JP2002103488A - Sheet stacking type 3D modeling machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide a sheet laminated type three-dimensional modeling apparatus capable of improving the modeling accuracy of a three-dimensional three-dimensional shape. A sliding bearing and a heater roller mounting hole are provided.
In addition to the clearance provided at a predetermined interval t2 between the compression coil spring 96 and the sliding bearing 94.
, A vertically downward urging force is applied to the heater roller 31. Therefore, at the center of the upper surface of the intermediate laminate, the vertical movement of the heater roller 31 is suppressed within the predetermined interval t2, and the adhesive on the back surface of the material sheet is prevented from seeping into the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W. In the peripheral portion on the upper surface of the intermediate laminate, not only the weight of the heater roller 31 but also the pressing force of the compression coil spring 96 facilitates the adhesive on the back surface of the material sheet P to seep into the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W. . As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of irregularities on the upper surface of the intermediate laminate and improve the modeling accuracy of the three-dimensional three-dimensional shape.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet stacking type three-dimensional printing apparatus, and more particularly, to an operation of stacking thin material sheets and cutting the sheets into a predetermined shape.
The present invention relates to a sheet stacking type three-dimensional forming apparatus for forming a three-dimensional shape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a material sheet having a back surface coated with an adhesive which is melted by heating to generate an adhesive force is sent to an upper surface of an intermediate laminated body which has been laminated on a molding table. The fed material sheet is heated by a heater roller (hot roller) and pressed at the same time to be bonded to the upper surface of the intermediate laminate, and the bonded material sheet follows the contour shape (slice data) of the modeled object corresponding to the height position. 3D modeling machine (LOM: Laminated Obje) that forms a three-dimensional three-dimensional shape by repeating the operation of cutting with a laser beam.
ct Manufacturing) is widely used. The present applicant has also proposed various such sheet-stacking three-dimensional modeling apparatuses (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 11-227073 and 11-227053).
JP-A-11-198235 and the like.

[0003]

In such a sheet stacking type three-dimensional printing apparatus, a heater roller is supported so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis and slightly up and down, and the heater roller is fed to the upper surface of the intermediate stacked body. When the material sheet is rolled on the material sheet, the material sheet is heated and, at the same time, the material sheet is pressed and adhered to the upper surface of the intermediate laminate by the weight of the heater roller. Note that the heater roller is supported so as to be able to move up and down somewhat so that even when a small foreign matter such as dust is placed on the upper surface of the intermediate laminated body, the heater roller can get over without being locked by the foreign matter. That's why.

By the way, in the case of a relatively large model,
When the heating and pressing by the heater roller is repeated on the intermediate laminate, the central portion has a higher temperature since the central portion is less likely to radiate heat than the peripheral portion on the upper surface of the intermediate laminate. Therefore, the adhesive on the back surface of the material sheet easily permeates into the upper surface of the intermediate laminate at the central portion on the upper surface of the intermediate laminate, and hardly permeates into the upper surface of the intermediate laminate at the peripheral portion on the upper surface of the intermediate laminate. In addition, since the heater roller is supported so as to be able to move up and down to some extent and presses the material sheet by its own weight, unevenness is generated on the upper surface of the intermediate laminate. As a result, the flatness of the intermediate laminate is deteriorated, and the modeling accuracy of the three-dimensional three-dimensional shape is reduced. The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet lamination type 3 capable of improving the molding accuracy of a three-dimensional three-dimensional shape.
An object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional printing apparatus.

[0005]

Means and Action for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that a material sheet supply means for feeding the material sheet to the upper surface of the intermediate laminated body that has been stacked so far, A sheet laminating type comprising a material sheet bonding means for pressing and bonding the material sheet to the upper surface of the intermediate laminate by pressing an upper surface, and a material sheet cutting means for cutting the material sheet into a predetermined shape 3
In the three-dimensional printing apparatus, the roller is a sheet lamination type 3
While being rotatably supported by the three-dimensional modeling apparatus, supported movably in the vertical direction with respect to the upper surface of the intermediate laminate, the roller is applied to the upper surface of the intermediate laminate with a predetermined level of urging force. The gist of the present invention is to provide an urging means.

