JP7495836B2 - Capping device and three-dimensional object manufacturing device equipped with same - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a capping device that caps an inkjet head.

Various technologies have been proposed for the capping device.

For example, the technology described in the following Patent Document 1 is a maintenance device for a fluid ejection device having a fluid ejection head provided with multiple nozzles for ejecting fluid, and a fluid supply flow path that supplies the fluid toward the downstream side of the fluid ejection head, and includes a pressure applying mechanism that applies pressure to the fluid in the fluid supply flow path at a pressure applying position upstream of the fluid ejection head to cause the fluid to expand from the nozzle, and reduces pressure when the fluid expands from the nozzle due to the pressurization, and an abutting member that abuts against the fluid ejection head when the pressure applying mechanism applies pressure and reduces pressure so as to block the nozzle opening of the nozzle to which the fluid is supplied through a flow path with a relatively small pressure loss, depending on the magnitude of the pressure loss for each flow path from the pressure applying position to each nozzle.

According to the description in the following Patent Document 1, in this maintenance device, when the pressure application mechanism applies pressure and depressurizes, the abutting member abuts against the fluid ejection head so as to block the nozzle opening of the nozzle to which fluid is supplied through a flow path with a relatively small pressure loss, depending on the magnitude of pressure loss for each flow path from the pressure application position to each nozzle. Therefore, by blocking the nozzle opening of a nozzle with a small pressure loss in the flow path and easy to apply pressure to, and then applying pressure and depressurizing, it is possible to apply pressure intensively to nozzles whose nozzle openings are not blocked. This makes it possible to efficiently discharge air bubbles even from nozzles with a large pressure loss and difficult to apply pressure to. Therefore, air bubbles can be efficiently discharged from multiple nozzles.

JP 2011-245682 A

However, when this maintenance device is used as a capping device, if air bubbles get in between the contact member and the fluid ejection head when the contact member comes into contact with the fluid ejection head, the air bubbles can cause the ink in the nozzles to dry out near the nozzle openings, resulting in nozzle clogging.

The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and aims to provide a capping device that can easily prevent the formation of air bubbles in the nozzle hole of an inkjet head and its surrounding area when capping.

This specification discloses a capping device that caps an inkjet head that ejects ink from a plurality of nozzle holes arranged in a nozzle plate in a predetermined direction , the capping device comprising: an elastomer that, when subjected to a pressing force from the inkjet head during capping, deforms a portion of its surface to form a close surface area that comes into close contact with the nozzle plate ; and a base having a groove extending in a predetermined direction on its upper surface, the close surface area of the elastomer continuously increases from a position on the nozzle plate where the elastomer makes point or line contact with the nozzle plate until it reaches the peripheral edge of the nozzle hole, thereby sealing each of the plurality of nozzle holes , the elastomer is cylindrical and is attached to the groove with its central axis parallel to the predetermined direction .

According to the present disclosure, the capping device can easily prevent air bubbles from forming in the nozzle hole of the inkjet head and its surrounding area when capping.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a three-dimensional stacked electronic device manufacturing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a three-dimensional additive model formed on a substrate. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing nozzle holes of an inkjet head used in a second printing unit. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a three-dimensional additive model formed on a substrate. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a three-dimensional additive model formed on a substrate. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a three-dimensional additive model formed on a substrate. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a three-dimensional additive model formed on a substrate. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a substrate and a three-dimensional stacked electronic device. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first modeling unit and a second modeling unit. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control device. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first modeling unit. This is a diagram showing cross sections of the inkjet head of the first printing unit and the base and elastic body of the first capping device taken along line I-I in Figure 12 when the first capping device caps the inkjet head of the first printing unit (hereinafter referred to as a cross-sectional view of the first capping device, etc.). FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a first capping device, etc. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a first capping device, etc. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an elastic body of the first capping device. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a first capping device and the like of a first modified example. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a first capping device and the like of a first modified example. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an elastic body of a first capping device of a first modified example. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a first capping device etc. of a second modified example. A cross-sectional view of an elastic body of a first capping device of a third modified example.

A preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional stacked electronic device manufacturing apparatus 10. The three-dimensional stacked electronic device manufacturing apparatus 10 includes a conveying device 20, a first modeling unit 22, a second modeling unit 24, a mounting unit 26, and a control device (see Figure 2) 27. The conveying device 20, the first modeling unit 22, the second modeling unit 24, and the mounting unit 26 are arranged on a base 28 of the three-dimensional stacked electronic device manufacturing apparatus 10. The base 28 is generally rectangular in shape, and in the following description, the longitudinal direction of the base 28 is referred to as the X-axis direction, the lateral direction of the base 28 as the Y-axis direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction as the Z-axis direction.

