WO2017119692A1 - 3d printer and optical output device thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a three-dimensional printer and an optical output device thereof. The present invention comprises: a light source for emitting output light for forming a three-dimensional stereoscopic printout; a storage tank for storing a printout material for forming the three-dimensional stereoscopic printout by the output light emitted from the light source; a galvanometer, positioned between the light source and the storage tank, for adjusting a light path of the output light emitted from the light source; and a focusing correction means, positioned on a light path of the output light between the galvanometer and the storage tank, for correcting the focus of the output light via the galvanometer.

Description

3D printer and its light output device

The present invention relates to a three-dimensional printer, and more particularly to a three-dimensional printer and an optical output device thereof that can correct the focus of the light irradiated to the output plate side of the three-dimensional printer.

Relatively recently, the use of 3D printer technology capable of molding and reproducing an object as it is using the 3D data of the object has been developed and its use is increasing day by day.

These 3D printers are classified into four types according to printing methods: FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling), DLP (Digital Light Processing), SLA (StereoLithography Apparatus), and SLS (Selective Laser Sintering). Various materials such as ceramics, plastics, metals and resins are used as the materials used.

The FDM method is a method of forming an object into a two-dimensional planar shape and laminating it in three dimensions to form a wire filament made of thermoplastic resin, and melting the laminated filament through a nozzle to form an object. It is a technical method of molding in three dimensions, and in this regard, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0134186 has been proposed.

The SLS method uses functional polymers or metal powders, and is a technology method that scans and solidifies by scanning a laser beam, and the SLA method uses technology that injects light onto a photocurable resin and hardens the scanned portion. In the DLP method, the photocurable resin is cured in response to light, like the SLA method, and is a technical method of forming a beam by irradiating a beam projection onto the photocurable resin.

As for the DLP method, a technology such as Korean Patent No. 10-533374 has been developed and introduced.

Meanwhile, in 3D printing using light such as a DLP method or an SLA method, it is important to accurately irradiate light to a point to be irradiated. This is because the more precisely the light is irradiated to the point to be irradiated, the more precise three-dimensional molded product can be output. When the precision of light irradiation falls, since a molded article is roughly molded, the precision will fall, so the precision of light irradiation is important.

However, in the process of adjusting the light irradiation path by a galvanometer or reflector to irradiate the light only at a necessary position (for example, an error such as distorting a circular spot of light irradiated to the output plate) Since it is easy to occur, there is a need for a technology capable of correcting this problem.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, a three-dimensional printer that can correct the errors that can be generated while the light emitted from the light source side is irradiated to the output plate side through the galvanometer or reflector and It is to provide an optical output device thereof.

A three-dimensional printer optical output device according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a light source for emitting output light for forming a three-dimensional stereoscopic output; A storage tank for storing an output material for forming the three-dimensional stereoscopic output by the output light emitted from the light source side; A galvanometer positioned between the light source and the reservoir and configured to adjust a light path of the output light emitted from the light source side; And a focusing correction means positioned on an optical path of the output light between the galvanometer and the reservoir and correcting a focus of the output light passing through the galvanometer. .

The reflector may further include a reflector configured to change a traveling direction of the output light emitted from the light source side, wherein the reflector is located at the front side or the rear side of the focusing correction means on the optical path of the output light. You may.

Here, the light source may be another feature that is a laser (laser) or ultraviolet light.

Here, the focusing correction means may be another feature of an F-theta lens or a telecentric F-theta lens.

Furthermore, the F-theta lens or the telecentric F-theta lens may be further characterized by being capable of adjusting the height or angle of the lens center.

A three-dimensional printer according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a light source for emitting output light for forming a three-dimensional stereoscopic output; A storage tank for storing an output material for forming the three-dimensional stereoscopic output by the output light emitted from the light source side; A galvanometer positioned between the light source and the reservoir and adjusting an optical path of the output light emitted from the light source side; Focusing correction means located on an optical path of the output light between the galvanometer and the reservoir and correcting a focus of the output light passing through the galvanometer; And tilting means coupled to the reservoir and tilting the reservoir.

The reflector may further include a reflector configured to change a traveling direction of the output light emitted from the light source side, wherein the reflector is located at the front side or the rear side of the focusing correction means on the optical path of the output light. You may.

Here, the light source may be another feature that is a laser (laser) or ultraviolet light.

Here, the focusing correction means may be another feature of an F-theta lens or a telecentric F-theta lens.

Here, the F-theta lens or the telecentric F-theta lens may be further characterized by being capable of adjusting the height or the angle of the lens center.

Here, the output plate which is located above or inside the reservoir, and supports the output formed by being cured by the output light; may further comprise a further feature.

Here, the tilting means may be further characterized by tilting the reservoir such that one side and the other side of the reservoir are tilted in the same direction.

