阅读说明：本技术 光造型装置用配件 (Accessory for light modeling device ) 是由 大岛英司 榆井俊介 于 2021-05-24 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供能够进行多种大小的立体形状物的造型的光造型装置用配件。光造型装置用配件具备能够相对于光造型装置的造型台装拆的基座部和设置于基座部的第一支撑部件(403)以及第二支撑部(404)。基座部由引导部(401a、401b)和连结棒(402a、402b)形成为四边框状。第一支撑部件(403)以及第二支撑部(404)在从光学引擎(104)到槽(300)的距离比从光学引擎(104)到造型台(102)的距离长的位置将槽(300)支撑为大致水平。(The invention provides a fitting for a light modeling device, which can model three-dimensional objects with various sizes. The accessory for the light shaping device comprises a base part which can be assembled and disassembled relative to a shaping table of the light shaping device, a first supporting member (403) and a second supporting part (404) which are arranged on the base part. The base part is formed into a quadrangular frame shape by guide parts (401a, 401b) and coupling rods (402a, 402 b). The first support member (403) and the second support member (404) support the trough (300) substantially horizontally at a position where the distance from the optical engine (104) to the trough (300) is longer than the distance from the optical engine (104) to the modeling table (102).)

1. A kit for an optical modeling apparatus that is attachable to and detachable from an optical modeling apparatus that models a three-dimensional object by irradiating light emitted from an optical scanning unit through an opening of a modeling table onto a photocurable resin in a tank, the kit for an optical modeling apparatus comprising:

a base portion that can be attached to and detached from the modeling table; and

a support unit fixed to the base part,

the base portion has a quadrangular frame shape having an opening through which light from the light scanning portion can pass,

the support unit supports the tank substantially horizontally at a position where a distance from the light scanning unit to the tank is longer than a distance from the light scanning unit to the modeling table.

2. The fitting for a light shaping device as defined in claim 1,

the base part is formed by alternately connecting a substantially rectangular parallelepiped guide part and a connecting rod.

3. The fitting for a light shaping device as defined in claim 2,

the support unit has a plate-shaped first support member and a plate-shaped second support member,

the first support member and the second support member are arranged substantially perpendicularly to the base portion so as to face each other with the opening of the base portion interposed therebetween.

4. The fitting for a light shaping device as defined in claim 3,

the first support member and the second support member each have a through hole through which a part of the groove can be fitted and removed.

5. The fitting for a light shaping device according to claim 3 or 4,

the first support member and the second support member are formed of a flexible material.

6. The fitting for a light shaping device according to claim 4 or 5,

the utility model is also provided with a fixed bar,

the fixing rod is mounted on the first support member and the second support member at a position facing the connecting rod via the through hole.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a kit for a stereolithography apparatus which is mounted on a stereolithography apparatus for forming a desired three-dimensional object by curing a photocurable resin using a laser light source or the like.

Background

Additive manufacturing techniques, so-called 3D printing, are attracting attention for the purpose of mass production of many types, reduction in trial production period, reduction in development cost, and the like. As a modeling method of 3D printing, there are various methods, and among them, liquid tank photopolymerization (photo-modeling) in which a photo-curable resin is selectively solidified by light to model a three-dimensional shape can realize a fine and highly precise modeling.

As 3D printing using an optical modeling method, for example, an optical modeling apparatus described in patent document 1 is known. The optical modeling apparatus of patent document 1 uses DLP (Digital Light Processing) as an irradiation unit. By using the DLP as the irradiation means, light corresponding to the cross-sectional data of the three-dimensional shaped object can be irradiated at a time.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: U.S. patent application publication No. 2017/0291355 specification

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In the past, development and trial production of products required months. Since a desired three-dimensional object can be molded in a short time by molding using the optical molding method, it is expected that the development time and trial production time can be significantly reduced. On the other hand, as the precision of the optical modeling apparatus is improved, the variety of three-dimensional shaped objects that can be modeled is becoming more abundant, and there is an increasing demand for modeling test products of various sizes in the stage of developing the test products in accordance with the specifications of various products.

The size of the object to be molded by the optical molding apparatus depends on the irradiation range of light on the molding surface. In the optical modeling apparatus described in patent document 1, when the distance from the DLP to the modeling surface is extended, the projection range of the DLP can be extended, but the projection image on the modeling surface is blurred. It is difficult to form a fine three-dimensional object by the optical forming device described in patent document 1.

