KR20240102073A - Method for Outputting of 3D printer with Material Recycling - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an output method of a 3D printer capable of recycling materials, which can reduce the output cost of a 3D printer by reusing materials. The first work is formed by supporting a build plate to be lifted up and down and being spaced apart with the build plate in between. An elevation unit including a surface and a second work surface, a nozzle tip for supplying the material, a recoater including a recoating blade for flattening the material, and the material remaining on the second work surface is supplied onto the first work surface. In the output method of a 3D printer including a recycling unit, the material supply step in which the build plate is lowered and the material is supplied, the material supplied by the first movement in which the recoating blade moves from the first work surface to the second work surface. Provides an output method of a 3D printer including a planarization step of flattening on a build plate and a material movement step in which excess material according to the planarization operation moves upward on the second work surface by the first movement and is supplied to the recycling unit. .

Description

Output method of 3D printer capable of material recycling {Method for Outputting of 3D printer with Material Recycling}

The present invention relates to an output method of a 3D printer capable of recycling materials, and more specifically, to an output method of a 3D printer capable of recycling materials, which can reduce the output cost of a 3D printer by reusing the materials used.

A 3D printer is a device that converts a 3D drawing into 3D printing language and then creates a 3D object by layering it using materials suitable for the device.

The 3D printer method uses the principle of curing the scanned area by scanning light into a liquid material such as photocurable resin, and using a functional polymer or metal powder instead of a liquid material and solidifying it by scanning light. ), etc., using the principle of forming.

When laminating using functional polymers or metal powders, expensive laser equipment is required, and since the metal powder must be irradiated and then sintered with a laser, there was a problem in that a lot of printing took a lot of time. In addition, using a laser to sinter the metal powder When sintering powder, pores are formed, which causes a problem in that the density of the resulting three-dimensional object is lowered and the defect rate increases.

On the other hand, liquid materials such as photocurable resins undergo not only photocuring but also thermal curing, so a type of device commonly used in PBF is used, which consists of a build plate that moves up and down and a wall that contacts the edge of the build plate. A layering method is used.

In the past, when liquid material was supplied to the top of the build plate and laminated, once the lamination was completed and the output was completed, the user had to remove the output from the build plate to obtain it, which required additional man-hours and longer work time. There was a problem.

In addition, when liquid material is supplied for lamination on the upper part of the build plate and flattened using a recoating blade, some of the liquid material is discarded during this process, causing problems of environmental pollution and increased manufacturing costs.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2331977 Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2416785

Through one embodiment, the present invention seeks to provide a 3D printer output method that minimizes work time when printing using a 3D printer.

In addition, through one embodiment, the present invention seeks to provide a 3D printer output method that prevents environmental pollution and reduces manufacturing costs when printing using a 3D printer.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention includes a material supply step in which a build plate is lowered and material is supplied onto the build plate; A flattening step in which the supplied material is flattened by a first movement of the recoating blade in a first direction; A curing step in which the flattened material is hardened by irradiation of light; and a separation step in which, when the supplied material is cured and the output is completed, the build plate is raised to its initial position and the formed output is separated from the build plate by a second movement in which the recoating blade moves in a second direction; It provides an output method of a 3D printer, wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction.

In the separation step, one of whether or not the second movement is stopped and the moving speed may be determined according to a resistance measurement value applied to the recoating blade while the second movement is in progress.

The separation step may include a deceleration step in which the speed of the second movement is reduced when the increase rate of the resistance measurement value exceeds the first upper limit.

The separation step may further include a stopping step in which the second movement is stopped when the magnitude of the resistance measurement value exceeds the second upper limit.

It may further include a first signal generation step in which a first signal is generated when the size of the resistance measurement value increases and then decreases to reach a value smaller than the first lower limit.

A second signal generation step in which a second signal is generated when the magnitude of the resistance measurement value increases and then decreases and fails to reach a value smaller than the first lower limit within a predetermined time; It may further include.

