JP3698460B2

JP3698460B2 - Model support method and structure by model support means in stereolithography

Info

Publication number: JP3698460B2
Application number: JP16353595A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 平野　　聡; 直樹阿部; 達保斎藤
Original assignee: Nabtesco Corp
Current assignee: Nabtesco Corp
Priority date: 1995-06-29
Filing date: 1995-06-29
Publication date: 2005-09-21
Anticipated expiration: 2020-09-21
Also published as: JPH0911341A

Description

【０００１】
【産業上の利用分野】
本発明は、光造形におけるモデル支持手段（サポートおよび／または架台）によるモデル支持方法および構造に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、液体状態にある光硬化性樹脂に光を照射してテーブル上方に平面状に硬化層を形成し、テーブルと光照射位置の相対的位置関係を順にずらして硬化層を積み上げ形成することにより、三次元形状の造形物（モデル）を光造形する方法は知られている。
この従来の光造形では、通常、モデルとテーブルとの間にモデル支持手段が光造形される。モデル支持手段は、モデルを構成する硬化層のうち下側の硬化部から大きくはみ出て下側の硬化部によって支持されない硬化層の垂れ下がりを防ぐために硬化層の少なくとも一部を下側から支持するサポートとしての目的や、モデルおよびモデル支持手段をテーブルから切断、分離することが容易なようにモデルおよびサポートをテーブルから上方に隔てて形成するための架台としての目的のために設けられる。
モデル支持手段はモデルの造形中にモデルと一体に形成される。たとえば特開平６−８３４２号公報に開示されているように、また、図５〜図７に示すように、従来のモデル支持手段１は、閉じた壁２で水平方向の周囲を囲まれた横断面をもち上下方向に延びるセル３（小室）を複数個有する。そして、モデル支持手段１の各セル３の周囲の壁の上端は、各セルの周囲方向全長で、モデル４の底面５に一体に結合している。光造形終了後、モデルとモデル支持手段の一体物は架台の部分で切断されてテーブルから取り外され、さらにモデル支持手段はモデルから分離、除去される。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、従来の光造形におけるモデル支持手段によるモデルの支持方法にはつぎの問題がある。
光造形終了後、モデルとモデル支持手段が一体のままテーブルから取り外されたとき、モデル支持手段の各セルは水平方向の周囲をセルの壁で閉塞され上端をモデル底面で閉塞されているため、セル内に存在している光硬化性樹脂液はセルの下端が架台切断部にて大気開放されたにかかわらず、セルから容易には落下せず、セル内に留まろうとする。そのため、たとえば未硬化樹脂を回収して再利用する場合にはそれが困難であるという問題や、またたとえばモデル支持手段をおおまかに取ったあと紫外線照射で二次硬化させる場合には抜け切らなかった樹脂が硬化してしまい欲しい造形形状が得られないという問題がある。
本発明の目的は、モデル支持手段をモデルから分離、除去する際にセル内の樹脂液を容易に抜くことができる光造形におけるモデル支持手段によるモデル支持方法および構造を提供することにある。
【０００４】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成する本発明の方法および構造はつぎの通りである。
（１）モデルの光造形中に、閉じた壁で周囲を囲まれた横断面をもつセルを複数有し前記複数のセルを並べたモデル支持手段を光造形し、該モデル支持手段の各セルの周囲の壁の上端でモデルの少なくとも一部を支持する光造形におけるモデル支持手段によるモデル支持方法であって、前記モデル支持手段の光造形時に、モデル支持手段の各セルの周囲の壁の上部に、前記セルの内側を該セルの外側と連通し最終的に前記モデル支持手段の外部と連通する連通路を形成することを特徴とする光造形におけるモデル支持手段によるモデル支持方法。