The invention aims to provide a fitting for a light modeling device, which can model three-dimensional objects with various sizes. In particular, it is possible to provide a kit for an optical modeling apparatus which is capable of exhibiting the characteristics of an optical modeling apparatus capable of focusing freely and which is capable of modeling three-dimensional objects of various sizes.

Means for solving the problems

The present invention provides a kit for a stereolithography apparatus which is attachable to and detachable from a stereolithography apparatus for stereolithography an object by irradiating a light beam emitted from a light scanning unit into a photocurable resin in a tank through an opening of a lithography stage, the kit for a stereolithography apparatus comprising: a base part which can be assembled and disassembled relative to the modeling table; and a support unit fixed to the base portion. The base portion has a rectangular frame shape having an opening, and the light beam from the light scanning portion can pass through the opening. The supporting unit supports the groove substantially horizontally at a position where a distance from the light scanning unit to the groove is longer than a distance from the light scanning unit to the modeling table.

In the accessory for an optical modeling apparatus of the present invention, the support unit supports the groove substantially horizontally at a position where a distance from the optical scanning unit to the groove is longer than a distance from the optical scanning unit to the modeling table. When the light scanning unit is used as a reference, the groove is located farther than the modeling table. The light beam emitted from the light scanning unit passes through the opening of the base unit and is irradiated to the photocurable resin in the groove.

As described above, the size of the three-dimensional object molded by the optical molding device depends on the irradiation range of the light irradiated to the molding surface. When the scanning range of the light beam emitted from the light scanning unit is constant, the size of the three-dimensional object depends on the distance from the light scanning unit to the groove. According to the above configuration, the distance from the light scanning unit to the groove is longer than that of the conventional optical modeling apparatus. Therefore, the light scanning range is expanded on the molding surface of the photocurable resin stored in the tank, and a three-dimensional object with a larger size than before can be molded. On the other hand, since the base portion is detachable from the modeling table, the accessory for an optical modeling apparatus of the present invention can be detached from the modeling table, and the groove can be directly fixed to the modeling table as in the conventional case, or indirectly fixed to the modeling table via a jig or the like, whereby a three-dimensional object having a smaller size than that in the case where the accessory for an optical modeling apparatus is attached to the modeling table can be modeled. Therefore, according to the accessory for a stereolithography apparatus of the present invention, three-dimensional objects of various sizes ranging from small-sized three-dimensional objects to large-sized three-dimensional objects can be formed.

In the above-structured accessory for a stereolithography apparatus, the base portion is preferably formed by alternately connecting the guide portion having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and the connecting rod.

The base part of the accessory for the light shaping device of the invention has a quadrangular frame shape. As a specific configuration of the base portion, for example, a configuration is provided in which a substantially rectangular parallelepiped guide portion and a coupling rod are alternately coupled. The guide portion is formed as a portion to be attached to and detached from the modeling table, and the guide portion is fixed to each of both end portions of the connecting rod, whereby a light-weight base portion can be configured with a simple structure.

In the above-structured accessory for a stereolithography apparatus, it is preferable that the support unit includes a plate-shaped first support member and a plate-shaped second support member, and the first support member and the second support member are provided so as to face each other with the opening of the base portion interposed therebetween and to be substantially perpendicular to the base portion.

If the groove is supported by the plate-shaped first support member and the plate-shaped second support member, the path of the light beam emitted from the light scanning unit can be secured, and the weight of the support unit can be reduced.

In the above-structured accessory for a light shaping apparatus, the first support member and the second support member preferably have through holes into and from which the grooves are partially fitted and removed.

By fitting a part of the groove into the through-holes provided in the first support member and the second support member, the groove can be supported at a position spaced apart from the modeling table by a predetermined distance with a simple structure. Further, by removing a part of the groove from the through-holes, the groove can be removed from the accessory for the stereolithography apparatus.

In the above-structured accessory for an optical modeling apparatus, when the first support member and the second support member are formed of a flexible material, one or both of the first support member and the second support member can be bent, so that a part of the groove can be fitted into the through-hole of the first support member and the through-hole of the second support member. Further, even when only one of the first support member and the second support member is formed of a flexible material, the same operational effects can be obtained.