The Z-axis direction is the up-down direction. Therefore, in the following description, the Z-axis direction may be referred to as the up-down direction. Also, in the drawings, some components may be omitted, and the dimensional ratios of the various parts depicted may not be accurate.

The transport device 20 includes an X-axis slide mechanism 30 and a Y-axis slide mechanism 32. The X-axis slide mechanism 30 includes an X-axis slide rail 34 and an X-axis slider 36. The X-axis slide rail 34 is disposed on the base 28 so as to extend in the X-axis direction. The X-axis slider 36 is held by the X-axis slide rail 34 so as to be slidable in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, the X-axis slide mechanism 30 includes an electromagnetic motor (see FIG. 2) 38, and the X-axis slider 36 is moved to an arbitrary position in the X-axis direction by the drive of the electromagnetic motor 38. Furthermore, the Y-axis slide mechanism 32 includes a Y-axis slide rail 50 and a stage 52. The Y-axis slide rail 50 is disposed on the base 28 so as to extend in the Y-axis direction. One end of the Y-axis slide rail 50 is connected to the X-axis slider 36. Therefore, the Y-axis slide rail 50 is movable in the X-axis direction. A stage 52 is held on the Y-axis slide rail 50 so as to be slidable in the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, the Y-axis slide mechanism 32 has an electromagnetic motor (see FIG. 2) 56, and the stage 52 is moved to an arbitrary position in the Y-axis direction by driving the electromagnetic motor 56. As a result, the stage 52 is moved to an arbitrary position on the base 28 by driving the X-axis slide mechanism 30 and the Y-axis slide mechanism 32.

The stage 52 has a base 60, a holding device 62, and a lifting device 64. The base 60 is formed in a flat plate shape, and a substrate is placed on the upper surface. The holding devices 62 are provided on both sides of the base 60 in the X-axis direction. The substrate is fixedly held by clamping both edges in the X-axis direction of the substrate placed on the base 60 between the holding devices 62. The lifting device 64 is disposed below the base 60, and raises and lowers the base 60 in the Z-axis direction.

The first modeling unit 22 is a unit that models a circuit wiring layer on a substrate (see FIG. 3) 70 placed on the base 60 of the stage 52, and has a first printing section 72 and a baking section 74. The first printing section 72 has an inkjet head (see FIG. 2) 76, and ejects metal ink in a line shape onto the substrate 70 placed on the base 60. The metal ink is a dispersion of metal particles in a solvent. The inkjet head 76 ejects the metal ink from multiple nozzle holes, for example, by a piezo method using a piezoelectric element.

The baking section 74 has a laser irradiation device 78 (see FIG. 2). The laser irradiation device 78 is a device that irradiates the metal ink discharged onto the substrate 70 with a laser, and the metal ink irradiated with the laser is baked to form a circuit wiring layer. Note that baking of metal ink is a phenomenon in which the application of energy causes the evaporation of the solvent and the decomposition of the metal particle protective film, and the metal particles come into contact or fuse together, thereby increasing the conductivity. Then, the metal ink is baked to form a metal circuit wiring layer.

The second modeling unit 24 is a unit that models an insulating layer on the substrate 70 placed on the base 60 of the stage 52, and has a second printing unit 84 and a curing unit 86. The second printing unit 84 has an inkjet head (see FIG. 2) 88, and ejects ultraviolet curing resin onto the substrate 70 placed on the base 60. The ultraviolet curing resin is a resin that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light. The inkjet head 88 may be, for example, a piezoelectric type that ejects resin from multiple nozzle holes by deformation of a piezoelectric element, or a thermal type that heats the resin to generate bubbles and eject the resin from multiple nozzle holes.

The curing section 86 has a flattening device (see FIG. 2) 90 and an irradiation device (see FIG. 2) 92. The flattening device 90 flattens the top surface of the UV-curable resin discharged onto the substrate 70 by the inkjet head 88, for example by leveling the surface of the UV-curable resin while scraping off excess resin with a roller or blade, thereby making the thickness of the UV-curable resin uniform. The irradiation device 92 has a mercury lamp or LED as a light source, and irradiates the UV-curable resin discharged onto the substrate 70 with UV rays. This causes the UV-curable resin discharged onto the substrate 70 to harden, forming an insulating layer.

The mounting unit 26 is a unit that mounts electronic components (see FIG. 7) 94 on the substrate 70 placed on the base 60 of the stage 52, and has a supply section 100 and a mounting section 102. The supply section 100 has a plurality of tape feeders (see FIG. 2) 110 that feed the taped electronic components 94 one by one, and supplies the electronic components 94 at the supply position. Note that the supply section 100 is not limited to the tape feeders 110, and may be a tray-type supply device that picks up and supplies the electronic components 94 from a tray. The supply section 100 may also be configured to include both tape-type and tray-type supply devices, or other types of supply devices.

