WO2016027796A1 - Method for manufacturing three-dimensional structure - Google Patents

Method for manufacturing three-dimensional structure Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016027796A1
WO2016027796A1 PCT/JP2015/073096 JP2015073096W WO2016027796A1 WO 2016027796 A1 WO2016027796 A1 WO 2016027796A1 JP 2015073096 W JP2015073096 W JP 2015073096W WO 2016027796 A1 WO2016027796 A1 WO 2016027796A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ink
dimensional structure
frame
ink supply
work surface
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PCT/JP2015/073096
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
大西　勝
Original Assignee
株式会社ミマキエンジニアリング
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Publication of WO2016027796A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016027796A1/en

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C67/00—Shaping techniques not covered by groups B29C39/00 - B29C65/00, B29C70/00 or B29C73/00
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B33—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
    • B33Y—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
    • B33Y10/00—Processes of additive manufacturing

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure.
  • a three-dimensional printer that forms a three-dimensional structure by laminating modeling materials such as ejected ink and a manufacturing method of the three-dimensional structure are known.
  • the three-dimensional printer described in the following Patent Documents 1 and 2 divides the three-dimensional data of a three-dimensional structure into a plurality of layers, and discharges and hardens the modeling material sequentially from the lowermost layer to stack By doing so, a three-dimensional structure that matches the three-dimensional data is formed.
  • These three-dimensional printers include an inkjet head that ejects ink as a modeling material.
  • the three-dimensional printers of Patent Documents 1 and 2 use ultraviolet curable ink as a modeling material, and cure the ultraviolet curable ink by irradiating the ultraviolet curable ink discharged and landed from the curing unit with ultraviolet rays.
  • a three-dimensional structure is formed by, for example, ejecting ink from the head while moving the head in the main scanning direction and overlapping the ejected ink droplets. Since modeling is performed, the upper surface of the three-dimensional model may not be flat.
  • the present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure that can make the upper surface of the three-dimensional structure more flat.
  • the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the present invention is an ink that can supply ink whose degree of cure changes by applying an external stimulus to the work surface.
  • a manufacturing method of a three-dimensional structure that is provided in a three-dimensional printer that includes a supply unit and applies an external stimulus to ink supplied to the work surface, and is formed along an outline of the three-dimensional structure.
  • a frame body installation step for installing the frame body on the work surface, an ink supply step in which the ink supply unit supplies the ink inside the frame body and on the work surface, and the frame in the ink supply step A curing step of applying an external stimulus to the ink and then curing the ink after supplying the ink to the inside of the body.
  • the upper surface of the ink supplied to the inside of the frame can be flattened.
  • the ink is cured in the curing step after the upper surface of the ink supplied to the inside of the frame becomes flat, the upper surface of the layer constituting the three-dimensional structure can be formed flat.
  • the upper surface of the shaped object can be flattened.
  • support ink is discharged from the discharge unit of the three-dimensional printer that moves relative to the work surface to the work surface, and the support ink is discharged. It can harden
  • the frame body is formed by discharging and curing the support ink, the frame body of various shapes can be easily formed, and the three-dimensional shaped object of various shapes can be easily formed.
  • the ink supply step and the curing step can be repeated a plurality of times.
  • the upper surface of each layer constituting the three-dimensional structure can be flattened, and three-dimensional structures with various thicknesses can be formed. .
  • an external stimulus that is weaker than an external stimulus that completely cures the ink is applied to the ink supplied to the inside of the frame.
  • an external stimulus is applied for a time shorter than the time for the ink to completely cure, and after the final curing step, an external stimulus is applied to the ink to completely cure the ink. It can be.
  • the ink supplied to the inside of the frame body is semi-cured in the curing step, a plurality of layers of ink can be brought into close contact with each other.
  • the ink is completely cured in the last complete curing step, a three-dimensional structure can be reliably formed.
  • the reciprocating unit of the three-dimensional printer moves the ink supply unit a plurality of times in the main scanning direction while the ink supply unit is connected to the frame body.
  • the ink may be supplied inside.
  • the reciprocating unit supplies the ink to the inside of the frame while moving the ink supply unit a plurality of times in the main scanning direction in the ink supply process, the upper surface of the ink supplied into the frame is quickly flattened. It is possible to form a three-dimensional structure having a desired shape.
  • the ink supply unit includes at least a pigment, an ultraviolet curable resin cured by ultraviolet rays, and a photopolymerization initiator as the ink, and has a viscosity of 20 mPa ⁇ sec or more (room temperature: 25 ° C.).
  • a volatile organic solvent is added to the UV curable ink, and an ink having a viscosity of 3 mPa ⁇ sec to 18 mPa ⁇ sec (room temperature 25 ° C.) can be supplied to the work surface.
  • the upper surface of the ink supplied to the inside of the frame can be quickly flattened. it can. Therefore, the upper surface of the layer constituting the three-dimensional structure can be formed flat, and the upper surface of the three-dimensional structure can be flattened.
  • the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the present invention has an effect that the upper surface of the three-dimensional structure can be flattened.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an inkjet printer according to an embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a three-dimensional structure formed by the ink jet printer shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a frame used when forming the three-dimensional structure shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 4 is an example of a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the embodiment.
  • FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the trajectory of ink droplets ejected by the ink jet printer.
  • FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the shape of the upper surface of a three-dimensional structure formed by ink droplets discharged by an ink jet printer.
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the inkjet printer shown in FIG. 1 has formed a frame.
  • FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which ink is supplied into the frame shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the ink shown in FIG. 8 is heated and irradiated with ultraviolet rays to be semi-cured.
  • FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the next frame is formed on the frame shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which all layers of the three-dimensional structure are formed inside the frame.
  • 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a three-dimensional structure obtained by removing the frame shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 13 is an example of the flowchart of the manufacturing method of the three-dimensional structure based on the modification 1 of embodiment.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an inkjet printer according to an embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a three-dimensional structure formed by the ink jet printer shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a frame used when forming the three-dimensional structure shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 4 is an example of a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the embodiment.
  • FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the trajectory of ink droplets ejected by the ink jet printer.
  • FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the shape of the upper surface of a three-dimensional structure formed by ink droplets discharged by an ink jet printer.
  • An inkjet printer 1 as a three-dimensional printer according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 uses a so-called inkjet method to manufacture a three-dimensional structure W (an example is shown in FIG. 2) that is a three-dimensional three-dimensional object. It is a modeling device.
  • the inkjet printer 1 typically divides the three-dimensional structure W into a number of layers LY (shown in FIG. 2) in the vertical direction based on the three-dimensional data of the three-dimensional structure W, and the three-dimensional Based on the shape data of each layer LY of the modeled object W, a three-dimensional modeled object W that matches the three-dimensional data is obtained by sequentially stacking modeling materials (thickened ink) from the lower layer LY. Is formed.
  • the three-dimensional structure W shown as an example in FIG. 2 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped having a trapezoidal cross section. However, in the present invention, the shape of the three-dimensional structure W is not limited to this.
  • the ink jet printer 1 includes a mounting table 2 whose upper surface forms a work surface 2a, a Y bar 3 provided in the main scanning direction, a carriage 4, and a carriage driving unit 5 (corresponding to a reciprocating movement unit). And a mounting table driving unit 6, a control unit 7, an input device 8 and the like.
  • the work surface 2a of the mounting table 2 is formed flat in a horizontal direction (a direction parallel to both the X axis and the Y axis shown in FIG. 1), and ink as a modeling material is formed thereon from the lower layer LY. It is a plane laminated in order.
  • the mounting table 2 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, for example, but is not limited thereto. Further, the work table 2a of the mounting table 2 is heated by a heater 9 (shown in FIG. 1).
  • the Y bar 3 is provided at a predetermined interval above the mounting table 2 in the vertical direction.
  • the Y bar 3 is provided linearly along the main scanning direction parallel to the horizontal direction (Y axis).
  • the Y bar 3 guides the reciprocation of the carriage 4 along the main scanning direction.
  • the carriage 4 is held by the Y bar 3 and can reciprocate in the main scanning direction along the Y bar 3.
  • the carriage 4 is controlled to move in the main scanning direction.
  • the carriage 4 is provided with an ink supply unit 41, a discharge unit 42, and an ultraviolet irradiator 43 (corresponding to an external stimulus applying unit) on a surface facing the mounting table 2 in the vertical direction via a holder (not shown). It is done.
  • the discharge unit 42 discharges the support ink whose degree of cure is changed by exposure to the work surface 2a.
  • the ejection unit 42 can eject at least support ink that forms a frame E (shown in FIG. 3) along the contour of the three-dimensional structure W as ink whose degree of cure changes by exposure.
  • the carriage drive unit 5 can move relative to the work surface 2a.
  • the frame E is formed in the shape where the inner peripheral surface followed the outer surface of the three-dimensional structure W.
  • the frame E is supplied with the ink I (shown in FIG. 8) from the ink supply unit 41, and the ink I is cured to form the three-dimensional structure W.
  • the frame body E is formed thicker than the layer LY constituting the three-dimensional structure W, and is laminated in order from the lower one by the support ink ejected from the ejection section 42.
  • the ejection unit 42 can reciprocate along the main scanning direction as the carriage 4 moves along the main scanning direction.
  • the ejection unit 42 is connected to an ink tank through various ink flow paths, a regulator, a pump, and the like.
  • One or a plurality of ejection units 42 are provided according to the number of ink tanks, in other words, the number of types of support ink that can be printed simultaneously.
  • the ejection unit 42 is an inkjet head that can eject the support ink in the ink tank toward the work surface 2a by an inkjet method.
  • the support ink whose degree of cure is changed by exposure for example, UV (ultraviolet) curable ink that is cured by irradiating ultraviolet rays can be used.
  • the discharge unit 42 is electrically connected to the control unit 7, and the driving of the discharge unit 42 is controlled by the control unit 7.
  • the ink supply unit 41 uses the ink I (shown in FIG. 8 or the like) as a modeling material whose degree of cure changes when irradiated with ultraviolet rays (that is, when an external stimulus is applied) to the frame of the work surface 2a. E can be supplied inside E.
  • the ink supply unit 41 according to the embodiment supplies the work surface 2a with the ink I whose degree of cure is changed by exposure.
  • the ink supply unit 41 ejects ink I that forms the three-dimensional structure W.
  • the ink supply unit 41 can eject the ink I provided in the carriage 4 and stored in an ink tank (not shown) to the work surface 2a.
  • the ink supply unit 41 can reciprocate along the main scanning direction as the carriage 4 moves along the main scanning direction.
  • the ink supply unit 41 is connected to an ink tank through various ink flow paths, a regulator, a pump, and the like.
  • One or a plurality of ink supply units 41 are provided according to the number of ink tanks, in other words, the number of types of ink I that can be printed simultaneously.
  • the ink I whose degree of cure changes when an external stimulus is applied includes a monomer (55 to 88% by weight), an oligomer (0 to 15% by weight), and a photopolymerization initiator (6 to 13% by weight).
  • a sensitizer (3 to 30% by weight), a colorant (pigment) (3 to 6% by weight) and an additive (1 to 8% by weight; a dispersant, a leveling agent, a polymerization inhibitor).
  • (25 ° C) is 30 to 300 mPa ⁇ sec.
  • High viscosity UV curable ink is obtained by adding 60 to 85% by weight of n-hexane having a viscosity of 0.32 (20 ° C) and a boiling point of 69 ° C and a viscosity at 25 ° C. Is 10 mPa ⁇ sec.
  • n-hexane is added so that the content in the whole ink becomes 75% by weight.
  • An ink having a viscosity of 8 mPa ⁇ sec can be used.
  • the monomers and oligomers are ultraviolet curable resins that are cured by ultraviolet rays.
  • Ink I is a UV curable ink having a viscosity of 20 mPa ⁇ sec or more (room temperature 25 ° C.) composed of a monomer and / or oligomer, a photopolymerization initiator, a sensitizer, a colorant and an additive, and is volatile.
  • the ink has a viscosity adjusted to 3 mPa ⁇ sec to 18 mPa ⁇ sec by appropriately adjusting the content of the organic solvent.
  • the viscosity of the UV curable ink is preferably 20 mPa ⁇ sec or more (room temperature 25 ° C.), more preferably 50 mPa ⁇ sec (room temperature 25 ° C.) or more.
  • the content of the volatile organic solvent is preferably 30% by weight to 90% by weight, and more preferably 50% by weight to 70% by weight.
  • organic solvent can be appropriately selected from volatile organic solvents at 200 ° C. or lower, preferably 160 ° C. or lower. Examples include isoparaffin hydrocarbons (Idemitsu Kosan IP Solvent 1016, IP Solvent 1620, etc.), ketones such as cyclohexanone, aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene and xylene, esters such as dipropylene glycol and monomethyl ether acetate, and the like. be able to. Moreover, you may mix and use not only one type but a several volatile organic solvent.
  • the pigment, monomer and / or oligomer, and photopolymerization initiator are not particularly limited, and various conventionally known ones can be appropriately selected and used. Further, various additives such as a sensitizer, a dispersant, a leveling agent, a polymerization inhibitor, and the like can be appropriately selected from known ones.
  • the ink I of the present embodiment can reduce the ink viscosity at room temperature by containing a volatile organic solvent. Furthermore, the flatness of the surface of the ink droplet can be increased by quickly removing the volatile organic solvent by volatilization before UV curing.
  • the ink supply unit 41 is electrically connected to the control unit 7 and its drive is controlled by the control unit 7.
  • the ultraviolet irradiator 43 irradiates the support ink discharged to the work surface 2a and the ink I supplied to the inside of the frame E of the work surface 2a (provides external stimulation).
  • the ultraviolet irradiator 43 can expose the ink I and the support ink supplied to the work surface 2a.
  • the ultraviolet irradiator 43 is constituted by, for example, an LED module that can irradiate ultraviolet rays.
  • the ultraviolet irradiator 43 is provided on the carriage 4 and can reciprocate along the main scanning direction as the carriage 4 moves along the main scanning direction.
  • the ultraviolet irradiator 43 is electrically connected to the control unit 7, and its driving is controlled by the control unit 7.
  • the carriage drive unit 5 is a drive device that relatively moves the carriage 4, that is, the ink supply unit 41, the discharge unit 42, and the ultraviolet irradiator 43 relative to the Y bar 3 in the main scanning direction.
  • the carriage drive unit 5 includes, for example, a transmission mechanism such as a conveyance belt connected to the carriage 4 and a drive source such as an electric motor that drives the conveyance belt, and transmits power generated by the drive source via the transmission mechanism.
  • the power is converted into power for moving the carriage 4 along the main scanning direction, and the carriage 4 is reciprocated along the main scanning direction.
  • the carriage drive unit 5 is electrically connected to the control unit 7, and the drive is controlled by the control unit 7.
  • the mounting table driving unit 6 includes a vertical direction moving unit 61, a sub-scanning direction moving unit 62, and an axis rotation unit 63.
  • the vertical direction moving unit 61 moves the mounting table 2 up and down along the vertical direction parallel to the Z axis, thereby moving the work surface 2a formed on the mounting table 2 to the ink supply unit 41, the discharge unit 42, and the ultraviolet irradiator. It is moved up and down along the vertical direction relative to 43.
  • the mounting table drive unit 6 can move the work surface 2a closer to and away from the ink supply unit 41, the discharge unit 42, and the ultraviolet irradiator 43 along the vertical direction. That is, the mounting table drive unit 6 can move the work surface 2 a relative to the ink supply unit 41, the discharge unit 42, and the ultraviolet irradiator 43 along the vertical direction.
  • the sub-scanning direction moving unit 62 moves the mounting table 2 in the sub-scanning direction parallel to the X axis orthogonal to the main scanning direction, thereby moving the work surface 2a formed on the mounting table 2 to the ink supply unit 41, This is reciprocally moved in the sub-scanning direction relative to the discharge unit 42 and the ultraviolet irradiator 43.
