Photo-fabrication control device, and method of manufacturing fabricated object

Abstract

To provide a photo-fabrication control device and a method of manufacturing a fabricated object capable of achieving both precision enhancement of the fabricated object and high speed fabrication.SOLUTION: A control device 30 controls a photo-fabrication device 10 that fabricates a fabricated object 2 by radiating light to a photocurable resin 1 mixed with a light absorbent and adjusted to a predetermined thickness, and by successively stacking cured layers of the photocurable resin 1 that have been cured. The control device 30 comprises: a precision degree determination unit 36 for determining a precision degree of a cross-sectional shape of a layer to be fabricated on the basis of design image data that defines the cross-sectional shape of each layer of the fabricated object 2; a mixture ratio adjusting unit 37 for adjusting a mixture ratio of the light absorbent to the photocurable resin 1 in accordance with the determined precision degree; and a thickness adjusting unit 38 for adjusting the thickness of the photocurable resin 1 whose mixture ratio has been adjusted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a photolithography control device and a method for manufacturing a model. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, a photolithography technique is known in which a liquid photocurable resin is irradiated with light such as ultraviolet light to form a three-dimensional object made of the cured resin. Patent Document 1 discloses a photolithography technique in which a desired object is formed by stacking cured layers by repeating the following steps: irradiating a liquid photocurable resin with light corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the object at a predetermined height position through a light-transmitting window provided on the bottom surface of the liquid vat in which the photocurable resin is stored, toward a base (platform) arranged opposite the light-transmitting window, thereby forming a cured layer of the resin on the underside of the base in the same shape as the predetermined cross section; and lifting the base up a predetermined height relative to the liquid vat. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-62841 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in this type of stereolithography, there is a demand for high-speed modeling that can produce objects in a shorter time. However, in recent years, there has been a trend toward objects with higher resolution, which has increased the time required for modeling. For this reason, there is room for improvement in achieving both high-precision and high-speed modeling of objects.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has an object to provide an optical shaping control device and a method for manufacturing a shaped object that can achieve both high precision and high speed shaping of the shaped object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides an optical lithography control device that controls an optical lithography device that forms a model by irradiating light onto a photocurable resin that has been mixed with a light absorbent and adjusted to a predetermined thickness, and sequentially stacking cured layers of the photocurable resin. The optical lithography control device includes: a resolution determination unit that determines the resolution of the cross-sectional shape at a height position to be formed based on design image data that defines the cross-sectional shape of the model at each predetermined height position; a mixing ratio adjustment unit that adjusts the mixing ratio of the light absorbent to the photocurable resin in accordance with the determined resolution; and a thickness adjustment unit that adjusts the thickness of the photocurable resin whose mixing ratio has been adjusted.

[0007] The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a molded object using a photo-polymerization device that irradiates light onto a photocurable resin that has been mixed with a light absorbent and adjusted to a predetermined thickness, and forms a molded object by sequentially stacking cured layers of the photocurable resin. The method includes the steps of determining the resolution of the cross-sectional shape at the height position to be molded based on design image data that defines the cross-sectional shape of the molded object at each predetermined height position, adjusting the mixing ratio of the light absorbent to the photocurable resin in accordance with the determined resolution, and adjusting the thickness of the photocurable resin whose mixing ratio has been adjusted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve both high precision and high speed modeling of a modeled object. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the basic configuration of a photo-fabrication apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a table defining the relationship between the determined definition, the mixing ratio of the absorbent, and the thickness of the photocurable resin. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the control device of the optical molding apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and when there are multiple embodiments, the present invention also includes configurations that combine the embodiments. In the following embodiments, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0011] In the following description of the embodiments, unless otherwise specified, uncured (uncured) liquid photocurable resin will be simply referred to as photocurable resin. Furthermore, a layer of photocurable resin of a predetermined thickness that is provided between a platform (described below) or a model held on the platform and a light-transmitting plate and that will be cured by light irradiation will be referred to as a photocurable resin layer or simply as a resin layer. Furthermore, a photo-fabricated object formed by curing liquid photocurable resin will be referred to as a three-dimensional object or simply as a model. This three-dimensional object is not limited to a finished product in which all of the multiple cured layers are stacked, but also includes an unfinished product in which only intermediate cured layers have been stacked.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the basic configuration of a photo-lithography apparatus according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a table specifying the relationship between the determined fineness, the mixing ratio of the absorbent, and the thickness of the photo-curable resin. As shown in Fig. 1, the photo-lithography apparatus 10 includes a modeling tank 11, a platform 12, a light irradiation unit 20, a control device (photo-lithography control device) 30, a resin supply mechanism 40, and a resin discharge mechanism 50.

