JP2022019121A - Capping device and 3D model manufacturing device equipped with it - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a capping device which can easily prevent formation of air bubbles in a nozzle hole and the periphery thereof of an ink jet head when performing capping.SOLUTION: A capping device which performs capping on an ink jet head that discharges ink from a nozzle hole provided on a nozzle plate comprises an elastic body in which a close-contact surface region that is in close-contact with the nozzle plate is formed with deformation of a partial region of the surface with action of the pressing force from the ink jet head in capping. The close-contact surface region of the elastic body tightly seals the nozzle hole by continuously increasing to the periphery of the nozzle hole from the position where the elastic body is in point-contact or line-contact on the nozzle plate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

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

Conventionally, various techniques have been proposed for the capping device.

For example, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 below, a fluid injection head provided with a plurality of nozzles for injecting a fluid and a fluid supply flow path for supplying the fluid toward the downstream side on the fluid injection head side are provided. It is a maintenance device for a fluid injection device, and expands the fluid from the nozzle by pressurizing the fluid in the fluid supply flow path at a pressure application position on the upstream side of the fluid injection head. A pressure-applying mechanism that depressurizes the fluid in a state of swelling from the nozzle with the pressurization, and a pressure-applying mechanism that performs the pressurization and the depressurization from the pressure-applying position. Depending on the magnitude of the pressure loss for each flow path leading to each nozzle, the fluid injection head is hit so as to close the nozzle opening of the nozzle to which the fluid is supplied through the flow path having a relatively small pressure loss. A contact member and a contact member are provided.

According to the description of Patent Document 1 below, in this maintenance device, when the pressure applying mechanism pressurizes and depressurizes, the contact member increases the amount of pressure loss for each flow path from the pressure applying position to each nozzle. In response to this, it abuts on the fluid injection head so as to close the nozzle opening of the nozzle to which the fluid is supplied through the flow path having a relatively small pressure loss. Therefore, by closing the nozzle opening of the nozzle where the pressure loss in the flow path is small and pressure is easily applied, and then applying pressure and depressurization, pressure is intensively applied to the inside of the nozzle where the nozzle opening is not closed. Can be done. As a result, bubbles can be efficiently discharged even from a nozzle having a large pressure loss and being difficult to apply pressure. Therefore, air bubbles can be efficiently discharged from the plurality of nozzles.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-245682

However, when this maintenance device is used as a capping device, when the abutting member comes into contact with the fluid injection head, if air bubbles enter between the abutting member and the fluid injection head, the air bubbles cause a nozzle. There was a risk that the ink inside would dry out near the nozzle opening and cause nozzle clogging.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a capping device that can easily prevent the formation of bubbles in the nozzle hole of the inkjet head and the peripheral portion thereof when capping is performed. do.

The present specification is a capping device that caps an inkjet head in which ink is ejected from a nozzle hole provided in a nozzle plate, and a pressing force from the inkjet head acts on the surface during capping. It is provided with an elastic body in which a part of the region is deformed to form a close surface area in close contact with the nozzle plate, and the close surface area of the elastic body is a nozzle hole from a position where the elastic body makes point contact or line contact in the nozzle plate. Disclosed is a capping device that seals a nozzle hole by continuously increasing until it reaches the peripheral edge of the nozzle.

According to the present disclosure, the capping device can easily prevent the formation of air bubbles in the nozzle hole of the inkjet head and the peripheral portion thereof during capping.