In addition, in the present invention, when the build plate is lowered and the material is supplied on the build plate, the recoating blade moves from the first position to the second position, where the material is flattened by the first movement and the material is flattened by light irradiation. A molding step in which a layer forming operation in which a layer is formed by curing is repeated to form a printed product; and a separation step in which the formed output is separated from the build plate by a second movement in which the build plate is raised to the initial position after the forming step and the recoating blade is moved from the second position to the first position. The above-mentioned problem is solved by providing an output method of a 3D printer characterized by including ;.

In addition, the present invention supports a build plate so that it can be lifted and lowered, and includes a lifting part including a first work surface and a second work surface spaced apart from each other with the build plate in between; A recoater including a nozzle tip for supplying the material and a recoating blade for flattening the material; and a recycling unit for supplying the material remaining on the second work surface to the first work surface, comprising: a material supply step in which the build plate is lowered and the material is supplied; A flattening step in which the supplied material is flattened on the build plate by a first movement of the recoating blade from the first work surface to the second work surface; and a material moving step in which excess material resulting from the flattening operation moves upward on the second work surface by the first movement and is supplied to the recycling unit. The above-described problem by providing an output method of a 3D printer comprising a. Solve .

The material supply step includes a first supply operation in which material is supplied onto the build plate or the first work surface by the nozzle tip; and a second supply operation in which the material is supplied to the first work surface by the supply unit and recycled.

The material supply step may further include a third supply operation in which the material supplied on the first work surface by the first movement is supplied onto the build plate.

It may further include a curing step in which the material flattened on the build plate is cured by irradiation of light.

The recycling unit includes a first passage connected to the second work surface and extending downward; a second passage communicating with the first passage and extending from the second work surface in a direction toward the first work surface; and a third flow path that communicates with the second flow path, extends upward, and is connected to the first work surface.

The inner diameter of the third flow path may be smaller than the inner diameter of the first flow path.

The third flow path may include a capillary.

As above, embodiments of the present invention have the following effects.

First, according to one embodiment of the present invention, it provides the effect of minimizing work time when printing using a 3D printer.

Second, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when printing using a 3D printer, environmental pollution is prevented and manufacturing costs are reduced.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing some configurations of a 3D printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 to 5 are diagrams illustrating an output method of a 3D printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an output method of a 3D printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a diagram explaining an output method of a 3D printer according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an output method of a 3D printer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The embodiments described below are shown as examples to aid understanding of the invention, and it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented with various modifications different from the embodiments described herein. However, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known functions or components may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed descriptions and specific illustrations will be omitted. Additionally, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the attached drawings are not drawn to scale and the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated.

The first and second terms used in this application may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. Terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

Additionally, the terms used in this application are merely used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of rights. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, terms such as “comprises,” “consists of,” or “consists of” are intended to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or a combination thereof described in the specification, but are intended to indicate the presence of one or It should be understood that this does not exclude in advance the presence or addition of other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Figure 1 is a diagram schematically showing some configurations of a 3D printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the 3D printer according to an embodiment of the present invention supplies a liquid material (F) to the build plate 300 and then spreads it thinly to flatten it. It includes a light irradiation unit 200 that irradiates light to the liquid material (F), a build plate 300 where the liquid material (F) is supplied and positioned, and a control unit (not shown) that controls the 3D printer based on certain data. .

The recoater 100 includes a liquid material supply unit 110 that supplies liquid material (F), a first transfer unit 120 that transfers the liquid material supply unit 110 along the first axis (X), and a liquid material supply unit ( A second transfer unit 130 that transfers 110) along the second axis (Y) that intersects the first axis (X), and a recoating blade that flattens the liquid material (F) supplied to the build plate 300. 140). A plane formed by the first axis (X) and the second axis (Y) that intersect each other is approximately parallel to the upper surface of the build plate 300.

