JPH115255A - Three-dimensional object forming method, three-dimensional object forming apparatus, and three-dimensional object - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (with correction) [PROBLEMS] A three-dimensional object forming method for easily and inexpensively forming a high-precision three-dimensional object. A three-dimensional object forming material is arranged by a placement unit on a sheet material supplied to a sheet holding stage on the basis of cross-sectional shape data created by a unit based on three-dimensional information of an information creation unit. Spray 12 and arrange.
The sheet material 10 is overlaid on the sheet material 10 by the sheet supply unit 5, the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is sandwiched between the sheet materials 10, and the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is pressed and heated by the joining / curing unit 6. The sheet 12 is allowed to penetrate and pass through the upper and lower sheet members 10 and is further joined to the three-dimensional object forming material 12 of the lower layer sheet member 10 to cure the three-dimensional object forming material 12. When the three-dimensional object 14 is formed by sequentially performing the above-described processes, the removing unit 8 removes unnecessary parts other than the three-dimensional object forming material 12 by applying moisture to form the three-dimensional object 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a three-dimensional object forming method, a three-dimensional object forming apparatus, and a three-dimensional object, and more particularly, to a three-dimensional object forming method for forming a three-dimensional object at low cost and with high accuracy. , A three-dimensional object forming apparatus, and a three-dimensional object.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, in order to evaluate the appearance of a product before manufacturing the product, a three-dimensional object is preliminarily manufactured as a prototype, a design model, or the like. Recently, as a method for forming such a three-dimensional object, CAD /
BACKGROUND ART A three-dimensional object forming method for forming a three-dimensional object based on three-dimensional information of a three-dimensional object of a computer such as CAM data, a three-dimensional object forming apparatus, and a three-dimensional object formed by these methods and apparatuses have become widespread. .

Conventionally, as a three-dimensional object forming method and a three-dimensional object forming apparatus of this kind, a sheet material made of paper, plastic, or the like is used as a three-dimensional object forming material, and the three-dimensional objects are formed by overlapping the sheet materials. What is formed (hereinafter, referred to as prior art 1) is known (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 6 (1994) -1994).
190929, JP-A-6-278214,
JP-A-7-195553, JP-A-7-19553
No. 2, JP-A-7-195533).

The prior art 1 is disclosed in, for example,
As described in Japanese Patent No. 95531, a plurality of sheet materials are adhered to each other in a superimposed state, and each of the plurality of sheet materials is cut in accordance with the cross-sectional shape data of a three-dimensional object to be formed. By removing unnecessary portions of the cut sheet material that are not used for forming a three-dimensional object, a three-dimensional object can be formed.
As described in Japanese Patent No. 8214, a three-dimensional object to be formed is formed by laminating a plurality of sheet materials in a state of being overlapped, and forming a topmost one of the plurality of sheet materials by a laser beam or the like. A three-dimensional object is formed by repeating an operation of cutting along the cross-sectional shape of the sheet material and removing an unnecessary portion of the cut sheet material.

Another conventional three-dimensional object forming method and three-dimensional object forming apparatus include irradiating a photocurable resin with light in accordance with a cross-sectional shape of a three-dimensional object to be formed. There is known a resin in which a three-dimensional object is formed by gradually curing a resin for each cross section (hereinafter referred to as prior art 2) (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 4-221624 and 5-2).
12806 and JP-A-7-68647).

The prior art 2 is disclosed in, for example,
As described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 12806, a film-shaped photocurable resin is irradiated with light in accordance with the cross-sectional shape data of a three-dimensional object to be formed, and the photocurable resin is cured to form a three-dimensional object. Forming an object.

[0007]

However, the prior art described above has the following problems. That is, in the three-dimensional object forming method and the three-dimensional object forming apparatus according to the prior art 1, when a three-dimensional object having a complicated shape is to be formed, the three-dimensional object in the cut three-dimensional object forming material is not used. Are not easily removed, and a three-dimensional object having a complicated shape cannot be formed.

That is, when an unnecessary portion is removed, the unnecessary portion to be removed is caught by the three-dimensional object being formed, and cannot be removed properly, and a three-dimensional object having a complicated shape is formed. There was a problem that it was not possible. Furthermore, in order to remove the unnecessary portion, it is necessary to cut the unnecessary portion of each layer in a lattice shape, and there is a problem that it takes time.

Further, in the three-dimensional object forming method and the three-dimensional object forming apparatus according to the prior art 2, a three-dimensional object having a complicated shape can be formed as compared with the prior art 1, but as a material. It is necessary to use an expensive photocurable resin, and an expensive light source device for generating light for selectively curing the photocurable resin is required. Further, since the entire three-dimensional object is formed by curing the photocurable resin, there is a problem that it takes time to cure the photocurable resin and it takes a long time to form the three-dimensional object. Was. Further, there is a problem that the operation of removing the uncured portion of the photocurable resin sheet material requires labor, time and labor.

Further, focusing on the finally formed three-dimensional object, the three-dimensional object formed according to the prior art 1 has a thickness of an adhesive for bonding a sheet material as a three-dimensional object forming material at the time of formation. Is difficult to keep constant, it is difficult to accurately reproduce the desired shape,
There is a problem that it is difficult to form a high-precision three-dimensional object. Further, since the three-dimensional object formed by the prior art 2 is entirely made of a photocurable resin, the three-dimensional object is not only brittle and fragile, but also has a problem that the formed three-dimensional object is heavy and has poor handling properties. was there.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the cross-sectional shape data of a three-dimensional object to be formed is provided on a surface of a predetermined support through which a predetermined amount of a three-dimensional object forming material which is cured by a predetermined curing treatment is permeated and passed. The three-dimensional object forming material is arranged on the basis of, the support of the next layer is overlapped with the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged, and the three-dimensional object forming material is sandwiched between the supports of the adjacent layers In this state, the three-dimensional object-forming material is infiltrated into the support of the adjacent layer, and the three-dimensional object-forming material that has permeated the support of the adjacent layer is used as a support in a layer further adjacent to the support of the adjacent layer. The processing steps of contacting and joining the three-dimensional object forming material arranged in the above, and curing the joined three-dimensional object forming material are sequentially performed until a three-dimensional object is formed, and the three-dimensional object is formed. When formed, multiple By removing unnecessary portions other than the portion where the three-dimensional object forming material is disposed from the bonded bundle of the support where the three-dimensional object is formed by the three-dimensional object forming material disposed on the support, the support is sandwiched. By joining and curing the three-dimensional object forming materials together, suppressing the influence of the shrinkage of the support, forming a three-dimensional object, removing unnecessary parts appropriately without breaking the three-dimensional object part ,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional object forming method capable of forming a three-dimensional object having a complicated shape with high accuracy at low cost and easily.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a latent image is formed on the surface of a predetermined latent image carrier based on cross-sectional shape data, and a three-dimensional object forming material is attached to the latent image carrier on which the latent image has been formed. The three-dimensional object forming material attached to the latent image carrier is transferred to the support, and the three-dimensional object forming material is disposed on the support. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of forming a three-dimensional object that can be formed at a low cost and easily form a three-dimensional object with higher precision by being arranged on the top.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a liquid or a liquid three-dimensional object-forming material containing the three-dimensional object-forming material is sprayed on the surface of the support on the basis of the cross-sectional shape data, and the three-dimensional object-forming material is dispersed. By arranging it on the support surface,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for forming a three-dimensional object in which a three-dimensional object forming material can be more easily arranged on a support, and a high-precision three-dimensional object can be formed more inexpensively and easily. And

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a liquid or a liquid three-dimensional object-forming material containing the three-dimensional object-forming material is injected into the surface of the support based on the sectional shape data, and the three-dimensional object-forming material is formed. By arranging it on the support surface,
A method for forming a three-dimensional object that can more easily and easily form a three-dimensional object with higher precision by arranging the material for forming a three-dimensional object on the support more easily and with higher precision. It is intended to provide.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, as the three-dimensional object forming material, a material which is liquefied by heating and solidified by cooling is used, and a cooling process for cooling the joined three-dimensional object forming material to a predetermined temperature is performed. By hardening the three-dimensional object forming material by, for example, cooling the three-dimensional object forming material using a blower fan, a heat pipe, or the like, rapidly curing the three-dimensional object forming material, and forming a three-dimensional object. Can be performed quickly, and the supports that are sequentially laminated are stably stacked, and the three-dimensional object resulting from a change in viscosity due to an increase in the temperature of the three-dimensional object forming material in the laminated support is obtained. It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional object forming method capable of forming a three-dimensional object with high rigidity and heat resistance and high precision by preventing dimensional unevenness of the object.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an energy beam irradiation process for irradiating a joined three-dimensional object forming material with an energy beam, using a material which is cured by irradiation of a predetermined energy beam as the three-dimensional object forming material. By hardening the three-dimensional object forming material by performing the above, a three-dimensional object with high rigidity can be formed, and the thickness of the three-dimensional object forming material is hardened while maintaining the state of controlling the lamination thickness. An object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional object forming method capable of improving dimensional accuracy in directions.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a three-dimensional object forming material is made of a material which is cured by irradiation of ultraviolet rays, and the joined three-dimensional object forming materials are subjected to an ultraviolet irradiation treatment for irradiating the bonded three-dimensional object forming materials with ultraviolet rays. By curing the object forming material, it is possible to form a three-dimensional object having high rigidity.Also, while maintaining the state of controlling the layer thickness, the three-dimensional object forming material is cured to improve the dimensional accuracy in the thickness direction. It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional object forming method that can be improved.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a three-dimensional object forming material is formed by using a material which cures by heating as a three-dimensional object forming material, and performing a heat treatment for heating the joined three-dimensional object forming material to a predetermined temperature. By curing the material, the three-dimensional object-forming material permeates into the support and quickly cures the three-dimensional object-forming material while maintaining the state of being bonded to the three-dimensional object-forming material on the adjacent support It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional object forming method capable of forming a three-dimensional object having a high rigidity and a high heat resistance, while reducing the variation in the lamination thickness.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, as the three-dimensional object forming material, a material which is left in contact with each other for a predetermined time or which is joined by being heated to a predetermined temperature in mutual contact is used. Then, in a state where the support is further superimposed on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is disposed, a heating process is performed to heat the three-dimensional object forming material to a predetermined temperature, and the three-dimensional object of each support is By bonding the forming materials, the support is heated in a state where the support is laminated with the three-dimensional object forming material interposed therebetween, so that the three-dimensional object forming material is quickly permeated into the support and bonded, and the tertiary material is more accurately tertiary It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional object forming method capable of forming an original object.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the three-dimensional object forming materials are left in contact with each other for a predetermined time,
Alternatively, using a material that is joined by being pressurized to a predetermined pressure in a mutually contacting state, the three-dimensional object is formed in a state where the support is further superimposed on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged. By performing a pressure treatment to press the forming material to a predetermined pressure, by joining the three-dimensional object forming material of each support, pressurized in a state where the support is laminated with the three-dimensional object forming material sandwiched, It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for forming a three-dimensional object, which allows the three-dimensional object forming material to quickly penetrate and join a support, thereby improving the accuracy of the three-dimensional object, particularly the accuracy in the thickness direction.

[0021] In the eleventh aspect of the present invention, as the support,
Using a material that is weakened or dissolved by the application of moisture, moisture is applied to the support, and unnecessary portions other than the portion where the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged are weakened or dissolved from the bonded bundle of the support. By removing the unnecessary part of the support easily and quickly, the speed of forming the three-dimensional object can be improved, and a more accurate three-dimensional object can be easily formed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional object forming method capable of performing a three-dimensional object forming method.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, as the support,
By irradiating a predetermined microwave, for example, using a material in which moisture in the support is vaporized and weakened or melts due to heat generation, the support is irradiated with microwaves, and the three-dimensional object is bonded from the bonded bundle of the support. By weakening or melting and removing unnecessary parts other than the part where the forming material is arranged, unnecessary parts of the support can be easily and quickly removed to improve the forming speed of the three-dimensional object. It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional object forming method capable of forming a three-dimensional object with higher accuracy and more easily.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, as the support,
Using a material that is melted by being heated to a predetermined temperature, the support is heated to a predetermined temperature, and the support is melted and removed, so that unnecessary portions of the support can be easily and quickly removed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional object forming method capable of improving the forming speed of a three-dimensional object and easily forming a three-dimensional object with higher precision.

[0024] According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, as the support,
By using a material that is weakened by irradiation with ultraviolet light, the support is irradiated with ultraviolet light, and unnecessary parts other than the part where the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged are weakened and removed from the bonded bundle of the support, thereby supporting the support. A three-dimensional object forming method capable of easily and quickly removing unnecessary parts of a body, improving the forming speed of a three-dimensional object, and easily forming a more accurate three-dimensional object. It is intended to provide.

[0025] According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, as the support,
Using materials that are weakened or decomposed by microorganisms, apply microorganisms to the support, and weaken or decompose the support to remove them, thereby forming a more complex three-dimensional object with high precision. While being able to
An environment-friendly method for forming a three-dimensional object can be provided without using harmful substances or chemical solvents.

[0026] According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, as the support,
By using a water-soluble resin sheet having liquid permeability or porosity, it is possible to properly support the three-dimensional object forming material and appropriately permeate and pass through it to easily form a high-precision three-dimensional object. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for forming a three-dimensional object.

[0027] According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, by using a water-soluble resin sheet as a support, which is formed of resin fibers, the three-dimensional object forming material is more appropriately supported and further improved. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for forming a three-dimensional object, which can appropriately permeate and permeate and easily form a three-dimensional object with higher precision.

[0028] The invention according to claim 18 is characterized in that:
Use a material that is weakened or melted when heated to a predetermined support deterioration temperature, and as a three-dimensional object forming material, weakens or melts at a predetermined three-dimensional object forming material deterioration temperature higher than the support deterioration temperature. Using materials to
By heating the support to a predetermined temperature higher than the temperature at which the support degrades and lower than the temperature at which the three-dimensional object-forming material degrades, the three-dimensional object-forming material penetrates into the support and the three-dimensional object on the adjacent support While rapidly curing the three-dimensional object forming material while maintaining the state of being joined with the forming material, it is possible to form a three-dimensional object having high rigidity and heat resistance, by reducing the variation in the layer thickness, Provided is a three-dimensional object forming method capable of easily and quickly removing an unnecessary portion of a support, improving a forming speed of the three-dimensional object, and easily forming a more accurate three-dimensional object. It is intended to be.

The invention according to claim 19 is characterized in that, as the support,
By using a pre-cut shape, the front and back surfaces of the support are overlapped with the cut support according to the predetermined shape, so that the support can be easily positioned.
Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional object forming method capable of forming a three-dimensional object more accurately, more accurately, and more accurately.

[0030] The invention according to claim 20 is characterized in that:
By using the continuous sheet-shaped support, the continuous sheet-shaped support is superposed on the front and back surfaces of the support, and then cut into a predetermined shape, thereby quickly superimposing the support. It is another object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional object forming method capable of forming a three-dimensional object more quickly.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, a three-dimensional object having a plurality of color portions with the same cross section is formed by arranging a plurality of three-dimensional object forming materials on a support on the basis of cross-sectional shape data. It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional object forming method that can be formed easily and easily.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, a three-dimensional object forming material which is hardened by a predetermined hardening treatment is penetrated and passed through a predetermined amount on a surface of a predetermined support, based on cross-sectional shape data of the three-dimensional object to be formed. The three-dimensional object forming material is placed on the support, and the upper layer support is transported and superimposed on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is disposed, and the three-dimensional object forming material is sandwiched between the upper and lower layer supports. In this state, the three-dimensional object forming material is infiltrated into the upper and lower layers of the support, and the three-dimensional object forming material that has penetrated the lower layer of the support is disposed on the lower layer of the lower layer of the support. The three-dimensional object forming material is brought into contact with and joined, and each process of curing the joined three-dimensional object forming material is sequentially performed until the three-dimensional object is formed, thereby forming the three-dimensional object. And multiple supports By removing unnecessary portions other than the portion where the three-dimensional object forming material is disposed from the joined bundle of the support where the three-dimensional object is formed by the three-dimensional object forming material disposed on the body, the three-dimensional While joining and curing the original object forming materials and curing, suppressing the influence of the shrinkage of the support, forming a three-dimensional object, properly removing unnecessary parts without breaking the three-dimensional object part, It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional object forming apparatus capable of forming a three-dimensional object having a complicated shape with high precision at low cost and easily.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, a latent image is formed on a surface of a predetermined latent image carrier based on cross-sectional shape data, and a three-dimensional object forming material is attached to the latent image carrier on which the latent image has been formed. The three-dimensional object forming material attached to the latent image carrier is transferred to the support, and the three-dimensional object forming material is disposed on the support. It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional object forming apparatus which can be formed at a low cost and easily form a three-dimensional object with higher precision by being arranged on the upper part.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, based on the cross-sectional shape data, a liquid containing a three-dimensional object forming material or a liquid three-dimensional object forming material is sprayed on the surface of a support,
By arranging the three-dimensional object forming material on the surface of the support, the three-dimensional object forming material is more easily arranged on the support, and a high-precision three-dimensional object is more inexpensively, and
It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional object forming apparatus that can be easily formed.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, a liquid containing a three-dimensional object forming material or a liquid three-dimensional object forming material is injected into the surface of a support on the basis of the cross-sectional shape data.
By arranging the three-dimensional object forming material on the surface of the support, the three-dimensional object forming material is more easily and accurately arranged on the support, so that a more accurate three-dimensional object can be manufactured at a lower cost. It is another object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional object forming apparatus that can be easily formed.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, as the three-dimensional object forming material, a material whose viscosity is reduced by heating and which passes a predetermined amount through the support is used, and the three-dimensional object forming material is placed on the support. After the upper-layer support is overlaid, the three-dimensional object-forming material disposed on the lower-layer support is heated via the upper-layer support, and both supports sandwiching the three-dimensional object-forming material are heated. By infiltrating into the body and joining with the three-dimensional object forming material disposed on the lower support of the lower support, the tertiary support is maintained while appropriately controlling the laminated thickness of the support. It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional object forming apparatus capable of improving the dimensional accuracy of a three-dimensional object in a thickness direction by bonding original material for forming a material.

