JP2959281B2 - Optical molding equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical shaping apparatus for forming a three-dimensional resin model by irradiating a photocurable resin liquid with light, and more particularly, to facilitating the creation of resin model production data. Possible devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An optical molding method is known as a means for easily manufacturing a complicated three-dimensional shape without using a molding die or a special processing tool. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 2-111528 is known as a related art.

FIG. 6 shows a manufacturing process of a three-dimensional resin model by an optical molding method. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 1 denotes a storage tank in which the photocurable resin liquid 2 is stored. An elevating table 3 that can move up and down is arranged in the storage tank 1. Above the elevating table 3, a light irradiator 5 for irradiating the laser beam L is arranged. The light irradiation unit 5 scans the laser light L based on the three-dimensional cross-sectional shape.

[0006] In the optical shaping apparatus shown in FIG. 6, as shown in FIG. 6A, a laser beam L is applied to the photocurable resin liquid 2 located above the elevating table 3. When the laser beam L is applied, a photo-cured layer 2a is formed as shown in FIG. When the photocurable layer 2a is formed, the elevating table 3 descends, and the photocurable layer 2a joined to the elevating table is buried from the liquid surface of the photocurable resin liquid 2 by a distance ΔH. In this state, as shown in FIG. 6C, the photocurable resin liquid 2 covering the photocurable layer 2a is irradiated with the laser light L.

In FIGS. 6D and 6E, irradiation of the photocurable resin liquid 2 with the laser beam L and burying of the photocurable layer 2a in the photocurable resin liquid 1 are repeated. The stacking of the cured layers 2a is performed. Thus, a three-dimensional resin model 9 which is a three-dimensional model shown in FIG. 6 (F) is formed.

In the conventional optical molding method shown in FIG. 6, there are the following problems depending on the shape of the resin model. Hereinafter, this will be described. FIG. 7 shows an example of a three-dimensional resin model. As shown in FIG. 7, the resin model 10 has a substantially T-shape when viewed from the front.
Both end portions 10a of the T-shape slightly extend downward.

FIG. 8 shows a manufacturing process of the resin model 10 shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the irradiation of the photocurable resin liquid 2 with the laser light L
When the photocurable layer 2a is formed at the central portion of the character, the process proceeds to the step of FIG. 8C, and new independent photocurable layers 2b are formed at both ends of the T-shape. In this state,
Since the new photocurable layer 2b is not supported by the elevating table 3, the photocurable layer 2b floats on the surface of the photocurable resin liquid 2 as shown in FIG.
Cannot be positioned at a predetermined position.

In order to prevent the floating of the photo-curable layer 2b, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 9, a support photo-curable layer 2c for supporting the photo-curable layer 2b from the initial stage of the production of the resin model 10 is formed. I am trying to do it. This gives T
The photocurable layers 2b formed at both ends of the character are supported by the elevating table 3 via the support photocurable layers 2c.

[0009]

However, as shown in FIG. 9, forming the support photo-cured layer 2c separately from the actual resin model 10 causes the following problems. (1) In the case of the resin model 10 as shown in FIG. 9, since it is necessary to create the production data in consideration of the photocurable layer 2c for support, it takes a lot of time to produce the production data.
The work load of the producer increases. Therefore, as a result, the production cost of the resin model increases. (2) In the operation of the actual resin model, the production time of the resin model is prolonged by the formation of the support photocurable layer 2c, and the use time of the optical modeling device is limited. (3) From the completed resin model, light curing layer 2c for support
Need to be removed, which increases the work load of the producer.

The present invention focuses on the above problem, and allows a resin model to be accurately supported on an elevating table without forming a photocurable layer for support, thereby facilitating creation of production data of the resin model. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical shaping device capable of reducing a work load involved in manufacturing.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided an optical molding apparatus which irradiates light onto a liquid surface of a photocurable resin liquid to form a photocurable layer, and mounts the photocurable layer thereon. The light curable layer is buried in the photocurable resin liquid by lowering the lifting table to be moved by a predetermined amount, and the light curable resin liquid covering the light curable layer is irradiated with light and the photocurable resin liquid of the light curable layer is cured. In the optical molding apparatus for stacking the photocurable layers by repeating the immersion into the optical molding apparatus for producing a three-dimensional resin model, the elevating table is divided into a plurality of movable tables, and each movable table is output from the control means. Lifting and lowering amount adjusting means for adjusting the lifting and lowering amount of each movable table based on the production information of the resin model.

[0012]

In the optical shaping apparatus having the above-described structure, since the elevation adjusting means is connected to each movable table, the elevation can be changed for each movable table. Therefore, each movable table is positioned at a height corresponding to the shape of the resin model based on the control information of the resin model output from the control means. Therefore, it is possible to accurately support the resin model on the elevating table without forming the photocurable layer for support.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the optical shaping apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 5 show an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the optical modeling device 11
It comprises a storage tank 21, an elevating table 31, a laser beam irradiating means 41, a control means 51, and an elevating amount adjusting means 61.

