WO2016200015A1 - Three-dimensional printer and operation method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention provides a three-dimensional printer and an operation method therefor, the three-dimensional printer comprising: a light emission module which emits light; a container part which is provided on the upper part of the light emission module and accommodates a photocurable liquid resin; a molding base which, in order to enable the photocurable liquid resin accommodated in the container part to be consecutively cured, moves the photocurable liquid resin that is cured to an upper part; and a transfer part which controls the movement of the light emission module on a two-dimensional plane in the length direction and width direction.

Description

3D printer and its operation method

The present invention relates to a three-dimensional printer and a method of operation thereof, and more particularly, to a three-dimensional printer and a method of operating the three-dimensional three-dimensional object made possible with a large-area slice cross-sectional layer.

In general, a three-dimensional printer refers to a device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object in a lamination method similar to that used in a conventional inkjet printer, not milling or cutting. Because these three-dimensional printers are computer controlled, they can be produced in a variety of forms and are easier to use than other manufacturing technologies. Such a three-dimensional printing technology is called the third industrial revolution, and has brought a great change in manufacturing technology throughout the industry.

Three-dimensional printing technology can be classified into six types of photocuring lamination, laser sintering lamination, resin extrusion lamination, inkjet lamination, polyjet lamination and thin film lamination.

Photocuring lamination method is to cure the photocuring resin (Photo Curing resin) with a laser beam or strong ultraviolet (UV, Ultraviolet Ray) to produce a three-dimensional object, such a photocuring lamination method SLA (Stereo Lithography Apparatus, (Digital Light Processing).

The laser sintering lamination method is a method of producing a three-dimensional object by sintering a powder material from a laser beam at high pressure and high temperature. Such a laser sintering lamination method includes SLS (Selective Laser Sintering).

The resin extrusion lamination method is a method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object by extruding a wire-shaped material to the injection head, this resin extrusion lamination method is FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling).

The inkjet lamination method is a method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object by spraying a binder in a liquid state onto a material from a printer head nozzle, and such inkjet lamination method includes CJP (Color Jetting Printing).

The polyjet lamination method is a mixture of photocuring and inkjet method to produce a three-dimensional object by spraying the material from the print head and curing with ultraviolet rays. The polyjet lamination method includes MJP (Multi Jet Printing) and Polyjet. have.

The thin film lamination method is a method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object by cutting a thin plate-like material with a precision cutter, and then heat-bonded, such a thin film lamination method is LOM (Laminated Object Manufacturing), PLT (Paper Lamination Technology).

Looking specifically at the DLP method of the photocuring lamination method among the various three-dimensional printing techniques, the DLP method is a mask projection image curing method, and the three-dimensional object of the shape to be produced by selectively projecting and curing light on the photocurable resin To manufacture.

In general, the DLP method lowers the mold and produces the product in a downward direction unlike the mold.

In the DLP method, a three-dimensional object is manufactured by projecting light from a commonly known beam projector onto a photocurable liquid resin.

However, when a three-dimensional solid object is manufactured from a beam projector having a certain number of pixels for a slice cross-sectional layer having a larger size than that of the corresponding pixel number, there is a problem in that the precision of the produced stereoscopic object is deteriorated.

Therefore, a beam projector having a high pixel count may be used in consideration of the size of the manufactured three-dimensional solid object, but in this case, the price of the three-dimensional printer is expensive.

On the other hand, Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1430582 (prior document 1) discloses a three-dimensional printer device configured to improve the stability in the production of three-dimensional object by configuring the extruder of the three-dimensional printer with a multi-feeder and a rotary multi-nozzle However, such a three-dimensional printer apparatus does not disclose a method for effectively producing a three-dimensional solid object for a large-area slice cross-sectional layer.

As such, various research and developments are required for a three-dimensional printing technology capable of precisely manufacturing a three-dimensional solid object for a large-area slice cross-sectional layer without providing a high pixel beam projector.

(Patent Document 1) Prior Document 1: Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1430582 (2014.08.08)

The technical problem of the present invention for solving the above problems is to provide a three-dimensional printer and a method of operating the three-dimensional three-dimensional object having a large cross-sectional slice layer.