  • the mounting table driving unit 6 can reciprocate the work surface 2 a along the sub-scanning direction with respect to the ink supply unit 41, the discharge unit 42, and the ultraviolet irradiator 43.
  • the sub-scanning direction moving unit 62 can relatively reciprocate the ink supply unit 41, the discharge unit 42, the ultraviolet irradiator 43, and the work surface 2a in the sub-scanning direction.
  • the sub-scanning direction moving unit 62 moves the mounting table 2 in the sub-scanning direction.
  • the present invention is not limited to this, and the ink supply unit 41 and the discharge unit 42 are provided for each Y bar 3. Further, the ultraviolet irradiator 43 may be moved in the sub-scanning direction.
  • the shaft center rotating unit 63 rotates the mounting table 2 around an axis (Z axis) parallel to the vertical direction, thereby causing the work surface 2a formed on the mounting table 2 to move to the ink supply unit 41, the discharge unit 42, and the ultraviolet light. It is rotated around the axis relative to the irradiator 43.
  • the mounting table drive unit 6 can rotate the work surface 2 a around the axis with respect to the ink supply unit 41, the discharge unit 42, and the ultraviolet irradiator 43. That is, the axis rotation unit 63 makes the ink supply unit 41, the discharge unit 42, the ultraviolet irradiator 43, and the work surface 2a rotatable about an axis parallel to the vertical direction.
  • the control unit 7 controls each unit of the ink jet printer 1 including the ink supply unit 41, the discharge unit 42, the ultraviolet irradiator 43, the carriage driving unit 5, the mounting table driving unit 6, and the like.
  • the control unit 7 includes hardware such as an arithmetic device and a memory, and a program that realizes these predetermined functions.
  • the control unit 7 controls the ink supply unit 41 to control the supply amount, supply timing, supply period, and the like of the ink I.
  • the control unit 7 controls the ejection unit 42 to control the ejection amount, ejection timing, ejection period, and the like of the support ink.
  • the control unit 7 controls the ultraviolet irradiator 43 to control the intensity of ultraviolet light to be irradiated, the exposure timing, the exposure period, and the like.
  • the control unit 7 controls the carriage driving unit 5 to control the relative movement of the carriage 4 along the main scanning direction.
  • the control unit 7 controls the mounting table driving unit 6 to control the relative movement of the mounting table 2 along the vertical direction and the sub-scanning direction and the relative movement around the axis.
  • the input device 8 is connected to the control unit 7 and inputs three-dimensional data related to the shape of the three-dimensional structure W.
  • the input device 8 includes, for example, a PC connected to the control unit 7 by wire / wireless, various terminals, and the like.
  • the ink jet type ejection unit 100 ejects UV curable ink having a viscosity of 20 mPa ⁇ sec or more (room temperature 25 ° C.) while being moved in the main scanning direction of the ink jet printer, the ejected ink droplet P (see FIG. 5) is discharged at a speed that is a combination of the moving speed of the discharge section 100 and the discharge speed from the discharge section 100, but is slowed down due to air resistance.
  • the ink drop Pb on the rear side is located behind the ink drop Pa on the front side, the air resistance is suppressed, and the deceleration is suppressed.
  • the landing position of the droplet Pa located on the head side on the work surface 2a or the like is on the rear side. It will be closer to each other than the landing position of the positioned drop Pb.
  • the trajectory M of the ink droplets Pa and Pb ejected from the ejection unit 100 while moving the ejection unit 100 to the right in the figure is shown by a solid line, and the leading droplet Pa is on the rear side.
  • the trajectory Ma when falling along the same trajectory M as the droplet Pb is indicated by a dotted line.
  • the manufacturing method of the inkjet printer 1 and the three-dimensional structure according to the present embodiment suppresses the end portion Wb of the three-dimensional structure W from rising above other parts, and the upper surface of each layer LY of the three-dimensional structure W. Wa is formed flat to form a three-dimensional structure W having a desired three-dimensional shape.
  • FIGS. 7 to 12 are also referred to as appropriate. 7 to 12 are cross-sectional views schematically illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the embodiment.
  • the manufacturing method of the three-dimensional structure of the embodiment includes a shape data generation step (step ST1), a discharge pattern generation step (step ST2), a frame body installation step (step ST3), and an ink supply step (step ST4). , Including a curing step (step ST5), a moving step (step ST8), and a complete curing step (step ST9), a frame body setting step (step ST3), an ink supply step (step ST4), and a curing step ( The three-dimensional structure W is manufactured by repeatedly performing the step ST5) and the moving step (step ST8) at least once, that is, a plurality of times, and printing for each layer LY.
  • the shape data generation process (step ST1), the discharge pattern generation process (step ST2), the frame installation process (step ST3), the ink supply process (step ST4), the curing process (step ST5), and the movement process (step) ST8) and the complete curing step (step ST9) are performed by controlling the drive of each part of the inkjet printer 1 by the control unit 7 of the inkjet printer 1.
  • the control unit 7 In the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure of the present embodiment, first, the control unit 7 generates shape data for each layer LY of the three-dimensional structure W as a shape data generation step (step ST1). In this case, the control unit 7 forms the shape of the three-dimensional structure W for each layer LY having a desired thickness along the vertical direction based on the three-dimensional data regarding the shape of the three-dimensional structure W input from the input device 8. Calculate and generate data.
  • control unit 7 generates three-dimensional data related to the shape of the frame E.
  • the control unit 7 determines the thickness of the frame E from the thickness of each layer LY constituting the three-dimensional structure W based on the three-dimensional data related to the shape of the frame E or the three-dimensional structure W input from the input device 8.
  • the three-dimensional data of each frame body E is generated so that the inner peripheral surface of the frame body E is thick and follows the outline of each layer LY constituting the three-dimensional structure W.
  • the width of the frame E in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction is much smaller than the width of the three-dimensional structure W, and the above-described rising of the end portion Wb on the upper surface Wa does not affect the dimensional accuracy (almost). Width).
  • control unit 7 generates a print pattern for each layer LY of the three-dimensional structure W as a discharge pattern generation process, and supplies the amount of exposure control and exposure control of the ink supply unit 41 that can realize the generated print pattern. And the control amount of the carriage driving unit 5 and the mounting table driving unit 6 are generated (step ST2). Further, the control unit 7 generates a print pattern for each frame E in the discharge pattern generation step, and discharge control amounts, exposure control amounts, and carriage drive unit 5 of the discharge unit 42 capable of realizing the generated print patterns. The control amount of the mounting table drive unit 6 is generated.
  • the frame is thicker than the layer LY constituting the three-dimensional structure W and is formed along the outline of the layer LY constituting the three-dimensional structure W
  • the body E is installed on the work surface 2a or the frame E that has already been installed.
  • the control unit 7 controls the discharge unit 42, the ultraviolet irradiator 43, and the like, and the carriage drive unit 5 relatively moves the discharge unit 42 and the ultraviolet irradiator 43 in the main scanning direction according to the generated discharge pattern.
  • the discharge unit 42 discharges the support ink onto the work surface 2a while moving the mounting table 2 relatively in the sub-scanning direction and the vertical direction and relatively rotating around the axis, and the ultraviolet irradiator 43
  • the support ink discharged by the above is exposed to perform frame body installation control for installing the frame body E on the work surface 2a (step ST3).
  • control unit 7 controls the carriage driving unit 5, the vertical direction moving unit 61, and the axial center rotating unit 63 to position the carriage 4 at an appropriate position with respect to the work surface 2a. Then, the controller 7 discharges the carriage 4 at an appropriate timing to form each frame E based on the print pattern generated in the discharge pattern generation step while moving the carriage 4 in the main scanning direction by the carriage drive unit 5.
  • the support ink is discharged from the unit 42 and the ultraviolet irradiator 43 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays. The discharged support ink lands on the work surface 2a or the shaped frame E and is cured.
  • control unit 7 ejects the support ink from the ejection unit 42 while moving the carriage 4 one or more times in the main scanning direction by the control amount of the carriage 4 generated in the ejection pattern generation process. Are completely cured to form one line of the frame E in the main scanning direction. Then, the control unit 7 controls the sub-scanning direction moving unit 62 to move the mounting table 2 in the sub-scanning direction by one line, and then repeats the previous steps, as shown in FIG. Model the whole of E.
  • the inkjet printer 1 ejects the support ink and exposes it to be thicker than the layer LY that is installed on the work surface 2a and that forms the three-dimensional structure W, and the layer that forms the three-dimensional structure W
  • the frame body E formed along the outline of LY will be provided.
  • the control unit 7 performs the ink supply unit 41 on the work surface 2 a inside the frame E after the frame installation step (step ST ⁇ b> 3). I is supplied (step ST4).
  • the control unit 7 controls the ink supply unit 41 to execute ink supply control for supplying the ink I to the inside of the frame E.
  • the control unit 7 controls the ink supply unit 41, the carriage drive unit 5, and the mounting table drive unit 6 in the ink supply control, and the carriage drive unit 5 moves the ink supply unit 41 once in the main scanning direction.
  • the ink supply unit 41 supplies the ink I onto the work surface 2a surrounded by the frame E while being moved a plurality of times.
  • the controller 7 supplies an amount of ink I corresponding to the thickness of the layer LY onto the work surface 2a surrounded by the frame body E. At this time, the control unit 7 does not irradiate the ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet irradiator 43 and keeps the fluidity of the ink I sufficiently secured.
  • the control unit 7 supplies the ink I to the inside of the frame body E in the ink supply process, and gives an external stimulus to the ink I after the upper surface of the supplied ink I becomes flat. And let it harden.
  • the ink I supplied to the work surface 2 a that is, the inside of the frame body E is heated (applied with an external stimulus) by the heater 9.
  • the volatile organic solvent is evaporated, and then the ink I is cured by ultraviolet rays as an external stimulus emitted from the ultraviolet irradiator 43 to form each layer LY (step ST5).
  • control unit 7 controls the heater 9 to heat the ink I supplied to the inside of the frame E to evaporate the volatile organic solvent, and at the same time, the ultraviolet irradiator 43, the carriage driving unit 5 and the mounting table.
  • the drive unit 6 is controlled, and the carriage drive unit 5 moves the ultraviolet irradiator 43 one or more times in the main scanning direction and moves the work surface 2a in the sub-scanning direction, while the ultraviolet irradiator 43 moves inside the frame E.
  • the ink I supplied to is exposed to light, and curing control for curing the ink I is executed.
  • the control unit 7 performs the heater after a predetermined time has elapsed when the upper surface of the ink I supplied to the inside of the frame E becomes flat. 9 heats the ink I on the work surface 2a. At this time, the control unit 7 heats the ink I for a predetermined time during which the volatile organic solvent in the ink I evaporates. Then, the control unit 7 controls the ultraviolet irradiator 41 and the carriage driving unit 5, and the ultraviolet irradiator 43 irradiates ultraviolet rays while the carriage driving unit 5 moves the ultraviolet irradiator 43 at least once in the main scanning direction. Thus, one line in the main scanning direction is exposed.
  • the control unit 7 controls the sub-scanning direction moving unit 62 to move the mounting table 2 by one line in the sub-scanning direction, and then repeats the previous step to expose the entire ink I.
  • the thickness of the ink I becomes thinner by the mass of the volatile organic solvent contained in the ink I as shown in FIG. For example, when 50% of the mass of the ink I is a volatile organic solvent, the thickness of the ink I becomes 1/2.
  • the control unit 7 irradiates the ink I supplied to the inside of the frame E from the ultraviolet irradiator 43 with ultraviolet light that is weaker than the ultraviolet light (external stimulus) that completely cures the ink I (
  • the ink I is semi-cured by irradiating with ultraviolet rays (applying an external stimulus) for a time shorter than the time when the ink I is completely cured.
  • control part 7 is the shape for every layer LY of the three-dimensional structure W produced
  • step ST7 determines whether or not the installation of the frame E has been completed.
  • the control part 7 is the shape for every layer LY of the three-dimensional structure W produced
  • step ST7 when the control unit 7 determines that the installation of the frame E has not been completed (step ST7: No), the moving surface 2a is moved along the vertical direction after the curing step (step ST5) as the moving step.
  • the frame E is moved relative to the side away from the carriage 4 by the thickness of the frame E (step ST8).
  • the control unit 7 controls the mounting table driving unit 6 of the mounting table 2 to relatively move the work surface 2a away from the carriage 4 along the vertical direction, here, the lower side in the vertical direction.
  • the movement control to be executed is executed.
  • the control part 7 returns to step ST3, and repeatedly performs the steps after step ST3.
  • the control unit 7 performs a frame body installation process (step ST3) by frame body installation control for the next layer (here, the second layer), and an ink supply process by ink supply control (step ST4).
  • the curing process (step ST5) by the curing control and the moving process (step ST8) by the movement control are repeated, and each layer LY is sequentially formed from the lower frame E and the lower layer LY of the three-dimensional structure W. Go.
  • control unit 7 determines that the installation of the frame E has been completed (step ST7: Yes)
  • the control unit 7 returns to step ST4 and repeatedly executes the steps after step ST4.
  • the control unit 7 repeats the ink supply process (step ST4) based on the ink supply control for the next layer, the curing process (step ST5) based on the curing control, and the moving process (step ST8) based on the movement control, and sequentially performs the three-dimensional modeling.
  • Each layer LY is formed from the lower layer LY of the object W.
  • step ST6 determines that the formation of the three-dimensional structure W has been completed (step ST6: Yes), as a complete curing process, after the last curing process, as illustrated in FIG. Then, the ink I supplied to the inside of the frame E is irradiated with ultraviolet rays that completely cure the ink I (applying an external stimulus) to completely cure the ink I (step ST9).
  • the control unit 7 controls the ultraviolet irradiator 43, the carriage driving unit 5 and the mounting table driving unit 6, and the carriage driving unit 5 moves the ultraviolet irradiator 43 at least once in the main scanning direction, and the work surface. While moving 2a in the sub-scanning direction, the ultraviolet irradiator 43 exposes the ink I supplied to the inside of the frame E, and executes complete curing control for completely curing the ink I.
  • the control unit 7 controls the ultraviolet irradiator 43 and the carriage driving unit 5 after the curing process, and the carriage driving unit 5 moves the ultraviolet irradiator 43 once or more in the main scanning direction. While being moved, the ultraviolet irradiator 43 irradiates the ultraviolet rays to completely cure one line in the main scanning direction. Then, the control unit 7 controls the sub-scanning direction moving unit 62 to move the mounting table 2 in the sub-scanning direction by one line, and then repeats the previous step to completely cure the entire ink I. After the complete curing step, as illustrated in FIG. 12, an operator or the like removes the frame body E from the work surface 2a, and the manufacturing method of the three-dimensional structure W of the embodiment is finished.
  • the ink I is supplied to the inside of the frame E in the ink supply process
  • the ink I supplied to the inside of the frame E is supplied.
  • the upper surface can be flattened.
  • the ink I is cured in the curing process.
  • an ink I obtained by diluting a UV curable ink with a volatile organic solvent is used as the ink I.
  • the upper surface of the ink I supplied into the frame E quickly becomes flat. Therefore, the upper surface of the layer LY constituting the three-dimensional structure W can be formed flat, and the upper surface of the three-dimensional structure W can be flattened.
  • the inkjet printer 1 and the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure form the frame body E by discharging the support ink onto the work surface 2a and curing it, the frame body E of various shapes can be easily formed. Various shapes of three-dimensional structure W can be easily formed.
  • the ink jet printer 1 and the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure repeat the ink supply process and the curing process a plurality of times, the top surface of each layer LY constituting the three-dimensional structure W can be flattened and various It is possible to form a three-dimensional structure W having a sufficient thickness.
  • the layers LY composed of a plurality of stacked inks I are brought into close contact with each other. Can do.
  • the ink I is completely cured in the last complete curing step, the three-dimensional structure W can be reliably formed.
  • the carriage drive unit 5 supplies the ink I to the inside of the frame E while moving the ink supply unit 41 a plurality of times in the main scanning direction in the ink supply process.
