JP2009184119A - Three-dimensional printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a three-dimensional printer which carries out desired printing by ejecting ink from a printer head to a surface of a three-dimensional shape where ruggedness is formed. <P>SOLUTION: The three-dimensional printer which carries out the predetermined printing by ejecting the ink from the printer head 85 to the surface 81 of an object to be printed 80 includes: a holding chuck 26 holding the object to be printed; first to third supporting members 10, 15 and 20 supporting the holding chuck to be movable in space; a printer head carriage 4 supporting a front end 4a holding the printer head to linearly move relative to the object to be printed held by the holding chuck; a head driving device 88 supporting the printer head movably in a direction orthogonal to the linearly moving direction relative to the printer head carriage; and a print controller carrying out ejection control of the ink from the printer head. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a three-dimensional printer that performs predetermined printing on a surface of a print target having a three-dimensional shape by ejecting ink from a printer head.

  Various printer devices that print characters, designs, etc. on a print object such as paper have been known. For example, printer devices that are connected to a computer and print on paper are widely used for business use and home use. ing. A conventional printer is generally of a type that performs printing while feeding a paper or sheet material to be printed in a predetermined direction while scanning the printer head at a right angle to the feeding direction. For example, there are printer apparatuses described in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

JP 2003-191455 A JP 2004-148666 A

  Such a conventional printer device performs predetermined printing on a flat sheet material or a flat surface of a solid material, and all of them perform two-dimensional printing. There is a need for a printer that can perform printing on an object having a surface (for example, a cylindrical surface, a spherical surface, and various other curved surfaces). Furthermore, there is a surface with irregularities formed on the surface of the three-dimensional shape, and it is difficult to keep the distance between the printer head and the printing surface constant for such a printing object, and therefore, desired printing can be performed. There was a problem that it was difficult to apply.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and ejects ink from a printer head onto a three-dimensional surface on which irregularities are formed, and performs desired printing on the three-dimensional surface. An object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional printer that can perform the above-described process.

  In order to solve the above problems, a three-dimensional printer according to the present invention is a three-dimensional printer that performs predetermined printing on the surface of a print object by ejecting ink from a printer head onto the print object having a three-dimensional shape surface. An object holding device that holds the print object, a three-dimensional movement support device that supports the object holding device in a three-dimensional space, and a head holding device that holds the printer head A head movement support device that supports the print object held by the object holding device so that the printer head can move linearly through a position facing the print object, and the printer head with respect to the head movement support device. A head driving device that supports the movable object in a direction orthogonal to the linear movement direction, and a three-dimensional movement of the object holding device by the three-dimensional movement support device. Printing that performs ejection control of ink from the printer head according to control, linear movement control of the head holding device by the head movement support device, and movement control of the printer head in the orthogonal direction by the head driving device And a control device.

  In the three-dimensional printer configured as described above, the printer head has a large number of ejection nozzles arranged in a plane. Then, the head driving device is configured such that the printer head is based on the distance between the print locations on the surface of the print object held by the object holding device and the multiple discharge nozzles facing each other. The structure which moves to the said orthogonal direction is preferable.

  In the three-dimensional printer having the above-described configuration, the printer head is configured by arranging a plurality of printer head components in a planar shape, and each of the plurality of printer head components is arranged in a planar shape. Has a nozzle. The head driving device is configured to select the plurality of heads based on the distances between the print locations on the surface of the print object held by the object holding device and the many discharge nozzles facing each other. It is preferable that each of the printer head structures is moved in the orthogonal direction.

  According to the three-dimensional printer of the present invention, the printer head that discharges the printing ink toward the printing object is configured to be linearly movable through the position facing the printing object by the head moving support device, and the head The printer head is supported by a drive device so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the linear movement direction with respect to the head movement support device. With this configuration, the printer head is always kept at a predetermined interval with respect to the three-dimensional shape printing target surface on which the unevenness is formed (that is, the ink ejected from the printer head is applied to the printing target surface). Relative movement is possible (so that the spacing is suitable for attachment and printing). When the ink is controlled to be ejected from the printer head in accordance with the movement by the print control device when the relative movement is performed in this way, desired printing can be performed on the surface to be printed having a three-dimensional shape with unevenness. Can be performed easily and automatically.

