US20110001272A1 - Optical molding apparatus and optical molding method - Google Patents

Abstract

An optical molding apparatus molds a three-dimensional model by stacking cured layers. Each cured layer is formed by emitting light according to cross-sectional-shape data of the three-dimensional model onto a surface of photo-curable resin. The optical molding apparatus includes a container that contains the photo-curable resin, a movable stage that is movable in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the photo-curable resin, an optical system that emits the light onto the surface of the photo-curable resin contained in the container so as to form each cured layer on the movable stage, and a discharging mechanism that performs a discharging operation for discharging new photo-curable resin onto a surface of each cured layer formed on the movable stage before stacking a subsequent cured layer.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA
• This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/354,396, filed Jan. 15, 2009, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference to the extent permitted by law. The present application claims the benefit of priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-010082 filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Jan. 21, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein to the extent permitted by law.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to optical molding apparatuses and optical molding methods, and particularly, to an optical molding apparatus and an optical molding method that can mold a higher-precision three-dimensional model.
• An optical molding apparatus optically molds a three-dimensional model by stacking cured layers one of top of the other. Specifically, each of these cured layers is formed by emitting light according to one of cross-sectional-shape data items that corresponds to that cured layer onto a surface of photo-curable resin. These cross-sectional-shape data items are obtained by cross-sectionally slicing the three-dimensional model into three-dimensional segments with a predetermined thickness in the stacking direction.
• In optical molding, the presence of small uncured or semi-cured photo-curable resin (to be described later in detail) in the order of micrometers, which is within a permissible error range in related art, becomes non-negligible as the three-dimensional model becomes more detailed.
• In order to improve the precision of a three-dimensional model, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication Nos. 2007-291393 and 2007-76090, for example, suggest removal of uncured photo-curable resin remaining on the surface of a molded three-dimensional model. The term “uncured photo-curable resin” refers to photo-curable resin having undergone exposure, which is not semi-cured but may possibly become semi-cured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• However, uncured or semi-cured photo-curable resin is created every time one cured layer is formed. For this reason, when a cured layer is stacked on the previous cured layer having uncured or semi-cured photo-curable resin remaining thereon, it is difficult to sufficiently improve the precision of the three-dimensional model.
• It is therefore desirable to achieve the capability to mold higher-precision three-dimensional models.
• According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an optical molding apparatus that molds a three-dimensional model by stacking cured layers. Each cured layer is formed by emitting light according to cross-sectional-shape data of the three-dimensional model onto a surface of photo-curable resin. The optical molding apparatus includes a container that contains the photo-curable resin, a movable stage that is movable in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the photo-curable resin, an optical system that emits the light onto the surface of the photo-curable resin contained in the container so as to form each cured layer on the movable stage, and a discharging mechanism that performs a discharging operation for discharging new photo-curable resin onto a surface of each cured layer formed on the movable stage before stacking a subsequent cured layer.
• The optical molding apparatus according to the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention may further include a vibrating mechanism that ultrasonically vibrates the movable stage during the discharging operation performed by the discharging mechanism.
• The optical molding apparatus according to the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention may further include a temperature adjusting mechanism that increases or decreases a temperature at an end of the container during the discharging operation performed by the discharging mechanism so as to create a convection current in the photo-curable resin contained in the container.
• The optical molding apparatus according to the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention may further include a renewing mechanism that renews the photo-curable resin contained in the container before stacking the subsequent cured layer.
• According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an optical molding method performed by an optical molding apparatus that molds a three-dimensional model by stacking cured layers. Each cured layer is formed by emitting light according to cross-sectional-shape data of the three-dimensional model onto a surface of photo-curable resin. The optical molding method includes the steps of emitting the light onto the surface of the photo-curable resin contained in a container so as to form each cured layer on a movable stage that is movable in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the photo-curable resin, and discharging new photo-curable resin onto a surface of each cured layer formed on the movable stage before stacking a subsequent cured layer.
• The optical molding method according to the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention may further include the step of ultrasonically vibrating the movable stage while the new photo-curable resin is discharged.
• The optical molding method according to the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention may further include the step of increasing or decreasing a temperature at an end of the container while the new photo-curable resin is discharged so as to create a convection current in the photo-curable resin contained in the container.
• The optical molding method according to the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention may further include the step of renewing the photo-curable resin contained in the container before stacking the subsequent cured layer.
• According to the above embodiments of the present invention, each cured layer is formed on the movable stage, which is movable in the direction orthogonal to the surface of the photo-curable resin contained in the container, by emitting light onto the surface of the photo-curable resin. Moreover, new photo-curable resin is discharged onto the surface of each cured layer formed on the movable stage before stacking a subsequent cured layer.
