Patent Publication Number: US-2018043619-A1

Title: 3d printing apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a three-dimensional (3D) printing apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Three-dimensional (3D) printing apparatuses are apparatuses for building three-dimensional objects, but not two-dimensional objects such as letters or pictures, on the basis of inputted design drawings. Such a 3D printing apparatus has been started in some of industries for modeling an object before mass production or manufacturing a sample and is gradually expanding its application range to a domestic, educational, or medical use these days. 
     A 3D printing apparatus according to the related art is disclosed in Korean Patent Registration Gazette No. 10-1451794. The 3D printing apparatus is classified in various manners in addition to a manner disclosed in the Gazette according to an operation manner. In detail, there are a liquid-based stereolithography (SLA) manner, a solid-based fused deposition modeling (FDM) manner, an inkjet manner, a selective laser sintering (SLS) manner, a laminated object manufacturing (LOM) manner, an electron beam melting (EBM) manner, and a direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) manner. 
     In the 3D printing apparatus according to the related art, generally, a modeling material remaining after being used for modeling a 3D model is discarded. In the 3D printing apparatus, most of the costs are incurred due to the modeling material. The costs for the modeling material may be a big burden on a user. 
     Therefore, it is necessary to find a solution for using the modeling material remaining after being used for modeling the 3D model in the 3D printing apparatus. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     Embodiments provide a three-dimensional (3D) printing apparatus that is capable of recycling a modeling material remaining after being used for modeling a 3D model. 
     Solution to Problem 
     In one embodiment, a three-dimensional (3D) printing apparatus includes: a modeling material circulating part for circulating a modeling material for modeling a 3D model; a light source unit disposed on one side of the modeling material circulating part to supply light toward the modeling material so that the modeling material is cured; a stage on which the modeling material cured through the light source unit is seated, the stage being disposed to face the modeling material circulating part; a stage driving part connected to the stage to provide a driving force for moving the stage; a modeling material supply part for supplying the modeling material to the modeling material circulating part; a modeling material collecting part for collecting the modeling material, which passes through the light source unit, of the modeling material circulating by the modeling material circulating part; and a modeling material recycling part connected to the modeling material collecting part to filter the collected modeling material to resupply the filtered modeling material to the modeling material circulating part. 
     The light source unit may be disposed inside the modeling material circulating part. 
     Each of the modeling material collecting part and the modeling material recycling part may be disposed outside the modeling material circulating part. 
     The modeling material circulating part may include: a circulation belt on which the modeling material is seated, the circulation belt circulating the modeling material; and a plurality of belt rollers disposed inside the circulation belt to provide driving forces to the circulation belt. 
     The light source unit may be disposed inside the circulation belt, and each of the modeling material collecting part and the modeling material recycling part may be disposed outside the circulation belt. 
     The modeling material circulating part may further include a plurality of roller sensors for controlling RPM and moving distance of each of the plurality of belt rollers. 
     The light source unit may be movably disposed along a longitudinal direction of the circulation belt. 
     The modeling material collecting part may include: at least one collection blade disposed adjacent to the circulation belt to separate the modeling material from the circulation belt; a suction unit connected to the at least one collection blade to suction the modeling material separated from the at least one collection blade; and a connecting unit for connecting the suction unit to the modeling material recycling part so that the modeling material suctioned through the suction unit is supplied to the modeling material recycling part. 
     The collection blade may be provided in plurality, and the plurality of collection blades may be disposed a predetermined distance apart from each other. 
     The suction unit may include: a suction unit body connected to the collection blade to suction the modeling material; and a compressor connected to the suction unit body to provide compressed air to the suction unit body so that the suction unit body suctions the modeling material. 
     The modeling material recycling part may include: a filter unit connected to the modeling material collecting part to filter the modeling material supplied from the modeling material collecting part; a resupply unit connected to the filter unit to resupply the modeling material filtered from the filter unit to the modeling material circulating part; and a waste container connected to the filter unit to accommodate the modeling material except for the filtered modeling material. 
     The resupply unit may be integrated with the modeling material supply part. 
     The resupply unit may be disposed a predetermined distance apart from the modeling material supply part. 
     The light source unit may include an LED array including a plurality of LEDs. 
     The modeling material may be a photocurable liquid resin composition. 