According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, as the three-dimensional object forming material, a material which passes through a support by a predetermined amount under pressure is used, and an upper layer support is provided on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged. After the bodies are superimposed, the three-dimensional object-forming material disposed on the lower-layer support is pressed through the upper-layer support, and penetrates into both supports sandwiching the three-dimensional object-forming material. Then, by joining the three-dimensional object forming material disposed on the lower-layer support of the lower-layer support, the three-dimensional object can be maintained while maintaining the thickness of the support more appropriately controlled. It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional object forming apparatus capable of further improving the dimensional accuracy of a three-dimensional object in a thickness direction by joining object forming materials.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, as the three-dimensional object forming material, a material that is liquefied by heating and solidified by cooling is used, and a cooling process for cooling the joined three-dimensional object forming material to a predetermined temperature is performed. By hardening the three-dimensional object forming material by, for example, cooling the three-dimensional object forming material using a blower fan, a heat pipe, or the like, rapidly curing the three-dimensional object forming material, and forming a three-dimensional object. Can be performed quickly, and the supports that are sequentially laminated are stably stacked, and the three-dimensional object resulting from a change in viscosity due to an increase in the temperature of the three-dimensional object forming material in the laminated support is obtained. It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional object forming apparatus capable of forming a three-dimensional object with high rigidity and heat resistance and capable of forming a high-precision three-dimensional object by preventing dimensional unevenness of the object.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an energy beam irradiation process for irradiating a joined three-dimensional object forming material with an energy beam, using a material which is cured by irradiation of a predetermined energy beam as the three-dimensional object forming material. By hardening the three-dimensional object forming material by performing the above, a three-dimensional object having high rigidity can be formed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional object forming apparatus capable of improving the dimensional accuracy in the thickness direction of an original object.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, a three-dimensional object forming material is formed by using a material which is cured by irradiation of ultraviolet rays, and performing a three-dimensional irradiation by irradiating the joined three-dimensional object forming materials with ultraviolet rays. By hardening the object forming material, it is possible to form a highly rigid three-dimensional object, and while maintaining the state of controlling the thickness of the laminated body, the three-dimensional object forming material is hardened and the thickness direction of the three-dimensional object is increased. It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional object forming apparatus capable of improving the dimensional accuracy of a three-dimensional object.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, a three-dimensional object forming material is formed by using a material which is cured by heating, and performing a heat treatment for heating the joined three-dimensional object forming material to a predetermined temperature. By curing the material,
The three-dimensional object forming material penetrates into the support and can be quickly cured while maintaining a state of being joined to the three-dimensional object forming material on the adjacent support, and the thickness of the laminate varies. Can be reduced,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional object forming apparatus capable of forming a three-dimensional object having high rigidity and heat resistance.

According to a thirty-second aspect of the present invention, a three-dimensional object is formed by superimposing a support in an upper layer on a support on which a three-dimensional object forming material is arranged based on cross-sectional shape data of the three-dimensional object to be formed. With the object-forming material sandwiched between the lower and upper supports, the three-dimensional object-forming material is allowed to penetrate and pass through the upper and lower supports, and the three-dimensional object that has penetrated the lower support. The forming material is brought into contact with the three-dimensional object-forming material disposed on the lower-layer support of the lower-layer support to join the three-dimensional object-forming materials together, and to form the bonded three-dimensional object-forming material. A process of curing by a predetermined curing process is sequentially performed to form a bonded bundle of the support on which the three-dimensional object is formed by the three-dimensional object forming materials arranged on the plurality of supports, and the bonded bundle of the support is formed. From three-dimensional objects By removing unnecessary portions other than the portion where the forming material is disposed, and forming a three-dimensional object, the three-dimensional object forming materials are joined together with the support interposed therebetween, and cured, thereby causing the support to contract. An object is to provide a high-precision, inexpensive three-dimensional object with little influence.

According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, the three-dimensional object is
By forming the three-dimensional object forming method according to any one of claims 2 to 21 or the three-dimensional object forming apparatus according to any one of claims 23 to 31, more accurate and inexpensive. It is intended to provide a three-dimensional object.

[0044]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for forming a three-dimensional object, the method comprising the steps of: A three-dimensional object forming method for forming the three-dimensional object by sequentially supporting the three-dimensional object forming material based on cross-sectional shape data of the three-dimensional object to be formed, wherein the cross-sectional shape is formed on a surface of the support. An arranging step of arranging the three-dimensional object-forming material based on data, and a superimposing step of conveying and superimposing the next layer of the support on the support on which the three-dimensional object-forming material is arranged in the arranging step The three-dimensional object-forming material is placed adjacent to the three-dimensional object-forming material in a state where the support of the next layer is overlapped in the disposing step and the three-dimensional object-forming material is sandwiched between the support and the support of the next layer. Immerse in layer support And causing the three-dimensional object forming material that has permeated the support of the adjacent layer to further contact the three-dimensional object forming material disposed on the support of the next adjacent layer to cause the three-dimensional object forming materials to contact each other. A joining step of joining, a curing step of curing the three-dimensional object forming material of each of the supports joined in each of the support bundles in the joining step by the predetermined curing process, The superposition step, the bonding step, and the curing step are sequentially performed, and the three-dimensional object is formed from the bonded bundle of the three-dimensional object formed by the three-dimensional object forming material disposed on the plurality of supports. A removing step of removing unnecessary portions other than the portion where the object forming material is arranged,
By performing the above, the above object is achieved.

According to the above construction, the three-dimensional object forming material which is cured by the predetermined curing treatment is applied to the surface of the predetermined support through which a predetermined amount of the material is penetrated and passed, based on the cross-sectional shape data of the three-dimensional object to be formed. The original object forming material is arranged, the support of the next layer is superimposed on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged, and in a state where the three-dimensional object forming material is sandwiched between the supports of the adjacent layers, The three-dimensional object-forming material is infiltrated into the support of the adjacent layer, and the three-dimensional object-forming material that has permeated the support of the adjacent layer is disposed on the support of a layer further adjacent to the support of the adjacent layer. When the three-dimensional object is formed by sequentially performing each processing step of contacting and joining the three-dimensional object forming material and curing the joined three-dimensional object forming material until the three-dimensional object is formed, ,
Since unnecessary portions other than the portion where the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged are removed from the joined bundle of the support where the three-dimensional object is formed by the three-dimensional object forming material arranged on the plurality of supports, The three-dimensional object forming materials can be joined together and cured, and the influence of the shrinkage of the support can be suppressed, and the three-dimensional object forming materials can be accurately arranged to form a three-dimensional object. Unnecessary portions can be appropriately removed without breaking the three-dimensional object portion, and a three-dimensional object having a complicated shape can be formed with high precision, at low cost, and easily.

That is, in the arranging step, the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged on the surface of the support on the basis of the cross-sectional shape data of the three-dimensional object to be formed. Is transported and superimposed on the support on which a new layer is placed.
Next, in the joining step, in a state where the support of the next layer is overlapped in the arrangement step and the three-dimensional object forming material is sandwiched between the support layer and the support of the next layer, the three-dimensional object forming material is To the support of the adjacent layer, and the three-dimensional object-forming material that has permeated the support of the adjacent layer is further brought into contact with the three-dimensional object-forming material disposed on the support of the next layer to be joined. In a curing step, a predetermined curing process is performed on the joined three-dimensional object forming material to cure the three-dimensional object forming material. Here, a support is used as the support, which supports the three-dimensional object forming material on its surface and allows a predetermined amount of the three-dimensional object forming material to permeate and pass therethrough. Therefore, in the disposing step, a predetermined amount of the three-dimensional object forming material disposed on the surface of the support penetrates into the support in the bonding step in a state of being sandwiched between the supports of the adjacent layers.
Passes through and adheres to the surface of the adjacent layer opposite to the support, and is bonded to the three-dimensional object forming material disposed on the support of the layer further adjacent to the adjacent layer, and is overlapped in the overlapping step. It also penetrates the support of the next layer. as a result,
In the next placement step, without being affected by the shrinkage of the support,
The three-dimensional object forming material can be accurately arranged and joined. Then, the three-dimensional object forming material arranged on the support is joined to each other while being supported by the support,
Due to the joining of the three-dimensional object forming material, the support becomes a state where only the cross-sectional portion of the three-dimensional object to be formed, that is, the portion where the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged, is joined.

When the above processing is performed until the three-dimensional object is formed, in the removing step, an unnecessary portion where the three-dimensional object forming material is not arranged, that is, an unnecessary portion, is formed from the bonded bundle of the supports forming the three-dimensional object. The three-dimensional object is formed by removing a portion that does not correspond to the cross section of the three-dimensional object.

Accordingly, a high-precision three-dimensional object can be easily formed at low cost without being affected by shrinkage of the support.

In this case, for example, as described in claim 2, the arranging step includes a latent image forming step of forming a latent image on a surface of a predetermined latent image carrier based on the sectional shape data; An attaching step of attaching the three-dimensional object forming material to the latent image carrier on which the latent image is formed in the latent image forming step; and the three-dimensional object forming material attached to the latent image carrier in the attaching step And transferring the three-dimensional object-forming material to the support and transferring the three-dimensional object-forming material to the support.

According to the above configuration, a latent image is formed on the surface of a predetermined latent image carrier based on the sectional shape data, and a three-dimensional object forming material is adhered to the latent image carrier on which the latent image has been formed.
Since the three-dimensional object-forming material attached to the latent image carrier is transferred to the support and the three-dimensional object-forming material is arranged on the support, the three-dimensional object-forming material can be transferred onto the support with higher accuracy. The three-dimensional object with higher precision can be formed easily at low cost.

For example, as described in claim 3, the arranging step is performed based on the cross-sectional shape data.
Spray the liquid or liquid three-dimensional object forming material containing the three-dimensional object forming material on the surface of the support,
The three-dimensional object forming material may be disposed on the surface of the support.

According to the above configuration, based on the cross-sectional shape data, the liquid containing the three-dimensional object forming material or the liquid three-dimensional object forming material is sprayed on the surface of the support, and the three-dimensional object forming material is applied to the support. Since it is arranged on the surface, the three-dimensional object forming material can be more easily arranged on the support, and a high-precision three-dimensional object can be more inexpensively and,
It can be easily formed.

Further, for example, as described in claim 4, the arranging step is performed based on the cross-sectional shape data.
Inject the liquid or liquid three-dimensional object forming material containing the three-dimensional object forming material into the surface of the support,
The three-dimensional object forming material may be disposed on the surface of the support.

According to the above configuration, a liquid containing a three-dimensional object forming material or a liquid three-dimensional object forming material is injected onto the surface of the support based on the cross-sectional shape data, and the three-dimensional object forming material is transferred to the support. Since it is arranged on the surface, the three-dimensional object forming material can be arranged on the support more easily and with higher precision, and a higher-precision three-dimensional object can be formed more easily at lower cost. can do. In addition, the three-dimensional object forming material can be disposed inside the support, and it is easy to join the three-dimensional object forming material of the adjacent layer in the subsequent joining step.

Further, for example, as described in claim 5, the three-dimensional object forming material is a material that liquefies by heating and solidifies by cooling. A cooling process for cooling the three-dimensional object forming material joined by the above to a predetermined temperature.

According to the above configuration, a material that liquefies by heating and solidifies by cooling is used as the three-dimensional object forming material, and a three-dimensional object forming material is subjected to a cooling process of cooling the joined three-dimensional object forming material to a predetermined temperature. Since the original object forming material is cured, the three-dimensional object forming material can be quickly cooled by cooling the three-dimensional object forming material, and the three-dimensional object can be formed quickly, and sequentially It is possible to stably stack the supports to be laminated, and prevent dimensional unevenness of the three-dimensional object due to a change in viscosity due to a rise in the temperature of the three-dimensional object forming material in the laminated support. , A high-precision three-dimensional object can be formed.

Further, for example, as described in claim 6, the three-dimensional object forming material is a material that is cured by irradiation of a predetermined energy ray, and the curing step is performed by performing the bonding step as the curing process. The three-dimensional object forming material joined by the above may be subjected to an energy beam irradiation process of irradiating the energy beam.

According to the above construction, a material which is cured by irradiation of a predetermined energy ray is used as the three-dimensional object forming material, and the joined three-dimensional object forming material is subjected to an energy ray irradiation treatment for irradiating the joint with the energy ray. Since the three-dimensional object forming material is cured by curing, the three-dimensional object forming material having high rigidity can be formed, and the three-dimensional object forming material can be cured while maintaining the state of controlling the lamination thickness, The dimensional accuracy in the thickness direction can be improved.

Further, for example, as described in claim 7, the three-dimensional object forming material is a material which is cured by irradiation of ultraviolet rays, and the curing step is performed in the bonding step as the curing processing. Further, the three-dimensional object forming material may be subjected to an ultraviolet irradiation treatment for irradiating the ultraviolet light.

According to the above configuration, a material that cures by irradiation of ultraviolet light is used as the three-dimensional object forming material, and the bonded three-dimensional object forming material is subjected to an ultraviolet irradiation process of irradiating ultraviolet light to form a three-dimensional object forming material. Since the material is cured, a highly rigid three-dimensional object can be formed, and the three-dimensional object forming material can be cured while maintaining the state of controlling the layer thickness. Can be improved.

Further, for example, as described in claim 8, the three-dimensional object forming material is a material that is cured by heating, and the curing step is performed as the curing treatment, wherein Heat treatment for heating the three-dimensional object forming material to a predetermined temperature may be performed.

According to the above configuration, a material that cures by heating is used as the three-dimensional object forming material, and the three-dimensional object forming material is heated by heating the joined three-dimensional object forming material to a predetermined temperature. Because it is cured, it is possible to quickly cure the three-dimensional object-forming material while maintaining the state in which the three-dimensional object-forming material permeates the support and is bonded to the three-dimensional object-forming material on the adjacent support. It is possible to form a three-dimensional object having high rigidity and heat resistance, while reducing the variation in the thickness of the laminate.

For example, the three-dimensional object forming materials may be left in contact with each other for a predetermined period of time, or may be heated to a predetermined temperature in contact with each other. The joining step is performed in a state where the support is superimposed in the superimposing step on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged in the arranging step. A heat treatment for heating the object forming material to a predetermined temperature may be performed to join the three-dimensional object forming materials of the respective supports.

According to the above configuration, as the three-dimensional object forming material, a material which is left in contact with each other for a predetermined time, or which is joined by being heated to a predetermined temperature in contact with each other, is used. In a state where the support is further superimposed on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged,
Heat treatment is performed to heat the three-dimensional object-forming material to a predetermined temperature, and the three-dimensional object-forming materials of the supports are joined, so that the heating is performed in a state where the supports are stacked with the three-dimensional object-forming material interposed therebetween. As a result, the three-dimensional object forming material can be promptly permeated into the support and joined, and a three-dimensional object can be formed with higher accuracy.

