JP5033114B2 - 3D modeling machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a three-dimensional modeling machine suitable for use in molding a three-dimensional structure by injecting a modeling material from an injection head onto a modeling table.

  Conventionally, a three-dimensional structure is formed by providing an injection head for injecting a modeling material on a modeling table by an inkjet method or the like and a moving mechanism for moving the injection head relative to the modeling table in the XY direction and the Z direction. As a three-dimensional modeling machine to perform, a three-dimensional modeling apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.

The three-dimensional modeling apparatus disclosed in the same document 1 forms a layer corresponding to each cross section obtained by cutting a modeling object by a plurality of parallel surfaces by discharging a predetermined material, and sequentially stacks the layers. A three-dimensional modeling apparatus that generates a three-dimensional modeling object of a modeling object by following the modeling nozzle for discharging a modeling resin for forming the three-dimensional modeling object, and coloring the three-dimensional modeling object And a coloring nozzle that discharges a plurality of colorants for application, and includes an XY direction driving unit that moves the nozzle head (injection head) within a plane defined by the X axis and the Y axis. The Z direction drive part which raises / lowers a stage (modeling table) is provided.
JP 2000-280356 A

  By the way, the conventional 3D modeling machine including the above-described 3D modeling apparatus has the following problems to be solved.

  First, since the movement stroke when moving the injection head in the Y direction (perpendicular to the line direction of the injection head) becomes long, the entire modeling machine tends to be large. That is, as shown in FIG. 7B, the injection head 3r is configured by a modeling material head 3mr that injects a modeling material and a support material head 3sr that injects a supporting material that fills a space other than the three-dimensional structure. At the same time, when the ejection head 3r, the cleaning roller 63r, and the ultraviolet lamp 64r are mounted together on the carriage Mcr, and the carriage Mcr is moved in the Y direction, the carriage Mcr starts moving from one end of the modeling table 2r. At the same time, since it is necessary to end the movement at a position past the other end of the modeling table 2r, the total Y-direction length of the modeling machine is at least twice the dimension of the carriage Mcr with respect to the dimension of the modeling table 2r. It becomes the length which added the length.

  Secondly, when the modeling speed is increased, it is necessary to increase the movement speed of the carriage Mcr in the Y direction. In this case, the drive mechanism (motor) that moves the carriage Mcr is not only increased, but also unnecessary. Increased vibration and noise. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the mechanical strength and durability of the drive system including the guide mechanism, as well as to increase the costs related to parts and materials in the entire modeling machine, such as the need for anti-vibration measures and soundproofing measures for the entire modeling machine. Invite. Moreover, there is a limit to increasing the modeling speed in the future.

  The object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional modeling machine that solves the problems in the background art.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention includes a carriage Mc on which an injection head 3 for injecting the modeling material R onto the modeling table 2 is mounted, and a Y direction in which the carriage Mc is relatively moved with respect to the modeling table 2 in the Y direction. When configuring the three-dimensional modeling machine 1 including the moving mechanism My and the Z-direction moving mechanism Mz that moves the carriage Mc relative to the modeling table 2 in the Z direction, the Y-direction moving mechanism My and the carriage Mc are configured. A Y-direction positive side moving unit Myn that moves in the Y direction and a Y-direction reverse side moving unit Myr that moves the modeling table 2 in the Y direction and in the opposite direction to the moving direction of the carriage Mc. Features.