• Accordingly, the above embodiments of the present invention can achieve the capability to mold higher-precision three-dimensional models.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is an external view of an optical molding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 2 illustrates a container and its surroundings, as viewed from above inFIG. 1;
• FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the container and its surroundings, as viewed from the front inFIG. 1;
• FIG. 4 illustrates a configuration example of an optical system shown inFIG. 1;
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of hardware of a control device that controls the individual units in the optical molding apparatus shown inFIG. 1;
• FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a molding process performed by a CPU shown inFIG. 5;
• FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a one-layer molding process performed in step S17 inFIG. 6; and
• FIG. 8 is an external view of an optical molding apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of anoptical molding apparatus30 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Theoptical molding apparatus30 inFIG. 1 includes anoptical system31 having anobjective lens31A, anXY stage32, adriving unit33, acontainer34, aglass window35, ultravioletcurable resin36 such as liquid resin, avalve37, anozzle38, aYZ stage39, and adriving unit40.
• Theoptical molding apparatus30 performs optical molding based on a restrained liquid-surface technique. Specifically, in this technique, theoptical molding apparatus30 uses theglass window35 to restrain the liquid surface of the ultravioletcurable resin36 contained in thecontainer34 and emits ultraviolet light to the ultravioletcurable resin36 through theglass window35 in accordance with cross-sectional-shape data. The term “liquid surface” of the ultravioletcurable resin36 in this case refers to a surface of the ultravioletcurable resin36 to which ultraviolet light is to be emitted.
• In theoptical molding apparatus30, theoptical system31 is disposed on theXY stage32 and has theobjective lens31A through which the ultraviolet light is emitted to the ultravioletcurable resin36. Theoptical system31 performs exposure on predetermined rectangular areas (referred to as “small exposure areas” hereinafter) on the liquid surface of the ultravioletcurable resin36 on an area-by-area basis by emitting ultraviolet light according to cross-sectional-shape data onto each small exposure area on the liquid surface through theobjective lens31A and theglass window35. Specifically, these small exposure areas constitute an area of the liquid surface that is to define a shape according to the cross-sectional-shape data.
• The XYstage32 can be moved in an x-axis direction and a y-axis direction by thedriving unit33. The x-axis direction and the y-axis direction are parallel to the liquid surface of the ultravioletcurable resin36, and are orthogonal to each other.
• Under the control of a control device120 (FIG. 5) to be described later, thedriving unit33 sequentially moves theXY stage32 by a predetermined distance in the x-axis direction so as to perform scanning on each of the small exposure areas in the x-axis direction. Subsequently, under the control of thecontrol device120, thedriving unit33 moves theXY stage32 by predetermined distances in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction, thus shifting the small exposure areas to a starting point of next one of scan lines arranged in the y-axis direction. Then, under the control of thecontrol device120, thedriving unit33 performs scanning again on each of the small exposure areas in the x-axis direction.
• In this manner, the scan lines are sequentially scanned so that a work area constituted by a predetermined number of small exposure areas arranged in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction is exposed to light in accordance with the cross-sectional-shape data. In consequence, the exposure is performed on the area of the ultravioletcurable resin36 that defines the shape corresponding to one layer's worth of cross-sectional-shape data, thereby forming one curedlayer41 between theglass window35 and theYZ stage39.
• Accordingly, theoptical molding apparatus30 is configured to perform exposure on the work area by having the small exposure areas arranged in a matrix, like tiles, in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction. Therefore, in order to differentiate the optical molding method of theoptical molding apparatus30 from a beam-scanning method or a one-shot exposure method of the related art, in which the small exposure areas and the work area are the same, the optical molding method of theoptical molding apparatus30 will be referred to as a “tiling method”.
• Thecontainer34 is disposed above theobjective lens31A. The bottom of thecontainer34 is provided with theglass window35. Thecontainer34 contains the ultravioletcurable resin36. InFIG. 1, the inside of thecontainer34 is shown in a see-through state for the sake of convenience.
• Thevalve37 is connected to thenozzle38 having a plurality ofholes38A, and controls the supply of ultravioletcurable resin36 to thenozzle38 under the control of thecontrol device120. Thenozzle38 discharges new, externally-supplied ultravioletcurable resin36 from theholes38A. Consequently, when the curedlayer41 formed on theYZ stage39 is disposed above thenozzle38, the ultravioletcurable resin36 near the surface of the curedlayer41 is circulated by newly discharged ultravioletcurable resin36, thereby removing uncured or semi-cured ultraviolet curable resin36 (referred to as “residual resin” hereinafter) adhered to the surface of the curedlayer41.
• TheYZ stage39 is immersed in the ultravioletcurable resin36 contained in thecontainer34 and is movable in the y-axis direction and a z-axis direction under the control of the drivingunit40. The z-axis direction is orthogonal to the liquid surface of the ultravioletcurable resin36.
• Every time an exposure process corresponding to one layer's worth of cross-sectional-shape data is completed, the drivingunit40 moves theYZ stage39 in the z-axis direction under the control of thecontrol device120 so as to separate the curedlayer41 formed between theglass window35 and theYZ stage39 from theglass window35.
• The drivingunit40 then moves theYZ stage39 in the y-axis direction and the z-axis direction so as to dispose the curedlayer41 formed on theYZ stage39 to a position above thenozzle38. As a result, the residual resin is removed from the surface of the curedlayer41.