  • the upper surface of the ink I supplied into the frame E can be quickly flattened, and the three-dimensional structure W having a desired shape can be formed.
  • FIG. 13 is an example of the flowchart of the manufacturing method of the three-dimensional structure based on the modification 1 of embodiment.
  • the same parts as those of the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.
  • the control unit 7 completely cures the ink I to the ink I supplied to the inside of the frame body E from the ultraviolet irradiator 43 in the curing step. UV light is applied (external stimulus is applied) to completely cure the ink I (step ST5).
  • the ink I constituting each layer LY of the three-dimensional structure W is completely cured every time the layer E is supplied to the inside of the frame body E, and the complete curing step (step ST9) is not performed. Good.
  • Modification 2 Next, a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to Modification 2 of the embodiment will be described.
  • the same parts as those in the above-described embodiment and the first modification will be described with the same reference numerals.
  • the ink supply unit 41 uses the ink I obtained by diluting the UV curable ink with the volatile organic solvent as the ink I.
  • the ink supply unit 41 uses, as the ink I, one of a resin-dispersed aqueous ink such as latex ink, a UV curable ink that is not diluted with a volatile organic solvent, and a thermosetting ink.
  • Resin-dispersed water-based inks such as latex inks are inks I whose degree of cure changes when heat is applied as an external stimulus.
  • a resin-dispersed water-based ink such as latex ink is used as the ink I
  • the frame body E is installed using the alkaline water-soluble UV curable ink as the support ink in the frame body installation step (step ST3).
  • step ST5 After the ink I is supplied to the inside of the frame E in the ink supply process (step ST4) and the upper surface of the ink I supplied to the inside of the frame E becomes flat, in the curing process (step ST5), Heat is applied from the heater 9 to completely or completely vaporize a solvent such as moisture, and the ink I is semi-cured or completely cured.
  • the curing step heat that is weaker than the heat that completely cures the ink I (external stimulus) is applied to the ink I, or the heat that is shorter than the time that the ink I completely cures (external stimulus). ) May be given.
  • the curing step step ST5
  • the ink I is given a heat that is weaker than the heat that the ink I is completely cured (external stimulus), or the heat (outside is shorter than the time that the ink I is completely cured).
  • the complete curing step step ST9, heat is applied from the heater 9 to completely vaporize a solvent such as moisture, and the ink I is completely cured. Thereafter, the frame E is removed by dipping in an alkaline liquid.
  • the UV curable ink is ink I whose degree of cure changes when irradiated (applied) with ultraviolet rays as an external stimulus.
  • the frame E is installed using the water-soluble UV curable ink as the support ink in the frame installation step (step ST3). Then, after the ink I is supplied to the inside of the frame E in the ink supply process (step ST4) and the upper surface of the ink I supplied to the inside of the frame E becomes flat, in the curing process (step ST5), The ink I is semi-cured or completely cured by irradiating ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiator 43.
  • the ink I is irradiated (applied) with an ultraviolet ray weaker than the ultraviolet ray that externally cures the ink I (external stimulus), or the ultraviolet ray (for a shorter time than the ink I completely cures). External stimulation) may be irradiated (given).
  • the ink I is irradiated with ultraviolet light that is weaker than the ultraviolet light that externally cures the ink I (external stimulus), or the ultraviolet light (external light) that is shorter than the time that the ink I completely cures.
  • the ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiator 43 to completely cure the ink I. Then, the frame E is removed by dissolving with water.
  • thermosetting ink is an ink I in which a curing reaction is caused by applying heat as an external stimulus (heating), and the degree of curing is changed. Usually, two kinds of liquids are mixed. .
  • thermosetting ink is used as the ink I
  • the frame body E is installed using the support ink in the frame body installation step (step ST3). Then, after the ink I is supplied to the inside of the frame E in the ink supply process (step ST4) and the upper surface of the ink I supplied to the inside of the frame E becomes flat, in the curing process (step ST5), Heat is applied from the heater 9, and the ink I is semi-cured or completely cured.
  • step ST5 heat that is weaker than the heat that completely cures the ink I (external stimulus) is applied to the ink I, or the heat that is shorter than the time that the ink I completely cures (external stimulus).
  • step ST5 the ink I is given a heat that is weaker than the heat that the ink I is completely cured (external stimulus), or the heat (outside is shorter than the time that the ink I is completely cured).
  • step ST9 heat is applied from the heater 9 to completely cure the ink I. Thereafter, the frame body E is removed.
  • the upper surface of the layer LY constituting the three-dimensional structure W can be formed flat, and the upper surface of the three-dimensional structure W can be flattened. be able to.
  • the support body is ejected and exposed to form the frame E.
  • a jig installed on the work surface 2a may be used as the frame body E.
  • the frame body installation process, the ink supply process, the curing process, and the movement process are repeated, but in the present invention, in the frame body installation process, a plurality of frame bodies E stacked on each other are installed at one time, You may repeat an ink supply process, a hardening process, and a movement process, without repeating a frame installation process.
  • the embodiment, modification 1 and modification 2 of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
  • the embodiment, modification 1 and modification 2 can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, changes in combinations, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It can be carried out.

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure, the method allowing an upper surface of the three-dimensional structure to be more flattened. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure is performed in an inkjet printer provided with an ink supply part for supplying ink. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure includes: a frame installation step for installing a frame E, which is formed along the contour of the three-dimensional structure, on a work surface 2a; an ink supply step; and a curing step. In the ink supply step, the ink supply part supplies ink I inside the frame E and onto the work surface 2a. The ink I supplied by the ink supply part is UV-curable ink added with a volatile organic solvent. In the curing step, the upper surface of the ink I supplied inside the frame is flattened after the ink supply step, the ink I is then heated to vaporize the volatile organic solvent, and thereafter the ink I is irradiated with ultraviolet light to be cured.

Description

３次元造形物の製造方法Manufacturing method of three-dimensional structure
　本発明は、３次元造形物の製造方法に関する。 The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure.
　吐出したインクなどの造形材を積層していくことによって３次元造形物を形作る３次元プリンタ及び３次元造形物の製造方法が知られている。例えば、下記の特許文献１及び２に記載の３次元プリンタは、３次元造形物の３次元データを複数の層に区画し、その最下層から順に吐出部から造形材を吐出し硬化して積層していくことによって、その３次元データに合わせた３次元造形物を形作る。これらの３次元プリンタは、造形材としてのインクを吐出するインクジェット式のヘッドを備えている。特許文献１及び２の３次元プリンタは、造形材として紫外線硬化インクを使用しており、吐出されて着弾した紫外線硬化インクに対して硬化部から紫外線を照射することで、この紫外線硬化インクを硬化させる。 A three-dimensional printer that forms a three-dimensional structure by laminating modeling materials such as ejected ink and a manufacturing method of the three-dimensional structure are known. For example, the three-dimensional printer described in the following Patent Documents 1 and 2 divides the three-dimensional data of a three-dimensional structure into a plurality of layers, and discharges and hardens the modeling material sequentially from the lowermost layer to stack By doing so, a three-dimensional structure that matches the three-dimensional data is formed. These three-dimensional printers include an inkjet head that ejects ink as a modeling material. The three-dimensional printers of Patent Documents 1 and 2 use ultraviolet curable ink as a modeling material, and cure the ultraviolet curable ink by irradiating the ultraviolet curable ink discharged and landed from the curing unit with ultraviolet rays. Let
特許第４４２０６８５号公報Japanese Patent No. 4420585 特開２０１３－０６７０３６号公報JP 2013-067036 A
　ところで、前述した特許文献１及び２の３次元プリンタでは、主走査方向にヘッドを移動させながら当該ヘッドからインクを吐出させ、吐出させたインクの滴同士を重ねることなどによって、３次元造形物を造形するので、３次元造形物の上面が平坦にならないことがあった。 By the way, in the three-dimensional printers of Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above, a three-dimensional structure is formed by, for example, ejecting ink from the head while moving the head in the main scanning direction and overlapping the ejected ink droplets. Since modeling is performed, the upper surface of the three-dimensional model may not be flat.
　本発明は、上記に鑑みてなされたものであって、３次元造形物の上面をより平坦にすることができる３次元造形物の製造方法を提供することを目的とする。 The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure that can make the upper surface of the three-dimensional structure more flat.
　上述した課題を解決し、目的を達成するために、本発明に係る３次元造形物の製造方法は、外的刺激が付与されることで硬化度が変化するインクを作業面に供給可能なインク供給部を備え、前記作業面に供給されたインクに外的刺激を付与する３次元プリンタにおいて実行される３次元造形物の製造方法であって、前記３次元造形物の輪郭に沿って形成された枠体を作業面上に設置する枠体設置工程と、前記枠体の内側でかつ前記作業面上に前記インク供給部が前記インクを供給するインク供給工程と、前記インク供給工程において前記枠体の内側に前記インクを供給した後に、前記インクに外的刺激を付与して硬化させる硬化工程と、を含むことを特徴とする。 In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the present invention is an ink that can supply ink whose degree of cure changes by applying an external stimulus to the work surface. A manufacturing method of a three-dimensional structure that is provided in a three-dimensional printer that includes a supply unit and applies an external stimulus to ink supplied to the work surface, and is formed along an outline of the three-dimensional structure. A frame body installation step for installing the frame body on the work surface, an ink supply step in which the ink supply unit supplies the ink inside the frame body and on the work surface, and the frame in the ink supply step A curing step of applying an external stimulus to the ink and then curing the ink after supplying the ink to the inside of the body.
　この発明では、インク供給工程において枠体の内側にインクを供給するので、枠体の内側に供給されたインクの上面を平坦にすることができる。また、枠体の内側に供給されたインクの上面が平坦になった後に、硬化工程においてインクを硬化させるので、３次元造形物を構成する層の上面を平坦に形成することができ、３次元造形物の上面を平坦にすることができる。 In the present invention, since ink is supplied to the inside of the frame in the ink supply process, the upper surface of the ink supplied to the inside of the frame can be flattened. In addition, since the ink is cured in the curing step after the upper surface of the ink supplied to the inside of the frame becomes flat, the upper surface of the layer constituting the three-dimensional structure can be formed flat. The upper surface of the shaped object can be flattened.
　また、上記３次元造形物の製造方法において、前記枠体設置工程において、前記作業面と相対的に移動する前記３次元プリンタの吐出部からサポートインクを前記作業面に吐出し、前記サポートインクを硬化して、前記枠体を設置するものとすることができる。 Further, in the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure, in the frame body setting step, support ink is discharged from the discharge unit of the three-dimensional printer that moves relative to the work surface to the work surface, and the support ink is discharged. It can harden | cure and shall install the said frame.
　この発明では、サポートインクを吐出し硬化させて枠体を形成するので、種々の形状の枠体を容易に形成でき、種々の形状の３次元造形物を容易に形成することができる。 In this invention, since the frame body is formed by discharging and curing the support ink, the frame body of various shapes can be easily formed, and the three-dimensional shaped object of various shapes can be easily formed.
　また、上記３次元造形物の製造方法において、前記インク供給工程と、前記硬化工程とを複数回繰り返すものとすることができる。 Further, in the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure, the ink supply step and the curing step can be repeated a plurality of times.
　この発明では、インク供給工程と硬化工程とを複数回繰り返すので、３次元造形物を構成する各層の上面を平坦にすることができるとともに、さまざまな厚みの３次元造形物を形成することができる。 In this invention, since the ink supply process and the curing process are repeated a plurality of times, the upper surface of each layer constituting the three-dimensional structure can be flattened, and three-dimensional structures with various thicknesses can be formed. .
　また、上記３次元造形物の製造方法において、前記硬化工程では、前記枠体の内側に供給された前記インクに、前記インクが完全に硬化する外的刺激よりも弱い外的刺激を付与する、あるいは、前記インクが完全に硬化する時間よりも短い時間外的刺激を付与し、最後の硬化工程の後に、前記インクに外的刺激を付与して前記インクを完全に硬化させる完全硬化工程を含むものとすることができる。 Moreover, in the manufacturing method of the three-dimensional structure, in the curing step, an external stimulus that is weaker than an external stimulus that completely cures the ink is applied to the ink supplied to the inside of the frame. Alternatively, an external stimulus is applied for a time shorter than the time for the ink to completely cure, and after the final curing step, an external stimulus is applied to the ink to completely cure the ink. It can be.
　この発明では、硬化工程において枠体の内側に供給したインクを半硬化させるので、複数重ねられるインクの層同士を密着させることができる。また、最後の完全硬化工程では、インクを完全に硬化させるので、３次元造形物を確実に形成することができる。 In the present invention, since the ink supplied to the inside of the frame body is semi-cured in the curing step, a plurality of layers of ink can be brought into close contact with each other. In addition, since the ink is completely cured in the last complete curing step, a three-dimensional structure can be reliably formed.
　また、上記３次元造形物の製造方法において、前記インク供給工程において、前記３次元プリンタの往復移動部が前記インク供給部を主走査方向に複数回移動させながら前記インク供給部が前記枠体の内側に前記インクを供給するものとすることができる。 In the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure, in the ink supply step, the reciprocating unit of the three-dimensional printer moves the ink supply unit a plurality of times in the main scanning direction while the ink supply unit is connected to the frame body. The ink may be supplied inside.
　この発明では、インク供給工程において往復移動部がインク供給部を主走査方向に複数回移動させながらインクを枠体の内側に供給するので、枠体内に供給したインクの上面を速やかに平坦にすることができ、所望の形状の３次元造形物を形成することができる。 In this invention, since the reciprocating unit supplies the ink to the inside of the frame while moving the ink supply unit a plurality of times in the main scanning direction in the ink supply process, the upper surface of the ink supplied into the frame is quickly flattened. It is possible to form a three-dimensional structure having a desired shape.
　また、上記３次元造形物の製造方法において、前記インク供給部は、前記インクとして、少なくとも顔料、紫外線により硬化する紫外線硬化樹脂及び光重合開始剤からなり粘度が２０ｍＰａ・ｓｅｃ以上（室温２５℃）のＵＶ硬化型インクに揮発性有機溶剤が添加されて、３ｍＰａ・ｓｅｃ以上１８ｍＰａ・ｓｅｃ（室温２５℃）以下の粘度を有するインクを前記作業面に供給可能であるものとすることができる。 In the method for producing a three-dimensional structure, the ink supply unit includes at least a pigment, an ultraviolet curable resin cured by ultraviolet rays, and a photopolymerization initiator as the ink, and has a viscosity of 20 mPa · sec or more (room temperature: 25 ° C.). A volatile organic solvent is added to the UV curable ink, and an ink having a viscosity of 3 mPa · sec to 18 mPa · sec (room temperature 25 ° C.) can be supplied to the work surface.
　この発明では、インク供給工程において枠体の内側にＵＶ硬化型インクを揮発性有機溶剤により希釈したインクを供給するので、枠体の内側に供給されたインクの上面を速やかに平坦にすることができる。したがって、３次元造形物を構成する層の上面を平坦に形成することができ、３次元造形物の上面を平坦にすることができる。 According to the present invention, since the ink obtained by diluting the UV curable ink with the volatile organic solvent is supplied to the inside of the frame in the ink supply process, the upper surface of the ink supplied to the inside of the frame can be quickly flattened. it can. Therefore, the upper surface of the layer constituting the three-dimensional structure can be formed flat, and the upper surface of the three-dimensional structure can be flattened.
　本発明に係る３次元造形物の製造方法は、３次元造形物の上面を平坦にすることができる、という効果を奏する。 The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the present invention has an effect that the upper surface of the three-dimensional structure can be flattened.
