the modeling device 10 forms each region of the modeled object 50 in the same manner or similar to the modeling operation described with reference to, for example, FIGS. 2 and 3.

Further, in FIG. 9B, for simplification of the illustration, the configuration in the case where the modeled object 50 is modeled by omitting the separation region 306 (see FIG. 2) is shown. However, also in this case, the separation region 306 may be further formed between the light reflection region 304 and the coloring region 308. Further, the case where the internal region 302 is formed with white ink instead of coloring ink (ink of each color of CMYK) is shown in the figure. Therefore, in the illustrated configuration, the internal region 302 is formed of white ink continuously with the light reflection region 304. In this case as well, it can be considered that the internal region 302, the light reflection region 304, and the colored region 30 are arranged in this order from the inside to the outside of the modeled object 50. Further, on the outside of the colored region 308, a protected region 310 is formed using only clear ink. The internal region 302 may be formed by using coloring ink, for example, as in the case described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

Here, at the time of modeling in the first surface decoration mode, the modeling apparatus 10 forms the light reflection region 304 using only white ink, as in the case described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. Further, as in the case described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the coloring region 308 is formed by using the coloring ink and the clear ink. In this case, for example, the color and density are adjusted by combining the ink of each color and the clear ink.

On the other hand, at the time of modeling in the second surface decoration mode, the method of forming the light reflection region 304 and the like is different from that at the time of modeling in the first surface decoration mode. As a result, in the second surface decoration mode, the modeling apparatus 10 performs modeling under conditions that are partially different from those in the first surface decoration mode, and while coloring the modeled object 50 of the modeled object, Modeling is performed faster than the first surface decoration mode.

FIG. 9C shows an example of the modeling operation in the second surface decoration mode. In the second surface decoration mode, the total amount of ink ejected in one main scanning operation is larger than that in the first surface decoration mode, so that the molding speed is higher than that in the first surface decoration mode. I do.

More specifically, at the time of modeling in the first surface decoration mode, as described above, the light reflection region 304 and the like are formed using only the white ink. Therefore, the maximum amount of ink that can be ejected to the position where the light reflection region 304 should be formed by one main scanning operation is determined according to the material ejection capacity of the white ink nozzle row group. Therefore, the material ejection capacity of the white ink nozzle row group is a factor that determines the upper limit of the molding speed.

On the other hand, at the time of modeling in the second surface decoration mode, the light reflection region 304 formed by only one type of ink (white ink) in the first surface decoration mode is added to the white ink. It is formed by further using clear ink. Then, in this case, since the maximum amount of ink that can be ejected in one main scanning operation to the position where the light reflection region 304 should be formed increases, it becomes possible to perform modeling at a higher speed.

Further, as shown in the figure, when the internal region 302 is formed only with the white ink in the first surface decoration mode, the white ink is also formed in the internal region 302 during the modeling of the second surface decoration mode. And clear ink. Further, for example, when the internal region 302 is formed by using inks for coloring a plurality of colors, the internal region 302 may be formed without using the clear ink.

Further, at the time of modeling in the second surface decoration mode, it is preferable that the method of forming the colored region 308 is also different from that in the first surface decoration mode. In this case, for example, in the second surface decoration mode, the colored region is formed by using the clear ink at a larger ratio than in the molding in the first surface decoration mode.

More specifically, at the time of modeling in the second surface decoration mode, each region is formed by ejecting additional ink with respect to the ink ejected in the case of the first surface decoration mode. In this case, the ink ejected in the first surface decoration mode is the ink ejected to each region as shown in the configuration with reference numeral A in FIG. 9C. Further, the additional ink is ink to be ejected to each region as shown in the configuration with reference numeral B in FIG. 9 (c).

Here, in FIG. 9C, for convenience of illustration, the ink ejected in one main scanning operation is shown separately for the configuration of reference numeral A and the configuration of reference numeral B. However, at the time of actual modeling, the ink corresponding to both the symbols A and B is ejected in one main scanning operation based on the modeling data. Therefore, the maximum amount of ink that can be ejected in one main scanning operation in the second surface decoration mode is twice that in the first surface decoration mode.

