JP2023124079A - Three-dimensional modeling apparatus and method of displaying modeling position of modeled object - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] By using a simpler method compared to conventional technology, it is possible to enable a worker to easily take out a three-dimensional shaped object from a modeling tank, or to enable an operator to easily take out a three-dimensional shaped object from a modeling tank. To make it possible to obtain a printing position where a printed object is scheduled to be printed. [Solution] A three-dimensional modeling device that builds a three-dimensional shaped object by laminating hardened layers of powder materials in a modeling tank, and includes a projector that projects an image made of light that does not contribute to the formation of the hardened layers. , the projector projects an image obtained by projecting the three-dimensional data of the model in the stacking direction of the cured layer onto the model tank from above the model tank. [Selection diagram] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a three-dimensional modeling apparatus and a modeling position display method of a modeled object. More specifically, the present invention relates to a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that forms a three-dimensional object using a powder material as a raw material, a three-dimensional object that is produced using a powder material as a raw material, and a three-dimensional object that is formed using a powder material as a raw material. The present invention relates to a method for displaying a molding position of a molded object for displaying a molding position where a three-dimensional molded object is to be molded.

In general, as a method of forming a three-dimensional modeled object using a powder material as a raw material, the modeled object is formed by stacking hardened layers, which are layers formed by binding and hardening the powder material with a hardening liquid (binder). A powder-bonded lamination system is widely known.

Conventionally, a three-dimensional modeling apparatus using such a powder adhesion lamination method has a supply tank with an open top for storing powder material, and a molding with an open top for forming a three-dimensional modeled object by supplying powder material from the supply tank. a tank, a discharge tank with an open top for collecting powder material that has not been completely filled in the modeling tank among the powder materials supplied from the supply tank to the modeling tank, and powder material that has not been used for modeling in the modeling tank; and a single or a plurality of heads for discharging a hardening liquid for hardening the powder material supplied to the modeling tank.

When a desired three-dimensional modeled object is to be modeled in such a three-dimensional modeling apparatus based on the powder-fixing lamination method, first, a powder material is supplied from the supply tank to the modeling tank, and the powder material is spread over the modeling tank so as to have a predetermined thickness in the modeling tank. A powder material layer made of powder material is formed.

Next, two pieces of cross-sectional image data showing the cross-sectional shape of the powder material layer formed in the modeling tank when the three-dimensional modeled object to be modeled is cut along the plane direction orthogonal to the stacking direction. Based on the dimensional data (slice data), a hardening liquid for hardening the powder material is discharged from one or more heads to form a hardened layer, which is a powder material layer whose cross-sectional shape is hardened based on the two-dimensional data.

After that, a new powder material layer having a predetermined thickness is formed on the hardened layer of the cross-sectional shape, and a two-dimensional shape representing the cross-sectional shape next to the cross-sectional shape cured by the above is formed on the powder material layer. A hardening liquid is discharged from the head based on the data to form a hardened layer as a powder material layer in which the cross-sectional shape based on the two-dimensional data is hardened.

Then, the above-described processing is repeatedly performed to form cured layers in which the cross-sectional shapes based on all the two-dimensional data are sequentially cured and laminated to form a desired three-dimensional shaped object.

The two-dimensional data (slice data) described above can be generated by a known technique from three-dimensional data representing a three-dimensional modeled object to be modeled.

By the way, according to the conventional three-dimensional modeling apparatus as described above, the three-dimensional modeled object modeled in the modeling tank is buried in the powder material supplied to the modeling tank, and the operator It has been pointed out that it is not easy for the operator to take out the molded object from the molding tank because the molded object cannot be visually recognized at the molding position in the molding tank.

In view of these indications, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-72967, which is presented as Patent Document 1, discloses that a modeled object is modeled in the modeling tank in order to make it easier to take out the modeled object from the modeling tank. By providing a through hole in the modeling plate and lowering the modeling table below the modeling plate, the uncured powder material stored in the modeling tank is dropped onto the modeling table, and the operator can A three-dimensional modeling apparatus has been proposed in which a modeled object can be easily taken out of a modeling tank.

However, according to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-72967, the configuration of the modeling tank is complicated. There has been a demand for a proposal for a new method that can take out the modeled object.