• Subsequently, under the control of thecontrol device120, the drivingunit40 returns theYZ stage39 to the original position in the y-axis direction and then moves theYZ stage39 in the z-axis direction until the distance between theglass window35 and the curedlayer41 is equivalent to the thickness of one cured layer. Accordingly, a new cured layer can be stacked on the curedlayer41 from which the residual resin is removed. As a result, a high-precision three-dimensional model can be molded.
• Furthermore, while thenozzle38 discharges ultravioletcurable resin36 therefrom, the drivingunit40 ultrasonically vibrates theYZ stage39 for a predetermined period of time under the control of thecontrol device120. This can facilitate the removal of residual resin by thenozzle38.
• The removal of residual resin performed in theoptical molding apparatus30 inFIG. 1 will be described below with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3.
• FIG. 2 illustrates thecontainer34 and its surroundings, as viewed from above inFIG. 1.FIGS. 3A and3B schematically illustrate thecontainer34 and its surroundings, as viewed from the front inFIG. 1.
• Referring toFIG. 2, when the curedlayer41 is to be formed, theYZ stage39 is disposed at a predetermined position lower than that of thenozzle38 having the plurality ofholes38A arranged at equally spaced intervals in an x-y plane. Theoptical system31 performs exposure on the ultravioletcurable resin36 so as to form the curedlayer41 between theYZ stage39 and theglass window35, as shown inFIG. 3A. In this case, a small amount of ultraviolet light enters regions not subjected to exposure that are located near the regions subjected to exposure corresponding to the curedlayer41, causingresidual resin61 to adhere to recesses in the surface of the curedlayer41, as shown inFIG. 3A.FIG. 3A only shows sections that are relevant to the formation of the curedlayer41.
• When one curedlayer41 is formed, theYZ stage39 moves in the z-axis direction so as to separate the curedlayer41 from theglass window35. TheYZ stage39 then moves in the y-axis direction and the z-axis direction so that the curedlayer41 formed on theYZ stage39 is disposed above thenozzle38, as shown inFIG. 3B. At this time, thevalve37 controls thenozzle38 such that thenozzle38 discharges externally-supplied ultravioletcurable resin36 from theholes38A, and moreover, theYZ stage39 ultrasonically vibrates for a predetermined period of time. In consequence, theresidual resin61 is removed from the surface of the curedlayer41.FIG. 3B only shows sections that are relevant to the removal of theresidual resin61.
• When the removal of theresidual resin61 is completed, thecontrol device120 performs control to open avalve51A of anoutlet pipe51 provided under thecontainer34, as shown inFIG. 2, thereby ejecting the remaining ultravioletcurable resin36, which was not used for forming the curedlayer41, in thecontainer34. Subsequently, thecontrol device120 performs control to open avalve52A of aninlet pipe52 provided above thecontainer34, as shown inFIG. 2, thereby injecting an amount of ultravioletcurable resin36 equivalent to one layer into thecontainer34 for forming a subsequent cured layer.
• In this manner, theoptical molding apparatus30 renews the ultravioletcurable resin36 before stacking a subsequent cured layer. This can prevent the ultravioletcurable resin36 from becoming semi-cured, which can occur if uncured ultravioletcurable resin36 existing in regions not subjected to exposure and created during the previous forming process is exposed to ultraviolet light during the current forming process of a curedlayer41.
• On the other hand, theYZ stage39 moves in the y-axis direction to return to the original position, for forming the curedlayer41, in the y-axis direction, and then moves in the z-axis direction until the distance between theglass window35 and the curedlayer41 is equivalent to one-layer's thickness of a subsequent cured layer to be formed. Subsequently, a new cured layer is formed by theoptical system31 using the newly-injected ultravioletcurable resin36 and is stacked on the previous curedlayer41. Then, the removal of residual resin and the ejection and injection of ultravioletcurable resin36 are performed, as described above. By repeating these steps, cured layers without residual resin are stacked one on top of the other, whereby a high-precision three-dimensional model is molded.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a configuration example of theoptical system31 shown inFIG. 1.
• Theoptical system31 inFIG. 4 includes theobjective lens31A, a one-shot exposureoptical system71, a beam-scanningoptical system72, apolarization beam splitter73, and a drivingunit74.
• The one-shot exposureoptical system71 is configured to perform one-shot exposure in which each small exposure area on the liquid surface of the ultravioletcurable resin36 contained in thecontainer34 is exposed to light in one shot. The one-shot exposureoptical system71 includes alight source81, ashutter82, apolarizing plate83, abeam integrator84, amirror85, a spatiallight modulator86, a focusinglens87, and a driving unit88.
• Thelight source81 may be of a type that has, for example, high-output blue-light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in an array. Unlike alight source91 used for beam scanning, to be described later, it is not necessary to use a coherent laser light source as thelight source81. Under the control of thecontrol device120, thelight source81 emits ultraviolet light to be used for performing the one-shot exposure.
• Under the control of thecontrol device120, theshutter82 controls the ultraviolet light emitted from thelight source81 by transmitting or blocking the light, and also performs ON/OFF control of the exposure process performed by the one-shot exposureoptical system71.