The storage tank 21 has an overflow tank and a circulation pump (not shown). Storage tank 21
Holds a photo-curable resin liquid 15 which is cured by irradiation with the laser beam L. Outside the storage tank 21,
An overflow tank is arranged. Storage tank 21
The inside and the overflow tank can communicate with each other via a passage in which a circulation pump is arranged.

The circulation pump has a function of returning the photocurable resin liquid 15 overflowing from the storage tank 21 to the overflow tank side to the storage tank 21. During the operation of the circulating pump, the photo-curable resin liquid 15 always overflows from the storage tank 21, whereby the photo-curable resin liquid 1
The position of the liquid surface S of No. 5 is kept constant.

An elevating table 31 on which the resin model 16 is placed is arranged in the storage tank 21. The lifting table 31 is divided into a plurality of movable tables 32, as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the lifting table 3
1 is composed of m × n movable tables 32.
As the number of divisions increases, the elevating table 31 can more accurately support a resin model having a complicated shape. However, the number of divisions is determined based on the form of a resin model that is frequently used. desirable.

Above the elevating table 31, a laser beam irradiation means 41 is provided. Laser light irradiation means 41
Has a scanning control unit 42 and a laser beam irradiation unit 43. The laser beam irradiation unit 43 is configured to scan the laser beam L in a predetermined range based on a signal from the scanning control unit 42. Modulator 4 of laser light irradiation means 41
4 is controlled by a modulator driver 45. Scan control unit 42 and modulator driver 45
Are controlled by a command from the control means 51.

The control means 51 is composed of a computer and can input production information of a three-dimensional model via an input unit 52. The control means 51 has a function of changing the three-dimensional (SOLID) model information into plane data and creating cut data of the three-dimensional model from the plane data. The cut data is the cross-sectional shape data of the three-dimensional model for each fixed distance, and the scanning range of the laser beam is controlled based on the cut data. The control means 51
Processing information such as cut data is displayed via the output unit 53.

Each of the plurality of divided movable tables 32 is connected to an ascending and descending amount adjusting means 61 for adjusting the amount of ascending and descending of each of the movable tables 32. Lifting amount adjusting means 61
As shown in FIG. 2, a motor 62, a ball screw 63,
Nut 64, cable wire 65, slide mechanism 66
It is composed of The ball screw 63 is
Output shaft. A nut 64 is rotatably screwed to the ball screw 63, and the rotation of the ball screw 63 causes the nut 64 to move in the axial direction of the ball screw 63.

One of the cable wires 65 is connected to the nut 64. As is well known, the cable wire 65 is connected to the tubular member 65a by a power transmission wire 65b.
Is inserted, and the wire 65b can advance and retreat with respect to the tubular member 65a. The other end of the cable wire 65 is connected to a slide mechanism 66.
The slide mechanism 66 includes a fixed cylinder 66a and a slide rod 66b. The fixed cylinder 66a is fixed to the storage tank 21 side.

The slide rod 66 of the slide mechanism 66
b can move forward and backward with respect to the fixed cylinder 66a,
The wire 65b of the cable wire 65 is the slide rod 6.
6b. The movable table 32 is connected to the upper end of the slide rod 66b. Ball screw 6
The linear motion of the nut 64 due to the rotation of the third is transmitted to the slide rod 66b via the wire 65b of the cable wire 65, whereby the movable table 32 moves up and down.

The control means 51 has a function of controlling each movable table 32 in addition to the scanning control of the laser beam L. The motor 62 of each lifting / lowering amount adjusting means 61 is connected to the control means 51 via the scale unit 54. The control means 51 controls the amount of rotation of each motor 62 based on the production information of the resin model 16 and changes the amount of elevation of each movable table 32. The resin model 16
If the support surface of the movable table 32 is an inclined surface, the movable table 32
By forming the minimum necessary support photocurable layer 16a thereon, the resin model 16 can be accurately supported.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In the first step in the manufacturing process of the resin model 16, each movable table 32 is lowered by the rotation of the motor 62 of the lifting / lowering amount adjusting means 61, and each movable table 32 is immersed in the photocurable resin liquid 15. Each movable table 32
Is deeply immersed in the photocurable resin liquid 15, the motor 62
Each movable table 32 is lifted by the reverse rotation of, and each movable table 32 is stopped at a predetermined position. This allows
The distance ΔH between the upper surface of each movable table 32 and the liquid surface of the photo-curable resin liquid 15 is constant over the entire range.

When each movable table 32 is positioned,
The laser beam L from the laser beam irradiator 43 is applied to the photocurable resin liquid 1
5 is directed toward the liquid surface S. Since the laser light L is scanned based on the cut data, a predetermined range of the photo-curable resin liquid 15 is cured, and as a result, a photo-cured layer 15a is formed as shown in FIG.

