WO2014112505A1

WO2014112505A1 - Light shaping apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2014112505A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/050530
Authority: WO
Inventors: 好一大場; 功小嶋; 幸吉鈴木
Original assignee: シーメット株式会社
Priority date: 2013-01-15
Filing date: 2014-01-15
Publication date: 2014-07-24
Also published as: JP2014136331A; JP6138493B2

Abstract

This light shaping apparatus cures a curable material inside a tank installed inside a housing by selectively irradiating the curable material with a light beam, thereby shaping a three-dimensionally-shaped object. Wheels that are capable of being driven are disposed on the tank. The light shaping apparatus is further provided with a positioning member for positioning the tank on a frame of the housing.

Description

Stereolithography equipment

The present invention relates to an optical modeling apparatus for modeling a three-dimensional shape by selectively irradiating a curable material with light rays.

An optical modeling apparatus that forms a three-dimensional shape by irradiating light to a curable material and partially curing it has been put into practical use. This stereolithography apparatus can easily materialize mechanical parts and the like designed by a CAD system, and can perform design confirmation and direct evaluation (for example, see Patent Document 1).

The stereolithography apparatus includes an elevating table that can be moved up and down in a liquid tank filled with a liquid photocurable resin as a curable material. The upper part of the liquid tank is open, and light is irradiated from the upper part. When modeling a three-dimensional object, the optical modeling device first lifts and lowers from the liquid surface of the liquid photocurable resin to a height lowered by the thickness of the lowest layer of the three-dimensional object to be modeled. Position. In this state, the optical modeling apparatus scans the light beam within a necessary range by the scanner, thereby photocuring the liquid photocurable resin to form the lowermost layer portion of the three-dimensional object. Next, the stereolithography apparatus further lowers the lifting table by the thickness of the next layer of the lowermost layer, that is, the second layer, and forms the second layer portion in the same manner as the lowermost layer. Thereafter, the optical modeling apparatus similarly models a product (three-dimensional shape) by photocuring a liquid photocurable resin and forming each layer in order from the lowest layer of the three-dimensional shape.

The liquid tank of the optical modeling apparatus is fixed to the frame (frame) of the optical modeling apparatus. For this reason, when exchanging the photocurable resin in the stereolithography apparatus, the carriage is inserted into the lower part of the liquid tank, and the liquid tank is removed from the frame by lifting the liquid tank by the carriage, and the carriage is removed together with the removed liquid tank. The liquid tank filled with the photocurable resin is exchanged by pulling out from the stereolithography apparatus.

JP 2011-51332 A

By the way, it is troublesome to insert the carriage and lift the liquid tank in order to replace the liquid tank of the stereolithography apparatus. The above problem is not limited to an optical modeling apparatus that uses a photocurable resin as a curable material, but also applies to an optical modeling apparatus that uses a metal powder or the like contained in a tank as a curable material instead of a liquid tank. Exists. For this reason, there is a need for an optical modeling apparatus that facilitates tank replacement.

An object of the present invention is to provide an optical modeling apparatus in which tank replacement work is easy.

In order to achieve the above object, in one embodiment of the present invention, an optical modeling apparatus is provided. The optical modeling apparatus is configured to model a three-dimensional shape object by selectively irradiating a curable material in a tank installed in a housing with light to cure the curable material. The tank is provided with wheels capable of traveling. The stereolithography apparatus further includes a positioning member that positions the tank on the frame of the casing.

The front view which shows the frame and liquid tank of an optical shaping apparatus. The side view which shows the frame and liquid tank of an optical shaping apparatus. The enlarged side view of the frame which shows the positioning member of an optical modeling apparatus, and a liquid tank. The enlarged plan view of the frame which shows the positioning member of an optical modeling apparatus, and a liquid tank. The enlarged front view of the frame which shows the positioning member of an optical modeling apparatus, and a liquid tank. The enlarged plan view of the frame which shows the positioning member of an optical modeling apparatus, and a liquid tank. The enlarged front view which shows the connection structure of the raising / lowering apparatus of a stereolithography apparatus, and a table. The enlarged side view which shows the connection structure of the raising / lowering apparatus of a stereolithography apparatus, and a table.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an optical modeling apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the optical modeling apparatus includes a liquid tank 5 filled with a liquid photocurable resin as a curable material, a laser 6 that emits a light beam, and a light beam emitted from the laser 6. And a scanner 7 for irradiating the liquid tank 5 with the. The light beam emitted from the laser 6 enters the scanner 7 via the optical system device 9. The optical modeling apparatus includes an elevating table 8 that can be moved up and down in the liquid tank 5. The lifting table 8 is moved in the vertical direction by the lifting device 8a. The optical modeling apparatus cures the photocurable resin in a shape by selectively irradiating light on the upper surface of the lifting table 8 in the liquid tank 5 filled with a liquid photocurable resin, thereby forming a three-dimensional object. Model. The liquid tank 5 corresponds to a tank.