  In this case, according to a preferred aspect of the invention, the Y-direction moving mechanism My sets the moving speed of the carriage Mc by the Y-direction positive side moving part Myn and the moving speed of the modeling table 2 by the Y-direction reverse side moving part Myr to the same speed. can do. Therefore, the Y-direction moving mechanism My includes a belt circulation moving unit 14 having an endless timing belt 13 spanned between the pair of belt pulleys 11 and 12, and a rotation driving unit 15 that rotationally drives one of the belt pulleys 11 and 12. The carriage Mc side is coupled to the belt portion 13n located on one side between the pair of belt pulleys 11 and 12 to form the Y-direction positive side moving part Myn, and the other between the pair of belt pulleys 11 and 12 The Y-direction reverse side moving part Myr can be configured by coupling the modeling table 2 side to the belt portion 13r located on the side. Further, the Y-direction moving mechanism My is provided with a position sensor 16 for detecting the relative position in the Y direction between the carriage Mc and the modeling table 2, and based on the detection result of the position sensor 16, the carriage Mc and the modeling table 2 Y The modeling machine control part 20 which feedback-controls a direction relative position and / or a relative speed can be provided. On the other hand, the injection head 3 includes a modeling material head 3a for injecting a modeling material Ra for modeling the three-dimensional modeling object A, and a supporting material head 3s for injecting a support material Rs for filling a space other than the three-dimensional modeling object A. A line head 3m having nozzles of the number of dots corresponding to the entire length in the X direction can be used as the modeling material head 3a and / or the support material head 3s.

  According to the three-dimensional modeling machine 1 according to the present invention having such a configuration, the following remarkable effects can be obtained.

  (1) A Y-direction positive side moving unit Myn that moves the carriage Mc in the Y direction, and a Y-direction reverse side moving unit that moves the modeling table 2 in the Y direction and in the opposite direction to the moving direction of the carriage Mc. Since the Y-direction moving mechanism My is configured by Myr, the total length in the Y direction of the three-dimensional modeling machine 1 is sufficient by adding the dimension of the carriage Mc to the dimension of the modeling table 2. Therefore, the size can be reduced by the dimension in the Y direction of the carriage Mc with respect to the conventional 3D modeling machine, and the entire 3D modeling machine 1 can be made compact and compact. As a result, the desktop three-dimensional modeling machine 1 that can be placed on a desk or the like can be easily realized.

  (2) The moving speed of each of the carriage Mc and the modeling table 2 can be reduced to ½ compared to a conventional three-dimensional modeling machine that moves only one of the carriage or the modeling table alone. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size and durability of the parts in the drive system including the guide mechanism, and to reduce the vibration and soundproofing measures of the entire modeling machine, so that even if the number of parts increases, the cost increases. The inconvenience can be avoided. Moreover, it can easily and flexibly cope with future increases in modeling speed.

  (3) If the moving speed of the carriage Mc by the Y-direction positive side moving part Myn and the moving speed of the modeling table 2 by the Y-direction reverse side moving part Myr are set to the same speed according to a preferred embodiment, the three-dimensional The greatest performance can be obtained from the viewpoint of enjoying the merits of the modeling machine 1. Therefore, the movement speeds of the carriage Mc and the modeling table 2 do not necessarily have to be the same, and the ratio can be arbitrarily set in consideration of the layout and the like.

  (4) According to a preferred embodiment, a belt circulation moving unit 14 having an endless timing belt 13 spanned between a pair of belt pulleys 11 and 12 and a rotation driving unit 15 that rotationally drives one of the belt pulleys 11 and 12 are provided. And the carriage Mc side is coupled to the belt portion 13n located on one side between the pair of belt pulleys 11 and 12 to form the Y-direction positive side moving portion Myn, and the other side between the pair of belt pulleys 11 and 12 If the modeling table 2 side is coupled to the belt portion 13r positioned at the position Y to constitute the Y-direction reverse side moving portion Myr, it can be easily implemented with a relatively simple structure with a small number of parts.

  (5) According to a preferred embodiment, the Y-direction moving mechanism My is provided with a position sensor 16 for detecting the relative position of the carriage Mc and the modeling table 2 in the Y direction, and based on the detection result of the position sensor 16, the carriage Mc If a modeling machine control unit 20 that feedback-controls the Y-direction relative position and / or relative speed of the modeling table 2 is provided, the relative wow and flutter between the carriage Mc (injection head 3) and the modeling table 2 can be detected. Even with the configuration in which the carriage Mc and the modeling table 2 are moved simultaneously, highly accurate position control and / or speed control can be performed.