Therefore, according to the present invention, a predetermined level of urging force capable of suppressing movement of the roller in the vertical direction with respect to the upper surface of the intermediate laminate is applied to the unevenness of the upper surface of the intermediate laminate due to thermal expansion. If the voltage is applied to the roller by the means, the unevenness generated on the upper surface of the intermediate laminate can be reliably flattened, and the modeling accuracy of the three-dimensional three-dimensional shape can be improved. Further, with respect to foreign matter placed on the upper surface of the intermediate laminate, if a biasing force at a level capable of moving the roller in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the intermediate laminate is applied to the roller by the biasing means, Can be overcome without being locked by the foreign matter.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the sheet stacking type three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising an urging force adjusting means for adjusting the urging force of the urging means. Is also good. That is, if the biasing force adjusting means is provided, the biasing force can be easily and easily optimized so that the effects of the first aspect can be more reliably obtained.

[0008] The components described in the above [Claims] and [Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention] and the components described in [Embodiments of the Invention] described later The correspondence is as follows.
“Material sheet supply means” corresponds to the material sheet supply device 20. The “material sheet bonding unit” includes a heating / pressing device 30 and a moving device 50. “Material sheet cutting means” includes a cutting device 40 and a moving device 50. The “urging means” includes a urging member 98 (press plate 95,
This corresponds to the compression coil spring 96, the female screw hole 57a, and the screw 97). The “urging force adjusting means” includes a pressing plate 95, a female screw hole 57a, and a screw 97.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [Main Configuration of the Present Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows a sheet lamination type three-dimensional printing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment.
It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main part of the sheet lamination type three-dimensional printing apparatus 10. 3 to 7
FIG. 1 is an overall front view showing a schematic configuration in an operating state of a sheet stacking type three-dimensional printing apparatus 10. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a molding cycle of a three-dimensional three-dimensional shape (molded object).

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing respective lines M1 to M4, which are cutting locations (cutting lines) of the intermediate laminate M during molding.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate laminate M during molding. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2, showing a main part of a mounting structure of the heater roller 31. FIG.
FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 11. Although FIGS. 11 and 12 show the mounting structure of the heater roller 31 on the X-direction frame 51a side, the mounting structure of the heater roller 31 on the X-direction frame 51b is the same.

The sheet stacking type three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 includes a material sheet supply device 20 for feeding a material sheet P to the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W stacked up to that time, and heating the fed material sheet P to heat the intermediate laminate W. A heating and pressing device 30 for pressing and bonding the upper surface of the sheet, a cutting device 40 for cutting the bonded material sheet P into a predetermined shape, and a moving device 50 for moving the heating and pressing device 30 and the cutting device 40 to predetermined positions.
And an elevating device 70 for elevating and lowering the intermediate laminate W, and a control device 80.

The control device 80 includes a CPU, ROM, RA
Each device 2 includes a known microcomputer having M and I / O circuits, and operates according to a control program (computer program) recorded in a built-in ROM.
0, 30, 40, 50 and 70 are controlled. The material sheet P is formed of good quality paper, and the back surface thereof is coated with a hot melt adhesive such as an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. This adhesive melts when heated and produces an adhesive force when cooled.
The material sheet P is not limited to paper, and may be formed of a film of a synthetic resin (for example, polyethylene terephthalate).