Further, in the conventional three-dimensional modeling apparatus as described above, for example, when a large-sized three-dimensional modeled object is produced, a support material, which is a member for supporting the modeled object, is placed in the modeling tank in advance. The support material is placed at a modeling position where the modeled object is to be modeled, and the modeled object is modeled using the support material.

Conventionally, when installing such support materials in a modeling tank, an operator visually measures the modeling position where a three-dimensional modeled object is to be produced, and the support material is placed at the modeling position determined by the operator's visual observation. I was trying to place it.

For this reason, there may be a misalignment between the position where the support material is placed based on the operator's visual measurement and the actual modeling position where the 3D object is created. It has been pointed out that the model cannot be sufficiently supported.

In view of such indications, for example, Japanese Patent No. 6763993 as Patent Document 2 discloses a method of detecting a boundary of a 3D object from 3D object data in a 3D printer and determining whether or not the 3D object fits on the printing stage. is proposed.

However, according to the method disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent No. 6763993, since the boundary of the 3D object is detected from the 3D object data by a complicated processing procedure, the operator can easily create the three-dimensional shape using a simpler method. There has been a demand for a proposal of a new technique capable of acquiring a modeling position where a modeled object is to be modeled.

JP 2019-72967 A Japanese Patent No. 6763993

The present invention has been made in view of the various demands of the prior art as described above. A three-dimensional modeling apparatus that makes it possible to easily take out a three-dimensional modeled object from a modeling tank, a method for displaying the modeling position of the modeled object, and a method that enables an operator to easily take out a three-dimensional shaped object from the inside of the modeling tank. It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional modeling apparatus and a method of displaying the modeling position of a modeled object, which enables acquisition of the modeling position.

To achieve the above object, a three-dimensional modeling apparatus and a method for displaying a modeling position of a modeled object according to the present invention use a projector to project an image of a three-dimensional modeled object onto a modeling tank. is.

Therefore, according to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus and the method for displaying the modeling position of the modeled object according to the present invention, the operator can easily view the three-dimensional modeled object in the modeling tank by a simple method of projecting an image with a projector. and a modeling position where a three-dimensional modeled object is to be modeled in the modeling tank.

Therefore, the operator can easily take out the three-dimensional modeled object from the modeling tank, and the support material can be placed at the modeling position where the three-dimensional modeled object is to be modeled. can be properly installed.

That is, the present invention is a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that forms a three-dimensional modeled object by laminating hardened layers of a powder material in a modeling tank, and is a projector that projects an image composed of light that does not contribute to the formation of the hardened layers. and the projector projects an image obtained by projecting the three-dimensional data of the modeled object in the stacking direction of the hardened layers onto the modeling tank from above the modeling tank.

Therefore, according to the present invention described above, it is possible to visually recognize the position where the modeled object is modeled or the position where the modeled object is to be modeled.

The present invention also provides a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that forms a three-dimensional modeled object by laminating hardened layers of a powder material in a modeling tank, wherein the projector projects an image composed of light that does not contribute to the formation of the hardened layers. wherein the projector projects an image obtained by superimposing the two-dimensional data of each hardened layer for forming the hardened layers to be laminated based on the three-dimensional data of the modeled object onto the modeling tank from above the modeling tank. It is the one that was made.

Therefore, according to the present invention described above, it is possible to visually recognize the position where the modeled object is modeled. Further, according to the present invention described above, it is possible to generate an image to be projected by a three-dimensional modeling apparatus.

Further, according to the present invention, in the above-described present invention, the projector projects an image onto a modeling position where the modeled object is modeled in the modeling tank.

Therefore, according to the present invention described above, it is possible to reliably visually recognize the position where the modeled object is modeled.

Further, according to the present invention, in the above-described present invention, the projector projects an image onto a modeling position where the modeled object is to be modeled in the modeling tank.

Therefore, according to the present invention described above, it is possible to visually recognize the position where the modeled object is to be modeled before modeling.

Further, according to the present invention, in the above-described invention, a carriage having a head for discharging a curing liquid for curing the powder material is provided, and the projector is mounted on the carriage.

Therefore, according to the present invention described above, an image can be projected onto the modeling tank from above the modeling tank.