The mounting unit 102 has a mounting head (see FIG. 2) 112 and a moving device (see FIG. 2) 114. The mounting head 112 has a suction nozzle (see FIG. 7) 116 for suctioning and holding the electronic component 94. The suction nozzle 116 is supplied with negative pressure from a positive and negative pressure supply device (not shown), and sucks and holds the electronic component 94 by suctioning air. Then, the positive and negative pressure supply device supplies a slight positive pressure to release the electronic component 94. The moving device 114 moves the mounting head 112 between the supply position of the electronic component 94 by the tape feeder 110 and the board 70 placed on the base 60. As a result, in the mounting unit 102, the electronic component 94 supplied from the tape feeder 110 is held by the suction nozzle 116, and the electronic component 94 held by the suction nozzle 116 is mounted on the board 70.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 27 includes a controller 120 and a plurality of drive circuits 122. The plurality of drive circuits 122 are connected to the electromagnetic motors 38, 56, the holding device 62, the lifting device 64, the inkjet head 76, the laser irradiation device 78, the inkjet head 88, the flattening device 90, the irradiation device 92, the tape feeder 110, the mounting head 112, and the moving device 114. The controller 120 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and is mainly a computer, and is connected to the plurality of drive circuits 122. As a result, the operation of the transport device 20, the first modeling unit 22, the second modeling unit 24, and the mounting unit 26 is controlled by the controller 120.

Next, we will explain the manufacturing method for three-dimensional stacked electronic devices.

3, the first insulating layer 206 of the three-dimensional additive manufacturing object 202 is formed on the substrate 70. To this end, the stage 52 is moved below the second modeling unit 24. As a result, the substrate 70 set on the base 60 of the stage 52 is moved below the second modeling unit 24. Furthermore, in the second printing unit 84, the inkjet head 88 ejects a thin film of ultraviolet curing resin onto the upper surface of the substrate 70. Next, in the curing unit 86, the flattening device 90 flattens the ejected ultraviolet curing resin so that the film thickness is uniform. After that, the irradiation device 92 irradiates the flattened ultraviolet curing resin with ultraviolet light. As a result, the ultraviolet curing resin is cured. Thereafter, the above-mentioned process in the second modeling unit 24 (i.e., the process in the second printing unit 84 and the process in the curing unit 86) are repeated, and the first insulating layer 206 of the three-dimensional additive manufacturing object 202 is formed on the substrate 70.

The inkjet head 88 used in the second printing unit 84 is provided with a nozzle plate 128 as shown in FIG. 4. The nozzle plate 128 is provided with a first nozzle row 130 and a second nozzle row 132. The first nozzle row 130 and the second nozzle row 132 are provided along the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head 88. In the first nozzle row 130 and the second nozzle row 132, a plurality of nozzle holes 134 are arranged at a predetermined pitch. Furthermore, each nozzle hole 134 of the first nozzle row 130 is provided at a position shifted by half the predetermined pitch in the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head 88 with respect to each nozzle hole 134 of the second nozzle row 132. In other words, in the inkjet head 88, each nozzle hole 134 is arranged in a staggered pattern.

In the first nozzle row 130 and the second nozzle row 132, the ultraviolet curable resin is discharged from each nozzle hole 134. The controller 120 can select the nozzle hole 134 that discharges the ultraviolet curable resin depending on the manufacturing status of the three-dimensional additive model 202.

These points are also the same for the inkjet head 76 that ejects the metal ink in the first printing unit 72. The inkjet heads 88 and 76 are not limited to those having two nozzle rows 130 and 132, but may have one or three or more nozzle rows. The inkjet heads 88 and 76 are not limited to those having the nozzle holes 134 arranged in a staggered pattern, but may have the nozzle holes 134 arranged in a lattice pattern. Furthermore, the inkjet heads 88 and 76 are not limited to those having the nozzle holes 134 arranged at a predetermined pitch, but may have the nozzle holes 134 arranged at a gradually changing pitch, or may have the nozzle holes 134 arranged irregularly.