図１は、実施形態に係るインクジェットプリンタの概略の構成を示す概略構成図である。FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an inkjet printer according to an embodiment. 図２は、図１に示されたインクジェットプリンタにより造形される３次元造形物の一例を示す斜視図である。FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a three-dimensional structure formed by the ink jet printer shown in FIG. 図３は、図２に示された３次元造形物を形成する際に用いられる枠体の一例を示す斜視図である。FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a frame used when forming the three-dimensional structure shown in FIG. 図４は、実施形態に係る３次元造形物の製造方法のフローチャートの一例である。FIG. 4 is an example of a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the embodiment. 図５は、インクジェットプリンタにより吐出されるインクの滴の軌跡などを説明する説明図である。FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the trajectory of ink droplets ejected by the ink jet printer. 図６は、インクジェットプリンタにより吐出されるインクの滴により造形される３次元造形物の上面の形状などを説明する説明図である。FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the shape of the upper surface of a three-dimensional structure formed by ink droplets discharged by an ink jet printer. 図７は、図１に示されたインクジェットプリンタが枠体を形成した状態を模式的に示す断面図である。7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the inkjet printer shown in FIG. 1 has formed a frame. 図８は、図７に示された枠体内にインクを供給した状態を模式的に示す断面図である。FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which ink is supplied into the frame shown in FIG. 図９は、図８に示されたインクを加熱し紫外線を照射して半硬化させた状態を模式的に示す断面図である。FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the ink shown in FIG. 8 is heated and irradiated with ultraviolet rays to be semi-cured. 図１０は、図９に示された枠体上に次の枠体を形成した状態を模式的に示す断面図である。FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the next frame is formed on the frame shown in FIG. 図１１は、枠体の内側に３次元造形物の全ての層を形成した状態を模式的に示す断面図である。FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which all layers of the three-dimensional structure are formed inside the frame. 図１２は、図１１に示された枠体を除去して得た３次元造形物などを模式的に示す断面図である。12 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a three-dimensional structure obtained by removing the frame shown in FIG. 図１３は、実施形態の変形例１に係る３次元造形物の製造方法のフローチャートの一例である。FIG. 13: is an example of the flowchart of the manufacturing method of the three-dimensional structure based on the modification 1 of embodiment.
　以下に、本発明に係る３次元プリンタ、及び、３次元造形物の製造方法の実施形態を図面に基づいて詳細に説明する。なお、この実施形態によりこの発明が限定されるものではない。また、下記実施形態における構成要素には、当業者が置換可能、且つ、容易なもの、或いは実質的に同一のものが含まれる。 Hereinafter, embodiments of a three-dimensional printer and a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment. In addition, constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same.
　〔実施形態〕
　図１は、実施形態に係るインクジェットプリンタの概略の構成を示す概略構成図である。図２は、図１に示されたインクジェットプリンタにより造形される３次元造形物の一例を示す斜視図である。図３は、図２に示された３次元造形物を形成する際に用いられる枠体の一例を示す斜視図である。図４は、実施形態に係る３次元造形物の製造方法のフローチャートの一例である。図５は、インクジェットプリンタにより吐出されるインクの滴の軌跡などを説明する説明図である。図６は、インクジェットプリンタにより吐出されるインクの滴により造形される３次元造形物の上面の形状などを説明する説明図である。 Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an inkjet printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a three-dimensional structure formed by the ink jet printer shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a frame used when forming the three-dimensional structure shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an example of a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the trajectory of ink droplets ejected by the ink jet printer. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the shape of the upper surface of a three-dimensional structure formed by ink droplets discharged by an ink jet printer.
　図１に示す実施形態に係る３次元プリンタとしてのインクジェットプリンタ１は、いわゆるインクジェット法を用いて、３次元の立体造形物である３次元造形物Ｗ（一例を図２に示す）を製造する立体造形装置である。このインクジェットプリンタ１は、典型的には、３次元造形物Ｗの３次元データに基づいて当該３次元造形物Ｗを上下方向に多数の層ＬＹ（図２に示す）に区画し、その３次元造形物Ｗの層ＬＹ毎の形状データに基づいて造形材（インクを硬化させたもの）を下側の層ＬＹから順に積層していくことで、その３次元データに合わせた３次元造形物Ｗを形成するものである。図２に一例を示す３次元造形物Ｗは、断面台形状の直方体に形成されている。しかしながら、本発明では、３次元造形物Ｗの形状はこれに限らない。 An inkjet printer 1 as a three-dimensional printer according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 uses a so-called inkjet method to manufacture a three-dimensional structure W (an example is shown in FIG. 2) that is a three-dimensional three-dimensional object. It is a modeling device. The inkjet printer 1 typically divides the three-dimensional structure W into a number of layers LY (shown in FIG. 2) in the vertical direction based on the three-dimensional data of the three-dimensional structure W, and the three-dimensional Based on the shape data of each layer LY of the modeled object W, a three-dimensional modeled object W that matches the three-dimensional data is obtained by sequentially stacking modeling materials (thickened ink) from the lower layer LY. Is formed. The three-dimensional structure W shown as an example in FIG. 2 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped having a trapezoidal cross section. However, in the present invention, the shape of the three-dimensional structure W is not limited to this.
　インクジェットプリンタ１は、図１に示すように、上面が作業面２ａをなす載置台２と、主走査方向に設けたＹバー３と、キャリッジ４と、キャリッジ駆動部５（往復移動部に相当）と、載置台駆動部６と、制御部７と、入力装置８などを備える。 As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet printer 1 includes a mounting table 2 whose upper surface forms a work surface 2a, a Y bar 3 provided in the main scanning direction, a carriage 4, and a carriage driving unit 5 (corresponding to a reciprocating movement unit). And a mounting table driving unit 6, a control unit 7, an input device 8 and the like.
　載置台２の作業面２ａは、水平方向（図１に示すＸ軸とＹ軸との双方と平行な方向）に平坦に形成され、その上に造形材としてのインクが下側の層ＬＹから順に積層される平面である。載置台２は、例えば、略矩形状に形成されるがこれに限らない。また、載置台２は、ヒータ９（図１に示す）により、作業面２ａが加熱される。 The work surface 2a of the mounting table 2 is formed flat in a horizontal direction (a direction parallel to both the X axis and the Y axis shown in FIG. 1), and ink as a modeling material is formed thereon from the lower layer LY. It is a plane laminated in order. The mounting table 2 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, for example, but is not limited thereto. Further, the work table 2a of the mounting table 2 is heated by a heater 9 (shown in FIG. 1).
　Ｙバー３は、載置台２の鉛直方向上側に所定の間隔をあけて設けられる。Ｙバー３は、水平方向（Ｙ軸）と平行な主走査方向に沿って直線状に設けられる。Ｙバー３は、キャリッジ４の主走査方向に沿った往復移動をガイドする。 The Y bar 3 is provided at a predetermined interval above the mounting table 2 in the vertical direction. The Y bar 3 is provided linearly along the main scanning direction parallel to the horizontal direction (Y axis). The Y bar 3 guides the reciprocation of the carriage 4 along the main scanning direction.
　キャリッジ４は、Ｙバー３に保持され、当該Ｙバー３に沿って主走査方向に往復移動可能である。キャリッジ４は、主走査方向に移動制御される。キャリッジ４は、鉛直方向に対して載置台２と対向する面に、図示しないホルダ等を介してインク供給部４１と吐出部４２と紫外線照射器４３（外的刺激付与部に相当）とが設けられる。 The carriage 4 is held by the Y bar 3 and can reciprocate in the main scanning direction along the Y bar 3. The carriage 4 is controlled to move in the main scanning direction. The carriage 4 is provided with an ink supply unit 41, a discharge unit 42, and an ultraviolet irradiator 43 (corresponding to an external stimulus applying unit) on a surface facing the mounting table 2 in the vertical direction via a holder (not shown). It is done.
　吐出部４２は、露光することで硬化度が変化するサポートインクを作業面２ａに吐出するものである。実施形態の吐出部４２は、少なくとも、露光することで硬化度が変化するインクとして、３次元造形物Ｗの輪郭に沿った枠体Ｅ（図３に示す）を形成するサポートインクを吐出可能であるとともにキャリッジ駆動部５により作業面２ａと相対移動可能なものである。なお、枠体Ｅは、内周面が３次元造形物Ｗの外側面に沿った形状に形成されている。枠体Ｅは、内側にインク供給部４１からのインクＩ（図８に示す）が供給され、当該インクＩが硬化されることで、３次元造形物Ｗを造形するものである。なお、本実施形態では、枠体Ｅは、３次元造形物Ｗを構成する層ＬＹよりも厚く形成され、吐出部４２から吐出されるサポートインクにより下側のものから順に積層される。 The discharge unit 42 discharges the support ink whose degree of cure is changed by exposure to the work surface 2a. The ejection unit 42 according to the embodiment can eject at least support ink that forms a frame E (shown in FIG. 3) along the contour of the three-dimensional structure W as ink whose degree of cure changes by exposure. In addition, the carriage drive unit 5 can move relative to the work surface 2a. In addition, the frame E is formed in the shape where the inner peripheral surface followed the outer surface of the three-dimensional structure W. The frame E is supplied with the ink I (shown in FIG. 8) from the ink supply unit 41, and the ink I is cured to form the three-dimensional structure W. In the present embodiment, the frame body E is formed thicker than the layer LY constituting the three-dimensional structure W, and is laminated in order from the lower one by the support ink ejected from the ejection section 42.
　吐出部４２は、キャリッジ４の主走査方向に沿った移動に伴って主走査方向に沿って往復移動可能である。吐出部４２は、各種インク流路、レギュレータ、ポンプ等を介してインクタンクと接続されている。吐出部４２は、インクタンクの数、言い換えれば、同時に印刷可能なサポートインクの種類の数等に応じて単数、あるいは複数が設けられる。吐出部４２は、インクタンク内のサポートインクを作業面２ａに向けてインクジェット方式で吐出することができるインクジェットヘッドである。ここで、露光することで硬化度が変化するサポートインクとしては、例えば、紫外線を照射することで硬化するＵＶ（紫外線）硬化インクを用いることができ、例えば、硬化後に易水溶性や易アルコール溶性あるいは加熱溶解性を有するものが望ましい。吐出部４２は、制御部７と電気的に接続され、制御部７によってその駆動が制御される。 The ejection unit 42 can reciprocate along the main scanning direction as the carriage 4 moves along the main scanning direction. The ejection unit 42 is connected to an ink tank through various ink flow paths, a regulator, a pump, and the like. One or a plurality of ejection units 42 are provided according to the number of ink tanks, in other words, the number of types of support ink that can be printed simultaneously. The ejection unit 42 is an inkjet head that can eject the support ink in the ink tank toward the work surface 2a by an inkjet method. Here, as the support ink whose degree of cure is changed by exposure, for example, UV (ultraviolet) curable ink that is cured by irradiating ultraviolet rays can be used. For example, it is easily soluble in water or easily soluble in alcohol after curing. Or what has heat solubility is desirable. The discharge unit 42 is electrically connected to the control unit 7, and the driving of the discharge unit 42 is controlled by the control unit 7.
　インク供給部４１は、紫外線が照射されること（即ち、外的刺激が付与されること）で硬化度が変化する造形材としてのインクＩ（図８などに示す）を作業面２ａの枠体Ｅの内側に供給可能である。実施形態のインク供給部４１は、露光することで硬化度が変化するインクＩを作業面２ａに供給する。インク供給部４１は、３次元造形物Ｗを形成するインクＩを吐出する。インク供給部４１は、キャリッジ４に設けられかつ図示しないインクタンクに貯留されているインクＩを作業面２ａに吐出可能である。 The ink supply unit 41 uses the ink I (shown in FIG. 8 or the like) as a modeling material whose degree of cure changes when irradiated with ultraviolet rays (that is, when an external stimulus is applied) to the frame of the work surface 2a. E can be supplied inside E. The ink supply unit 41 according to the embodiment supplies the work surface 2a with the ink I whose degree of cure is changed by exposure. The ink supply unit 41 ejects ink I that forms the three-dimensional structure W. The ink supply unit 41 can eject the ink I provided in the carriage 4 and stored in an ink tank (not shown) to the work surface 2a.
　インク供給部４１は、キャリッジ４の主走査方向に沿った移動に伴って主走査方向に沿って往復移動可能である。インク供給部４１は、各種インク流路、レギュレータ、ポンプ等を介してインクタンクと接続されている。インク供給部４１は、インクタンクの数、言い換えれば、同時に印刷可能なインクＩの種類の数等に応じて単数、あるいは複数が設けられる。 The ink supply unit 41 can reciprocate along the main scanning direction as the carriage 4 moves along the main scanning direction. The ink supply unit 41 is connected to an ink tank through various ink flow paths, a regulator, a pump, and the like. One or a plurality of ink supply units 41 are provided according to the number of ink tanks, in other words, the number of types of ink I that can be printed simultaneously.
　ここで、外的刺激が付与されることで硬化度が変化するインクＩとしては、モノマー（５５～８８重量％）およびオリゴマー（０～１５重量％）、光重合開始剤（６～１３重量％）、増感剤（３～３０重量％）、色剤（顔料）（３～６重量％）および添加剤（１～８重量％；分散剤、レベル剤、重合禁止剤）からなり、粘度（２５℃）が３０～３００ｍＰａ・ｓｅｃの高粘度のＵＶ硬化型インクに、粘度０．３２（２０℃）、沸点６９℃のｎ－ヘキサンを６０～８５重量％添加して、２５℃での粘度が１０ｍＰａ・ｓｅｃにしたインクを用いる。 Here, the ink I whose degree of cure changes when an external stimulus is applied includes a monomer (55 to 88% by weight), an oligomer (0 to 15% by weight), and a photopolymerization initiator (6 to 13% by weight). ), A sensitizer (3 to 30% by weight), a colorant (pigment) (3 to 6% by weight) and an additive (1 to 8% by weight; a dispersant, a leveling agent, a polymerization inhibitor). (25 ° C) is 30 to 300 mPa · sec. High viscosity UV curable ink is obtained by adding 60 to 85% by weight of n-hexane having a viscosity of 0.32 (20 ° C) and a boiling point of 69 ° C and a viscosity at 25 ° C. Is 10 mPa · sec.
　例えば、上記のような、ｎ－ヘキサンを添加する前の粘度が約３０ｍＰａ・ｓｅｃ（２５℃）であるＵＶ硬化型インクに、インク全体における含有量が７５重量％となるようにｎ－ヘキサンを添加して、粘度が８ｍＰａ・ｓｅｃとしたインクを挙げることができる。なお、モノマーおよびオリゴマーは、紫外線により硬化する、紫外線硬化樹脂である。 For example, to the UV curable ink having a viscosity of about 30 mPa · sec (25 ° C.) before the addition of n-hexane as described above, n-hexane is added so that the content in the whole ink becomes 75% by weight. An ink having a viscosity of 8 mPa · sec can be used. The monomers and oligomers are ultraviolet curable resins that are cured by ultraviolet rays.