The lifting device 70 includes a modeling table 71, a saddle 72, a Z-direction guide rail (Z-axis slide) 73a,
73b, an elevating feed screw 74, an elevating motor 75, and a limit switch 77 are provided. As shown in FIGS.
The modeling table 71 is detachably mounted and fixed on a saddle 72. The rear side of the saddle 72 is slidably fitted to each of the Z-direction guide rails 73a and 73b to be guided and supported. Each Z-direction guide rail 73a, 73b is
The molding table 71 is attached to and fixed to a rear machine frame (not shown) on the rear side of the sheet stacking type three-dimensional molding device 10 so as to be arranged at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction and extend in the vertical direction (Z direction). ing. An intermediate portion of each of the Z-direction guide rails 73a and 73b in the saddle 72 is
4 is screw-engaged. The elevating feed screw 74 is integrated with the motor shaft of the elevating motor 75 attached and fixed to the machine frame, and is driven to rotate about a vertical axis. Therefore, the elevating feed screw 74 is rotationally driven by the elevating motor 75 controlled by the control device 80, and the molding table 71 is thus rotated.
Are each Z-direction guide rail 7 while keeping its upper surface horizontal.
3a and 73b slide up and down.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the sheet feeding device 20 includes guide rollers 21a, 21b, 25a, 25b,
Feed roller 22, motors 23 and 24, supply side roll P
a, a recovery-side roll Pb. Guide rollers 21a and 21b are provided on the left and right sides of the upper end of each of the Z-direction guide rails 73a and 73b, respectively. A feed roller 22 that is in rolling contact with the guide roller 21a is provided above the guide roller 21a, and the feed roller 22 is driven to rotate about a horizontal Y-axis by a motor 23 fixed to the machine frame. A collection-side roll Pb is disposed below and to the right of the guide roller 21b.
A supply-side roll Pa is provided below b. Each of the rolls Pa and Pb is formed in a cylindrical shape by winding a material sheet P around a tubular material (not shown). Collection side roll Pb
Is driven to rotate about a horizontal axis in the Y direction by a motor 24 fixed to the machine frame. Each Z-direction guide rail 73
Guide rollers 25a and 25b are disposed on the left and right sides of the lower end of the a and 73b, respectively. Each guide roller 21
a, 21b, 25a, 25b and supply-side roll Pa
Are supported by the machine frame so as to be rotatable about the horizontal axis in the Y direction. The motors 23 and 24 are controlled by the control device 80.

The material sheet P pulled out from the supply roll Pa first passes through the guide roller 25b, then passes below the molding table 71, and subsequently changes direction vertically upward by the guide roller 25a. The guide roller 21a passes between the guide roller 21a and the feed roller 22 and passes through the guide roller 21a.
Then, the direction is changed to a horizontal left-right direction (X direction), and then passes over the upper surface of the modeling table 71, and is then wound up by the collection-side roll Pb via the guide roller 21b.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 11 and 12, the heating and pressing device 30 includes a heater roller (hot roller) 31,
Heater cartridge 32, temperature sensor 34, mounting and fixing member (fixing block) 93, slide bearing 94, biasing member 9
8 is provided. The heater roller 31 is made of substantially cylindrical stainless steel. A heater cartridge 32 composed of a cylindrical ceramic heater is inserted into the heater roller 31. The length of the heater roller 31 is set longer than the width of the material sheet P. The control device 80 controls energization of the heater cartridge 32 based on a detection signal of the temperature sensor 34 that detects the temperature of the outer peripheral surface of the heater roller 31 so that the temperature of the outer peripheral surface of the heater roller 31 becomes a predetermined temperature (for example, 280 to 280). (About 300 ° C.).

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 to 7, the cutting device 40 comprises a laser oscillator 41, mirror boxes 42 to 4
5. A laser torch 46 is provided. Laser oscillator 41
Generates a laser beam L of a carbon dioxide gas laser, and the laser beam L is reflected by mirrors (not shown) built in each of the mirror boxes 42 to 45 to form a laser torch 46.
The material sheet P that is irradiated downward from above and is adhered to the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W is cut. At this time, the control device 80
Controls the laser oscillator 41 to adjust the output of the laser beam L so as to cut the material sheet P to a depth slightly larger than the thickness of one sheet. In addition, the cutting device 40
The cutting mechanism is not limited to the one using a laser as described above, and may be replaced with one using any cutting mechanism (for example, an ultrasonic cutter).

The moving device 50 includes an X-direction frame 51a,
51b, Y-direction carriage 52, moving head 53, pulleys 54a, 54b, 58a, 58b, drive belt 55,
59, motors 56, 60, heater slide (heater moving table) 57, X-direction guide rail 91, ball holder 92
It has. As shown in FIG. 2, the X-direction frames 51 a and 51 b, which are long rectangular tubes, are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the horizontal front-rear direction (Y direction) of the sheet stacking type three-dimensional printing apparatus 10. The sheet stacking type three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 is attached and fixed to the front and rear machine frames (not shown) so as to sandwich the P and extend in the horizontal left-right direction (X direction). . Note that the X direction and Y
The direction is orthogonal.