The case 10 of the stereolithography apparatus is substantially a rectangular parallelepiped, and has a width W longer than the depth T in a front view (T <W). A front door 16 that can be opened and closed is installed in the upper left portion of the front surface 11 of the housing 10. The front door 16 can be opened and closed about the left side of the front door 16 as an axis. An operation screen 18 and an operation unit 19 are installed in the upper right portion of the front surface 11 of the housing 10. An openable and closable side door 17 is installed on the upper portion of the left side surface 12 of the housing 10. The side door 17 can be opened and closed with the left side of the side door 17 as an axis. The front door 16 and the side door 17 are opened when preparing a three-dimensional shaped object before taking it out or when taking out the three-dimensional shaped object. Here, the lifting / lowering device 8 a is disposed at the center of the housing 10. The liquid tank 5 is taken in and out from the left side surface 12 of the housing 10. For this reason, the weight balance of the optical modeling apparatus is improved, and the depth T of the housing 10 can be suppressed.

The optical modeling apparatus is provided with a frame 20 that supports the housing member. A plurality of covers 14 forming the outer shape of the optical modeling apparatus are attached to the frame body 20. The frame 20 has a structure in which rectangular parallelepiped frames are stacked in two stages. The left side surface portion of the frame body 20 is formed in a U shape with an opening on the lower side. The cover 14 is a plate member and is screwed to the frame body 20.

A liquid tank 5 is provided in the lower left part of the housing 10 when viewed from the front. The liquid tank 5 is taken into and out of the housing 10 from the left side surface 12 of the housing 10. The cover 14 a at the lower left side of the housing 10 is removed from the frame body 20 when the liquid tank 5 is taken in and out. When the liquid tank 5 is inserted into the housing 10, the liquid tank 5 is fixed to the frame body 20. An optical system device 9 is provided on the upper left side of the housing 10 when viewed from the front. The optical system device 9 is installed on the upper part of the frame body 20. Further, on the right side of the housing 10 when viewed from the front, a control device, a drive device, and the like (not shown) for modeling a three-dimensional structure are installed. The control device, the drive device, and the like are installed on the frame body 20.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the lifting table 8 is connected to a lifting device 8a. The lift table 8 is placed on the table support member 61. The table support member 61 is provided with a pair of arms 62 that connect the table support member 61 to the lifting device 8a. A rectangular parallelepiped connecting portion 63 is provided at each of the base end portions of the pair of arms 62. A screw hole 63 a for fastening the bolt 66 is formed in the connecting portion 63. The lifting device 8a is provided with a table connecting member 64 having a pair of rectangular parallelepiped connecting portions 65. The pair of rectangular parallelepiped connecting portions 65 are connected to the pair of connecting portions 63. Each connecting portion 65 is formed with a through hole 65a. When connecting the lifting table 8 to the lifting device 8 a, the contact surface 63 b of the connecting portion 63 of the table support member 61 is brought into contact with the contact surface 65 b of the connecting portion 65 of the table connecting member 64. The bolt 66 is inserted from the upper surface side of the table connecting member 64 into the through hole 65 a of the connecting portion 65 of the table connecting member 64 and screwed into the screw hole 63 a of the connecting portion 63 of the table support member 61. Therefore, the lifting table 8 can be horizontally connected to the lifting device 8a by the contact surface 63b of the connection portion 63 of the table support member 61 and the contact surface 65b of the connection portion 65 of the table connection member 64.

The liquid tank 5 is provided with wheels 30 that can travel. A total of four wheels 30 are provided, two on the left side 12 (rear side) of the casing 10 and two on the inner side (front side) of the casing 10. Between the two rear wheels 30 in the liquid tank 5, a jack 33 that can change the vertical position of the wheel 30 is provided. A rear wheel mounting portion 31 for fixing the two rear wheels 30 is provided at the lower side of the liquid tank 5. Further, a front wheel mounting portion 32 for fixing the two front wheels 30 is provided at the front lower portion of the liquid tank 5. Therefore, the liquid tank 5 can be taken in and out of the frame body 20 by pushing or pulling the liquid tank 5 itself without using the carriage. The liquid tank 5 is provided with a positioning member 40 for positioning with respect to the frame body 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, the positioning member 40 includes a guide member 41 provided on the lower frame 21 that forms the lower part of the frame body 20. The guide member 41 includes a first plate member 42 extending along a side surface along the direction of taking in and out of the liquid tank 5, and a second plate member 43 provided at an end of the first plate member 42 on the side in contact with the liquid tank 5. Is provided. The first plate member 42 extends in the horizontal direction. The second plate member 43 extends in the vertical direction. The first plate member 42 is attached to the second plate member 43 by an L-shaped attachment member 44. A plate-like contact member 45 is provided in a portion of the rear wheel mounting portion 31 of the liquid tank 5 that faces the guide member 41. Therefore, when the liquid tank 5 is taken in and out of the frame body 20, the liquid tank 5 is guided and positioned by the guide member 41.