• Thepolarizing plate83 polarizes the ultraviolet light passing through theshutter82 so as to make the light into predetermined polarized light. Specifically, thepolarizing plate83 polarizes the ultraviolet light emitted from thelight source81 so that the spatiallight modulator86 can spatially modulate the light.
• Thebeam integrator84 uniformizes the ultraviolet light polarized by thepolarizing plate83. Thebeam integrator84 may be of a common type, such as a fly's eye type constituted by an array of multiple lens elements or a light rod type configured to cause the light to be completely reflected within a rod lens having a columnar shape, e.g., a rectangular columnar shape.
• Themirror85 reflects the ultraviolet light uniformized by thebeam integrator84 towards the spatiallight modulator86.
• The spatiallight modulator86 includes, for example, a transmissive liquid crystal panel and spatially modulates a portion of the ultraviolet light reflected by themirror85 so that the ultraviolet light can be projected on the small exposure areas on the liquid surface of the ultravioletcurable resin36 on an area-by-area basis in accordance with the cross-sectional-shape data.
• Specifically, the spatiallight modulator86 receives a driving signal, for controlling each of pixels in the liquid crystal panel, from thecontrol device120. Based on the driving signal, the spatiallight modulator86 changes the alignment of liquid crystal molecules in the individual pixels in correspondence to an image of the shape according to the cross-sectional-shape data to be projected onto each of the small exposure areas, so as to change the polarization direction of the transmitted light, whereby the ultraviolet light passing through the spatiallight modulator86 is spatially modulated.
• In consequence, the emission of ultraviolet light to each small exposure area on the liquid surface of the ultravioletcurable resin36 is turned on and off for individual rectangular areas (referred to as “exposure unit areas” hereinafter) in that small exposure area in correspondence to the shape set on a small-exposure-area by small-exposure-area basis according to the cross-sectional-shape data. In this case, each exposure unit area corresponds to one pixel of the liquid crystal panel. The ultraviolet light is emitted collectively to the exposure unit areas, which are subjected to receive the ultraviolet light, in each small exposure area. Accordingly, each small exposure area on the liquid surface of the ultravioletcurable resin36 is exposed to the ultraviolet light having the shape set on a small-exposure-area by small-exposure-area basis according to the cross-sectional-shape data.
• Furthermore, as an alternative to the transmissive liquid crystal panel, the spatiallight modulator86 may include a digital micromirror device (DMD) having an array of reflective micromirrors, whose tilt angle is variable in accordance with an input signal, or a reflective liquid-crystal-on-silicon (LCOS) device.
• The focusinglens87 is disposed between the spatiallight modulator86 and thepolarization beam splitter73. Together with theobjective lens31A, the focusinglens87 functions as a projection optical system for forming an image of the ultraviolet light, spatially modulated by the spatiallight modulator86, on the ultravioletcurable resin36.
• The focusinglens87 includes a lens group for correcting distortion that may occur when the ultraviolet light spatially modulated by the spatiallight modulator86 passes through theobjective lens31A. Therefore, in addition to functioning as a projection optical system, the focusinglens87 also has a function for reducing distortion.
• For example, the lens group of the focusinglens87 and a lens group of theobjective lens31A are arranged such that the focusinglens87 and theobjective lens31A are symmetrical optical systems. With this symmetrical configuration, the ultraviolet light spatially modulated by the spatiallight modulator86 can be focused on an anterior focal point of theobjective lens31A located on a reflective-transmissive surface73A of thepolarization beam splitter73, thereby reducing distortion.
• Under the control of thecontrol device120 based on feedback light detected by a reflective-light monitor unit101 of the beam-scanningoptical system72, to be described later, the driving unit88 drives the spatiallight modulator86 in the z-axis direction, i.e., optical-axis direction, so as to adjust the focus of the ultraviolet light emitted from the one-shot exposureoptical system71 towards the liquid surface of the ultravioletcurable resin36.
• The beam-scanningoptical system72 is configured to perform beam-scanning exposure by scanning a laser beam over each small exposure area on the liquid surface of the ultravioletcurable resin36 contained in thecontainer34. The beam-scanningoptical system72 includes alight source91, acollimator lens92, ananamorphic lens93, abeam expander94, abeam splitter95, ashutter96, galvano mirrors97 and98,relay lenses99 and100, and the aforementioned reflective-light monitor unit101.
• Thelight source91 includes, for example, a semiconductor laser that emits an ultraviolet laser light beam having a relatively short wavelength between about the blue region and the ultraviolet region. Under the control of thecontrol device120, thelight source91 emits an ultraviolet laser light beam to be used by the beam-scanningoptical system72 for beam scanning. Thelight source91 may be a gas laser as an alternative to the semiconductor laser.
• Thecollimator lens92 converts the angle of divergence of the light beam emitted from thelight source91 so as to substantially collimate the light beam. Theanamorphic lens93 shapes the elliptical light beam substantially collimated by thecollimator lens92 so as to give the light beam a substantially circular shape.