Next, the first circuit wiring layer 208 of the three-dimensional laminated object 202 is formed on the substrate 70 and hardened. To do so, the stage 52 is moved below the first modeling unit 22. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, in the first printing unit 72, the inkjet head 76 ejects metal ink in a line shape according to the wiring circuit pattern onto the upper surface of the insulating layer 206 of the three-dimensional laminated object 202. As a result, a plurality of first circuit wiring layers 208 are formed on the upper surface of the insulating layer 206 of the three-dimensional laminated object 202. After that, in the baking unit 74, the laser irradiation device 78 irradiates the metal ink ejected in a line shape with a laser. As a result, the metal ink is hardened. In this way, each circuit wiring layer 208 is hardened on the upper surface of the insulating layer 206 of the three-dimensional laminated object 202.

After that, the process in the second modeling unit 24 and the process in the first modeling unit 22 are repeated. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the second insulating layer 210 is formed in the three-dimensional additive model 202, and multiple second circuit wiring layers 212 are formed and hardened.

However, in the process in the second modeling unit 24, when the process in the second printing unit 84 and the process in the curing unit 86 are repeated, the inkjet head 88 ejects the ultraviolet curing resin onto the upper surface of each first circuit wiring layer 208 so that a predetermined portion is exposed in a generally circular shape. As a result, a plurality of via holes 214 are formed in the second insulating layer 210. Each via hole 214 has a tapered shape from the upper surface of the second insulating layer 210 to the upper surface of the first circuit wiring layer 208. Furthermore, the inkjet head 88 ejects the ultraviolet curing resin onto the upper surface of the first insulating layer 206 so that a predetermined portion is exposed in a generally rectangular shape. As a result, a cavity 216 is formed in the second insulating layer 210.

In the process in the first modeling unit 22, metal ink is ejected from the top surface of the second insulating layer 210, through the inclined surfaces of each via hole 214, to the top surface of each circuit wiring layer 208 of the first layer in the process of the first printing section 72. Therefore, when the process of the baking section 74 is performed, the second circuit wiring layer 212 is electrically connected to each circuit wiring layer 208 of the first layer via the inclined surfaces of each via hole 214.

Thereafter, the process in the second modeling unit 24 and the process in the first modeling unit 22 are repeated. As a result, as shown in Fig. 7, in the three-dimensional additively manufactured object 202, a third insulating layer 218 is formed, and multiple third circuit wiring layers 220 are formed and cured. At that time, each via hole 214 in the second insulating layer 210 is filled with the cured ultraviolet curing resin. Furthermore, in the third insulating layer 218, multiple via holes 222 and cavities 220 are formed in the same manner as each via hole 214 and cavity 216 formed in the second insulating layer 210.
24 are formed. As a result, the third circuit wiring layer 220 is electrically connected to each of the second circuit wiring layers 212 via the inclined surfaces of each via hole 222. In addition, the cavity 224 formed in the third insulating layer 218 is provided in a state of being connected to the cavity 216 in the second insulating layer 210 in the up-down direction.

In the following description, when cavities 216 and 224 are not distinguished from each other and are referred to collectively, they will be referred to as cavity 224. In addition, in FIG. 7, each circuit wiring layer 208 on the top surface of the first insulating layer 206 and each via hole 214 and cavity 216 formed in the second insulating layer 210 are omitted.

Then, the stage 52 is moved below the mounting unit 26. In the mounting unit 26, the electronic component 94 supplied by the tape feeder 110 is held by the suction nozzle 116 of the mounting head 112, as shown in FIG. 7. The held electronic component 94 is mounted in the cavity 224 as the mounting head 112 moves by the moving device 114. At this time, each electrode 96 of the electronic component 94 faces upward. Furthermore, the upper surfaces of each electrode 96 of the electronic component 94 and the upper surface of the third insulating layer 218 are located on the same plane.

Then, the process in the second modeling unit 24 (i.e., the process in the second printing unit 84 and the process in the curing unit 86) is repeated. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, each via hole 222 in the third insulating layer 218 is filled with the cured ultraviolet curing resin. Also, the gap between the inner wall surface defining the cavity 224 and the electronic component 94 is filled with the cured ultraviolet curing resin. Furthermore, the process in the first modeling unit 22 is performed. As a result, the fourth circuit wiring layer 226 is formed so as to connect a part of the third circuit wiring layer 220 and each electrode 96 of the electronic component 94, and is cured. As a result, the electronic component 94 is electrically connected to each circuit wiring layer 208, 212, 220, 226.

Then, the process in the second modeling unit 24 (i.e., the process in the second printing section 84 and the process in the curing section 86) is repeated. This results in the formation of the fourth insulating layer 227, as shown in FIG. 8.

Note that in FIG. 8, the circuit wiring layers 212 on the top surface of the second insulating layer 210 and the via holes 222 and cavities 224 formed in the third insulating layer 218 are omitted. These points are also the same in FIG. 9.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the three-dimensional laminated object 202 is separated from the substrate 70 using a solvent or the like to become a three-dimensional laminated electronic device 204.