Further, in the second surface decoration mode, the movement amount in the stacking direction scanning (Z scanning) is changed according to the increase in the amount of ink ejected in one main scanning operation in the first surface decoration mode. Make it larger than. In this case, more specifically, it is conceivable that the movement amount of the stacking direction scanning in the second surface decoration mode is double the movement amount in the first surface decoration mode. With this configuration, for example, the modeling speed in the second surface decoration mode can be appropriately increased. Further, as a result, for example, modeling for full-color coloring can be performed at high speed and appropriately.

Further, as described above, in the second surface decoration mode, the protective region 310 is formed only of the clear ink discharged from the inkjet head 102T. Further, the support layer 52 is formed only of the material of the support layer 52 discharged from the inkjet head 102S. Therefore, if the material ejection capacity of the clear ink nozzle row group and the support nozzle row group is insufficient, the molding speed in the second surface decoration mode cannot be appropriately increased. On the other hand, in the configuration shown in FIG. 9, as described above, the material ejection capacity of the clear ink nozzle row group and the support nozzle row group is made larger than the material ejection capacity of the other nozzle groups. Further, it can be said that this makes it possible to increase the modeling speed in the second surface decoration mode.

In the second surface decoration mode, while high-speed modeling is possible, the method of forming the light reflection region 304 and the coloring region 308 is different from that of the first surface decoration mode. Further, as a result, for example, it is conceivable that the appearance of the color colored on the modeled object 50 is different from that of the first surface decoration mode. For example, with respect to the color of the colored region 308, it is conceivable that the color density at the time of modeling in the second surface decoration mode becomes lighter than that at the time of modeling in the first surface decoration mode. Further, it is also conceivable that by adding clear ink to form the light reflection region 304, for example, a yellow component or the like is generated in the tint of the light reflection region 304.

Therefore, the second surface decoration mode, which is a faster modeling mode, may be used, for example, in an application in which improvement in modeling speed is more important than quality such as color reproducibility. Further, in this case, in an application requiring high color reproducibility, it is preferable to perform modeling in the first surface decoration mode, which is a modeling mode having higher color reproducibility. Further, in the modeling apparatus 10, it is preferable that each of the first surface decoration mode and the second surface decoration mode can be selected according to the application and the like.

Further, as described above, in this configuration, the material ejection capacity of the clear ink nozzle row group is equal to the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group. Further, the material ejection capacity of the clear ink nozzle row group and the support nozzle row group is larger than that of the other nozzle row groups such as the nozzle row group of each color for coloring. Therefore, the material ejection capacity of the clear ink nozzle row group is CT, the material ejection capacity of the nozzle row group other than the support nozzle row group is CSP, and the material ejection capacity of the nozzle row group for coloring one color is Cc. In this case, it can be said that CT = CSP> Cc. In this case, the nozzle row group for coloring one color is one of the nozzle row group for C color, the nozzle row group for M color, the nozzle row group for Y color, and the nozzle row group for K color. be. Further, in this case, it is preferable that the CT and CSP are twice or more the Cc. Further, when considering increasing the modeling speed in the second surface decoration mode within a range in which the size of the head portion 12 does not become too large, in practice, the CT and CSP should be about twice as large as the Cc. Is preferable. With this configuration, for example, the modeling speed in the second surface decoration mode can be appropriately increased to about twice the modeling speed in the first surface decoration mode.

When modeling is performed by the additive manufacturing method, the model 50 is modeled by stacking layers with an ink layer (unit layer) corresponding to slice data indicating the cross-sectional shape of the model 50 as a unit of modeling. Then, when the unit layer is formed, the ink is ejected so that the amount of ink per unit area is constant. More specifically, for example, when modeling is performed in the first surface decoration mode, for example, a unit layer is formed by landing ink droplets (droplets) equivalent to 5 drops on a unit area. do. Further, in this case, for example, two drops of the ink for coloring are landed on the colored region 308, which is a portion to be colored in full color, and three drops of the ink droplets of the clear ink are landed. Keep the total number of impacts constant. Further, in this case, the ratio of the number of drops of ink droplets landing on the colored region 308 is changed according to the color and the density. Further, for the support layer 52, the light reflection region 304, and the like, only one type (single) ink used for forming the region is used to land the required number of drops (for example, 5 drops) of ink droplets.