Further, the present invention provides a modeling step of laminating hardened layers of a powder material in a modeling tank to form a three-dimensional modeled object, and an image obtained by projecting the three-dimensional data of the modeled object in the stacking direction of the hardened layers. and a projection step of projecting the image generated in the generation step onto the modeling tank from above the modeling tank using light that does not contribute to the formation of the hardened layer. .

Therefore, according to the present invention described above, it is possible to visually recognize the position where the modeled object is modeled or the position where the modeled object is to be modeled.

In addition, the present invention provides a modeling process for laminating hardened layers of a powder material in a modeling tank to form a three-dimensional modeled object, and each step for forming the hardened layers to be laminated based on the three-dimensional data of the modeled object. A generation step of generating an image in which the two-dimensional data of the hardened layer is superimposed, and projecting the image generated in the generation step onto the modeling tank from above the modeling tank using light that does not contribute to the formation of the hardened layer by a projector. and a projection step.

Therefore, according to the present invention described above, it is possible to visually recognize the position where the modeled object is modeled. Further, according to the present invention described above, it is possible to generate an image to be projected by a three-dimensional modeling apparatus.

Further, according to the present invention, in the above-described present invention, the projecting step is performed after the modeling step.

Therefore, according to the present invention described above, it is possible to reliably visually recognize the position where the modeled object is modeled.

Further, according to the present invention, in the above-described present invention, the projecting step is performed before the modeling step.

Therefore, according to the present invention described above, it is possible to visually recognize the position where the modeled object is to be modeled before modeling.

Since the present invention is configured as described above, the operator can easily take out the three-dimensional modeled object from the modeling tank by a simpler method than the conventional technique. In addition, an excellent effect is obtained in that the operator can obtain the modeling position where the three-dimensional modeled object is to be modeled.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration perspective explanatory view schematically showing the configuration of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to an example of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the internal structure of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from arrow A. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a projected image, which is an image obtained by projecting three-dimensional data representing a modeled object in the stacking direction of the cured layers. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view schematically showing a superimposed image, which is an image obtained by superimposing two-dimensional data for forming each cured layer in the stacking direction of the cured layer. FIG. 5 is a block configuration explanatory diagram showing a functional configuration related to implementation of the present invention of a control device in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a state in which an image is projected by a projector after forming a modeled object in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a state in which an image is projected by a projector before forming a modeled object in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus.

Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus and a method of displaying a modeling position of a modeled object according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(I) Description of the overall configuration of the 3D modeling apparatus according to the present invention

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration perspective explanatory view schematically showing the configuration of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to an example of the embodiment of the present invention.

Also, FIG. 2 shows an explanatory diagram schematically showing the internal structure of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus shown in FIG.

Further, FIG. 3 shows an explanatory view schematically showing a projected image, which is an image obtained by projecting three-dimensional data representing a modeled object in the stacking direction of the cured layers.

Furthermore, FIG. 4 shows an explanatory view schematically showing a superimposed image, which is an image obtained by superimposing two-dimensional data for forming each cured layer in the stacking direction of the cured layer.

The overall operation of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 is controlled by a control device 200 configured by a computer system constructed by, for example, a microcomputer. Secondly, a supply tank 14 in which the powder material is supplied from the opening 14a located at the upper end and stored therein, and the powder material supplied from the supply tank 14 is filled to fabricate a three-dimensional modeled object. A modeling tank 16 with an open top, and powder materials that have not been filled in the modeling tank 16 among the powder materials supplied to the modeling tank 16 from the supply tank 14 and powder materials that have not been used for modeling in the modeling tank 16 are stored. A discharge tank 18 with an open top for collecting is formed.

More specifically, the supply tank 14, the modeling tank 16, and the discharge tank 18 are arranged side by side along the Y-axis direction in the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system. The tank 16 and the discharge tank 18 are arranged side by side in this order.

A lift plate 20 is provided inside the supply tank 14, and the lift plate 20 can be moved up and down inside the supply tank 14 by a motor (not shown).

In the supply tank 14, the lift plate 20 is lifted in a state in which the powder material is stored inside, so that the stored powder material is lifted, whereby a predetermined amount of the powder material is supplied from the upper opening 14a. will increase. As the carriage 22 moves from the front side to the rear side in the Y-axis direction, the predetermined amount of powder material raised from the opening 14a is moved from the front side to the rear side by the rollers 24 provided on the rear side of the carriage 22. It is pushed to the side and supplied to the modeling tank 16 located on the rear side of the supply tank 14 .