Further, the tilting means, the tilting support portion that is coupled to the holding tank and includes a tilting rotation axis of the hinge coupling that is the center of the reservoir is tilted; And a tilting driving part which is hinged to the tilting support part and drives the other side of the reservoir up or down to tilt the reservoir, thereby allowing the reservoir to be tilted.

The three-dimensional printer and its light output device according to the present invention can correct an error that may be caused by adjusting the irradiation path of light emitted from the light source side, thereby improving the precision of the light irradiated to the output plate side. Therefore, the reproduction accuracy of the output molding is improved, and there is an effect of outputting a high quality molding.

In addition, by forming a layer and tilting the reservoir, the pressure can be effectively dispersed by the viscosity and density of the output plate and the cured resin, thereby maintaining parallelism between the water tank and the output plate after tilting. Therefore, it is possible to suppress or correct the occurrence of errors or errors, such as tilting, which may occur due to non-uniform thickness of each layer of the output, thereby improving the reproducibility of the three-dimensional molded product.

1 is a partial perspective view schematically showing a part of a three-dimensional printer optical output device and a three-dimensional printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 and 3 are side cross-sectional views schematically illustrating a light correction in a three-dimensional printer optical output device and a three-dimensional printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 and 5 are side cross-sectional views schematically illustrating the tilting of the reservoir in the three-dimensional printer optical output device and the three-dimensional printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings to be described in more detail with respect to the present invention will be described.

1 is a partial perspective view schematically showing a part of a three-dimensional printer optical output device and a three-dimensional printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figures 2 and 3 are a three-dimensional printer optical output device according to an embodiment of the present invention and 4 and 5 are schematic cross-sectional views for explaining optical correction in a three-dimensional printer, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic views for explaining tilting of a storage tank in a three-dimensional printer optical output device and a three-dimensional printer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Side section view,

First, referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a three-dimensional printer optical output device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a light source, a reservoir, a galvanometer, and focusing correction means, and more preferably further includes a reflector. It can also be done.

The light source 100 emits output light L for forming a three-dimensional stereoscopic output (not shown). The light source 100 emits output light L that is capable of photocuring the liquid photocurable resin M, which is the output material M to be stored in the storage tank 200 to be described later as light having high straightness. It is preferable.

The light source 100 is preferably a light source that emits ultraviolet (UV) light or a laser.

The storage tank 200 is provided to store the output material M to form a three-dimensional stereoscopic output by the output light L irradiated and emitted from the light source 100 side.

The reservoir 200 is preferably made of a material having a light transmissive bottom surface. The photocured resin cured by the output light L irradiated through the bottom of the storage tank 200 is combined with the output plate 170 to form a three-dimensional stereoscopic output.

The galvanometer 110 is also called a galvanometer mirror, which will be briefly referred to as a galvanometer 110. The galvanometer 100 is located between the light source 100 and the reservoir 200. Then, the light path of the output light L emitted from the light source 100 side is adjusted.

Galvanometer 110 may be provided with a plurality, if necessary. In the drawings, two galvanometers 110 are provided as an example. It is also possible to form more than one or provided with one galvanometer 110 depending on the design.

The position at which the output light L is irradiated in the storage tank is adjusted using the galvanometer 110, and thus the output light L is irradiated only at the position at which the output light L is irradiated.

When the output light L is irradiated through the galvanobitter 110 toward the output plate 170, the edge of the spot of the output light L is out of focus such as distortion or dispersion that is distorted as the angle is inclined. This can cause problems. It is preferable to provide the focusing correction means 130 so that such a problem does not occur.

The focusing correction means 130 is located on the optical path of the output light L between the galvanometer 110 and the reservoir 200. Then, the focus of the output light L coming through the galvanometer 110 is corrected.

The focusing correction means 130 is preferably an F-theta lens or a telecentric F-theta lens.

Telecentric F-theta lenses are desirable because they make light such as lasers or ultraviolet light into telecentric illumination, allowing the chief rays of light to always meet perpendicular to the output plane, regardless of the angle of irradiation.

In addition, it is preferable that the output light L can be adjusted so that an incident angle incident on the F-theta lens or the telecentric F-theta lens that is the focusing correction means 130 can be vertical.

Alternatively, it is also preferable that the optical path of the output light L can be adjusted to pass through the center of the F-theta lens or the telecentric F-theta lens that is the focusing correction means 130. The center region of the surface of the lens may be a flat flat form, in which case it is preferable that the flat flat surface can be adjusted to allow the output light L to pass therethrough.

In the F-theta lens or the telecentric F-theta lens, which is the focusing correction means 130, it is preferable that the height of the lens center can be adjusted, and it is also preferable that the angle can be adjusted.