In order to achieve the above technical problem, an embodiment of the present invention includes a light irradiation module for irradiating light; A container unit provided on the light irradiation module and accommodating the photocurable liquid resin; A mold for moving the photocurable liquid resin cured to sequentially cure the photocurable liquid resin contained in the container portion; It provides a three-dimensional printer comprising a; and the transfer unit for controlling the two-dimensional planar movement of the light irradiation module in the longitudinal and width directions.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the light irradiation module, the light source; A light control unit controlling an irradiation area of light transmitted from the light source; And a housing accommodating the light source and the light control unit therein.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the transfer unit, X-axis transfer unit to form a pair in a state spaced apart from each other, to move the light irradiation module in the longitudinal direction; And a Y-axis feeder which is seated and supported by the X-axis feeder and moves the light irradiation module in a widthwise movement.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the X-axis transfer unit, the first guide bar for guiding the light irradiation module in the longitudinal direction; A first motor coupled to one end of the first guide bar to rotate the first guide bar; A first plate coupled to the first guide bar and moved according to the rotation of the first motor; A first fixing part coupled to the other end of the first guide bar; And a support part supporting the first motor and the first fixing part.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the Y-axis transfer unit, the second guide bar for guiding the light irradiation module in the width direction; A second motor coupled to one end of the second guide bar to rotate the second guide bar; A second plate coupled to the second guide bar and moved according to the rotation of the second motor; And a second fixing part coupled to the other end of the second guide bar, wherein the light irradiation module is seated and fixed to the second plate, and the second motor and the second fixing part are seated on the first plate. Can be fixed.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the light control unit, the reflection unit for changing the path of the light transmitted to the light source; And a lens for adjusting an irradiation area of light transmitted from the reflector.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the reflector may be made of a digital micromirror device (DMD).

In one embodiment of the present invention, if the slice cross-sectional layer of the three-dimensional object to be manufactured is a large area, the transfer unit may move the light irradiation module for each section of the slice cross-sectional layer.

One embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of a) irradiating light with a photocurable liquid resin; And b) sequential curing is performed by the light irradiated with the photocurable liquid resin, and moving the cured photocurable liquid resin to an upper portion. When the three-dimensional object manufactured is a large area, the light irradiation The module provides a method of operating a three-dimensional printer, which is moved by the partitions of the slice cross-sectional layer to cure the photocurable liquid resin.

Referring to the effects of the three-dimensional printer and its operation method according to the present invention described above are as follows.

According to the present invention, as the light irradiation module is made to be selectively moved in the longitudinal direction and the width direction by the transfer unit, the area capable of curing the photocurable liquid resin from the light irradiation module can be widened. That is, the light irradiation module configured to be movable on a plane may produce a three-dimensional object having a larger shape than a conventional fixed type light irradiation module.

In other words, when the slice cross-sectional layer of the three-dimensional object manufactured by curing has a large area, the three-dimensional printer partitions the slice cross-sectional layer of the large area, and then moves the light irradiation module for each divided section, thereby making the large-dimensional three-dimensional solid object Can be manufactured precisely.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described effects, but should be understood to include all the effects deduced from the configuration of the invention described in the detailed description or claims of the present invention.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a three-dimensional printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a schematic perspective view showing a transfer unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is an exemplary view of a light irradiation module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is an operational state diagram showing a process of moving the light irradiation module for a large cross-sectional slice layer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in order to clearly describe the present invention, and like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when a part is "connected" to another part, it includes not only "directly connected" but also "indirectly connected" with another member in between. . In addition, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, this means that it may further include other components, without excluding the other components unless otherwise stated.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a three-dimensional printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a transfer unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is an embodiment of the present invention 4 is an exemplary view illustrating a light irradiation module, and FIG. 4 is an operation state diagram illustrating a process of moving a light irradiation module to a slice cross-sectional layer of a large area according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the 3D printer 1000 may include a light irradiation module 100, a container part 200, a molding stand 300, and a transfer part 400.

The light irradiation module 100 is configured to irradiate light with the photocurable liquid resin 1 contained in the container portion 200, and the light irradiation module 100 corresponds to slice data divided into cross-sectional layers of a three-dimensional solid object. The three-dimensional solid object is manufactured by irradiating light to a region to cure and curing the photocurable liquid resin 1.

At this time, it is preferable that the thickness of the cross-sectional layer of the three-dimensional solid material in which the photocurable liquid resin 1 is cured is usually made of a thickness of 50 μm, but may be variously manufactured in a thickness other than 50 μm.

The light irradiation module 100 may include a light source 110, a light control unit 120, and a housing 130.

The light source 110 is a structure which provides light to the photocurable liquid resin 1 in which hardening is performed.

Here, the photocurable liquid resin 1 is cured when exposed to light for a predetermined time or more, and the photocurable liquid resin 1 accommodated in the container part 200 is sequentially formed by the light provided from the light source 110. Hardening can be made and can be produced in three-dimensional solids.