Further, for example, as described in claim 10, the three-dimensional object forming materials are left in contact with each other for a predetermined time or pressurized to a predetermined pressure in contact with each other. The joining step is performed in a state where the support is superimposed in the superimposing step on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged in the arranging step. The three-dimensional object forming material of each of the supports may be joined by performing a pressing process of pressing the original object forming material at a predetermined pressure.

According to the above configuration, as the three-dimensional object forming material, a material which is left in contact with each other for a predetermined time, or which is joined by being pressed to a predetermined pressure while in contact with each other is used. In a state where the support is further superimposed on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged,
Since the three-dimensional object forming material of each of the supports is joined by performing a pressure treatment of pressing the three-dimensional object forming material to a predetermined pressure, the support is laminated with the three-dimensional object forming material interposed therebetween. By applying pressure, the three-dimensional object forming material can be quickly permeated into the support and joined, and the accuracy of the three-dimensional object, particularly, the accuracy in the thickness direction can be improved.

Further, for example, as described in claim 11, the support is a material which is weakened or dissolved by the provision of moisture, and the removing step includes providing the support with the moisture. Then, unnecessary portions other than the portion where the three-dimensional object forming material is disposed may be weakened or dissolved and removed from the bonded bundle of the support.

According to the above configuration, a material that is weakened or dissolved by the application of moisture is used as the support, moisture is applied to the support, and the three-dimensional object forming material is removed from the bonded bundle of the support. Unnecessary parts other than the arranged part are weakened or dissolved and removed, so that unnecessary parts of the support can be easily and quickly removed to improve the speed of forming a three-dimensional object. Thus, a three-dimensional object with higher precision can be easily formed.

Further, for example, as set forth in claim 12, the support is made of a material which is weakened or melted by irradiation of a predetermined microwave, and the removing step comprises:
Irradiating the microwave to the support, and weakening or melting unnecessary portions other than the portion where the three-dimensional object forming material is disposed may be removed from the bonded bundle of the support.

According to the above configuration, for example, a material is used as the support that is irradiated with a predetermined microwave, and the moisture in the support is vaporized to weaken or generate heat and melt. Irradiates and weakens or melts and removes unnecessary parts other than the part where the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged from the bonded bundle of the support, so that unnecessary parts of the support are easily and quickly removed. As a result, the formation speed of the three-dimensional object can be improved, and a more accurate three-dimensional object can be easily formed.

Further, for example, as described in claim 13, the support is a material that is melted by being heated to a predetermined temperature, and in the removing step, the support is heated to the predetermined temperature. The support may be removed by melting.

According to the above configuration, a material that is melted by being heated to a predetermined temperature is used as the support, and the support is heated to the predetermined temperature to melt and remove the support. Unnecessary portions of the body can be easily and quickly removed to improve the formation speed of the three-dimensional object, and it is possible to easily form a more accurate three-dimensional object.

Further, for example, as set forth in claim 14, the support is made of a material that is weakened by irradiation with ultraviolet light, and the removing step includes irradiating the support with the ultraviolet light, Unnecessary portions other than the portion where the three-dimensional object forming material is disposed may be weakened and removed from the bonded bundle.

According to the above structure, the support is made of a material which is weakened by irradiation with ultraviolet rays, and the support is irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Since unnecessary portions of the support are weakened and removed, unnecessary portions of the support can be easily and quickly removed to improve the speed of forming a three-dimensional object, and to provide a more accurate three-dimensional object. The object can be easily formed.

Also, for example, as described in claim 15, the support is a material that is weakened or decomposed by microorganisms, and the removing step includes applying the microorganisms to the support, The body may be weakened or decomposed and removed.

According to the above configuration, a material that is weakened or decomposed by microorganisms is used as the support, and the microorganism is applied to the support to weaken or decompose the support, thereby removing the support. A three-dimensional object having a more complicated shape can be formed with high accuracy, and the three-dimensional object can be formed in a favorable condition for the environment without using harmful substances or chemical solvents.

Further, for example, the support may be a liquid-permeable or porous water-soluble resin sheet.

According to the above configuration, since the water-soluble resin sheet having liquid permeability or porosity is used as the support, the three-dimensional object forming material can be appropriately supported, and the predetermined amount can be adjusted. It can be properly permeated and passed, and a high-precision three-dimensional object can be easily formed.

Further, for example, the water-soluble resin sheet may be formed of resin fibers.

According to the above configuration, since the water-soluble resin sheet as the support is formed of resin fibers, it is possible to more appropriately support the three-dimensional object forming material. The predetermined amount can be more appropriately permeated and passed, and a three-dimensional object with higher precision can be easily formed.

Further, for example, as described in claim 18, the support is a material that is weakened or melted by being heated to a predetermined support deterioration temperature, and the three-dimensional object forming material is A material that is weakened or melted at a predetermined three-dimensional object forming material deterioration temperature higher than the support deterioration temperature, and wherein the removing step includes setting the support to a temperature higher than the support deterioration temperature. Heating to a predetermined temperature lower than the deterioration temperature may be performed.

According to the above construction, a material which is weakened or melted by being heated to a predetermined support deterioration temperature is used as the support, and a predetermined higher than the support deterioration temperature is used as the three-dimensional object forming material. Since the support is heated to a predetermined temperature higher than the support deterioration temperature and lower than the three-dimensional object formation material deterioration temperature by using a material that is weakened or melted at the three-dimensional object formation material deterioration temperature, The three-dimensional object-forming material is quickly cured while the original object-forming material penetrates into the support and is bonded to the three-dimensional object-forming material on the adjacent support, thereby reducing the variation in lamination thickness. It is possible to form a three-dimensional object having high rigidity and heat resistance, and it is possible to easily and quickly remove unnecessary portions of the support, thereby improving the forming speed of the three-dimensional object. The three-dimensional object with high accuracy can be easily formed.

For example, as described in claim 19, the support is cut in a predetermined shape in advance,
The superimposing step may include superimposing the front and back surfaces of the support by adjusting the cut support to the predetermined shape.

According to the above configuration, the support is cut in a predetermined shape in advance, and the cut support is adjusted to the predetermined shape and the front and back surfaces of the support are overlapped. The positioning of the body can be performed easily and accurately, and a three-dimensional object can be formed at lower cost and with higher precision.

Further, for example, as set forth in claim 20, the support is formed in a continuous sheet shape, and the overlapping step includes the step of combining the support in the continuous sheet shape with the support. May be cut into a predetermined shape after the front and back surfaces are overlapped.

According to the above configuration, a continuous sheet-shaped support is used as the support, and the continuous sheet-shaped support is superposed on the front and back surfaces of the support, and then cut into a predetermined shape. Therefore, the supports can be quickly superimposed, and the three-dimensional object can be formed more quickly.

For example, as described in claim 21, the three-dimensional object forming material is prepared in a plurality of different colors, and the arranging step is performed based on the cross-sectional shape data. A three-dimensional object forming material may be arranged.

According to the above configuration, since the three-dimensional object forming materials of a plurality of colors are arranged on the support on the basis of the cross-sectional shape data, a three-dimensional object having a plurality of color portions with the same cross section can be easily formed. , And can be easily formed.

The three-dimensional object forming apparatus according to the twenty-second aspect is characterized in that the three-dimensional object to be formed is placed on a plurality of predetermined supports that allow a predetermined amount of a three-dimensional object forming material that is cured by a predetermined curing process to penetrate and pass therethrough. A three-dimensional object forming apparatus that sequentially supports the three-dimensional object forming material to form the three-dimensional object based on the cross-sectional shape data of the three-dimensional object forming material; Arranging means for arranging the original object forming material, superimposing means for conveying and superimposing the upper layer of the support on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged by the arranging means, and The upper layer support is superimposed on the lower layer support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged by the superimposing means, and the three-dimensional object forming material is in front of the upper layer support. In a state of being sandwiched between the lower layer of the support,
The three-dimensional object forming material is infiltrated into the upper and lower layers of the support, and the three-dimensional object forming material that has permeated the lower layer of the support is disposed on the lower layer of the lower layer of the support. Bonding means for bringing the three-dimensional object forming materials into contact with each other by contacting the three-dimensional object forming material and the three-dimensional object forming material of each of the supports joined by the bonding means by the predetermined curing treatment The curing means for curing, the processing by the arranging means, the overlapping means, the joining means, and the curing means are sequentially performed, and the three-dimensional object is formed by the three-dimensional object forming material disposed on the plurality of supports. Removing means for removing unnecessary portions other than the portion where the three-dimensional object forming material is disposed from the bonded bundle of the support formed with the above. It is.

According to the above configuration, the three-dimensional object forming material which is cured by the predetermined curing treatment is applied to the surface of the predetermined support through which a predetermined amount of the material is penetrated and passed, based on the cross-sectional shape data of the three-dimensional object to be formed. A state in which the original object forming material is arranged, the upper layer support is transported and superimposed on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged, and the three-dimensional object forming material is sandwiched between the upper and lower layer supports. In this, the three-dimensional object-forming material is infiltrated into the upper and lower layers of the support, and the three-dimensional object-forming material that has permeated the lower layer of the support is disposed on the lower-layer support of the lower-layer support. When the three-dimensional object is formed by contacting and bonding with the three-dimensional object forming material, and sequentially performing each process of curing the bonded three-dimensional object forming material until a three-dimensional object is formed, On multiple supports Since unnecessary parts other than the part where the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged are removed from the joined bundle of the three-dimensional object forming material by the placed three-dimensional object forming material, the three-dimensional object The three-dimensional object part can be formed by precisely placing the three-dimensional object forming material and forming the three-dimensional object while suppressing the influence of the shrinkage of the support by joining and curing the object forming materials together. Unnecessary portions can be appropriately removed without breaking the three-dimensional object, and a three-dimensional object having a complicated shape can be formed with high precision at low cost and easily.

In this case, for example, as set forth in claim 23, the arranging means comprises: a latent image forming means for forming a latent image on a surface of a predetermined latent image carrier based on the sectional shape data; Attachment means for attaching the three-dimensional object forming material to the latent image carrier on which the latent image has been formed by the latent image forming means, and the three-dimensional object forming material attached to the latent image carrier by the attachment means Transfer means for transferring the three-dimensional object forming material to the support by transferring the three-dimensional object forming material to the support.

According to the above configuration, a latent image is formed on the surface of a predetermined latent image carrier based on the sectional shape data, and a three-dimensional object forming material is attached to the latent image carrier on which the latent image has been formed.
Since the three-dimensional object-forming material attached to the latent image carrier is transferred to the support and the three-dimensional object-forming material is arranged on the support, the three-dimensional object-forming material can be transferred onto the support with higher accuracy. The three-dimensional object with higher precision can be formed easily at low cost.

Further, for example, as set forth in claim 24, the arranging means, based on the sectional shape data,
Spray the liquid or liquid three-dimensional object forming material containing the three-dimensional object forming material on the surface of the support,
The three-dimensional object forming material may be disposed on the surface of the support.

According to the above configuration, based on the cross-sectional shape data, the liquid containing the three-dimensional object forming material or the liquid three-dimensional object forming material is sprayed on the surface of the support, and the three-dimensional object forming material is applied to the support. Since it is arranged on the surface, the three-dimensional object forming material can be more easily arranged on the support, and a high-precision three-dimensional object can be more inexpensively and,
It can be easily formed.

Further, for example, as set forth in claim 25, the arranging means converts the liquid containing the three-dimensional object-forming material or the liquid three-dimensional object-forming material based on the cross-sectional shape data. The three-dimensional object forming material may be arranged on the surface of the support by injecting the material into the surface of the support.

According to the above configuration, a liquid or a liquid three-dimensional object-forming material containing the three-dimensional object-forming material is injected into the surface of the support based on the cross-sectional shape data, and the three-dimensional object-forming material is transferred to the support. Since it is arranged on the surface, the three-dimensional object forming material can be arranged on the support more easily and with higher precision, and a higher-precision three-dimensional object can be formed more easily at lower cost. can do.

Further, for example, as described in claim 26, the three-dimensional object forming material is a material whose viscosity is reduced by heating so that a predetermined amount passes through the support. After the support of the upper layer is superimposed by the superimposing means on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is disposed by the means, the substrate is disposed on the support of the lower layer via the support of the upper layer. The three-dimensional object-forming material is heated to penetrate the two supports sandwiching the three-dimensional object-forming material, and is disposed on the lower support of the lower support. It may be bonded to the three-dimensional object forming material.

According to the above configuration, a material whose viscosity is reduced by heating and which passes through the support by a predetermined amount is used as the three-dimensional object forming material, and the upper layer is formed on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged. After the supports are superimposed, the three-dimensional object forming material disposed on the lower layer support is heated through the upper layer support, and the three-dimensional object forming material is sandwiched between the two supports. Since it is infiltrated and bonded to the three-dimensional object forming material disposed on the lower support of the lower support, the three-dimensional support is maintained while appropriately maintaining the laminated thickness of the support. The object forming material can be joined, and the dimensional accuracy of the three-dimensional object in the thickness direction can be improved.

Further, for example, as set forth in claim 27, the three-dimensional object forming material is a material that passes through the support by a predetermined amount by applying pressure, and the joining means is provided by the arranging means. After the support of the upper layer is superimposed on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is disposed by the superimposing means, the support is disposed on the support of the lower layer via the support of the upper layer. The three-dimensional object-forming material is pressurized and penetrated into the two supports sandwiching the three-dimensional object-forming material, and the three-dimensional object is further disposed on the lower-layer support of the lower-layer support. It may be bonded to an object forming material.

According to the above configuration, as the three-dimensional object forming material, a material that passes through the support by a predetermined amount under pressure is used, and the upper layer support is placed on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged. After being superimposed, the three-dimensional object-forming material disposed on the lower-layer support through the upper-layer support is pressed to penetrate both supports sandwiching the three-dimensional object-forming material. The three-dimensional object is bonded to the three-dimensional object forming material disposed on the lower-layer support of the lower-layer support, so that the laminated thickness of the support is maintained more appropriately. The forming material can be joined, and the dimensional accuracy in the thickness direction of the three-dimensional object can be further improved.

Further, for example, as described in claim 28, the three-dimensional object forming material is a material which liquefies by heating and solidifies by cooling, and the hardening means performs the hardening process by means of the joining means. A cooling process for cooling the three-dimensional object forming material joined by the above to a predetermined temperature.

According to the above configuration, a material that liquefies by heating and solidifies by cooling is used as the three-dimensional object forming material, and the joined three-dimensional object forming material is subjected to a cooling process of cooling to a predetermined temperature to perform a three-dimensional process. Since the original object forming material is cured, for example, the three-dimensional object forming material is cooled using a blower fan, a heat pipe, etc., and the three-dimensional object forming material is quickly cured to form a three-dimensional object. A three-dimensional object which can be performed quickly, stably overlaps sequentially stacked supports, and changes in viscosity caused by a rise in the temperature of the three-dimensional object forming material in the stacked supports. Dimensional unevenness can be prevented, and a high-precision three-dimensional object having high rigidity and heat resistance can be formed.

Further, for example, as described in claim 29, the three-dimensional object forming material is a material which is cured by irradiation of a predetermined energy ray, and the curing means comprises:
As the curing process, an energy beam irradiation process of irradiating the energy beam to the three-dimensional object forming material joined by the joining unit may be performed.

According to the above configuration, a material which is cured by irradiation of a predetermined energy ray is used as the three-dimensional object forming material, and the joined three-dimensional object forming material is subjected to an energy ray irradiation treatment for irradiating the joined three-dimensional object forming material with an energy ray. Since the three-dimensional object forming material is cured by curing, the three-dimensional object forming material having high rigidity can be formed, and the three-dimensional object forming material can be cured while maintaining the state of controlling the lamination thickness, The dimensional accuracy in the thickness direction of the three-dimensional object can be improved.

Further, for example, as set forth in claim 30, the three-dimensional object forming material is a material which is cured by irradiation of ultraviolet rays, and the curing means is joined by the joining means as the curing treatment. Further, the three-dimensional object forming material may be subjected to an ultraviolet irradiation treatment for irradiating the ultraviolet light.

According to the above configuration, a material that cures by irradiation of ultraviolet light is used as the three-dimensional object forming material, and the three-dimensional object forming material is subjected to an ultraviolet irradiation process of irradiating the bonded three-dimensional object forming material with ultraviolet light. Since the material is cured, a three-dimensional object with high rigidity can be formed, and the material for forming the three-dimensional object can be cured while maintaining the state of controlling the layer thickness. Directional dimensional accuracy can be improved.