It is a figure which shows the 3D laminated electronic device manufacturing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the control device. It is a perspective view which shows the 3D laminated model which was modeled on the substrate. It is a figure which shows the nozzle hole of the inkjet head used in the 2nd printing part. It is a perspective view which shows the 3D laminated model which was modeled on the substrate. It is a perspective view which shows the 3D laminated model which was modeled on the substrate. It is a perspective view which shows the 3D laminated model which was modeled on the substrate. It is a perspective view which shows the 3D laminated model which was modeled on the substrate. It is a perspective view which shows the substrate and the 3D laminated electronic device. It is a figure which shows the 1st modeling unit and the 2nd modeling unit. It is a block diagram which shows the control device. It is a figure which shows the 1st modeling unit. When the first capping device caps the inkjet head of the first printing unit, the inkjet head of the first printing unit and the base and elastic body of the first capping device are cut along the line I-I of FIG. It is a figure (hereinafter, it is referred to as a cross-sectional view of the 1st capping device and the like) which shows each cross section in the case of this. It is sectional drawing of the 1st capping apparatus and the like. It is sectional drawing of the 1st capping apparatus and the like. It is sectional drawing of the elastic body of the 1st capping apparatus. It is sectional drawing of the 1st capping apparatus and the like of 1st modification. It is sectional drawing of the 1st capping apparatus and the like of 1st modification. It is sectional drawing of the elastic body of the 1st capping apparatus of 1st modification. It is sectional drawing of the 1st capping device of the 2nd modification example. It is sectional drawing of the elastic body of the 1st capping apparatus of the 3rd modification.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

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

The Z-axis direction is the vertical direction. Therefore, in the following, the Z-axis direction may be referred to as a vertical direction. Further, in the drawings, a part of the structure may be omitted, and the dimensional ratio of each drawn part is not always accurate.

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

The stage 52 has a base 60, a holding device 62, and an elevating device 64. The base 60 is formed in a flat plate shape, and a substrate is placed on the upper surface. The holding devices 62 are provided on both sides of the base 60 in the X-axis direction. Then, both edges of the substrate mounted on the base 60 in the X-axis direction are sandwiched by the holding device 62, so that the substrate is fixedly held. Further, the elevating device 64 is arranged below the base 60, and raises and lowers the base 60 in the Z-axis direction.

The first modeling unit 22 is a unit for modeling a circuit wiring layer on a substrate (see FIG. 3) 70 mounted on a base 60 of a stage 52, and has a first printing unit 72 and a firing unit 74. Have. The first printing unit 72 has an inkjet head (see FIG. 2) 76, and ejects metal ink linearly onto a substrate 70 mounted on a base 60. Metal ink is a metal ink in which fine particles of metal are dispersed in a solvent. The inkjet head 76 ejects metal ink from a plurality of nozzle holes by, for example, a piezo method using a piezoelectric element.

The firing unit 74 has a laser irradiation device (see FIG. 2) 78. The laser irradiation device 78 is a device that irradiates the metal ink ejected on the substrate 70 with a laser, and the metal ink irradiated with the laser is fired to form a circuit wiring layer. In addition, firing of metal ink is a phenomenon in which the solvent is vaporized and the metal fine particle protective film is decomposed by applying energy, and the metal fine particles are brought into contact with each other or fused to increase the conductivity. be. Then, the metal ink is fired to form a metal circuit wiring layer.

Further, the second modeling unit 24 is a unit for modeling an insulating layer on the substrate 70 mounted on the base 60 of the stage 52, and has a second printing unit 84 and a curing unit 86. The second printing unit 84 has an inkjet head (see FIG. 2) 88, and discharges the ultraviolet curable resin onto the substrate 70 mounted on the base 60. The ultraviolet curable resin is a resin that is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays. The inkjet head 88 may be, for example, a piezo method in which the resin is discharged from a plurality of nozzle holes by deformation of the piezoelectric element, or a thermal method in which the resin is heated to generate bubbles and discharged from the plurality of nozzle holes.

The cured portion 86 has a flattening device (see FIG. 2) 90 and an irradiation device (see FIG. 2) 92. The flattening device 90 flattens the upper surface of the ultraviolet curable resin ejected onto the substrate 70 by the inkjet head 88. For example, the surplus resin is rolled or rolled while the surface of the ultraviolet curable resin is leveled. By scraping with a blade, the thickness of the UV curable resin is made uniform. Further, the irradiation device 92 includes a mercury lamp or an LED as a light source, and irradiates the ultraviolet curable resin discharged on the substrate 70 with ultraviolet rays. As a result, the ultraviolet curable resin discharged onto the substrate 70 is cured, and an insulating layer is formed.