  Here, a configuration in which the head driving device moves the printer head in the orthogonal direction based on the distance between the printing location on the surface of the printing object and the numerous ejection nozzles is preferable. When configured in this way, even when the distance between the three-dimensional moving support device and the head moving support device changes the distance between the three-dimensional printing target surface having the irregularities and the discharge nozzle, the print target surface and the discharge nozzle The head driving device can move the printer head so that the distance between the head and the head becomes a predetermined interval suitable for the printing. Therefore, highly accurate printing can be performed on the three-dimensional shape printing target surface on which the unevenness is formed.

  In addition, the printer head is configured by arranging a plurality of printer head structures in a plane, and the head driving device is configured to include a plurality of printer head structures on the basis of the distance between a printing location on the surface of the printing object and a number of ejection nozzles. A configuration in which each of them is independently moved in the orthogonal direction is preferable. When configured in this way, the head is set so that the distance between the print target surface and the discharge nozzle is a predetermined interval suitable for the above printing even for finer irregularities formed on the print target surface having a three-dimensional shape. The driving device can move each of the plurality of printer head structures independently. Therefore, by controlling the movement of the printer head with high accuracy, it is possible to perform printing with higher accuracy on the surface of the three-dimensional shape on which unevenness is formed.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an overview of relative movement control and print control between the print object 80 held by the holding device in the printer apparatus of the present invention and the printer head 85 will be described with reference to FIG. A printing object 80 shown in FIG. 1 is a truncated conical member, and a printer configured to perform desired printing by ejecting ink from a printer head (inkjet head) 85 onto the conical outer surface 81. The operation principle will be described with reference to FIG.

  Although not shown, this printer has a support device for supporting the printing object 80. The support device extends in the front-rear direction with the central axis X of the truncated cone and is rotatable about this axis X (arrow A). The printing object 80 is supported by the rotation (indicated by an arrow B) around the axis Y that passes through the point O1 on the axis X and extends to the right and left perpendicular to the axis X in this state. The print object 80 can be moved back and forth along the X-axis direction (movement indicated by an arrow D (x)) and orthogonal to the X-axis and the Y-axis. It is configured to be supported so as to be vertically movable (movable as indicated by an arrow D (z)) along the Z axis extending vertically.

  As described above, the printer head 85 is disposed above the print target 80 supported by a support device (not shown) so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction (moved by an arrow D (y)). Further, a printer head 85 is arranged so as to be movable in the Z-axis direction (moved by an arrow D (z)) by a head driving device (not shown). The printer head 85 has a large number of ink ejection holes on the lower surface 86, and ink supplied from an ink supply device (not shown) is ejected while being controlled for each ink ejection hole by a print control device. Predetermined printing is performed on the front surface 81.