• Thebeam expander94 has a plurality of lenses and adjusts the beam diameter of the light beam, given the substantially circular shape by theanamorphic lens93, by converting the beam diameter to a desired beam diameter suitable for, for example, the aperture and the numerical aperture of theobjective lens31A.
• Thebeam splitter95 transmits the light beam emitted from thelight source91 and causes the light beam to travel towards the ultravioletcurable resin36 contained in thecontainer34. In addition, feedback light reflected by the ultravioletcurable resin36 and then passing through the individual optical systems is reflected towards the reflective-light monitor unit101 by thebeam splitter95.
• Under the control of thecontrol device120, theshutter96 controls the light beam transmitted through thebeam splitter95 by transmitting or blocking the light beam so as to perform ON/OFF control of the beam-scanning exposure performed by the beam-scanningoptical system72. Instead of performing the ON/OFF control of the beam-scanning exposure by transmitting or blocking the light beam using theshutter96, the ON/OFF control of the beam-scanning exposure may be performed by controlling direct modulation of the emission of the light beam in thelight source91. The galvano mirrors97 and98 each include a reflecting portion (not shown), such as a mirror, which is rotatable in a predetermined direction and an adjusting portion (not shown) that adjusts the angle of the reflecting portion in the rotational direction in accordance with the control performed by thecontrol device120. The adjusting portion adjusts the angle of the reflecting portion so that the light beam reflected by the reflecting portion can be scanned in the x-axis direction or the y-axis direction within each small exposure area on the liquid surface of the ultravioletcurable resin36.
• Specifically, thegalvano mirror97 reflects the light beam transmitted through theshutter96 towards thegalvano mirror98 and causes the light beam to be scanned in the x-axis direction within each small exposure area on the liquid surface of the ultravioletcurable resin36. Thegalvano mirror98 reflects the light beam reflected by thegalvano mirror97 towards thepolarization beam splitter73 and causes the light beam to be scanned in the y-axis direction across the liquid surface of the ultravioletcurable resin36.
• Alternatively, the galvano mirrors97 and98 in theoptical system31 may be replaced by polygon mirrors.
• Therelay lenses99 and100 each include a lens group having one or more lenses. Therelay lens99 emits a collimated incident light beam in a parallel fashion over a scanning angle by which the light beam is scanned by thegalvano mirror97, and forms an image of the light beam reflected by thegalvano mirror97 on thegalvano mirror98. Therelay lens100 emits a collimated incident light beam in a parallel fashion over a scanning angle by which the light beam is scanned by thegalvano mirror98, and forms an image of the light beam reflected by thegalvano mirror98 on the reflective-transmissive surface73A of thepolarization beam splitter73.
• By providing therelay lens99 between thegalvano mirror97 and thegalvano mirror98 and providing therelay lens100 between thegalvano mirror98 and thepolarization beam splitter73 in this manner, an image of the light beam can be formed on the reflective-transmissive surface73A of thepolarization beam splitter73 even if the light beam is scanned by the galvano mirrors97 and98 that are not disposed adjacent to each other.
• The reflective-light monitor unit101 employs, for example, the astigmatic method or the triangulation method to detect the feedback light reflected by the liquid surface of the ultravioletcurable resin36, and inputs the detected result to thecontrol device120.
• Thepolarization beam splitter73 combines the ultraviolet light from the one-shot exposureoptical system71 with the light beam from the beam-scanningoptical system72 and guides the combined light to the ultravioletcurable resin36. Thepolarization beam splitter73 is disposed such that the reflective-transmissive surface73A thereof coincides with the anterior focal point of theobjective lens31A.
• Theobjective lens31A includes a lens group having one or more lenses. Theobjective lens31A forms an image of the ultraviolet light from the one-shot exposureoptical system71 on the liquid surface of the ultravioletcurable resin36, and also condenses the light beam from the beam-scanningoptical system72.
• Furthermore, theobjective lens31A is configured such that the light beam deflected by the galvano mirrors97 and98 in the beam-scanningoptical system72 can be scanned at a uniform rate within each small exposure area on the liquid surface of the ultravioletcurable resin36, that is, scanned at a uniform scan-line rate on the liquid surface of the ultravioletcurable resin36.
• For example, theobjective lens31A is a so-called fθ lens that has an image height Y proportional to an incident angle θ and that has a relationship (Y=f×θ) in which the image height Y is equal to a product of a focal length f and the incident angle θ. In this case, the scanning rate of the light beam is constantly fixed regardless of the incident position of the light beam on theobjective lens31A. This can prevent the designed shape and the actual shape of a cured layer from being different from each other, which can occur due to variations in the scanning rate, thereby achieving high-precision molding.
• Under the control of thecontrol device120 based on feedback light detected by the reflective-light monitor unit101 of the beam-scanningoptical system72, the drivingunit74 drives theobjective lens31A in the z-axis direction so as to adjust the focus of the light beam emitted from the beam-scanningoptical system72 towards the liquid surface of the ultravioletcurable resin36. In detail, the drivingunit74 drives theobjective lens31A in the z-axis direction so that a posterior focal point of theobjective lens31A coincides with the liquid surface of the ultravioletcurable resin36 contained in thecontainer34.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a configuration example of hardware of thecontrol device120 that controls the individual units in theoptical molding apparatus30 shown inFIG. 1.