In the above-structured accessory for a light shaping apparatus, the support unit preferably further includes a fixing rod. Preferably, the fixing rod is provided between the first support member and the second support member, and fixes the first support member and the second support member at positions facing the coupling rod via the through hole.

In the configuration in which a part of the groove is supported by the through-holes provided in the first support member and the second support member, there is a possibility that the position of the groove may be changed by vibration or the like during the modeling of the optical modeling apparatus. The variation in the position of the groove causes the accuracy of the three-dimensional object to be formed to be lowered. By mounting the fixing bar on the first support member and the second support member, the rigidity of the fitting for the stereolithography apparatus is improved. In addition, since the fixing rod is provided so as to be bridged between the first support member and the second support member at a position facing the connecting rod via the through hole, the fixing groove can be more reliably fixed, and the reduction in the accuracy of the three-dimensional shaped object by the stereolithography apparatus can be appropriately suppressed.

Effects of the invention

According to the accessory for the stereolithography apparatus of the present invention, a three-dimensional object having a plurality of sizes can be formed in the stereolithography apparatus.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a slot-equipped light molding apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a side view of a slot guide in the light molding apparatus shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the groove.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing a method of assembling the slot to the photo-molding apparatus shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the accessory for the stereolithography apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the accessory for the stereolithography apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the light molding apparatus to which the accessory for the light molding apparatus shown in fig. 6 is attached.

Fig. 8 is a top view of the light shaping apparatus shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view a-a of the light shaping apparatus shown in fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view a-a of the light molding apparatus shown in fig. 8.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view A-A of the light molding apparatus shown in FIG. 8.

Fig. 12 is a diagram schematically showing an optical path from the light scanning unit to the optical modeling apparatus attachment.

Description of reference numerals:

10: light molding apparatus, 100: base table, 101a, 101b, 101c, 101d, 101e, 101 f: modeling table support, 102: modeling table, 102 a: opening portions, 103a, 103 b: strut, 104: optical engine, 104 a: condenser lens, 105: direct-acting mechanism, 106: bracket, 107: standard platform, 108: extension platform, 200: groove guide, 201: guide body, 202: adjusting screw, 203: leaf spring, 300: groove, 301: bottom surface portion, 302: side surface portion, 303: flange portion, 400: optical modeling apparatus attachment, 401a, 401 b: guide portions 402a and 402 b: connecting rod, 403: first support member, 403a, 403 b: slot support hole, 404: second support member, 404a, 404 b: groove support hole, 405a, 405 b: fixed bar, 500, 501: a three-dimensional shaped object.

Detailed Description

An embodiment embodying the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The accessory for a stereolithography apparatus according to the present embodiment is assumed to be mounted on a stereolithography apparatus employing a liquid tank photopolymerization (stereolithography) method in which a photocurable resin is selectively solidified by light such as a laser light source to perform a stereolithography.

First, a basic configuration of the optical modeling apparatus will be described. As shown in fig. 1, the light modeling apparatus 10 includes: a flat plate-like base 100; columnar modeling table supports 101a, 101b, 101c, 101d, 101e, and 101f extending upward from the upper surface of the base 100; and a flat plate-like modeling table 102 supported by the 6 support columns 101a to 101 f. The modeling table 102 is substantially the same size as the base 100, and its peripheral portion is supported by the modeling table supports 101a to 10 f. Further, adjustment bolts (adjustment legs) are screwed into four corners of the bottom surface side of the base 100, and the upper surface of the modeling table 102 can be adjusted to be horizontal.

A rectangular opening 102a is provided in the center of the modeling table 102. A rectangular parallelepiped support column 103a is vertically provided on the upper surface of the opening 102a in the vicinity of one long side thereof, and extends upward from the upper surface of the modeling table 102. Further, a support column 103b is provided to protrude downward from the bottom surface of the modeling table 102 in the vertical direction.

An optical engine 104 as an optical scanning unit is fixed to the support column 103b via a bracket substantially below the center of the opening 102a of the modeling table 102. The optical engine 104 includes a light source such as a laser light source, optical elements such as a collimator lens and a mirror, and a two-dimensional MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) mirror. Light emitted from the light source is incident on the two-dimensional MEMS mirror via the optical element. The two-dimensional MEMS mirror is an electromagnetically driven mirror and can rotate in two dimensions. The light reflected by the two-dimensional MEMS mirror is scanned as the two-dimensional MEMS mirror moves. Between the optical engine 104 and the modeling table 102, a condenser lens 104a is fixed by the same bracket as the optical engine 104.

