JP2010089364A - Three-dimensional shaping apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

In a three-dimensional modeling apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model using a photo-curing resin that is cured by light irradiation, a modeling time is shortened and high-resolution modeling is possible.
In a three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 that produces a three-dimensional model using a photocurable resin that is cured by light irradiation, a laser light source 14 that emits laser light and a laser beam emitted from the laser light source are reflected. The MEMS mirror 16 that scans in the first direction, the galvano mirror 18 that reflects the laser light reflected by the MEMS mirror and scans in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and the galvanometer mirror A three-dimensional structure that is arranged to receive the reflected laser light and that can store a photocurable resin inside, and a photocurable resin that is arranged in the storage tank and is cured by irradiation with laser light An object holding plate and driving means for moving the three-dimensional structure holding plate in the vertical direction.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, and more particularly to a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that produces a three-dimensional model using a photo-curing resin that is cured when irradiated with light.

  Conventionally, a three-dimensional modeling apparatus using a photo-curing resin having a property of being cured by irradiation with light such as visible light or ultraviolet light has been known.

  Such a three-dimensional modeling apparatus produces, for example, a three-dimensional modeled object by the following method.

  That is, the storage tank storing the photocurable resin is irradiated with light from the outside, and first, the modeling object is a predetermined liquid layer on the surface of the modeling object holding plate serving as a foundation of the modeling object arranged in the storage tank. The modeled object is modeled so as to be cured by the thickness.

  Further, the model object holding plate is moved by a predetermined liquid layer thickness, and a new model object layer is cured on the already cured three-dimensional model object.

  An operation of curing a layer of a new modeled object on the cured three-dimensional modeled object is sequentially repeated, and a layer of the modeled object is laminated to produce a three-dimensional modeled object.

By the way, in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus as described above, when irradiating light to the photocurable resin, for example, the photocurable resin is irradiated with light while drawing a vector image with a light beam to cure the photocurable resin. It was.

  However, according to the technique of drawing a vector image with a light beam and curing the photo-curing resin, there is a problem that the modeling speed is slow.

Further, as a method different from the above-described light irradiation method, for example, a method of performing surface exposure with a raster image using a projector such as a micromirror device or a liquid crystal device is known.

  In this method, the fineness of the three-dimensional structure to be produced depends on the resolution of the projector.

  For this reason, when the resolution of the projector is low, there is a problem that the size of the model to be modeled must be reduced when trying to obtain a fine modeled object.

  Furthermore, in the case of modeling using a projector, since the contrast ratio is low, if the exposure power is increased in order to shorten the curing time of the photo-curing resin, even the background portion that is not the original curing region will be cured and cured. There was also a problem that there was a limit to shortening the time.

The prior art that the applicant of the present application knows at the time of filing a patent is as described above and is not an invention related to a known literature, so there is no prior art information to be described.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described various problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional modeling apparatus capable of reducing modeling time. It is something to try.

  In addition, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described various problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional modeling apparatus capable of high-resolution modeling. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention irradiates a photo-curing resin with laser light scanned using a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) mirror.

  That is, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that produces a three-dimensional structure using a photocurable resin that is cured by light irradiation. A MEMS mirror that reflects laser light emitted from a laser light source and scans in a first direction, and a second direction that reflects laser light reflected by the MEMS mirror and is orthogonal to the first direction. A galvanometer mirror for scanning, a storage tank disposed to receive the laser light reflected by the galvanometer mirror, and capable of storing a photo-curing resin therein, and disposed in the storage tank, for irradiation with laser light The three-dimensional structure holding plate that holds the photo-curing resin that is cured by the above-described method and driving means that moves the three-dimensional structure holding plate in the vertical direction.

  Moreover, invention of Claim 2 among this invention WHEREIN: In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus which produces a three-dimensional structure using the photocurable resin hardened | cured by light irradiation, the laser light source which radiate | emits a laser beam, and the said A MEMS mirror that reflects laser light emitted from a laser light source and scans in a first direction, a moving unit that scans the MEMS mirror in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and the MEMS mirror And a tertiary tank that holds the photocurable resin that is disposed in the storage tank and is cured by irradiation with laser light. An original shaped article holding plate and drive means for moving the three-dimensional shaped article holding plate in the vertical direction are provided.

  Moreover, invention of Claim 3 among this invention WHEREIN: In invention of any one of Claim 1 or 2 among this invention, the light from the said laser light source permeate | transmits the bottom face of the said storage tank. It is composed of materials.