     The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the above-described various embodiment, the 3D printing apparatus capable of recycling the modeling material remaining after being used for modeling the 3D model may be provided. 
     Thus, the 3D printing apparatus that is significantly reduced in costs for the modeling material, which is most of the total costs of the 3D printing apparatus, may be provided. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view illustrating a three-dimensional (3D) printing apparatus according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a view illustrating another embodiment of a modeling material recycling part of the 3D printing apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a view illustrating an operation of the 3D printing apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a view illustrating a 3D printing apparatus according to another embodiment. 
         FIGS. 5 to 11  are views illustrating various embodiments in which the 3D printing apparatus of  FIG. 1  is controlled by a mobile device. 
     
    
    
     MODE FOR THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the technical terms are used only for explain a specific exemplary embodiment while not limiting the present invention. Therefore, it will be understood that the embodiments disclosed in this specification includes some variations without limitations to the shapes as illustrated in the figures. In addition, the sizes of the elements and the relative sizes between elements may be exaggerated for further understanding of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a view illustrating a three-dimensional (3D) printing apparatus according to an embodiment, and  FIG. 2  is a view illustrating another embodiment of a modeling material recycling part of the 3D printing apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a three-dimensional (3D) printing apparatus  10  includes a modeling material circulating part  100 , a light source unit  200 , a stage  300 , a stage driving part  400 , a modeling material supply part  500 , a modeling material collecting part  600 , and a modeling material recycling part  700 . 
     The modeling material circulating part  100  circulates modeling materials S 1  and S 2  for modeling a 3D model S. Here, the modeling materials S 1  and S 2  may be a photocurable liquid resin composition. Various photocurable liquid resin compositions may be used for the modeling materials S 1  and S 2  in consideration desired quality when the 3D model is modeled. 
     The modeling material circulating part  100  includes a circulation belt  110 , a plurality of belt rollers  120  and  130 , and a plurality of roller sensors  140  and  150 . 
     The modeling materials S 1  and S 2  are seated on the circulation belt  110 , and the circulation belt  110  may circulate the modeling materials S 1  and S 2  seated thereon. 
     The circulation belt  110  may be formed of a transparent material so that light of the light source unit  200  that will be described later penetrates therethrough. 
     Each of the plurality of belt rollers  120  and  130  are disposed inside the circulation belt  110  to provide a driving force for a circulating operation of the circulation belt  110 . The plurality of belt rollers  120  and  130  include a first belt roller  120  and a second belt roller  130 . 
     The first belt roller  120  is disposed on one end of the inside of the circulation belt  110 . The first belt roller  120  may guide the circulating operation of the circulation belt  110  by a rotating operation. Since the first belt roller  120  is similar to a general belt roller, hereinafter, detailed description of the first belt roller  120  will be omitted. 
     The second belt roller  130  is disposed on the other end of the inside of the circulation belt  110 . The second belt roller  130  may guide the circulating operation of the circulation belt  110  by a rotating operation like the first belt roller  130 . Since the second belt roller  130  is also similar to the general belt roller like the first belt roller  120 , hereinafter, detailed description of the second belt roller  130  will be omitted. 
     The plurality of roller sensors  140  and  150  may control RPM and moving distance of each of the plurality of belt rollers  120  and  130 . The plurality of roller sensors  140  and  150  include a first roller sensor  140  and a second roller sensor  150 . 
     When the first belt roller  120  rotates, the first roller sensor  140  may detect and control the RPM and moving distance of the first belt roller  120 . When the second belt roller  130  rotates, the second roller sensor  150  may detect and control the RPM and moving distance of the second belt roller  150 . 
     When the 3D model S is modeled, the modeling material circulating part  100  may appropriately control a circulation speed of the circulation belt  110  according to the control of the RPM and moving distance of each of the first and second belt rollers  120  and  130  by each of the first and second roller sensors  140  and  150 . 
     The light source unit  200  may supply the light toward the modeling material S 1  so that the modeling material S 1  is cured. The light source unit  200  is disposed on one side of the modeling material circulating part  100 , particularly, in the modeling material circulating part  100 . In the current embodiment, the light source unit  200  is disposed at an inner central side of the circulation belt  110 . 