（２）前記連通路が存在する部位において前記セルの周囲の壁はモデル下面と一部を非結合に形成されることにより前記連通路が構成される（１）記載の光造形におけるモデル支持手段によるモデル支持方法。
（３）モデルの光造形中に、閉じた壁で周囲を囲まれた横断面をもつセルを複数有し前記複数のセルを並べたモデル支持手段を光造形し、該モデル支持手段の各セルの周囲の壁の上端でモデルの少なくとも一部を支持する光造形におけるモデル支持手段によるモデル支持構造であって、モデル支持手段の各セルの周囲の壁の上部に、前記モデル支持手段の光造形時に形成された、前記セルの内側を該セルの外側と連通し最終的に前記モデル支持手段の外部と連通する連通路を有することを特徴とする光造形におけるモデル支持手段によるモデル支持構造。
（４）前記連通路が存在する部位において前記セルの周囲の壁はモデル下面と一部を非結合に形成されることにより前記連通路が構成されている（３）記載の光造形におけるモデル支持手段によるモデル支持構造。
【０００５】
【作用】
上記（１）の方法では、モデル支持手段の各セルの周囲の壁の上部にセル内外を連通する連通路を設けるので、モデルとモデル支持手段の一体物を架台部位で切断してテーブルから取外し樹脂液層から取り出すときに、各セル内に入っている樹脂液の上方に連通路から外気が侵入でき、各セル内の樹脂液は自重でセル下端の開口から円滑に抜け落ちることができる。
上記（２）の方法では、各セルの周囲の壁は、連通路がある部分においてモデル底面と結合していないので、モデル支持手段をモデルから分離するときの分離力は小であり、しかも分離した後にモデル底面に残るセル壁による突起も少量となり仕上げ作業も容易となる。
上記（３）の構造では、モデル支持手段の各セルの周囲の壁の上部にセル内外を連通する連通路を設けたので、モデルとモデル支持手段の一体物を架台部位で切断してテーブルから取外し樹脂液層から取り出すときに、各セル内に入っている樹脂液の上方に連通路から外気が侵入でき、各セル内の樹脂液は自重でセル下端の開口から円滑に抜け落ちることができる。
上記（４）の構造では、各セルの周囲の壁は、連通路がある部分においてモデル底面と結合していないので、モデル支持手段をモデルから分離するときの分離力は小であり、しかも分離した後にモデル底面に残るセル壁による突起も少量となり仕上げ作業も容易となる。
【０００６】
【実施例】
以下に、本発明の望ましい実施例を図１〜図４を参照して説明する。
本発明実施例の光造形におけるモデル支持手段によるモデル支持方法は、閉じた壁２で水平方向の周囲を囲まれた横断面をもち上下方向に延びるセル３（小室）を複数有するモデル支持手段１の架台１ｂの部分を光造形する工程と、モデル４の造形と同時にモデル支持手段１のサポート１ａの部分を光造形する工程と、からなる。そして、上記光造形工程において、モデル支持手段１の各セル３の周囲の壁２の上部（上端および上端近傍部を含む）の周囲方向の全長の一部に、セル３の内側を該セル３の外側と連通する連通路５を形成する。各セル３はそのセルを形成する周囲の壁に設けられた連通路５単独またはその連通路５でつながった他のセルを形成する周囲の壁に設けられた他の連通路５を介して最終的にモデル支持手段１の外部と連通している。連通路５の存在する部位においては、セル３の壁２はモデル底面７と非結合に形成される。
本発明実施例の光造形におけるモデル支持手段によるモデル支持構造は、モデル４の光造形中に、閉じた壁２で水平方向の周囲を囲まれた横断面をもち上下方向に延びるセル３（小室）を複数有するモデル支持手段１（サポート１ａと架台１ｂの少なくとも一方からなる手段）を光造形し、モデル支持手段１の各セル３の周囲の壁２の上端でモデル４の少なくとも一部を支持した構造からなる。そして、上記構造において、モデル支持手段１の各セル３の周囲の壁２の上部（上端および上端近傍部を含む）の周囲方向の全長の一部に、セル３の内側を該セル３の外側と連通する連通路５が形成される。各セル３はそのセルを形成する周囲の壁に設けられた連通路５単独またはその連通路５でつながった他のセルを形成する周囲の壁に設けられた他の連通路５を介して最終的にモデル支持手段１の外部と連通している。連通路５の存在する部位においては、セル３の壁２はモデル底面７と非結合に形成される。
【０００７】