　また、インクＩは、モノマーおよび／またはオリゴマー、光重合開始剤、増感剤、色剤および添加剤からなる粘度が、２０ｍＰａ・ｓｅｃ以上（室温２５℃）のＵＶ硬化型インクを用い、揮発性有機溶剤の含有率を適宜調整して、粘度を、３ｍＰａ・ｓｅｃ以上１８ｍＰａ・ｓｅｃ以下に調整したインクである。ＵＶ硬化型インクの粘度は、２０ｍＰａ・ｓｅｃ以上（室温２５℃）が望ましいが、より好ましくは、５０ｍＰａ・ｓｅｃ（室温２５℃）以上である。２０ｍＰａ・ｓｅｃ（室温２５℃）未満では、滲みが激しく、その速度も大きい。２０ｍＰａ・ｓｅｃ（室温２５℃）以上５０ｍＰａ・ｓｅｃ（室温２５℃）未満では、滲みが見られるが、滲む速度は小さく、紫外線が照射されて硬化するまでに画像の精細さが欠ける程ではなく、紫外線を照射するまでの時間を制御することにより、高精細な画像を得ることが可能である。５０ｍＰａ・ｓｅｃ（室温２５℃）以上では、滲みは目立たず、１００ｍＰａ・ｓｅｃ（室温２５℃）以上では、ほとんど滲みは無く、１０００ｍＰａ・ｓｅｃ（室温２５℃）以上では、全く滲みは無い。 Ink I is a UV curable ink having a viscosity of 20 mPa · sec or more (room temperature 25 ° C.) composed of a monomer and / or oligomer, a photopolymerization initiator, a sensitizer, a colorant and an additive, and is volatile. The ink has a viscosity adjusted to 3 mPa · sec to 18 mPa · sec by appropriately adjusting the content of the organic solvent. The viscosity of the UV curable ink is preferably 20 mPa · sec or more (room temperature 25 ° C.), more preferably 50 mPa · sec (room temperature 25 ° C.) or more. If it is less than 20 mPa · sec (room temperature 25 ° C.), the bleeding is severe and the speed is high. Bleeding is observed at 20 mPa · sec (room temperature 25 ° C.) or more and less than 50 mPa · sec (room temperature 25 ° C.), but the bleeding speed is small, and the fineness of the image is not lost until it is cured by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays. By controlling the time until irradiation with ultraviolet rays, it is possible to obtain a high-definition image. At 50 mPa · sec (room temperature 25 ° C.) or higher, bleeding is not noticeable, at 100 mPa · sec (room temperature 25 ° C.) or higher there is almost no bleeding, and at 1000 mPa · sec (room temperature 25 ° C.) or higher, there is no bleeding.
　揮発性有機溶剤の含有率は、３０重量％以上９０重量％以下であることが望ましく、さらには、５０重量％以上７０重量％以下が望ましい。 The content of the volatile organic solvent is preferably 30% by weight to 90% by weight, and more preferably 50% by weight to 70% by weight.
　また、ｎ－ヘキサンに代わりに他の揮発性有機溶剤であってもよく、接触角がＵＶ硬化型インクより小さく、粘度は、５ｍＰａ・ｓｅｃ以下、好ましくは２ｍＰａ・ｓｅｃ以下で、かつ、沸点が、２００℃以下好ましくは１６０℃以下の、揮発性有機溶剤から適宜選択することができる。例えば、イソパラフィン系炭化水素（出光興産　ＩＰソルベント１０１６、ＩＰソルベント１６２０等）、シクロヘキサノン等のケトン類、トルエン、キシレン等の芳香族炭化水素類、ジプロピレングリコール、モノメチルエーテルアセテート等のエステル類等を挙げることができる。また、一種類に限らず複数の揮発性有機溶剤を混合して用いてもよい。 Further, other volatile organic solvents may be used instead of n-hexane, the contact angle is smaller than that of the UV curable ink, the viscosity is 5 mPa · sec or less, preferably 2 mPa · sec or less, and the boiling point is The organic solvent can be appropriately selected from volatile organic solvents at 200 ° C. or lower, preferably 160 ° C. or lower. Examples include isoparaffin hydrocarbons (Idemitsu Kosan IP Solvent 1016, IP Solvent 1620, etc.), ketones such as cyclohexanone, aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene and xylene, esters such as dipropylene glycol and monomethyl ether acetate, and the like. be able to. Moreover, you may mix and use not only one type but a several volatile organic solvent.
　顔料、モノマーおよび／またはオリゴマー、及び光重合開始剤としては、いずれも特に限定されるものではなく、各種従来公知のものを適宜選択して用いることができる。また、増感剤、分散剤、レベリング剤、重合禁止剤等、各種添加剤等も公知のものを適宜選択して用いることができる。 The pigment, monomer and / or oligomer, and photopolymerization initiator are not particularly limited, and various conventionally known ones can be appropriately selected and used. Further, various additives such as a sensitizer, a dispersant, a leveling agent, a polymerization inhibitor, and the like can be appropriately selected from known ones.
　本実施形態のインクＩは、揮発性有機溶剤を含有していることで、室温におけるインク粘度を低くすることができる。さらに、ＵＶ硬化前に揮発性有機溶剤を速やかに揮発除去することにより、インク滴の表面の平坦度を高くすることができる。 The ink I of the present embodiment can reduce the ink viscosity at room temperature by containing a volatile organic solvent. Furthermore, the flatness of the surface of the ink droplet can be increased by quickly removing the volatile organic solvent by volatilization before UV curing.
　また、インクＩは、製造する３次元造形物Ｗの色彩に応じて、白色インク、着色インク、透明インク等を適宜用いることができる。インク供給部４１は、制御部７と電気的に接続され、制御部７によってその駆動が制御される。 Further, as the ink I, white ink, colored ink, transparent ink, or the like can be appropriately used according to the color of the three-dimensional structure W to be manufactured. The ink supply unit 41 is electrically connected to the control unit 7 and its drive is controlled by the control unit 7.
　紫外線照射器４３は、作業面２ａに吐出されたサポートインク及び作業面２ａの枠体Ｅの内側に供給されたインクＩに紫外線を照射するもの（外的刺激を付与するもの）である。紫外線照射器４３は、作業面２ａに供給されたインクＩ及びサポートインクに対して露光可能なものである。紫外線照射器４３は、例えば、紫外線を照射可能なＬＥＤモジュール等により構成される。紫外線照射器４３は、キャリッジ４に設けられ、キャリッジ４の主走査方向に沿った移動に伴って主走査方向に沿って往復移動可能である。紫外線照射器４３は、制御部７と電気的に接続され、制御部７によってその駆動が制御される。 The ultraviolet irradiator 43 irradiates the support ink discharged to the work surface 2a and the ink I supplied to the inside of the frame E of the work surface 2a (provides external stimulation). The ultraviolet irradiator 43 can expose the ink I and the support ink supplied to the work surface 2a. The ultraviolet irradiator 43 is constituted by, for example, an LED module that can irradiate ultraviolet rays. The ultraviolet irradiator 43 is provided on the carriage 4 and can reciprocate along the main scanning direction as the carriage 4 moves along the main scanning direction. The ultraviolet irradiator 43 is electrically connected to the control unit 7, and its driving is controlled by the control unit 7.
　キャリッジ駆動部５は、Ｙバー３に対してキャリッジ４即ちインク供給部４１、吐出部４２及び紫外線照射器４３を主走査方向に相対的に往復移動させる駆動装置である。キャリッジ駆動部５は、例えば、キャリッジ４に連結された搬送ベルト等の伝達機構、搬送ベルトを駆動する電動機等の駆動源を含んで構成され、駆動源が発生させた動力を、伝達機構を介してキャリッジ４を主走査方向に沿って移動させる動力に変換し、当該キャリッジ４を主走査方向に沿って往復移動させる。キャリッジ駆動部５は、制御部７と電気的に接続され、制御部７によってその駆動が制御される。 The carriage drive unit 5 is a drive device that relatively moves the carriage 4, that is, the ink supply unit 41, the discharge unit 42, and the ultraviolet irradiator 43 relative to the Y bar 3 in the main scanning direction. The carriage drive unit 5 includes, for example, a transmission mechanism such as a conveyance belt connected to the carriage 4 and a drive source such as an electric motor that drives the conveyance belt, and transmits power generated by the drive source via the transmission mechanism. Thus, the power is converted into power for moving the carriage 4 along the main scanning direction, and the carriage 4 is reciprocated along the main scanning direction. The carriage drive unit 5 is electrically connected to the control unit 7, and the drive is controlled by the control unit 7.
　載置台駆動部６は、図１に示すように、鉛直方向移動部６１と、副走査方向移動部６２と、軸心回転部６３とを備える。鉛直方向移動部６１は、載置台２をＺ軸と平行な鉛直方向に沿って上下移動させることで、載置台２に形成された作業面２ａをインク供給部４１、吐出部４２及び紫外線照射器４３に対して相対的に鉛直方向に沿って上下移動させるものである。これにより、載置台駆動部６は、インク供給部４１、吐出部４２及び紫外線照射器４３に対して、作業面２ａを鉛直方向に沿って接近離間させることができる。つまり、載置台駆動部６は、インク供給部４１、吐出部４２及び紫外線照射器４３に対して作業面２ａを鉛直方向に沿って相対移動可能とする。 As shown in FIG. 1, the mounting table driving unit 6 includes a vertical direction moving unit 61, a sub-scanning direction moving unit 62, and an axis rotation unit 63. The vertical direction moving unit 61 moves the mounting table 2 up and down along the vertical direction parallel to the Z axis, thereby moving the work surface 2a formed on the mounting table 2 to the ink supply unit 41, the discharge unit 42, and the ultraviolet irradiator. It is moved up and down along the vertical direction relative to 43. Thereby, the mounting table drive unit 6 can move the work surface 2a closer to and away from the ink supply unit 41, the discharge unit 42, and the ultraviolet irradiator 43 along the vertical direction. That is, the mounting table drive unit 6 can move the work surface 2 a relative to the ink supply unit 41, the discharge unit 42, and the ultraviolet irradiator 43 along the vertical direction.
　副走査方向移動部６２は、載置台２を主走査方向に対して直交するＸ軸と平行な副走査方向に移動させることで、載置台２に形成された作業面２ａをインク供給部４１、吐出部４２及び紫外線照射器４３に対して相対的に副走査方向に沿って往復移動させるものである。これにより、載置台駆動部６は、インク供給部４１、吐出部４２及び紫外線照射器４３に対して、作業面２ａを副走査方向に沿って往復移動させることができる。つまり、副走査方向移動部６２は、インク供給部４１、吐出部４２及び紫外線照射器４３と、作業面２ａとを副走査方向に相対的に往復移動可能とする。実施形態では、副走査方向移動部６２は、載置台２を副走査方向に移動させるが、本発明では、これに限定されることなく、Ｙバー３毎に、インク供給部４１、吐出部４２及び紫外線照射器４３を副走査方向に移動させてもよい。 The sub-scanning direction moving unit 62 moves the mounting table 2 in the sub-scanning direction parallel to the X axis orthogonal to the main scanning direction, thereby moving the work surface 2a formed on the mounting table 2 to the ink supply unit 41, This is reciprocally moved in the sub-scanning direction relative to the discharge unit 42 and the ultraviolet irradiator 43. Thereby, the mounting table driving unit 6 can reciprocate the work surface 2 a along the sub-scanning direction with respect to the ink supply unit 41, the discharge unit 42, and the ultraviolet irradiator 43. That is, the sub-scanning direction moving unit 62 can relatively reciprocate the ink supply unit 41, the discharge unit 42, the ultraviolet irradiator 43, and the work surface 2a in the sub-scanning direction. In the embodiment, the sub-scanning direction moving unit 62 moves the mounting table 2 in the sub-scanning direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ink supply unit 41 and the discharge unit 42 are provided for each Y bar 3. Further, the ultraviolet irradiator 43 may be moved in the sub-scanning direction.
　軸心回転部６３は、載置台２を鉛直方向と平行な軸心（Ｚ軸）回りに回転することで、載置台２に形成された作業面２ａをインク供給部４１、吐出部４２及び紫外線照射器４３に対して相対的に軸心回りに回転させるものである。これにより、載置台駆動部６は、インク供給部４１、吐出部４２及び紫外線照射器４３に対して、作業面２ａを軸心回りに回転させることができる。つまり、軸心回転部６３は、インク供給部４１、吐出部４２及び紫外線照射器４３と、作業面２ａとを鉛直方向と平行な軸心回りに回転自在とする。 The shaft center rotating unit 63 rotates the mounting table 2 around an axis (Z axis) parallel to the vertical direction, thereby causing the work surface 2a formed on the mounting table 2 to move to the ink supply unit 41, the discharge unit 42, and the ultraviolet light. It is rotated around the axis relative to the irradiator 43. Thereby, the mounting table drive unit 6 can rotate the work surface 2 a around the axis with respect to the ink supply unit 41, the discharge unit 42, and the ultraviolet irradiator 43. That is, the axis rotation unit 63 makes the ink supply unit 41, the discharge unit 42, the ultraviolet irradiator 43, and the work surface 2a rotatable about an axis parallel to the vertical direction.
　制御部７は、インク供給部４１、吐出部４２、紫外線照射器４３、キャリッジ駆動部５、載置台駆動部６等を含むインクジェットプリンタ１の各部を制御する。制御部７は、演算装置、メモリ等のハードウェア及びこれらの所定の機能を実現させるプログラムから構成される。制御部７は、インク供給部４１を制御し、インクＩの供給量、供給タイミング、供給期間等を制御する。制御部７は、吐出部４２を制御し、サポートインクの吐出量、吐出タイミング、吐出期間等を制御する。制御部７は、紫外線照射器４３を制御し、照射する紫外線の強度、露光タイミング、露光期間等を制御する。制御部７は、キャリッジ駆動部５を制御し、キャリッジ４の主走査方向に沿った相対移動を制御する。制御部７は、載置台駆動部６を制御し、載置台２の鉛直方向、副走査方向に沿った相対移動及び軸心回りの相対移動を制御する。 The control unit 7 controls each unit of the ink jet printer 1 including the ink supply unit 41, the discharge unit 42, the ultraviolet irradiator 43, the carriage driving unit 5, the mounting table driving unit 6, and the like. The control unit 7 includes hardware such as an arithmetic device and a memory, and a program that realizes these predetermined functions. The control unit 7 controls the ink supply unit 41 to control the supply amount, supply timing, supply period, and the like of the ink I. The control unit 7 controls the ejection unit 42 to control the ejection amount, ejection timing, ejection period, and the like of the support ink. The control unit 7 controls the ultraviolet irradiator 43 to control the intensity of ultraviolet light to be irradiated, the exposure timing, the exposure period, and the like. The control unit 7 controls the carriage driving unit 5 to control the relative movement of the carriage 4 along the main scanning direction. The control unit 7 controls the mounting table driving unit 6 to control the relative movement of the mounting table 2 along the vertical direction and the sub-scanning direction and the relative movement around the axis.
　入力装置８は、制御部７に接続され、３次元造形物Ｗの形状に関する３次元データを入力するものである。入力装置８は、例えば、制御部７に有線／無線で接続されるＰＣ、種々の端末等によって構成される。 The input device 8 is connected to the control unit 7 and inputs three-dimensional data related to the shape of the three-dimensional structure W. The input device 8 includes, for example, a PC connected to the control unit 7 by wire / wireless, various terminals, and the like.
　ここで、インクジェット式の吐出部１００が、インクジェットプリンタの主走査方向に移動されながら粘度が２０ｍＰａ・ｓｅｃ以上（室温２５℃）のＵＶ硬化型インクを吐出すると、吐出されたインクの滴Ｐ（図５に示す）のうちの先頭側の滴Ｐａは、吐出部１００の移動速度と吐出部１００からの吐出速度とを合わせた速度で吐出されるが、空気抵抗を受けることとなり減速される。一方、後方側のインクの滴Ｐｂは、前方側のインクの滴Ｐａの後方に位置して空気抵抗が抑制されて、減速が抑制される。 Here, when the ink jet type ejection unit 100 ejects UV curable ink having a viscosity of 20 mPa · sec or more (room temperature 25 ° C.) while being moved in the main scanning direction of the ink jet printer, the ejected ink droplet P (see FIG. 5) is discharged at a speed that is a combination of the moving speed of the discharge section 100 and the discharge speed from the discharge section 100, but is slowed down due to air resistance. On the other hand, the ink drop Pb on the rear side is located behind the ink drop Pa on the front side, the air resistance is suppressed, and the deceleration is suppressed.
　このために、インクの滴Ｐａ，Ｐｂの落下軌跡Ｍ，Ｍａにおいて、図５及び図６の実線で示すように、先頭側に位置する滴Ｐａの作業面２ａなどにおける着弾位置が、後方側に位置する滴Ｐｂの着弾位置よりも互いに近接することとなる。なお、図５に示す例では、吐出部１００を図中右側に移動させながら吐出部１００から吐出されるインクの滴Ｐａ，Ｐｂの軌跡Ｍを実線で示し、先頭側の滴Ｐａが後方側の滴Ｐｂと同じ軌跡Ｍで落下した際の軌跡Ｍａを点線で示している。 Therefore, in the drop trajectories M and Ma of the ink droplets Pa and Pb, as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the landing position of the droplet Pa located on the head side on the work surface 2a or the like is on the rear side. It will be closer to each other than the landing position of the positioned drop Pb. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the trajectory M of the ink droplets Pa and Pb ejected from the ejection unit 100 while moving the ejection unit 100 to the right in the figure is shown by a solid line, and the leading droplet Pa is on the rear side. The trajectory Ma when falling along the same trajectory M as the droplet Pb is indicated by a dotted line.