3 and 4, the positioning member 40 includes a fixing member 46 that fixes the liquid tank 5 to the frame body 20. The fixing member 46 includes a bolt 47 and a nut 48. The first plate member 42 of the guide member 41 is formed with a through hole 42 a through which the screw portion of the bolt 47 is inserted. A bolt mounting member 49 is provided on the rear wheel mounting portion 31 of the liquid tank 5. The bolt mounting member 49 is formed with a through hole 49 a through which the bolt 47 is inserted. The position of the through hole 42 a of the guide member 41 and the position of the through hole 49 a of the liquid tank 5 are matched, the bolt 47 is inserted and fastened by the nut 48, and the liquid tank 5 is fixed to the frame body 20. Therefore, after the liquid tank 5 is inserted into the frame body 20, the liquid tank 5 is fixed to the frame body 20 by the fixing member 46 and positioned.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the positioning member 40 includes an insertion member 50 provided in the liquid tank 5 and inserted below the lower frame 21. The insertion member 50 is a convex portion provided in the liquid tank 5. The frame 20 extends above the restraining member 51 to restrain the insertion member 50 from jumping up. Therefore, after the liquid tank 5 is inserted into the frame body 20, the liquid tank 5 is positioned by the insertion member 50 while suppressing upward movement with respect to the frame body 20.

Further, the positioning member 40 includes a locking member 52 that locks the liquid tank 5 to the lower frame 21 of the frame body 20. The locking member 52 includes a fixing pin 56 of the convex portion 53 provided in the liquid tank 5 and a concave portion 54 provided in the lower frame 21. The convex portion 53 and the concave portion 54 are formed of a plate material. The fixing pin 56 has a columnar shape and is inserted into a through hole formed in the convex portion 53. The recess 54 is formed in the support member 55. When the liquid tank 5 is inserted into the frame body 20, the fixing pin 56 of the convex portion 53 engages with the concave portion 54. The fixing pin 56 functions as a positioning pin. Therefore, when the liquid tank 5 is inserted into the frame body 20, the liquid tank 5 is engaged with the frame body 20 and positioned by the locking member 52.

As described above, according to the embodiment described above, the following advantages can be obtained.
(1) Since the wheel 30 is provided in the liquid tank 5, the liquid tank 5 can be taken out of the optical modeling apparatus as it is without using other tools such as a carriage. Therefore, the replacement work of the liquid tank 5 is easy. Since the liquid tank 5 is positioned on the frame 20 of the housing 10 by the positioning member 40, it is possible to suppress the position of the liquid tank 5 from being changed by the movement of the wheel 30.

(2) The positioning member 40 includes a guide member 41 that extends along a side surface along the direction of taking in and out of the liquid tank 5 in a state where the liquid tank 5 is installed on the frame body 20. For this reason, when the liquid tank 5 is taken in and out, the side surface of the liquid tank 5 can be guided and the liquid tank 5 can be positioned.

(3) The positioning member 40 includes a fixing member 46 that fixes the liquid tank 5 to the frame body 20. For this reason, since the liquid tank 5 is fixed to the frame 20 by the fixing member 46, it is possible to suppress the position of the liquid tank 5 from changing.

(4) The positioning member 40 includes an insertion member 50 that is inserted below the frame body 20. For this reason, when the liquid tank 5 tries to be displaced vertically upward, the insertion member 50 comes into contact with the lower portion of the frame body 20 and the vertical upward displacement of the liquid tank 5 can be suppressed. Here, the vertically upward displacement of the liquid tank 5 is a movement when the liquid tank 5 is taken in and out or during an earthquake.

(5) The positioning member 40 includes a locking member 52 that locks the liquid tank 5 to the frame body 20. For this reason, when the liquid tank 5 is put into the housing 10 of the optical modeling apparatus, the liquid tank 5 is locked by the frame body 20 and the locking member 52. Therefore, it can suppress that the position of the liquid tank 5 changes.

In addition, the said embodiment can be implemented with the following forms which changed this suitably.
In the above configuration, the locking member 52 may be omitted if the liquid tank 5 can be positioned with respect to the frame body 20 by another member.

In the above configuration, the insertion member 50 may be omitted if it is not necessary to suppress the upward upward displacement of the liquid tank 5.
In the above configuration, the fixing member 46 may be omitted if the liquid tank 5 can be positioned with respect to the frame body 20 by another member.

In the above configuration, the guide member 41 may be omitted if the liquid tank 5 can be positioned with respect to the frame body 20 by another member.
In the above embodiment, the optical modeling apparatus uses a photocurable resin as the curable material, but the optical modeling apparatus may use a metal powder or the like as the curable material. In this case, a tank is adopted instead of the liquid tank 5.

Claims

In an optical modeling apparatus configured to model a three-dimensional object by selectively irradiating light to a curable material in a tank installed in a housing and curing the curable material,
The tank is provided with wheels that can travel,
The optical modeling apparatus further includes a positioning member that positions the tank on the frame of the casing.
The optical modeling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the positioning member includes a guide member that extends along a side surface along a direction of taking in and out of the tank in a state where the tank is installed on the frame.
The optical modeling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the positioning member includes a fixing member that fixes the tank to the frame.
The stereolithography apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the positioning member includes an insertion member that is provided in the tank and is inserted below the frame body.
The stereolithography apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the positioning member is a locking member that locks the tank to the frame.