さらに詳しくは、光硬化性樹脂の液中に、テーブル６上に樹脂液の薄層が形成されるようにテーブル６を沈め、テーブル６上の樹脂液に光（レーザ）を照射して平面形状の所定の図を描き、その部分を硬化させて硬化層を形成し、ついでテーブル６を所定量下降させて硬化層の上の液層を光硬化させることを繰り返して、硬化層を順次積層形成し、三次元形状のモデル４を形成する。モデル４の硬化層が全面あるいは端部で下側の硬化層によって支持されない場合は、生成時に自重で垂れ下がるので、それを防止するために、その層の形成前にその層の下側にサポート１ａを形成しておく。サポート１ａの生成はモデル４の生成と同方法により、同じ高さの硬化層の形成時に、モデル部分とサポート部分を生成する。また、サポート１ａの下側には架台１ｂが光造形により形成される場合があり、モデルが架台１ｂに直接支持される場合もある。サポート１ａと架台１ｂを合わせたものがモデル支持手段１を構成する。
【０００８】
モデル支持手段１の各セル３の周囲の壁２は、厚さが約０．３ｍｍである。断面内で複数のセル３を格子状に並べた場合は、壁２は図１に示すように平面が格子状のグリッドを形成する。セル３の壁２を光硬化により形成していくと、セル３内の硬化されていない樹脂液はそのまま閉じ断面を構成する壁２内にとじ込められていく。モデル支持手段１は順次高さ方向に形成されていくが、モデル支持手段１の上端部には、各セル３の周囲の壁２の上端部の、周囲方向の一部に、連通路５が形成される。
【０００９】
この連通路５は、種々の形態をとることを許される。
たとえば、モデル４の底面７が斜めに、直線状または湾曲状に延びる場合は、セルの周囲の壁２の上端を、斜めに底面７に沿わせて階段状に形成し、この階段の角８のみでモデル支持手段１とモデル４とを線状に結合させ、各セル３の上端の水平に延びる壁上端９と斜めのモデル底面７との間に形成される側面視が三角形状の隙間を連通路５とする。この場合は、連通路５が存在する部位において壁２の上端はモデル底面７と非結合である。
また、モデル４の底面７が水平に延びる場合は、各セル３の周囲の壁２のうち、Ｘ軸方向に延びる壁部分２ａとＹ軸方向に延びる壁部分２ｂとの少なくとも一方の上端に、切欠き１０を形成して、この切欠き１０の縁部とモデル底面７とによって囲まれた開口を連通路５とする。この場合は、連通路５が存在する部位において壁２の上端はモデル底面７と非結合である。
請求項２および４でいう連通路５が存在する部位において壁２はモデル底面７と非結合であるという構成は、上記の階段状、切欠きの両方の場合を含むほか、モデル底面７が連通路５の縁の上辺を形成する全ての場合を含む。
また、図４に示すように、連通路５は壁２の上端から下方に若干隔たった位置に形成された適宜の形状、たとえばスリット状、の開口１１であってもよい。この場合は、連通路５が存在する部位においても壁２の上端はモデル底面７と結合している。
【００１０】
モデル支持手段１の上側にはモデル４の少なくとも一部が形成される。モデル支持手段１とモデル４の光造形終了後、モデル４より下側の架台部分１ｂで切断されて、モデル４とモデル支持手段１の一体造形物はテーブル６から取り外され、樹脂液層外に取り出される。
この時、モデル支持手段１の各セル３内にはモデル支持手段１の上部の連通路５を通って外部の空気が容易に入ることができ、セル内に入っている樹脂液は自重で容易にセル３の下端の開口を通って樹脂液層内に抜け落ち、セル３内に滞留することなない。したがって、従来のようにモデル支持手段１をモデル４から分離するときにはじめてセル３内に滞留していた樹脂腋が開放されて落下するようなことは生じない。したがって、樹脂液を効果的に回収できコストアップを抑えることができ、作業環境の悪化も防止できる。
【００１１】
樹脂液層から取り出された後、モデル４とモデル支持手段１の一体造形物からモデル支持手段１が分離、除去され、小刀等でモデル底面に残っているモデル支持手段の壁部分が削りとられ、モデル４のモデル支持手段分離面が仕上げられる。この場合、モデル支持手段１のセル周囲壁２はセル周囲方向の全長の一部のみでモデル４と結合しているのみであるから、モデル支持手段１のモデル結合部に、ミシン目が入れられたと同じ状態となっており、ミシン目（連通路５）に沿って容易に分離され得る。また、モデル支持手段分離後のモデル底面は、モデル支持手段の連通路５があった部分にはサポート壁が残らないか、または残ったとしても微量のため、モデル底面の仕上げが容易になる。
【００１２】
【発明の効果】
請求項１の方法によれば、光造形中のモデル支持手段生成時に、セルの周囲の壁の上端部に、セルの内外を連通する連通路を形成するので、モデルとモデル支持手段の一体造形物を架台部分で切って樹脂液中から出す時にセル内の樹脂液を容易にセル内から落下させ、抜き取ることができる。