Further, for example, as set forth in claim 31, the three-dimensional object forming material is a material which is cured by heating, and the curing means is used as the curing treatment by the bonding by the bonding means. Heat treatment for heating the three-dimensional object forming material to a predetermined temperature may be performed.

According to the above configuration, a material that cures by heating is used as the three-dimensional object forming material, and the three-dimensional object forming material is heated by heating the joined three-dimensional object forming material to a predetermined temperature. Because it is cured, it is possible to quickly cure the three-dimensional object-forming material while maintaining the state in which the three-dimensional object-forming material permeates the support and is bonded to the three-dimensional object-forming material on the adjacent support. It is possible to form a three-dimensional object having high rigidity and heat resistance, while reducing the variation in the thickness of the laminate.

The three-dimensional object of the invention according to claim 32, wherein a cross-section of the three-dimensional object to be formed is passed through a plurality of predetermined supports that penetrate and pass a predetermined amount of a three-dimensional object forming material that is cured by a predetermined curing process. Based on the shape data, a three-dimensional object formed by supporting the three-dimensional object forming material sequentially, on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged based on the cross-sectional shape data, The three-dimensional object forming material is placed on the upper and lower layers of the support in a state where the upper layer of the support is overlapped and the three-dimensional object forming material is sandwiched between the lower layer of the support and the upper layer of the support. While penetrating and passing, the three-dimensional object-forming material that has permeated the lower-layer support comes into contact with the three-dimensional object-forming material disposed on the lower-layer support of the lower-layer support. 3D object shape Materials are joined together, and a process is performed in which the joined three-dimensional object-forming material is cured by the curing treatment, and the three-dimensional object-forming material disposed on the plurality of supports is used for the three-dimensional object-forming material. The above object is achieved by forming a bonded bundle of the support on which an object is formed and removing unnecessary portions other than the portion where the three-dimensional object forming material is disposed from the bonded bundle of the support. Have achieved.

According to the above configuration, the upper-layer support is superimposed on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged based on the cross-sectional shape data of the three-dimensional object to be formed. In a state where the material is sandwiched between the lower support and the upper support, the three-dimensional object-forming material penetrates and passes through the upper and lower support members, and the three-dimensional object-forming material penetrates the lower support member. Is brought into contact with the three-dimensional object-forming material disposed on the lower-layer support of the lower-layer support to join the three-dimensional object-forming materials together, and the joined three-dimensional object-forming material is subjected to a predetermined process. By sequentially performing a process of curing by a curing process, a bonded bundle of the support on which the three-dimensional object is formed is formed by the three-dimensional object forming material arranged on the plurality of supports, and a tertiary bundle is formed from the bonded bundle of the support. Original object formation Since the three-dimensional object is formed by removing unnecessary parts other than the part where the material is arranged, the three-dimensional object forming materials can be joined together with the support therebetween and cured. Can be made highly accurate and inexpensive with little effect of contraction of the support.

In this case, for example, as described in claim 33, the three-dimensional object is a method for forming a three-dimensional object according to any one of claims 2 to 21 or claim 2.
It may be formed by the three-dimensional object forming apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 31.

According to the above configuration, the three-dimensional object is formed by the three-dimensional object forming method according to any one of claims 2 to 21 or the three-dimensional object forming method according to any one of claims 23 to 31. Since the three-dimensional object is formed by the apparatus, the three-dimensional object can be made even more accurate and inexpensive.

[0113]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention, and therefore, various technically preferable limitations are added. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following description. The embodiments are not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise specified.

FIGS. 1 to 7 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of a three-dimensional object forming method, a three-dimensional object forming apparatus, and a three-dimensional object according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional object forming apparatus 1 to which a first embodiment of a three-dimensional object forming method, a three-dimensional object forming apparatus, and a three-dimensional object according to the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 1, a three-dimensional object forming apparatus 1 comprises:
An information creating unit 2, a section data creating unit 3, an arrangement unit 4, a sheet feeding unit 5, a joining / curing unit 6, a sheet holding stage 7, a removing unit 8, and the like are provided.

The three-dimensional object forming apparatus 1 uses the three-dimensional object information created by the information creating unit 2 to create cross-sectional shape data, which is a large number of layer data, in the cross-section data creating unit 3 and based on the cross-sectional shape data. To the placement unit 4, and from the sheet supply unit 5 to the sheet holding stage 7.
The three-dimensional object forming material is arranged on the sheet material supplied thereon by the arrangement unit 4 to form a cross-sectional image, and the sheet supply unit 5 is further supplied and superimposed on the sheet material on which the cross-sectional image is formed. The three-dimensional object forming material is permeated into the sheet material by the bonding / curing unit 6, and the three-dimensional object forming material supported by the mutual supports (sheet materials) is joined to form the removing unit 8 Then, a portion (unnecessary portion) of the sheet bundle on which the three-dimensional object is formed, to which the three-dimensional object forming material is not attached, is removed to form a three-dimensional object.

That is, as the information creating unit 2,
For example, a graphic workstation or a personal computer is used.
CAD (Computer Aided Design) / CAM (Computer
Aided Manufacturing) software or 3D CG (Comp
Computer three-dimensional information of the three-dimensional object 14 formed by the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 1 is created using uter Graphics) software.

The section data creating unit 3 creates section shape data when the three-dimensional object 14 is cut into a number of layers from the computer three-dimensional information of the three-dimensional object 14 to be formed created by the information creating unit 2. , And outputs the created cross-sectional shape data to the arrangement unit 4.

Sheet supply unit (overlapping means) 5
The storage cassette includes, for example, a storage cassette, a transport path, a transport roller 9, and the like. A plurality of cut sheet materials (supports) 10 are stored in the storage cassette. The sheet supply unit 5 is provided with a separating mechanism (not shown) from the storage cassette.
The sheet material 10 sent out from the storage cassette is separated from the storage cassette one by one and sent out.
Sheet material 10 on or already on sheet holding stage 7
Is held, the sheet is supplied so as to be superimposed on the sheet material 10. As the sheet material 10, for example, a material that is weakened or dissolved by being provided with water is used.

In the present embodiment, the sheet supply unit 5 having one storage set is used. However, the number of storage cassettes is not limited to one. It is also possible to provide two or more storage cassettes for storing the sheet materials 10 and use them appropriately switched.

The sheet holding stage 7 is formed in a planar shape of a predetermined size, and is moved by a moving mechanism (not shown).
As shown by a double-headed arrow in FIG. 1, it moves up and down (vertically) by a predetermined amount.

The arrangement unit (arrangement means) 4 is provided with a material arrangement head 11 and a moving mechanism (not shown). As shown by a double arrow in FIG.
In the −y direction, that is, in the horizontal direction, the material placement head 11 performs a placement process of placing the three-dimensional object forming material 12 on the sheet material 10 supplied on the sheet holding stage 7. That is, the cross-sectional shape data of the three-dimensional object to be created is input to the placement unit 4 from the cross-section data creation unit 3, and the placement unit 4 moves the position of the material placement head 11 by the moving mechanism based on the sectional shape data. By performing the control, the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is arranged on the sheet material 10 on the sheet holding stage 7 from the material placement head 11 at a position corresponding to the cross-sectional shape data. In the placement process, the sheet holding stage 7 is moved up and down by the moving mechanism to adjust the positions of the material placement head 11 and the sheet material 10 of the placement unit 4.

The placement unit 4 includes the material placement head 1
1, for example, a liquid or liquid three-dimensional object forming material 12 containing the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is supplied, and the liquid or liquid containing the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is supplied to the sheet material 10 by the material placement head 11. The three-dimensional object forming material 12 is arranged on the surface of the sheet material 10 by controlling the dispersion or injection of the three-dimensional object forming material 12 based on the cross-sectional shape data.

The sheet material 10 is, as described above,
For example, while being formed of a material that is weakened or dissolved by the provision of moisture, the material has, for example, liquid permeability or porosity, and is subjected to a bonding process by a bonding / curing unit 6 described below. And a property that the three-dimensional object forming material 12 placed on the sheet material 10 by the placement unit 4 permeates and passes through the sheet material 10 by a predetermined amount. The three-dimensional object forming material 12 is, for example,
A material that is cured by being heated to a predetermined temperature is used.

When the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is arranged on the sheet material 10 by the arranging unit 4, the sheet supply unit 5 newly puts the sheet material 10 on which the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is arranged. The sheet material 10 is supplied as an upper layer sheet material 10 and superposed.

The joining / curing unit (joining means, curing means) 6 includes a moving mechanism, a heating mechanism, and the like, and is disposed above the sheet holding stage 7. The joining / curing unit 6 is moved by the moving mechanism in a direction away from the sheet holding stage 7 and in a direction approaching the sheet holding stage 7 as indicated by a double arrow in FIG. When the object forming material 12 is arranged on the sheet material 10 and the upper layer sheet material 10 is overlapped by the sheet supply unit 5, the sheet holding stage 7 moves downward, or the sheet holding stage 7 moves upward together with the joining / curing unit 6. And the lower-layer sheet material 10 on which the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is disposed and the sheet material 10 superimposed on the lower-layer sheet material 10, thereby forming the three-dimensional object forming material 1.
2 is pressed against the upper-layer sheet material 10 sandwiching the three-dimensional object forming material 12 with a predetermined pressure between the sheet material 10 and the sheet holding stage 7. The joining process of the original material 12 is performed. In other words, the three-dimensional object forming material 12 disposed on the lower sheet material 10 is joined and joined between the lower sheet material 10 and the upper sheet material 10 superposed thereon. Pressurized by the curing unit 6 and the sheet holding stage 7, and when pressed, a predetermined amount thereof permeates the lower sheet material 10 and passes through and adheres to the back surface of the lower sheet material 10. The three-dimensional object-forming material 12 arranged on the lower-layer sheet material 10 of the lower-layer sheet material 10 is joined, so that a cross-sectional image is formed by the three-dimensional object-forming material 12. At this time, a predetermined amount of the three-dimensional object forming material 12 remains on the surface of the lower layer sheet material 10 and also permeates a predetermined amount into the upper layer sheet material 10 sandwiching the three-dimensional object forming material 12.

[0127] The bonding / curing unit 6 is a heating process of heating the bonded three-dimensional object forming material 12 to a predetermined temperature via the upper sheet material 10 by the heating mechanism when the bonding process is performed. Perform a curing process. Since the three-dimensional object forming material 12 uses a material that is cured by being heated to a predetermined temperature, the bonding / curing unit 6 performs the above-described bonding when a heating process of heating to a predetermined curing temperature is performed. Three-dimensional object forming material 12
Cures. That is, the bonding / curing unit 6 has a heating mechanism including, for example, a power supply device, a heater, and a temperature sensor, and the power supply device supplies heater power to the heater, and supplies power to the heater in accordance with the detected temperature of the temperature sensor. The three-dimensional object forming material 12 is cured by controlling the supply current and controlling the temperature of the heater to a predetermined curing temperature. The heating means is not limited to the one provided only in the joining / curing unit 6, but may be provided also in the sheet holding stage 7, for example. Further, the joining / curing unit 6 may be a roller-shaped unit capable of performing a heating or pressurizing function and a hardening process required for joining.

As the three-dimensional object forming materials 12, as described above, the three-dimensional object forming materials 12 arranged on the sheet material 10 are joined together by being pressed while being in contact with each other. A material having a fluidity suitable for a fixed amount to permeate and pass through the sheet material 10 is used. Further, the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is a reaction curable material, which is cured by being heated to a predetermined temperature, and is removed by a removing unit 8 described below.
That is, it is a member that is not weakened or dissolved by the application of moisture. In the present embodiment, the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is a single color of a predetermined color.

The placement process of the three-dimensional object forming material 12 based on the cross-sectional shape data by the placement unit 4 and the new sheet material by the sheet supply unit 5 onto the sheet 10 on which the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is placed 10 superposition process, three-dimensional object forming material 1 by bonding and curing unit 6 via superimposed sheet material 10
2 are sequentially performed, and the sheet material 10 having the cross-sectional image formed by the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is sequentially laminated to form the three-dimensional object 14 to be formed. When formed by the three-dimensional object forming material 12 arranged, joined, and cured on the superimposed sheet material 10, the bonding bundle 13 of the sheet material 10 on which the three-dimensional object 14 is formed by the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is formed. Is transported to the removing unit 8 by a transport unit (not shown).

When the joining bundle 13 of the sheet material 10 on which the three-dimensional object 14 is formed by the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is conveyed, the removing unit (removing means) 8 moves to the joining bundle 13 of the sheet material 10. Moisture is imparted, and the sheet material 10
When the water is applied, a part (unnecessary part) where the three-dimensional object 14 is not formed by the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is weakened or dissolved by the water and removed. That is, as described above, the sheet material 10 is made of a material that is weakened or dissolved by the provision of moisture, and when the removal unit 8 is provided with moisture, the sheet material 10 is weakened or dissolved. Dissolve. However, sheet material 1
0 is a sheet bundle 10 of the portion where the three-dimensional object forming material 12 constituting the three-dimensional object 14 is disposed.
However, the sheet material 10 is coated with the three-dimensional object forming material 12, does not penetrate moisture, and the sheet material 10 constituting the three-dimensional object 14 is not weakened or dissolved.
That is, only the portion of the sheet material 10 where the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is not disposed, that is, the unnecessary portion, is weakened or melted in the sheet material 10. Therefore, when the water is provided in the removing unit 8,
Unnecessary portions of the joint bundle 13 of the sheet material 10 that do not form the three-dimensional object 14 are weakened or melted and removed without being caught on the three-dimensional object 14 portion, and only the three-dimensional object 14 is appropriately removed. Can be obtained.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described based on the respective process diagrams shown in FIG. First, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 1 performs a superposition process in which the sheet material 10 for arranging the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is supplied onto the sheet holding stage 7. That is, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 1 adjusts the vertical position of the sheet holding stage 7 and supplies the sheet material 10 from the sheet supply unit 5 onto the sheet holding stage 7. At this time, the arrangement unit 4 has moved in the horizontal direction and has retreated to a position off the sheet holding stage 7, and the bonding / curing unit 6 has moved upward and has been moved by the sheet supply unit 5. The sheet 10 is retracted to a position where the supply of the sheet material 10 to the sheet holding stage 7 is not hindered.

When the sheet material 10 is supplied onto the sheet holding stage 7, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 1 performs an arrangement process as shown in FIG. That is, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 1 converts the cross-sectional shape data when the three-dimensional object is cut into many layers based on the computer three-dimensional information of the three-dimensional object created by the CAD / CAM in the information creating unit 2. It is created by the section data creation unit 3 and output to the placement unit 4.

The three-dimensional object forming apparatus 1 moves the sheet holding stage 7 up and down to move
Height adjustment between the material placement head 11 and the sheet material 10 is performed, and the placement unit 4
When the cross-sectional shape data is input from the controller, the spread or injection of the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is controlled while moving in the horizontal direction based on the input cross-sectional shape data, and the sheet material on the sheet holding stage 7 is controlled. The three-dimensional object forming material 12 is scattered (or injected) and arranged on the surface of the object 10, and a cross-sectional image of the three-dimensional object 14 is formed by the three-dimensional object forming material 12.

The three-dimensional object forming apparatus 1 includes a placement unit 4
When the process of arranging the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is completed, next, as shown in FIG. 3, a process of superposing the sheet material 10 is performed. That is, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 1
Moves the placement unit 4 in the horizontal direction, and moves the sheet material 1
0 and retracted to a position off the upper
Is moved up and down to adjust the height so that the sheet material 10 supplied from the sheet supply sheet 5 is appropriately mounted on the uppermost sheet material 10, and the sheet material 10 is transferred from the sheet supply unit 5 to the sheet holding stage. 7, and a new sheet material 10 is superimposed as an upper layer sheet material 10 in accordance with the uppermost sheet material 10 previously placed on the sheet holding stage 7.

When the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 1 completes the superposition process of the sheet material 10, as shown in FIG.
A joining process is performed. That is, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 1
Is to move only the joining / curing unit 6 or both the joining / curing unit 6 and the sheet holding stage 7 in the direction (vertical direction) where the joining / curing unit 6 and the sheet holding stage 7 approach each other. Processing sheet material 1
The three-dimensional object forming material 12 is disposed on the sheet material 10 and the upper layer sheet material 1 newly superimposed on the sheet material 10 on which the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is disposed in the superposition process.
The sheet material 10 in a state where the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is sandwiched between the bonding / curing unit 6 and the sheet holding stage 7 is pressed at a predetermined pressure.