Each of the elongated plate-shaped Y-direction carriages 52
A horizontal front-rear direction (Y direction) orthogonal to each X-direction frame 51a, 51b above the direction frames 51a, 51b.
Are extended so as to extend to each X-direction frame 51a,
An X-direction guide rail (not shown) attached and fixed to the upper surface of 51b is slidably fitted and guided and supported. A mirror box 44 is attached and fixed above the rear end of the Y-direction carriage 52.

Above the Y-direction carriage 52, a moving head 53 provided with a mirror box 45 and a laser torch 46 is arranged. The moving head 53 is guided and supported so as to be able to reciprocate along the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the Y-direction carriage 52, and is reciprocated by a driving mechanism (not shown) controlled by the control device 80. As a driving mechanism for moving the moving head 53, a mechanism using a feed screw in the same manner as the elevating mechanism of the modeling table 71, or a mechanism using a pulley and a driving belt in the same manner as a moving mechanism for the Y-direction carriage 52 described later. ,and so on.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, pulleys 5 are provided at both left and right ends of each of the X-direction frames 51a and 51b.
4a and 54b are attached and fixed (not shown).
A drive belt 55 is hung between a and b, and the Y-direction carriage 52 is fixedly mounted on the drive belt 55. The pulley 54b is supported by the machine frame so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis in the Y direction. The pulley 54a is driven to rotate about a horizontal Y-axis by a motor 56 fixed to the machine frame. Therefore, when the pulley 54a is rotationally driven by the motor 56 controlled by the control device 80, the drive belt 55 moves in conjunction therewith, and the pulley 54b rotates, and with the movement of the drive belt 55, the Y-direction carriage 52 is each X direction frame 51a,
Reciprocating parallel movement is performed along the longitudinal direction (X direction) of 51b. As a result, the laser torch 46 provided on the moving head 53 moves the modeling table 71 supporting the intermediate laminate W.
Is moved in the X direction and the Y direction, and its trajectory is controlled by the control device 80 based on the three-dimensional CAD data. That is, the trajectory of the laser beam L emitted from the laser torch 46 to the material sheet P is controlled by the control device 80 based on the three-dimensional CAD data.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 11, the elongated plate-shaped heater slide 57 is provided on each of the X-direction frames 51a, 5a.
1b, it extends perpendicularly to each of the X-direction frames 51a, 51b so as to extend in the horizontal front-rear direction (Y direction). Is attached and fixed. The ball slide 92 is slidably fitted and guided and supported on the X-direction guide rail 91 attached and fixed to the lower surface of each of the X-direction frames 51a and 51b.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the lower surface of both ends of the heater slide 57 in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) is
An attachment fixing member 93 of the heater roller 31 is attached and fixed. A heater slide 5 is provided on a side surface of the mounting and fixing member 93.
7, a cylindrical heater roller mounting hole 93a is formed along the longitudinal direction (Y direction). Both ends of the heater roller 31 are formed to be thinner than the center thereof, and ring-shaped sliding bearings 94 are fitted to both ends thereof. The sliding bearings 94 at both ends of the heater roller 31 are fitted in the heater roller mounting holes 93a. That is, both ends of the heater roller 31 are inserted into the heater roller mounting holes 93a via the slide bearings 94.

The heater cartridge 3 is provided inside the heater roller 31 with a gap in the radial direction of the heater roller 31.
2 are inserted, and both ends of the heater cartridge 32 are fixed to the mounting fixing member 93. Mounting fixing member 9
A cylindrical urging member mounting hole 93b is formed in a vertical direction on the upper surface of 3 so as to communicate with the heater roller mounting hole 93a. A disc-shaped pressing plate 95 and a compression coil spring 96 are slidably fitted in the urging member mounting hole 93b.

A female screw hole 57a is formed through the heater slide 57 at a position corresponding to the urging member mounting hole 93b. A heater slide 57 is provided in the female screw hole 57a.
A screw 97 is inserted from the upper surface side of the heater slide 57.
Is screwed to the screw 97. The distal end of the screw 97 projects into the urging member mounting hole 93b and contacts the upper surface of the pressing plate 95, the lower surface of the pressing plate 95 contacts the upper end of the compression coil spring 96, and the lower end of the compression coil spring 96 is a sliding bearing. 94 contacts the outer peripheral surface. Therefore, a vertically downward pressing force (spring force) is applied to the sliding bearing 94 from the compression coil spring 96, and the sliding bearing 94 is urged vertically downward, so that the heater roller 31 is also vertically downwardly urged through the sliding bearing 94. (The upper surface side of the intermediate laminate W).