[0013] The modeling tank 11 has a dish shape with an open top, and is capable of storing the liquid photocurable resin 1. The modeling tank 11 has a light-transmitting plate (light-transmitting portion) 14 on the bottom. This light-transmitting plate 14 transmits light that cures the photocurable resin 1.

[0014] The photocurable resin 1 is the raw material of the three-dimensional object 2. The photocurable resin 1 is a photocurable fluid resin material that is cured by a specific light (e.g., X-rays, ultraviolet light, or visible light), and preferably contains three elements: an oligomer (e.g., epoxy acrylate, urethane acrylate, etc.), a reactive diluent (e.g., ethylenically unsaturated monomer, etc.), and a photopolymerization initiator (e.g., a benzoin-based or acetophenone-based compound, etc.).

[0015] In this embodiment, a light absorber that absorbs the above-mentioned light that cures the photocurable resin 1 is mixed into the photocurable resin 1. This light absorber contains a component that effectively absorbs light with a wavelength of, for example, about 405 nm, and can be, for example, an oil-based dye with a color index code of Solvent Yellow 179 or Disperse Yellow 201 (commercially available products include Yellow 6G Gran (Bayer)).

[0016] According to this configuration, when optical shaping is performed using light with a wavelength of, for example, about 405 nm, the light absorber mixed into the photocurable resin 1 effectively absorbs light of this wavelength. This makes it possible to reduce the distance that this light travels through the photocurable resin 1 (i.e., the thickness of the cured photocurable resin layer).

[0017] According to the inventor's intensive research, increasing the mixing ratio of the light absorber to the photocurable resin 1 reduces the light transmittance accordingly. This prevents excess light from being irradiated onto the photocurable resin 1, allowing the thickness of the cured photocurable resin layer to be reduced, thereby enabling high-precision photolithography. It has also been found that lowering the light transmittance enables high-resolution modeling in the horizontal direction. On the other hand, it has also been found that lowering the mixing ratio of the light absorber to the photocurable resin 1 increases the light transmittance accordingly, allowing the thickness of the cured photocurable resin layer to be increased, enabling high-speed photolithography. In this way, by adjusting the mixing ratio of the light absorber mixed into the photocurable resin 1, it is possible to achieve both high-precision and high-speed modeling of the modeled object.

[0018] The platform 12 holds the object 2 formed from the cured photocurable resin 1, and is disposed above the modeling tank 11, facing the light-transmitting plate 14. The platform 12 is formed in a polygonal plate shape, such as a circular or rectangular plate, and is disposed so that its lower surface 12A is substantially parallel to the upper surface 14A of the light-transmitting plate 14. The platform 12 is also connected to a platform lifting mechanism 15, and is provided so that it can be raised and lowered relative to the modeling tank 11 by the operation of the platform lifting mechanism 15. Specifically, the platform 12 can move toward and away from the light-transmitting plate 14, and holds the object 2 formed on the lower surface 12A facing the light-transmitting plate 14.

[0019] The light irradiation unit 20 is disposed below the modeling tank 11, i.e., on the opposite side of the platform 12 across the light-transmitting plate 14. The light irradiation unit 20 irradiates the photocurable resin 1 with light L, which cures the photocurable resin 1, through the light-transmitting plate 14. The irradiated light L may be any light that can cure the photocurable resin 1, and may be, for example, ultraviolet light or short-wavelength visible light. The light irradiation unit 20 includes a light source 21, an illumination lens (illumination optical system) 22, polarizing plates 23 and 24, a λ / 4 plate 26, an image forming element (light modulation element) 27, a reflecting mirror 25, and a projection lens 28.