　また、先頭側に位置する滴Ｐａの作業面２ａなどにおける着弾位置が、後方側に位置する滴Ｐｂの着弾位置よりも互いに近接したまま３次元造形物Ｗを造形すると、図６に一点鎖線で示すように、インクにより造形される３次元造形物Ｗの上面Ｗａにおいて、先頭側の滴Ｐａにより造形される端部Ｗｂが他の部分よりも盛り上がり、上面Ｗａが端部Ｗｂから図中右側に向かうにしたがって徐々に低くなるように形成されてしまう。本実施形態に係るインクジェットプリンタ１及び３次元造形物の製造方法は、３次元造形物Ｗの端部Ｗｂが他の部分よりも盛り上がることを抑止して、３次元造形物Ｗの各層ＬＹの上面Ｗａを平坦に形成して、所望の３次元の形状の３次元造形物Ｗを造形するものである。 Further, when the three-dimensional structure W is formed while the landing position of the droplet Pa positioned on the head side on the work surface 2a or the like is close to the landing position of the droplet Pb positioned on the rear side, a one-dot chain line in FIG. As shown, in the upper surface Wa of the three-dimensional structure W formed with ink, the end portion Wb formed by the leading droplet Pa rises more than the other portions, and the upper surface Wa extends from the end portion Wb to the right side in the figure. It is formed so as to gradually become lower as it goes. The manufacturing method of the inkjet printer 1 and the three-dimensional structure according to the present embodiment suppresses the end portion Wb of the three-dimensional structure W from rising above other parts, and the upper surface of each layer LY of the three-dimensional structure W. Wa is formed flat to form a three-dimensional structure W having a desired three-dimensional shape.
　次に、図４のフローチャートを参照して、上記で説明したインクジェットプリンタ１において実行される３次元造形物の製造方法の一例を説明する。図４に示された３次元造形物の製造方法は、インクジェットプリンタ１の制御部７によって実行される。なお、図４の説明に際しては、適宜、図７～図１２も参照する。図７～図１２は、実施形態に係る３次元造形物の製造方法の一例を模式的に説明する断面図である。 Next, an example of a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure that is executed in the inkjet printer 1 described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The method for manufacturing the three-dimensional structure shown in FIG. 4 is executed by the control unit 7 of the inkjet printer 1. In the description of FIG. 4, FIGS. 7 to 12 are also referred to as appropriate. 7 to 12 are cross-sectional views schematically illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to the embodiment.
　実施形態の３次元造形物の製造方法は、形状データ生成工程（ステップＳＴ１）と、吐出パターン生成工程（ステップＳＴ２）と、枠体設置工程（ステップＳＴ３）と、インク供給工程（ステップＳＴ４）と、硬化工程（ステップＳＴ５）と、移動工程（ステップＳＴ８）と、完全硬化工程（ステップＳＴ９）とを含み、枠体設置工程（ステップＳＴ３）と、インク供給工程（ステップＳＴ４）と、硬化工程（ステップＳＴ５）と、移動工程（ステップＳＴ８）とを１回以上即ち複数回繰り返し実行し層ＬＹ毎に印刷することで、３次元造形物Ｗを製造するものである。上記形状データ生成工程（ステップＳＴ１）、吐出パターン生成工程（ステップＳＴ２）、枠体設置工程（ステップＳＴ３）と、インク供給工程（ステップＳＴ４）と、硬化工程（ステップＳＴ５）と、移動工程（ステップＳＴ８）と、完全硬化工程（ステップＳＴ９）は、インクジェットプリンタ１の制御部７によって当該インクジェットプリンタ１の各部の駆動が制御されることで行われる。 The manufacturing method of the three-dimensional structure of the embodiment includes a shape data generation step (step ST1), a discharge pattern generation step (step ST2), a frame body installation step (step ST3), and an ink supply step (step ST4). , Including a curing step (step ST5), a moving step (step ST8), and a complete curing step (step ST9), a frame body setting step (step ST3), an ink supply step (step ST4), and a curing step ( The three-dimensional structure W is manufactured by repeatedly performing the step ST5) and the moving step (step ST8) at least once, that is, a plurality of times, and printing for each layer LY. The shape data generation process (step ST1), the discharge pattern generation process (step ST2), the frame installation process (step ST3), the ink supply process (step ST4), the curing process (step ST5), and the movement process (step) ST8) and the complete curing step (step ST9) are performed by controlling the drive of each part of the inkjet printer 1 by the control unit 7 of the inkjet printer 1.
　本実施形態の３次元造形物の製造方法では、まず、制御部７は、形状データ生成工程として、３次元造形物Ｗの層ＬＹ毎の形状データを生成する（ステップＳＴ１）。この場合、制御部７は、入力装置８から入力される３次元造形物Ｗの形状に関する３次元データに基づいて、鉛直方向に沿った所望の厚みの層ＬＹ毎の３次元造形物Ｗの形状データを演算、生成する。 In the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure of the present embodiment, first, the control unit 7 generates shape data for each layer LY of the three-dimensional structure W as a shape data generation step (step ST1). In this case, the control unit 7 forms the shape of the three-dimensional structure W for each layer LY having a desired thickness along the vertical direction based on the three-dimensional data regarding the shape of the three-dimensional structure W input from the input device 8. Calculate and generate data.
　さらに、制御部７は、枠体Ｅの形状に関する３次元データを生成する。制御部７は、入力装置８から入力される枠体Ｅ又は３次元造形物Ｗの形状に関する３次元データに基づいて、枠体Ｅの厚みが３次元造形物Ｗを構成する各層ＬＹの厚みよりも厚くかつ枠体Ｅの内周面の形状が３次元造形物Ｗを構成する各層ＬＹの輪郭に沿うように、各枠体Ｅの３次元データを生成する。なお、枠体Ｅの主走査方向及び副走査方向の幅は、３次元造形物Ｗの幅よりもはるかに小さく、前述した上面Ｗａにおける端部Ｗｂの盛り上がりが寸法精度に影響を与えない（ほとんど与えない）程度の幅である。 Further, the control unit 7 generates three-dimensional data related to the shape of the frame E. The control unit 7 determines the thickness of the frame E from the thickness of each layer LY constituting the three-dimensional structure W based on the three-dimensional data related to the shape of the frame E or the three-dimensional structure W input from the input device 8. The three-dimensional data of each frame body E is generated so that the inner peripheral surface of the frame body E is thick and follows the outline of each layer LY constituting the three-dimensional structure W. The width of the frame E in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction is much smaller than the width of the three-dimensional structure W, and the above-described rising of the end portion Wb on the upper surface Wa does not affect the dimensional accuracy (almost). Width).
　次に、制御部７は、吐出パターン生成工程として、３次元造形物Ｗの各層ＬＹ毎の印刷パターンを生成し、当該生成した印刷パターンを実現可能なインク供給部４１の供給制御量、露光制御量、キャリッジ駆動部５、載置台駆動部６の制御量などを生成する（ステップＳＴ２）。さらに、制御部７は、吐出パターン生成工程で、各枠体Ｅ毎の印刷パターンを生成し、当該生成した印刷パターンを実現可能な吐出部４２の吐出制御量、露光制御量、キャリッジ駆動部５、載置台駆動部６の制御量などを生成する。 Next, the control unit 7 generates a print pattern for each layer LY of the three-dimensional structure W as a discharge pattern generation process, and supplies the amount of exposure control and exposure control of the ink supply unit 41 that can realize the generated print pattern. And the control amount of the carriage driving unit 5 and the mounting table driving unit 6 are generated (step ST2). Further, the control unit 7 generates a print pattern for each frame E in the discharge pattern generation step, and discharge control amounts, exposure control amounts, and carriage drive unit 5 of the discharge unit 42 capable of realizing the generated print patterns. The control amount of the mounting table drive unit 6 is generated.
　次に、枠体設置工程として、図７に例示するように、３次元造形物Ｗを構成する層ＬＹよりも厚くかつ３次元造形物Ｗを構成する層ＬＹの輪郭に沿って形成された枠体Ｅを作業面２ａ又は既に設置されている枠体Ｅ上に設置する。この場合、制御部７は、吐出部４２及び紫外線照射器４３などを制御し、生成した吐出パターン通りに、キャリッジ駆動部５が吐出部４２、紫外線照射器４３を主走査方向に相対的に移動させ、かつ、載置台２を副走査方向、鉛直方向に相対的に移動させ、軸心回りに相対的に回転させながら、吐出部４２が作業面２ａにサポートインクを吐出するとともに紫外線照射器４３により吐出したサポートインクを露光して作業面２ａ上に枠体Ｅを設置する枠体設置制御を実行する（ステップＳＴ３）。 Next, as illustrated in FIG. 7, as a frame body installation step, the frame is thicker than the layer LY constituting the three-dimensional structure W and is formed along the outline of the layer LY constituting the three-dimensional structure W The body E is installed on the work surface 2a or the frame E that has already been installed. In this case, the control unit 7 controls the discharge unit 42, the ultraviolet irradiator 43, and the like, and the carriage drive unit 5 relatively moves the discharge unit 42 and the ultraviolet irradiator 43 in the main scanning direction according to the generated discharge pattern. The discharge unit 42 discharges the support ink onto the work surface 2a while moving the mounting table 2 relatively in the sub-scanning direction and the vertical direction and relatively rotating around the axis, and the ultraviolet irradiator 43 The support ink discharged by the above is exposed to perform frame body installation control for installing the frame body E on the work surface 2a (step ST3).
　具体的には、制御部７は、キャリッジ駆動部５、鉛直方向移動部６１及び軸心回転部６３を制御して、作業面２ａに対して適切な位置にキャリッジ４を位置付ける。そして、制御部７は、キャリッジ駆動部５によりキャリッジ４を主走査方向に移動させながら、吐出パターン生成工程で生成された印刷パターンに基づき、各枠体Ｅを形成するのに適切なタイミングで吐出部４２からサポートインクを吐出するとともに紫外線照射器４３から紫外線を照射させる。吐出されたサポートインクは、作業面２ａ又は造形済みの枠体Ｅに着弾して硬化される。そして、制御部７は、吐出パターン生成工程で生成されたキャリッジ４の制御量分、キャリッジ４を主走査方向に１回以上移動させながら、吐出部４２からサポートインクを吐出し、吐出したサポートインクを露光して完全に硬化させ、枠体Ｅの主走査方向の１ライン分を形成する。そして、制御部７は、副走査方向移動部６２を制御して、載置台２を１ライン分副走査方向に移動させた後、先ほどの工程を繰り返して、図７に示すように、枠体Ｅの全体を造形する。こうして、インクジェットプリンタ１は、サポートインクを吐出し露光することで、作業面２ａ上に設置され、かつ３次元造形物Ｗを構成する層ＬＹよりも厚く、かつ３次元造形物Ｗを構成する層ＬＹの輪郭に沿って形成された枠体Ｅを備えることとなる。 Specifically, the control unit 7 controls the carriage driving unit 5, the vertical direction moving unit 61, and the axial center rotating unit 63 to position the carriage 4 at an appropriate position with respect to the work surface 2a. Then, the controller 7 discharges the carriage 4 at an appropriate timing to form each frame E based on the print pattern generated in the discharge pattern generation step while moving the carriage 4 in the main scanning direction by the carriage drive unit 5. The support ink is discharged from the unit 42 and the ultraviolet irradiator 43 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays. The discharged support ink lands on the work surface 2a or the shaped frame E and is cured. Then, the control unit 7 ejects the support ink from the ejection unit 42 while moving the carriage 4 one or more times in the main scanning direction by the control amount of the carriage 4 generated in the ejection pattern generation process. Are completely cured to form one line of the frame E in the main scanning direction. Then, the control unit 7 controls the sub-scanning direction moving unit 62 to move the mounting table 2 in the sub-scanning direction by one line, and then repeats the previous steps, as shown in FIG. Model the whole of E. In this way, the inkjet printer 1 ejects the support ink and exposes it to be thicker than the layer LY that is installed on the work surface 2a and that forms the three-dimensional structure W, and the layer that forms the three-dimensional structure W The frame body E formed along the outline of LY will be provided.
　次に、制御部７は、インク供給工程として、図８に例示するように、枠体設置工程（ステップＳＴ３）の後に、枠体Ｅの内側でかつ作業面２ａ上にインク供給部４１がインクＩを供給する（ステップＳＴ４）。この場合、制御部７は、インク供給部４１を制御し枠体Ｅの内側にインクＩを供給するインク供給制御を実行する。具体的には、制御部７は、インク供給制御において、インク供給部４１、キャリッジ駆動部５及び載置台駆動部６を制御し、キャリッジ駆動部５がインク供給部４１を主走査方向に１回以上即ち複数回移動させながら、インク供給部４１が枠体Ｅで囲まれた作業面２ａ上にインクＩを供給する。制御部７は、層ＬＹの厚みに相当する量のインクＩを枠体Ｅで囲まれた作業面２ａ上に供給する。また、この時点では、制御部７は、紫外線照射器４３による紫外線の照射は行わず、インクＩの流動性が十分に確保された状態にしておく。 Next, as illustrated in FIG. 8, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the control unit 7 performs the ink supply unit 41 on the work surface 2 a inside the frame E after the frame installation step (step ST <b> 3). I is supplied (step ST4). In this case, the control unit 7 controls the ink supply unit 41 to execute ink supply control for supplying the ink I to the inside of the frame E. Specifically, the control unit 7 controls the ink supply unit 41, the carriage drive unit 5, and the mounting table drive unit 6 in the ink supply control, and the carriage drive unit 5 moves the ink supply unit 41 once in the main scanning direction. In other words, the ink supply unit 41 supplies the ink I onto the work surface 2a surrounded by the frame E while being moved a plurality of times. The controller 7 supplies an amount of ink I corresponding to the thickness of the layer LY onto the work surface 2a surrounded by the frame body E. At this time, the control unit 7 does not irradiate the ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet irradiator 43 and keeps the fluidity of the ink I sufficiently secured.
　次に、制御部７は、硬化工程として、インク供給工程において枠体Ｅの内側にインクＩを供給し、供給されたインクＩの上面が平坦になった後に、インクＩに外的刺激を付与して硬化させる。本実施形態では、硬化工程として、図９に例示するように、ヒータ９により作業面２ａ即ち枠体Ｅの内側に供給されたインクＩを加熱（外的刺激を付与）してインクＩ内の揮発性有機溶剤を蒸発させ、その後に、紫外線照射器４３から照射される外的刺激としての紫外線によりインクＩを硬化させて、各層ＬＹを形成する（ステップＳＴ５）。この場合、制御部７は、ヒータ９を制御し、枠体Ｅの内側に供給されたインクＩを加熱して揮発性有機溶剤を蒸発させるとともに、紫外線照射器４３、キャリッジ駆動部５及び載置台駆動部６を制御し、キャリッジ駆動部５が紫外線照射器４３を主走査方向に１回以上移動させるとともに、作業面２ａを副走査方向に移動させながら、紫外線照射器４３が枠体Ｅの内側に供給されたインクＩを露光して、インクＩを硬化させる硬化制御を実行する。 Next, as a curing process, the control unit 7 supplies the ink I to the inside of the frame body E in the ink supply process, and gives an external stimulus to the ink I after the upper surface of the supplied ink I becomes flat. And let it harden. In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 9, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the ink I supplied to the work surface 2 a, that is, the inside of the frame body E is heated (applied with an external stimulus) by the heater 9. The volatile organic solvent is evaporated, and then the ink I is cured by ultraviolet rays as an external stimulus emitted from the ultraviolet irradiator 43 to form each layer LY (step ST5). In this case, the control unit 7 controls the heater 9 to heat the ink I supplied to the inside of the frame E to evaporate the volatile organic solvent, and at the same time, the ultraviolet irradiator 43, the carriage driving unit 5 and the mounting table. The drive unit 6 is controlled, and the carriage drive unit 5 moves the ultraviolet irradiator 43 one or more times in the main scanning direction and moves the work surface 2a in the sub-scanning direction, while the ultraviolet irradiator 43 moves inside the frame E. The ink I supplied to is exposed to light, and curing control for curing the ink I is executed.
