JPS61217219A - Three-dimensional configuration forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To control to supply liquid photo-setting resin material uniformly with a predetermined thickness even though the viscosity of the liquid photo-setting type resin material is different by a method wherein a means to supply the resin material uniformly on the surface of the photo-setting type resin from a resin material supplying unit, in which a plurality of openings are arranged in one row in a predetermined direction. CONSTITUTION:Predetermined amount of liquid photo-setting type resin material 31 is supplied from the auxiliary scanning of a resin accommodating vessel 30 and the plurality of openings 34 of the resin material supplying unit 33, arranged with a distance (l) from the main scanning position of laser beams 22 whereby the supply of the liquid photo-setting resin material 31 from the plurality of openings 34 and exposure setting by the main scanning of the laser beams 22 are effected simultaneously in parallel substantially. Subsequently, the resin accommodating vessel 30 is descended by an auxiliary scanning table 32 by the size of the layer of resin material in which the supply and exposure setting of the liquid photo-setting type resin material 31 are effected and the resin accommodating vessel 30 is returned to a predetermined initial position, further, a level is adjusted so that the surface of next layer comes to the focus of ftheta lense 28 through a scan reflecting mirror 29.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] With respect to a liquid photocurable resin material in a resin storage container on a sub-scanning table that can be raised and lowered and is sub-scanned in a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction of a laser beam, In the apparatus for selectively curing the photocurable resin material by irradiating it with a laser beam from a laser beam optical system while scanning the laser beam in the main scanning direction, the laser beam is irradiated with the main scanning beam on the resin container. A resin material supply section having a plurality of openings arranged in a row in the direction is arranged, and at the same time as the resin container moves in the sub-scanning direction, the resin material supply section has a plurality of openings in the resin material supply section. To speed up the formation of a three-dimensional model shape by uniformly supplying a liquid photocurable resin material in a short time.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a three-dimensional shape forming apparatus that selectively exposes and cures a liquid photocurable resin material using a laser beam optical system to form a three-dimensional model shape that displays three-dimensional information, and particularly relates to a liquid photocurable resin material. This invention relates to an improvement in a means for supplying a resin material.

As methods for displaying three-dimensional stereoscopic information, stereoscopic display using holography, perspective view display, projection view display, contour line display, etc. have been developed and are generally widely used. With the exception of holography, all of these methods can convert three-dimensional information into two
It includes a procedure for converting into dimensional information, and is not necessarily a satisfactory technique for intuitively grasping and fully understanding the displayed three-dimensional shape.

In this respect, holography is visually and intuitively more advantageous than the above-mentioned techniques, but it requires a reproduction device to reproduce three-dimensional shapes, and it is difficult to display virtual objects that do not exist. Have difficulty.

For this reason, in order to grasp 3D information intuitively and display it in an easy-to-understand manner, it is best to create a 3D shape such as a model, and it is a relatively easy method to create a 3D shape like a model. A liquid photocurable resin material is supplied stepwise into a resin material storage container, and the liquid photocurable resin material between the resin supply ribs is selectively photocured by a Lede beam irradiation means to form a complex three-dimensional model shape. A method of forming in a layered manner has been proposed.

However, in such conventional forming methods, since an overflow one (i) is used to supply the liquid light curing type l (resin material in stages), the inflow speed of the resin material, manual There are problems in that it is troublesome to process, takes a long time to supply, and greatly affects the overall forming process time, so there is a desire to shorten the resin supply gap.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, as a method for forming a model shape that displays three-dimensional information using a laser beam irradiation means using a photocurable resin material, a liquid photocurable resin material 3 is used as shown in FIG. Lifting stage 2 inside filled container 1
is lowered by a predetermined dimension, and one portion of the liquid photocurable resin material 4 is supplied by overflowing to the elevating stage 2''.

After that, the laser beam 5 is applied to the liquid photocurable resin material 4 in accordance with a first information data signal, for example, which is a cross-sectional information data signal obtained by dividing the model shape to be created into several slices. is selectively exposed and cured to form a first cured resin layer 4a.

Next, as shown in FIG.
is lowered by a predetermined dimension, and a new second layer of liquid photocurable resin material 6 is placed on the first cured resin layer 4a on the lifting stage 2.
is supplied in the same manner as above, and the fifth
As shown in FIG. FC+, a laser beam 5 is irradiated in response to a second information data signal to selectively expose and harden the resin layer 6a to form a second cured resin layer 6a.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5 (dl), the second curing +
114 resin layer 6a-1=, a new third layer of liquid photo-curing type 4JJ grease 7 is supplied, and the third layer is applied to the photo-curing resin material 7 as shown in FIG. 5+fi+. By irradiating the radar beam 5 according to the information data signal and selectively exposing and curing to form the third cured resin layer 7a, a laminated three-dimensional cured resin is finally formed in the liquid photocurable resin material 3. An image is formed.