Further, in this case, for example, in order to form a unit layer having a constant thickness, it is necessary to make the amount of ink ejected (the number of drops) in each region uniform. Therefore, if the material ejection capacity of the nozzle row group used for forming any of the regions is small, the thickness (pitch) of the unit layer cannot be increased due to the conditions under which the region can be formed. In addition, as a result, it becomes difficult to perform modeling at high speed. Further, in this case, for example, if the material ejection capacity of all the nozzle row groups is increased, the modeling speed can be increased. However, in this case, as described above, there arises a problem of increasing the size and price of the head portion 12 and the modeling apparatus 10.

On the other hand, in the case of the above configuration, instead of increasing the material ejection capacity of all the nozzle row groups, the material ejection capacity of only some nozzle row groups is increased, so that the speed is high in full color. It enables modeling. Therefore, with such a configuration, for example, full-color modeling can be performed at higher speed and more appropriately while appropriately suppressing the problems of increasing the size and price of the head portion 12 and the modeling device 10.

Further, when the configuration shown in FIG. 9 is considered more generalized, a part of the region of the modeled object 50 is formed with only one type of ink in any of the modeling modes, and a plurality of other regions are formed. When forming with different types of ink, regarding the material ejection capacity of the nozzle row group that ejects this one type of ink, the material ejection capacity of the nozzle row group that ejects ink used only for forming some of the other regions described above. It can also be considered that it is preferable to make it larger than. With this configuration, the modeling speed in this modeling mode can be appropriately increased.

Subsequently, a modification and the like will be described with respect to a method of increasing the material ejection capacity of the nozzle row group. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method of increasing the material ejection capacity of the nozzle row group. FIG. 10A shows an example of a method for increasing the material ejection capacity of the nozzle row group.

The arrangement of each inkjet in the head portion 12 (see FIG. 9) is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 9A and can be changed in various ways. FIG. 10A is a diagram showing a modified example of how to arrange the nozzle rows, and shows an example of how to arrange a plurality of nozzle rows included in the head portion 12 in a simplified manner. In the figure, the dotted lines indicated by the symbols S, T, W, C, M, Y, and K are the inkjet head 102S, the inkjet head 102T, the inkjet head 102W, the inkjet head 102C, the inkjet head 102M, and the inkjet head 102Y. The nozzle rows in each of the inkjet heads 102K are shown in a simplified manner. The nozzle row shown in the figure may be, for example, a nozzle row showing a plurality of nozzle rows included in one inkjet head.

Further, the configuration shown in FIG. 10A is for supporting nozzle rows and clear ink by increasing the number of inkjet heads 102S and inkjet heads 102T when the material ejection capacity per inkjet head is the same. This is an example in which the material ejection capacity of the nozzle row group is made larger than that of other nozzle row groups. More specifically, in this case, the number of the inkjet head 102S and the number of the inkjet head 102T is two, and the number of other inkjet heads is one. With this configuration, for example, the number of nozzle rows included in the support nozzle row group and the clear ink nozzle row group can be larger than the number of nozzle rows included in the other slur row group. Further, as a result, the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group and the clear ink nozzle row group can be made larger than that of the other nozzle row groups.

Further, in this case, each of the two inkjet heads 102S is arranged in a so-called mirror arrangement so as to sandwich the other inkjet heads in the main scanning direction. Further, each of the two inkjet heads 102T is also arranged in a mirror arrangement so as to sandwich the other inkjet heads inside the respective inkjet heads 102S. Even in this configuration, modeling in the first surface decoration mode and the second surface decoration mode can be appropriately performed.