As the light source 110, visible light, ultraviolet (UV), and electron beam (EB) may be used.

In this case, the light source 110 uses visible light when the photocurable liquid resin 1 is cured in the visible light region, and uses ultraviolet light when curing is performed in the ultraviolet light region. It can be selectively used according to the chemical liquid resin (1). On the contrary, of course, the photocurable liquid resin 1 may be selectively used in accordance with the light source 110.

On the other hand, the light control unit 120 is made to irradiate the light provided from the light source 110 to the container 200. The light adjuster 120 may include a reflector 121 and a lens 122.

The reflector 121 is configured to change the path of the light provided from the light source 110.

As such, the reflector 121 may be formed of a digital micromirror device (DMD) chipset. That is, the reflector 121 may be a reflective indicator in which a very small mirror is placed on the semiconductor.

The reflector 121 having the DMD chipset may rotate independently of each mirror to vary the path of the light provided from the light source 110. That is, the reflector 121 may vary the path of the light provided to the light source 110 through the blinking or selective control of each pixel.

Here, the reflector 121 is not necessarily limited to the DMD chipset, and may be various configurations capable of changing the path of the light provided from the light source 110.

The lens 122 is configured to adjust the irradiation area of the light transmitted from the reflector 121.

The lens 122 refracts the light transmitted from the reflector 121 to adjust the irradiation area of the light. In this case, the lens 122 and the reflector 121 may selectively adjust the irradiation area of the light through the mutual distance control.

Here, when the lens 122 and the reflector 121 adjust the irradiation area of the light through the mutual distance control, the lens 122 and the reflector 121 may be adjusted by the individual movement, the lens 122 Alternatively, only one configuration of the reflector 121 may be selectively moved, and the distance between the lens 122 and the reflector 121 may be adjusted.

The housing 130 forms an external shape of the light irradiation module 100, and accommodates the light source 110 and the light control unit 120 therein. The housing 130 is made to protect the light source 110 and the light control unit 120 from the outside.

On the other hand, the mold 300 may include a molding plate 310 and the Z-axis transfer unit (320).

The mold 300 is a container that is not cured by the uncured photocurable liquid resin (1) by sequentially moving the molding plate 310 in the upper side, that is, the height direction using the Z-axis transfer unit 320 The lowermost part of the part 200 is moved to be positioned.

Therefore, the photocurable liquid resin 1 is sequentially cured for each slice cross-sectional layer in the molding plate 310, and a three-dimensional solid object can be produced.

At this time, the light irradiation module 100 is made to be able to move in the two-dimensional plane in the longitudinal direction and the width direction is possible to manufacture a three-dimensional solid object even if the slice cross-sectional layer of the three-dimensional object.

For example, when manufacturing a three-dimensional solid object by expanding only the irradiation area of light in a state where the conventional light irradiation module 100 having the DMD chipset having a predetermined number of pixels is fixed, there is a problem that the precision of the three-dimensional object to be manufactured is deteriorated. In this case, by moving the light irradiation module 100 in the longitudinal direction and the width direction, the high-resolution light is irradiated to the photocurable liquid resin 1 so that a highly accurate three-dimensional solid object can be produced when the slice cross-sectional layer has a large area. .

2 is an embodiment of a transfer unit 400 applying a ball screw method, referring to FIG. 2, the transfer unit 400 may include an X-axis transfer unit 410 and a Y-axis transfer unit 420. have.

Here, the X-axis transfer unit 410 is a configuration for selectively moving the light irradiation module 100 in the longitudinal direction, the Y-axis transfer unit 420 is a configuration for selectively moving the light irradiation module 100 in the width direction. .

The X-axis transfer part 410 may include a first guide bar 411, a first motor 412, a first plate 413, a first fixing part 414, and a support part 415.

The first guide bar 411 is configured to guide the light irradiation module 100 in the longitudinal direction. That is, the light irradiation module 100 may be selectively moved in the longitudinal direction along the first guide bar 411.

The first guide bar 411 is formed with a threaded ball insertion groove guides the ball. That is, the first plate 413 is coupled in a state in which the first guide bar 411 and the plurality of balls are in contact with each other, so that the first plate 413 is connected to the first guide bar in accordance with the rotation of the first guide bar 411. 411 may be selectively moved along the length direction.

Here, the pair of first plates 413 are configured to support and fix the second motor 422 and the second fixing part 424, respectively.