This three-dimensional cured resin image is protruded from the liquid photocurable resin material 3, and by washing off the liquid photocurable resin material 3 with a dilute alkaline cleaning solution or the like, a desired image is obtained as shown in FIG. Model shape 8 that displays three-dimensional three-dimensional information
is being created.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, the method of supplying the liquid photocurable resin material 3 in the above-mentioned forming method is such that the elevating stage 2 is lowered by -
2, or on the already formed cured resin layer 4a or 6a on the lifting stage 2, as shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, since the liquid light-curing resin material 4 or 6 is supplied by the so-called overflow method in which it flows naturally, the viscosity of the liquid light-curing resin material 3 is not sufficient to obtain a flat supply resin surface. This, combined with the relationship with the company, requires a considerable amount of supply time.

Therefore, when forming a three-dimensional shape in a layered manner as described above, the total supply time of the liquid photocurable resin material 3 is - the number of layers times the resin material supply time for the essential resin material, and the total forming process time is There is a problem that has a big impact on

In addition, as the viscosity of the liquid photocurable resin material 3 increases, not only does the supply time increase, but it also becomes difficult to control the thickness of each liquid photocurable resin layer, which slows down the formation process. This is a major obstacle to increasing speed and precision.

Furthermore, when supplying the liquid photocurable resin material 3 onto the cured resin layers 4a and 6a that have already been exposed and cured, since the volume or surface area of each cured resin layer is not constant, the resin material supply time for each layer is different. There was a drawback that it was not easy to control the entire process of forming the three-dimensional shape.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, and its purpose is to be able to control the supply of a uniform paste to a predetermined thickness even if the viscosity of the liquid photocurable resin material to be supplied differs. It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel three-dimensional shape forming apparatus having a resin material supply section having a structure in which the supply time is shortened.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a resin storage container 3 on a sub-scanning stage 32, which is movable up and down and sub-scanned in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction of the laser beam 22, as shown in FIG.
0, the laser device 2
1. Irradiation is performed while main scanning with a laser beam 22 from a laser beam optical system consisting of an optical modulator 23, a reflecting mirror 24, lenses 25, 26, a rotating polygon mirror 27, an fθ lens 28, and a scanning reflecting mirror 29, In the apparatus for selectively curing the photocurable resin material 31 to form a three-dimensional shape, the resin material supply section 33 has a plurality of openings lined up in the resin container 30 in the main scanning direction of the laser beam 22, for example. is arranged, and the liquid photocurable resin material 31 is supplied into the container 30 from the plurality of openings of the resin material supply section 33 at the same time as the resin storage container 30 moves in the sub-scanning direction. .

[Effect]

According to this arrangement of the resin material supply section 33, when forming a three-dimensional shape, at the same time as the resin container 30 moves in the sub-scanning direction, liquid photocuring is carried out from the plurality of openings of the resin material supply section 33. The mold resin material 31 is evenly poured out,
The resin is uniformly supplied into the resin container 30.

Uniformity of the resin material supply can be optimized by variously changing the intervals and sizes of the plurality of openings in the resin material supply section 33 at the center and both sides.

Substantially in parallel with the supply, the laser beam 22 is selectively main-scanned over the surface of the photocurable resin material 31 to expose and cure it. By repeating these steps, the resin storage container 3
0, it becomes possible to supply a liquid photocurable resin material uniformly and in a short time, and to create a predetermined laminated resin-cured three-dimensional shape at high speed.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of a three-dimensional shape forming apparatus according to the present invention.

In the figure, 21 is a laser device that emits a laser beam 22, 23 is an optical modulator using a functional element such as an acousto-optic effect, an electro-optic effect, or a magneto-optic effect, 24 is a reflecting mirror, and 25 and 26 are lenses. , 27 is a rotating polygon mirror, 28
is the radar beam 22 scanned by the rotating polygon mirror 27
The fθ lens 28
As a result, the focus of the laser beam 22 can be set on the irradiation surface, and the diameter of the laser beam at the focus can be made very small, making it possible to irradiate concentrated beam energy.