When the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is pressed while being sandwiched between the upper layer sheet material 10 and the lower layer sheet material 10, a predetermined amount of the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is reduced. Penetrates and passes through the lower sheet material 10
And is bonded to the three-dimensional object forming material 12 disposed on the lower layer sheet material 10 of the lower layer sheet material 10, and the cross-sectional images of the respective layers are bonded to each other. At this time, the three-dimensional object forming material 12 sandwiched between the upper and lower sheet materials 10 also penetrates into the upper sheet material 10.

Next, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 1 performs a curing process as shown in FIG. That is, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 1 heats the joining / curing unit 6 while pressing the sheet material 10 in a state where the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is sandwiched between the joining / curing unit 6 and the sheet holding stage 7. A three-dimensional object forming material 12 is heated by a mechanism, and a curing process is performed in which the three-dimensional object forming material 12 sandwiched between the sheet materials 10 is cured in a joined state.

In the joining process and the heating process, particularly in the curing process, the pressurization and the heating are performed simultaneously, so that the interval between the stacked sheet materials 10 is removed.
In addition to the three-dimensional object forming materials 12 joining each other,
The sheet material 10 on which the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is disposed is also joined to each other at the portion where the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is placed. As a result, the dimensional accuracy of the three-dimensional object 14 in the stacking thickness direction can be improved, and the three-dimensional object 14 having high rigidity and heat resistance can be formed.

Next, after completing the curing step processing, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 1 performs the following arrangement step processing as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. That is, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 1
When the curing process is completed, as shown in FIG. 6, the sheet holding stage 7 is moved downward so that the placement unit 4 can be moved onto the sheet material 10 and the material of the placement unit 4 can be moved. Positioning head 11 and sheet material 1
The height position is adjusted to zero. Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 1 moves the placement unit 4 in the horizontal direction based on the cross-sectional shape data from the cross-sectional data creating unit 3 while moving the three-dimensional object forming material 12. Of the three-dimensional object forming material 1 by dispersing (or injecting) and arranging the three-dimensional object forming material 12 on the surface of the uppermost sheet material 10 on the sheet holding stage 7
2, a cross-sectional image of the three-dimensional object 14 is formed. At this time, the three-dimensional object forming material 1 previously placed in the placement process
Reference numeral 2 denotes a bonding and hardening process in the previous bonding process and hardening process, which are performed by bonding and hardening in a state sandwiched between the upper layer sheet material 10 and the sheet material 10 on which the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is arranged. The shrinkage that occurs in the sheet material 10 in the joining process and the curing process of the object forming material 12 has already occurred in the upper layer sheet material 10, and in this state, the following arrangement process is performed to perform the three-dimensional object. Forming material 12 is arranged. Therefore, the three-dimensional object forming material 12 can be arranged on the sheet material 10 with high accuracy without being affected by the contraction of the sheet material 10.

The three-dimensional object forming apparatus 1 sequentially performs the above-described arrangement process, superposition process, bonding process, and curing process to obtain the three-dimensional object forming material 1 sandwiched between the sheet materials 10.
When the three-dimensional object 14 is formed by superimposing the cross-sectional images 2 on each other, the bonded bundle 13 of the sheet material 10 on which the three-dimensional object 14 is formed is transported to the removing unit 8 shown in FIG. Then, a removal process is performed. In other words, the removal unit 8 is configured to connect the bundle 1 of the conveyed sheet material 10.
3 is provided with moisture, and a portion (unnecessary portion) where the three-dimensional object 14 is not formed by the three-dimensional object forming material 12 of the sheet material 10 is removed by weakening or dissolving with moisture. That is, as described above, the sheet material 10 is made of a material that is weakened or dissolved by the provision of moisture, and when the removal unit 8 is provided with moisture, the sheet material 10 is weakened or dissolved. Dissolve. However, the bonding bundle 13 of the sheet material 10 is in a state where the sheet material 10 of the portion where the three-dimensional object forming material 12 constituting the three-dimensional object 14 is arranged is coated with the three-dimensional object forming material 12. Therefore, moisture does not permeate, and the sheet material 10 constituting the three-dimensional object 14 is not weakened or dissolved. That is, only the portion of the sheet material 10 where the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is not disposed, that is, the unnecessary portion, is weakened or melted in the sheet material 10. Therefore, when moisture is provided by the removing unit 8, unnecessary portions of the bonded bundle 13 of the sheet material 10 that do not form the three-dimensional object 14 are weakened or dissolved, and are caught by the three-dimensional object 14. However, the three-dimensional object 14 can be appropriately acquired by being removed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the surface of the sheet material 10 through which the three-dimensional object forming material 12 permeates and passes by a predetermined amount is subjected to the tertiary three-dimensional object formation based on the three-dimensional object 14 to be formed. An arranging process for arranging the original object forming material 12 by the arranging unit 4 and an upper layer sheet material 10 on the sheet material 10 on which the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is arranged;
In the sheet supply unit 5 for superimposing the three-dimensional object forming material 12 in the state where the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is sandwiched between the upper and lower sheets 10. The material 12 permeates the upper and lower sheet materials 10 and the lower sheet material 1
The three-dimensional object-forming material 12 that has penetrated into the lower-layer sheet material 10 is brought into contact with the three-dimensional object-forming material 12 disposed on the lower-layer sheet material 10, and the bonding process is performed. And a curing step of curing the three-dimensional object forming material 12 in the bonding and curing unit 6 until the three-dimensional object 14 is formed. Of the sheet bundle 10 on which the three-dimensional object 14 is formed by the three-dimensional object forming material 12 disposed on the surface of the sheet bundle 10, the unnecessary portion other than the portion where the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is disposed is removed. ing. Therefore, the three-dimensional object forming materials 12 are joined to each other with the sheet material 10 interposed therebetween, and
By curing, the three-dimensional object forming material 12 can be accurately arranged and the three-dimensional object 14 can be formed while suppressing the influence of the shrinkage of the sheet material 10, without breaking the three-dimensional object 14 portion, By removing unnecessary portions appropriately, the three-dimensional object 14 having a complicated shape can be formed with high precision at low cost and easily.

Further, according to the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the placement unit 4 uses the liquid or liquid three-dimensional object forming material 12 containing the three-dimensional object forming material 12 based on the sectional shape data. Since the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is disposed on the surface of the sheet material 10 by spraying or pouring the 12 on the surface of the sheet material 10, the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is more easily disposed on the sheet material 10. High-precision three-dimensional object 14 even more inexpensively,
And it can be easily formed. In particular, when the liquid or liquid three-dimensional object-forming material 12 containing the three-dimensional object-forming material 12 is injected into the surface of the sheet material 10 and arranged as the arrangement unit 4, the material arrangement head 11 and the sheet material 10 By further reducing the clearance, the dispersion of the clearance is reduced, and the three-dimensional object forming material 12 can be more easily and accurately adjusted.
Thus, the three-dimensional object 14 with higher precision can be formed more inexpensively and easily. The number of means for spraying or pouring in the arrangement unit 4 may be singular or plural, and the number of nozzles and holes may be singular or plural.

Further, according to the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a material that is cured by heating is used as the three-dimensional object forming material 12. Since the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is cured by performing a heat treatment for heating the material 12 to a predetermined temperature, the three-dimensional object forming material 12
It is possible to quickly cure the three-dimensional object forming material 12 while maintaining the state of being bonded to the three-dimensional object forming material 12 on the adjacent sheet material 10 by infiltrating into the material, thereby reducing the variation in the lamination thickness. As well as high rigidity,
In addition, the heat-resistant three-dimensional object 14 can be formed.

Further, as the support, a sheet material 10 which is weakened or dissolved by being provided with water is used.
From the joint bundle 13 of the sheet material 10 to the three-dimensional object forming material 12
Unnecessary parts other than the part where the are arranged are weakened or dissolved and removed. Therefore, the unnecessary portion of the sheet material 10 can be easily and quickly removed to improve the forming speed of the three-dimensional object 14, and the higher-precision three-dimensional object 14 can be easily formed. .

Further, the three-dimensional object 14 is formed by superimposing the upper layer sheet material 10 on the sheet material 10 on which the three-dimensional object forming material 10 is arranged, based on the cross-sectional shape data of the three-dimensional object 14 to be formed. The three-dimensional object forming material 10
Is sandwiched between the lower sheet material 10 and the upper sheet material 10, the three-dimensional object forming material 10 is allowed to permeate and pass through the upper and lower layer sheet materials 10, and The original object-forming material 10 is brought into contact with the three-dimensional object-forming material 10 disposed on the lower-layer sheet material 10 of the lower-layer sheet material 10 to join the three-dimensional object-forming materials 10 together. The three-dimensional object forming material 10 is sequentially cured by a curing process, and the three-dimensional object forming materials 10 arranged on the plurality of sheet materials 10 are used to bond the sheet material 10 on which the three-dimensional object 14 is formed. 13 to form the sheet material 1
An unnecessary portion other than the portion where the three-dimensional object forming material 10 is arranged is removed from the bonded bundle 13 of No. 0 to form the bundle. Therefore, the three-dimensional object forming material 10 is sandwiched between the sheet materials 10.
The three-dimensional object 14 can be hardened while being joined together, and the three-dimensional object 14 is less affected by shrinkage of the sheet material 10.
High accuracy and low cost can be achieved.

FIGS. 8 to 14 are views showing a three-dimensional object forming method, a three-dimensional object forming apparatus, and a three-dimensional object according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a schematic structure of a three-dimensional object forming apparatus 20 to which the second embodiment of the three-dimensional object forming method, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus and the three-dimensional object according to the present invention is applied. . Note that the three-dimensional object forming apparatus according to the present embodiment has the joining and curing units of the three-dimensional object forming apparatus according to the first embodiment configured separately, and in the description of the present embodiment, The same components as those of the three-dimensional object forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 8, the three-dimensional object generating device 20
Are the same as the information generating unit 2, the section data generating unit 3, the arranging unit 4, the sheet feeding unit 5, the sheet holding stage 7, and the removing unit 8 as in the first embodiment.
And a bonding unit 21 and a curing unit 22.

As in the first embodiment, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 20 converts the three-dimensional object information created by the information creating unit 2 into the sectional shape data, which is a large number of layer data, by the sectional data creating unit 3. It is created and output to the placement unit 4 based on the cross-sectional shape data, and the placement unit 4 applies the three-dimensional object forming material 12 to the sheet material 10 supplied from the sheet supply unit 5 onto the sheet holding stage 7.
Are arranged to form a cross-sectional image, and the sheet material 10 is further supplied from the sheet supply unit 5 to be stacked on the sheet material 10 on which the cross-sectional image is formed. After a process of infiltrating the three-dimensional object forming material 12 into the material 10 and joining the three-dimensional object forming materials 12 of the sheet materials 10 to each other and curing the material in the curing unit 22 sequentially, the removing unit 8 performs three-dimensional processing. Bonded bundle 13 of sheet material 10 on which object 14 is formed
The portion (unnecessary portion) of the three-dimensional object forming material 12 to which the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is not adhered is removed to form the three-dimensional object 14.

The joining unit 21 includes a pressure roller 23 and a moving mechanism (not shown) for moving the pressure roller 23 in the horizontal direction indicated by a double arrow in FIG. The joining unit 21 moves the pressing roller 23 in the horizontal direction by the moving mechanism, and rotates the sheet material 10 stacked on the sheet holding stage 7 with the three-dimensional object forming material 12 interposed therebetween by the pressing roller 23. The three-dimensional object forming material 12 placed on the sheet material 10 and sandwiched by the sheet material 10 is penetrated and passed through the sheet material 10 while being pressurized at a predetermined pressure while being placed on the adjacent sheet material 10. A joining process for joining the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is performed.

The curing unit 22 is provided with a moving mechanism for moving in the vertical direction indicated by a double arrow in FIG. 8, a heating mechanism, and the like. The curing unit 22 moves in the direction of the sheet holding stage 7 and contacts the uppermost sheet material 10. In this state, the three-dimensional object forming material 12 joined by the joining unit 21 is heated to a predetermined temperature and cured.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described based on the respective process diagrams shown in FIG. First, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 20 supplies the sheet material 10 for arranging the three-dimensional object forming material 12 on the sheet holding stage 7 as in the first embodiment. That is, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 20 adjusts the vertical position of the sheet holding stage 7 and supplies the sheet material 10 from the sheet supply unit 5 onto the sheet holding stage 7. At this time, the arrangement unit 4 and the bonding unit 21 have moved in the horizontal direction and have been retracted to a position off the sheet holding stage 7, and the curing unit 22 has moved upward to be in the sheet supply unit. 5 is retracted to a position where the supply of the sheet material 10 to the sheet holding stage 7 is not hindered.

When the sheet material 10 is supplied onto the sheet holding stage 7, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 20 allows the placement unit 4 to perform the operation based on the cross-sectional shape data input from the cross-section data creating unit 3, as shown in FIG. To control the spraying or injection of the three-dimensional object forming material 12 while moving in the horizontal direction, thereby spraying (or injecting) the three-dimensional object forming material 12 onto the surface of the sheet material 10 on the sheet holding stage 7.
An arrangement process of arranging and forming a cross-sectional image of the three-dimensional object 14 with the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is performed.

When the placement unit 4 completes the placement step processing of the three-dimensional object forming material 12, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 20 then performs the sheet material 10 overlapping step processing as shown in FIG. That is, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 20 moves the placement unit 4 in the horizontal direction, retracts the placement unit 4 to a position off the sheet material 10, moves the sheet holding stage 7 up and down, and The height is adjusted so that the sheet material 10 supplied from the sheet supply sheet 5 is properly mounted, and the sheet material 10 is supplied from the sheet supply unit 5 onto the sheet holding stage 7, and the sheet holding stage 7 A new sheet material 10 is overlaid as an upper layer sheet material 10 in accordance with the uppermost sheet material 10 placed thereon.

The three-dimensional object forming apparatus 20 includes the sheet material 10
When the superposition process is completed, a bonding process is performed as shown in FIG. That is, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 20 moves the pressing roller 23 of the joining unit 21 above the sheet material 10 on the sheet holding stage 7, moves the sheet holding stage 7 upward, and
3 is an arrangement process in which the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is arranged on the sheet material 10, and in an overlapping process, the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is newly superimposed on the sheet material 10 on which the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is arranged. The sheet material 10 is brought into contact with the sheet material 10 so that the sheet material 10 is pressed at a predetermined pressure. In this state, the pressing roller 23 of the joining unit 21 is moved in the horizontal direction as indicated by an arrow in FIG.
The sheet material 10 stacked on the sheet holding stage 7 and sandwiching the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is pressed at a predetermined pressure.

When the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is pressed while being sandwiched between the upper layer sheet material 10 and the lower layer sheet material 10, a predetermined amount of the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is reduced. Penetrates and passes through the lower sheet material 10
And is bonded to the three-dimensional object forming material 12 disposed on the lower layer sheet material 10 of the lower layer sheet material 10 to form a cross-sectional image. At this time, the three-dimensional object forming material 12 sandwiched between the upper and lower sheet materials 10 also penetrates into the upper sheet material 10. Further, the three-dimensional object forming material 12 can be joined without unevenness without generating wrinkles in the sheet material 10 by the primary pressing by the pressing roller 23.

Next, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 20 is configured as shown in FIG.
As shown in (2), a curing process is performed. That is, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 20 is configured such that the pressing roller 2 of the joining unit 21
The curing unit 22 is moved in the direction of the sheet holding stage 7 (downward) with the 3 retracted from above the sheet holding stage 7 and brought into contact with the uppermost sheet material 10. The sheet material 10 sandwiching the three-dimensional object forming material 12 between the curing unit 22 and the sheet holding stage 7 is pressurized at a predetermined pressure, and the heating mechanism of the curing unit 22 is used. And heat the sheet material 10
A curing process is performed to cure the three-dimensional object forming material 12 sandwiched between the two in a joined state.

In this curing step, since the pressurization and the heating are performed simultaneously, the interval between the superposed sheet materials 10 is removed, so that not only the three-dimensional object forming materials 12 are bonded to each other, but also the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is bonded. The sheet material 10 on which the material 12 is disposed is also joined to each other at the portion where the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is placed. As a result, the dimensional accuracy of the three-dimensional object 14 in the stacking thickness direction can be improved, and the three-dimensional object 14 having high rigidity and heat resistance can be formed.