Further, the mounting unit 26 is a unit for mounting an electronic component (see FIG. 7) 94 on a substrate 70 mounted on a base 60 of a stage 52, and has a supply unit 100 and a mounting unit 102. There is. The supply unit 100 has a plurality of tape feeders (see FIG. 2) 110 that send out the taped electronic components 94 one by one, and supplies the electronic components 94 at the supply position. The supply unit 100 is not limited to the tape feeder 110, and may be a tray-type supply device that picks up and supplies the electronic component 94 from the tray. Further, the supply unit 100 may be configured to include both a tape type and a tray type, or other supply devices.

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

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

Next, a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional laminated electronic device will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, the first insulating layer 206 of the three-dimensional laminated model 202 is formed on the substrate 70. For that purpose, the stage 52 is moved below the second modeling unit 24. As a result, the substrate 70 set with respect to the base 60 of the stage 52 is moved below the second modeling unit 24. Further, in the second printing unit 84, the inkjet head 88 ejects the ultraviolet curable resin into a thin film on the upper surface of the substrate 70. Subsequently, in the curing portion 86, the flattening device 90 flattens the discharged ultraviolet curable resin so that the film thickness becomes uniform. After that, the irradiation device 92 irradiates the flattened ultraviolet curable resin with ultraviolet rays. This cures the UV curable resin. After that, by repeating the process in the second modeling unit 24 described above (that is, the process of the second printing unit 84 and the process of the curing unit 86), the first layer of the three-dimensional laminated modeled product 202 is placed on the substrate 70. Insulation layer 206 is formed.

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

In the first nozzle row 130 and the second nozzle row 132, the ultraviolet curable resin is discharged from each nozzle hole 134. The controller 120 can select the nozzle hole 134 for discharging the ultraviolet curable resin according to the manufacturing status of the three-dimensional laminated model 202.

It should be noted that these points are the same in the inkjet head 76 that ejects the metal ink in the first printing unit 72. The inkjet heads 88 and 76 are not limited to those provided with two nozzle rows 130 and 132, and may be provided with one or more nozzle rows. Further, the inkjet heads 88 and 76 are not limited to those in which the nozzle holes 134 are arranged in a staggered pattern, and may be those in which the nozzle holes 134 are arranged in a grid pattern. Further, the inkjet heads 88 and 76 are not limited to those in which the nozzle holes 134 are arranged at a predetermined pitch, for example, the pitch of the nozzle holes 134 gradually changes, or the nozzle holes 134 are arranged irregularly. It may be a nozzle.

Next, the first circuit wiring layer 208 of the three-dimensional laminated model 202 is formed on the substrate 70 and cured. For that purpose, the stage 52 is moved below the first modeling unit 22. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, in the first printing unit 72, the inkjet head 76 linearly ejects metal ink to the upper surface of the insulating layer 206 of the three-dimensional laminated model 202 according to the wiring circuit pattern. do. As a result, a plurality of first-layer circuit wiring layers 208 are formed on the upper surface of the insulating layer 206 of the three-dimensional laminated model 202. After that, in the firing unit 74, the laser irradiation device 78 irradiates the metal ink ejected linearly with the laser. This cures the metal ink. In this way, each circuit wiring layer 208 is cured on the upper surface of the insulating layer 206 of the three-dimensional laminated model 202.

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

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

Further, in the process of the first modeling unit 22, in the process of the first printing unit 72, the metal ink is applied from the upper surface of the second layer insulating layer 210 to the first layer via the inclined surface of each via hole 214. It is discharged to the upper surface of each circuit wiring layer 208. Therefore, when the step of the firing unit 74 is executed, the second layer circuit wiring layer 212 is electrically connected to each circuit wiring layer 208 of the first layer via the inclined surface of each via hole 214. ..