Further, 30 is a resin storage container that accommodates the liquid photocurable resin material 31, and 32 is a sub-scanning table, which moves and scans the resin storage container table 30 in the direction of arrow A and in the vertical direction shown by arrow B. It is adjustable up and down.

Furthermore, 33 is a resin material supply section, which has a plurality of openings 34 in the main scanning direction of the laser beam 22 with respect to the photocurable resin material surface of the resin container 30, as shown in the partially enlarged perspective view of FIG. are installed in a row.

The figure shows an example in which the plurality of openings 34 are equal in size and spacing, but if necessary, the size and spacing of the openings 34 can be changed between the center and both sides. By making various changes in the parts, the resin storage container 30
The supply and outflow amount of the resin material 31 can be uniformly optimized with respect to the photocurable resin material surface inside.

The reason why a plurality of apertures 34 of the resin material supply section 33 are arranged in a row is that, for example, when the aperture is a single elongated aperture in the main scanning direction of the laser beam 22, the central part and both sides of the elongated aperture are different. This is because it is desirable to supply the resin material 31 evenly due to the difference in supply pressure of the resin material 31 and the resulting difference in the outflow amount.

Now, in order to form a predetermined three-dimensional model shape for displaying three-dimensional three-dimensional information using such an apparatus configuration, first, as shown in FIG. sub-scanning of the container 30 and a plurality of openings 3 of the resin material supply unit 33 disposed on the resin storage container 30 at a distance β in the sub-scanning direction from the main scanning position of the laser beam 22.
4, the supply of a certain amount of liquid photocurable resin material 31 is started.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (bl), from the point in time when the resin container 30 has moved from the supply start position of the resin material 31 by a distance l"2 by sub-scanning, the supplied liquid photocurable resin material layer 31 The laser beam 22 is modulated based on a three-dimensional shape data signal obtained by dividing the three-dimensional model shape to be created into several slices from a formation signal control circuit (not shown).
Exposure and curing is sequentially and selectively performed by light irradiation by main scanning.

That is, the liquid photocurable resin material 3 from the plurality of openings 34
1 and exposure curing by main scanning of the laser beam 22 are performed substantially simultaneously and in parallel.

Eventually, as shown in FIG. 3 fcl, the resin material supply section 33
When it reaches the end of the storage container 30 and the exposure curing of the predetermined shape pattern is completed, the supply of the liquid photocurable resin material 31 is stopped, and the sub-scanning of the resin storage container 30 is also stopped.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (d+), the liquid photocurable resin material 31
The resin storage container 30 is lowered by the sub-scanning table 32 by the thickness of the resin material that is to be supplied and exposed to light and cured.
The resin container 30 is quickly returned to its original predetermined position as shown in FIG.
9, level adjustment is performed so that the focal position of the fθ lens 28 is reached.

Hereinafter, the steps explained in FIGS. 3(al) to 3(81) are repeated, the exposed and cured resin layers are sequentially laminated, and this laminated three-dimensional cured resin image is taken out from the liquid photocurable resin material 31. For example, by washing away the liquid photocurable resin material 31 with a dilute alkaline cleaning solution or the like, it becomes possible to efficiently form a three-dimensional model shape that displays desired three-dimensional stereoscopic information in a relatively short time.

That is, in this embodiment, since the supply of the liquid photocurable resin material 31 and the exposure curing by the laser beam 22 irradiation are performed almost simultaneously and in parallel, the average of the sub-scanning direction for the surface of the liquid photocurable resin material 31 is When the exposure area width is 1,
By reducing β with respect to I5, the actual supply time of the liquid photocurable resin material 31 is only for the initial supply, and can be almost ignored, and the exposure time and the initial setting of the resin container 30 are A three-dimensional shape can be formed in a short period of time, such as the time it takes to return to position.

Regarding the layer thickness control of the liquid photocurable resin material layer supplied to the resin storage container 30, when the moving speed V of the resin storage container 30 in the sub-scanning direction is constant, the resin material 31
By controlling the supply MS per unit time, the liquid photocurable resin material can be uniformly supplied to a predetermined layer thickness.

FIG. 4 is a main part sectional view sequentially explaining the structure of another embodiment of the three-dimensional shape forming apparatus according to the present invention and the operation of forming a three-dimensional shape, and the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as in FIG. 3.

This embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in FIG.
33b is provided on both sides of the main scanning area of the laser beam irradiated onto the surface of the liquid photocurable resin material 31, and is configured to correspond to the movement scanning direction of the sub-scanning table 33 on which the resin storage container 30 is placed. Then, the supply section 33a or 33b on the moving scanning direction side is selected to supply the liquid photocurable resin material into the resin container 30.