  Since this invention is comprised as demonstrated above, there exists the outstanding effect that modeling time can be shortened now.

  In addition, since the present invention is configured as described above, there is an excellent effect that high-resolution modeling can be performed.

  Hereinafter, a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Here, FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration perspective view of an example of an embodiment of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus of the present invention.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional explanatory diagram of an example of the embodiment of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the drive unit 18 b (described later), the control unit 22 (described later), and the control unit 24 (described later) are not shown.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 according to the present invention includes an optical system 12 and a modeling unit 32.

  In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the optical system 12 is arranged above the modeling unit 32. In other words, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 employs a free liquid surface method in which light is irradiated from above the modeling unit 32.

The above-described optical system 12 includes a laser light source 14 that emits laser light that is applied to the photocurable resin.

  In the subsequent stage of the laser light source 14, the laser light emitted from the laser light source 14 is reflected, and position information (hereinafter referred to as "irradiation position information") indicating the irradiation position of the laser light with respect to the photocurable resin. Based on this, a MEMS mirror 16 that scans the laser beam is arranged.

  Further, the rear side of the MEMS mirror 16 reflects the laser beam scanned by the MEMS mirror 16, and the lower side along the Z-axis direction in FIG. 1 while scanning the laser beam based on the irradiation position information. A galvanometer mirror 18 that reflects the light is disposed.

  Furthermore, a collimating lens 20 that transmits the laser light reflected by the galvanometer mirror 18 and irradiates the modeling unit 32 with the laser light as parallel light is disposed behind the galvanometer mirror 18.

Next, the above-described components constituting the optical unit 12 will be described in more detail.

  The MEMS mirror 16 reflects the light emitted from the laser light source 14 so as to scan in the horizontal direction with respect to the XY plane.

  Here, when scanning the laser beam with the MEMS mirror 16, the laser beam is scanned based on the irradiation position information. The MEMS mirror 16 is controlled to output such irradiation position information to the MEMS mirror 16. Means 22 are connected.

  From this control means 22, the position information of the X coordinate among the shapes of the modeled object is given to the MEMS mirror 16 as irradiation position information for each layer.

  That is, the irradiation position information output from the control means 22 to the MEMS mirror 16 gives the X component of a plurality of layers obtained by dividing the shape of the formed object along the XY plane which is the horizontal direction.

  That is, only the X component of the data divided into a plurality of layers is transferred from the control unit 22 to the MEMS mirror 16 by one layer at regular intervals in order from the first layer.

  In the present embodiment, data obtained by dividing the shape of a model to be manufactured into a plurality of layers every 30 μm along the XY plane direction, that is, the thickness of each layer (the length in the Z-axis direction) is 30 μm. It is assumed that certain data is sequentially output from the control unit 22 to the MEMS mirror 16 for each layer from the first layer at regular time intervals, and laser light is scanned.

  As the MEMS mirror 16 used in the present embodiment, a conventionally known MEMS mirror can be used, and thus detailed description of the configuration and operation thereof will be omitted.

Next, the galvano mirror 18 will be described. The galvano mirror 18 includes a mirror unit 18a and a drive unit 18b.

  Here, the mirror unit 18 a reflects the laser light emitted from the MEMS mirror 16, and the drive unit 18 b controls the rotation of the galvano mirror 18.

  In the present embodiment, the galvanometer mirror 18 rotates in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 1, and reflects the laser beam emitted from the MEMS mirror 16 downward along the Z-axis direction in FIG. It is designed to be scannable.

  Here, when the galvano mirror 18 scans the laser beam, the laser beam is scanned based on the irradiation position information. The galvano mirror 18 controls the output of the irradiation position information to the driving unit 18b. Means 24 is connected.

  From this control means 24, the position information of the Y coordinate of the shape of the modeled object is provided for each layer as the irradiation position information to the drive unit 18b.

  That is, the irradiation position information output from the control means 24 to the drive unit 18b gives the Y component of a plurality of layers obtained by dividing the shape of the modeled object to be produced along the XY plane which is the horizontal direction.

  That is, only the Y component of the data divided into a plurality of layers is transferred from the control unit 24 to the drive unit 18b, one layer at a time in order from the first layer.

  In the present embodiment, data obtained by dividing the shape of a model to be manufactured into a plurality of layers every 30 μm along the XY plane direction, that is, the thickness of each layer (the length in the Z-axis direction) is 30 μm. It is assumed that certain data is sequentially output from the first layer to the driving unit 18b from the first layer to the driving unit 18b in order of one layer at regular intervals.