請求項２の方法によれば、請求項１の効果に加えて、連通路が存在する部位においてセルの周囲の壁がモデル下面と非結合のため、連通路をミシン目代わりにして容易にモデル支持手段をモデルから分離でき、モデルのモデル支持手段分離面の仕上げも容易になる。
請求項３の構造によれば、セルの周囲の壁の上端部に、セルの内外を連通する連通路を形成したので、モデルとモデル支持手段の一体造形物を架台部分で切って樹脂液中から出す時にセル内の樹脂液を容易にセル内から落下させ、抜き取ることができる。
請求項４の構造によれば、請求項３の効果に加えて、連通路が存在する部位においてセルの周囲の壁がモデル下面と非結合のため、連通路をミシン目代わりにして容易にモデル支持手段をモデルから分離でき、モデルのモデル支持手段分離面の仕上げも容易になる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施例の方法の実施中に得られる、または本発明の一実施例の構造に係るモデル支持手段とモデルの一体造形物のモデル支持手段部分の平面図である。
【図２】図１のモデル支持手段とモデルの一体造形物の側面図である。
【図３】図２のモデル支持手段とモデルの一体造形物の右側から見た正面図である。
【図４】モデル支持手段に形成される連通路のもう一つの形態を示すモデル支持手段の部分側面図である。
【図５】従来の方法の実施中に得られるモデル支持手段とモデルの一体造形物のモデル支持手段部分の平面図である。
【図６】図５のモデル支持手段とモデルの一体造形物の側面図である。
【図７】図６のモデル支持手段とモデルの一体造形物の右側から見た正面図である。
【符号の説明】
１モデル支持手段
１ａサポート
１ｂ架台
２（セルの）壁
３セル
４モデル
５連通路
６テーブル
７モデルの底面
８角
９壁上端
１０切欠き
１１開口[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a model support method and structure using model support means (support and / or gantry) in stereolithography.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, by irradiating light on a photo-curable resin in a liquid state to form a cured layer in a planar shape above the table, the cured layers are stacked and formed by sequentially shifting the relative positional relationship between the table and the light irradiation position. A method of performing optical modeling of a three-dimensional modeled object (model) is known.
In this conventional optical modeling, the model support means is usually optically modeled between the model and the table. The model support means supports the at least part of the hardened layer from the lower side in order to prevent the hardened layer that protrudes greatly from the lower hardened portion of the model and is not supported by the lower hardened portion. It is provided for the purpose of, and as a frame for forming the model and the support so as to be separated from the table upward so that the model and the model support means can be easily cut and separated from the table.