After that, the process in the second modeling unit 24 and the process in the first modeling unit 22 are repeated. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, in the three-dimensional laminated model 202, the third-layer insulating layer 218 is formed, and a plurality of third-layer circuit wiring layers 220 are formed and cured. At that time, each via hole 214 in the second insulating layer 210 is filled with the cured ultraviolet curable resin. Further, in the third insulating layer 218, a plurality of via holes 222 and cavities 224 are formed in the same manner as the via holes 214 and cavities 216 formed in the second insulating layer 210. As a result, the circuit wiring layer 220 of the third layer is electrically connected to each circuit wiring layer 212 of the second layer via the inclined surface of each via hole 222. Further, the cavity 224 formed in the third layer insulating layer 218 is provided in a state of being vertically connected to the cavity 216 in the second layer insulating layer 210.

In the following description, when the cavities 216 and 224 are generically referred to without distinction, they are referred to as cavities 224. Further, in FIG. 7, each circuit wiring layer 208 on the upper surface of the first insulating layer 206 and each via hole 214 and the cavity 216 formed in the second insulating layer 210 are omitted.

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

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

After that, the process in the second modeling unit 24 (that is, the process of the second printing unit 84 and the process of the curing unit 86) is repeated. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the fourth insulating layer 227 is formed.

In FIG. 8, each circuit wiring layer 212 on the upper surface of the second layer insulating layer 210 and each via hole 222 and the cavity 224 formed in the third layer insulating layer 218 are omitted. These points are the same in FIG.

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

Next, the capping performed on the inkjet heads 76 and 88 will be described.

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

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

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

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

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

FIG. 13 shows each cross section when the inkjet head 76, the base 144 of the first capping device 140, and the elastic body 146 are cut along the line I-I of FIG. More specifically, in FIG. 13, the inkjet head 76 and the base 144 and the elastic body 146 of the first capping device 140 are planes parallel to the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, and the inkjet head 76 is shown. Each cross section is shown when cut in a virtual plane passing through one of the plurality of nozzle holes 134 provided.

Therefore, the nozzle holes 134 of the inkjet head 76 are arranged along the X-axis direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 13). Further, the base 144 and the elastic body 146 of the first capping device 140 extend along the X-axis direction (vertical direction of the paper surface in FIG. 13).

The base 144 has a substantially rectangular shape, its longitudinal direction is parallel to the X-axis direction (vertical direction of the paper surface in FIG. 13), and its lateral direction is parallel to the Y-axis direction, and the first capping is performed. It is arranged in the device 140. The elevating device 148 (see FIG. 11) is connected to the lower surface of the base 144. On the other hand, a groove 145 is provided on the upper surface of the base 144. The groove 145 has a rectangular cross section and extends along the X-axis direction (vertical direction of the paper surface in FIG. 13).

The elastic body 146 has a columnar shape, and the diameter of the circular cross section thereof is provided to be substantially equal to the width of the groove 145 (dimension in the Y-axis direction). The columnar elastic body 146 is attached to the groove 145 so that its central axis 149 is parallel to the X-axis direction (vertical direction of the paper surface in FIG. 13). In the elastic body 146 attached to the groove 145, the central axis 149 is arranged at a position slightly deviated from each nozzle hole 134 of the inkjet head 76 in the Y-axis direction.

Further, the depth of the groove 145 (dimension in the Z-axis direction) is provided substantially equal to the radius of the circular cross section of the elastic body 146. Therefore, when the elastic body 146 is attached to the groove 145, about half of the elastic body 146 above the central axis 149 protrudes upward from the groove 145. That is, about half of the elastic body 146 above the central axis 149 faces the nozzle plate 128 of the inkjet head 76 in the entire area of the groove 145 extending along the X-axis direction (vertical direction of the paper surface in FIG. 13). Is protruding. Hereinafter, the portion of the elastic body 146 that is about half above the central axis 149 of the elastic body 146 and protrudes from the groove 145 will be referred to as a protruding portion of the elastic body 146.