A linear motion mechanism 105 is fixed to a surface of the support post 103a on the opening 102a side along the support post 103 a. The linear motion mechanism 105 includes a slide member, and moves the slide member in a vertical direction (vertical direction) by a driving force of a motor. An inverted L-shaped bracket 106 is fixed to the slide member.

A standard platform 107 is mounted suspended from the carriage 106. The standard platform 107 is composed of a main body having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and a suspending portion protruding upward. The standard platform 107 is suspended and mounted on the bracket 106 by screwing the suspending portion of the standard platform 107 to the protruding portion of the bracket 106. The standard platform 107 is integrally fixed to a slide member of the linear motion mechanism 105 via the bracket 106, and is moved in the vertical direction by driving of the linear motion mechanism 105.

On the modeling table 102, a groove guide 200 is mounted so as to sandwich the opening 102a from the short side. As shown in fig. 2, the groove guide 200 includes a guide body 201, an adjustment screw 202, and a plate spring 203. The guide body 201 is an inverted L-shaped block. Two threaded holes into which the adjustment screws 202 can be screwed are formed in the brim-shaped projecting portion of the guide body 201 so as to penetrate in the vertical direction. The front end of the adjustment screw 202 is formed in a hemispherical shape. A band-shaped plate spring 203 is disposed at a position facing the tip end of the adjustment screw 202. Convex portions protruding toward the adjustment screw 202 are provided at both ends of the plate spring 203.

The slot 300 is attached to and detached from the slot guide 200. The material of the three-dimensional shape is stored in the tank 300. The material is a photocurable resin, and is represented by an ultraviolet curable resin such as an acrylic resin (polymer acrylate) or a urethane resin (urethane acrylate).

As shown in fig. 3, the groove 300 is a container made of a transparent material having a portion opened, and is configured to allow easy confirmation of the storage amount of the photocurable resin. The groove 300 is formed of a rectangular bottom surface 301 and a side surface 302 standing upright so as to surround the outer periphery of the bottom surface 301. A flange portion 303 is provided along the circumferential direction on the bottom surface side of the side surface portion 302. The flange portion 303 is formed such that a length Ta in the short side direction is longer than a length La in the short side direction of the side surface portion 302, and a length Tc in the long side direction is longer than a length Lb in the long side direction of the side surface portion 302. The thickness Tb of the flange portion 303 is slightly larger than the distance between the tip of the adjustment screw 202 of the slot guide 200 and the convex portion of the leaf spring 203.

When the groove 300 is assembled to the stereolithography apparatus, as shown in fig. 4, the flange portion 303 of the groove 300 is inserted between the tip end portion of the adjustment screw 202 of the groove guide 200 and the plate spring 203. By tightening the adjustment screw 202 in a state where the groove 300 is inserted, the groove 300 is clamped by the groove guide 200. That is, the chute 300 is fixed to the modeling table 102 via the chute guide 200. Hereinafter, the state in which the trough 300 is directly fixed to the modeling table 102 via the trough guide 200 is referred to as a "standard state".

When the three-dimensional object is molded, the reference platform 107 is lowered and immersed in the photocurable resin in the tank 300. The light emitted from the optical engine 104 is irradiated to the bottom surface (molding surface) of the standard stage 107 via the condenser lens 104 a. Thereby, the photocurable resin between the bottom surface 301 of the groove 300 and the molding surface of the reference platform 107 is cured. By raising the standard stage 107 by a predetermined pitch, the photocurable resin flows under the cured layer. By repeating such a series of steps, a three-dimensional shaped object is formed.

Next, the accessory for the stereolithography apparatus according to the present embodiment will be explained. By mounting the accessory for a stereolithography apparatus according to the present embodiment to the stereolithography apparatus, a three-dimensional object larger than a three-dimensional object to be formed in a standard state can be formed. Here, a description will be given of an accessory for an optical modeling apparatus that can model two three-dimensional objects having different sizes, with reference to fig. 5 and 6.