FIG. 10B shows another example of a method of increasing the material ejection capacity of the nozzle row group. In order to increase the material ejection capacity of the nozzle array group, for example, it is conceivable to increase the number of ink droplets (the number of droplets) ejected from the nozzle array group per unit time. For example, when the maximum number of droplets that can be ejected from one nozzle per unit time in the main scanning operation is defined as the number of nozzles per unit time, the nozzle rows included in the support nozzle row group and the clear ink nozzle row group. It is conceivable that the number of unit-time droplets of each nozzle in the above is larger than the number of unit-time droplets of each nozzle in the nozzle row included in the other nozzle row group. In this case, the number of nozzle rows constituting the support nozzle row group and the clear ink nozzle row group may be the same as that of the other nozzle row groups.

More specifically, in FIG. 10B, when the number of nozzle rows included in each nozzle row group is the same, the nozzles of the support nozzle row group and the clear ink nozzle row group drop 5 drops per unit time ( An example is shown in which 5 drops) of ink droplets are ejected, and the nozzles of the other nozzle row group eject 3 drops of ink droplets per unit time. Even in this configuration, for example, the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group and the clear ink nozzle row group can be made larger than that of the other nozzle row groups. Further, as a result, modeling in the first surface decoration mode and the second surface decoration mode can be appropriately performed.

In this case, the moving speed of the head portion 12 during the main scanning operation may be slowed down according to the ability of the inkjet head to eject 5 drops per unit time. In this case, since the landing accuracy of the ink droplets is improved due to the decrease in the moving speed, it becomes possible to perform modeling with higher accuracy.

FIG. 10 (c) shows still another example of a method of increasing the material ejection capacity of the nozzle train group. In order to increase the material ejection capacity of the nozzle row group, for example, it is conceivable to increase the number of nozzles constituting the nozzle row. For example, it is conceivable that the number of nozzles constituting each nozzle row in the support nozzle row group and the clear ink nozzle row group is larger than the number of nozzles constituting each nozzle row in the other nozzle row groups. Be done. Even in this configuration, for example, the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group and the clear ink nozzle row group can be made larger than those of the other nozzle row groups. Further, as a result, modeling in the first surface decoration mode and the second surface decoration mode can be appropriately performed.

Subsequently, supplementary explanations and the like will be given regarding the configuration and the like of the modeling apparatus 10. First, a supplementary explanation will be given regarding the reason why high-speed modeling is possible with the modeling apparatus 10 of this example. In the case of additive manufacturing using an inkjet head, for example, if only modeling is performed in a single color, it is used for single-color modeling ink (modeling ink) and for the support layer material (support material). Only ink needs to be used. Therefore, in this case, for example, modeling can be performed using only two types of inkjet heads.

On the other hand, when the surface of the modeled object 50 is colored in full color, it is usually necessary to use inks of at least each of the process colors (for example, four colors of C, M, Y, and K). Therefore, an inkjet head is required as much as the number of coloring inks (color inks) to be used, as compared with, for example, a modeling apparatus that performs only modeling with a single color.

However, even when a modeling device capable of coloring in full color is used, there are cases where a modeled object that does not require coloring or a modeled object that is colored only in a single color is modeled. Then, the inventor of the present application has considered to effectively utilize the inkjet head for coloring in such a case to increase the modeling speed. More specifically, as described above, in addition to the surface decoration mode, which is a modeling mode in which a plurality of modeling modes can be executed in the modeling apparatus 10 and the surface of the modeled object 50 is colored in full color. It enables modeling in a modeling mode such as a single color / coloring mode that enables faster modeling. Further, in the modeling mode for performing such high-speed modeling, the modeling speed is appropriately increased by increasing the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group.

In this case, the same inkjet head used for full-color coloring (full-color decoration) in the surface decoration mode is used to perform coloring in the single color / coloring mode. Further, in the single color / coloring mode, for example, it is preferable to eject ink from the same inkjet head in the same pattern on both the surface and the inside of the modeled object.

Subsequently, a supplementary explanation will be given regarding the configuration of the modeling apparatus 10. When the configuration of the modeling apparatus 10 is considered more generally, for example, it is considered that the ink that is the material (modeling material) of the modeled object 50 and the ink that is the material (support material) of the support layer 52 are ejected. be able to. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1B, the plurality of inkjet heads in the head portion 12 are divided into two types: a head for a support layer (for discharging a support material) and a head for a modeled object (for discharging a modeling material). It can be roughly divided. Further, in this case, for example, ink having any color of C, M, Y, K, T, or W is used as the material of the modeled object 50. Further, it is preferable to use ultraviolet curable ink at least for the head for a modeled object.