  (6) According to a preferred embodiment, if the line head 3m having nozzles corresponding to the total length in the X direction is used for the modeling material head 3a and / or the support material head 3s, the injection is performed on the modeling table 2. Since the mechanical X-direction moving mechanism that moves the head 3 in the X direction is not required, various mechanical advantages such as simplification of configuration, reduction in the number of parts, miniaturization, and weight reduction are unnecessary. Can be enjoyed.

  Next, the best embodiment according to the present invention will be given and described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of the three-dimensional modeling machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

  1-4 shows the principal part structure of the three-dimensional modeling machine 1 which concerns on this embodiment. First, the configuration of the mechanical system will be described. Reference numeral 80 denotes a modeling machine bed. On the upper surface of the modeling machine bed 80, a carriage Mc including a modeling table 2 and an injection head 3, a Y direction moving mechanism My, and a Z direction moving mechanism Mz are arranged.

  The carriage Mc is constituted by a pair of upstanding side plates 31p, 31q and a head unit support frame 32 installed horizontally between the side plates 31p, 31q, and is arranged between the side plates 31p, 31q as necessary. Reinforcing frames 33f and 33r (FIG. 4) are attached. In this case, the head unit support frame 32 and the reinforcing frames 33f and 33r are arranged in the vicinity of the upper end side of each side plate 31p... So as not to obstruct the modeled object modeled on the model table 2.

  The Y-direction moving mechanism My is composed of a Y-direction positive side moving part Myn and a Y-direction reverse side moving part Myr, and the carriage Mc is supported by one Y-direction positive side moving part Myn so as to be movable in the Y direction. The Y-direction positive side moving unit Myn includes a pair of outer linear guides 34p and 34q arranged in parallel along the Y direction in the vicinity of both end portions on the upper surface of the modeling machine bed 80. One outer linear guide 34p includes a guide rail 34pr fixed to the upper surface of the modeling machine bed 80 and a pair of sliders 34ps and 34ps slidably loaded on the guide rail 34pr, and the other outer linear guide 34q is a modeling tool. A guide rail 34qr fixed to the upper surface of the machine bed 80 and a pair of sliders 34qs and 34qs slidably loaded on the guide rail 34qr are provided. On the other hand, slider attachment portions 31pc and 31qc bent at right angles to the outside are integrally provided at the lower ends of the side plates 31p and 31q, respectively, and a pair of sliders 34ps and 34ps spaced apart from the lower surface of one slider attachment portion 31pc are provided. At the same time, a pair of sliders 34qs and 34qs spaced apart from each other are attached to the lower surface of the other slider mounting portion 31qc.

  Further, on the upper surface of the modeling machine bed 80 located inside one outer linear guide 34p (on the other outer linear guide 34q side), a belt shared by the Y-direction positive side moving part Myn and the Y-direction reverse side moving part Myr. A circulation moving unit 14 is provided. The belt circulation moving unit 14 includes an endless timing belt 13 that is bridged between a pair of belt pulleys 11 and 12 having a rotation axis perpendicular to the Y direction (Z direction). The timing belt 13 includes an outer linear guide 34p. Is arranged in parallel to the outer linear guide 34p, and the pair of belt pulleys 11 and 12 are arranged near both ends of the guide rail 34pr. The rotational axis of one belt pulley 11 on the drive side is led from the upper surface of the modeling machine bed 80 to the lower inside (lower surface side) and connected to the Y-direction rotation drive unit 15. The Y-direction rotation drive unit 15 is configured to transmit the rotation of the Y-direction servomotor 36 disposed inside the modeling machine bed 80 and the rotation shaft of the Y-direction servomotor 36 to the rotation shaft of the belt pulley 11. A mechanism 37 is provided. Then, the inner surface of one side plate 31p of the carriage Mc is coupled to a belt portion 13n located on one side between the pair of belt pulleys 11 and 12 via coupling members 38 and 38. As a result, the Y-direction servomotor 36 rotates to circulate the timing belt 13, and the Y-direction positive side moving section Myn in which the carriage Mc moves in the Y-direction along the guide rails 34pr is configured.