The liquid material supply unit 110 includes a nozzle tip 111 that can supply not only the liquid material (F) in a liquid state but also a solid material, and a nozzle support portion 112 that supports the nozzle tip 111.

The first transfer unit 120 is provided between the first support frame 121 supporting the nozzle support part 112, a pair of brackets 124 provided on the first support frame 121, and the brackets 124. A first guide rail 125 extending along one axis (X), a first transfer motor 122 provided on the bracket 124, and a first guide rail 125 connected to the first transfer motor 122. It includes a first rotation axis 123 that is arranged in parallel and has a thread formed on the outer peripheral surface. The nozzle support portion 112 passes through the first guide rail 125, the first rotation shaft 123, and the nozzle support portion 112 and is screw-coupled with the first rotation shaft 123 by rotation of the first rotation shaft 123. It moves back and forth along the first guide rail (125).

The second transfer unit 130 extends in a direction intersecting the second support frame 131 provided on the first support frame 121 and the first axis (X) and guides the second support frame 131. A guide rail 132, a second transfer motor 134 supported by a bracket (not shown), and a second rotation shaft 133 connected to the second transfer motor 134 and screwed to the second support frame 131. Includes. The operating principle of the second transfer unit 130 is the same as that of the first transfer unit 120.

Meanwhile, a third transfer unit 170 is provided to reciprocate the recoater 100 along a third axis (Z) that intersects the first axis (X) and the second axis (Y) and extends in the vertical direction. This third transfer unit 170 has the same structure and operating principle as the second transfer unit 130, so detailed description is omitted.

The light irradiation unit 200 is provided on the build plate 300 and is formed to use various lights depending on the liquid material (F) used, such as UV light.

The build plate 300 is formed as a plate with a flat upper surface and moves in the vertical direction by the fourth transfer unit 180. The fourth transfer unit 180 has the same structure and operating principle as the above-described second transfer unit 130, and detailed description is omitted.

The control unit (not shown) is formed to control the configuration of the 3D printer including the recoater 100, the light irradiation unit 200, and the build plate 300. The 3D printer output method described below assumes that the 3D printer is configured to operate based on control signals from the control unit.

Hereinafter, an output method of a 3D printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6. FIGS. 2 to 5 are diagrams illustrating an output method of a 3D printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an output method of a 3D printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The 3D printer output method according to an embodiment of the present invention uses a recoating blade 140 that can be used on both sides, and the output G can be obtained without manual work by the user.

Referring to Figures 2 to 6, the output method of a 3D printer according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a forming step (S14) and a separating step (S15).

In the forming step (S14), when the build plate 300 is lowered and the liquid material (F) is supplied on the build plate 300, the recoating blade 140 moves in the first direction (P1), that is, the first The liquid material (F) is flattened by the first movement (P1), which is moved from its position to the second position, and the layer forming operation in which the liquid material (F) is hardened by light irradiation to form a layer is repeated, resulting in a printed product. This is the stage where (G) is formed.

Specifically, the forming step (S14) includes a material supply step (S11), a flattening step (S12), and a curing step (S13).

As shown in FIG. 2, the material supply step (S11) is a step in which the build plate 300 is lowered and the liquid material (F) is supplied on the build plate 300. The build plate 300 is supported to be lifted up and down by the lifting unit. In the material supply step (S11), the supply of the liquid material (F) is not limited to the nozzle tip 11 discharging the liquid material (F) directly on the build plate 300.

The lifting unit includes a driving unit (not shown) that generates power to elevate the first worktable 410, the second worktable 420, and the build plate 300.

The first worktable 410 and the second worktable 420 accommodate the build plate 300 in an elevable manner with the build plate 300 interposed therebetween, but are spaced apart from each other.

The recoating blade 140 makes a first movement (P1) moving in the first direction (P1) from the first worktable 410 to the second worktable 420, or moves in the opposite direction of the first direction (P1). Make a second movement (P2) that moves in two directions (P2).