Further, the configuration of the modeling apparatus 10 can be considered to include, for example, a plurality of nozzle rows composed of one or more inkjet heads arranged in the first direction, which eject the same ink. The first direction is, for example, a sub-scanning direction. Further, in this case, for example, ink is ejected from a plurality of nozzle rows of a plurality of inkjet heads based on modeling data while scanning in a second direction forming a predetermined angle with respect to the first direction. The second direction is, for example, the main scanning direction. Further, in this case, in scanning in the second direction, it is preferable to eject ink so that the ejected inks from the plurality of nozzle rows do not overlap at the same position to form one layer. Further, in this case, it is preferable that the ink ejected from the same nozzle in a plurality of nozzle rows does not overlap at the same position between at least a part of the adjacent layers.

Subsequently, a supplementary explanation will be given regarding the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group and the like. The characteristics of the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group are based on the number of inkjet heads for one type (single) of ink in the head for a modeled object, as described with reference to, for example, FIG. 10 (a). It is also conceivable to increase the number of heads for the support layer. Further, for example, as described with reference to FIG. 10 (b) and the like, the number of ink droplets ejected per unit time is increased, and as described with reference to FIG. 10 (c) and the like, support is provided. It is also conceivable to increase the number of nozzles in the nozzle row of the layer head to be larger than the number of nozzles in the nozzle row of one inkjet head in the model head.

Further, as described above, as the material of the support layer 52, for example, a water-soluble material is used so that it can be dissolved and removed with water after molding. On the other hand, as the material of the modeled object 50, it is preferable to use a water-insoluble material. Further, in this case, if the support layer 52 is formed by further using an inkjet head for a modeled object other than the inkjet head 102S, it may be difficult to remove the support layer 52 after the modeling is completed. Therefore, it is difficult to speed up the operation of forming the support layer 52 by using an inkjet head for other purposes. Therefore, in this example, the support layer 52 can be formed at a higher speed by increasing the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group as described above.

More specifically, for example, in the case of the operation of forming each region of the modeled object 50, all the inks other than the material of the support layer 52 can be used if the color is not taken into consideration. Then, in this case, the modeling speed can be increased by the number of inks that can be used, that is, the number of inkjet heads (or nozzle row groups). Therefore, for example, if each region of the modeled object 50 is formed by using two of the modeled object heads other than the inkjet head 102S, modeling can be performed at twice the speed as when only one is used. Become.

However, in this case, if the number of inkjet heads 102S used to form the support layer 52 is only one, the formation speed of the support layer 52 becomes slow, and the entire modeling operation cannot be doubled. On the other hand, if the number of inkjet heads 102S is set to two as in this example, it is possible to double the entire modeling operation. Further, when considered more generalized, when the modeled object 50 is modeled using N kinds of inks having the same resolution and the same number of nozzles, that is, when N inkjet heads are used as the modeled object heads. If N inkjet heads 102S having the same resolution and the same number of nozzles are used, the speed of the entire modeling operation can be performed at N times the speed.

The present invention can be suitably used for, for example, a modeling apparatus.

10 ... modeling device, 12 ... head unit, 14 ... modeling table, 16 ... scanning drive unit, 20 ... control unit, 50 ... modeled object, 52 ... support layer, 100 ... Carriage, 102 ... Inkjet head, 104 ... Ultraviolet light source, 106 ... Flattening roller, 200 ... Nozzle row, 202 ... Nozzle, 302 ... Internal area, 304 ... .. Light reflection area, 306 ... Separation area, 308 ... Colored area, 310 ... Protected area, 312 ... Single color colored area

Claims (2)