  On the other hand, on the upper surface of the modeling machine bed 80 between the belt circulation moving part 14 and the other outer linear guide 34q, the Y direction reverse side moving part Myr and the Y direction reverse side moving part Myr are supported movably in the Y direction. The modeling table 2 is arranged. The Y direction reverse side moving part Myr is a pair of inner linear guides 41p, 41q arranged in parallel along the Y direction between the belt circulation moving part 14 and the other outer linear guide 34q on the upper surface of the modeling machine bed 80. Is provided. One inner linear guide 41p includes a guide rail 41pr fixed on the upper surface of the modeling machine bed 80 by being arranged in the vicinity of the belt circulation moving portion 14, and a pair of sliders 41ps and 41ps slidably loaded on the guide rail 41pr. The other inner linear guide 41q is provided in the vicinity of the other outer linear guide 34q so as to be fixed to the upper surface of the modeling machine bed 80 and a pair of sliders slidably loaded on the guide rail 41qr. 41qs and 41qs are provided. On the other hand, the modeling table 2 is formed of a square board having an upper surface formed on a flat surface, and a pair of spaced sliders 41ps and 41ps are attached to one side of the lower surface, and a pair of spaced sliders 41qs are disposed on the other side of the lower surface. , 41qs. And the lower surface of the modeling table 2 is couple | bonded with the belt part 13r located in the other side between a pair of belt pulleys 11 and 12 via the coupling members 43 and 43. FIG. Thereby, the timing belt 13 is circulated and moved by the rotation of the Y-direction servomotor 36, and the Y-direction reverse side moving section Myr is configured in which the modeling table 2 moves in the Y-direction along the guide rails 41pr.

  As described above, the belt circulation moving unit 14 having the endless timing belt 13 spanned between the pair of belt pulleys 11 and 12 and the rotation driving unit 15 that rotationally drives one of the belt pulleys 11 and 12 are provided. A carriage Mc on the ejection head 3 side is coupled to a belt portion 13n located on one side between the belt pulleys 11 and 12 to form the Y-direction positive side moving portion Myn, and the other between the pair of belt pulleys 11 and 12 If the modeling table 2 is coupled to the belt portion 13r located on the side to form the Y-direction reverse side moving portion Myr, it can be easily implemented with a relatively simple structure with a small number of parts. In addition, since the moving speed of the carriage Mc by the Y-direction positive side moving unit Myn and the moving speed of the modeling table 2 by the Y-direction reverse side moving unit Myr can be set to the same speed, the three-dimensional modeling machine 1 according to the present invention. The greatest performance can be obtained from the viewpoint of enjoying the benefits of. Therefore, the movement speeds of the carriage Mc and the modeling table 2 do not necessarily have to be the same, and the ratio can be arbitrarily set in consideration of the layout and the like.

  Further, the Z-direction moving mechanism Mz is supported by the head unit support frame 32. The Z-direction moving mechanism Mz includes a ball screw mechanism 51, and a nut portion 51 n of the ball screw mechanism 51 is fixed at an intermediate position of the head unit support frame 32. Further, a pair of guide members 52p and 52q projecting at right angles from the head unit support frame 32 is fixed to both sides of the nut portion 51n, and the slide plate 53 is formed by a pair of guide recesses formed on the opposing surfaces of the guide members 52p and 52q. Is slidably supported in the Z direction (vertical direction). On the other hand, a Z-direction servomotor 55 is attached to the upper end of the slide plate 53 via an attachment member 54, and the upper end of the screw portion 51 s of the ball screw mechanism 51 is coupled to the rotation shaft of the Z-direction servomotor 55. The axial direction of the screw part 51s is the Z direction. Then, the head unit 61 on which the injection head 3 is mounted is attached to the lower end of the slide plate 53.