• In thecontrol device120 shown inFIG. 5, a central processing unit (CPU)121, a read-only memory (ROM)122, and a random-access memory (RAM)123 are mutually connected to one another via abus124.
• Thebus124 is further connected to an input/output interface125. The input/output interface125 is connected to aninput unit126 including for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and a microphone, to anoutput unit127, including, for example, a display and a speaker, to astorage unit128 including, for example, a hard disk and a nonvolatile memory, to acommunication unit129 including, for example, a network interface and communicable with theoptical molding apparatus30, and to adrive130 that drives aremovable medium131, such as a magnetic disc, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, or a semiconductor memory.
• Thestorage unit128 stores, for example, a program for converting three-dimensional-shape data of a three-dimensional model created by computer aided design (CAD) to stereo lithography (STL), which is a format that expresses the surface of the three-dimensional model with small triangular surfaces, a program for creating cross-sectional-shape data of the three-dimensional model from the STL-converted three-dimensional-shape data, and a program for controlling the one-shot exposureoptical system71 and the beam-scanningoptical system72 on the basis of the cross-sectional-shape data of the three-dimensional model.
• In thecontrol device120, theCPU121 loads, for example, the programs stored in thestorage unit128 into theRAM123 via the input/output interface125 and thebus124 so as to execute the programs, and controls the individual units in theoptical molding apparatus30 via thecommunication unit129 so as to cause theoptical molding apparatus30 to perform optical molding.
• For example, theCPU121 in thecontrol device120 determines the intensity of ultraviolet light to be emitted from thelight source81 or thelight source91 in accordance with an input from theinput unit126, and sends a control signal for controlling the intensity to thelight source81 or thelight source91 via thecommunication unit129. In accordance with an input from theinput unit126, theCPU121 sends a control signal used for performing ON/OFF control of an exposure process to theshutter82 or theshutter96 via thecommunication unit129.
• Furthermore, in accordance with the cross-sectional-shape data, theCPU121 sends a driving signal for controlling the individual pixels in the liquid crystal panel to the spatiallight modulator86 via thecommunication unit129 so that an image of the shape set on a small-exposure-area by small-exposure-area basis according to the cross-sectional-shape data is displayed.
• Moreover, based on feedback light received from the reflective-light monitor unit101 via thecommunication unit129, theCPU121 sends a control signal for driving the spatiallight modulator86 in the z-axis direction to the driving unit88 via thecommunication unit129 and also sends a control signal for driving theobjective lens31A in the z-axis direction to the drivingunit74 via thecommunication unit129.
• Furthermore, in accordance with the cross-sectional-shape data, theCPU121 sends a control signal for adjusting the angle of the reflecting portions of the galvano mirrors97 and98 to the galvano mirrors97 and98 via thecommunication unit129 so that an exposure process related to the shape set on a small-exposure-area by small-exposure-area basis according to the cross-sectional-shape data is performed.
• Furthermore, theCPU121 sends a control signal for moving theXY stage32 in the x-axis direction by a predetermined distance at a predetermined timing to the drivingunit33 via thecommunication unit129 so that each of the small exposure areas can be scanned in the x-axis direction. When the scanning of each of the small exposure areas in the x-axis direction is completed, theCPU121 sends to the drivingunit33 via the communication unit129 a control signal for shifting the small exposure areas to a starting point for a subsequent scan line.
• Every time an exposure process corresponding to one layer's worth of cross-sectional-shape data is completed, theCPU121 sends a control signal for moving theYZ stage39 by a predetermined distance in the z-axis direction to the drivingunit40 via thecommunication unit129. This separates the curedlayer41 formed between theglass window35 and theYZ stage39 from theglass window35. Subsequently, theCPU121 sends to the drivingunit40 via the communication unit129 a control signal for moving theYZ stage39 with the cured layer formed thereon to a position above thenozzle38. TheCPU121 then sends to the drivingunit40 via the communication unit129 a control signal for returning theYZ stage39 to the original position in the y-axis direction and for moving theYZ stage39 in the z-axis direction such that the distance between theglass window35 and the formed curedlayer41 becomes equivalent to the thickness of one cured layer to be formed in the subsequent process.
• Furthermore, at a predetermined timing, theCPU121 sends a control signal for opening thevalve37 to thevalve37 via thecommunication unit129 and also sends a control signal for ultrasonically vibrating theYZ stage39 to the drivingunit40 via thecommunication unit129. Moreover, theCPU121 sends a control signal for opening thevalve51A or52A shown inFIG. 2 to thevalve51A or52A via thecommunication unit129.
• A molding process performed by theCPU121 inFIG. 5 will now be described with reference toFIG. 6. This molding process starts in response to, for example, an instruction for molding input to theinput unit126 by the user.
• In step S11, theCPU121 selects three-dimensional-shape data of a three-dimensional model, designated by the user in accordance with an input from theinput unit126, as three-dimensional-shape data of a three-dimensional model to be molded. TheCPU121 then creates cross-sectional-shape data from the three-dimensional-shape data.