The optical modeling apparatus attachment 400 of the present embodiment changes the size of the three-dimensional object to be modeled by changing the distance from the optical engine 104 to the groove 300. For convenience, a three-dimensional object formed in a standard state is referred to as a small-sized three-dimensional object, and a three-dimensional object which can be formed by attaching the optical forming device fixture 400 is referred to as a medium-sized three-dimensional object and a large-sized three-dimensional object. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the groove 300 is fitted to a position for shaping a medium-sized three-dimensional shaped object in the accessory 400 for a light shaping apparatus. On the other hand, fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the groove 300 is fitted to a position for molding a large-sized three-dimensional object in the accessory 400 for the stereolithography apparatus.

The molding machine attachment 400 includes a base portion that is attachable to and detachable from the molding table 102 via the chute guide 200, and a support unit that supports the chute 300 at a predetermined position. The support unit is fixed to the base portion.

The base portion has a quadrangular frame-like shape. The light emitted from the optical engine 104 can pass through the opening in the center of the base portion. The base portion is configured to have a rectangular frame shape by alternately connecting guide portions 401a and 401b and connecting rods 402a and 402b having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The guide portion 401a and the guide portion 401b are arranged in parallel, and the respective end portions are connected by two connecting rods 402a and 402b arranged in parallel similarly. In the present embodiment, the rectangular space surrounded by the guide portion 401a, the connecting rod 402b, the guide portion 401b, and the connecting rod 402a corresponds to the opening.

The connecting rods 402a and 402b are solid rods having a circular cross-sectional shape. The axial length of the connecting rods 402a and 402b is substantially the same as the length Lb of the groove 300. The connecting rods 402a and 402b are not limited to a solid rod having a circular cross section, and may be a polygonal solid rod having a cross section of an ellipse, a triangle, or a quadrangle, for example. The coupling rods 402a and 402b are not limited to solid rods, and may be hollow rods.

The guide portions 401a and 401b are portions where the base portion is inserted into the slot guide 200 and is pulled out from the slot guide 200. The height (thickness) of the guide portions 401a and 401b is substantially the same as the thickness Tb of the flange portion 303 of the slot 300. The widths of the guide portions 401a and 402b, i.e., the lengths in the axial direction of the connecting rods 402a and 402b are set so that the length in the axial direction from the outer side surface of the guide portion 401a to the outer side surface of the guide portion 401b is substantially the same as the length Tc of the flange portion 303 of the groove 300.

With such a shape of the guide portions 401a and 401b, the width of the base portion is substantially the same as the length Tc of the flange portion 303 of the tub 300, and the thickness of each of the opposite end portions of the base portion is substantially the same as the thickness Tb of the flange portion 303 of the tub 300, so that the base portion can be attached to and detached from the modeling table 102. Specifically, the base portion can be attached to the modeling table 102 by inserting the guide portions 401a and 401b of the base portion into the slot guide 200. Conversely, the base portion can be detached from the modeling table 102 by pulling the guide portions 401a and 401b of the base portion out of the chute guide 200.

The support unit is constituted by a plate-like first support member 403 and a plate-like second support member 404. The first support member 403 and the second support member 404 are respectively erected so as to face each other with the opening of the base portion sandwiched therebetween from the short sides, and are provided substantially perpendicular to the guide portions 401a and 401b of the base portion. These first support member 403 and second support member 404 are formed of a flexible material.

Two through holes, namely, slotted support holes 403a and 403b, are provided in parallel in the first support member 403 so as to face upward. A groove support hole 403b is provided through the vicinity of the end of the first support member 403. The groove support hole 403a is provided through the first support member 403 near the middle between the base and the end thereof. Similarly, two through holes, i.e., groove support holes 404a and 404b, are provided in parallel in the second support member 404 so as to face upward. The groove support hole 404b is provided to penetrate through the vicinity of the end of the second support member 404, and the groove support hole 404a is provided to penetrate through the vicinity of the middle between the base and the end of the second support member 404. The groove support holes 403a and 403b provided in the first support member 403 and the groove support holes 404a and 404b provided in the second support member 404 have the same hole shape in the horizontal direction and the same penetration position.