A clearance (play) at a predetermined interval t1 (for example, 0.1 mm) is provided between the heater roller 31 and the slide bearing 94 so that the slide bearing 94 can rotate smoothly. With the clearance at the predetermined interval t1, the heater roller 31 is supported rotatably around the horizontal axis in the Y direction with respect to the mounting and fixing member 93 (heater slide 57). It should be noted that the predetermined interval t1 is set to be extremely small as compared with the modeling accuracy of the modeled object, and the molding accuracy does not decrease by providing the clearance at the predetermined interval t1.

In addition, when a small foreign matter such as dust is placed on the upper surface of the intermediate laminated body W, the heater roller 31 slightly moves up and down between the slide bearing 94 and the heater roller mounting hole 93a. A clearance (play) at a predetermined interval t2 (for example, 0.6 mm) is provided so that the vehicle can get over without being locked by the foreign matter. The vertical movement of the heater roller 31 refers to a vertical movement with respect to the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W.
The pressing plate 95, the compression coil spring 96, the female screw hole 57a, and the screw 97 constitute an urging member 98.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, pulleys 5 are provided at both left and right ends of each of the X-direction frames 51a and 51b.
8a and 58b are attached and fixed, and each pulley 58a and 58b
A drive belt 59 is hung between them, and a heater slide 57 is attached and fixed to the drive belt 59. Pulley 58
b is supported by the machine frame so as to be rotatable about the horizontal axis in the Y direction. The pulley 58a is driven to rotate around a horizontal Y-axis by a motor 60 fixed to the machine frame. Therefore, when the pulley 58a is rotationally driven by the motor 60 controlled by the control device 80, the drive belt 59 moves in conjunction therewith and the pulley 58b rotates, and the heater slide 57 moves with the movement of the drive belt 59. Is reciprocally translated along the longitudinal direction (X direction) of each of the X-direction frames 51a and 51b. As a result, the heater roller 31 whose outer peripheral surface is heated by being supported by the heater slide 57 moves on the material sheet P sent to the upper surface of the intermediate laminated body W that has been laminated by the movement of the heater slide 57. Rolls and heats the material sheet P, and at the same time, the intermediate laminate W
The material sheet P is pressed and adhered to the upper surface of the substrate.

Here, in the case of a relatively large model, when the heating and pressing by the heater roller 31 is repeated on the intermediate laminate W, the central portion is less likely to radiate heat than the peripheral portion on the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W. The temperature of the part increases. In this state, when the material sheet P sent to the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W is pressed by the heater roller 31, heat transmitted from the intermediate laminate W is applied to the material sheet P located at the center of the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W. Therefore, the adhesive on the back surface of the material sheet P easily penetrates into the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W, and the heat transmitted from the intermediate laminate W is applied to the material sheet P located in the peripheral portion on the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W. Therefore, the adhesive on the back surface of the material sheet P is unlikely to seep into the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W. As a result, irregularities are likely to be formed on the upper surface of the intermediate laminate.

At this time, a clearance at a predetermined interval t2 is provided between the slide bearing 94 and the heater roller mounting hole 93a. In addition, a vertically downward pressing force is applied to the sliding bearing 94 from the compression coil spring 96, and the sliding bearing 94 is urged vertically downward. Therefore, at the center of the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W, the heater roller 3
1 is suppressed within the predetermined interval t2, and the material sheet P
Is prevented from seeping into the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W. In the peripheral portion on the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W, not only the weight of the heater roller 31 but also the pressing force of the compression coil spring 96 facilitates the adhesive on the back surface of the material sheet P to seep into the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W. You. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of irregularities on the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W,
The upper surface of the intermediate laminate W can be flattened.