In order to form a predetermined three-dimensional model shape for displaying three-dimensional three-dimensional information using such an apparatus configuration, first, as shown in FIG. 30 is sub-scanned in the direction of the arrow, and two resin material supply units 33 are disposed oppositely on the resin container 30 with a predetermined gap across the main scanning position of the laser beam 22.
A certain amount of the liquid photocurable resin material 31 is started to be supplied from the plurality of openings 34 of one of the resin material supply parts 33a of 33a and 33b as shown in FIG.

After the resin material supply starts, a three-dimensional shape data signal is sent from a shape signal control circuit (not shown) to the supplied liquid photocurable resin material layer 31, which is a three-dimensional model shape to be created divided into several slices. Exposure and curing is selectively performed by light irradiation by main scanning of the laser beam 22 modulated by °ζ based on the following.

That is, the supply of the liquid photocurable resin +A31 from the plurality of openings 34 of the resin material supply section 33a and the exposure curing by the main scanning of the laser beam 22 are performed simultaneously and almost in parallel. The resin material supply section 33
When a reaches the end of the storage container 30 and the exposure curing of the predetermined pattern is completed, the supply of the liquid photocurable resin material 31 is stopped, and the sub-scanning of the resin storage container 30 is also stopped.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4+dl, the liquid photocurable resin material 31
The resin storage container 30 is lowered by the sub-scanning table 32 by the thickness of the resin material that is to be supplied and exposed and cured, and the surface of the next layer becomes the focus position of the fθ lens 28 via the scanning reflector 29. Adjust the level as shown.

After that, as shown in FIG. 4, the resin container 30 is
is sub-scanned in the opposite direction to the sub-scanning direction, and a certain amount of liquid photocurable resin material 31 is started to be supplied from the plurality of openings 34 of the other resin material supply section 33b, and the surface of the resin material 31 is Similarly, selective exposure and curing is performed substantially in parallel by light irradiation by main scanning of the laser beam 22 modulated based on the three-dimensional shape data signal.

Hereinafter, these steps are repeated to sequentially stack the exposed and cured resin layers, and the layered three-dimensional cured resin image is taken out of the liquid photocurable resin material 31, and the liquid photocurable resin is washed with a dilute alkaline cleaning solution, for example. By washing away the material 31, it becomes possible to efficiently form a three-dimensional model shape that displays desired three-dimensional information in an extremely short time.

That is, in this embodiment, since the supply of the resin +A31 to the surface of the liquid photocurable resin material 31 and the sub-scanning of the scanning position of the laser beam 22 are reciprocating scanning, the resin container 30 is moved to the initial fixed position in each sub-scanning. There is no need to return to
Since most of the time is just the exposure and curing scanning time, there is an advantage that the three-dimensional shape can be formed in a shorter time than in the above embodiment.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above description, according to the three-dimensional shape forming apparatus according to the present invention, the time required to supply the liquid photocurable resin material to the resin storage container is significantly shortened, and the liquid photocurable resin material with high viscosity It is possible to stably supply materials with a uniform thin layer thickness, etc., and form three-dimensional models that display various three-dimensional information quickly and accurately using liquid photocurable resin materials. This has the advantage of making it possible to

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of a three-dimensional shape forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of essential parts showing an embodiment of a resin material supply section in a three-dimensional shape forming apparatus according to the present invention. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part sequentially showing one embodiment of the operation of forming a three-dimensional shape by the three-dimensional shape forming device according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is another embodiment of the three-dimensional shape forming device according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part sequentially showing an example of a structure and an operation for forming a three-dimensional shape. In this number, 21 is a laser device, 22 is a laser beam, 23 is an optical modulator, 24 is a reflecting mirror, 25.26 is a lens, 27 is a rotating polygon mirror, 28 is an fθ lens, and 29 is a scanning reflection. 30 is a resin storage container, 31 is a liquid photocurable resin material, 32 is a sub-scanning table, 33, 33a, 33b are resin material supply parts, and 34 is a plurality of openings. Tsukaze←

Claims (1)

[Claims] A liquid photocurable resin material (31) is irradiated with a laser beam (22) by a laser beam optical system, and the resin material (31) is irradiated with a laser beam (22) by a laser beam optical system.
) is selectively cured to form a three-dimensional shape, the resin material (31) is supplied to the photocurable mold from a resin material supply section (33) in which a plurality of openings (34) are arranged in a row in a predetermined direction. A three-dimensional shape forming device characterized by having a means for uniformly supplying resin to a surface.