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

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

At that time, as shown in FIG. 14, in the nozzle plate 128, first, at the position 162 near the peripheral edge portion 135 of the nozzle hole 134, the elastic body 146 is aligned with the X-axis direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 14). It will be in a state of line contact. As a result, the pressing force F from the inkjet head 76 is applied to the protruding portion of the elastic body 146 in the downward Z2 direction in the Z-axis direction (vertical direction) at the position where the nozzle plate 128 is in line contact with the nozzle plate 128. It acts inward of the elastic body 146. Therefore, in the protruding portion of the elastic body 146, the portion of the surface 160 that is in line contact with the nozzle plate 128 is in contact with the nozzle plate 128 without a gap while being deformed to form a close surface area 164. That is, the close surface area 164 is a part of the surface 160 of the elastic body 146 and is a region that is in contact with the nozzle plate 128 without a gap while being deformed.

The elastic body 146 has a property of returning to a substantially original shape when the pressing force F does not act.

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

Further, the base 144 is moved in the Z1 direction (upward) until the close surface area 164 of the elastic body 146 includes the peripheral edge portion 135 of each nozzle hole 134. As a result, the peripheral edge portion 135 of each nozzle hole 134 is in close contact with the surface 160 of the elastic body 146. Therefore, each nozzle hole 134 is closed by the elastic body 146. In this way, in the first capping device 140, each nozzle hole 134 of the inkjet head 76 is sealed in the close surface area 164 of the elastic body 146, so that the inkjet head 76 is capped.

The above-mentioned points are the same for the capping to the inkjet head 88 performed by the second capping device 150.

As described in detail above, in the first and second capping devices 140 and 150 of the present embodiment, among the surfaces 160 of the elastic bodies 146 and 156, the close surface area in contact with the nozzle plate 128 while deforming without a gap. 164 continuously extends from the position 162 where the elastic bodies 146 and 156 are in line contact with the nozzle plate 128 to include the peripheral edge portion 135 of each nozzle hole 134. As a result, capping is performed on the inkjet heads 76 and 88.

Therefore, in the first and second capping devices 140 and 150 of the present embodiment, it is easy to prevent the formation of bubbles in the nozzle holes 134 of the inkjet heads 76 and 88 and the peripheral portion 135 thereof when capping is performed.

Hereinafter, the characteristics of the shape of the elastic body 146 provided in the first capping device 140 will be described. FIG. 16 shows a cross section of the elastic body 146 when it is cut in a virtual plane parallel to the Z-axis direction and the Y-axis direction and intersecting the tip 166 of the elastic body 146. The tip 166 of the elastic body 146 is a position where the elastic body 146 makes line contact with the nozzle plate 128. The Z-axis direction is a vertical direction and includes a direction of action of the pressing force F on the elastic body 146 (downward Z2 direction). The Y-axis direction is the direction in which the close surface area 164 of the elastic body 146 continuously expands in the nozzle plate 128. The cross section of the elastic body 146 shown in FIG. 13 has the same shape as the cross section of the elastic body 146 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 16, of the circular contour lines showing the cross section of the elastic body 146, the portion corresponding to the close surface area 164 of the elastic body 146 is shown by a solid line as a part 168 of the contour line. Here, in the cross section of the elastic body 146, the region surrounded by a part 168 of the contour line corresponding to the close surface area 164 and the straight line 172 connecting both ends 170 and 170 of the part 168 of the contour line is the deformation region 174. Is defined as. Such a deformed region 174 has a cross-sectional shape in which the dimension in the Y-axis direction gradually increases from the tip 166 of the elastic body 146 toward the central axis 149. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the deformation region 174 is an arch shape that gradually widens as the distance from the tip 166 of the elastic body 146 increases.