When a minute foreign substance such as dust is placed on the upper surface of the intermediate laminated body W, a clearance at a predetermined interval t2 is provided between the slide bearing 94 and the heater roller mounting hole 93a. The heater roller 31 approaching the foreign matter slightly moves up and down against the urging force (pressing force) applied from the compression coil spring 96 via the slide bearing 94, and can move over without being locked by the foreign matter. . That is, the urging force applied from the compression coil spring 96 to the heater roller 31 via the slide bearing 94 is:
The unevenness on the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W due to the thermal expansion is experimentally set to a level sufficient to suppress the vertical movement (movement in the vertical direction with respect to the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W) of the heater roller 31; The heater roller 31 is experimentally set to a level at which the heater roller 31 can be easily moved up and down with respect to the foreign matter placed on the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W.
Incidentally, the urging force is applied in the front-rear direction (Y
Direction) is set large when the length is long, and the intermediate laminate W
When the length in the front-rear direction is short, it is desirable to set the length small.

Since the compression coil spring 96 is pressed by the pressing plate 95 and compressed as the screw 97 is tightened, the compression force is increased. Therefore, the screw 97 may be tightened to increase the urging force applied to the heater roller 31 from the compression coil spring 96 via the slide bearing 94, and the screw 97 may be loosened to weaken the urging force. Therefore, the urging force applied to the heater roller 31 from the compression coil spring 96 via the slide bearing 94 is the sheet stacking type 3
The operator (operator) of the three-dimensional printing apparatus 10 can easily and easily make adjustments.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, a lower end of a limit switch 7
7 are provided. When the upper surfaces of the intermediate laminate W and the material sheet P that rise together with the molding table 71 reach a predetermined height, the limit switch 77
It operates in contact with. The control device 80 stops the rotation of the elevating motor 75 based on the operation of the limit switch 77 so that the height of the material sheet P placed on the intermediate laminate W is set at an arbitrary distance t2 from the lower surface of the heater roller 31 at a predetermined interval t2. When the position becomes higher by the interval (t2 + α) obtained by adding the interval α, the ascent of the modeling table 71 is stopped.
The stop position of the molding table 71 can be arbitrarily set by changing the position where the limit switch 77 operates.

[Operation of this embodiment] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, prior to the formation of a three-dimensional three-dimensional shape, the operator of the sheet stacking type three-dimensional forming apparatus 10 places a material sheet PB serving as a base of a formed object on the upper surface of a lowered forming table 71 as shown in FIG. Are bonded using a double-sided adhesive tape BT (see FIG. 10), and then the control device 80 is activated. The material sheet PB is obtained by cutting the material sheet P into a predetermined size and shape.

When the control device 80 is started, the following processing operations are executed by various arithmetic processes by a computer in accordance with a control program recorded in a built-in ROM. A computer-readable recording medium (semiconductor memory (memory stick, etc.), hard disk, floppy (registered trademark) disk, data card (IC card, magnetic card, etc.), optical disk (CD-ROM, CD-ROM) R, CD-RW, DV
D), a magneto-optical disk (eg, MD), a phase-change disk, a magnetic tape, etc.), and the program may be loaded into the control device 80 as needed and activated to be used. .

First, as shown in FIG. 4, the control device 80 operates the motor 60 to move the heater slide 57 to the left so that the limit switch 77 is engaged with the material sheet PB. Motor 75
To raise the modeling table 71,
When the limit switch 77 contacts the upper surface of the material sheet PB, the ascent of the modeling table 71 is stopped. Then, the control device 80 moves the heater slide 57 rightward to the reference position shown in FIG. 3 by operating the motor 60.

Next, the control device 80 operates the cutting device 40, and as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG.
By irradiating B with the laser beam L from the laser torch 46, the material sheet PB is cut along the square outer contour M1 that is the outermost of the intermediate laminate W.
Thereafter, the control device 80 operates the motor 56 to move the moving head 53 rightward to the reference position shown in FIG. Then, the control device 80 removes the portion of the material sheet PB outside the outer contour line M1 from the upper surface of the modeling table 71 by lowering the modeling table 71. Note that, instead of cutting the material sheet PB along the outer contour line M1, the material sheet PB may be cut along the later-described inner contour line M2 or molding contour line M3 and the dividing line M4.