  As the galvanometer mirror 18 used in the present embodiment, a conventionally known galvanometer mirror can be used, and therefore detailed description of its configuration and operation will be omitted.

As described above, the MEMS mirror 16 scans the laser beam along the X-axis direction on the XY plane, while the galvano mirror 18 scans the laser beam along the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction on the XY plane. Scan.

On the other hand, the modeling unit 32 includes a storage tank 34 that stores a photocurable resin in a liquid state.

  Further, in the storage tank 34, a three-dimensional structure holding plate 36 is disposed which serves as a base for the cured photocurable resin and holds the cured three-dimensional structure.

  The three-dimensional structure holding plate 36 is connected to driving means 38 for lowering the three-dimensional structure holding plate 36 downward.

  Such a modeling unit 32 is arranged in such a positional relationship that the laser light emitted from the optical system 12 arranged on the upper side of the modeling unit 32 is irradiated to the photocurable resin stored in the storage tank 34. .

  As the driving means 38, various motors such as a stepping motor can be used.

In the above configuration, the operation when producing a three-dimensional structure using the above-described three-dimensional structure forming apparatus 10 will be described.

  First, when producing a three-dimensional structure using the three-dimensional structure forming apparatus 10, first, a liquid photocurable resin is stored in the storage tank 34.

  In addition, what is necessary is just to set suitably the quantity of the photocurable resin stored in the storage tank 34 according to the magnitude | size of the three-dimensional structure to produce.

  Further, when the photo-curing resin is insufficient during the production of the three-dimensional structure, the photo-curing resin may be additionally poured into the storage tank 34.

Next, the three-dimensional structure is held at a position where the distance L1 (see FIG. 2) between the upper surface portion 36a of the three-dimensional structure holding plate 36 and the liquid level of the photocurable resin inside the storage tank 34 is 30 μm. Adjust the height of the plate 36.

  Then, laser light is emitted from the laser light source 14, and the photocurable resin inside the storage tank 34 is cured.

  At that time, the MEMS mirror 16 scans the laser beam with the irradiation position information supplied from the control means 22, and the galvano mirror 18 scans the laser light with the irradiation position information supplied from the control means 24. The photo-curing resin is cured on the surface 36 a of the original shaped article holding plate 36. Thereby, the first layer of the three-dimensional structure is formed.

  Similarly to the above, each layer after the second layer of the three-dimensional structure is formed by hardening one layer after the second layer in the same manner, and finally the three-dimensional structure is formed at the end of all layers. The target three-dimensional structure is produced on the object holding plate 36.

Next, a second embodiment of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment is different from the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention only in that an optical system 102 is provided instead of the optical system 12. Different.

  Here, the optical system 102 makes it possible to translate the light projecting unit 104 and the light projecting unit 104 along the X-axis direction (see FIG. 3) without using the galvanometer mirror 18. The rail 106 is configured.

  The light projecting unit 104 supports the laser light source 14 and the MEMS mirror 16 coaxially on the shaft 104a.

  Further, both end portions of the shaft 104a are fitted to the rails 106 so as to be able to reciprocate in the X-axis direction, and the light projecting unit 104 can be reciprocated along the direction of arrow B (see FIG. 3). Has been.

  Such a light projecting unit 104 is normally in a standby state at a predetermined position. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the predetermined position of the light projecting unit 104 is, for example, near the end 106a of the rail 106.

  Further, the shaft 104a of the light projecting unit 104 is connected to a control means (not shown) for controlling the operation of the shaft 104a based on irradiation position information indicating the X coordinate of the shape of the three-dimensional structure to be produced. ing.

  The laser emission port of the laser light source 14 and the reflection surface of the MEMS mirror 16 are disposed so as to face each other on the shaft 104a.

The operation | movement at the time of producing a three-dimensional molded item using the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100 in the above structure is demonstrated.

  In the operation of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 100, instead of the galvano mirror 18 scanning the laser beam based on the irradiation position information supplied from the control means 24, the shaft 104a of the light projecting unit 104 moves in the X-axis direction based on the irradiation position information. Therefore, it differs from the above-described three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 only in that the laser beam is scanned.

  That is, the MEMS mirror 16 scans the laser beam based on the irradiation position information supplied from the control unit 22, and the shaft 104a moves in the X-axis direction according to the irradiation position information to scan the laser beam, thereby allowing the photocurable resin to be changed. It hardens | cures for every layer, and, thereby, the target three-dimensional structure is produced.