Groove support holes 403a, 403b, 404a, and 404b (hereinafter referred to as "groove support holes 403a to 404 b") are formed so that a part of flange portion 303 of groove 300 can be fitted into and removed from the groove. Specifically, the groove support holes 403a to 404b are rectangular through holes having a width substantially equal to the length Ta of the flange portion 303 of the groove 300 and a height substantially equal to the thickness Tb of the flange portion 303 of the groove 300. These groove support holes 403a to 404b are disposed on the respective support members of the first support member 403 and the second support member 404 so that the long sides thereof are horizontal. By inserting the flange portion 303 of the groove 300 into the groove support holes 403a and 404a or the groove support holes 403b and 404b, the groove 300 can be supported substantially horizontally at a position where the distance from the optical engine 104 to the groove 300 is longer than the distance from the optical engine 104 to the modeling table 102.

Between the first support member 403 and the second support member 404, fixing bars 405a, 405b are provided. The axial length of the fixing bars 405a, 405b is substantially the same as the length Lb of the slot 300. The fixed rods 405a and 405b are arranged in parallel with a space slightly wider than the length La of the groove 300. The fixing bars 405a and 405b are mounted on the first support member 403 and the second support member 404 at the peripheral portions of the groove support holes 403a to 404b, specifically, at positions facing the coupling bars 402a and 402b via the groove support holes 403a to 404 b.

The positions at which the fixing bars 405a and 405b are bridged on the first support member 403 and the second support member 404 differ depending on the position at which the groove 300 is supported. When the groove 300 is supported by the groove support holes 403a and 404a (hereinafter referred to as "first-layer groove support holes"), the fixing bars 405a and 405b are bridged over the groove support holes 403a and 404a to the first support member 403 and the second support member 404 so as to sandwich the container portion of the groove 300 from the outside of the side surface portion 302. On the other hand, when the groove 300 is supported by the groove support holes 403b, 404b (hereinafter referred to as "second-layer groove support holes"), the fixing bars 405a, 405b are bridged over the groove support holes 403b, 404b to the first support member 403 and the second support member 404 so as to sandwich the container portion of the groove 300 from the outside of the side surface portion 302. In this way, the fixing rods 405a and 405b are bridged between the first support member 403 and the second support member 404 at positions closer to the upper end portions of the groove support holes 403a to 404b, thereby improving the rigidity of the attachment 400 for a light modeling apparatus. In the present embodiment, the first support member 403, the second support member 404, and the fixing bars 405a and 405b are screwed to both ends of the fixing bars 405a and 405b, respectively.

As shown in fig. 5, when a three-dimensional object of a medium size is to be formed, the flange portion 303 of the groove 300 is inserted into the first-stage groove support hole. On the other hand, when a large-sized three-dimensional object is to be molded, as shown in fig. 6, the flange portion 303 of the groove 300 is inserted into the second-layer groove support hole. Since the first support member 403 and the second support member 404 are formed of a flexible material, when supporting the tank 300, the flange portion 303 of the tank 300 can be supported by being sandwiched by bending the first support member 403 or the second support member 404. For example, the upper end of the first support member 403 is expanded outward, and the flange 303 of the groove 300 is inserted into the groove support hole 404 a. Next, the force applied to the upper end portion of the first support member 403 is removed, and the flange portion 303 of the slot 300 is passed through the slot support hole 403a, whereby the slot 300 can be supported by the first-layer slot support hole.

By supporting the slot 300 by the first layer slot support hole, the distance from the light engine 140 to the slot 300 becomes longer than the distance from the light engine 104 to the modeling stage 102. Further, if the groove 300 is supported by the second-layer groove support hole, the distance from the optical engine 140 to the groove 300 can be made longer than in the case of being supported by the first-layer groove support hole.

Here, a principle that the accessory for the optical modeling apparatus of the present embodiment is attached to the optical modeling apparatus to enable modeling of a three-dimensional object larger than a conventional one will be described by taking a case of modeling a three-dimensional object of a large size as an example. Further, since the three-dimensional shaped object is large in size, as shown in fig. 7 and 8, in the optical modeling apparatus of the present embodiment, an extension stage 108 that is one turn large is attached to the bracket 106 instead of the standard stage 107.

In the case of molding a large-sized three-dimensional object, as shown in fig. 6, the flange portion 303 of the slot 300 is inserted into the second-layer slot support hole, and the fixing rods 405a, 405b are screwed over the end portions of the second-layer slot support hole. As shown in fig. 7 and 8, the guide portions 401a and 401b of the accessory 400 for the optical modeling apparatus are inserted into the groove guide 200, and the accessory 400 for the optical modeling apparatus is mounted on the modeling table 102. In the present embodiment, since the first support member 403 and the second support member 404 are formed of a flexible material, the flange portion 303 of the groove 300 can be inserted into the second-layer groove support hole after the optical modeling apparatus attachment 400 is mounted on the modeling table 102.