• In step S12, theCPU121 performs an initial setting process. In detail, for example, theCPU121 controls the drivingunits33 and40 so as to move theXY stage32 and theYZ stage39 to initial positions. Moreover, theCPU121 sends control signals for controlling the intensities of ultraviolet light and light beam to thelight sources81 and91, respectively, and measures the intensities of the ultraviolet light and the light beam emitted respectively from thelight sources81 and91 in correspondence to the control signals. Furthermore, theCPU121 opens thevalve52A inFIG. 2 for a predetermined period of time so that ultravioletcurable resin36 necessary for forming one cured layer is injected into thecontainer34.
• In step S13, theCPU121 controls the drivingunits33 and40 so as to move theXY stage32 and theYZ stage39 to preliminarily set starting positions for molding. In step S14, theCPU121 controls the drivingunit40 so as to slowly move theYZ stage39 downward in the z-axis direction.
• In step S15, theCPU121 controls the drivingunit40 so as to stop theYZ stage39 at a position near the top surface of theglass window35.
• In step S16, theCPU121 controls the drivingunit40 so as to move theYZ stage39 upward by a distance equivalent to the thickness of one curedlayer41 to be formed first. In step S17, theCPU121 performs a one-layer molding process for molding one cured layer. This one-layer molding process will be described in detail later with reference to a flow chart inFIG. 7.
• In step S18, theCPU121 controls the drivingunit40 so as to move theYZ stage39 upward by a predetermined distance in the z-axis direction. In consequence, the cured layer formed between theglass window35 and theYZ stage39 is separated from theglass window35.
• In step S19, theCPU121 controls the drivingunit40 so as to move theYZ stage39 by a predetermined distance in the y-axis direction and the z-axis direction until the cured layer formed on theYZ stage39 is disposed above thenozzle38. In step S20, theCPU121 controls thevalve37 so as to supply ultravioletcurable resin36 to thenozzle38 for a predetermined period of time, thus causing thenozzle38 to discharge the ultravioletcurable resin36 therefrom for the predetermined period of time. At the same time, theCPU121 controls the drivingunit40 so as to ultrasonically vibrate theYZ stage39 for a predetermined period of time. In consequence, residual resin adhered to the surface of the cured layer is removed from the surface.
• In step S21, theCPU121 controls thevalve51A (FIG. 2) so as to open thevalve51A for a predetermined period of time, whereby the ultravioletcurable resin36 remaining in thecontainer34 is ejected outward from theoutlet pipe51.
• In step S22, theCPU121 determines whether to terminate the stacking process, that is, determines whether the process in step S17 is performed for the number of layers corresponding to the three-dimensional-shape data selected in step S11. If it is determined in step S22 that the stacking process is not to be terminated, that is, if a three-dimensional model having the shape corresponding to the three-dimensional-shape data selected in step S11 is not completely molded yet, theCPU121 controls thevalve52A in step S23 to open thevalve52A for a predetermined period of time so that an amount of ultravioletcurable resin36 necessary for forming one cured layer is injected into thecontainer34 through theinlet pipe52.
• In step S24, theCPU121 controls the drivingunit33 so as to move theXY stage32 again to the starting position for molding. In step S25, theCPU121 controls the drivingunit40 so as to move theYZ stage39 in the z-axis direction until the distance between the top surface of theglass window35 and the bottom surface of the cured layer formed on theYZ stage39 is equivalent to the thickness of one cured layer to be formed next. The process then returns to step S17, and the series of steps S17 to S25 is repeated until theCPU121 determines to terminate the stacking process. Accordingly, cured layers are stacked in this manner.
• On the other hand, if theCPU121 determines to terminate the stacking process in step S22, that is, if theCPU121 determines that a three-dimensional model having the shape corresponding to the three-dimensional-shape data selected in step S11 is completely molded, theCPU121 controls the drivingunits33 and40 in step S26 so as to move theXY stage32 and theYZ stage39 to the initial positions, thereby ending the process.
• The one-layer molding process performed in step S17 inFIG. 6 will now be described with reference toFIG. 7.
• In step S41, theCPU121 controls the individual units so as perform exposure on the small exposure areas on the liquid surface of the ultravioletcurable resin36 contained in thecontainer34 on an area-by-area basis by using the ultraviolet light from the one-shot exposureoptical system71 or the light beam from the beam-scanningoptical system72. In step S42, theCPU121 determines whether step S41 is repeated by a predetermined number of times (e.g. the number of small exposure areas arranged in the x-axis direction within the work area).
• If it is determined in step S42 that step S41 is not repeated by the predetermined number of times, theCPU121 sends a control signal to the drivingunit33 in step S43 so as to move theXY stage32 in the x-axis direction by a distance equivalent to the length of one small exposure area in the x-axis direction. The process then returns to step S41, and the series of steps S41 to S43 is repeated until step S41 is repeated by the predetermined number of times.