As described above, since the three-dimensional modeling apparatuses 10 and 100 are configured by using the MEMS mirror 16 as an optical system, the response speed is fast and the modeling time can be shortened, and the overall configuration is relatively simple. Thus, the entire apparatus can be downsized as compared with the conventional three-dimensional modeling apparatus.

  In addition, since the three-dimensional modeling apparatuses 10 and 100 have fewer movable parts than the conventional three-dimensional modeling apparatus, the generation of vibrations is reduced and high-definition scanning can be realized.

  Further, in the 3D modeling apparatuses 10 and 100, since the laser light is scanned using the MEMS mirror 16, for example, even if the current MEMS mirror 16 is used, the XGA size 16 which is 1024 × 768 pixels is used. The resolution can be increased to double the number of pixels of 4096 × 3072 pixels.

  This number of pixels is higher than that of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus using a projector using a conventional DMD element.

  Furthermore, since the three-dimensional modeling apparatuses 10 and 100 use laser light as irradiation light, it is possible to increase the curing energy, and therefore, the contrast ratio can be set high.

  Therefore, in the three-dimensional modeling apparatuses 10 and 100, it is possible to avoid the generation of modeling defects due to the hardening of the background seen in the conventional three-dimensional modeling apparatus.

In the above-described embodiment, the three-dimensional modeling apparatuses 10 and 100 have been described as having a free liquid surface type configuration. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other configurations are also possible. For example, a three-dimensional modeling apparatus having a regulated liquid level configuration may be used.

  A three-dimensional modeling apparatus having such a regulated liquid surface method will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 shows a conceptual configuration explanatory diagram of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 200. This three-dimensional modeling apparatus 200 has the following two points as compared with the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment. It is different only in.

  First, the first point is that the optical system 12 is disposed on the lower side of the molding unit 32, and light is irradiated from the lower side of the photo-curing resin.

  The second point is that the bottom surface 34 a of the storage tank 34 of the molding unit 32 is made of a material that transmits laser light emitted from the optical system 12.

  The galvanometer mirror 18 reflects the laser beam emitted from the MEMS mirror 16 upward.

  Therefore, in this three-dimensional modeling apparatus 200, each layer of the three-dimensional structure is laminated on the lower surface portion 36b of the three-dimensional structure holding plate 36.

  The present invention can also be applied to a three-dimensional modeling apparatus using such a regulated liquid surface method.

  The present invention can produce three-dimensional shaped objects having various shapes, and can be used for sample trial production.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration perspective view of a first embodiment of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory schematic cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration perspective view of the second embodiment of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory schematic cross-sectional view showing a modification of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

10, 100, 200 Three-dimensional modeling apparatus 12, 102, 202 Optical unit 14, 14 ', 204 Laser light source 16, 16', 206 MEMS mirror
18, 208 Galvano mirror 18a Mirror unit 18b Drive unit 20, 210 Collimating lens 22, 212 Control unit 24, 214 Control unit 32, 220 Modeling unit 34, 222 Reservoir 36, 224 Three-dimensional model holding plate 38, 226 Drive unit 104, 104 'shaft 106, 106' rail 108 control means

Claims (3)

In a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that produces a three-dimensional model using a photo-curing resin that is cured by light irradiation,
A laser light source that emits laser light;
A MEMS mirror that reflects the laser light emitted from the laser light source and scans in a first direction;
A galvanometer mirror that reflects the laser light reflected by the MEMS mirror and scans in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction;
A storage tank that is arranged to receive the laser light reflected by the galvanometer mirror, and that can store a photocurable resin therein;
A three-dimensional structure holding plate that is placed in the storage tank and holds a photocurable resin that is cured by irradiation with laser light;
A three-dimensional modeling apparatus comprising: a driving unit that moves the three-dimensional modeled object holding plate in the vertical direction. In a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that produces a three-dimensional model using a photo-curing resin that is cured by light irradiation,
A laser light source that emits laser light;
A MEMS mirror that reflects laser light emitted from the laser light source and scans in a first direction;
Moving means for scanning the MEMS mirror in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction;
A storage tank that is arranged to receive the laser light reflected by the MEMS mirror, and that can store a photocurable resin inside;
A three-dimensional structure holding plate that is placed in the storage tank and holds a photocurable resin that is cured by irradiation with laser light;
A three-dimensional modeling apparatus comprising: a driving unit that moves the three-dimensional modeled object holding plate in the vertical direction. In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 and 2,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein a bottom surface of the storage tank is made of a material that transmits light from the laser light source.

Images