Subsequently, the operator operates the supply-side roll Pa
The material sheet P drawn out from each of the guide rollers 21b, 2
1a, 25a, and 25b, and the leading end of the material sheet P is wound around a collection roll Pb.
Operate 0. Then, the control device 80 controls each motor 2
The material sheet P is lightly tensioned by 3 and 24, and each member is brought into a state shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. Next, the controller 80 moves the heater slide 57 to the left by operating the motor 60, and as shown in FIG.
Only the limit switch 77 is stopped at the position where it is applied to the intermediate laminate W. The control device 80 controls the lifting motor 7
5, the modeling table 71 is raised, and the upper surface of the intermediate laminated body W (the material sheet PB serving as the base of the modeled object in the case of the first rising) abuts against the lower surface of the material sheet P and is slightly When the limit switch 77 comes into contact with the upper surface of the material sheet P, the elevation of the modeling table 71 is stopped, and the stop position of the modeling table 71 is stored in the built-in RAM.

Subsequently, the control device 80 reciprocates the heater slide 57 in the left-right direction (X direction) by operating the motor 60 as shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the heater roller 31 heated to a predetermined temperature
Is reciprocatingly rolled while being pressed against the material sheet P abutting on the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W (in the case of the first operation, the material sheet PB serving as the base of the modeled object). Then, the material sheet P is heated to melt the hot melt adhesive on the back surface, and at the same time, the back surface of the material sheet P is
(Or the material sheet PB) is pressed and adhered to the upper surface. Next, the control device 80 operates the motor 60 to move the heater slide 57 rightward to the reference position shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 8C, 9, and 10, the control device 80 operates the cutting device 40, and the intermediate laminate W (the first In the case of the operation of (1), the material sheet P newly cut on the upper surface of the material sheet PB) serving as the base of the modeled object is irradiated with the laser beam L to cut the material sheet P.

Subsequently, the control device 80 operates the motor 56 to move the moving head 53 rightward to the reference position shown in FIG. Thereafter, the control device 80
Operates the elevating motor 75 to lower the modeling table 71 to the position shown in FIG. Then, the control device 80 determines whether or not the formation of the three-dimensional three-dimensional shape is completed.
24, the cut-out portion of the material sheet P is sent to the collection-side roll Pb, and the material sheet P is newly pulled out from the supply-side roll Pa and sent to the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W.

By repeating the above operation, the intermediate laminated body W gradually becomes thicker, and the stop position of the molding table 71 on the material sheet PB serving as the base of the molded article and the molding table 71 on the material sheet P bonded this time are determined. The height given by the difference from the stop position gradually increases.
Then, the control device 80 completes the formation of the three-dimensional solid shape when the difference between the height given by the difference between the stop positions and the height of the formed object in the completed state is smaller than the thickness of the material sheet P. Each device 2
The operations of 0, 30, 40, 50 and 70 are stopped. Thereafter, the operator inserts a spatula (not shown) into the double-sided adhesive tape BT adhered to the lower surface of the material sheet PB,
By peeling the double-sided adhesive tape BT from the modeling table 71, the completed model is removed from the modeling table 71.

As shown in FIG. 10, the laser torch 4
When the material sheet P is cut by the laser beam L irradiated from 6, the shaping contour line M3 → the dividing line M4 → the inner contour line M2 → the outer contour line M1 is cut in this order. Control device 8
0 is the contour shape of the modeled object corresponding to the height position given by the difference between the stop position of the modeling table 71 on the material sheet PB serving as the base of the modeled object and the stop position of the modeling table 71 on the material sheet P bonded this time. (Slice data) is calculated, and the laser torch 46 (moving head 5) is moved so that the inner edge of the shaping contour line M3 having a width slightly larger than the diameter of the laser beam L matches this slice data.
3) is moved in the X direction and the Y direction. Here, the locus of the outer contour line M1, the inner contour line M2, and the division line M4 is the same for all the layers of the intermediate laminated body W, and the molding contour line M3 of the material sheet P of each layer forming the intermediate laminated body W Is continuous in the vertical direction.

[Operation / Effect of this Embodiment] As described above in detail, in this embodiment, in addition to the clearance provided at the predetermined interval t2 between the slide bearing 94 and the heater roller mounting hole 93a. A biasing member 98 is provided, and a vertically downward biasing force is applied to the heater roller 31 from the compression coil spring 96 via the slide bearing 94.