Next, we will explain how to cap the inkjet heads 76 and 88.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first modeling unit 22 includes a first capping device 140 and a first guide rail 142 in addition to the first printing section 72 and the baking section 74. The first guide rail 142 is provided along the X-axis from the first capping device 140 to the first printing section 72. The first guide rail 142 allows the inkjet head 76 of the first printing section 72 to move in the X-axis direction with its longitudinal direction parallel to the X-axis direction. The first capping device 140 caps the inkjet head 76 that ejects metal ink, and includes a base 144, an elastic body 146, and the like. The elastic body 146 is fixed to the upper surface of the base 144 (see FIG. 13) and is disposed in a position along the first guide rail 142.

The second modeling unit 24 includes a second capping device 150 and a second guide rail 152 in addition to the second printing section 84 and the curing section 86. The second guide rail 152 is provided along the X-axis from the second capping device 150 to the second printing section 84. The second guide rail 152 allows the inkjet head 88 of the second printing section 84 to move in the X-axis direction with its longitudinal direction parallel to the X-axis direction. The second capping device 150 caps the inkjet head 88 that ejects the ultraviolet curing resin, and includes a base 154 and an elastic body 156. The elastic body 156 is fixed to the upper surface of the base 154 and is disposed in a position along the second guide rail 152.

As shown in FIG. 11, the first capping device 140 and the second capping device 150 are connected to the control device 27. In the control device 27, the controller 120 is connected to two electromagnetic motors 147, 157 and two lifting devices 148, 158 via a plurality of drive circuits 122. The electromagnetic motor 147 and the lifting device 148 are provided in the first capping device 140. The electromagnetic motor 157 and the lifting device 158 are provided in the second capping device 150. As a result, the operation of each of the first capping device 140 and the second capping device 150 is controlled by the controller 120.

When the electromagnetic motor 147 is driven in the first capping device 140, the inkjet head 76 moves to any position in the X-axis direction on the first guide rail 142. When the lifting device 148 is driven in the first capping device 140, the base 144 (and the elastic body 146) moves to any position in the Z-axis direction (up and down). Similarly, when the electromagnetic motor 157 is driven in the second capping device 150, the inkjet head 88 moves to any position in the X-axis direction on the second guide rail 152. When the lifting device 158 is driven in the second capping device 150, the base 154 (and the elastic body 156) moves to any position in the Z-axis direction (up and down).

When the inkjet head 76 is capped in the first capping device 140, as shown in FIG. 12, the inkjet head 76 is first guided by the first guide rail 142 and moves from the first printing unit 72 to above the base 144 (and elastic body 146) of the first capping device 140. As a result, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 13, the nozzle plate 128 of the inkjet head 76 faces the base 144 and elastic body 146 of the first capping device 140 in the Z-axis direction (up and down direction). The plane of the nozzle plate 128 is a plane parallel to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

Figure 13 shows cross sections of the inkjet head 76, the base 144 of the first capping device 140, and the elastic body 146 when cut along line I-I in Figure 12. More specifically, Figure 13 shows cross sections of the inkjet head 76, the base 144 of the first capping device 140, and the elastic body 146 when cut along an imaginary plane that is parallel to the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction and passes through one of the multiple nozzle holes 134 provided in the inkjet head 76.

Therefore, each nozzle hole 134 of the inkjet head 76 is aligned along the X-axis direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 13). In addition, the base 144 and the elastic body 146 of the first capping device 140 extend along the X-axis direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 13).

The base 144 is substantially rectangular and is disposed in the first capping device 140 with its longitudinal direction parallel to the X-axis direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 13) and its lateral direction parallel to the Y-axis direction. The lifting device 148 (see FIG. 11) is connected to the lower surface of the base 144. Meanwhile, a groove 145 is provided on the upper surface of the base 144. The groove 145 is disposed in the upper surface of the base 144.
13. The cross section of the electrode 45 is rectangular and extends along the X-axis direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 13).

The elastic body 146 is cylindrical, and the diameter of its circular cross section is approximately equal to the width of the groove 145 (the dimension in the Y-axis direction). The cylindrical elastic body 146 is attached to the groove 145 so that its central axis 149 is parallel to the X-axis direction (the perpendicular direction to the paper surface of FIG. 13). Note that when the elastic body 146 is attached to the groove 145, its central axis 149 is positioned slightly offset in the Y-axis direction from each nozzle hole 134 of the inkjet head 76.