     Since the light source unit  200  is disposed inside the modeling material circulating part  100  instead of the outside of the modeling material circulating part  100 , the 3D printing apparatus  10  according to the current embodiment may be reduced in volume by a space that is occupied by the light source unit  100  when compared to a case in which the light source unit is disposed outside the modeling material circulating part. Tus, the 3D printing apparatus  10  according to the current embodiment may be realized as a relatively slimmer 3D printing apparatus  10 . 
     Also, the light source unit  200  includes a light emitting diode (LED) array constituted with a plurality of LEDs. The plurality of LEDs may be provided with ultra violet LEDs. 
     The plurality of LEDs may be constituted with LEDs having at least two 
     The plurality of LEDs may be constituted with LEDs having at least two wavelength bands. That is, the plurality of LEDs may have wavelength bands different from each other. 
     The modeling material S that is cured through the light source unit  200  is seated on the stage  300 . The stage  300  is disposed to face the circulation belt  110  of the modeling material circulating part  100 . In detail, the stage  300  and the light source unit  200  are disposed to face each other with the circulation belt  110  therebetween. 
     The stage driving part  400  is connected to the stage  300  to provide a driving force for movement of the stage  300 . The stage driving part  400  may provide a driving force for 3-axis movement of the stage  300 . Since the stage driving part  400  is well-known, hereinafter, detailed descriptions of the stage driving part  400  will be omitted. 
     The modeling material supply part  500  accommodates the modeling material S 1  to supply the modeling material S 1  to the modeling material circulating part  100 . When the 3D model S is modeled, the modeling material supply part  500  may appropriately adjust a supply amount of the modeling material S 1  according to a build size. 
     The modeling material supply part  500  is disposed adjacent to the circulation belt  110  of the modeling material circulating part  100 . In the current embodiment, the modeling material supply part  500  is disposed adjacent to one outer end of the circulation belt  110 . Thus, the modeling material S 1  supplied from the modeling material supply part  500  may circulate along the circulation belt  110 . 
     The modeling material collecting part  600  may collect the modeling material S 2 , which passes through the light source unit  200 , of the modeling material S 1  and S 2  circulating by the modeling material circulating part  100 . For this, the modeling material collecting part  600  is disposed outside the modeling material circulating part  100 . 
     The modeling material collecting part  600  includes collection blades  610  and  620 , a suction unit  630 , and connecting units  670  and  680 . 
     The collection blades  610  and  620  may separate the modeling material S 2  from the circulation belt  110  of the modeling material circulating part  100 . The collection blades  610  and  620  may be disposed adjacent to the outside of the circulation belt  110 . 
     The collection blades  610  and  620  may be provided in single or plurality. 
     Hereinafter, in the current embodiment, it is limited to a case in which a plurality of collection blades  610  and  620 . The plurality of collection blades  610  and  620  include a first collection blade  610  and a second collection blade  620 . 
     The first collection blade  610  may firstly separate the modeling material S 2  remaining after the modeling that passes through the light source unit  200  from the circulation belt  110 . The second collection blade  620  may be disposed a predetermined distance apart from the first collection blade  610  to secondly separate the remaining modeling material S 2  that is not collected by the first collection blade  610  from the circulation belt  110 . 
     Thus, in the current embodiment, the additionally provided second collection blade  620  may further improve efficiency in which the modeling material S 2  is separated from the circulation belt  110 . 
     The suction unit  630  is connected to each of the first and second collection blades  610  and  620  to suction the modeling material S 2  separated from the first and second collection blades  610  and  620 . 
     The suction unit  630  includes suction unit bodies  640  and  650  and a compressor  660 . 
     The suction unit bodies  640  and  650  are respectively connected to the first and second collection blades  610  and  620  to suction the separated modeling material S 2 . The suction unit bodies  640  and  650  include a first suction body  640  and a second suction body  650 . 
     The first suction body  640  is connected to the first collection blade  610  to suction the modeling material S 2  separated from the first collection blade  610 . The first suction body  640  may be provided in a suction manner or a vacuum generation manner for suctioning. However, it is only an example, the first suction body  640  may be provided in other manners for suctioning. 
     The second suction body  650  is connected to the second collection blade  620  to suction the modeling material S 2  separated from the second collection blade  620 . The second suction body  650  may be provided in a suction manner or a vacuum generation manner for suctioning like the first suction body  640 . However, it is only an example, the second suction body  650  may be provided in other manners for suctioning. 