[0020] The light source 21 emits light to be irradiated onto the image forming element 27, and may be, for example, an ultraviolet lamp or an LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamp. The illumination lens 22 homogenizes the illuminance of the light, such as ultraviolet light, emitted from the light source 21. The polarizers 23 and 24 have the property of reflecting either s-polarized light or p-polarized light and transmitting the other. In the example of FIG. 1, the polarizer 23 transmits p-polarized light and reflects s-polarized light, while the polarizer 24 transmits s-polarized light and reflects p-polarized light. The polarizers 23 and 24 are, for example, wire-grid polarizers.

[0021] The λ / 4 plate 26 is a retardation plate that converts either s-polarized light or p-polarized light into the other by passing the light twice, once incident and once reflected. In the example of FIG. 1, the λ / 4 plate 26 converts p-polarized light into s-polarized light. The image forming element 27 modulates light according to cross-sectional shape data of each layer (at a predetermined height position) to be formed in the object 2, and may be, for example, an LCOS (Liquid Crystal On Silicon) device, a Digital Mirror Device (DMD), or a liquid crystal device.

[0022] The reflecting mirror 25 reflects the light modulated by the image forming element 27 toward the projection lens 28. The reflecting mirror 25 reflects either s-polarized light or p-polarized light and transmits the other. In the example of FIG. 1, the reflecting mirror 25 transmits p-polarized light and reflects s-polarized light. The projection lens 28 forms an image from the light reflected by the reflecting mirror 25.

[0023] The resin supply mechanism 40 supplies the photocurable resin 1 to the modeling tank 11, and includes a resin supply pump 41, a resin supply pipe 42 connected to the resin supply pump 41, an absorbent supply pump 43, and an absorbent supply pipe 44 connecting the absorbent supply pump 43 and the resin supply pipe 42. The resin supply pump 41 is a metering pump that can set the supply amount (discharge amount) of the photocurable resin 1 per unit time. The amount of photocurable resin 1 required for stereolithography is supplied to the modeling tank 11 through the resin supply pipe 42 and stored therein.

[0024] The absorbent supply pump 43 is a metering pump that can set the supply amount (discharge amount) of the light absorbent per unit time, similar to the resin supply pump 41. In this embodiment, the light absorbent is mixed into the photocurable resin 1 as an ethanol solution of a predetermined concentration. Here, when the light absorbent is prepared as, for example, a 0.01% by mass ethanol solution, the transmittance of light with a wavelength of 405 nm is preferably 1% or less. Furthermore, when the light absorbent is mixed into the photocurable resin 1, the content of the light absorbent is preferably, for example, 0.5 to 5% by mass with respect to the photocurable resin 1 (100% by mass). The light absorbent is supplied to the resin supply pipe 42 through the absorbent supply pipe 44 and mixed with the photocurable resin 1 in this resin supply pipe 42. Note that the light absorbent may be mixed by stirring the photocurable resin 1 stored in the modeling tank 11.

[0025] The resin discharge mechanism 50 discharges the photocurable resin 1 containing a light absorber stored in the modeling tank 11 to the outside of the modeling tank 11. The resin discharge mechanism 50 includes a squeegee 51 made of an elastic material such as rubber, and a moving device 52 that moves the squeegee 51 horizontally along the light-transmitting plate 14. The moving device 52 causes the squeegee 51 to move horizontally over the light-transmitting plate 14, thereby scraping off the photocurable resin 1 stored in the modeling tank 11. The resin discharge mechanism 50 also includes a lid 53 that covers a through-hole 11A that penetrates the side wall of the modeling tank 11, a hinge 54 that supports the lid 53 so that it can be opened and closed relative to the through-hole 11A, and a discharge tray 55 that is located below the through-hole 11A and receives the photocurable resin 1 discharged from the modeling tank 11. Therefore, the photocurable resin 1 scraped off by the squeegee 51 is discharged to the discharge tray 55 through the through-holes 11A when the lid portion 53 is opened by the operation of a drive portion (not shown).

[0026] The resin discharge mechanism 50, for example, moves the squeegee 51 along the light-transmitting plate 14 each time one layer (cured layer) of the model 2 is modeled, thereby discharging the photocurable resin 1 in the modeling tank 11 to the outside through the through-holes 11A. With this configuration, it is possible to supply new photocurable resin 1 with a different mixture ratio of light absorbent to the modeling tank 11, and therefore photolithography can be performed using photocurable resin 1 with a mixture ratio that matches the layer (height position) of the target to be modeled.