When a solid object is to be molded, the extension stage 108 is immersed in the photocurable resin in the tank 300. In a state where the extension stage 108 is immersed in the photocurable resin in the tank 300, light is emitted from the optical engine 104. The light emitted from the optical engine 104 is irradiated to the bottom surface (molding surface) of the expansion stage 108 via the condenser lens 104 a. Thereby, the photocurable resin between the bottom surface 301 of the groove 300 and the molding surface of the extension stage 108 is cured. By raising the stage 108 by a predetermined distance, new photocurable resin flows under the cured layer. By repeating the series of steps, as shown in fig. 10, a three-dimensional shaped object 500 is formed.

Fig. 11 shows a small-sized three-dimensional object 501 which is formed in a standard state, together with a large-sized three-dimensional object 500. As shown in fig. 11, even if the scanning range of the optical engine 104 is the same, in the case of molding by mounting the optical molding machine attachment 400, a large-sized three-dimensional object can be molded as compared with the case of molding by directly fixing the groove 300 to the molding table 102.

Here, the case of forming a three-dimensional object having a large size is described as an example, but when the first-stage groove support hole is used, a three-dimensional object having a size different from that of the three-dimensional object can be formed. As shown in fig. 12, when the scanning range of the light beam emitted from the optical engine 104 is constant, the size of the three-dimensional object depends on the distance from the optical engine 104 to the groove 300. When the flange portion 303 of the groove 300 is inserted into the first-stage groove support hole, a three-dimensional object having a medium size, that is, a three-dimensional object having a size between the three-dimensional object 500 (large size) and the three-dimensional object 501 (small size) (medium size) can be formed. Therefore, according to the accessory 400 for the stereolithography apparatus of the present embodiment, three-dimensional objects of large, medium, and small sizes can be formed.

The optical modeling apparatus kit of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. By providing a plurality of groove support holes, three-dimensional objects of various sizes can be molded. For example, if the first support member 403 and the second support member 404 are extended upward and the groove support holes 403b and 404b are provided above the groove support holes, a three-dimensional object having a size larger than that of the three-dimensional object 500 can be formed.

In the above embodiment, the base portion is configured by alternately coupling the guide portions 401a and 401b and the coupling rods 402a and 402 b. The structure of the base portion is not limited to the present embodiment. For example, the base portion may be formed by providing an opening portion through substantially the center of a rectangular flat plate. The size of the opening is preferably determined based on the opening area through which the light from the optical engine 104 can pass. If the thickness of the flat plate is made substantially equal to the thickness Tb of the flange portion 303 of the slot 200 and the width of the flat plate is made substantially equal to the length Tc of the flange portion 303 of the slot 300, the attachment for the photo-molding machine can be attached to the molding table 102 by inserting the base portion into the slot guide 200.

The support means may be any structure capable of supporting the groove. For example, the support unit may be formed of a quadrangular prism having an opening at the center in the vertical direction, and the inner size thereof may be substantially the same as the opening size of the base portion. With this configuration, the groove can be supported by placing the groove on the upper end surface of the quadrangular prism. Further, the groove may be continuously moved in the vertical direction by driving the motor. In short, the supporting means may be configured to support the groove at a position where the distance from the light scanning unit to the groove is longer than the distance from the light scanning unit to the modeling table.

The method of attaching and detaching the jig for a stereolithography apparatus to and from the molding bed of the stereolithography apparatus is not limited to the method of the present embodiment, and is a method of attaching and detaching the groove guide 200. For example, when the modeling table of the stereolithography apparatus is made of ferromagnetic metal or the like, a magnet may be provided on the modeling surface side of the base portion, and the fixture for the stereolithography apparatus may be attached to and detached from the modeling table by the force of the magnet. In addition, a screw hole may be formed in the molding table, and the accessory for the photo-molding machine may be attached to and detached from the molding table by screwing a screw into the screw hole.

As described above, when the accessory for an optical modeling apparatus according to the above-described embodiment is applied to an optical modeling apparatus, three-dimensional objects having various sizes can be modeled.

Industrial applicability

The present invention can be applied as an attachment to a stereolithography apparatus for modeling three-dimensional objects of various sizes.