     The compressor  660  is connected to the suction unit bodies  640  and  650 , that is, each of the first and second suction bodies  640  and  650 . The compressor  660  may provide compressed air to each of the first and second suction bodies  640  and  650  so that each of the first and second suction bodies  640  and  650  suctions the separated modeling material S 2 . 
     The connecting units  670  and  680  may supply the modeling material S 2  suctioned through the first and second suction bodies  640  and  650  of the suction unit  630  to the modeling material recycling part  700  that will be described later. For this, the connecting units  670  and  680  connect the suction unit  630  to the modeling material recycling part  700 . 
     The connecting units  670  and  680  include a first connecting tube  670  and a second connecting tube  680 . 
     The first connecting tube  670  connects the first suction body  640  of the suction unit  630  to a filter unit  710  that will be described later. The second connecting tube  680  connects the second suction body  650  of the suction unit  630  to the filter unit  710  that will be described later. The modeling material suctioned through the first and second connecting tubes  670  and  680  may be supplied to the filter unit  710 . 
     The modeling material recycling part  700  is disposed outside the circulation belt  110  of the modeling material circulating part  100  and connected to the modeling material collecting part  600 . The modeling material recycling part  700  may filter the modeling material S 2  collected from the modeling material collecting part  600  to resupply the filtered modeling material to the modeling material circulating part  500 . 
     The modeling material recycling part  700  includes the filter unit  710 , a resupply unit  720 , and a waste container  730 . 
     The filter unit  710  is connected to the modeling material collecting part  600 , in detail, to each of the first and second connecting tubes  670  and  680  to filter the modeling material S 2  supplied from the modeling material collecting part  600 . 
     The filter unit  710  includes a filter of several ums. The supplied modeling material may be filtered by the filter unit  710  and thus be divided into a recyclable modeling material and an unrecyclable modeling material that needs to be discarded. 
     The resupply unit  720  is connected to the filter unit  710  to resupply the modeling material filtered from the filter unit  710  to the modeling material circulating part  100 . The resupply unit  720  and the modeling material supply part  500  are integrated with each other. Thus, the filtered modeling material may be mixed with the modeling material in the modeling material supply part  500 . 
     Then, the filtered modeling material supplied to the resupply unit  720  may be mixed with the modeling material of the modeling material supply part  500  and thus be supplied again to the modeling material circulating part  100 . Here, the modeling material S 1  supplied to the modeling material circulating part  100  may be a modeling material in which an original modeling material is appropriately mixed with the filtered modeling material at a desired ratio. 
     The filtered modeling material supplied to the resupply unit  720  may be separately supplied to the modeling material circulating part  100  without being mixed with the modeling material supply part  500 . Also, referring to  FIG. 2 , the resupply unit  725  may be separately disposed with respect to the modeling material supply part  500 . That is, the resupply unit  725  may be disposed a predetermined distance apart from the modeling material supply part. In this case, the filtered modeling material S 1 ′ may be separately supplied to the modeling material circulating part with respect to the modeling material S 1  of the modeling material supply part  510 . 
     Thus, the user may appropriately distinguish a new modeling material S 1  from the filtered modeling material S 1 ′ to use the modeling material as needed when the 3D model S is modeled. 
     The waste container  730  is connected to the filter unit  710  to accommodate a modeling material except for the filtered modeling material, that is, the modeling material that is not filtered. Since the unfiltered modeling material is not recyclable, the unfiltered modeling material may be accommodated in the wasted container  730  and discarded later. 
     Hereinafter, an operation of the 3D printing apparatus  10  according to an embodiment will be described in detail. 
       FIG. 3  is a view illustrating an operation of the 3D printing apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , when the first and second belt rollers  120  and  130  of the modeling material circulating part  100  rotate in one direction, the circulation belt  110  circulates in one direction. The modeling material supply part  500  may supply the modeling material S 1  corresponding to the build size of the circulating circulation belt  110 . Then, the modeling material S 1  moves along the circulation belt  110  and is cured while passing through the light source unit  200  and then is seated on the stage  300 . Here, the stage  300  may move to be disposed adjacent to the circulation belt  110  for seating of the 3D model S. 