Next, when the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 20 completes the curing step processing, as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG.
The following arrangement process is performed. That is, when the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 20 completes the curing process, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 20 moves the sheet holding stage 7 downward as shown in FIG.
The placement unit 4 can be moved onto the sheet material 10 and the height position between the material placement head 11 and the sheet material 10 of the placement unit 4 is adjusted. Next, as shown in FIG. 14, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 20
Controls the spraying or injection of the three-dimensional object forming material 12 while moving in the horizontal direction on the basis of the cross-sectional shape data from the cross-sectional data creating unit 3 so that the uppermost sheet material 10 on the sheet holding stage 7 The three-dimensional object forming material 12 is scattered (or injected) and arranged on the surface of the object, and a cross-sectional image of the three-dimensional object 14 is formed by the three-dimensional object forming material 12. At this time, the three-dimensional object forming material 12 previously placed in the placement process is subjected to the upper bonding sheet material 10 and the three-dimensional object forming material 12
Are bonded and hardened in a state sandwiched by the sheet materials 10 on which the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is bonded. In this state, the following arrangement process is performed, and the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is arranged. Therefore, the three-dimensional object forming material 12 can be arranged on the sheet material 10 with high accuracy without being affected by the contraction of the sheet material 10.

The three-dimensional object forming apparatus 20 sequentially performs the above-described arrangement process, superposition process, bonding process, and curing process, and superimposes a cross-sectional image of the three-dimensional object forming material 12 sandwiched between the sheet materials 10. When the three-dimensional object 14 is formed, the sheet material 10 on which the three-dimensional object 14 is formed is formed.
Is transported to the removing unit 8 shown in FIG.
The removal unit 8 performs a removal process. The removing unit 8 applies moisture to the conveyed bundle 13 of the sheet material 10, and a portion where the three-dimensional object 14 is not formed by the three-dimensional object forming material 12 of the sheet material 10 (an unnecessary portion).
Is weakened or dissolved with moisture and removed. That is, as described above, the sheet material 10 is made of a material that is weakened or dissolved by the provision of moisture, and when the removal unit 8 is provided with moisture, the sheet material 10 is weakened or dissolved. Dissolve. The joined bundle 13 of the sheet materials 10 is in a state where the sheet material 10 of the portion where the three-dimensional object forming material 12 constituting the three-dimensional object 14 is disposed is coated with the three-dimensional object forming material 12,
The moisture does not permeate, and the sheet material 10 constituting the three-dimensional object 14 is not weakened or dissolved. That is, only the portion of the sheet material 10 where the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is not disposed, that is, the unnecessary portion, is weakened or melted in the sheet material 10. Therefore, when the moisture is provided in the removing unit 8, the sheet material 1 is removed.
Unnecessary portions of the bonded bundle 13 that do not form the three-dimensional object 14 are weakened or melted and removed without being caught by the three-dimensional object 14, and the three-dimensional object 14 is removed.
Only can be properly obtained.

As described above, in the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the three-dimensional object forming materials 12 are joined together with the sheet material 10 interposed therebetween. By curing, the three-dimensional object forming material 12 can be accurately arranged and the three-dimensional object 14 can be formed while suppressing the influence of the shrinkage of the sheet material 10, without breaking the three-dimensional object 14 portion, Unnecessary portions can be appropriately removed, and the three-dimensional object 14 having a complicated shape can be formed with high accuracy, at low cost and easily, and the joining unit 21 and the curing unit 22 are separately configured. The unit 21 and the curing unit 22 can have a simple configuration.

The curing unit 22 may be a roller-shaped device as long as it has a curing means and a pressurizing function. In this case, the three-dimensional object forming device 20
Can be reduced in size and space.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are views showing a third embodiment of the three-dimensional object forming method, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus and the three-dimensional object according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows a three-dimensional object forming method according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional object forming apparatus 30 to which a second embodiment of the three-dimensional object forming apparatus and the three-dimensional object is applied. Note that the three-dimensional object forming apparatus according to the present embodiment uses a continuous sheet as the sheet material 10 according to the first embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described. The same components as those of the three-dimensional object forming apparatus according to the embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 15, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 30
Are the same as in the first embodiment, the information creating unit 2, the section data creating unit 3, the arrangement unit 4, the joining / curing unit 6, the sheet holding stage 7, and the removing unit 8.
And the like, and a sheet supply unit 31 and the like.

The sheet supply unit 31 includes a sheet storage section 33 that is wound in a roll and stores a continuous sheet 32 having a predetermined width, and a transport roller 34 that feeds the continuous sheet 32.
And the continuous sheet 32 sent out by the conveying roller 34
And a cutting mechanism (not shown) for cutting the continuous sheet 32 into a predetermined shape on the sheet holding stage 7. The continuous sheet 32 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, a cut line 37 for easily cutting the cut sheet material 36 having a predetermined shape is provided in advance by the cutting mechanism.

The three-dimensional object forming apparatus 30 of the present embodiment
First, in order to place the three-dimensional object forming material 12, the continuous sheet 32 is supplied by the sheet supply unit 31 onto the sheet holding stage 7, and the sheet supply unit 3
A superimposing process for cutting the sheet material into cut sheets by the first cutting mechanism is performed. That is, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 30 adjusts the vertical position of the sheet holding stage 7, supplies the continuous sheet 32 from the sheet storage unit 33 of the sheet supply unit 31 onto the sheet holding stage 7, and uses a cutting mechanism (not shown). Then, the sheet is cut along the cut line attached to the continuous sheet 32 and only the sheet material 36 is supplied onto the sheet holding stage 7. At this time, the placement unit 4 has moved in the horizontal direction and has been retracted to a position off the sheet holding stage 7, and the bonding / curing unit 6 has moved upward and has been moved by the sheet supply unit 31. It is retracted to a position where the supply of the continuous sheet 32 and the sheet material 36 to the sheet holding stage 7 is not hindered.

When the first (first layer) sheet material 36 is supplied onto the sheet holding stage 7, the three-dimensional object forming device 30
Performs an arrangement process for arranging the three-dimensional object forming material 12 based on the cross-sectional shape data, as in the first embodiment. When the arranging process is completed, the superimposing process for superimposing the sheet material 36 on the sheet material 36 on which the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is arranged is performed again.

When the sheet material 36 is overlapped by sandwiching the three-dimensional object forming material 12 and cut into a predetermined shape, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 30 performs the first embodiment. The same bonding step processing as in the embodiment is performed. That is, in the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 30, only the joining / curing unit 6 or both the joining / curing unit 6 and the sheet holding stage 7 are moved in the direction in which the joining / curing unit 6 and the sheet holding stage 7 approach each other (up and down). Direction), the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is arranged on the sheet material 36 in the arrangement process, and the sheet material 36 on which the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is arranged in the superposition process.
The sheet material 3 in a state where the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is sandwiched between the joining / curing unit 6 and the sheet holding stage 7 by being brought into contact with the upper layer sheet material 36 newly superimposed thereon.
6 is pressed at a predetermined pressure to join the three-dimensional object forming materials 12 arranged on the adjacent sheet members 36 together.

Next, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 30 performs the same curing process as in the first embodiment. That is, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 30 includes the bonding / curing unit 6
When the sheet material 36 sandwiching the three-dimensional object forming material 12 between the sheet holding stage 7 and the sheet material 36 is pressed,
3D object forming material 1 by heating mechanism of curing unit 6
2 is heated to perform a curing process for curing the three-dimensional object forming material 12 sandwiched between the sheet materials 36 in a joined state.

Next, when the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 30 completes the hardening step processing, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 30 performs the next arranging step processing similarly to the above.
When the three-dimensional object 14 is formed by superimposing the cross-sectional images of the three-dimensional object forming material 12 sandwiched between the sheet materials 36 by sequentially performing the superposing step processing, the joining step processing, and the curing step processing, the three-dimensional object 14 is formed. Sheet material 3 on which object 14 is formed
6 is conveyed to the removing unit 8 shown in FIG. 15, and the removing unit 8 performs a removing process in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

Therefore, according to the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 30 of the present embodiment, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 30 of the present embodiment sandwiches the sheet member 36 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Bonding and curing the three-dimensional object forming materials 12 with each other to form the three-dimensional object 14 by precisely arranging the three-dimensional object forming materials 12 while suppressing the influence of the shrinkage of the sheet material 36. It is possible to form the three-dimensional object 14 having a complicated shape with high precision, inexpensively and easily, by properly removing unnecessary parts without breaking the three-dimensional object 14 part, and as a support, After using the continuous sheet 32 formed in a continuous sheet shape and superposing the front and back surfaces of the continuous sheet 32,
Since the sheet material 36 is cut into a predetermined shape, the sheet material 36 can be quickly superimposed, and the three-dimensional object 14 can be formed more quickly.

Note that in the third embodiment,
The continuous sheet 32 is placed on the sheet holding stage 7 or the sheet material 36 already laminated on the sheet holding stage 7.
After being superimposed on the continuous sheet 32, the continuous sheet 32 is immediately cut to form the sheet material 36. The timing for cutting the continuous sheet 32 is not limited to the above timing, and the continuous sheet 32 is then moved and supplied. The cutting may be performed at any timing as long as the time is not elapsed.

In each of the above embodiments, a liquid or a liquid three-dimensional object forming material 12 containing the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is used as the three-dimensional object forming material. According to 4, the three-dimensional object forming material 12 is scattered or injected and arranged. However, the arrangement of the three-dimensional object forming material is not limited to the above method. A latent image forming step of forming a latent image on the surface of a predetermined latent image carrier based on the attaching step of attaching a three-dimensional object forming material to the latent image carrier on which the latent image is formed in the latent image forming step, The three-dimensional object forming material adhered to the latent image carrier in the attaching step is supported on a support (for example, the sheet material 10 or 3 in each of the above embodiments).
6) transferring the three-dimensional object-forming material to the support and transferring the three-dimensional object-forming material to the support. With this configuration, the three-dimensional object forming material can be disposed on the support with higher accuracy, and a higher-precision three-dimensional object can be formed at high speed, at low cost, and easily. .

Further, a three-dimensional object forming material 12 which is cured by heating is used as the three-dimensional object forming material, and the three-dimensional object forming material 12 sandwiched between the sheet materials 10 and 36 is heated in the curing step. Although it is cured, the three-dimensional object forming material and the curing process are not limited to those described above.For example, as a three-dimensional object forming material, a material that is liquefied by heating and solidified by cooling is used. As the curing process, a cooling process of cooling the three-dimensional object forming material joined in the joining process to a predetermined temperature may be performed. By doing so, the three-dimensional object forming material can be cooled, the three-dimensional object forming material can be quickly cured, the three-dimensional object can be formed quickly, and the support that is sequentially laminated is formed. It is possible to prevent dimensional unevenness of a three-dimensional object caused by a change in viscosity due to a rise in temperature of a three-dimensional object forming material in a stacked support, and rigidity and heat resistance are improved. A high-precision three-dimensional object can be formed.

Further, as the three-dimensional object forming material, a material which is cured by irradiation with a predetermined energy ray is used.
As the curing step processing, the three-dimensional object forming material joined in the joining step processing may be subjected to an energy ray irradiation treatment of irradiating an energy ray to cure the three-dimensional object forming material. In this way, a three-dimensional object having high rigidity can be formed, and the material for forming the three-dimensional object can be cured while maintaining the thickness of the three-dimensional object, and the thickness of the three-dimensional object in the thickness direction can be increased. Accuracy can be improved.

Further, as the three-dimensional object forming material, a material which is cured by irradiation of ultraviolet rays is used, and as the curing step processing, an ultraviolet irradiation treatment of irradiating the three-dimensional object forming materials joined in the joining step processing with ultraviolet rays is performed. You may. In this way, a three-dimensional object having high rigidity can be formed, and the material for forming the three-dimensional object can be cured while maintaining the thickness of the three-dimensional object, and the thickness of the three-dimensional object in the thickness direction can be increased. Accuracy can be improved.

Further, as a three-dimensional object forming material, a material which is left in contact with each other for a predetermined time or which is heated to a predetermined temperature while in contact with each other is used. On the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is disposed in the disposing step processing, in a state where the support is superimposed in the overlapping step processing, performing a heat treatment for heating the three-dimensional object forming material to a predetermined temperature, The three-dimensional object forming materials of each support may be joined. With this configuration, the support is heated in a state where the support is laminated with the three-dimensional object forming material interposed therebetween, so that the three-dimensional object forming material can be quickly permeated into the support and joined, and the tertiary three-dimensional object can be more accurately formed. An original object can be formed.

Further, as the three-dimensional object forming material, a material which is left in contact with each other for a predetermined time or which is joined by being pressed to a predetermined pressure while in contact with each other is used. As described above, on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is disposed in the disposing step processing, in a state where the support is overlapped in the overlapping step processing, a pressurizing process is performed to press the three-dimensional object forming material at a predetermined pressure. Then, the three-dimensional object forming materials of the supports may be joined. In this way, the support can be pressurized in a state where the support is laminated with the three-dimensional object forming material interposed therebetween, and the three-dimensional object forming material can be quickly permeated into the support and joined, and the accuracy of the three-dimensional object can be improved. In particular, the accuracy in the thickness direction can be improved.

In each of the above embodiments, a material that is weakened or dissolved by the application of water is used as the support, and the water is applied in the removing process. The process treatment is not limited to this. For example, a material that is weakened or melted by irradiation of a predetermined microwave is used as the support, and the support is irradiated with microwaves in the removal process to remove the support. Unnecessary portions other than the portion where the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged may be weakened or melted and removed from the bonded bundle. In this way, the unnecessary portion of the support can be easily and quickly removed to improve the forming speed of the three-dimensional object, and it is possible to easily form a more accurate three-dimensional object. .

Further, a material which is melted by being heated to a predetermined temperature is used as the support, and the support is heated to a predetermined temperature to melt and remove the support in the removing step. Good. In this way, the unnecessary portion of the support can be easily and quickly removed to improve the forming speed of the three-dimensional object, and it is possible to easily form a more accurate three-dimensional object. .

Further, as the support, a material which is weakened by the irradiation of ultraviolet rays is used, and as a removing step treatment, the support is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and a portion where the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged is removed from the bonded bundle of the support. Unnecessary parts other than the above may be weakened and removed. In this way, unnecessary portions of the support can be easily and quickly removed to improve the formation speed of the three-dimensional object, and it is possible to easily form a more accurate three-dimensional object. it can.

Further, a material which is weakened or decomposed by microorganisms is used as a support, and a microorganism is applied to the support to remove or weaken or decompose the support in the removing step. Good. In this way, it is possible to form a three-dimensional object having a more complicated shape with high precision, and to form the three-dimensional object in a favorable condition for the environment without using harmful substances or chemical solvents. Can be.

Further, as the support, a water-soluble resin sheet having liquid permeability or porosity may be used. In this case, the material can appropriately support the three-dimensional object forming material, and the predetermined amount can be used. It can be properly permeated and passed, and a high-precision three-dimensional object can be easily formed.

As the water-soluble resin sheet as a support, a sheet made of resin fibers may be used. In this case, the material for forming a three-dimensional object can be more appropriately supported, and in addition, Permeate quantitatively more appropriately
Thus, a three-dimensional object with higher precision can be easily formed.

Further, a material which is weakened or melted by being heated to a predetermined support deterioration temperature is used as the support, and a predetermined three-dimensional object higher than the support deterioration temperature is used as the three-dimensional object forming material. The support may be heated to a predetermined temperature higher than the support deterioration temperature and lower than the three-dimensional object forming material deterioration temperature by using a material that is weakened or melted at the forming material deterioration temperature. In this way, the three-dimensional object-forming material penetrates into the support, quickly cures the three-dimensional object-forming material while maintaining the state of being joined to the three-dimensional object-forming material on the adjacent support, and is laminated. It is possible to form a three-dimensional object having high rigidity and heat resistance by reducing the variation in thickness, and it is also possible to easily and quickly remove unnecessary portions of the support, thereby increasing the forming speed of the three-dimensional object. A higher-precision three-dimensional object can be easily formed while improving.