2 schematically shows a state in which the output light L is irradiated to a point on the output plate 170 (that is, a point on the lower side of the output plate), and forms a spot of the output light L. FIG. (F) is shown. As such, it is important to accurately investigate the circular spot shape (F).

However, focusing correction such as an F-theta lens or a telecentric F-theta lens in the process of adjusting the position to which the output light L is to be irradiated, as referred from the lower side of the output plate 170 shown on the right side of FIG. 3. If there is no means 130, the spot shape (F) of the output light (L) irradiated to the edge side of the output plate 170 may be distorted in the form of an ellipse rather than circular.

In order to prevent this, the F-theta lens or the telecentric F-theta lens, which is the focusing correction means 130, is positioned on the optical path of the output light L, thereby lowering the output plate 170 shown on the right side of FIG. 3. As referred from the side, the spot shape (F) of the laser irradiated on the lower side of the output plate 170 is corrected in a circle to be able to cure the photocurable resin (M) accurately and precisely.

The reflector 150 changes the traveling direction of the output light L emitted from the light source 100 side. For example, when the light source 100 and the galvanometer 110 are provided below the reservoir 170 as shown in the drawing, the reflector 150 outputs the output light L to the bottom surface of the reservoir 200. Through the reflection to the output plate 170 side. Here, the bottom surface of the reservoir 200 is preferably light transmissive.

The reflector 150 is preferably located at the front side or the rear side of the focusing correction means 130 on the optical path of the output light (L). In the drawing, for example, the reflector 150 is disposed on the rear side of the F-theta lens or the telecentric F-theta lens that is the focusing correction means 130.

Next, a three-dimensional printer including a three-dimensional printer optical output device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

The three-dimensional printer according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a light source, a reservoir, a galvanometer, a focusing correction means, and a tilting means, and more preferably, may further include a reflecting mirror, and further includes an output plate. It can also be done.

Here, the light source 100, the reservoir 200, the galvanometer 110, the focusing correction means 130, and the reflector 150 are substantially the same as described above, and thus description thereof will be omitted and the output plate 170 may be omitted. And the tilting means will be described.

The output plate 170 is located above or inside the reservoir 200. At least a portion of the liquid photocurable resin, which is the output material M stored in the storage tank 200, is disposed to be locked. The output plate 170 supports an output (not shown) formed by photocuring by the output light L emitted from the light source 100.

When the output plate 170 is photocured and a layer is formed, the output plate 170 is gradually moved upwards little by little, and gradually moved upward until molding of the output is completed.

The tilting means is coupled to and supported by the reservoir 200, and tilts the reservoir 200.

Such a tilting means may tilt the reservoir 200 such that one side and the other side of the reservoir 200 are tilted in the same direction.

Such tilting means preferably comprises a tilting support and a tilting drive.

The tilting support part is coupled to the reservoir 200, and includes a tilting rotation shaft of the hinge coupling 400 in which the reservoir 200 is tilted. Such a tilting support part includes a tilting frame 230 coupled to the lower side of the reservoir 200 to support the reservoir 200.

One side of the tilting frame 230 is the frame upper plate 250 and the hinge coupling 400 as shown in the drawing. Here, the frame upper plate 250 is a case panel that separates the upper and lower spaces around the storage tank 200 and is fixedly coupled to the housing case (not shown) of the 3D printer. Therefore, the frame upper plate 250 is fixed to the base so that the reservoir 200 can be tilted.

In other words, the frame upper plate 250 is horizontally fixed about the hinged coupling 400 of the tilting rotation axis, and the hinge coupling 400 is pivoted so that the tilting frame 230 can be rotated within a predetermined angle range.

To this end, it is preferable that a hinge hole is provided in the frame upper plate 250 so that the tilting rotation shaft and the hinge coupling 400 can be provided as shown in the drawing.

The tilting driving part is hinged to the tilting support part so that the reservoir 200 can be tilted. More specifically, it is hinged to the tilting frame 230 of the tilting support. Then, the other side of the reservoir 200 is raised or lowered so that the reservoir 200 is tilted or leveled.

The tilting driving part may include a tilting motor 350, a bolt-type screw 330, and a nut-type shaft 310.

The tilting motor 350 is a motor driven to tint the reservoir 200. The tilting motor 350 is preferably a step motor. The step motor 350 functions as a synchronous motor when pulses are applied continuously and rapidly to enable precise control and to finely control the tilting angle of the tilting driver. It is preferable that the reservoir 200 is tilted or leveled by the rotation of the tilting motor 350.

The bolt screw 330 is rotated by the tilting motor 350. The bolt-shaped screw 330 is formed on the outer surface of the bolt, it is preferable that the cross-sectional shape is formed of a trapezoidal bolt. A bolt is also called a thread here, and it means the part which protruded in the cross section of the shape of the corrugated screw of a bolt. In the present specification, it is referred to as bolt acid.