[0027] The control device 30 is an arithmetic processing device configured with, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and is connected to each part of the optical shaping apparatus 10 to control their operation. The control device 30 stores a program related to a manufacturing method for manufacturing the object 2, loads this program into memory, and executes the instructions included in the program. The control device 30 includes an internal memory (not shown), which is used for temporary storage of data such as the program in the control device 30.

[0028] The control device 30 includes a lifting / lowering control unit 31, an irradiation control unit 32, a resin supply control unit 33, a discharge control unit 34, a data storage unit 35, a resolution determination unit 36, a mixing ratio adjustment unit 37, and a thickness adjustment unit 38. The lifting / lowering control unit 31 controls the operation of the platform lifting / lowering mechanism 15 to control the height position of the platform 12. Specifically, the lifting / lowering control unit 31 raises and lowers the platform 12 based on the adjustment result of the thickness adjustment unit 38, thereby forming a photocurable resin layer adjusted to a predetermined thickness t between the platform 12 or the object 2 and the light-transmitting plate 14.

[0029] The irradiation control unit 32 calculates a light irradiation pattern that indicates the cross-sectional shape of the object 2 at each predetermined height position, for example, based on the three-dimensional shape data, and controls the light source 21, the image forming element 27, etc. to irradiate the light onto the photocurable resin. Therefore, the irradiation control unit 32 can form a cured layer of a predetermined thickness by irradiating the photocurable resin layer between the light-transmitting plate 14 with light that corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of each layer (predetermined height position) of the object 2.

[0030] The resin etc. supply control unit 33 controls the operation of supplying the photocurable resin 1 and the light absorbent to the modeling tank 11. Specifically, the resin etc. supply control unit 33 controls the operation of the resin supply pump 41 and the absorbent supply pump 43 based on the adjustment result of the mixing ratio adjustment unit 37, thereby controlling the supply amounts of the photocurable resin 1 and the light absorbent so that the light absorbent to the photocurable resin 1 is at a predetermined mixing ratio.

[0031] The discharge control unit 34 controls the operation of discharging the photocurable resin 1 stored in the modeling tank 11 and mixed with the light absorbent to the outside of the modeling tank 11. Specifically, the discharge control unit 34 moves the squeegee 51 along the light-transmitting plate 14 each time one layer (cured layer) of the modeling object 2 is modeled, thereby discharging the photocurable resin 1 in the modeling tank 11 to the outside through the through-holes 11A. In this case, it is preferable that the elevation control unit 31 retracts the platform 12 upward so that the platform 12 and the squeegee 51 do not interfere with each other. Furthermore, the discharge control unit 34 may stop the discharge operation and proceed with modeling the next layer, for example, if the mixing ratio of the next layer to be modeled and the mixing ratio of the most recently modeled layer have not changed (are the same) based on the adjustment result of the mixing ratio adjustment unit 37.

[0032] The discharge control unit 34 may not only discharge the photocurable resin 1 but also spread the photocurable resin 1 over the modeling tank 11. Specifically, if the photocurable resin 1 has high viscosity, even if the photocurable resin 1 is supplied onto the modeling tank 11, it is expected that the photocurable resin 1 will be concentrated in one area (for example, directly below the outlet of the resin supply pipe 42). For this reason, the discharge control unit 34 can spread the highly viscous photocurable resin 1 over the modeling tank 11 by moving the squeegee 51 horizontally while raising it a predetermined distance above the light-transmitting plate 14.

[0033] The data storage unit 35 stores design data that defines the cross-sectional shape of each layer (at each predetermined height position) when forming the target object 2. If the target object 2 is formed of k layers (k is a natural number), the data storage unit 35 stores design image data that defines the cross-sectional shapes of all layers from the first layer to the kth layer.