  The head unit 61 includes an inverted tray-shaped housing part 62, and the upper surface of the housing part 62 is fixed to the lower end of the slide plate 53, and on the lower surface of the housing part 62 from the front side to the rear side in the movement direction during modeling, An ejection head 3, a cleaning roller 63, and an ultraviolet (UV) lamp 64 are arranged in order. The injection head 3 has a function of injecting the modeling material R onto the modeling table 2, and the modeling material head 3a for injecting the modeling material Ra for modeling the three-dimensional modeling object A, and a space other than the three-dimensional modeling object A The support material head 3s for injecting the support material Rs that fills the substrate is provided. Line heads 3m as shown in FIG. 5 are used for the modeling material head 3a and the support material head 3s, respectively. The line head 3m includes nozzles (piezo actuators) having the number of dots corresponding to the entire length in the X direction. The example line head 3m has a total length in the X direction corresponding to a short side of A4 size, and has two head bodies arranged in a straight line with 2.656 nozzles arranged in a 4.25 inch width. Use them side by side. If such a line head 3m is used for the modeling material head 3a and the support material head 3s, the modeling material head 3a and the support material head 3s are moved relative to the modeling table 2 in the X direction. Since a simple X-direction moving mechanism is not required, it is possible to enjoy various merits that a mechanical structure such as simplification of the configuration, reduction in the number of parts, reduction in size and weight is unnecessary. Further, a drive motor 65 is attached to the upper surface of the housing portion 62, and the rotation shaft of the drive motor 65 and the rotation shaft of the cleaning roller 63 are connected by a rotation transmission portion 66 shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, FIG. 4 shows the purge mechanism 91. As will be described later, when the carriage Mc moves from the modeling start position in the Y direction to the modeling end position during modeling, the modeling table 2 also moves to the home position side of the carriage Mc. For this reason, since the modeling table 2 does not exist below the carriage Mc at the modeling end position, an opening 81 that penetrates from the upper surface of the modeling machine bed 80 to the lower inside is formed at the home position of the modeling table 2. A collection tray 93 supported by an elevating mechanism 92 so as to be movable up and down is disposed below the portion 81. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 4, at the modeling end position, the head unit 61 is lowered, and the collection tray 93 is raised by the lifting mechanism 92 through the opening 81 to perform the purge processing of the injection head 3. it can.

  Next, the configuration of the electric system (control system) will be described. Reference numeral 20 denotes a modeling machine control unit mounted on the three-dimensional modeling machine 1. Further, the Y-direction moving mechanism My is provided with a position sensor 16 for detecting the relative position in the Y direction between the carriage Mc and the modeling table 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the position sensor 16 is a linear encoder including a detected portion 16 s attached to a side surface of the modeling table 2 and a detecting portion 16 d that detects the position (absolute position) of the detected portion 16 s. Etc. can be used. The position sensor 16 (detection unit 16d) is connected to the input port of the modeling machine control unit 20, and the Y-direction servomotor 36 is connected to the output port of the modeling machine control unit 20. Thereby, since the position sensor 16 can detect the relative position in the Y direction between the carriage Mc and the modeling table 2, the modeling machine control unit 20 drives and controls the servo motor 36 based on the detection result of the position sensor 16, and the carriage Mc. And the Y-direction relative position and / or relative speed of the modeling table 2 can be feedback-controlled. If such a position sensor 16 is provided, the relative wow and flutter between the carriage Mc and the modeling table 2 can be detected. Therefore, even if the carriage Mc and the modeling table 2 are moved simultaneously, a highly accurate position can be obtained. Control and / or speed control can be performed.

  Further, the Z-direction servomotor 55 is provided with a rotary encoder 57 that detects the rotation of the Z-direction servomotor 55. The Z-direction servomotor 55 is connected to the output port of the modeling machine control unit 20, and the rotary encoder 57 is connected to the input port of the modeling machine control unit 20. Thereby, since the rotary encoder 57 can detect the position of the head unit 61 (injection head 3) in the Z direction, the modeling machine control unit 20 drives and controls the servo motor 55 based on the detection result of the rotary encoder 57, and the head The position of the unit 61 in the Z direction can be feedback controlled. Further, the modeling material head 3a and the support material head 3s provided in the head unit 61 are connected to the signal output port of the modeling machine control unit 20, and the driving motor 65 and the ultraviolet lamp 64 that rotate the cleaning roller 63 are respectively provided. Connect to the drive output port of the modeling machine control unit 20.