The depth of the groove 145 (the dimension in the Z-axis direction) is set to be approximately equal to the radius of the circular cross section of the elastic body 146. Therefore, when the elastic body 146 is attached to the groove 145, approximately half of the elastic body 146 above the central axis 149 protrudes upward from the groove 145. In other words, approximately half of the elastic body 146 above the central axis 149 protrudes toward the nozzle plate 128 of the inkjet head 76 over the entire area of the groove 145 extending along the X-axis direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 13). In the following description, the portion of the elastic body 146 that is approximately half above the central axis 149 of the elastic body 146 and protrudes from the groove 145 will be referred to as the protruding portion of the elastic body 146.

In this way, each nozzle hole 134 provided in the nozzle plate 128 of the inkjet head 76 is located above the protruding portion of the elastic body 146 of the first capping device 140. In the inkjet head 76, each nozzle hole 134 and the ink chamber 136 communicating with each nozzle hole 134 are filled with metal ink 138.

Next, in the first capping device 140, the base 144 is moved by the lifting device 148 in the upward Z1 direction in the Z-axis direction (up-down direction) to press the protruding portion of the elastic body 146 against the nozzle plate 128 of the inkjet head 76.

At that time, as shown in FIG. 14, the nozzle plate 128 first comes into line contact with the elastic body 146 along the X-axis direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 14) at a position 162 near the peripheral portion 135 of the nozzle hole 134. As a result, the pressing force F from the inkjet head 76 acts on the protruding portion of the elastic body 146 at the point of line contact with the nozzle plate 128 in the downward Z2 direction of the Z-axis direction (up and down direction), that is, toward the inside of the elastic body 146. Therefore, in the protruding portion of the elastic body 146, the part of the surface 160 that is in line contact with the nozzle plate 128 is in contact with the nozzle plate 128 without any gaps while deforming, forming a close surface area 164. In other words, the close surface area 164 refers to a part of the surface 160 of the elastic body 146 that is in contact with the nozzle plate 128 without any gaps while deforming.

The elastic body 146 has the property of returning to approximately its original shape when the pressing force F is no longer applied.

When the base 144 is subsequently moved in the Z1 direction (upward), as the base 144 approaches the nozzle plate 128, the close contact surface area 164 of the elastic body 146 increases along with the pressing force F. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, the close contact surface area 164 of the elastic body 146 expands continuously from the position 162 where the elastic body 146 makes line contact with the nozzle plate 128 to both sides in the Y-axis direction.

Furthermore, the base 144 is moved in the Z1 direction (upward) until the contact surface area 164 of the elastic body 146 includes the peripheral portion 135 of each nozzle hole 134.
The peripheral portion 135 of the ink jet head 76 is in close contact with the surface 160 of the elastic body 146. Therefore, each nozzle hole 134 is blocked by the elastic body 146. In this manner, in the first capping device 140, each nozzle hole 134 of the ink jet head 76 is sealed with the close contact surface area 164 of the elastic body 146, thereby capping the ink jet head 76.

The above also applies to the capping of the inkjet head 88 performed by the second capping device 150.

As described above in detail, in the first and second capping devices 140, 150 of this embodiment, the intimate surface area 164 of the surface 160 of the elastic body 146, 156, which is in close contact with the nozzle plate 128 without any gaps while deforming, extends continuously from the position 162 where the elastic body 146, 156 makes line contact with the nozzle plate 128 to include the peripheral portion 135 of each nozzle hole 134. This allows the inkjet heads 76, 88 to be capped.

Therefore, in the first and second capping devices 140 and 150 of this embodiment, it is easy to prevent the formation of air bubbles in the nozzle holes 134 and their peripheral portions 135 of the inkjet heads 76 and 88 when capping.

The following describes the characteristics of the shape of the cross section of the elastic body 146 provided in the first capping device 140. FIG. 16 shows a cross section of the elastic body 146 cut by a virtual plane that is parallel to the Z-axis direction and the Y-axis direction and intersects with the tip 166 of the elastic body 146. The tip 166 of the elastic body 146 is the point where the elastic body 146 makes linear contact with the nozzle plate 128. The Z-axis direction is the up-down direction, and includes the direction in which the pressing force F acts on the elastic body 146 (the downward Z2 direction). The Y-axis direction is the direction in which the close contact surface area 164 of the elastic body 146 continuously expands on the nozzle plate 128. The cross section of the elastic body 146 shown in FIG. 13 has the same shape as the cross section of the elastic body 146 shown in FIG. 16.