The first motor 412 is coupled to one end of the first guide bar 411 and selectively rotates the first guide bar 411. For example, when the first motor 412 rotates in the forward direction, the light irradiation module 100 is moved to the first motor 412 side. On the contrary, when the first motor 412 rotates in the reverse direction, the first motor 412 rotates in the reverse direction. 1 The light irradiation module 100 may be moved to the fixing part 414 side.

As such, the light irradiation module 100 may be selectively moved along the first guide bar 411 according to the rotation direction of the first motor 412.

The first fixing part 414 is provided at the other end of the first guide bar 411 and is configured to stably support the first guide bar 411. The first fixing part 414 may be a bearing.

The support 415 is configured to support the first motor 412 and the first fixing part 414. For example, the support part 415 may be fixedly installed on an inner surface of a casing (not shown) forming an external shape of the 3D printer 1000.

As such, the X-axis transfer unit 410 forms a pair in a spaced state, and is made to support the Y-axis transfer unit 420.

The Y-axis feeder 420 may include a second guide bar 421, a second motor 422, a second plate 423, and a second fixing part 424.

The second guide bar 421 is configured to guide the light irradiation module 100 in the width direction. That is, the light irradiation module 100 may be selectively moved in the width direction along the second guide bar 421.

The second guide bar 421 is formed with a threaded ball insertion groove is guided ball. That is, the second plate 423 is coupled in a state in which the second guide bar 421 and the plurality of balls are in contact with each other, so that the second plate 423 may be the second guide bar according to the rotation of the second guide bar 421. It may be selectively moved along the width direction of the 421.

The light irradiation module 100 is fixed to the second plate 423 to be seated and fixed.

The second motor 422 is coupled to one end of the second guide bar 421 and selectively rotates the second guide bar 421. For example, when the second motor 422 is rotated in the forward direction, the light irradiation module 100 is moved to the second motor 422 side. On the contrary, when the second motor 422 is rotated in the reverse direction, the second motor 422 is rotated in the reverse direction. The light irradiation module 100 may be moved to the 2 fixing part 424 side.

As such, the light irradiation module 100 may be selectively moved along the second guide bar 421 according to the rotation direction of the second motor 422.

The second fixing part 424 is provided at the other end of the second guide bar 421 and is configured to stably support the second guide bar 421. This second fixing part 424 may be a bearing.

Here, the second motor 422 and the second fixing part 424 may be seated and fixed to each of the first plates 413. Therefore, the transfer unit 400 may selectively move the light irradiation module 100 in the longitudinal direction and the width direction on a two-dimensional plane. Accordingly, even when the slice cross-sectional layer irradiated from the light irradiation module 100 has a large area, the transfer part 400 may manufacture the three-dimensional solid object with high precision by selectively moving the light irradiation module 100 on a plane. .

Referring to FIG. 4, the transfer unit 400 is configured to move the light irradiation module 100 for each partition of the slice cross-sectional layer when the slice cross-sectional layer of the three-dimensional solid object to be manufactured has a large area. That is, the light irradiation module 100 moved by the transfer unit 400 for each division of the slice cross-sectional layer irradiates light with the photocurable liquid resin 1 to proceed to cure the photocurable liquid resin 1 for each division. Let's go.

4 (a) shows the light irradiation module 100 in a zigzag as the transfer unit 400 is moved from the first compartment 510 to the fourth compartment 540 with respect to the slice section layer divided into four. 4B illustrates a case in which the transfer part 400 is moved counterclockwise with respect to the slice cross-sectional layer divided into four parts.

As such, the transfer unit 400 may move the light irradiation module 100 for each partition of the slice cross-sectional layer and harden the slice cross-sectional layer of a large area.

Based on the drawing shown in FIG. 4A, after the light irradiation module 100 irradiates light to the first compartment 510, curing is in progress in the process of irradiating the second compartment 520. The right boundary of the first compartment 510 and the left boundary of the second compartment 520 are firmly bonded.

Next, the lower boundary surface of the first compartment 510 and the upper boundary surface of the third compartment 530 that are not cured in the process of irradiating light to the third compartment 530 by the light irradiation module 100. Silver bonding can be achieved.

Next, in the process of irradiating light to the fourth compartment 540 by the light irradiation module 100, the upper boundary surface and the left boundary surface of the fourth compartment 540 are not cured, and the second compartment 520 is not finished. The lower boundary surface and the right boundary surface of the third compartment 530 may be firmly coupled.