  In this way, desired printing is performed by ejecting ink from the ink ejection holes formed in the lower surface 86 of the printer head 85 to the conical surface 81 of the print object 80 supported by the support device. At this time, the ink discharge holes are positioned close to the print target position on the surface 81 of the print object 80 and close to each other with a predetermined printing interval (optimum for printing by attaching the ink discharged from the ink discharge holes to the surface 81. It is necessary to be located at a position having a large interval. Further, the ink ejection holes formed on the lower surface of the printer head 85 face the front surface with respect to the surface 81 at the printing target position, that is, the ink ejection direction from the ink ejection holes is orthogonal to the surface 81. It is necessary to turn so that. For example, in order to perform printing by discharging ink from the printer head 85 to the illustrated print target point P 0 on the surface 81 of the print target 80, the surface 81 at the position of the print target point P 0 is the lower surface 86 of the printer head 85. And the surface 81 at the position of the printing target point P0 must be positioned so as to be parallel to the lower surface 86 of the printer head.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 1, from the state in which the print object 80 is supported, the print object 80 is moved back and forth along the X-axis direction (movement indicated by the arrow D (x)) to obtain the print object point P0. Is moved to a position directly below the printer head 85. Then, it is rotated about the axis X (rotation indicated by the arrow A), the printing target point P0 is positioned directly above, and is rotated about the axis Y (rotation indicated by the arrow B) to pass through the printing target point P0. The ridgeline L1 is positioned so as to extend horizontally. Then, the printer head 85 is moved in the Y-axis direction (movement indicated by the arrow D (y)) so that the lower surface 86 (the ink ejection hole thereof) of the printer head 85 is located immediately above the print target point P0. Then, the lower surface 86 of the printer head 85 is moved along the Z axis (moved by an arrow D (z)) so as to be positioned at an approach position that is separated from the printing target point P0 by a predetermined printing distance. The order of the movement and rotation may be any order as long as the printing object 80 and the printer head 85 do not interfere with each other.

  In this way, in a state where the lower surface 86 of the printer head 85 is located at a position facing the front face and facing the print target point P0, the print control is performed from the ink ejection holes on the lower surface 86 of the printer head 85. Ink is discharged based on control by the apparatus, and printing is performed on the point P0. For example, in order to perform printing along the circumferential direction on the surface 81 of the print object 80, the points P1, P2, P3,... Along the circumferential direction on the outer surface of the print object 80 are the printer head 85. While changing the support position of the print object 80 by the above-described support device so as to face the front surface with a predetermined printing distance away from the lower surface 86, the ink is ejected under the control of the print control device. Further, at this time, when the points P1, P2, P3,... Are concave or convex with respect to the printing target point P0, the head driving device moves the printer head 85 along the Z axis according to the uneven shape. Move in the vertical direction (arrow D (z)). In this way, the points P1, P2, P3,... Can face the front surface of the printer head 85 with a predetermined printing distance away from each other, and face the points P1, P2, P3,. On the other hand, desired printing is performed.

  Based on the operation principle described above, specific printer device configurations for performing three-dimensional printing are shown in the following two examples (Examples 1 and 2), and FIGS. The description will be given with reference.

  2 to 5 show a printer apparatus 30 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the printer device 30 has a gate comprising a base 1 and a pair of left and right support legs 2a, 2b and a support girder 2c extending left and right by connecting the upper ends of the support legs 2a, 2b. A mold support frame 2 is fixed. A first control device 6 having an operation panel 6a is provided adjacent to the right support leg 2b, and a second control device 7 having a maintenance station 8 is provided adjacent to the left support leg 2a. The first and second control devices 6 and 7 are various types such as a movement control device that performs movement and rotation operation control of various members, which will be described later, a print control device that controls ink discharge from the printer head, and a power supply control device. It consists of a control device.

  A pair of front and rear left and right guide rails 3a and 3b are provided on the upper surface of the support beam 2c so as to extend in the left and right direction (Y-axis direction), and can be moved left and right (movable in the direction of arrow D (y)). A printer carriage 4 is attached. In order to move the printer carriage 4 to the left and right, a feed mechanism such as a ball screw mechanism is provided, and the lateral movement of the printer carriage 4 can be controlled by its drive control. Description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the printer carriage 4 is a member having a crank shape in a side view that extends forward from a portion supported by the left and right guide rails 3a and 3b, bends downward, and extends forward. A plurality of printer head modules 85 are integrally attached to the front end portion 4a of the printer carriage 4 so as to be movable up and down (movable in the direction of arrow D (z)). The printer head module 85 is also referred to as an inkjet head module, and has a large number of ink ejection holes (not shown) formed on the lower surface 86. For example, the printer head module 85 is configured to eject different colors of ink from the ink ejection holes. ing. A portion of the front end 4a facing the lower surface 86 of the printer head module 85 is opened upward and downward, and ink is directed from the ink discharge hole formed in the lower surface 86 toward the print object 80 positioned below the front end 4a. Is ejected to perform desired printing. This ink ejection control is performed for each ink ejection hole by the print control apparatus, but since this control is well known, its description is omitted.