In FIG. 16, the circular contour line showing the cross section of the elastic body 146 corresponds to the close surface area 164 of the elastic body 146, and is shown by a solid line as a portion 168 of the contour line. Here, the region of the cross section of the elastic body 146 that is surrounded by the portion 168 of the contour line that corresponds to the close surface area 164 and the straight line 172 connecting both ends 170, 170 of the portion 168 of the contour line is defined as the deformation region 174. Such a deformation region 174 has a cross-sectional shape whose dimension in the Y-axis direction gradually increases from the tip 166 of the elastic body 146 toward the central axis 149. In other words, the cross-sectional shape of the deformation region 174 is an arch shape that gradually becomes wider as it moves away from the tip 166 of the elastic body 146.

It can also be said that the close contact surface area 164 of the elastic body 146 extends continuously from the position 162 where the elastic body 146 makes line contact along the X-axis direction on the nozzle plate 128 parallel to the X-axis direction to all directions except the X-axis direction (i.e., all directions on a plane parallel to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, except the X-axis direction). Therefore, if the imaginary plane cutting the elastic body 146 is parallel to the Z-axis direction and any one direction on the plane parallel to the X-axis direction and except the X-axis direction, and is a plane that intersects the tip 166 of the elastic body 146, the cross-sectional shape of the deformation region 174 will similarly become an arch shape that gradually becomes wider as it moves away from the tip 166 of the elastic body 146.

These characteristics also apply to the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 156 provided in the second capping device 150.

Incidentally, in this embodiment, the first printing unit 72 or the second printing unit 84 is an example of a printing device. The first capping device 140 or the second capping device 150 is an example of a capping device. The metal ink 138 or the ultraviolet curing resin is an example of an ink. The three-dimensional laminated object 202 or the three-dimensional laminated electronic device 204 is an example of a three-dimensional object. The Y-axis direction is an example of a direction in which the intimate surface area increases. The Z2 direction is an example of a direction in which the pressing force acts.

The three-dimensional laminated electronic device manufacturing apparatus 10 is an example of a three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus. Even if the mounting unit 26 is removed from the three-dimensional laminated electronic device manufacturing apparatus 10, such an apparatus is capable of manufacturing a three-dimensional laminated object 202 without an electronic component 94 mounted thereon, and is therefore an example of a three-dimensional object manufacturing apparatus.

Note that this disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.

For example, the elastic bodies 146, 156 may be triangular prism-shaped instead of cylindrical in the above embodiment. Such a case is shown in Figures 17 to 20 using the elastic body 146 as an example. In the following description, parts that are substantially the same as those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted.

In the case shown in Figures 17 to 19, the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 146 is an isosceles triangle, and the tip 166, which is the apex angle, faces the nozzle plate 128. The width (dimension in the Y-axis direction) of the groove 145 in the base 144 is approximately equal to the length of the base of the isosceles triangle, which is the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 146. Furthermore, the depth (dimension in the Z-axis direction) of the groove 145 in the base 144 is shallower than the height of the isosceles triangle, which is the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 146. In such a case, the cross-sectional shape of the deformation region 174 is an isosceles triangle that gradually becomes wider as it moves away from the tip 166 of the elastic body 146.

Also, as shown in FIG. 20, the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 146 may be a right-angled triangle. In such a case, the width (dimension in the Y-axis direction) of the groove 145 in the base 144 is set to be approximately equal to the length of one of the two sides that sandwich the right angle of the right-angled triangle that is the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 146. Furthermore, the depth (dimension in the Z-axis direction) of the groove 145 in the base 144 is set to be shallower than the length of the other of the two sides that sandwich the right angle of the right-angled triangle that is the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 146. In such a case, the cross-sectional shape of the deformation region (not shown) is a right-angled triangle that gradually becomes wider as it moves away from the tip 166 of the elastic body 146.

Also, for example, the elastic bodies 146, 156 may have two tips 166, which are the points in line contact with the nozzle plate 128, in their cross-sectional shape. Such a case is shown in FIG. 21, using the elastic body 146 as an example. In the example shown in FIG. 21, a deformation region 174 is defined for each of the two tips 166, and the cross-sectional shape of each deformation region 174 also similarly becomes gradually wider as it moves away from the tip 166 of the elastic body 146. Note that the cross-sectional shape of each deformation region 174 shown in FIG. 21 is a triangle, but it may also be a part of a circle protruding upward (see FIG. 16). These points are the same even if there are three or more tips 166.

The first and second capping devices 140, 150 may be provided inside the first and second printing units 72, 84, or may be provided outside the first and second modeling units 22, 24.

In addition, in the first and second capping devices 140, 150, the bases 144, 154 may be kept stationary and the inkjet heads 76, 88 may be moved in the Z2 direction (downward), thereby pressing the nozzle plates 128 of the inkjet heads 76, 88 against the protruding portions of the elastic bodies 146, 156.