[0034] The resolution determination unit 36 ​​determines the resolution (detail) of the cross-sectional shape of the layer to be modeled based on the design image data stored in the data storage unit 35. Here, resolution refers to the minimum design dimension of the design image data in the horizontal direction of the cross-sectional shape of the layer (height position) to be modeled. The resolution determination unit 36 ​​determines the resolution to be normal if this minimum design dimension is within a predetermined reference range (e.g., 500 μm to 1000 μm). Furthermore, the resolution determination unit 36 ​​determines the resolution to be high (fine) if the minimum design dimension is a value smaller than the above-mentioned reference range. Furthermore, the resolution determination unit 36 ​​determines the resolution to be low (coarse) if the minimum design dimension is a value larger than the above-mentioned reference range. This reference range is merely an example and may be changed as appropriate depending on the target object 2. Furthermore, although the resolution is divided into three levels—normal, high, and low—in this embodiment, it may be divided into more detailed levels.

[0035] The mixing ratio adjustment unit 37 adjusts the mixing ratio of the light absorbent to the photocurable resin 1 according to the definition determined by the definition determination unit 36. Specifically, when the definition is determined to be normal, the mixing ratio adjustment unit 37 adjusts the mixing ratio to a predetermined reference range (for example, 2% by mass or more and 4% by mass or less with respect to the photocurable resin 1). When the definition is determined to be high, the mixing ratio adjustment unit 37 adjusts the mixing ratio to a value higher than the reference range (for example, 5% by mass), and when the definition is determined to be low, the mixing ratio adjustment unit 37 adjusts the mixing ratio to a value lower than the reference range (for example, 1% by mass). Here, in this embodiment, table data such as that shown in FIG. 2 is stored in the data storage unit 35, and the mixing ratio adjustment unit 37 acquires data of the mixing ratio from the table data according to the definition determined by the definition determination unit 36. However, the mixing ratio adjustment unit 37 may calculate the mixing ratio each time.

[0036] The thickness adjustment unit 38 adjusts the thickness of the photocurable resin 1, the mixing ratio of which has been adjusted, in accordance with the definition determined by the definition determination unit 36. In this case, the thickness of the photocurable resin 1 is adjusted by adjusting the mixing ratio to a thickness that minimizes the effect of the light energy of the light irradiation unit 20 on the layers to be modeled and thereafter (i.e., prevents excessive curing reactions). Specifically, if the definition is determined to be normal, the thickness adjustment unit 38 adjusts the thickness of the photocurable resin 1 to a predetermined reference range (e.g., 50 μm to 100 μm). If the definition is determined to be high, the thickness adjustment unit 38 adjusts the thickness of the photocurable resin 1 to a value thinner than the reference range (e.g., 25 μm), and if the definition is determined to be low, the thickness adjustment unit 38 adjusts the thickness of the photocurable resin 1 to a value thicker than the reference range (e.g., 200 μm). In this case, too, table data such as that shown in Figure 2 is stored in the data storage unit 35, and the thickness adjustment unit 38 is configured to obtain data on the thickness of the photocurable resin 1 from the table data according to the resolution determined by the resolution determination unit 36, but the thickness adjustment unit 38 may also calculate the thickness of the photocurable resin 1 each time.

[0037] Next, the operation procedure of the control device 30 according to this embodiment will be described below. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the control device.

[0038] First, the control device 30 determines the first layer (e.g., the first layer) (step S11), and reads out design image data of the target layer from the data storage unit 35 (step S12). In detail, the control device 30 reads out, from the data storage unit 35, the design image data that defines the cross-sectional shape of the first layer (first layer) to be modeled.

[0039] Next, the control device 30 determines the level of resolution of the cross-sectional shape of the first layer (first layer) to be formed based on the design image data (step S13). More specifically, the control device 30 determines, using the resolution determination unit 36, that the level of resolution is normal if the minimum design dimension as the level of resolution is within a predetermined reference range (e.g., 500 μm or more and 1000 μm or less). Furthermore, the resolution determination unit 36 ​​determines that the level of resolution is high (fine) if the minimum design dimension is a value smaller than the above-mentioned reference range. Furthermore, the resolution determination unit 36 ​​determines that the level of resolution is low (coarse) if the minimum design dimension is a value larger than the above-mentioned reference range.

[0040] Next, the control device 30 adjusts the mixing ratio of the light absorbent according to the degree of definition, and supplies the photocurable resin 1 to the modeling tank 11 (step S14). More specifically, if the mixing ratio adjustment unit 37 determines that the degree of definition is normal, the control device 30 adjusts the mixing ratio to a predetermined reference range; if the degree of definition is determined to be high, the control device 30 adjusts the mixing ratio to a value higher than the reference range; and if the degree of definition is determined to be low, the control device 30 adjusts the mixing ratio to a value lower than the reference range. Then, the mixing ratio adjustment unit 37 sends the result of the adjustment of the mixing ratio to the resin supply control unit 33.