  Further, a head driving device 88 connected to the printer head module 85 and configured to move the printer head module 85 up and down (movable in the direction of arrow D (z)) is installed above the printer head module 85. Has been. As a drive system of the head drive device 88, for example, a servo motor drive mechanism is used so that the printer head module 85 is continuously moved to a desired (up and down) position. In this way, the printer head carriage 4 on which the printer head module 85 is mounted can move left and right on the left and right guide rails 3a and 3b. However, as shown in FIG. 8 is moved upward to prevent drying and cleaning of the ink discharge holes on the lower surface 86 of the printer head module 85.

  On the base 1, a pair of front and rear guide rails 1a and 1b extending in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) are provided between the left and right support legs 2a and 2b of the portal support frame 2, and the front and rear guides are provided. A first support member 10 is provided on the rails 1a and 1b so as to be movable back and forth (movable in the direction of the arrow D (x)). In order to move the first support member 10 back and forth, a feed mechanism such as a ball screw mechanism is provided, and the forward and backward movement of the first support member 10 can be controlled by its drive control. Since it is well known, the description of the configuration is omitted.

  A vertical support member 11 is fixed on the first support member 10 in a vertically standing state, and a pair of upper and lower guide rails 12 a and 12 b extending in the vertical direction (Z direction) on the front surface of the vertical support member 11. Is provided. The second support member 15 is supported by the upper and lower guide rails 12a and 12b and is movable up and down (movable in the direction of arrow D (z)). In order to move the second support member 15 up and down, a feed mechanism such as a ball screw mechanism is provided, and the vertical movement of the second support member 15 can be controlled by its drive control. Since it is well known, the description of the configuration is omitted.

  The front surface 15a of the second support member 15 extends in the Y-axis direction through a predetermined point O1 (a point set at a position where the print object 80 can be positioned as described later) determined with respect to the second support member 15. A third support member 20 having a cylindrical surface-shaped rear surface 20a joined to the cylindrical surface-shaped front surface 15a is slid along the front surface 15a. It is provided freely. That is, the rear surface 20 a of the third support member 20 can be slidably moved with the front surface 15 a of the second support member 15, whereby the third support member 20 has the first rotation axis Y 0 with respect to the second support member 15. It is supported by being freely rotatable (rotated by an arrow B) as a center.

  In order to rotationally move the third support member 20 thus supported with respect to the second support member 15 about the first rotation axis Y0, the first support member 20 is placed on the front surface of the left side in FIG. An internal gear 21 around the rotation axis Y0 is formed. A drive motor 16 is attached to the front surface of the left side portion of the second support member 15, and a drive pinion 17 attached to the drive shaft of the drive motor 16 meshes with the internal gear 21. For this reason, if the drive pinion 17 is rotationally driven by the drive motor 16, the internal gear 21 meshing therewith is rotationally driven, and the third support member 20 can be rotated about the first rotational axis Y0.

  On the front side of the third support member 20, a holding shaft 25 extends in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), and is provided rotatably around the second rotation axis X0 passing through the predetermined point O1 and protruding forward. A holding chuck 26 for holding a printing object is attached to the front end. The holding shaft 25 is rotationally controlled by a drive motor (not shown) disposed inside the third support member 20, and the holding chuck 26 has a configuration capable of holding the printing object 80. Have. For this reason, if the holding shaft 25 is rotationally driven while the printing object 80 is held by the holding chuck 26, the printing object 80 can be rotated about the second rotation axis X0.