As the three-dimensional object forming material, a material whose viscosity is reduced by heating and a predetermined amount passes through the support is used, and as a bonding process, an upper layer is formed on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged. After the supports are overlaid, the three-dimensional object-forming material disposed on the lower-layer support is heated via the upper-layer support, and the two supports sandwiching the three-dimensional object-forming material are heated. And bonded to the three-dimensional object forming material disposed on the lower support of the lower support. By doing so, the three-dimensional object forming material can be joined while maintaining the state where the laminated thickness of the support is appropriately controlled, and the dimensional accuracy in the thickness direction can be improved.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the one-color three-dimensional object forming material 12 is used. However, the three-dimensional object is not limited to one color. Using multiple different colors,
In the arranging process, three-dimensional object forming materials of a plurality of colors may be arranged based on the cross-sectional shape data. This makes it possible to easily and easily form a three-dimensional object having a plurality of color portions with the same cross section.

As described above, the invention made by the inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

[0190]

According to the method for forming a three-dimensional object according to the first aspect of the present invention, the surface of a predetermined support, which allows a predetermined amount of a three-dimensional object forming material to be cured by a predetermined curing treatment to penetrate and pass,
The three-dimensional object forming material is arranged based on the cross-sectional shape data of the three-dimensional object to be formed, and the support of the next layer is transported and superimposed on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged,
In a state where the three-dimensional object forming material is sandwiched between the supports of the adjacent layers, the three-dimensional object forming material is made to permeate the supports of the adjacent layers, and the three-dimensional object forming material that has penetrated the supports of the adjacent layers is formed. Each processing step of bringing the material into contact with and joining the three-dimensional object-forming material disposed on the support of the layer further adjacent to the support of the adjacent layer and curing the joined three-dimensional object-forming material The process is sequentially performed until a three-dimensional object is formed, and when the three-dimensional object is formed, the three-dimensional object is formed from the bonded bundle of the three-dimensional object formed by the three-dimensional object forming materials arranged on the plurality of supports. Since unnecessary parts other than the part where the object forming material is arranged are removed, the three-dimensional object forming materials are joined together with the support therebetween, and cured, while suppressing the influence of the contraction of the support, Accurate three-dimensional objects A three-dimensional object can be formed by arranging the forming material. Unnecessary parts can be appropriately removed without breaking the three-dimensional object part, and a three-dimensional object with a complicated shape can be accurately, inexpensively, and easily. Can be formed.

According to the three-dimensional object forming method of the present invention, a latent image is formed on the surface of a predetermined latent image carrier based on the sectional shape data, and the latent image carrier on which the latent image is formed is formed. The three-dimensional object forming material is attached to the substrate, and the three-dimensional object forming material attached to the latent image carrier is transferred to the support, and the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged on the support. The material can be arranged on the support with higher accuracy, and a three-dimensional object with higher accuracy can be easily formed at low cost.

According to the three-dimensional object forming method of the invention, the liquid containing the three-dimensional object forming material or the liquid three-dimensional object forming material is sprayed on the surface of the support based on the sectional shape data. Since the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged on the surface of the support, the three-dimensional object forming material can be more easily arranged on the support, and a high-precision three-dimensional object can be more inexpensively manufactured. And it can be easily formed.

According to the three-dimensional object forming method of the invention, a liquid containing the three-dimensional object forming material or a liquid three-dimensional object forming material is injected into the surface of the support on the basis of the sectional shape data. Therefore, since the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged on the surface of the support, the three-dimensional object forming material can be more easily and accurately arranged on the support, and a three-dimensional object with higher accuracy can be formed. It can be formed more inexpensively and easily.

According to the three-dimensional object forming method of the present invention, a material that liquefies by heating and solidifies by cooling is used as the three-dimensional object forming material, and the joined three-dimensional object forming material is subjected to a predetermined method. Since the three-dimensional object forming material is hardened by performing a cooling process of cooling to a temperature, the three-dimensional object forming material can be cooled and the three-dimensional object forming material can be quickly cured to form a three-dimensional object. Can be performed quickly, and the supports that are sequentially laminated are stably stacked, and the three-dimensional object resulting from a change in viscosity due to an increase in the temperature of the three-dimensional object forming material in the laminated support is obtained. It is possible to prevent dimensional unevenness of the object, to form a high-precision three-dimensional object with high rigidity and heat resistance.

According to the three-dimensional object forming method of the present invention, a material which is cured by irradiation of a predetermined energy ray is used as the three-dimensional object forming material, and energy is applied to the joined three-dimensional object forming material. Since the three-dimensional object forming material is cured by performing the energy beam irradiation treatment to irradiate the rays, it is possible to form a highly rigid three-dimensional object, and to maintain the state of controlling the layer thickness, The object forming material can be cured, and the dimensional accuracy in the thickness direction can be improved.

According to the three-dimensional object forming method of the present invention, a material which cures by irradiation of ultraviolet rays is used as the three-dimensional object forming material, and the joined three-dimensional object forming materials are irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Since the three-dimensional object forming material is cured by performing the ultraviolet irradiation treatment, a highly rigid three-dimensional object can be formed, and the three-dimensional object forming material is cured while maintaining the thickness of the laminated layer. And the dimensional accuracy in the thickness direction can be improved.

According to the three-dimensional object forming method of the present invention, a material that cures by heating is used as the three-dimensional object forming material, and the joined three-dimensional object forming material is heated to a predetermined temperature. Since the three-dimensional object-forming material is cured by performing the treatment, the three-dimensional object-forming material permeates into the support and is quickly bonded to the three-dimensional object-forming material on the adjacent support while maintaining the state. The three-dimensional object forming material can be cured, the variation in the thickness of the laminated layer can be reduced, and a three-dimensional object having high rigidity and heat resistance can be formed.

According to the three-dimensional object forming method of the ninth aspect of the present invention, the three-dimensional object forming materials are left in contact with each other for a predetermined time or heated to a predetermined temperature in mutual contact. By using a material to be joined by performing the heat treatment of heating the three-dimensional object forming material to a predetermined temperature while the support is further superimposed on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged. Since the three-dimensional object forming material of each support is joined, the three-dimensional object forming material is heated in a state where the supports are stacked with the three-dimensional object forming material interposed therebetween, so that the three-dimensional object forming material is quickly permeated into the support. And a three-dimensional object can be formed with higher accuracy.

According to the three-dimensional object forming method of the present invention, the three-dimensional object forming materials are left in contact with each other for a predetermined time or pressurized to a predetermined pressure in mutual contact. By using the material to be joined by being performed, a pressing process of pressing the three-dimensional object forming material to a predetermined pressure in a state where the support is further superimposed on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged is performed. Then, since the three-dimensional object forming materials of the respective supports are joined together, the pressure is applied in a state where the supports are stacked with the three-dimensional object forming material interposed therebetween, and the three-dimensional object forming material is quickly applied to the support. The three-dimensional object can be permeated and joined, and the accuracy of the three-dimensional object, particularly, the accuracy in the thickness direction can be improved.

[0200] According to the three-dimensional object forming method of the eleventh aspect of the present invention, a material which is weakened or dissolved by being provided with water is used as the support, and the support is provided with water, and the support is provided with water. Unnecessary parts other than the part where the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged are weakened or dissolved and removed from the bonded bundle of the three-dimensional object, so that the unnecessary part of the support is easily and quickly removed, and the three-dimensional object is removed. Can be formed at a higher speed, and a more accurate three-dimensional object can be easily formed.

According to the three-dimensional object forming method of the twelfth aspect of the present invention, as the support, for example, when the predetermined microwave is applied, the moisture in the support is vaporized and weakened or heat is melted. The material is used to irradiate the support with microwaves, and unnecessary parts other than the part where the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged are weakened or melted and removed from the bonded bundle of the support. Unnecessary parts are easy and
It can be removed quickly to improve the formation speed of the three-dimensional object, and it is possible to easily form a three-dimensional object with higher precision.

According to the three-dimensional object forming method of the thirteenth aspect, a material which is melted by being heated to a predetermined temperature is used as the support, and the support is heated to the predetermined temperature. Because of the melting and removal of unnecessary parts, unnecessary parts of the support can be easily and quickly removed to improve the formation speed of the three-dimensional object and easily form a more accurate three-dimensional object. can do.

According to the three-dimensional object forming method of the present invention, the support is made of a material which is weakened by the irradiation of ultraviolet rays, the support is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and the tertiary bond is formed from the bonded bundle of the support. Unnecessary parts other than the part where the original object forming material is arranged are weakened and removed, so that unnecessary parts of the support can be easily and quickly removed to improve the forming speed of the three-dimensional object. And a high-precision three-dimensional object can be easily formed.

According to the three-dimensional object forming method of the invention, a material which is weakened or decomposed by microorganisms is used as the support, and the microorganisms are applied to the support to weaken the support. Because it is decomposed and removed, 3D objects with even more complex shapes can be formed with high precision, and the 3D objects can be used in good conditions for the environment without using harmful substances or chemical solvents. Can be formed.

According to the three-dimensional object forming method of the sixteenth aspect, since the water-soluble resin sheet having liquid permeability or porosity is used as the support, the material for forming the three-dimensional object can be appropriately used. Can be supported,
A predetermined amount can be appropriately permeated and passed, and a high-precision three-dimensional object can be easily formed.

According to the three-dimensional object forming method of the seventeenth aspect, the water-soluble resin sheet as a support is
The use of resin fiber makes it possible to more appropriately support the three-dimensional object forming material, and also to allow a predetermined amount to permeate and pass more appropriately, thereby achieving higher precision. A three-dimensional object can be easily formed. In addition, since water is easily passed through when removing the support, the support can be removed quickly and reliably.

According to the three-dimensional object forming method of the invention, a material which is weakened or melted by being heated to a predetermined deterioration temperature of the support is used as the support. As a material, which is weakened or melted at a predetermined three-dimensional object forming material deterioration temperature higher than the support deterioration temperature, the support is set higher than the support deterioration temperature and lower than the three-dimensional object forming material deterioration temperature. Because the material is heated to a predetermined temperature, the three-dimensional object-forming material permeates into the support and quickly cures the three-dimensional object-forming material while maintaining the state of being joined to the three-dimensional object-forming material on the adjacent support This makes it possible to form a three-dimensional object having reduced rigidity, high rigidity and heat resistance, and to easily and quickly remove unnecessary portions of the support, While improving the rate of formation of the body, three-dimensional objects with higher precision can be easily formed.

[0208] According to the three-dimensional object forming method of the present invention, a support which has been cut into a predetermined shape is used as the support, and the cut support is adjusted to the predetermined shape to form the support. Since the front and back surfaces are overlapped, the support can be easily and accurately aligned, and a three-dimensional object can be formed at lower cost and with higher precision.

[0209] According to the three-dimensional object forming method of the present invention, a continuous sheet-shaped support is used as the support, and the continuous sheet-shaped support is used as the front and back surfaces of the support. Since they are cut into a predetermined shape after they are superimposed, the superposition of the supports can be performed quickly, and a three-dimensional object can be formed more quickly.

According to the three-dimensional object forming method of the present invention, since the three-dimensional object forming materials of a plurality of colors are arranged on the support on the basis of the cross-sectional shape data, a plurality of colors of the same cross-section are formed. The three-dimensional object provided with the portion can be easily and easily formed.

According to the three-dimensional object forming apparatus of the twenty-second aspect, the surface of the predetermined support, through which the predetermined amount of the three-dimensional object forming material that is cured by the predetermined curing treatment is permeated and passed,
The three-dimensional object forming material is arranged based on the cross-sectional shape data of the three-dimensional object to be formed, the upper layer support is transported and superimposed on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged, and the three-dimensional object is formed. In a state where the object-forming material is sandwiched between the upper and lower layers of the support, the three-dimensional object-forming material is infiltrated into the upper and lower layers of the support, and the three-dimensional object-forming material that has penetrated the lower layer of the support is used as the lower layer. The three-dimensional object is formed by contacting and joining the three-dimensional object forming material disposed on the lower support of the support, and curing the joined three-dimensional object forming material. When the three-dimensional object is formed, the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged from the bonded bundle of the three-dimensional object formed support by the three-dimensional object forming material arranged on the plurality of supports. No need other than parts Since the three-dimensional object forming material is removed, the three-dimensional object forming materials are joined together with the support interposed therebetween, and cured, and the three-dimensional object forming material is accurately arranged while suppressing the influence of the shrinkage of the support. , A three-dimensional object can be formed, and unnecessary parts can be appropriately removed without breaking the three-dimensional object part, so that a three-dimensional object having a complicated shape can be formed with high precision, at low cost and easily. .

[0212] According to the three-dimensional object forming apparatus of the twenty-third aspect, a latent image is formed on the surface of a predetermined latent image carrier based on the sectional shape data, and the latent image carrier on which the latent image is formed is formed. The three-dimensional object forming material is attached to the substrate, and the three-dimensional object forming material attached to the latent image carrier is transferred to the support, and the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged on the support. The material can be arranged on the support with higher accuracy, and a three-dimensional object with higher accuracy can be easily formed at low cost.

According to the three-dimensional object forming apparatus of the twenty-fourth aspect, the liquid containing the three-dimensional object forming material or the liquid three-dimensional object forming material is sprayed on the surface of the support based on the sectional shape data. Since the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged on the surface of the support, the three-dimensional object forming material can be more easily arranged on the support, and a high-precision three-dimensional object can be more inexpensively manufactured. And it can be easily formed.

According to the three-dimensional object forming apparatus of the twenty-fifth aspect, a liquid containing the three-dimensional object forming material or a liquid three-dimensional object forming material is injected into the surface of the support based on the sectional shape data. Therefore, since the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged on the support surface, the three-dimensional object forming material can be arranged on the support more easily and with high accuracy,
Higher precision 3D objects can be produced at lower cost and
It can be easily formed.

According to the three-dimensional object forming apparatus of the twenty-sixth aspect, as the three-dimensional object forming material, a material whose viscosity is reduced by heating and a predetermined amount passes through the support is used. After the upper-layer support is overlaid on the support on which the three-dimensional object is formed, the three-dimensional object-forming material disposed on the lower-layer support is heated via the upper-layer support, and the three-dimensional object is heated. Since it penetrates both supports sandwiching the forming material and is joined to the three-dimensional object forming material arranged on the lower support of the lower support,
While maintaining the state of properly controlling the thickness of the support laminate,
The three-dimensional object forming material can be joined, and the dimensional accuracy of the three-dimensional object in the thickness direction can be improved.

According to the three-dimensional object forming apparatus of the twenty-seventh aspect, as the three-dimensional object forming material, a material that passes through the support by a predetermined amount by applying pressure is used, and the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged. After the upper-layer support is overlaid on the support, the three-dimensional object-forming material disposed on the lower-layer support via the upper-layer support is pressed to remove the three-dimensional object-forming material. It penetrates both supports and sandwiches it with the three-dimensional object forming material placed on the lower support of the lower support, so that the thickness of the support laminated can be managed more appropriately. The three-dimensional object forming material can be joined while keeping the state, and the dimensional accuracy of the three-dimensional object in the thickness direction can be further improved.

According to the three-dimensional object forming apparatus of the twenty-eighth aspect, as the three-dimensional object forming material, a material which is liquefied by heating and solidified by cooling is used, and the joined three-dimensional object forming material is subjected to a predetermined method. Since the three-dimensional object forming material is cured by performing a cooling process of cooling to a temperature, for example,
By cooling the three-dimensional object forming material using a blower fan or a heat pipe, the three-dimensional object forming material is quickly cured, and the three-dimensional object can be quickly formed, and the support is sequentially laminated. The three-dimensional object is stably overlapped, and the dimensional unevenness of the three-dimensional object caused by a change in viscosity due to a rise in the temperature of the three-dimensional object forming material in the laminated support is prevented, and rigidity and heat resistance are improved. A high-precision three-dimensional object can be formed.

According to the three-dimensional object forming apparatus of the twenty-ninth aspect, as the three-dimensional object forming material, a material which is cured by irradiation of a predetermined energy ray is used, and energy is applied to the joined three-dimensional object forming material. Since the three-dimensional object forming material is cured by performing the energy beam irradiation treatment of irradiating the rays, it is possible to form a three-dimensional object having high rigidity, while maintaining the state of controlling the lamination thickness,
The three-dimensional object forming material can be cured, and the dimensional accuracy of the three-dimensional object in the thickness direction can be improved.

According to the three-dimensional object forming apparatus of the thirtieth aspect, a material which cures by irradiation of ultraviolet rays is used as the three-dimensional object forming material, and the joined three-dimensional object forming materials are irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Since the three-dimensional object forming material is cured by performing the ultraviolet irradiation treatment, a highly rigid three-dimensional object can be formed, and the three-dimensional object forming material is cured while maintaining the thickness of the laminated layer. Dimensional accuracy of the three-dimensional object in the thickness direction can be improved.