  The three-dimensional modeling machine 1 according to the present embodiment is used by connecting to an external computer 70 as shown in FIG. In this case, the modeling machine control unit 20 built in the 3D modeling machine 1 is connected to the computer 70 by wired means (USB cable or the like) 71 or wireless means (wireless LAN or the like). As the computer 70, various computing devices such as a general-purpose personal computer (personal computer) can be used. Therefore, the computer 70 stores or registers application software and various data (database) for comprehensively controlling the 3D modeling machine 1.

  Next, operation | movement and the usage method of the three-dimensional modeling machine 1 which concern on this embodiment are demonstrated with reference to FIGS.

  First, each operation of the Y direction moving mechanism My (the Y direction positive side moving unit Myn and the Y direction reverse side moving unit Myr) and the Z direction moving mechanism Mz will be described. In the Y-direction moving mechanism My, the pulley 11 is rotated by the rotation operation of the Y-direction servo motor 36 in the Y-direction rotation driving unit 15, and the timing belt 13 is circulated and moved. As a result, the belt portion 13n located on one side between the pulleys 11 and 12 moves to one side (positive side) in the Y direction, and the carriage Mc coupled to the belt portion 13n also moves along the guide rail 34pr. Move to (positive side). Further, the belt portion 13r located on the other side between the pulleys 11 and 12 moves to the other side (reverse side) in the Y direction, and the modeling table 2 coupled to the belt portion 13r also moves along the guide rail 41pr. Move to the opposite side. At this time, the position sensor 16 detects the relative position in the Y direction between the carriage Mc and the modeling table 2, and this detection result (detected value) is given to the modeling machine control unit 20. On the other hand, since the command value related to the position and / or speed in the Y direction is given from the computer 70 to the modeling machine control unit 20, the modeling machine control unit 20 detects the detected value from the position sensor 16 and the command from the computer 70. Based on the value, the Y-direction servomotor 36 is driven and controlled (feedback control) so that the Y-direction relative position and / or the relative speed between the carriage Mc and the modeling table 2 match the command value.

  On the other hand, in the Z-direction moving mechanism Mz, the screw portion 51 s of the ball screw mechanism 51 is rotated by the rotation operation of the Z-direction servomotor 55. Since the nut portion 51n screwed to the screw portion 51s is fixed to the head unit support frame 32 (carriage Mc), the servo motor 55 and further the slide plate 53 are guided to the guide plates 52p and 52q by the rotation of the screw portion 51s. Ascends and descends while being guided by the guide recess. That is, the head unit 61 supported on the lower end of the slide plate 53 moves in the Z direction. At this time, the rotary encoder 57 detects the rotation (position in the Z direction) of the servo motor 55, and the detection result (detected value) is given to the modeling machine control unit 20. On the other hand, since the command value related to the position in the Z direction is given to the modeling machine control unit 20 from the computer 70, the modeling machine control unit 20 is based on the detection value of the rotary encoder 57 and the command value from the computer 70. Drive control (feedback control) of the Z-direction servomotor 55 is performed so that the Z-direction position of the head unit 61 matches the command value.

  Next, the modeling operation of the three-dimensional modeling machine 1 will be described. Since modeling data for the three-dimensional model A to be modeled is set in the computer 70, modeling processing is performed based on the modeling data. The modeling principle is laminated by sequentially printing a thin modeling layer on the modeling table 2 according to the same principle as an ink jet printer. That is, by the operation of the Y-direction moving mechanism My, the carriage Mc and the modeling table 2 move in the opposite directions at the same speed, and the modeling material corresponding to the modeling data of the first layer in the Z direction from the modeling material head 3a. While injecting Ra, the injection operation of injecting the support material Rs from the support material head 3s to the portions other than the portion corresponding to the three-dimensional structure A from which the modeling material Ra is injected is sequentially performed for each X-direction line. At this time, since the line heads 3m are used, the entire length of the line in the X direction is simultaneously ejected as shown in FIG. The thickness of the first layer is about 0.1 [mm], and the layer surface of the first layer is entirely filled with the modeling material Ra and the support material Rs.