It is a modeling device that models a modeled object by ejecting material from a nozzle array in which multiple nozzles are lined up in the nozzle array direction.
A head portion having a plurality of the nozzle rows including at least the nozzle row for ejecting ink of each color of the process color used for full-color expression, and a head portion.
It is provided with a scanning drive unit that causes the head unit to perform a scanning operation of ejecting the material of the modeled object while moving relative to the modeled object being modeled.
The head portion is used as at least a part of the plurality of nozzle rows.
A nozzle row group consisting of one or more nozzle rows that eject a material of a first color as a material of the modeled object, and a first nozzle row group that ejects a light-reflecting ink as a material of the first color. When,
It is a group of nozzles composed of one or more nozzle rows that eject a material of a second color different from the first color as a material of the modeled object , and any of the process colors can be used as the material of the second color. The second nozzle row group that ejects ink of that color,
A support nozzle group consisting of one or more nozzle rows for discharging the material of the support layer that supports the periphery of the modeled object during modeling, and a support nozzle row group.
It has a group of nozzle rows for clear ink composed of one or more nozzle rows for ejecting clear ink which is a transparent color ink.
The modeling device performs a modeling operation based on a preset modeling mode, and in at least one of the modeling modes, the modeling operation is performed.
The internal area that constitutes the inside of the modeled object and
A light-reflecting region formed outside the internal region using the light-reflecting ink,
With a colored region formed outside the light reflection region
The modeled object is formed, and the support layer is formed at least in a part around the modeled object.
When the maximum value of the material that can be ejected in a unit time in one scanning operation is defined as the material ejection capacity, the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group is larger than the material ejection capacity of the first nozzle row group. Is also big
The material ejection capacity of the clear ink nozzle row group is larger than the material ejection capacity of the first nozzle row group and equal to the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group.
In the operation of at least one of the above-mentioned modeling modes,
The internal region is formed using multiple colors of ink.
The light-reflecting ink and the clear ink are used to form the light-reflecting region.
The surface is decorated in full color with a coloring ink containing the second color material to form the colored region.
Further, when the surface is decorated, the clear ink is ejected from the clear ink nozzle row group to compensate for the portion where the amount of ink is insufficient only with the coloring ink. Modeling equipment. It is a modeling device that models a modeled object by ejecting material from a nozzle array in which multiple nozzles are lined up in the nozzle array direction.
A head portion having a plurality of the nozzle rows and
It is provided with a scanning drive unit that causes the head unit to perform a scanning operation of ejecting the material of the modeled object while moving relative to the modeled object being modeled.
The head portion is formed as the plurality of nozzle rows.
A first nozzle row group consisting of one or more nozzle rows that discharge a material of the first color as a material of the modeled object, and a group of the first nozzles.
A second nozzle row group consisting of one or more nozzle rows for ejecting a material having a second color different from the first color as a material for the modeled object.
A support nozzle group consisting of one or more nozzle rows for discharging the material of the support layer that supports the periphery of the modeled object during modeling, and a support nozzle row group.
It has a group of nozzle rows for clear ink composed of one or more nozzle rows for ejecting clear ink which is a transparent color ink.
The modeling device performs a modeling operation based on a preset modeling mode, and in at least one of the modeling modes, the first nozzle row group and the second nozzle row group are used to perform the modeling operation. At least a part of the support layer is formed, and at least a part of the periphery of the modeled object is formed with the support layer.
When the maximum value of the material that can be ejected in a unit time in one scanning operation is defined as the material ejection capacity, the material ejection capacity of the support nozzle row group is larger than the material ejection capacity of the first nozzle row group. Is also big
As the modeling mode, at least
A surface decoration mode in which the surface of the modeled object, which is a region that can be visually recognized from the outside, is colored with a plurality of colors of coloring inks.
By using at least one of the coloring inks for the internal modeling of the modeled object, it is possible to execute the internal coloring mode in which the modeling is performed at a higher speed than the surface decoration mode.
The second nozzle row group is a nozzle row group that ejects ink of any color in the ink for coloring of the plurality of colors.
In the operation of the surface decoration mode, the region where the coloring is performed is formed by using the ink for coloring the plurality of colors and the clear ink.
In the operation of the internal coloring mode, the first nozzle row group and the second nozzle row group are used to form the entire modeled object, and the support layer is formed at least a part around the modeled object. A modeling device characterized by

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