The model support means is formed integrally with the model during modeling of the model. For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-8342 and as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the conventional model support means 1 has a transverse wall surrounded by a closed wall 2 in the horizontal direction. A plurality of cells 3 (small chambers) having a surface and extending in the vertical direction are provided. The upper end of the wall around each cell 3 of the model support means 1 is integrally coupled to the bottom surface 5 of the model 4 with the entire length in the circumferential direction of each cell. After the stereolithography is completed, the integrated body of the model and the model support means is cut at the frame portion and removed from the table, and the model support means is separated and removed from the model.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the model support method by the model support means in the conventional stereolithography has the following problems.
After completion of stereolithography, when the model and the model support means are removed from the table as a single unit, each cell of the model support means is closed by the cell wall around the horizontal direction and the upper end is closed by the model bottom, The photo-curable resin liquid present in the cell does not easily fall from the cell and tends to stay in the cell regardless of whether the lower end of the cell is opened to the atmosphere at the mount cutting part. Therefore, for example, when uncured resin is recovered and reused, it is difficult to do so. Also, for example, when the model support means is roughly taken and then secondarily cured by ultraviolet irradiation, it cannot be completely removed. There is a problem that the desired shape cannot be obtained because the resin is cured.
An object of the present invention is to provide a model support method and structure by a model support means in stereolithography that can easily drain the resin liquid in the cell when the model support means is separated and removed from the model.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The method and structure of the present invention for achieving the above object are as follows.
(1) During model stereolithography, a model support means having a plurality of cells having a cross-section surrounded by a closed wall and having the plurality of cells arranged therein is optically modeled, and each cell of the model support means A model support method by model support means in stereolithography for supporting at least a part of a model at the upper end of the surrounding wall of the model, wherein the model support means has an upper part of the wall around each cell of the model support means during stereolithography And a model support means for stereolithography, characterized in that a communication path is formed which communicates the inside of the cell with the outside of the cell and finally communicates with the outside of the model support means.
(2) The model support means in the optical modeling according to (1), wherein the communication path is configured by forming a part of the wall around the cell in a part where the communication path is present and a part of the lower surface of the model being uncoupled. By model support method.
(3) During model stereolithography, a model support means including a plurality of cells having a cross section surrounded by a closed wall and surrounded by the plurality of cells is optically modeled, and each cell of the model support means A model support structure by model support means in stereolithography for supporting at least a part of the model at the upper end of the surrounding wall of the model, wherein the model support means stereolithography is formed on the upper part of the wall around each cell of the model support means A model support structure by model support means in stereolithography, characterized in that it has a communication passage that is formed at times and communicates the inside of the cell with the outside of the cell and finally communicates with the outside of the model support means.
(4) The model support in the optical modeling according to (3), wherein the communication path is configured by forming a part of the wall around the cell in a part where the communication path is present and a part of the lower surface of the model being uncoupled. Model support structure by means.
[0005]
[Action]
In the above method (1), since the communication passage that communicates the inside and outside of the cell is provided on the upper part of the wall around each cell of the model support means, the integrated body of the model and the model support means is cut at the gantry and removed from the table. When taking out from the resin liquid layer, outside air can enter from the communication path above the resin liquid contained in each cell, and the resin liquid in each cell can be smoothly removed from the opening at the lower end of the cell by its own weight.
In the above method (2), the wall around each cell is not connected to the model bottom surface at the part where the communication path is located. Therefore, the separation force when separating the model support means from the model is small, and the separation is performed. After that, the amount of cell wall projections remaining on the bottom of the model is small, and finishing work is facilitated.
In the structure of (3) above, since the communication path that communicates the inside and outside of the cell is provided in the upper part of the wall around each cell of the model support means, the integrated body of the model and the model support means is cut at the gantry part from the table. When taking out from the removed resin liquid layer, outside air can enter from the communication path above the resin liquid contained in each cell, and the resin liquid in each cell can smoothly fall out of the opening at the lower end of the cell by its own weight.
In the structure of (4) above, the wall around each cell is not connected to the model bottom surface at the part where the communication path is, so that the separation force when separating the model support means from the model is small, and the separation is performed. After that, the amount of cell wall projections remaining on the bottom of the model is small, and finishing work is facilitated.