  Further, after the ejection from the ejection head 3, the rotating cleaning roller 63 adjusts (cleans) the layer surface (upper surface) of the first layer to be a flat surface, and the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet lamp 64 is applied to the first surface. The first layer is irradiated to accelerate the curing of the first layer. FIG. 6 shows the positional relationship between the carriage Mc and the modeling table 2. FIG. 6 (a) shows the modeling start position, FIG. 6 (b) shows that the carriage Mc and the modeling table 2 move in the opposite direction at the same speed, and the vicinity of the middle. FIG. 6C shows the position where the modeling stroke for one layer is completed. As is clear from FIG. 6C, the position of the carriage Mc and the modeling table 2 is switched at the modeling end position where one layer is completed. Accordingly, the purge process for the ejection head 3 can be performed by the purge mechanism 91 described above at this position. As shown in FIG. 6C, after the carriage Mc passes the modeling table 2, feedback control by the position sensor 16 cannot be performed, but since the injection operation by the injection head 3 has ended, the movement speed Control accuracy for position and position is not so required. For this reason, after feedback control is no longer possible, the carriage Mc and the modeling table 2 may be moved to the modeling end position by open loop control.

  When the first layer is completed, the carriage Mc and the modeling table 2 are returned to the home position. Then, the modeling table 2 is lowered in the Z direction by a displacement corresponding to the second layer, and the second and subsequent layers, i.e., the second layer to the nth, by the same processing procedure as the first layer described above. The modeling process is sequentially executed up to the layer (final layer). If the modeling process is completed up to the final layer, the target three-dimensional model A can be obtained by removing the support material Rs by, for example, immersing the modeled body in a chemical solution.

  Therefore, according to the three-dimensional modeling machine 1 according to this embodiment, the Y-direction positive side moving unit Myn that moves the carriage Mc in the Y direction and the modeling table 2 in the Y direction and the carriage Mc Since the Y-direction moving mechanism My is configured by the Y-direction reverse side moving unit Myr that moves in the opposite direction to the moving direction, the total length in the Y direction of the three-dimensional modeling machine 1 is the dimension of the carriage Mc. The length added is sufficient. Therefore, the size can be reduced by the dimension in the Y direction of the carriage Mc with respect to the conventional 3D modeling machine, and the entire 3D modeling machine 1 can be made compact and compact. As a result, the desktop three-dimensional modeling machine 1 that can be placed on a desk or the like can be easily realized.

  FIG. 7 compares the size of the three-dimensional modeling machine 1 according to the present embodiment with a general (conventional) three-dimensional modeling machine 1r, and FIG. 7A shows the three-dimensional modeling according to the present embodiment. The modeling machine 1 is shown, FIG.7 (b) shows the general three-dimensional modeling machine 1r. As is apparent from FIG. 7, the three-dimensional modeling machine 1 according to this embodiment can reduce the overall length in the Y direction by a length Lr with respect to a general three-dimensional modeling machine 1r. This length Lr corresponds to the dimension Lh of the carriage Mc in the Y direction. Since the exemplary injection head 3 assumes an A4 size, under this condition, the Y direction dimension of the carriage Mc including the cleaning roller 63 and the ultraviolet lamp 64 is approximately the same as the Y direction dimension of the modeling table 2. It becomes. Therefore, the size in the Y direction of the 3D modeling machine 1 can be reduced to about 2/3 that of a general 3D modeling machine 1r.

  Further, the moving speed of each of the carriage Mc and the modeling table 2 can be reduced to ½ as compared with a conventional three-dimensional modeling machine that moves only one of the carriage and the modeling table alone. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size and durability of the parts in the drive system including the guide mechanism, and to reduce the vibration and soundproofing measures of the entire modeling machine, so that even if the number of parts increases, the cost increases. Incoming defects can be avoided, and future modeling speeds can be increased easily and flexibly.