  As described above, since the third support member 20 is rotatable about the first rotation axis Y0, the second rotation axis when the third support member 20 is located at a predetermined rotation position (rotation position shown in FIG. 3). X0 extends in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), but the second rotation axis X0 is swung up and down according to the rotational position of the third support member 20. Further, as shown in the drawing, the first rotation axis Y0 and the second rotation axis X0 cross each other through the predetermined point O1, but they may be shifted without intersecting. However, it is easier to calculate the position of the printing object 80 when it intersects, and control by the movement control device is easier.

  In the printer device having the above-described configuration, the second rotation axis X0 that is the rotation center of the holding shaft 25 corresponds to the axis X in the operation principle configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 and the first rotation that is the rotation center of the third support member 20. The axis Y0 corresponds to the axis Y of the operation principle configuration in FIG. The second support member 15 that supports the third support member 20 is supported by the first support member 10 so as to be movable in the Z-axis direction (up and down direction) (movement indicated by the arrow D (z)). 10 is supported on the base 1 so as to be movable in the X-axis direction (front-rear direction) (movement indicated by an arrow D (x)). The printer head 85 is supported above the print object 80 so as to be movable (movable as indicated by an arrow D (y)) in the Y-axis direction (left-right direction) with respect to the base 1 and in the Z-axis direction ( It is supported so as to be movable (movable as indicated by arrow D (z)) in the vertical direction. That is, it is configured such that the same operation as the operation principle shown in FIG. 1 can be performed.

  The front end 4a in this specification corresponds to a head holding device as defined in the claims, and similarly, the printer head carriage 4 corresponds to a head movement support device and the printer head module 85 corresponds to a printer head. Further, the holding shaft 25 and the holding chuck 26 in this specification constitute an object holding device defined in the scope of claims. The three-dimensional movement support device defined in the scope of the claims is configured with the first support member 10, the second support member 15, and the third support member 20 as main components in the present specification.

  Up to this point, the constituent members of the printer device 30 have been described. In the following, the operation of each constituent member when performing desired printing on the print object 80 using the printer device 30 will be described. Here, in order to explain the characteristic configuration of the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, the operation of the printing object 80 held by the printer head module 85, the head driving device 88, and the holding chuck 26 will be mainly described.

  When printing is performed along the circumferential direction on the surface 81 of the printing object 80 based on the operation principle as shown in FIG. 1, as a stage before printing, for example, in a state where each movement control device is located at the origin. The shape data of the surface 81 of the printing object 80 is acquired, and the acquired shape data is stored in an arithmetic processing unit (not shown) of the printer device 30. Further, even when each movement control device is driven, the position of the surface 81 of the printing object 80 can be calculated by detecting the driving amount. Here, each movement control device is driven and moved so that the print target point P0 is positioned directly below the printer head module 85.

  At this time, the position of the print target point P0 is calculated from the shape data, and the lower surface 86 of the printer head module 85 is positioned close to the print target point P0 by a predetermined print distance d1, as shown in FIG. Based on the shape data, the head driving device 88 continuously controls the movement of the printer head module 85 in the direction of the arrow D (z) along the Z axis (printer head module 85 shown by a solid line). After the desired printing is performed on the printing target point P0 at the above position, the printing target 80 is rotated about the second rotation axis X0, so that the next printing target point P1 is below the lower surface 86. Located (printer head module 85 indicated by a two-dot broken line).

  Here, since the print target point P1 is recessed downward with respect to the print target point P0, the distance between the front surface 81 and the lower surface 86 changes as the print target object 80 rotates. At this time, the head driving device 88 moves the printer head module 85 in the direction of the arrow D (z) along the Z axis so that the head driving device 88 always keeps the distance between the front surface 81 and the lower surface 86 at the predetermined printing distance d1. Continuous movement control. As described above, the print target points are sequentially positioned immediately below the printer head 85, and the head driving device 88 controls the printer head module 85 to move, while being controlled by the print control device to discharge printing ink. Thus, desired printing is performed. That is, the head driving device 88 continuously moves and controls the printer head module 85 in the direction of the arrow D (z) along the Z axis based on the shape data, so that the ink ejection holes are always set to the predetermined printing distance d1. It is possible to eject printing ink from a remote position under the control of the print control device, and desired printing can be performed regardless of the unevenness formed on the surface 81 of the print object 80.