According to the three-dimensional object forming apparatus of the thirty-first aspect, as the three-dimensional object forming material, a material which is cured by heating is used, and the joined three-dimensional object forming material is heated to a predetermined temperature. Since the three-dimensional object-forming material is cured by performing the treatment, the three-dimensional object-forming material permeates into the support and is quickly bonded to the three-dimensional object-forming material on the adjacent support while maintaining the state. The three-dimensional object forming material can be cured, the variation in the thickness of the laminated layer can be reduced, and a three-dimensional object having high rigidity and heat resistance can be formed.

According to the three-dimensional object of the thirty-second aspect, based on the sectional shape data of the three-dimensional object to be formed, the upper-layer support is superimposed on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged. In addition, in a state where the three-dimensional object forming material is sandwiched between a lower support and an upper support, the three-dimensional object forming material is penetrated and passed through the upper and lower supports, and the lower support is The three-dimensional object-forming material that has permeated into the substrate is brought into contact with the three-dimensional object-forming material disposed on the lower-layer support of the lower-layer support to join the three-dimensional object-forming materials to each other, and the bonded parts are joined together. By sequentially performing a process of curing the three-dimensional object forming material by a predetermined curing process, to form a bonded bundle of the three-dimensional object formed support by the three-dimensional object forming material arranged on a plurality of supports, Of the support Unnecessary portions other than the portion where the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged are removed from the bundle to form a three-dimensional object, so that the three-dimensional object forming materials are joined together with the support therebetween and cured. Thus, the three-dimensional object can be made highly accurate and inexpensive with little influence of contraction of the support. Further, since the three-dimensional object is a composite of a support and a three-dimensional object forming material,
A material excellent in rigidity, toughness, and strength can be obtained from a three-dimensional object made of only a three-dimensional object forming material such as a photocurable resin.

According to the three-dimensional object of the thirty-third aspect of the present invention, the three-dimensional object can be formed by the three-dimensional object forming method according to any one of the second to twenty-first aspects or the three-dimensional object forming method according to the twenty-third aspect. Since the three-dimensional object is formed by the three-dimensional object forming apparatus described above, the three-dimensional object can be made more accurate and inexpensive.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional object forming apparatus to which a first embodiment of a three-dimensional object forming method, a three-dimensional object forming apparatus, and a three-dimensional object according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a main part front view showing an arrangement process by the three-dimensional object forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a main part front view showing a superposition process performed by the three-dimensional object forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an essential part front view showing a joining step process by the three-dimensional object forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an essential part front view showing a curing process performed by the three-dimensional object forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an essential part front view showing an arrangement process preparation process by the three-dimensional object forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a main part front view showing a process of arranging a three-dimensional object forming material on a next layer of sheet material by the three-dimensional object forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional object forming apparatus to which a second embodiment of the three-dimensional object forming method, the three-dimensional object forming apparatus, and the three-dimensional object according to the present invention is applied.

9 is an essential part front view showing an arrangement process by the three-dimensional object forming apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an essential part front view showing a superposition process by the three-dimensional object forming apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is an essential part front view showing the joining step processing by the three-dimensional object forming apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is an essential part front view showing a curing process performed by the three-dimensional object forming apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is an essential part front view showing an arrangement step preparation process by the three-dimensional object forming apparatus of FIG. 8;

14 is an essential part front view showing a process of arranging a three-dimensional object forming material on an upper layer sheet material by the three-dimensional object forming apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 15 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional object forming apparatus to which a third embodiment of a three-dimensional object forming method, a three-dimensional object forming apparatus, and a three-dimensional object according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of the sheet member of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 3D object forming apparatus 2 Information creation unit 3 Section data creation unit 4 Arrangement unit 5 Sheet supply unit 6 Joining / curing unit 7 Sheet holding stage 8 Removal unit 9 Conveyance roller 10 Sheet material 11 Material placement head 12 3D object forming material DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 Joining bundle 14 Three-dimensional object 20 Three-dimensional object forming apparatus 21 Joining unit 22 Curing unit 23 Pressure roller 30 Three-dimensional object forming apparatus 31 Sheet feeding unit 32 Continuous sheet 33 Sheet storage part 34 Conveyance roller 35 Take-up roller 36 Sheet material 37 Cut line 38 Joined bundle

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI B29K 105: 24 B29L 9:00

Claims (33)

[Claims] 1. A method according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined amount of a three-dimensional object forming material that is cured by a predetermined curing treatment is permeated and passed through the plurality of supports.
A three-dimensional object forming method for forming the three-dimensional object by sequentially supporting the three-dimensional object forming material based on cross-sectional shape data of the three-dimensional object to be formed, wherein the cross-sectional shape is formed on a surface of the support. An arranging step of arranging the three-dimensional object-forming material based on the data, and an overlapping step of superimposing the support of the next layer on the support on which the three-dimensional object-forming material is arranged in the arranging step; In the arrangement step, the support of the next layer is overlapped and the three-dimensional object forming material is sandwiched between the support and the support of the next layer, and the three-dimensional object forming material is supported by the adjacent layer. The three-dimensional object forming material permeated into the support of the adjacent layer is brought into contact with the three-dimensional object forming material disposed on the support of the next adjacent layer while being permeated into the body. material A joining step of joining the members, a curing step of curing the three-dimensional object forming material of each of the supports joined in each of the support bundles in the joining step by the predetermined curing treatment, and the arranging step Performing the superimposing step, the joining step, and the curing step sequentially, from the joining bundle of the support on which the three-dimensional object is formed by the three-dimensional object forming material disposed on the plurality of supports. A removing step of removing an unnecessary portion other than the portion where the three-dimensional object forming material is disposed. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the arranging step includes forming a latent image on a surface of a predetermined latent image carrier based on the sectional shape data, and forming the latent image in the latent image forming step. An attaching step of attaching the three-dimensional object forming material to the latent image carrier, and transferring the three-dimensional object forming material attached to the latent image carrier in the attaching step to the support, A transfer step of arranging the three-dimensional object forming material,
The method according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the disposing step includes dispersing the liquid or the liquid three-dimensional object-forming material containing the three-dimensional object-forming material on the surface of the support based on the cross-sectional shape data. The method according to claim 1, wherein an object forming material is disposed on the surface of the support. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the disposing step comprises injecting the liquid or the liquid three-dimensional object-forming material containing the three-dimensional object-forming material into the surface of the support, based on the cross-sectional shape data. The method according to claim 1, wherein an object forming material is disposed on the surface of the support. 5. The three-dimensional object forming material is a material that is liquefied by heating and solidified by cooling, and in the curing step, the three-dimensional object forming material joined in the joining step is used as the curing treatment. The three-dimensional object forming method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a cooling process for cooling to a predetermined temperature is performed. 6. The three-dimensional object forming material is a material that is cured by irradiation of a predetermined energy ray, and the curing step includes, as the curing treatment, the three-dimensional object forming material joined in the joining step. 2. An energy beam irradiation process for irradiating the energy beam.
The method for forming a three-dimensional object according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 7. The three-dimensional object forming material is a material that is cured by irradiation of ultraviolet rays, and the curing step includes applying the ultraviolet rays to the three-dimensional object forming materials joined in the joining step as the curing treatment. The method of forming a three-dimensional object according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an ultraviolet irradiation process for irradiating is performed. 8. The three-dimensional object forming material is a material which is cured by heating, and in the curing step, the three-dimensional object forming material joined in the joining step is heated to a predetermined temperature as the curing treatment. The method for forming a three-dimensional object according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a heat treatment is performed. 9. The material for forming a three-dimensional object is a material which is left in contact with each other for a predetermined time or is heated to a predetermined temperature in a state of contact with each other to be bonded. A heating process of heating the three-dimensional object forming material to a predetermined temperature in a state where the support is superimposed on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is disposed in the disposing step; 5. The method of forming a three-dimensional object according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional object forming material of each of the supports is joined by performing the following. 10. The three-dimensional object forming material is a material that is left in contact with each other for a predetermined time or is bonded by being pressed to a predetermined pressure in mutual contact. Is a step of pressing the three-dimensional object forming material at a predetermined pressure in a state where the support is superimposed on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is disposed in the disposing step. The three-dimensional object forming method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the three-dimensional object forming material of each of the supports is bonded by performing a pressure treatment. 11. The support is made of a material that is weakened or dissolved by the provision of moisture. In the removing step, the moisture is provided to the support, and the tertiary material is removed from the bonded bundle of the support. The three-dimensional object forming method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein an unnecessary portion other than the portion where the original object forming material is disposed is weakened or dissolved and removed. 12. The supporting body is made of a material that is weakened or melted by irradiation of a predetermined microwave. In the removing step, the supporting body is irradiated with the microwave, and the supporting body is removed from the bonded bundle of the supporting body. The three-dimensional object forming method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein an unnecessary portion other than the portion where the three-dimensional object forming material is disposed is weakened or melted and removed. 13. The supporting body is a material that is melted by being heated to a predetermined temperature, and in the removing step, the supporting body is heated to the predetermined temperature and the supporting body is melted and removed. The method for forming a three-dimensional object according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: 14. The support is made of a material that is weakened by irradiation with ultraviolet light, and the removing step includes irradiating the support with the ultraviolet light to remove the three-dimensional object forming material from the bonded bundle of the support. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein unnecessary parts other than the arranged part are weakened and removed.
The method for forming a three-dimensional object according to any one of the above. 15. The support is a material that is weakened or decomposed by microorganisms. In the removing step, the microorganism is removed from the support by weakening or decomposing the support. The method for forming a three-dimensional object according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: 16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the support is a liquid-permeable or porous water-soluble resin sheet. 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the water-soluble resin sheet is formed of resin fibers. 18. The support material is a material which is weakened or melted by being heated to a predetermined support deterioration temperature, and the three-dimensional object forming material is a predetermined tertiary material which is higher than the support deterioration temperature. A material that is weakened or melted at the original object forming material deterioration temperature, and in the removing step, the support is heated to a predetermined temperature higher than the support deterioration temperature and lower than the three-dimensional object forming material deterioration temperature. The three-dimensional object forming method according to claim 13, wherein: 19. The method according to claim 19, wherein the support is cut in a predetermined shape in advance, and in the overlapping step, the front and back surfaces of the support are overlapped with the cut support in accordance with the predetermined shape. Claims 1 to 1 characterized in that:
9. The method for forming a three-dimensional object according to any one of items 8. 20. The method according to claim 20, wherein the support is formed in a continuous sheet shape, and in the overlapping step, the continuous sheet-like support is superposed on the front and back surfaces of the support, and then formed in a predetermined shape. The method for forming a three-dimensional object according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional object is cut into pieces. 21. The three-dimensional object forming material is prepared in a plurality of colors different from each other, and in the arranging step, the plurality of three-dimensional object forming materials are arranged based on the cross-sectional shape data. The method for forming a three-dimensional object according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein 22. Based on the cross-sectional shape data of the three-dimensional object to be formed, the three-dimensional object is formed on a predetermined plurality of supports through which a predetermined amount of a three-dimensional object forming material that is hardened by a predetermined hardening process is permeated and passed. A three-dimensional object forming apparatus that forms the three-dimensional object by supporting an object forming material, wherein an arrangement unit that arranges the three-dimensional object forming material on a surface of the support based on the cross-sectional shape data, Overlapping means for transporting and superimposing the upper layer of the support on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is disposed by the disposing means; and the lower layer on which the three-dimensional object forming material is disposed by the disposing means. The three-dimensional object forming material is sandwiched between the upper-layer support and the lower-layer support while the upper-layer support is superimposed on the support of The three-dimensional object-forming material, which has been permeated into the upper and lower layers of the support and the three-dimensional object-forming material permeated into the lower layer of the support, is disposed on the lower layer of the lower layer of the support. Joining means for bringing the three-dimensional object forming materials into contact with the original object forming material and joining the three-dimensional object forming materials, and curing for curing the three-dimensional object forming materials of the respective supports joined by the joining means by the predetermined curing treatment Means, processing by the arranging means, the superimposing means, the joining means and the curing means are sequentially performed, and the three-dimensional object is formed by the three-dimensional object forming material arranged on the plurality of supports. Removing means for removing unnecessary portions other than the portion where the three-dimensional object forming material is disposed from the bonded bundle of the supports. . 23. A latent image forming means for forming a latent image on a surface of a predetermined latent image carrier based on the sectional shape data, and the latent image is formed by the latent image forming means. Attachment means for attaching the three-dimensional object forming material to the latent image carrier, and transferring the three-dimensional object forming material attached to the latent image carrier to the support by the attaching means, to the support. 23. The three-dimensional object forming apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising a transfer unit that arranges the three-dimensional object forming material. 24. The arranging means, based on the cross-sectional shape data, sprays the liquid or the liquid three-dimensional object-forming material containing the three-dimensional object-forming material on the surface of the support, and The three-dimensional object forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein an object forming material is disposed on the surface of the support. 25. The three-dimensional object forming material, wherein the disposing means injects the liquid or liquid three-dimensional object forming material containing the three-dimensional object forming material onto the surface of the support based on the cross-sectional shape data, and The three-dimensional object forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein an object forming material is disposed on the surface of the support. 26. The three-dimensional object forming material is a material whose viscosity is reduced by heating and a predetermined amount passes through the support, and the joining means arranges the three-dimensional object forming material by the arrangement means. After the upper support is superimposed on the support by the superposing means, the three-dimensional object forming material disposed on the lower support through the upper support is heated. And penetrating the two supports sandwiching the three-dimensional object-forming material, and bonding the three-dimensional object-forming material to the three-dimensional object-forming material disposed on the lower-layer support of the lower-layer support. The three-dimensional object forming apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that: 27. The three-dimensional object forming material is a material that passes through the support by a predetermined amount by pressurizing, and the joining unit includes the supporting unit on which the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged by the arranging unit. After the upper layer of the support is superimposed on the body by the superposing means, the three-dimensional object forming material disposed on the lower layer of the support via the upper layer of the support is pressed, By penetrating the two supports sandwiching the three-dimensional object-forming material, and joining the three-dimensional object-forming material disposed on the lower-layer support of the lower-layer support. Claim 2
The three-dimensional object forming apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 25. 28. The three-dimensional object forming material is a material which is liquefied by heating and solidified by cooling, and the hardening means performs the three-dimensional object forming material joined by the joining means as the hardening treatment. 26. The three-dimensional object forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein a cooling process for cooling to a predetermined temperature is performed. 29. The three-dimensional object forming material is a material which is cured by irradiation of a predetermined energy beam, and the curing means performs the curing treatment on the three-dimensional object forming material joined by the joining means. The three-dimensional object forming apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein energy beam irradiation processing for irradiating the energy beam is performed. 30. The three-dimensional object forming material is a material which is cured by irradiation of ultraviolet rays, and the curing means applies the ultraviolet rays to the three-dimensional object forming material joined by the joining means as the curing treatment. 26. The three-dimensional object forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein an ultraviolet irradiation process for irradiating is performed. 31. The three-dimensional object forming material is a material which is cured by heating, and the curing means heats the three-dimensional object forming material joined by the joining means to a predetermined temperature as the curing treatment. The three-dimensional object forming apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein a heat treatment is performed. 32. Based on the cross-sectional shape data of the three-dimensional object to be formed, the three-dimensional object forming material which is to be hardened by a predetermined hardening treatment is penetrated and passed through a predetermined amount by a predetermined amount. A three-dimensional object formed by supporting the object forming material, on the support on which the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged based on the cross-sectional shape data,
The three-dimensional object forming material is placed on the upper and lower layers of the support in a state where the upper layer of the support is overlapped and the three-dimensional object forming material is sandwiched between the lower layer of the support and the upper layer of the support. While penetrating and passing, the three-dimensional object-forming material that has permeated the lower-layer support comes into contact with the three-dimensional object-forming material disposed on the lower-layer support of the lower-layer support. The three-dimensional object forming materials are joined together, and the joined three-dimensional object forming materials are sequentially cured by the curing treatment, and the three-dimensional object forming materials arranged on the plurality of supports are sequentially processed. A joint bundle of the support body on which the three-dimensional object is formed is formed, and unnecessary portions other than the portion where the three-dimensional object forming material is arranged are removed from the joint bundle of the support body. Especially Three-dimensional object to. 33. A three-dimensional object forming method according to any one of claims 2 to 21 or a three-dimensional object forming apparatus according to any one of claims 23 to 31. A three-dimensional object characterized by being performed.