Therefore, at the center of the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W, the vertical movement of the heater roller 31 is suppressed within the predetermined interval t2, and the adhesive on the back surface of the material sheet P is prevented from seeping into the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W. Is done. In the peripheral portion on the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W, not only the weight of the heater roller 31 but also the pressing force of the compression coil spring 96 facilitates the adhesive on the back surface of the material sheet P to seep into the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W. You. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of irregularities on the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W, to flatten the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W, and to improve the modeling accuracy of the three-dimensional three-dimensional shape.

Further, since a clearance of a predetermined interval t2 is provided between the sliding bearing 94 and the heater roller mounting hole 93a, when minute foreign matter such as dust is placed on the upper surface of the intermediate laminate W, The heater roller 31 moves up and down slightly against the urging force of the urging member 98, and can move over without being locked by the foreign matter.

[Other Embodiments] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be modified as follows. The effect can be obtained. (1) In the above embodiment, the material sheet P is cut by the laser beam L after bonding, but the material sheet P may be cut by the laser beam L and then bonded. (2) In the above embodiment, the pulley 5 is used as the moving device 50.
4a, 54b, 58a, 58b and drive belts 55, 59
Was adopted, but the applicant's already-published gazettes (JP-A-11-227053, JP-A-11-198235)
, A mechanism using a feed screw may be adopted.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the material sheet P coated with an adhesive that melts when heated to generate an adhesive force is used. However, the adhesive that generates an adhesive force only by pressing is applied. The material sheet P may be used. Further, as disclosed in JP-A-11-235762, an adhesive is supplied between the material sheets P by electrostatic transfer to interpose an adhesive layer, and the material sheets P are interposed via the adhesive layer. You may make it adhere. And, JP-A-6-1
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 90929, a material sheet P coated with a photocurable adhesive is used, and the material sheet P is bonded by irradiating light to cure the photocurable adhesive. Good.

(4) In the above embodiment, the biasing member 98 is constituted by using the compression coil spring 96, but other types of springs (for example, tension coil spring, leaf spring, thin leaf spring,
The biasing member 98 may be configured using a disc spring, a ring spring, a torsion bar, a zigzag spring, a wire spring, or the like.
A function similar to that of the urging member 98 may be realized by using another mechanism (for example, a hydraulic mechanism, a gas pressure mechanism, or the like).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a sheet lamination type three-dimensional printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main part of the three-dimensional sheet forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an overall front view showing a schematic configuration in an operating state of the sheet lamination type three-dimensional printing apparatus of one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an overall front view showing a schematic configuration in an operating state of the sheet stacking type three-dimensional printing apparatus of one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an overall front view showing a schematic configuration in an operating state of the sheet lamination type three-dimensional printing apparatus of one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an overall front view showing a schematic configuration in an operating state of the sheet stacking type three-dimensional printing apparatus of one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an overall front view showing a schematic configuration in an operating state of the sheet stacking type three-dimensional printing apparatus of one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a molding cycle of a three-dimensional three-dimensional shape according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing cut portions of the intermediate laminate during molding according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an intermediate laminate during modeling in one embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line AA in FIG. 2, which is a main-portion cross-sectional view showing a mounting structure of a heater roller in one embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 11;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Sheet lamination type three-dimensional modeling apparatus 20 Material sheet supply apparatus 30 Heat press apparatus 31 Heater roller 40 Cutting apparatus 50 Moving apparatus 57 Heater slide 57a Female screw hole 70 Elevating apparatus 95 Press plate 96 Compression coil spring 97 Screw 98 Energizing member P Material sheet W Intermediate laminate

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A material sheet supply means for feeding a material sheet to an upper surface of an intermediate laminated body that has been laminated so far, and pressing the upper surface of the material sheet by a roller to be rolled, so that the material sheet is transferred to the intermediate layer. In a sheet stacking type three-dimensional modeling apparatus, comprising: a material sheet bonding unit that presses and bonds to an upper surface of a laminate; and a material sheet cutting unit that cuts the material sheet into a predetermined shape. The roller is supported rotatably with respect to the three-dimensional printing apparatus, and is movably supported in the vertical direction with respect to the upper surface of the intermediate laminated body. A sheet laminating type three-dimensional printing apparatus, comprising a biasing means for biasing. 2. The three-dimensional sheet forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an urging force adjusting unit that adjusts the urging force of the urging unit.