That is, in the supply tank 14 , the controller 200 controls the elevator plate 20 to descend when the powder material is stored in the supply tank 14 , and when the powder material is supplied to the modeling tank 16 , the elevator plate 20 is controlled to rise.

An elevating plate 26 is disposed inside the modeling tank 16, and the elevating plate 26 can be moved up and down inside the modeling tank 16 by a motor (not shown).

In the modeling tank 16, the lift plate 26 located at the initial position, which is the same height as the upper opening 16a, is lowered to form a space in which a predetermined amount of powder material can be filled in the modeling tank 16. be done.

The space thus formed is filled with a predetermined amount of powder material pushed forward from the front side to the rear side by the roller 24, whereby the powder material is supplied from the supply tank 14 to the modeling tank 16, and the powder material is supplied. A layer of material will be formed.

A lift plate 32 is disposed inside the discharge tank 18 , and the lift plate 32 can be moved up and down inside the discharge tank 18 by a motor (not shown).

In the discharge tank 18, the lift plate 32 located at the initial position, which is at the same height as the upper opening 18a, is gradually lowered, thereby gradually increasing the space in the discharge tank 18 in which the powder material can be stored. configured to expand.

Into the space thus formed, the powder material that has not been completely filled in the modeling tank 16 among the powder materials supplied from the supply tank 14 to the modeling tank 16 and the powder material that has not been used for modeling in the modeling tank 16 is discharged. and will be collected.

That is, of the predetermined amount of powder material pushed forward from the front side to the rear side by the roller 24, the powder material that could not be filled in the modeling tank 16 or the powder material that was not used for modeling in the modeling tank 16 is pushed through the opening 18a. It will drop into the discharge tank 18 and be accommodated.

Here, when the powder material drops from the opening 18a into the discharge tank 18 and is stored therein, a large amount of dust is generated by the powder material. In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10, in order to suppress the generation of such a large amount of dust, the elevator plate 32 is gradually lowered according to the amount of powder material discharged from the discharge tank 18, so that the powder material is discharged. Adjustment is made so that the falling distance from the opening 18a is short.

The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 also includes a guide member 28 that extends along the Y-axis direction on the upper surface portion 12 a of the housing 12 .

The carriage 22 is arranged on the guide member 28 so as to be movable along the guide member 28 in the Y-axis direction by a motor (not shown).

A single or a plurality of heads 102 are fixedly mounted on the carriage 22 as heads for forming a hardened layer by ejecting a hardening liquid onto the powder material layer formed in the modeling tank 16 . there is A curable liquid is supplied to the head 102 from a cartridge 30 storing the curable liquid.

In this embodiment, the case where three heads 102 are arranged is illustrated.

More specifically, the carriage 22 has a head mount plate 104 to which the head 102 is fixedly mounted.

Note that the head 102 and the head mount plate 104 are arranged with high precision so as to be in close contact with each other as much as possible.

Reference numeral 106 denotes a box-shaped cover that covers the head 102 and the head mount plate 104 .

On the side surface 106a on the front side of the cover 106, that is, on the side surface 106a on the side opposite to the side of the discharge tank 18, a semi-cylindrical powder material recovery section 34 is provided which extends in the X-axis direction. It is

Note that the roller 24 is arranged at a position behind the head 102 on the carriage 22 .

Furthermore, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 includes a projector 100 arranged on the upper portion 22 a of the carriage 22 .

The projector 100 emits light that does not contribute to curing of the powder material, and projects an image composed of light that does not contribute to curing of the powder material from above the modeling tank 16 toward the modeling tank 16 . By projecting the image on the modeling tank 16, the operator can visually recognize the image.

Here, the image projected onto the modeling tank 16 by the projector 100 includes an image obtained by projecting the three-dimensional data of the modeled object in the stacking direction of the cured layers, or an image obtained by projecting the two-dimensional data for forming each cured layer. It is an image superimposed in the stacking direction.