[0041] The resin supply control unit 33 controls the operation of the resin supply pump 41 and the absorbent supply pump 43 based on the adjustment result of the mixing ratio adjustment unit 37, thereby controlling the supply amount of the photocurable resin 1 and the light absorbent so that the light absorbent to the photocurable resin 1 is mixed at a predetermined ratio.

[0042] Next, the control device 30 adjusts the thickness of the photocurable resin whose mixing ratio has been adjusted (step S15). More specifically, if the thickness adjustment unit 38 determines that the definition is normal, the control device 30 adjusts the thickness of the photocurable resin 1 to a predetermined reference range; if the definition is determined to be high, the control device 30 adjusts the thickness of the photocurable resin 1 to a value thinner than the reference range; and if the definition is determined to be low, the control device 30 adjusts the thickness of the photocurable resin 1 to a value thicker than the reference range. Then, the thickness adjustment unit 38 sends the thickness adjustment result to the lift control unit 31.

[0043] The lifting control unit 31 controls the operation of the platform lifting mechanism 15 based on the adjustment result of the thickness adjustment unit 38, thereby controlling the height position of the platform 12. Specifically, the lifting control unit 31 raises and lowers the platform 12 based on the adjustment result of the thickness adjustment unit 38, thereby forming a photocurable resin layer adjusted to a predetermined thickness between the platform 12 and the light-transmitting plate 14.

[0044] Next, the control device 30 irradiates the photocurable resin with light (step S16). More specifically, the control device 30 causes the irradiation control unit 32 to irradiate the photocurable resin layer between the light-transmitting plate 14 with light of a shape (irradiation area) corresponding to the design image data of the layer (one layer) to be modeled, thereby forming a cured layer with a predetermined thickness.

[0045] Next, the control device 30 operates the resin discharging mechanism 50 to discharge the photocurable resin remaining in the modeling tank 11 to the outside (step S17). More specifically, the control device 30 controls the discharge control unit 34 to move the squeegee 51 of the resin discharging mechanism 50 along the light-transmitting plate 14 each time one layer (cured layer) of the modeling object 2 is formed, thereby discharging the photocurable resin 1 in the modeling tank 11 to the outside through the through-holes 11A.

[0046] Next, the control device 30 determines whether all layers have been formed (Step S18). Specifically, the control device 30 determines whether all layers of the target object 2 have been formed. If it is determined that all layers have not been formed (Step S18; No), the control device 30 sets the next layer (e.g., layer 2) (Step S19) and performs the processes of Steps S12 to S19 on this next layer. On the other hand, if it is determined that all layers have been formed (Step S18; Yes), the control device 30 determines that the target object 2 has been formed and ends the process.

[0047] The control device 30 according to this embodiment controls a photo-lithography device 10 that forms a model 2 by irradiating light onto photo-curable resin 1, which has been mixed with a light absorbent and adjusted to a predetermined thickness, and sequentially stacking cured layers of the photo-curable resin 1. The control device 30 includes a resolution determination unit 36 ​​that determines the resolution of the cross-sectional shape of the layer to be formed based on design image data that defines the cross-sectional shape of each layer of the model 2, a mixing ratio adjustment unit 37 that adjusts the mixing ratio of the light absorbent to the photo-curable resin 1 according to the determined resolution, and a thickness adjustment unit 38 that adjusts the thickness of the photo-curable resin 1 whose mixing ratio has been adjusted. With this configuration, the mixing ratio of the light absorbent to the photo-curable resin 1 and the thickness of the photo-curable resin 1 whose mixing ratio has been adjusted are adjusted according to the determined resolution. Therefore, for example, when the resolution is high, a highly accurate layer can be formed by increasing the mixing ratio and reducing the thickness of the photo-curable resin 1. Furthermore, for example, when the resolution is low, the amount of object formed per unit time (thickness of the object) can be increased by lowering the mixing ratio and increasing the thickness of the photocurable resin 1, thereby realizing high-speed modeling. This makes it possible to achieve both high-precision and high-speed modeling of the object.