The close surface area 164 of the elastic body 146 is the entire position excluding the X-axis direction from the position 162 where the elastic body 146 is in line contact along the X-axis direction in the nozzle plate 128 parallel to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. It can be said that it continuously spreads in the direction (that is, all directions on the plane parallel to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction except the X-axis direction). Therefore, the virtual plane that cuts the elastic body 146 is parallel to any one of the directions on the plane parallel to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction except the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. If the surface intersects the tip 166 of the elastic body 146, the cross-sectional shape of the deformation region 174 becomes an arch shape that gradually widens as the distance from the tip 166 of the elastic body 146 increases.

These features are the same for the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 156 provided in the second capping device 150.

Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the first printing unit 72 or the second printing unit 84 is an example of a printing apparatus. The first capping device 140 or the second capping device 150 is an example of a capping device. Metallic ink 138 or UV curable resin is an example of ink. The three-dimensional laminated model 202 or the three-dimensional laminated electronic device 204 is an example of the three-dimensional model. The Y-axis direction is an example of the increasing direction of the close surface area. The Z2 direction is an example of the action direction of the pressing force.

The three-dimensional laminated electronic device manufacturing apparatus 10 is an example of a three-dimensional modeled object manufacturing apparatus. Even if the mounting unit 26 is removed from the three-dimensional laminated electronic device manufacturing apparatus 10, such an apparatus can manufacture the three-dimensional laminated model 202 to which the electronic component 94 is not mounted. This is an example of a three-dimensional model manufacturing device.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, the elastic bodies 146 and 156 may have a triangular columnar shape, unlike the columnar column in the above embodiment. Such a case is shown in FIGS. 17 to 20 by taking the elastic body 146 as an example. In the following description, the same reference numerals will be given to the parts substantially in common with the above embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the case shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 146 is an isosceles triangle, and the tip 166, which is the apex angle thereof, faces the nozzle plate 128. The groove 145 of the base 144 is provided with a width (dimension in the Y-axis direction) substantially equal to the base length of an isosceles triangle which is the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 146. Further, the groove 145 of the base 144 is provided so that its depth (dimension in the Z-axis direction) is shallower than the height of the isosceles triangle which is the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 146. The cross-sectional shape of the deformed region 174 in such a case is the shape of an isosceles triangle that gradually widens as the distance from the tip 166 of the elastic body 146 increases.

Further, as shown in FIG. 20, the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 146 may be a right triangle. In such a case, the width (dimension in the Y-axis direction) of the groove 145 of the base 144 is substantially equal to the length of one of the two sides sandwiching the right angle of the right triangle which is the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 146. It is provided. Further, the groove 145 of the base 144 is provided with a depth (dimension in the Z-axis direction) shallower than the other side length of the two sides sandwiching the right angle of the right triangle which is the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 146. ing. The cross-sectional shape (not shown) of the deformed region in such a case is the shape of a right triangle that gradually widens as the distance from the tip 166 of the elastic body 146 increases.

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

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

Further, in the first and second capping devices 140 and 150, the bases 144 and 154 are immovable, and the inkjet heads 76 and 88 are moved in the Z2 direction (downward), whereby the nozzle plates 128 of the inkjet heads 76 and 88 are moved. May be pressed against the protruding portions of the elastic bodies 146 and 156.

Further, in the first and second capping devices 140 and 150, when the inkjet heads 76 and 88 are capped, the base 144 and 154 or the inkjet heads 76 and 88 intersect with the Z-axis direction (vertical direction). It may be moved in the direction of

Further, the first and second capping devices 140 and 150 can also perform capping on the inkjet heads 76 and 88 provided with only one nozzle hole 134.