When the photo-curable layer 15a is formed, each movable table 32 on which the photo-curable layer 15a is placed is lowered again, and the photo-curable layer 15a is buried deep in the photo-curable resin liquid 15.
When each movable table 32 is deeply immersed in the photocurable resin liquid 15, each movable table 3 is rotated by the reverse rotation of the motor 62.
2 rises, and each movable table 32 is stopped at a predetermined position. In this state, the photocurable resin liquid 15 covering the photocurable layer 15a is irradiated with the laser light L, and a new photocurable layer 15a is formed on the original photocurable layer 15a. By repeating such irradiation of the laser beam L and burying in the photocurable resin liquid 15, the photocurable layers 15a are stacked,
As shown in FIG. 3B, a photo-cured layer 15a of a resin model is formed at the center of the elevating table 31.

When the height of the photocurable layer 15a at the center becomes a predetermined height due to the lowering of the specific movable table 32,
As shown in FIG. 3C, a new photocurable layer 15b is also formed on both ends of the elevating table 31. When the photocurable layers 15b at both ends are formed, as shown in FIG.
Starts descending. When the height of the photocurable layers 15a and 15b at the center and both ends becomes a predetermined height due to the stacking of the photocurable layers 15b accompanying the lowering of each movable table 32, as shown in FIG. Then, most of the movable table 32 is lowered, and a new photo-cured layer 15c is formed between the center and both ends. As a result, the photo-cured layers 15a and 15b at the center and both ends are replaced with a new photo-cured layer 1
5c.

[0028] Thus, in the present embodiment, since it is possible to vary the lift amount of each movable table 32, as shown in FIG. 5, the lowering start timing of each of the movable tables 32 H _P -
It can be delayed until H _LOW ≦ H × K (K is a constant). Therefore, each movable table 32 is connected to the resin model 1
6 can be positioned at the same height as the shape of FIG. Also, as shown in FIG.
Is formed on the inclined surface, the movable table 32
The resin model 16 is accurately placed on the elevating table 31 by forming the minimum necessary light-curing layer 16a for support on the upper surface.
Can be supported.

In this embodiment, in order to increase the number of divisions of the elevating table 31, each of the elevating and lowering amount adjusting means is constituted by using a cable wire. However, when the number of divisions is small, an actuator having a positioning function is required. It may be configured to be directly connected to the movable table 32.

[0030]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) The lifting table on which the resin model is mounted is divided into a plurality of movable tables, and each movable table
Since the lifting / lowering amount adjusting means for adjusting the lifting / lowering amount of the movable table based on the production information of the resin model output from the control means is connected, the resin model can be accurately formed without forming a light curing layer for support. It can be supported on a lifting table.

Therefore, it is not necessary to create the production data of the resin model in consideration of the photo-curing layer for support, and the production time of the production data of the resin model can be greatly reduced. As a result, the production cost of the resin model can be reduced.

(2) Since the photocurable layer for support is not formed, the time required to produce the resin model by the optical modeling device can be shortened, and the optical modeling device can be effectively used.

(3) As in the conventional case, it is not necessary to remove the portion of the photo-curing layer for support from the completed resin model, and the occurrence of rework can be eliminated.

(4) Even when the shape of the lower surface of the resin model is an inclined surface, it is possible to accurately support the resin model by forming the minimum necessary number of photocurable layers for support on the movable table. Becomes

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an optical molding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a lifting / lowering amount adjusting means in the apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a manufacturing process diagram of a resin model by the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of a divided state of a lifting table in the apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a side view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a manufacturing process diagram of a three-dimensional resin model by a conventional optical shaping method.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing an example of a resin model manufactured by an optical shaping method.

FIG. 8 is a manufacturing process diagram of the resin model of FIG. 7;

9 is a manufacturing process diagram in a conventional optical shaping method for supporting the resin model of FIG. 7 by forming a photocurable layer for support.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 15 photocurable resin liquid 16 resin model 31 elevating table 32 movable table 41 laser beam irradiating means 51 control means 61 elevating amount adjusting means

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A photocurable layer is formed by irradiating light onto a liquid surface of a photocurable resin liquid, and a lifting table on which the photocurable layer is mounted is lowered by a predetermined amount, thereby forming the photocurable layer into the photocurable layer. Embedding in a resin liquid, stacking the photocurable layer by repeatedly irradiating light to the photocurable resin liquid covering the photocurable layer and burying the photocurable layer in the photocurable resin liquid, the three-dimensional resin In an optical modeling apparatus for producing a model, the lifting table is divided into a plurality of movable tables, and the amount of elevation of each movable table is determined for each movable table based on the production information of the resin model output from the control means. An optical shaping apparatus, wherein a lifting amount adjusting means for adjusting is connected to each other.