[0048] Furthermore, in the control device 30 of this embodiment, if the resolution is determined to be high, the mixing ratio adjustment unit 37 adjusts the mixing ratio to a value higher than a predetermined reference range, and if the resolution is determined to be low, the mixing ratio is adjusted to a value lower than the reference range, thereby making it possible to appropriately adjust the light transmittance of the photocurable resin 1.

[0049] Furthermore, in the control device 30 of this embodiment, if the resolution is determined to be high, the thickness adjustment unit 38 adjusts the thickness of the photocurable resin 1 to a value thinner than a predetermined reference range, and if the resolution is determined to be low, the thickness adjustment unit 38 adjusts the thickness to a value thicker than the reference range, so that the thickness of the photocurable resin 1 can be adjusted to an appropriate value that matches the light transmittance.

[0050] Furthermore, the control device 30 of this embodiment includes a discharge control unit 34 that discharges the photocurable resin 1 to the outside each time a cured layer is formed. With this configuration, photocurable resin 1 with a different mixture ratio of light absorbent can be newly supplied to the modeling tank 11, and therefore photocurable resin 1 with a mixture ratio that matches the layer (height position) to be modeled can be used for photolithography.

[0051] The control device 30 according to the present invention and the optical shaping apparatus 10 equipped with the same have been described above, but various other embodiments may be used. Furthermore, the components of the illustrated optical shaping apparatus are conceptual functional components and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the specific configuration of each device is not limited to that shown in the drawings, and all or part of the devices may be functionally or physically distributed or integrated in any unit depending on the processing load and usage status of each device.

[0052] The configuration of the control device 30 is realized, for example, as software, by a program loaded into memory. In the above embodiment, the functional blocks are described as being realized by the cooperation of these hardware and software. In other words, these functional blocks can be realized in various forms, using only hardware, only software, or a combination of both. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 Photocurable resin 2 Sculptures 10 Stereolithography equipment 11 Modeling tank 11A through hole 12 Platform 14 Light-transmitting plate 20 Light irradiation unit 30 Control device (photolithography control device) 31 Lift control section 32 Irradiation control unit 33 Resin supply control unit 34 Emission control section 35 Data storage unit 36 Definition judgment section 37 Mixing ratio adjustment section 38 Thickness adjustment section 40 Resin supply mechanism 50 Resin discharge mechanism 51 Squeegee L light

Claims

1. A photo-fabrication control device controls a photo-fabrication device that forms a model by irradiating light onto a photo-curable resin that has been mixed with a light absorbent and adjusted to a predetermined thickness, and sequentially stacking cured layers of the photo-curable resin, a definition determination unit that determines a definition of the cross-sectional shape at a height position to be formed, based on design image data that defines a cross-sectional shape of the object at each predetermined height position; a mixing ratio adjusting unit that adjusts a mixing ratio of the light absorbing agent to the photocurable resin in accordance with the determined definition; a thickness adjusting unit that adjusts the thickness of the photocurable resin whose mixing ratio has been adjusted; A photolithography control device comprising:

2. 2. The optical shaping control device according to claim 1, wherein the mixing ratio adjustment unit adjusts the mixing ratio to a value higher than a predetermined reference range when the resolution is determined to be high, and adjusts the mixing ratio to a value lower than the reference range when the resolution is determined to be low.

3. 3. The optical shaping control device according to claim 1, wherein the thickness adjustment unit adjusts the thickness of the photocurable resin to a value thinner than a predetermined reference range when the resolution is determined to be high, and adjusts the thickness to a value thicker than the reference range when the resolution is determined to be low.

4. The optical shaping control device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a discharge control unit that discharges the photocurable resin to the outside every time the cured layer is formed.

5. A method for manufacturing a shaped object using a photo-lithography device, which irradiates light onto a photo-curable resin that has been mixed with a light absorbent and adjusted to a predetermined thickness, and forms a shaped object by sequentially stacking cured layers of the photo-curable resin, determining a level of definition of the cross-sectional shape at a height position to be formed, based on design image data that defines a cross-sectional shape of the object at each predetermined height position; adjusting a mixing ratio of the light absorbent to the photocurable resin in accordance with the determined definition; and adjusting a thickness of the photocurable resin whose mixing ratio has been adjusted.

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