In the present specification and claims, "an image obtained by projecting the three-dimensional data of the modeled object in the stacking direction of the cured layers" is appropriately referred to as a "projected image", and "each cured layer is An image obtained by superimposing two-dimensional data for formation in the stacking direction of the cured layer is appropriately referred to as a "superimposed image".

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the projection image is a plane (XY plane) perpendicular to the stacking direction (Z-axis direction), that is, the powder material An image (projection image) 402 projected onto a plane parallel to the upper surface of the layer and the cured layer.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the superimposed image is converted from three-dimensional data representing the modeled object 500 to two-dimensional data (slice data) 502 in order to model the three-dimensional modeled object 500 by the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 . , which is an image (superposed image) 504 obtained by superimposing the two-dimensional data 502 in the stacking direction.

That is, in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10, two-dimensional data of each hardening layer for forming a hardening layer to be laminated is generated based on the three-dimensional data of the modeled object, and the hardening liquid is discharged from the head 102 to form the hardening layer. This two-dimensional data is sequentially stored and superimposed to form a superimposed image.

Further, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 is equipped with the control device 200 as described above, and the operator operates various operators provided on the operation panel 300 to operate the control device 200 to perform three-dimensional modeling. The operation of the modeling device 10 can be controlled.

That is, although not shown in detail, the operation panel 300 includes operators for performing various operations including operators for selecting an image to be projected onto the modeling tank 16 by the projector 100, operation status of the operators, and the like. A display unit for displaying is provided.

(II) Description of the functional configuration of the control device in the 3D modeling apparatus according to the present invention

FIG. 5 shows a block configuration explanatory diagram showing the functional configuration related to the implementation of the present invention of the control device in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus shown in FIG.

The control device 200 includes, as functional components related to the implementation of the present invention, an image storage unit 202 that stores an image composed of light that does not contribute to curing of the powder material, and a projector control unit 204 that controls the projector 200. It is configured with

More specifically, the image storage unit 202 includes at least a projected image storage unit 202a that stores projected images and a superimposed image storage unit 202b that stores superimposed images.

Here, the projection image storage unit 202a stores a projection image generated by a known technique for each modeled object modeled by the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 or a modeled object to be modeled by the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 .

Also, the superimposed image storage unit 202b stores a superimposed image generated by a known technique for each modeled object modeled by the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 or a modeled object to be modeled by the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 .

When the operator operates the operator of the operation panel 300 to select a projected image stored in the projected image storage unit 202a, the projector control unit 204 determines the molding position of the modeled object formed in the modeling tank 16. Alternatively, the projector 100 is controlled so as to project the selected projection image at the modeling position where the modeled object is to be modeled in the modeling tank 16 .

Further, when the operator operates the operator of the operation panel 300 and selects a superimposed image stored in the superimposed image storage unit 202b, the projector control unit 204 selects a modeled object formed in the modeling tank. or a modeling position where a modeled object is to be modeled in the modeling tank so as to project the selected superimposed image.

(III) Description of the operation of the 3D modeling apparatus according to the present invention and its control method

In the above configuration, the overall operation of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 is controlled by the control device 200, and the operation of modeling a three-dimensional object is described in the patent documents cited above. Since the disclosed prior art can be used, the detailed description thereof will be omitted, and only the matters related to the implementation of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG.

In addition, FIG. 6 shows an explanatory view schematically showing a state in which an image is projected by a projector after the modeled object is modeled by the three-dimensional modeler.

Also, FIG. 7 shows an explanatory view schematically showing a state in which an image is projected by a projector before forming a modeled object in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus.

In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10, the modeled object modeled in the modeling tank 16 is buried in the powder material supplied to the modeling tank 16 after finishing the modeling of the modeled object by a known technique. A person cannot visually recognize the modeling position of the modeled object in the modeling tank 16 .

Therefore, in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10, when the operator operates the operator of the operation panel 300 to select the projection image of the modeled object stored in the projection image storage unit 202a of the storage unit 202, 6, the projector control unit 204 reads out the selected projection image and controls the projector 100 to project the read projection image. As shown in FIG. 16 to the modeling position of the modeled object.

As a result, the operator can take out the modeled object while visually recognizing the modeling position where the modeled object is formed, and can easily take out the modeled object without damaging it.