The first movement (P1) moves the recoating blade 140 from the first work surface (411, shown in FIG. 7), which is the top surface of the first work table 410, to the second work surface (shown in FIG. 7), which is the top surface of the second work table 420. 421 (shown in FIG. 7), but is not limited to this, and the recoating blade 140 moves from one end of the build plate 300 to the other end located on the opposite side of the build plate 300. Includes moving movements. The first worktable 410 may be at the above-described first position, and the second worktable 420 may be at the above-described second position.

The second movement (P2) is an operation in which the recoating blade 140 moves in the second direction (P2), which is opposite to the first direction (P1), from the second work surface 421 to the first work surface 411. It includes movements that move up to. The second movement (P2) includes an operation in which the recoating blade 140 moves from the other end of the build plate 300 to one end.

The recoating blade 140 applies the liquid material (F) evenly to the liquid material receiving space (C) on the build plate 300 while making the first movement (P1), and returns to the original position while making the second movement (P2). Come back.

First, in the material supply step (S11), the liquid material (F) is supplied to the first work table 410 through the nozzle tip 111. However, it is not limited to this and the liquid material (F) may be supplied on the build plate 300.

The build plate 300 is lowered (B1) by a predetermined distance to form a receiving space (C) for a predetermined liquid material (F) together with the first work table 410 and the second work table 420.

A predetermined distance is set to correspond to the thickness of the layer forming the output G.

Meanwhile, in the flattening step (S12), when the recoating blade 140 makes the first movement (P1), the liquid material (F) is evenly distributed in the receiving space (C) as shown in Figure 3. It is distributed at a certain thickness.

In the curing step (S13), the liquid material (F), which has been flattened by irradiation of light, is cured. In the curing step (S13), the layers constituting the output (G) are formed.

The material supply step (S11), the flattening step (S12), and the curing step (S13) constitute a layer forming operation to form each layer, and the output (G) is finally formed by repetition of this layer forming operation.

When the supplied liquid material (F) is cured and the output (G) is finally formed, a separation step (S15) is performed. In the separation step (S15), the build plate 300 rises to the initial position (B2) and the output (G) formed by the second movement (P2) in which the recoating blade 140 moves in the second direction (P2). This is the stage of separation from the build plate 300.

In the separation step (S15), while the second movement (P2) is in progress, the pattern of the second movement (P2) is determined according to the resistance measurement value applied to the recoating blade 140. The pattern of the second movement (P2) may be a stop in the movement of the recoating blade 140 or a change in the moving speed of the recoating blade 140, as will be described later.

The resistance measurement value applied to the recoating blade 140 is measured by the pressure sensor 153 provided on one side of the recoating blade 140. The pressure sensor 153 includes various sensors capable of sensing other pressures, such as load cells.

While the recoating blade 140 performs the second movement (P2), the recoating blade 140 is interfered with by the output (G), and pressure is applied to the pressure sensor 153. The pressure sensor 153 measures the magnitude of the applied pressure, and the value measured in this way is the resistance measurement value.

This resistance measurement value shows a very low value of '0' or close to '0' when the recoating blade 140 starts the second movement (P2). When the recoating blade 140 begins to contact the output G, the resistance measurement value increases at a constant rate.

Afterwards, when the output G is removed from the build plate 300, the resistance measurement value returns to '0' or a very low value close to '0'.

In the separation step (S15), a case may occur in which the output (G) is not removed from the build plate 300 only by the force applied to the output (G) by the recoating blade 140 performing the second movement (P2). In this case, if the recoating blade 140 continues to operate, damage occurs due to overload. In this case, the increase rate of the resistance measurement value has a high value.

In order to prevent damage due to such overload, the separation step (S15) includes a deceleration step (not shown) in which the speed of the second movement (P2) is reduced when the increase rate of the resistance measurement value exceeds the first upper limit.