Further, in the first and second capping devices 140 and 150, when the inkjet heads 76 and 88 are capped, the elastic bodies 146 and 156 refer to the nozzle plate 128 with respect to the first nozzle row 130 or the second nozzle. Line contact may be made at the position where the row 132 is provided. That is, the elastic bodies 146 and 156 may make line contact with each nozzle hole 134.

Further, the elastic body 146 may have an outer shape such as a cone, a pyramid, a sphere, or an ellipsoid. In such a case, the tip 166 of the elastic body 146 becomes a point where the elastic body 146 makes point contact with the nozzle plate 128. Therefore, when the outer shape of the elastic body 146 is a cone or a pyramid, the apex of the cone or the pyramid is the tip 166 of the elastic body 146. Further, the close surface area 164 of the elastic body 146 is omnidirectional (that is, in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction) from the position where the elastic body 146 makes point contact on the nozzle plate 128 parallel to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. It spreads continuously in all directions on parallel planes). Therefore, the virtual plane that cuts the elastic body 146 is parallel to any one of all the directions on the plane parallel to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, and the elastic body 146 is formed. If the surface passes through the tip 166 of the above, the cross-sectional shape of the deformation region 174 gradually becomes wider as the distance from the tip 166 of the elastic body 146 increases. These points are the same for the elastic body 156.

Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15 or FIG. 18, the elastic body 146 has a property that the volume changes with the external deformation due to the compressive force (pressing pressure F). As described above, even if the outer shape is deformed by a compressive force (pressing pressure F), the material may have an incompressible property in which a volume change hardly occurs. In such a case, the space between the inkjet head 76 and the base 144 and the space in the groove 145 when the elastic body 146 is attached functions as a relief allowance for the elastic body 146. These points are the same for the elastic body 156.

10: 3D laminated electronic device manufacturing equipment, 72: 1st printing unit, 76: inkjet head, 84: 2nd printing unit, 88: inkjet head, 128: nozzle plate, 134: nozzle hole, 135: peripheral edge of nozzle hole Part 138: Metal ink, 140: First capping device, 146: Elastic body, 150: Second capping device, 156: Elastic body, 160: Surface of elastic body, 162: Position where elastic body makes line contact with nozzle plate 164: Adhesive surface area of elastic body, 166: Tip of elastic body, 168: Part of contour line, 170: Both ends of part of contour line, 172: Straight line, 174: Deformation area, 202: Three-dimensional laminated model, 204: Three-dimensional laminated electronic device, F: Pressurizing pressure

Claims (5)

A capping device that caps an inkjet head that ejects ink from a nozzle hole provided in a nozzle plate.
The elastic body comprises an elastic body in which a part of the surface is deformed by the pressing force from the inkjet head during the capping to form a close surface area in close contact with the nozzle plate.
The close surface area of the elastic body seals the nozzle hole by continuously increasing from the position where the elastic body makes point contact or line contact to reach the peripheral edge portion of the nozzle hole in the nozzle plate. Capping device to do. A virtual plane that is parallel to the direction of action of the pressing force on the elastic body and the increasing direction of the close surface area of the elastic body and passes through the tip of the elastic body that makes point contact or line contact with the nozzle plate. In the cross section when the elastic body is cut in, the deformed region surrounded by a part of the contour line of the cross section corresponding to the close surface area and the straight line connecting both ends of the part of the contour line is the elastic body. The capping device according to claim 1, which has a cross-sectional shape that gradually widens as the distance from the tip thereof increases. The capping device according to claim 2, wherein in the elastic body, the cross-sectional shape of the deformed region is an arch shape. The capping device according to claim 2, wherein in the elastic body, the cross-sectional shape of the deformed region is triangular. The capping device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
A printing device having the inkjet head in which the capping is performed by the capping device, and forming a three-dimensional model for each layer having a thickness that can be modeled by three-dimensional laminated modeling with ink discharged from the nozzle hole. A three-dimensional model manufacturing device equipped with.

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