In addition, in the first and second capping devices 140, 150, when capping the inkjet heads 76, 88, the bases 144, 154 or the inkjet heads 76, 88 may be moved in a direction intersecting the Z-axis direction (up-down direction).

The first and second capping devices 140, 150 can also cap the inkjet heads 76, 88 that have only one nozzle hole 134.

In addition, in the first and second capping devices 140 and 150, when capping the inkjet heads 76 and 88, the elastic bodies 146 and 156 may be in line contact with the nozzle plate 128 at the positions where the first nozzle row 130 and the second nozzle row 132 are provided. In other words, the elastic bodies 146 and 156 may be in line contact with each nozzle hole 134.

The elastic body 146 may also have an external shape of a cone, a pyramid, a sphere, an ellipsoid, or the like. In such a case, the tip 166 of the elastic body 146 is the point where the elastic body 146 makes point contact with the nozzle plate 128. Therefore, when the external shape of the elastic body 146 is a cone or a pyramid, the apex of the cone or pyramid is the tip 166 of the elastic body 146. Furthermore, the intimate surface area 164 of the elastic body 146 extends continuously in all directions (i.e., in all directions on a plane parallel to the X-axis and Y-axis directions) from the position where the elastic body 146 makes point contact with the nozzle plate 128 parallel to the X-axis and Y-axis directions. Therefore, if the imaginary plane cutting the elastic body 146 is parallel to the Z-axis direction and any one of all directions on the plane parallel to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and is a surface passing through the tip 166 of the elastic body 146, the cross-sectional shape of the deformation region 174 will gradually become wider as it moves away from the tip 166 of the elastic body 146. The same is true for the elastic body 156.

In the above embodiment, the elastic body 146 has a property of undergoing a volume change along with deformation of its shape due to a compressive force (pressing force F) as shown in FIG. 15 or FIG. 18, but it may have a non-compressible property such that there is almost no volume change even when the elastic body 146 is deformed by a compressive force (pressing force F), such as a rubber material. In such a case, the space between the inkjet head 76 and the base 144 and the space within the groove 145 when the elastic body 146 is attached function as an escape allowance for the elastic body 146. The same applies to the elastic body 156.

10: 3D laminated electronic device manufacturing apparatus, 72: first printing unit, 76: inkjet head, 84: second printing unit, 88: inkjet head, 128: nozzle plate, 134: nozzle hole, 135: periphery of nozzle hole, 138: metal ink, 140: first capping device, 146: elastic body, 150: second capping device, 156: elastic body, 160: surface of elastic body, 162: position where elastic body makes linear contact with nozzle plate, 164: contact surface area of elastic body, 166: tip of elastic body, 168: part of contour line, 170: both ends of part of contour line, 172: straight line, 174: deformation area, 202: 3D laminated object, 204: 3D laminated electronic device, F: pressing force

Claims (5)

A capping device that caps an inkjet head that ejects ink from a plurality of nozzle holes that are arranged in a predetermined direction and that are provided in a nozzle plate,
an elastic body having a surface that is deformed by a pressing force from the inkjet head during the capping process to form a contact surface area that is in close contact with the nozzle plate;
A base having a groove on an upper surface thereof extending in the predetermined direction;
Equipped with
the contact surface area of the elastic body increases continuously from a point or line contact position of the elastic body on the nozzle plate until it reaches a peripheral portion of the nozzle hole, thereby sealing each of the plurality of nozzle holes ;
The capping device , wherein the elastic body is cylindrical and attached to the groove with its central axis parallel to the predetermined direction. The groove has a rectangular cross section,
a diameter of the circular cross section of the elastic body is approximately equal to a width of the groove in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction,
The radius of the circular cross section of the elastic body is approximately equal to the depth of the groove,
2. The capping device according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the elastic body above a central axis of the elastic body protrudes upward from the groove when the elastic body is attached to the groove. A capping device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, in a cross section of the elastic body cut by a virtual plane that is parallel to the direction in which the pressing force acts on the elastic body and the direction in which the close contact surface area of the elastic body increases, and that passes through the tip of the elastic body that is in point or line contact with the nozzle plate, a deformation region surrounded by a portion of the contour line of the cross section corresponding to the close contact surface area and a straight line connecting both ends of the portion of the contour line has a cross-sectional shape that gradually becomes wider as it moves away from the tip of the elastic body. 4. The capping device according to claim 3 , wherein the cross-sectional shape of the deformation region of the elastic body is an arch shape. The capping device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
a printing device that has the inkjet head that is capped by the capping device, and that forms a three-dimensional object layer by layer of a thickness that can be manufactured by three-dimensional additive manufacturing using ink ejected from the nozzle holes.

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