As described above, when the large-area slice cross-sectional layer is partitioned into four compartments to cure the photocurable liquid resin 1, the light irradiation module 100 is moved in a zigzag to cure the photocurable liquid resin 1. It is preferable. That is, the coupling between the boundary surfaces of the fourth compartment 540 from the first compartment 510 where curing is performed may be securely performed.

Here, the movement path of the light irradiation module 100 does not necessarily move only in a zigzag form, but may have various movement paths.

In addition, the number of partitions partitioned with respect to the large-area slice cross-sectional layer is not necessarily limited to four, but may be variously set according to the size of the large area and the resolution of the light irradiation module 100.

Looking at the operation of the three-dimensional printer 1000, first, the light irradiation module 100 is irradiated with light to the photocurable liquid resin (1). In this case, the light irradiation module 100 selectively irradiates light to the photocurable liquid resin 1 by selectively adjusting the irradiation area and the path of the light.

The light irradiation module 100 irradiates light to a region corresponding to slice data divided into a cross-sectional layer of a three-dimensional solid object to cure the photocurable liquid resin 1 to produce a three-dimensional solid object.

At this time, when the slice cross-sectional layer is a large area, the light irradiation module 100 is moved by partitions to cure the slice cross-sectional layer of a large area.

Next, the mold 300 moves the photocurable liquid resin 1 sequentially cured from the light irradiation module 100 to the upper part to manufacture a three-dimensional solid object.

However, this is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the scope of these embodiments.

The foregoing description of the present invention is intended for illustration, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be easily modified in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. will be. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single type may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as distributed may be implemented in a combined form.

The scope of the present invention is represented by the following claims, and it should be construed that all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents are included in the scope of the present invention.

Explanation of the sign

1: photocurable liquid resin 100: light irradiation module

110: light source 120: light control unit

121: reflector 122: lens

130: housing 200: container part

300: molding table 310: molding plate

320: Z axis transfer unit 400: transfer unit

410: X axis transfer unit 411: first guide bar

412: first motor 413: first plate

414: first fixing portion 415: support portion

420: Y-axis feed section 421: second guide bar

422: second motor 423: second plate

424: second fixing part 510: first compartment

520: second compartment 530: third compartment

540: fourth compartment 1000: three-dimensional printer

Claims (9)

A light irradiation module for irradiating light; A container unit provided on the light irradiation module and accommodating the photocurable liquid resin; A mold for moving the photocurable liquid resin cured to sequentially cure the photocurable liquid resin contained in the container portion; And And a transfer unit which controls the light irradiation module to move in two planes in a length direction and a width direction. The method of claim 1, The light irradiation module, Light source; A light control unit controlling an irradiation area of light transmitted from the light source; And And a housing accommodating the light source and the light control unit therein. The method of claim 1, The transfer unit, An X-axis transfer unit forming a pair in a state spaced apart from each other and moving the light irradiation module in a longitudinal direction; And And a Y-axis feeder which is seated and supported by the X-axis feeder and moves the light irradiation module to move in the width direction. The method of claim 3, The X-axis transfer unit, A first guide bar guiding the light irradiation module in a longitudinal direction; A first motor coupled to one end of the first guide bar to rotate the first guide bar; A first plate coupled to the first guide bar and moved according to the rotation of the first motor; A first fixing part coupled to the other end of the first guide bar; And And a support for supporting the first motor and the first fixing part. The method of claim 4, wherein The Y-axis transfer unit, A second guide bar guiding the light irradiation module in a width direction; A second motor coupled to one end of the second guide bar to rotate the second guide bar; A second plate coupled to the second guide bar and moved according to the rotation of the second motor; And And a second fixing part coupled to the other end of the second guide bar. The light irradiation module is seated and fixed to the second plate, and the second motor and the second fixing part is three-dimensional printer, characterized in that seated and fixed to the first plate. The method of claim 2, The light control unit, A reflector for changing a path of light transmitted to the light source; And 3D printer comprising a; lens for adjusting the irradiation area of the light transmitted from the reflecting portion. The method of claim 6, The reflector is a three-dimensional printer, characterized in that a digital micromirror device (DMD). The method of claim 1, And the transfer unit moves the light irradiation module for each partition portion of the slice cross-sectional layer when the slice cross-sectional layer of the three-dimensional object to be manufactured has a large area. a) irradiating light with the photocurable liquid resin; And b) sequential curing is performed by the light irradiated with the photocurable liquid resin, and moving the cured photocurable liquid resin to the top; When the three-dimensional object to be manufactured is a large area, the light irradiation module is moved by each section of the slice cross-sectional layer and operating method of the three-dimensional printer, characterized in that to cure the photocurable liquid resin.

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