[0006]
【Example】
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
A model support method using model support means in stereolithography according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a model support means 1 having a plurality of cells 3 (small chambers) having a cross section surrounded by a closed wall 2 and surrounded in the horizontal direction and extending vertically. The step of performing optical modeling of the portion of the gantry 1b and the step of performing optical modeling of the portion of the support 1a of the model support means 1 simultaneously with the modeling of the model 4. In the stereolithography step, the inside of the cell 3 is placed on the part of the entire length in the circumferential direction of the upper part (including the upper end and the vicinity of the upper end) of the wall 2 around each cell 3 of the model support means 1. The communication path 5 is formed to communicate with the outside. Each cell 3 is finally connected via a communication path 5 provided on a peripheral wall forming the cell alone or another communication path 5 provided on a peripheral wall forming another cell connected by the communication path 5. In general, it communicates with the outside of the model support means 1. At the site where the communication path 5 exists, the wall 2 of the cell 3 is formed so as not to be coupled to the model bottom surface 7.
The model support structure by the model support means in the optical modeling according to the embodiment of the present invention has a cell 3 (small chamber) having a transverse section surrounded by a closed wall 2 and surrounded in the horizontal direction during the optical modeling of the model 4. The model support means 1 (means comprising at least one of the support 1a and the gantry 1b) is optically modeled, and at least a part of the model 4 is supported by the upper end of the wall 2 around each cell 3 of the model support means 1 It consists of the structure. In the structure described above, the inside of the cell 3 is placed outside the cell 3 on a part of the entire length in the circumferential direction of the upper part (including the upper end and the vicinity of the upper end) of the wall 2 around each cell 3 of the model support means 1. A communication path 5 that communicates with each other is formed. Each cell 3 is finally connected via a communication path 5 provided on a peripheral wall forming the cell alone or another communication path 5 provided on a peripheral wall forming another cell connected by the communication path 5. In general, it communicates with the outside of the model support means 1. At the site where the communication path 5 exists, the wall 2 of the cell 3 is formed so as not to be coupled to the model bottom surface 7.
[0007]
More specifically, the table 6 is submerged in a liquid of a photocurable resin so that a thin layer of the resin liquid is formed on the table 6, and the resin liquid on the table 6 is irradiated with light (laser) to form a planar shape. Draw a predetermined figure of the above, cure the part to form a cured layer, then lower the table 6 by a predetermined amount and repeat the photocuring of the liquid layer on the cured layer to sequentially form the cured layers Then, a three-dimensional model 4 is formed. If the hardened layer of model 4 is not supported by the lower hardened layer at the entire surface or at the end, it will hang down due to its own weight when it is formed, and in order to prevent this, the support 1a below the layer is formed before the layer is formed. Is formed. The generation of the support 1a is performed in the same manner as the generation of the model 4, and the model portion and the support portion are generated when the hardened layer having the same height is formed. Further, the gantry 1b may be formed by stereolithography below the support 1a, and the model may be directly supported by the gantry 1b. A combination of the support 1a and the gantry 1b constitutes the model support means 1.
[0008]
The wall 2 around each cell 3 of the model support means 1 has a thickness of about 0.3 mm. When a plurality of cells 3 are arranged in a lattice shape in the cross section, the wall 2 forms a grid having a lattice shape as shown in FIG. When the wall 2 of the cell 3 is formed by photocuring, the uncured resin liquid in the cell 3 is closed as it is and is trapped in the wall 2 constituting the cross section. The model support means 1 is formed in the height direction sequentially, but the upper end of the model support means 1 has a communication path 5 at a part of the upper end of the wall 2 around each cell 3 in the peripheral direction. It is formed.
[0009]
The communication path 5 is allowed to take various forms.