     Then, the modeling material S 1  remaining after the modeling that passes through the light source unit  200  may continuously move along the circulation belt  110 . Then, the modeling material S 2  remaining after the modeling may be separated from the circulation belt  110  by the first and second collection blades  610  and  620  of the modeling material collecting part  600  and suctioned into each of the first and second suction bodies  640  and  650  of the modeling material collecting part  600 . 
     Then, the modeling material S 2  suctioned into each of the first and second suction bodies  640  and  650  may be supplied into the filter unit  710  of the modeling material recycling part  700  through each of the first and second connecting tubes  670  and  680  of the modeling material collecting part  600 . 
     The filter unit  710  may filter the supplied modeling material S 2  to supply the filtered recyclable modeling material to the resupply unit  720  and supply the unrecyclable modeling material that needs to be discarded to the waste container  730 . 
     Then, the filtered recyclable modeling material supplied to the resupply unit  720  may be mixed with the modeling material of the modeling material supply part  500  or separately supplied again to the modeling material circulating part  100 . 
     The 3D printing apparatus  10  according to the current embodiment may repeatedly perform the above-described processes until the 3D model S is finished. Like this, in the 3D printing apparatus  10  according to the current embodiment, when the 3D model S is modeled, the modeling material remaining after modeling the 3D model may be recycled through the modeling material collecting part  600  and the modeling material recycling part  700 . 
     Thus, the 3D printing apparatus  10  according to the current embodiment may reduce the modeling material consumed when the 3D model is modeled to significantly reduce costs required according to purchase of the modeling material. 
       FIG. 4  is a view illustrating a 3D printing apparatus according to another embodiment. 
     Since a 3D printing apparatus  20  according to the current embodiment is similar to the 3D printing apparatus  10  according to the foregoing embodiment, hereinafter, differences between the current embodiment and the foregoing embodiment will be mainly described. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the 3D printing apparatus  20  includes a modeling material circulating part  100 , a light source unit  250 , a stage  300 , a stage driving part  400 , a modeling material supply part  500 , a modeling material collecting part  600 , and a modeling material recycling part  700 . 
     Since the modeling material circulating part  100 , the stage  300 , the stage driving part  400 , the modeling material supply part  500 , the modeling material collection part  600 , and the modeling material recycling part  700  are the same as those in the foregoing embodiment, hereinafter, the repeated descriptions will be omitted. 
     The light source unit  250  may be disposed to be movable along a longitudinal direction of the circulation belt  110  of the modeling material circulating part  100 . That is, the light source unit  250  according to the current embodiment may be movable without being fixed unlike that in the foregoing embodiment. 
     Like this, since the 3D printing apparatus  20  according to the current embodiment supplies the light to a relatively wide area by the movable light source unit  250  when compared to the fixed light source unit  250 , the 3D printing apparatus  20  may model the 3D model in relatively various and wide areas. 
       FIGS. 5 to 11  are views illustrating various embodiments in which the 3D printing apparatus of  FIG. 1  is controlled by a mobile device. 
     Hereinafter, various embodiments in which an operation of the 3D printing apparatus (see reference numeral  20  of  FIG. 1 ) is controlled by manipulating a mobile device M will be described. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , first, the 3D printing apparatus  10  according to the foregoing embodiment may be connected to the mobile device M so that the 3D printing apparatus  10  wirelessly communicates with the mobile device M. Also, the mobile device M is provided with various applications for controlling the operation of the 3D printing apparatus  10 . The user may manipulate these applications to control various operations of the 3D printing apparatus. The user may select a desired shape or figure of the 3D model from the mobile device M. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the user may select the originally provided modeling material together with the recycled modeling material from the mobile device M. Then, referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the user may manipulate the mobile device M to adjust a mixing ratio of the originally provided modeling material and the recycled modeling material. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the user may select a desired modeling material from various modeling materials from the mobile device M. Referring to  FIG. 11 , after being selected by the user, the mobile device M may provide a description page regarding the selected modeling material. 
     Like this, the 3D printing apparatus  10  according to the current embodiment may be wirelessly connected to the mobile device M and variously controlled in operation through the manipulation of the mobile device M. Since the foregoing embodiments are provided as examples, various interfaces performed in the 3D printing apparatus  10  may be provided through applications of the mobile device M in addition to the foregoing embodiments. 
     Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.