The closer the increase rate of the resistance measurement value is to the first upper limit, the higher the probability that the output G will not be removed by the recoating blade 140 due to the strong bond between the output G and the build plate 300. Therefore, damage due to overload can be quickly predicted and prevented by using the increase rate of the resistance measurement value rather than the resistance measurement value itself to determine whether the second movement (P2) of the recoating blade 140 is decelerated.

In addition, the separation step (S15) may further include a stopping step (not shown) in which the second movement (P2) is stopped when the magnitude of the resistance measurement value exceeds the second upper limit. There is a limit to the force that the recoating blade 140 can apply to the output (G) without mechanical damage, and this limit of force may appear at various increase rates of the resistance measurement value. Therefore, damage due to overload can be completely prevented.

Meanwhile, the 3D printer output method according to an embodiment of the present invention can generate a signal according to the separation of the output (G) (S16). Specifically, the 3D printer output method may further include a first signal generation step.

The first signal generation step is a step in which a first signal is generated when the size of the resistance measurement value increases and then decreases to reach a value smaller than the first lower limit. The first lower limit may be preset to a value close to '0'. In the first signal generation step, the user is given the opportunity to recognize the situation that the output (G) has been removed from the build plate 300 through the first signal.

Meanwhile, the 3D printer output method according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a second signal generation step.

The second signal generation step is a step in which a second signal is generated when the size of the resistance measurement value increases and then decreases and fails to reach a value smaller than the first lower limit within a predetermined time. In the second signal generation stage, the output (G) is removed from the build plate 300 through the user's second signal, but is caught again between the build plate 300 and the first work surface 411, a situation that requires user management. You are given the opportunity to recognize that

Hereinafter, an output method of a 3D printer according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an output method of a 3D printer according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an output method of a 3D printer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Other embodiments of the present invention described below use the same drawing numbers for the same structures as the above-described embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 6, the 3D printer output method according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a material supply step (S21), a flattening step (S22), a curing step (S23), and a material moving step (S24).

In order to implement the 3D printer output method according to another embodiment of the present invention, a recycling unit 500 is provided to supply the liquid material remaining on the second work surface 421 onto the first work surface 411. The recycling unit 500 performs the function of recycling the liquid material (F3) remaining on the second work surface 421 by moving it to the first work surface 411.

For this purpose, the recycling unit 500 has a first flow path 510 that is connected to the second work surface 421 and extends downward, communicates with the first flow path 510, and performs the first work on the second work surface 421. It includes a second flow path 520 extending in a direction toward the surface 411 and a third flow path 530 that communicates with the second flow path 520 and extends upward and is connected to the first working surface 411. do.

The first flow path 510 communicates with a hole (not shown) formed in the second work surface 421. The holes formed in the second working surface 421 are widely distributed on the second working surface 421 and have a relatively large inner diameter to easily accommodate the remaining liquid material (F3), and the first flow path 510 communicates therewith. It also has an inner diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the hole. The liquid material (F3) can move downward (H1) along the first flow path (510).

The second flow path 520 may extend in the horizontal direction, but is not limited thereto, and may be formed to slope downward in the second direction (P2) in order to more easily move the liquid material in the second direction (P2). . The liquid material (F3) can move to the side (H2) along the second flow path (520).

The third passage 530 is formed including a capillary, and the liquid material of the second passage 520 is moved to the first work surface by using the capillary action, in which liquid climbs a narrow pipe without the help of gravity. Pull up to (411). The inner diameter of the third flow path 530 is smaller than the inner diameter of the first flow path 510, and is set to allow capillary action to occur. The liquid material (F3) can move upward (H3) along the third flow path (530).

The material supply step (S21) is a step in which the build plate 300 is lowered and the liquid material is supplied to the receiving space (C). The material supply step (S21) is different from the material supply step (S11) of one embodiment of the present invention described above in a respect that will be described later.

The material supply step (S21) includes a first supply operation and a second supply operation.