For example, when the bottom surface 7 of the model 4 extends obliquely in a straight line shape or a curved shape, the upper end of the wall 2 around the cell is formed in a step shape diagonally along the bottom surface 7, and the corner 8 of this staircase is formed. Only the model support means 1 and the model 4 are connected in a linear form, and a side view formed between the upper wall end 9 extending horizontally at the upper end of each cell 3 and the diagonal model bottom surface 7 has a triangular gap. Let it be a communication path 5. In this case, the upper end of the wall 2 is not coupled to the model bottom surface 7 at the portion where the communication path 5 exists.
In addition, when the bottom surface 7 of the model 4 extends horizontally, at the upper end of at least one of the wall portion 2a extending in the X-axis direction and the wall portion 2b extending in the Y-axis direction among the walls 2 around each cell 3, A notch 10 is formed, and an opening surrounded by the edge of the notch 10 and the model bottom surface 7 is defined as a communication path 5. In this case, the upper end of the wall 2 is not coupled to the model bottom surface 7 at the portion where the communication path 5 exists.
The structure in which the wall 2 is not connected to the model bottom surface 7 in the portion where the communication path 5 exists as described in claims 2 and 4 includes both of the above-mentioned stepped shape and notch, and the model bottom surface 7 is connected to the model bottom surface 7. All cases forming the upper side of the edge of the passage 5 are included.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the communication path 5 may be an opening 11 having an appropriate shape, for example, a slit shape, formed at a position slightly spaced downward from the upper end of the wall 2. In this case, the upper end of the wall 2 is connected to the model bottom surface 7 even in the portion where the communication path 5 exists.
[0010]
At least a part of the model 4 is formed above the model support means 1. After the optical modeling of the model support means 1 and the model 4 is completed, the model 4 and the model support means 1 are cut off by the gantry portion 1b below the model 4, and the integrally molded object of the model 4 and the model support means 1 is removed from the table 6 and outside the resin liquid layer It is taken out.
At this time, outside air can easily enter each cell 3 of the model support means 1 through the upper communication path 5 of the model support means 1, and the resin liquid contained in the cell is easy due to its own weight. In addition, the liquid does not fall into the resin liquid layer through the opening at the lower end of the cell 3 and stay in the cell 3. Therefore, the resin cage that has stayed in the cell 3 for the first time when the model support means 1 is separated from the model 4 as in the prior art does not open and fall. Therefore, the resin liquid can be collected effectively, cost increase can be suppressed, and deterioration of the working environment can be prevented.
[0011]
After being removed from the resin liquid layer, the model support means 1 is separated and removed from the integrally formed article of the model 4 and the model support means 1, and the wall portion of the model support means remaining on the bottom surface of the model is scraped off with a knife or the like. The model support means separation surface of model 4 is finished. In this case, since the cell peripheral wall 2 of the model support means 1 is only a part of the entire length in the cell peripheral direction and is connected to the model 4, a perforation is made in the model connection portion of the model support means 1. It can be easily separated along the perforation (communication path 5). Further, the model bottom surface after separation of the model support means has no support wall in the portion where the communication path 5 of the model support means is present, or even if it remains, the model bottom surface is easy to finish.
[0012]
【The invention's effect】
According to the method of claim 1, when the model support means is generated during stereolithography, a communication path that communicates the inside and outside of the cell is formed at the upper end of the wall around the cell. When an object is cut at the pedestal and removed from the resin solution, the resin solution in the cell can be easily dropped from the cell and extracted.
According to the method of claim 2, in addition to the effect of claim 1, the wall around the cell is not connected to the lower surface of the model at the site where the communication path exists, so that the model can be easily replaced with a perforation as a model. The support means can be separated from the model, and the model support means separation surface of the model can be easily finished.
According to the structure of the third aspect, since the communication passage that communicates the inside and outside of the cell is formed at the upper end of the wall around the cell, the integrally formed object of the model and the model support means is cut at the pedestal portion in the resin liquid. When taking out from the cell, the resin liquid in the cell can be easily dropped from the cell and extracted.