When the cross-sectional view of the bolt mount of the bolt-shaped screw 330 is formed in a trapezoidal shape, since contact wear with the nut-shaped shaft 310 is reduced, durability and precision may be improved.

Bolt-type screw 330 is coupled to rotate in engagement with the lower side of the nut-shaped shaft 310 as shown in the figure. Therefore, the nut-shaped shaft 310 is raised or lowered by the rotation of the bolt-type screw 330.

The upper end of the nut-shaped shaft 310 is hinged to the tilting frame 230 as shown. Therefore, as the nut-shaped shaft 310 rises, the tilting frame 230 becomes horizontal, and the tilting frame 230 is tilted as the nut-shaped shaft 310 descends.

In addition, since the reservoir 200 is coupled to the tilting frame 230, the storage tank 200 becomes horizontal or tilted together with the tilting frame 230.

As such, the reservoir can be tilted by the tilting means including the tilting support part and the tilting driving part, and releasability between the output (not shown) and the reservoir 200 is improved.

As described above, the three-dimensional printer and its optical output device according to the present invention can correct an error that may be caused by adjusting the traveling path of the output light emitted from the light source side, thereby improving the accuracy of the light irradiated to the output plate side. . Therefore, the reproduction accuracy of the output molding is improved, and there is an advantage of outputting a high quality molding.

In addition, by molding one layer, by tilting the reservoir, the pressure and viscosity of the output plate and the cured resin can be effectively dispersed to maintain parallelism between the water tank and the output plate after tilting. Therefore, the thickness of each layer of the printed material may not be uniform, thereby preventing or correcting the occurrence of errors or errors, such as a tilt, which may be improved, thereby improving the reproducibility of the three-dimensional molded product.

As described above, the detailed description of the present invention has been made by the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, but since the above-described embodiments have only been described with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the present invention has been described above. It should not be understood to be limited only to the embodiments, and the scope of the present invention should be understood by the claims and equivalent concepts described below.

Claims (13)

A light source for emitting output light for forming a three-dimensional stereoscopic output; A storage tank for storing an output material for forming the three-dimensional stereoscopic output by the output light emitted from the light source side; A galvanometer positioned between the light source and the reservoir and configured to adjust a light path of the output light emitted from the light source side; And And focusing correction means, positioned on the optical path of the output light between the galvanometer and the reservoir, to correct the focus of the output light passing through the galvanometer. Device. The method of claim 1, And a reflector for changing a traveling direction of the output light emitted from the light source side. The reflector is, And a front side or a rear side of the focusing correction means on the optical path of the output light. The method of claim 1, The light source is a three-dimensional printer optical output device, characterized in that the laser (laser) or ultraviolet light. The method of claim 1, The focusing correction means is a three-dimensional printer optical output device, characterized in that the F-theta lens (F-theta lens) or telecentric F-theta lens (telecentric F-theta lense). The method of claim 4, wherein The F-theta lens or the telecentric F-theta lens, 3D printer optical output device, characterized in that the height of the lens center or the angle can be adjusted. A light source for emitting output light for forming a three-dimensional stereoscopic output; A storage tank for storing an output material for forming the three-dimensional stereoscopic output by the output light emitted from the light source side; A galvanometer positioned between the light source and the reservoir and adjusting an optical path of the output light emitted from the light source side; Focusing correction means located on an optical path of the output light between the galvanometer and the reservoir and correcting a focus of the output light passing through the galvanometer; And And a tilting means coupled to the reservoir and tilting the reservoir. The method of claim 6, And a reflector for changing a traveling direction of the output light emitted from the light source side. The reflector is, And a front side or a rear side of the focusing correction means on the optical path of the output light. The method of claim 6, The light source is a three-dimensional printer, characterized in that the laser (laser) or ultraviolet light. The method of claim 6, And said focusing correction means is an F-theta lens or a telecentric F-theta lens. The method of claim 6, The F-theta lens or the telecentric F-theta lens, 3D printer, characterized in that the height of the lens center or the angle can be adjusted. The method of claim 6, And an output plate positioned above or inside the reservoir and supporting an output formed by being cured by the output light. The method of claim 6, The tilting means, Three-dimensional printer, characterized in that for tilting the reservoir so that one side and the other side of the reservoir is tilted in the same direction. The method of claim 12, The tilting means, A tilting support part coupled to the reservoir to support the tilter and including a tilting rotation axis of a hinge coupled to the center of the tilter of the reservoir; And And a tilting drive part hinged to the tilting support part, the tilting drive part allowing the other side of the reservoir to be driven up or down to tilt the reservoir.

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