Note that even when the operator selects a superimposed image of a modeled object stored in the superimposed image storage unit 202b of the storage unit 202 by operating the manipulator, the above projection image is also selected. As in the case above, the superimposed image stored in the superimposed image storage unit 202b from the projector 100 is projected onto the modeling position of the modeled object in the modeling tank 16, so that the operator can select the modeling position where the modeled object is modeled. It becomes possible to take out the modeled object while visually recognizing it, and the modeled object can be easily taken out without being damaged.

In addition, before the modeled object is modeled by the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10, the operator operates the operator of the operation panel 300 to display the modeled object to be modeled stored in the superimposed image storage unit 202b of the storage unit 202. 7, the projector control unit 204 reads the selected superimposed image and controls the projector 100 to project the read superimposed image. For example, the superimposed image read out from 100 is projected to the modeling position where the modeled object is to be modeled on the elevating plate 26 of the modeling tank 16 that has been raised to the initial position.

As a result, the operator can use the superimposed image projected on the lifting plate 26 of the modeling tank 16 as a guide to arrange the support material at an appropriate position.

Thereafter, the elevating plate 26 of the modeling tank 16 is moved downward by the thickness of the arranged support material to spread the powder material, and after the powder material has been spread, a modeled object is formed by a known technique.

It should be noted that even when the operator selects the projection image of the object to be molded stored in the projection image storage unit 202a of the storage unit 202 by operating the operator, the superimposed image is also selected. In the same way as in the case above, the projection image stored in the projection image storage unit 202a is projected from the projector 100 onto the molding position on the elevating plate 26 of the molding tank 16 where the object is to be molded. Using the projection image projected on the lifting plate 26 of the tank 16 as a guide, the support material can be arranged at an appropriate position.

(VI) Effects of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the present invention

As described above, according to the 3D modeling apparatus 10, the operator can easily select a modeling position in the modeling tank 16 where the modeled object is modeled by using a simple method of projecting a projected image or a superimposed image using the projector 100. Also, the modeling position where the modeled object is to be modeled in the modeling tank 16 can be visually recognized.

Therefore, the operator can easily take out the modeled object from the modeling tank 16, and appropriately install the support material at the modeling position where the three-dimensional modeled object is planned to be modeled. be able to

(V) Description of other embodiments and modifications

The above-described embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in various other forms. That is, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, the above embodiment may be modified as shown in (V-1) to (V-9) below.

(V-1) In the above-described embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system was described, but this is only for convenience of explanation, and the installation mode of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 of course, does not limit the present invention in any way.

(V-2) In the above-described embodiment, a method of binding and curing the powder material with a curing liquid has been described as a method of three-dimensional modeling, but the method of curing the powder material is not limited to this. Of course. For example, the powder material may be sintered and cured by irradiating the powder material with laser light. Alternatively, a photocurable powder material may be used, and the powder material may be cured (bonded) by irradiating the powder material with ultraviolet rays.

(V-3) In the above-described embodiment, the operator operates the operator on the operation panel 300 to select either the projected image or the superimposed image as the image to be projected by the projector 100. Of course, it is not limited to this. For example, only one of the projected image and the superimposed image may be stored, and the stored image may be automatically projected.

(V-4) In the above-described embodiment, the supply tank 14, the modeling tank 16, and the discharge tank 18 are arranged side by side along the Y-axis direction in the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system, and supply is performed from the front side to the rear side. Although the bath 14, the modeling bath 16, and the discharge bath 18 are arranged in this order, it is of course not limited to this.

(V-5) In the above-described embodiment, the superimposed image is stored in the superimposed image storage unit 202b, but it is of course not limited to this. For example, the two-dimensional data of each layer generated based on the three-dimensional data of the modeled object is stored in the storage unit 202, and the two-dimensional data stored in the storage unit 202 at the timing when the superimposed image is projected by the projector 100. may be superimposed to generate a superimposed image, and the projector 100 may project the generated superimposed image.

(V-6) In the above-described embodiment, the projected image stored in the projected image storage unit 202a is read out, or the superimposed image stored in the superimposed image storage unit 202b is read out. Although the image is projected by the projector 100, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this. For example, without having a storage unit for storing projected images and superimposed images, the projected images and superimposed images are generated at the timing of projecting the images on the projector 100 , and the generated projected images and superimposed images are transmitted by the projector 100 . You may make it project.