  Although the best embodiment has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and departs from the gist of the present invention in the detailed configuration, shape, material, quantity, numerical value, and the like. It can be changed, added, or deleted as long as it is not. For example, although the Z direction moving mechanism Mz has shown the case where the injection head 3 is moved in the Z direction, the case where the modeling table 2 is moved in the Z direction is not excluded. Further, although the position detection in the Z direction is shown using the rotary encoder 57 attached to the Z direction servomotor 55, a linear encoder similar to the position sensor 16 or the like may be used. Furthermore, although the case where the line head 3m which has the nozzle of the dot number corresponding to the full length of a X direction was used as the injection | emission head 3 (the modeling material head 3a, the support material head 3s), the mechanical X direction was shown. A configuration may be employed in which a line head having a small number of dots is repeatedly moved in the X direction by providing a moving mechanism. Note that the 3D modeling machine 1 according to the present invention can be downsized and compact, and is particularly optimally configured as a desktop type, but can also be used for various types of 3D modeling machines such as a floor-mounted type. .

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan configuration diagram including a control system of a main part of the three-dimensional modeling machine according to the best embodiment of the present invention; Schematic side configuration diagram including a partial cross-section of the carriage of the 3D modeling machine, The perspective block diagram which shows the principal part of the same three-dimensional modeling machine, Schematic side view configuration diagram including a purge mechanism part of the three-dimensional modeling machine and a partial cross section of the carriage, Action explanation diagram of the 3D modeling machine, Operation explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the carriage and the modeling table in the 3D modeling machine, Effect explanation diagram of the 3D modeling machine,

Explanation of symbols

  1: 3D modeling machine, 2: modeling table, 3: injection head, 3a: modeling material head, 3s: support material head, 3m: line head, 11: belt pulley, 12: belt pulley, 13: timing belt , 13n: belt part located on one side, 13r: belt part located on the other side, 14: belt circulation moving part, 15: rotational drive part, 16: position sensor, 20: modeling machine control part, R: for modeling Material: Ra: Modeling material, Rs: Support material, A: Three-dimensional modeled object, Mc: Carriage, My: Y direction moving mechanism, Myn: Y direction positive side moving part, Myr: Y direction reverse side moving part, Mz: Z direction moving mechanism

Claims (6)

  A carriage that mounts an injection head that injects a modeling material onto a modeling table, a Y-direction moving mechanism that moves the carriage relative to the modeling table in the Y direction, and the carriage in the Z direction with respect to the modeling table A three-dimensional modeling machine comprising a Z-direction moving mechanism for relative movement, wherein the Y-direction moving mechanism includes a Y-direction positive side moving unit that moves the carriage in the Y-direction, and the modeling table in the Y-direction. A three-dimensional modeling machine comprising a Y-direction reverse side moving unit that moves the carriage in the direction opposite to the carriage movement direction.   The Y-direction moving mechanism sets the moving speed of the carriage by the Y-direction positive side moving part and the moving speed of the modeling table by the Y-direction reverse side moving part to the same speed. 3D modeling machine.   The Y-direction moving mechanism includes a belt circulation moving unit having an endless timing belt spanned between a pair of belt pulleys, and a rotation driving unit that rotationally drives one of the belt pulleys. The carriage side is coupled to a belt portion located on one side to form the Y-direction positive side moving portion, and the modeling table side is coupled to a belt portion located on the other side between the pair of belt pulleys. The three-dimensional modeling machine according to claim 1, wherein the Y-direction reverse side moving unit is configured.   The Y-direction moving mechanism includes a position sensor that detects a Y-direction relative position between the carriage and the modeling table, and based on a detection result of the position sensor, a Y-direction relative position between the carriage and the modeling table and / or The three-dimensional modeling machine according to claim 1, further comprising a modeling machine control unit that feedback-controls the relative speed.   The injection head includes a modeling material head that injects a modeling material for modeling a three-dimensional modeling object, and a support material head that injects a support material that fills a space other than the three-dimensional modeling object. The three-dimensional modeling machine in any one of 1-4.   6. The three-dimensional modeling machine according to claim 5, wherein a line head having a number of nozzles corresponding to the total length in the X direction is used for the modeling material head and / or the support material head.

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