  Here, the effects of the printer device 30 according to the first embodiment will be briefly summarized. The distance between the printing target point and the ink ejection hole on the surface 81 of the printing object 80 is always kept at the predetermined printing distance d1. The head driving device 88 is configured to control the movement of the printer head module 85. Therefore, the ink ejection holes can always eject printing ink from a position separated by the predetermined printing distance d1, and high-precision printing can be performed regardless of the unevenness formed on the surface 81 of the printing object 80.

  2 to 4 and 6 show a printer device 40 according to the second embodiment. The printer device 40 has substantially the same configuration as the printer device 30 according to the first embodiment, and the following description will focus on components that are different from the printer device 30. Members having the same numbers as those of the printer device 30 have the configuration described in the first embodiment.

  A plurality of printer head modules 85c, 85m, 85y, and 85k (hereinafter referred to as printer head modules 85c to 85k) are independently movable up and down with respect to the front end portion 4a of the printer carriage 4 (arrow D). (Z) movable in the direction). Here, for example, the printer head module 85c is configured to eject ink of different colors from the ink ejection holes, such as cyan, 85m is magenta, 85y is yellow, and 85k is black. The plurality of printer head modules 85c to 85k are collectively referred to as a printer head module 85a. Further, above the printer head module 85a, the printer head modules 85c to 85k are connected to each other, and the printer head modules 85c to 85k can be independently moved up and down (movable in the direction of arrow D (z)). A head driving device 89 configured as described above is installed. As a drive system of the head drive device 89, for example, a servo motor drive mechanism is used so that the printer head modules 85c to 85k can be independently moved to desired (vertical) positions continuously. Has been.

  The configuration of the printer head portion of the printer device 40 has been described so far. Hereinafter, the operation of each component when performing desired printing on the print object 80 using the printer device 40 will be described. . Here, in order to explain the characteristic configuration of the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, the operation of the print object 80 held by the printer head module 85a, the head driving device 89, and the holding chuck 26 will be mainly described.

  When printing is performed along the circumferential direction of the surface 81 of the printing object 80 based on the operating principle as shown in FIG. 1, the shape data of the surface 81 of the printing object 80 is the same as in the first embodiment. Then, each movement control device is driven to move the print target point P0 so that it is located directly below the printer head module 85a. At this time, the position of the print target point P0 is calculated from the shape data, and the printer head modules 85c to 85k are located close to the print target point P0 by a predetermined print distance d1 as shown in FIG. 6, for example. Respective lower surfaces 86c, 86m, 86y and 86k (hereinafter referred to as lower surfaces 86c to 86k) are positioned. Here, based on the shape data, the head driving device 89 continuously controls the movement of each of the printer head modules 85c to 85k in the direction of the arrow D (z) along the Z axis (printer head module indicated by a solid line). 85a). After the desired printing is performed on the printing target point P0 at the above position, the printing target 80 is rotated about the second rotation axis X0, whereby the next printing target point P1 is moved to the lower surfaces 86c to 86k. (Printer head module 85a indicated by a two-dot broken line).

  Here, since the print target point P1 is recessed downward with respect to the print target point P0, the distance between the front surface 81 and each of the lower surfaces 86c to 86k changes as the print target object 80 rotates. At this time, each of the printer head modules 85c to 85k is moved along the Z axis so that the head driving device 89 always keeps the distance between the front surface 81 and the lower surfaces 86c to 86k at the predetermined printing distance d1 based on the shape data. Thus, the movement is controlled continuously in the direction of the arrow D (z). As described above, the print target points are sequentially positioned immediately below the printer head module 85a, and the head drive device 89 controls the printer head module 85a while controlling the movement of the printer head module 85a. Thus, desired printing is performed. That is, the head driving device 89 continuously controls the movement of each of the printer head modules 85a along the Z axis in the direction of the arrow D (z) based on the shape data, so that the ink ejection holes always have a predetermined printing distance. It is possible to eject printing ink from a position separated by d1 under the control of the print control device, and desired printing can be performed regardless of the unevenness formed on the surface 81 of the printing object 80.