The first supply operation is an operation in which the liquid material is supplied by the nozzle tip 111, and the liquid material (F2) is supplied on the build plate 300 or the first work surface 411 through the first supply operation.

The second supply operation is an operation in which the liquid material (F3) remaining on the second work surface 421 is moved and supplied onto the first work surface 411 by the recycling unit 500, and as a result, it is discarded. The liquid material (F3) on the second work surface 421 is recycled.

The material supply step (S21) may further include a third supply operation.

The third supply operation is an operation in which the liquid materials (F1, F2) supplied on the first work surface 411 by the first movement (P1) are supplied onto the build plate 300. Both the liquid material (F2) supplied on the first work surface 411 by the nozzle tip 111 and the liquid material (F1) supplied on the first work surface 411 by the recycling unit 500 are used in the third It is supplied onto the build plate 300 through a supply operation.

In the flattening step (S22), the liquid material (F4) supplied by the first movement (P1) in which the recoating blade 140 moves from the first work surface 411 to the second work surface 421 is moved to the build plate ( This is the stage of flattening in the receiving space (C) of 300).

The curing step (S23) is a step in which the flattened material (F4) is cured by being accommodated in the receiving space (C) of the build plate 300 by irradiation of light.

The material movement step (S24) is a step in which the excess liquid material (F3) resulting from the flattening operation is moved onto the second work surface 421 by the first movement (P1) and supplied to the recycling unit 500. That is, when the flattening step (S22) is performed, the liquid material remaining after being flattened in the receiving space (C) of the build plate (300) is moved to the second work surface (421) by the first movement (P1). The material movement step (S24) and the curing step (S23) may be performed overlapping each other at the same time.

The liquid material (F3) moved to the second work surface 421 passes through the hole of the second work surface 421 and moves (H1, H2) through the first flow path 510 and the second flow path 520. Afterwards, it moves onto the first work surface 411 along the third flow path 530 according to capillary action. Accordingly, liquid materials to be discarded can be recycled, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

As described above, although the present invention has been described with limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the technical idea of the present invention and the following will be understood by those skilled in the art. Of course, various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of equivalency of the patent claims described in .

100: Recoater
140: Recoating blade
153: Pressure sensor
200: Light irradiation department
300: Build plate
410: 1st workbench
420: Second workbench
500: Recycling department

Claims (7)

An elevation unit that supports the build plate so that it can be raised and lowered and includes a first work surface and a second work surface spaced apart from each other with the build plate in between; A recoater including a nozzle tip for supplying the material and a recoating blade for flattening the material; And a recycling unit that supplies the material remaining on the second work surface to the first work surface. In the output method of a 3D printer including a,
A material supply step in which the build plate is lowered and material is supplied;
A flattening step in which the supplied material is flattened on the build plate by a first movement of the recoating blade from the first work surface to the second work surface; and
A material moving step in which excess material resulting from the flattening operation moves upward on the second work surface by the first movement and is supplied to the recycling unit. According to paragraph 1,
The material supply step is
A first supply operation in which material is supplied onto the build plate or the first work surface by the nozzle tip; and
A second supply operation in which material is supplied onto the first work surface by the recycling unit and recycled. According to paragraph 2,
The material supply step is
A third supply operation in which the material supplied on the first work surface by the first movement is supplied onto the build plate. According to paragraph 1,
An output method of a 3D printer further comprising a curing step of curing the material flattened on the build plate by irradiation of light. According to paragraph 1,
The recycling department
a first flow path connected to the second work surface and extending downward;
a second passage communicating with the first passage and extending from the second work surface in a direction toward the first work surface; and
A third flow path communicates with the second flow path, extends upward, and is connected to the first work surface. According to clause 5,
An output method of a 3D printer, characterized in that the inner diameter of the third flow path is smaller than the inner diameter of the first flow path. According to clause 5,
A 3D printer output method, wherein the third flow path includes a capillary tube.