　具体的には、制御部７は、硬化制御では、インク供給部４１からのインクＩの供給後に、枠体Ｅの内側に供給されたインクＩの上面が平坦になる所定時間経過した後に、ヒータ９により作業面２ａ上即ちインクＩを加熱する。この際、制御部７は、インクＩ内の揮発性有機溶剤が蒸発する予め定められた時間インクＩを加熱する。そして、制御部７は、紫外線照射器４１、キャリッジ駆動部５を制御し、キャリッジ駆動部５が紫外線照射器４３を主走査方向に１回以上移動させながら、紫外線照射器４３が紫外線を照射して、主走査方向の１ライン分を露光する。そして、制御部７は、副走査方向移動部６２を制御して、載置台２を１ライン分副走査方向に移動させた後、先ほどの工程を繰り返して、インクＩ全体を露光する。硬化工程において、揮発性有機溶剤が蒸発すると、図９に示すように、インクＩの厚みがインクＩに含まれていた揮発性有機溶剤の質量分、薄くなる。例えば、インクＩの質量の５０％が揮発性有機溶剤である場合には、インクＩの厚みは、１／２になる。 Specifically, in the curing control, after the ink I is supplied from the ink supply unit 41, the control unit 7 performs the heater after a predetermined time has elapsed when the upper surface of the ink I supplied to the inside of the frame E becomes flat. 9 heats the ink I on the work surface 2a. At this time, the control unit 7 heats the ink I for a predetermined time during which the volatile organic solvent in the ink I evaporates. Then, the control unit 7 controls the ultraviolet irradiator 41 and the carriage driving unit 5, and the ultraviolet irradiator 43 irradiates ultraviolet rays while the carriage driving unit 5 moves the ultraviolet irradiator 43 at least once in the main scanning direction. Thus, one line in the main scanning direction is exposed. Then, the control unit 7 controls the sub-scanning direction moving unit 62 to move the mounting table 2 by one line in the sub-scanning direction, and then repeats the previous step to expose the entire ink I. When the volatile organic solvent evaporates in the curing step, the thickness of the ink I becomes thinner by the mass of the volatile organic solvent contained in the ink I as shown in FIG. For example, when 50% of the mass of the ink I is a volatile organic solvent, the thickness of the ink I becomes 1/2.
　また、制御部７は、硬化制御では、紫外線照射器４３から枠体Ｅの内側に供給されたインクＩに、インクＩが完全に硬化する紫外線（外的刺激）よりも弱い紫外線を照射する（外的刺激を付与する）、あるいは、インクＩが完全に硬化する時間よりも短い時間紫外線を照射して（外的刺激を付与して）、インクＩを半硬化させる。 In the curing control, the control unit 7 irradiates the ink I supplied to the inside of the frame E from the ultraviolet irradiator 43 with ultraviolet light that is weaker than the ultraviolet light (external stimulus) that completely cures the ink I ( The ink I is semi-cured by irradiating with ultraviolet rays (applying an external stimulus) for a time shorter than the time when the ink I is completely cured.
　次に、３次元造形物Ｗの形成が終了したか否かを判定する（ステップＳＴ６）。この場合、制御部７は、入力装置８から入力された３次元造形物Ｗの形状に関する３次元データや、形状データ生成工程（ステップＳＴ１）で生成した３次元造形物Ｗの層ＬＹ毎の形状データ等に基づいて、３次元造形物Ｗの形成が終了したか否かを判定する。 Next, it is determined whether or not the formation of the three-dimensional structure W has been completed (step ST6). In this case, the control part 7 is the shape for every layer LY of the three-dimensional structure W produced | generated by the three-dimensional data regarding the shape of the three-dimensional structure W input from the input device 8, and the shape data generation process (step ST1). Based on the data or the like, it is determined whether or not the formation of the three-dimensional structure W has been completed.
　３次元造形物Ｗの形成が終了していないと判定した場合（ステップＳＴ６：Ｎｏ）、制御部７は、枠体Ｅの設置が終了したか否かを判定する（ステップＳＴ７）。この場合、制御部７は、入力装置８から入力された３次元造形物Ｗの形状に関する３次元データや、形状データ生成工程（ステップＳＴ１）で生成した３次元造形物Ｗの層ＬＹ毎の形状データ及び枠体Ｅの形状データ等に基づいて、枠体Ｅの設置が終了したか否かを判定する。具体的には、制御部７は、既に、作業面２ａに設置された枠体Ｅの合計した厚みが、３次元造形物Ｗの厚みを超えていると判定すると、枠体Ｅの設置が終了したと判定し、超えていないと、枠体３の設置が終了していないと判定する。 When it is determined that the formation of the three-dimensional structure W has not been completed (step ST6: No), the control unit 7 determines whether or not the installation of the frame E has been completed (step ST7). In this case, the control part 7 is the shape for every layer LY of the three-dimensional structure W produced | generated by the three-dimensional data regarding the shape of the three-dimensional structure W input from the input device 8, and the shape data generation process (step ST1). Based on the data, the shape data of the frame E, and the like, it is determined whether or not the installation of the frame E has been completed. Specifically, when the control unit 7 determines that the total thickness of the frame body E already installed on the work surface 2a exceeds the thickness of the three-dimensional structure W, the installation of the frame body E is ended. If it has not been exceeded, it is determined that the installation of the frame 3 has not ended.
　次に、制御部７は、枠体Ｅの設置が終了していないと判定した場合（ステップＳＴ７：Ｎｏ）、移動工程として、硬化工程（ステップＳＴ５）の後に作業面２ａを鉛直方向に沿ってキャリッジ４から離間する側に枠体Ｅの厚み分相対移動させる（ステップＳＴ８）。この場合、制御部７は、硬化制御の後に載置台２の載置台駆動部６を制御し作業面２ａを鉛直方向に沿ってキャリッジ４から離間する側、ここでは、鉛直方向下側に相対移動させる移動制御を実行する。 Next, when the control unit 7 determines that the installation of the frame E has not been completed (step ST7: No), the moving surface 2a is moved along the vertical direction after the curing step (step ST5) as the moving step. The frame E is moved relative to the side away from the carriage 4 by the thickness of the frame E (step ST8). In this case, after the curing control, the control unit 7 controls the mounting table driving unit 6 of the mounting table 2 to relatively move the work surface 2a away from the carriage 4 along the vertical direction, here, the lower side in the vertical direction. The movement control to be executed is executed.
　制御部７は、ステップＳＴ３に戻って、ステップＳＴ３以降のステップを繰り返し実行する。制御部７は、図１０に例示するように、次の層（ここでは第２層目）に対する枠体設置制御による枠体設置工程（ステップＳＴ３）、インク供給制御によるインク供給工程（ステップＳＴ４）、硬化制御による硬化工程（ステップＳＴ５）、移動制御による移動工程（ステップＳＴ８）を繰り返し、順次、下側の枠体Ｅ及び３次元造形物Ｗの下側の層ＬＹから各層ＬＹを形成していく。 The control part 7 returns to step ST3, and repeatedly performs the steps after step ST3. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the control unit 7 performs a frame body installation process (step ST3) by frame body installation control for the next layer (here, the second layer), and an ink supply process by ink supply control (step ST4). Then, the curing process (step ST5) by the curing control and the moving process (step ST8) by the movement control are repeated, and each layer LY is sequentially formed from the lower frame E and the lower layer LY of the three-dimensional structure W. Go.
　また、制御部７は、枠体Ｅの設置が終了したと判定した場合（ステップＳＴ７：Ｙｅｓ）、ステップＳＴ４に戻って、ステップＳＴ４以降のステップを繰り返し実行する。そして、制御部７は、次の層に対するインク供給制御によるインク供給工程（ステップＳＴ４）、硬化制御による硬化工程（ステップＳＴ５）、移動制御による移動工程（ステップＳＴ８）を繰り返し、順次、３次元造形物Ｗの下側の層ＬＹから各層ＬＹを形成していく。 Further, when the control unit 7 determines that the installation of the frame E has been completed (step ST7: Yes), the control unit 7 returns to step ST4 and repeatedly executes the steps after step ST4. Then, the control unit 7 repeats the ink supply process (step ST4) based on the ink supply control for the next layer, the curing process (step ST5) based on the curing control, and the moving process (step ST8) based on the movement control, and sequentially performs the three-dimensional modeling. Each layer LY is formed from the lower layer LY of the object W.
　制御部７は、３次元造形物Ｗの形成が終了したと判定した場合（ステップＳＴ６：Ｙｅｓ）、完全硬化工程として、最後の硬化工程の後に、図１１に例示するように、紫外線照射器４３から枠体Ｅの内側に供給されたインクＩを完全に硬化する紫外線を照射して（外的刺激を付与して）、インクＩを完全に硬化させる（ステップＳＴ９）。この場合、制御部７は、紫外線照射器４３、キャリッジ駆動部５及び載置台駆動部６を制御し、キャリッジ駆動部５が紫外線照射器４３を主走査方向に１回以上移動させるとともに、作業面２ａを副走査方向に移動させながら、紫外線照射器４３が枠体Ｅの内側に供給されたインクＩを露光して、インクＩを完全硬化させる完全硬化制御を実行する。 When the control unit 7 determines that the formation of the three-dimensional structure W has been completed (step ST6: Yes), as a complete curing process, after the last curing process, as illustrated in FIG. Then, the ink I supplied to the inside of the frame E is irradiated with ultraviolet rays that completely cure the ink I (applying an external stimulus) to completely cure the ink I (step ST9). In this case, the control unit 7 controls the ultraviolet irradiator 43, the carriage driving unit 5 and the mounting table driving unit 6, and the carriage driving unit 5 moves the ultraviolet irradiator 43 at least once in the main scanning direction, and the work surface. While moving 2a in the sub-scanning direction, the ultraviolet irradiator 43 exposes the ink I supplied to the inside of the frame E, and executes complete curing control for completely curing the ink I.
　具体的には、制御部７は、完全硬化制御では、硬化工程の後に、紫外線照射器４３、キャリッジ駆動部５を制御し、キャリッジ駆動部５が紫外線照射器４３を主走査方向に１回以上移動させながら、紫外線照射器４３が紫外線を照射して、主走査方向の１ライン分を完全に硬化させる。そして、制御部７は、副走査方向移動部６２を制御して、載置台２を１ライン分副走査方向に移動させた後、先ほどの工程を繰り返して、インクＩ全体を完全に硬化させる。完全硬化工程の後に、図１２に例示するように、作業員などが、作業面２ａから枠体Ｅを除去するなどして、実施形態の３次元造形物Ｗの製造方法を終了する。 Specifically, in the complete curing control, the control unit 7 controls the ultraviolet irradiator 43 and the carriage driving unit 5 after the curing process, and the carriage driving unit 5 moves the ultraviolet irradiator 43 once or more in the main scanning direction. While being moved, the ultraviolet irradiator 43 irradiates the ultraviolet rays to completely cure one line in the main scanning direction. Then, the control unit 7 controls the sub-scanning direction moving unit 62 to move the mounting table 2 in the sub-scanning direction by one line, and then repeats the previous step to completely cure the entire ink I. After the complete curing step, as illustrated in FIG. 12, an operator or the like removes the frame body E from the work surface 2a, and the manufacturing method of the three-dimensional structure W of the embodiment is finished.
　以上の実施形態に係るインクジェットプリンタ１、及び、３次元造形物の製造方法は、インク供給工程において枠体Ｅの内側にインクＩを供給するので、枠体Ｅの内側に供給されたインクＩの上面を平坦にすることができる。また、インク供給工程において枠体Ｅの内側にインクＩを供給してからインクＩの上面が平坦になった後に、硬化工程においてインクＩを硬化させる。実施形態では、インクＩとして、ＵＶ硬化型インクが揮発性有機溶剤により希釈されたインクＩを用いる。このために、枠体Ｅ内に供給されたインクＩの上面は、速やかに平坦になる。したがって、３次元造形物Ｗを構成する層ＬＹの上面を平坦に形成することができ、３次元造形物Ｗの上面を平坦にすることができる。 In the ink jet printer 1 and the manufacturing method of the three-dimensional structure according to the above embodiment, since the ink I is supplied to the inside of the frame E in the ink supply process, the ink I supplied to the inside of the frame E is supplied. The upper surface can be flattened. Further, after the ink I is supplied to the inside of the frame E in the ink supply process and the upper surface of the ink I becomes flat, the ink I is cured in the curing process. In the embodiment, an ink I obtained by diluting a UV curable ink with a volatile organic solvent is used as the ink I. For this reason, the upper surface of the ink I supplied into the frame E quickly becomes flat. Therefore, the upper surface of the layer LY constituting the three-dimensional structure W can be formed flat, and the upper surface of the three-dimensional structure W can be flattened.
　また、インクジェットプリンタ１、及び、３次元造形物の製造方法は、サポートインクを作業面２ａに吐出し硬化させて枠体Ｅを形成するので、種々の形状の枠体Ｅを容易に形成でき、種々の形状の３次元造形物Ｗを容易に形成することができる。 In addition, since the inkjet printer 1 and the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure form the frame body E by discharging the support ink onto the work surface 2a and curing it, the frame body E of various shapes can be easily formed. Various shapes of three-dimensional structure W can be easily formed.
　インクジェットプリンタ１、及び、３次元造形物の製造方法は、インク供給工程と硬化工程とを複数回繰り返すので、３次元造形物Ｗを構成する各層ＬＹの上面を平坦にすることができるとともに、さまざまな厚みの３次元造形物Ｗを形成することができる。 Since the ink jet printer 1 and the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure repeat the ink supply process and the curing process a plurality of times, the top surface of each layer LY constituting the three-dimensional structure W can be flattened and various It is possible to form a three-dimensional structure W having a sufficient thickness.
　インクジェットプリンタ１、及び、３次元造形物の製造方法は、硬化工程において枠体Ｅの内側に供給したインクＩを半硬化させるので、複数重ねられるインクＩで構成される層ＬＹ同士を密着させることができる。また、最後の完全硬化工程では、インクＩを完全に硬化させるので、３次元造形物Ｗを確実に形成することができる。 Since the ink I supplied to the inside of the frame E is semi-cured in the inkjet printer 1 and the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method, the layers LY composed of a plurality of stacked inks I are brought into close contact with each other. Can do. In addition, since the ink I is completely cured in the last complete curing step, the three-dimensional structure W can be reliably formed.
　インクジェットプリンタ１、及び、３次元造形物の製造方法は、インク供給工程においてキャリッジ駆動部５がインク供給部４１を主走査方向に複数回移動させながらインクＩを枠体Ｅの内側に供給するので、枠体Ｅ内に供給したインクＩの上面を速やかに平坦にすることができ、所望の形状の３次元造形物Ｗを形成することができる。 In the ink jet printer 1 and the three-dimensional structure manufacturing method, the carriage drive unit 5 supplies the ink I to the inside of the frame E while moving the ink supply unit 41 a plurality of times in the main scanning direction in the ink supply process. The upper surface of the ink I supplied into the frame E can be quickly flattened, and the three-dimensional structure W having a desired shape can be formed.