(V-7) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 generates and stores a projection image or a superimposed image has been described, but it is of course not limited to this. For example, a projection image or a superimposed image may be generated by another device different from the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10, and the generated projected image or superimposed image may be stored in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10. . Alternatively, another device different from the 3D modeling apparatus 10 generates and stores projected images and superimposed images, and the 3D modeling apparatus 10 generates projected images and superimposed images generated by the other device. Alternatively, the 3D modeling apparatus 10 may read an image stored in another device.

(V-8) In the above-described embodiment, the projector 100 is arranged on the upper portion 22a of the carriage 22 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10, but the arrangement position of the projector 100 is not limited to this. Of course. The arrangement position of the projector 100 may be a position where an image can be projected onto the modeling tank 16 from above. Also, the projector 100 may be separate from the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 . For example, the projector 100 may be fixed to a tripod or the like installed near the 3D modeling apparatus 10 .

(V-9) It goes without saying that the above embodiment and various other embodiments and modifications shown in (V-1) to (V-8) above may be combined as appropriate. be.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is suitable for use in a three-dimensional modeling apparatus employing a powder adhesion lamination method that laminates hardened layers of a powder material to form a modeled object.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Three-dimensional modeling apparatus 12 Case 12a Upper surface 14 Supply tank 14a Opening 16 Modeling tank 16a Opening 18 Discharging tank 18a Opening 20 Elevating plate 22 Carriage 22a Upper part 24 Roller 26 Elevating plate 28 Guide member 30 Cartridge 32 Elevating plate 34 Powder material recovery unit 100 projector 102 head 104 head mount plate 106 cover 106a side surface 200 control device 202 image storage unit 202a projected image storage unit 202b superimposed image storage unit 204 projector control unit 300 operation panel 400 modeled object 402 projected image 500 modeled object 502 two-dimensional data (slice data)
504 superimposed image

Claims (9)

A three-dimensional modeling apparatus that forms a three-dimensional modeled object by stacking hardened layers of powder material in a modeling tank,
Equipped with a projector that projects an image composed of light that does not contribute to the formation of the cured layer,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the projector projects an image obtained by projecting the three-dimensional data of the modeled object in a stacking direction of the hardened layers onto the modeling tank from above the modeling tank. A three-dimensional modeling apparatus that forms a three-dimensional modeled object by stacking hardened layers of powder material in a modeling tank,
Equipped with a projector that projects an image composed of light that does not contribute to the formation of the cured layer,
The projector projects an image obtained by superimposing two-dimensional data of each hardening layer for forming hardening layers to be laminated based on the three-dimensional data of the modeled object onto the modeling tank from above the modeling tank. 3D modeling equipment. In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 2,
A three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the projector projects an image onto a modeling position where the modeled object is modeled in the modeling tank. In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 2,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the projector projects an image onto a modeling position where the modeled object is to be modeled in the modeling tank. In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4,
A carriage having a head that ejects a curing liquid that cures the powder material,
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the projector is mounted on the carriage. a modeling step of laminating hardened layers of a powder material in a modeling tank to form a three-dimensional modeled object;
a generating step of generating an image obtained by projecting the three-dimensional data of the modeled object in the stacking direction of the hardened layers;
and a projection step of projecting the image generated in the generating step onto the modeling tank from above the modeling tank using light that does not contribute to the formation of the hardening layer. Method. a modeling step of laminating hardened layers of a powder material in a modeling tank to form a three-dimensional modeled object;
a generation step of generating an image in which the two-dimensional data of each cured layer for forming the cured layer to be laminated based on the three-dimensional data of the modeled object is superimposed;
and a projection step of projecting the image generated in the generating step onto the modeling tank from above the modeling tank using light that does not contribute to the formation of the hardening layer. Method. In the method for displaying the modeling position of the modeled object according to any one of claims 6 and 7,
A method for displaying a modeling position of a modeled object, wherein the projecting step is executed after the modeling step. In the method for displaying the modeling position of the modeled object according to any one of claims 6 and 7,
A method for displaying a modeling position of a modeled object, wherein the projecting step is executed before the modeling step.

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