• On the other hand, if it is determined in step S42 that step S41 is repeated by the predetermined number of times, that is, if the scanning of each of the small exposure areas in the x-axis direction is completed, theCPU121 sends a control signal to the drivingunit33 in step S44 so as to move theXY stage32 to the starting position in the x-axis direction.
• In step S45, theCPU121 sends a control signal to the drivingunit33 so as to move theXY stage32 in the y-axis direction by a distance equivalent to the length of one small exposure area in the y-axis direction. As the result of steps S44 and S45, the small exposure areas are shifted to a starting position for a subsequent scan line.
• In step S46, theCPU121 controls the individual units so as perform exposure on the small exposure areas on the liquid surface of the ultravioletcurable resin36 contained in thecontainer34 on an area-by-area basis.
• In step S47, theCPU121 determines whether step S46 is repeated by a predetermined number of times (e.g. the number of small exposure areas arranged in the y-axis direction within the work area). If it is determined in step S47 that step S46 is not yet repeated by the predetermined number of times, the process proceeds to step S48 where theCPU121 sends a control signal to the drivingunit33 so as to move theXY stage32 in the x-axis direction by a distance equivalent to the length of one small exposure area in the x-axis direction. The process then returns to step S41 where exposure is performed on the small exposure areas on an area-by-area basis. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S42.
• At this time, in step S42, it is determined whether step S41 is repeated by a predetermined number of times (e.g. a number obtained by subtracting 1 from the number of small exposure areas arranged in the x-axis direction within the work area), and the series of steps S41 to S43 is repeated until step S41 is repeated by the predetermined number of times. Subsequently, steps S44 to S46 are performed, and the series of steps S41 to S48 is similarly repeated until step S46 is repeated by the predetermined number of times.
• On the other hand, if it is determined in step S47 that step S46 is repeated by the predetermined number of times, that is, if exposure is performed on an area defining the shape corresponding to one-layer's worth of cross-sectional-shape data, the process returns to step S17 inFIG. 6.
• Accordingly, in theoptical molding apparatus30, residual resin adhered to the surface of a current cured layer formed on theYZ stage39 is removed before stacking a subsequent cured layer, whereby the subsequent cured layer can be stacked on the current cured layer from which the residual resin is removed. As a result, a high-precision three-dimensional model can be molded.
• Referring toFIG. 8 showing another embodiment of the present invention, theoptical molding apparatus30 may be equipped with atemperature adjusting mechanism201 configured to increase or decrease the temperature at an end of thecontainer34. In that case, under the control of thecontrol device120, thetemperature adjusting mechanism201 increases or decreases the temperature at the end of thecontainer34 while thenozzle38 discharges ultravioletcurable resin36 therefrom. This creates a convection current in the ultravioletcurable resin36 within thecontainer34, thereby facilitating the removal of residual resin by thenozzle38.
• Although thenozzle38 is provided within thecontainer34 according to the above description, thenozzle38 may be provided in another container that is independent of thecontainer34.
• Furthermore, theoptical molding apparatus30 may be provided with a driving unit that moves thenozzle38 within the x-y plane. In that case, the ultravioletcurable resin36 can be discharged over the entire surface of a cured layer at small intervals even if thenozzle38 has only a small number ofholes38A or has a small size in the x-y plane. Consequently, the removal of residual resin can be properly performed.
• The above embodiments of the present invention have a remarkable effect especially when molding a three-dimensional model having a small size in the order of micrometers.
• Furthermore, in addition to the above-described optical molding apparatus that performs optical molding based on a tiling method, another embodiment of the present invention may provide an optical molding apparatus that performs optical molding based on a one-shot exposure method or a beam-scanning method. Furthermore, in addition to the above-described optical molding apparatus that performs optical molding based on a restrained liquid-surface technique, another embodiment of the present invention may provide an optical molding apparatus that performs optical molding based on a free liquid-surface technique.
• In this specification, the steps written in the program stored in a program recording medium may be performed in a time-series fashion according to the above-written order, or may be performed in a parallel fashion or in an individual fashion, instead of being performed in the time-series fashion.
• The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are permissible to an extent that they do not depart from the scope of the invention.
• It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Claims (4)

1. An optical molding method performed by an optical molding apparatus that molds a three-dimensional model by stacking cured layers, each cured layer being formed by emitting light according to cross-sectional-shape data of the three-dimensional model onto a surface of photo-curable resin, the method comprising the steps of:

emitting the light onto the surface of the photo-curable resin contained in a container so as to form each cured layer on a movable stage that is movable in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the photo-curable resin; and

discharging new photo-curable resin onto a surface of each cured layer formed on the movable stage before stacking a subsequent cured layer.

2. The optical molding method according toclaim 1, further comprising the step of ultrasonically vibrating the movable stage while the new photo-curable resin is discharged.

3. The optical molding method according toclaim 1, further comprising the step of increasing or decreasing a temperature at an end of the container while the new photo-curable resin is discharged so as to create a convection current in the photo-curable resin contained in the container.

4. The optical molding method according toclaim 1, further comprising the step of renewing the photo-curable resin contained in the container before stacking the subsequent cured layer.

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