　〔変形例１〕
　次に、実施形態の変形例１にかかる３次元造形物の製造方法を説明する。図１３は、実施形態の変形例１に係る３次元造形物の製造方法のフローチャートの一例である。なお、図１３において、実施形態と同一部分には、同一符号を付して説明を省略する。 [Modification 1]
Next, the manufacturing method of the three-dimensional structure according to Modification 1 of the embodiment will be described. FIG. 13: is an example of the flowchart of the manufacturing method of the three-dimensional structure based on the modification 1 of embodiment. In FIG. 13, the same parts as those of the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.
　実施形態の変形例１にかかる３次元造形物の製造方法では、制御部７が、硬化工程において、紫外線照射器４３から枠体Ｅの内側に供給されたインクＩに、インクＩを完全に硬化する紫外線を照射し（外的刺激を付与し）、インクＩを完全硬化させる（ステップＳＴ５）。このように、本発明では、３次元造形物Ｗの各層ＬＹを構成するインクＩを枠体Ｅの内側への供給毎に完全硬化させて、完全硬化工程（ステップＳＴ９）を実行しなくてもよい。 In the manufacturing method of the three-dimensional structure according to the first modification of the embodiment, the control unit 7 completely cures the ink I to the ink I supplied to the inside of the frame body E from the ultraviolet irradiator 43 in the curing step. UV light is applied (external stimulus is applied) to completely cure the ink I (step ST5). As described above, in the present invention, the ink I constituting each layer LY of the three-dimensional structure W is completely cured every time the layer E is supplied to the inside of the frame body E, and the complete curing step (step ST9) is not performed. Good.
　〔変形例２〕
　次に、実施形態の変形例２にかかる３次元造形物の製造方法を説明する。なお、変形例２において、前述した実施形態及び変形例１と同一部分には、同一符号を付して説明する。 [Modification 2]
Next, a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure according to Modification 2 of the embodiment will be described. In the second modification, the same parts as those in the above-described embodiment and the first modification will be described with the same reference numerals.
　実施形態及び変形例１では、インク供給部４１が、インクＩとして、ＵＶ硬化型インクを揮発性有機溶剤により希釈したインクＩを用いた。変形例２では、インク供給部４１が、インクＩとして、ラテックスインクなどの樹脂分散水性インク、揮発性有機溶剤により希釈していないＵＶ硬化型インク、熱硬化型インクのいずれかを用いる。 In the embodiment and the first modification, the ink supply unit 41 uses the ink I obtained by diluting the UV curable ink with the volatile organic solvent as the ink I. In the second modification, the ink supply unit 41 uses, as the ink I, one of a resin-dispersed aqueous ink such as latex ink, a UV curable ink that is not diluted with a volatile organic solvent, and a thermosetting ink.
　ラテックスインクなどの樹脂分散水性インクは、外的刺激としての熱を付与されることで硬化度が変化するインクＩである。インクＩとして、ラテックスインクなどの樹脂分散水性インクを用いる場合には、枠体設置工程（ステップＳＴ３）において、アルカリ水溶性ＵＶ硬化インクをサポートインクとして用いて、枠体Ｅを設置する。そして、インク供給工程（ステップＳＴ４）において枠体Ｅの内側にインクＩを供給し、枠体Ｅの内側に供給されたインクＩの上面が平坦になった後に、硬化工程（ステップＳＴ５）において、ヒータ９から熱を付与して水分などの溶媒を不完全又は完全に気化させて、インクＩを半硬化又は完全硬化させる。 Resin-dispersed water-based inks such as latex inks are inks I whose degree of cure changes when heat is applied as an external stimulus. When a resin-dispersed water-based ink such as latex ink is used as the ink I, the frame body E is installed using the alkaline water-soluble UV curable ink as the support ink in the frame body installation step (step ST3). Then, after the ink I is supplied to the inside of the frame E in the ink supply process (step ST4) and the upper surface of the ink I supplied to the inside of the frame E becomes flat, in the curing process (step ST5), Heat is applied from the heater 9 to completely or completely vaporize a solvent such as moisture, and the ink I is semi-cured or completely cured.
　即ち、硬化工程において、インクＩに、インクＩが完全に硬化する熱（外的刺激）よりも弱い熱を付与する、あるいは、インクＩが完全に硬化する時間よりも短い時間熱（外的刺激）を付与してもよい。硬化工程（ステップＳＴ５）において、インクＩに、インクＩが完全に硬化する熱（外的刺激）よりも弱い熱を付与する、あるいは、インクＩが完全に硬化する時間よりも短い時間熱（外的刺激）を付与する場合には、完全硬化工程（ステップＳＴ９）において、ヒータ９から熱を付与して水分などの溶媒を完全に気化させて、インクＩを完全硬化させる。その後、アルカリ性の液体に漬けて、枠体Ｅを除去する。 That is, in the curing step, heat that is weaker than the heat that completely cures the ink I (external stimulus) is applied to the ink I, or the heat that is shorter than the time that the ink I completely cures (external stimulus). ) May be given. In the curing step (step ST5), the ink I is given a heat that is weaker than the heat that the ink I is completely cured (external stimulus), or the heat (outside is shorter than the time that the ink I is completely cured). In the complete curing step (step ST9), heat is applied from the heater 9 to completely vaporize a solvent such as moisture, and the ink I is completely cured. Thereafter, the frame E is removed by dipping in an alkaline liquid.
　ＵＶ硬化型インクは、外的刺激としての紫外線を照射（付与）されることで硬化度が変化するインクＩである。インクＩとして、ＵＶ硬化型インクを用いる場合には、枠体設置工程（ステップＳＴ３）において、水溶性ＵＶ硬化インクをサポートインクとして用いて、枠体Ｅを設置する。そして、インク供給工程（ステップＳＴ４）において枠体Ｅの内側にインクＩを供給し、枠体Ｅの内側に供給されたインクＩの上面が平坦になった後に、硬化工程（ステップＳＴ５）において、紫外線照射器４３から紫外線を照射して、インクＩを半硬化又は完全硬化させる。 The UV curable ink is ink I whose degree of cure changes when irradiated (applied) with ultraviolet rays as an external stimulus. When UV curable ink is used as the ink I, the frame E is installed using the water-soluble UV curable ink as the support ink in the frame installation step (step ST3). Then, after the ink I is supplied to the inside of the frame E in the ink supply process (step ST4) and the upper surface of the ink I supplied to the inside of the frame E becomes flat, in the curing process (step ST5), The ink I is semi-cured or completely cured by irradiating ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiator 43.
　即ち、硬化工程において、インクＩに、インクＩが完全に硬化する紫外線（外的刺激）よりも弱い紫外線を照射（付与）する、あるいは、インクＩが完全に硬化する時間よりも短い時間紫外線（外的刺激）を照射（付与）してもよい。硬化工程（ステップＳＴ５）において、インクＩに、インクＩが完全に硬化する紫外線（外的刺激）よりも弱い紫外線を照射する、あるいは、インクＩが完全に硬化する時間よりも短い時間紫外線（外的刺激）を照射する場合には、完全硬化工程（ステップＳＴ９）において、紫外線照射器４３から紫外線を照射して、インクＩを完全硬化させる。その後、枠体Ｅを水で溶かして除去する。 That is, in the curing step, the ink I is irradiated (applied) with an ultraviolet ray weaker than the ultraviolet ray that externally cures the ink I (external stimulus), or the ultraviolet ray (for a shorter time than the ink I completely cures). External stimulation) may be irradiated (given). In the curing process (step ST5), the ink I is irradiated with ultraviolet light that is weaker than the ultraviolet light that externally cures the ink I (external stimulus), or the ultraviolet light (external light) that is shorter than the time that the ink I completely cures. In the complete curing step (step ST9), the ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiator 43 to completely cure the ink I. Then, the frame E is removed by dissolving with water.
　熱硬化インクは、外的刺激としての熱を付与されること（加熱されること）で、硬化反応を生じ、硬化度が変化するインクＩであり、通常、２種類の液体を混ぜるものである。インクＩとして、熱硬化型インクを用いる場合には、枠体設置工程（ステップＳＴ３）において、サポートインクを用いて、枠体Ｅを設置する。そして、インク供給工程（ステップＳＴ４）において枠体Ｅの内側にインクＩを供給し、枠体Ｅの内側に供給されたインクＩの上面が平坦になった後に、硬化工程（ステップＳＴ５）において、ヒータ９から熱を付与して、インクＩを半硬化又は完全硬化させる。 The thermosetting ink is an ink I in which a curing reaction is caused by applying heat as an external stimulus (heating), and the degree of curing is changed. Usually, two kinds of liquids are mixed. . When thermosetting ink is used as the ink I, the frame body E is installed using the support ink in the frame body installation step (step ST3). Then, after the ink I is supplied to the inside of the frame E in the ink supply process (step ST4) and the upper surface of the ink I supplied to the inside of the frame E becomes flat, in the curing process (step ST5), Heat is applied from the heater 9, and the ink I is semi-cured or completely cured.
　即ち、硬化工程において、インクＩに、インクＩが完全に硬化する熱（外的刺激）よりも弱い熱を付与する、あるいは、インクＩが完全に硬化する時間よりも短い時間熱（外的刺激）を付与してもよい。硬化工程（ステップＳＴ５）において、インクＩに、インクＩが完全に硬化する熱（外的刺激）よりも弱い熱を付与する、あるいは、インクＩが完全に硬化する時間よりも短い時間熱（外的刺激）を付与する場合には、完全硬化工程（ステップＳＴ９）において、ヒータ９から熱を付与して、インクＩを完全硬化させる。その後、枠体Ｅを除去する。 That is, in the curing step, heat that is weaker than the heat that completely cures the ink I (external stimulus) is applied to the ink I, or the heat that is shorter than the time that the ink I completely cures (external stimulus). ) May be given. In the curing step (step ST5), the ink I is given a heat that is weaker than the heat that the ink I is completely cured (external stimulus), or the heat (outside is shorter than the time that the ink I is completely cured). In the complete curing step (step ST9), heat is applied from the heater 9 to completely cure the ink I. Thereafter, the frame body E is removed.
　変形例２においても、前述した実施形態及び変形例１と同様に、３次元造形物Ｗを構成する層ＬＹの上面を平坦に形成することができ、３次元造形物Ｗの上面を平坦にすることができる。 Also in the modified example 2, similarly to the embodiment and the modified example 1 described above, the upper surface of the layer LY constituting the three-dimensional structure W can be formed flat, and the upper surface of the three-dimensional structure W can be flattened. be able to.
　また、前述した実施形態、変形例１及び変形例２では、サポートインクを吐出し露光して枠体Ｅを形成しているが、本発明では、これに限定されない。作業面２ａ上に設置された治具を、枠体Ｅとして用いてもよい。実施形態では、枠体設置工程とインク供給工程と硬化工程と移動工程とを繰り返したが、本発明では、枠体設置工程において、互いに積層される複数の枠体Ｅを一度に設置して、枠体設置工程を繰り返すことなく、インク供給工程と硬化工程と移動工程とを繰り返してもよい。 In the above-described embodiment, Modification 1 and Modification 2, the support body is ejected and exposed to form the frame E. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A jig installed on the work surface 2a may be used as the frame body E. In the embodiment, the frame body installation process, the ink supply process, the curing process, and the movement process are repeated, but in the present invention, in the frame body installation process, a plurality of frame bodies E stacked on each other are installed at one time, You may repeat an ink supply process, a hardening process, and a movement process, without repeating a frame installation process.
　前述したように、本発明の実施形態、変形例１及び変形例２を説明したが、本発明は、これらに限定されない。本発明では、実施形態、変形例１及び変形例２をその他の様々な形態で実施されることが可能であり、発明の要旨を逸脱しない範囲で、種々の省略、置き換え、組み合わせの変更等を行うことができる。

  As described above, the embodiment, modification 1 and modification 2 of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the embodiment, modification 1 and modification 2 can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, changes in combinations, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It can be carried out.

Claims (6)

  1. 　外的刺激が付与されることで硬化度が変化するインクを作業面に供給可能なインク供給部を備え、前記作業面に供給されたインクに外的刺激を付与する３次元プリンタにおいて実行される３次元造形物の製造方法であって、
    　前記３次元造形物の輪郭に沿って形成された枠体を作業面上に設置する枠体設置工程と、
    　前記枠体の内側でかつ前記作業面上に前記インク供給部が前記インクを供給するインク供給工程と、
    　前記インク供給工程において前記枠体の内側に前記インクを供給した後に、前記インクに外的刺激を付与して硬化させる硬化工程と、
    　を含むことを特徴とする３次元造形物の製造方法。     Executed in a three-dimensional printer that includes an ink supply unit that can supply to the work surface ink that changes its degree of cure when external stimulus is applied, and applies external stimulus to the ink supplied to the work surface. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure,
    A frame body installation step of installing a frame body formed along the outline of the three-dimensional structure on the work surface;
    An ink supply step in which the ink supply unit supplies the ink inside the frame and on the work surface;
    A curing step of applying an external stimulus to the ink and curing the ink after supplying the ink to the inside of the frame in the ink supply step;
    The manufacturing method of the three-dimensional structure characterized by including.
  2. 　前記枠体設置工程において、前記作業面と相対的に移動する前記３次元プリンタの吐出部からサポートインクを前記作業面に吐出し、前記サポートインクを硬化して、前記枠体を設置する、
    　ことを特徴とする請求項１に記載の３次元造形物の製造方法。     In the frame body installation step, the support ink is ejected from the ejection unit of the three-dimensional printer that moves relative to the work surface to the work surface, the support ink is cured, and the frame body is installed.
    The manufacturing method of the three-dimensional structure according to claim 1.
  3. 　前記インク供給工程と、前記硬化工程とを複数回繰り返すことを特徴とする請求項１に記載の３次元造形物の製造方法。 The method for producing a three-dimensional structure according to claim 1, wherein the ink supply step and the curing step are repeated a plurality of times.
  4. 　前記硬化工程では、前記枠体の内側に供給された前記インクに、前記インクが完全に硬化する外的刺激よりも弱い外的刺激を付与する、あるいは、前記インクが完全に硬化する時間よりも短い時間外的刺激を付与し、
    　最後の硬化工程の後に、前記インクに外的刺激を付与して前記インクを完全に硬化させる完全硬化工程を含むことを特徴とする請求項３に記載の３次元造形物の製造方法。     In the curing step, an external stimulus that is weaker than an external stimulus that completely cures the ink is applied to the ink supplied to the inside of the frame body, or a time that the ink completely cures is applied. Give external stimuli for a short time,
    The method for producing a three-dimensional structure according to claim 3, further comprising a complete curing step of applying an external stimulus to the ink to completely cure the ink after the final curing step.
  5. 　前記インク供給工程において、前記３次元プリンタの往復移動部が前記インク供給部を主走査方向に複数回移動させながら前記インク供給部が前記枠体の内側に前記インクを供給することを特徴とする請求項１に記載の３次元造形物の製造方法。 In the ink supply step, the ink supply unit supplies the ink to the inside of the frame while the reciprocating unit of the three-dimensional printer moves the ink supply unit a plurality of times in the main scanning direction. The manufacturing method of the three-dimensional structure according to claim 1.
  6. 　前記インク供給部は、前記インクとして、少なくとも顔料、紫外線により硬化する紫外線硬化樹脂及び光重合開始剤からなり粘度が２０ｍＰａ・ｓｅｃ以上（室温２５℃）のＵＶ硬化型インクに揮発性有機溶剤が添加されて、３ｍＰａ・ｓｅｃ以上１８ｍＰａ・ｓｅｃ（室温２５℃）以下の粘度を有するインクを前記作業面に供給可能であることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の３次元造形物の製造方法。

          The ink supply unit includes, as the ink, a volatile organic solvent added to a UV curable ink having a viscosity of 20 mPa · sec or more (room temperature 25 ° C.) including at least a pigment, an ultraviolet curable resin curable by ultraviolet rays, and a photopolymerization initiator. 2. The method for producing a three-dimensional structure according to claim 1, wherein ink having a viscosity of 3 mPa · sec to 18 mPa · sec (room temperature 25 ° C.) can be supplied to the work surface.

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