According to the structure of claim 4, in addition to the effect of claim 3, the wall around the cell is not connected to the lower surface of the model at the site where the communication path exists, so that the model can be easily replaced by a perforated line. The support means can be separated from the model, and the model support means separation surface of the model can be easily finished.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a model support means portion of a model integrally formed article of model support means and a model obtained during execution of the method of an embodiment of the present invention or according to the structure of an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a side view of an integrally molded article of the model support means and the model shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a front view of the model supporting unit and the model integrally formed article of FIG. 2 as viewed from the right side.
FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the model support means showing another form of the communication path formed in the model support means.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the model support means and the model support means portion of the model integrally formed product obtained during the implementation of the conventional method.
6 is a side view of the model integrally formed article of the model support means and the model of FIG. 5;
7 is a front view of the model supporting unit and the model integrally formed product of FIG. 6 as seen from the right side.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Model support means 1a Support 1b Base 2 (cell) wall 3 Cell 4 Model 5 Communication path 6 Table 7 Model bottom face 8 Corner 9 Wall upper end 10 Notch 11 Opening

Claims

モデルの光造形中に、閉じた壁で周囲を囲まれた横断面をもつセルを複数有し前記複数のセルを並べたモデル支持手段を光造形し、該モデル支持手段の各セルの周囲の壁の上端でモデルの少なくとも一部を支持する光造形におけるモデル支持手段によるモデル支持方法であって、前記モデル支持手段の光造形時に、モデル支持手段の各セルの周囲の壁の上部に、前記セルの内側を該セルの外側と連通し最終的に前記モデル支持手段の外部と連通する連通路を形成することを特徴とする光造形におけるモデル支持手段によるモデル支持方法。 During model stereolithography, a model support means having a plurality of cells having a cross-section surrounded by a closed wall and having the plurality of cells arranged therein is optically modeled, and the model support means is arranged around each cell of the model support means. A model support method by model support means in stereolithography that supports at least a part of a model at the upper end of a wall, wherein the model support means has an optical molding on the upper part of the wall around each cell of the model support means, A model support method by model support means in stereolithography, characterized in that a communication path is formed which communicates the inside of the cell with the outside of the cell and finally communicates with the outside of the model support means.

前記連通路が存在する部位において前記セルの周囲の壁はモデル下面と一部を非結合に形成されることにより前記連通路が構成される請求項１記載の光造形におけるモデル支持手段によるモデル支持方法。The model support by the model support means in the optical modeling according to claim 1, wherein the communication path is configured by forming a wall around the cell in a part where the communication path exists at a part of the lower surface of the model so as not to be coupled. Method.

モデルの光造形中に、閉じた壁で周囲を囲まれた横断面をもつセルを複数有し前記複数のセルを並べたモデル支持手段を光造形し、該モデル支持手段の各セルの周囲の壁の上端でモデルの少なくとも一部を支持する光造形におけるモデル支持手段によるモデル支持構造であって、モデル支持手段の各セルの周囲の壁の上部に、前記モデル支持手段の光造形時に形成された、前記セルの内側を該セルの外側と連通し最終的に前記モデル支持手段の外部と連通する連通路を有することを特徴とする光造形におけるモデル支持手段によるモデル支持構造。 During model stereolithography, a model support means having a plurality of cells having a cross-section surrounded by a closed wall and having the plurality of cells arranged therein is optically modeled, and the model support means is arranged around each cell of the model support means. A model support structure by model support means in stereolithography that supports at least a part of the model at the upper end of the wall, and is formed at the top of the wall around each cell of the model support means during the stereolithography of the model support means. A model support structure by model support means in stereolithography, characterized in that it has a communication path that communicates the inside of the cell with the outside of the cell and finally communicates with the outside of the model support means.

前記連通路が存在する部位において前記セルの周囲の壁はモデル下面と一部を非結合に形成されることにより前記連通路が構成されている請求項３記載の光造形におけるモデル支持手段によるモデル支持構造。The model by the model support means in the optical modeling according to claim 3, wherein the communication path is configured by forming a wall around the cell in a part where the communication path is present and a part of the lower surface of the cell is not coupled. Support structure.