  Here, when the effect of the printer device 40 according to the second embodiment is briefly summarized, the distance between the printing target point on the surface 81 of the printing object 80 and the ink ejection holes formed on the lower surfaces 86c to 86k is expressed as follows. The head drive device 89 continuously moves and controls the printer head modules 85c to 85k along the Z axis in the direction of the arrow D (z) so as to always maintain the predetermined printing distance d1. Yes. Therefore, fine movement control can be performed for each of the printer head modules 85c to 85k in accordance with the unevenness formed on the surface 81 of the printing object 80, and high-precision printing can be performed even for finer unevenness. .

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the printer head module 85 (85a) is continuously moved up and down using a servo motor drive mechanism as a drive system in the head drive device 88. For example, the printer head module 85 (85a) may be moved up and down stepwise using an air cylinder.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, for example, a configuration in which a distance detector (not shown) capable of continuously detecting the distance between the surface 81 and the lower surface 86 is installed on the lower surface 86 of the printer head module 85 is also possible. It is. Based on the distance detected by the distance detector and the shape data of the surface 81, the head driving device 88 (89) is configured to control the movement of the printer head module 85, so that the printer head module 85 has higher accuracy. Movement control is possible.

It is the schematic explaining the working principle of the printer which concerns on this invention. 1 is a front view showing a printer apparatus according to the present invention. It is a side view (partial sectional view) of this printer apparatus. It is the perspective view which took out and showed a part of this printer apparatus. It is a schematic diagram explaining the action | operation of the head drive device which concerns on a 1st Example. It is a schematic diagram explaining the action | operation of the head drive device which concerns on a 2nd Example.

Explanation of symbols

4 Printer head carriage (head movement support device)
4a Front end (head holding device)
10 1st support member (three-dimensional movement support apparatus)
15 Second support member (three-dimensional movement support device)
20 3rd support member (three-dimensional movement support apparatus)
25 Holding shaft (object holding device)
26 Holding chuck (object holding device)
30 Printer device (3D printer)
80 Print object 85 Printer head module (printer head)
85c, 85m, 85y, 85k Printer head module (printer head assembly)
88 Head drive P0 Print target point (print location)

Claims (3)

A three-dimensional printer that performs predetermined printing on a surface of a print object by discharging ink from a printer head to the print object having a three-dimensional shape surface,
An object holding device for holding the print object;
A three-dimensional movement support device for movably supporting the object holding device in a three-dimensional space;
A head moving support device for supporting the head holding device for holding the printer head so as to be linearly movable through a position where the printer head faces the print object held by the object holding device;
A head driving device that supports the printer head movably in a direction orthogonal to the linear movement direction with respect to the head movement support device;
Three-dimensional movement control of the object holding device by the three-dimensional movement support device, linear movement control of the head holding device by the head movement support device, and movement control of the printer head in the orthogonal direction by the head driving device. A three-dimensional printer comprising a print control device for controlling the ejection of ink from the printer head according to the above. The printer head has a number of ejection nozzles arranged in a plane,
The head driving device moves the printer head on the surface of the print object held by the object holding device on the basis of the distance between the multiple discharge nozzles and the print locations where the many discharge nozzles face each other. The three-dimensional printer according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional printer is moved in an orthogonal direction. The printer head is configured by arranging a plurality of printer head structures in a plane,
Each of the plurality of printer head structural members has the plurality of ejection nozzles arranged in a plane,
The plurality of printers based on distances between the print locations on the surface of the print object held by the object holding device and the multiple discharge nozzles facing the multiple discharge nozzles. The three-dimensional printer according to claim 1, wherein each of the head structures is moved in the orthogonal direction.

Images