Model body and its manufacturing method

Abstract

The present invention provides, for example, novel model parts with a gradient applied with stable quality. [Solution] The model body according to this embodiment comprises a runner formed using resins of different colors, and one or more parts connected to the runner. The one or more parts are formed by a first color resin flowing in from a predetermined inlet, and a second color resin flowing in from a predetermined inlet penetrating the first color resin.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a model body and and a method for manufacturing the same.

Background Art

[0002] When coloring parts (also referred to as parts) of an assembled model such as a so-called plastic model (registered trademark), for example, when coloring the face of a toy, the color is painted by hand one by one, or sprayed using a mask provided with an opening at the colored part (see Patent Document 1). In addition, an apparatus for automating painting using a plurality of printing machines and a conveyor has also been proposed (see Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above conventional techniques, it requires a high level of skill to smoothly change the colored part in a gradation, and it is difficult to stabilize the quality. In addition, when using a coloring apparatus for painting, there are also problems such as additional equipment investment and an increase in the size of the equipment.

[0005] The present invention provides, for example, a novel model part with a stable quality and a gradation applied thereto.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to, for example, a model body comprising a runner formed using resins of different colors, and one or more parts connected to the runner, wherein the one or more parts are formed by a first color resin flowing in from a predetermined inlet, and a second color resin flowing in from the predetermined inlet penetrating the first color resin. Furthermore, the present invention relates to, for example, a model body comprising a runner formed using resins of different colors, and one or more parts connected to the runner, wherein the one or more parts are formed by stopping the inflow of a first-color resin that flows in from a predetermined inlet before it flows into the end of the model body, and by allowing a second-color resin to flow in from the predetermined inlet before the first-color resin hardens, penetrating the first-color resin.

[0007] Furthermore, the present invention relates to, for example, a model part comprising a first layer molded from a first color resin, and a second layer that flows into the interior of the first color resin and penetrates through the first color resin during molding, wherein the first layer covers the second layer, forming a part with a gradient color scheme.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention relates to, for example, a method for manufacturing a model body, comprising a primary molding step of injecting a first-color resin into a mold from a predetermined inlet to form the model, and a secondary molding step of injecting a second-color resin into the mold from the predetermined inlet before the first-color resin hardens, wherein the second-color resin injected from the predetermined inlet penetrates the first-color resin injected from the predetermined inlet and is molded in that manner. Furthermore, the present invention relates to, for example, a method for manufacturing a model body, comprising a primary molding step of injecting a first-color resin into a mold from a predetermined inlet to form the model, and a secondary molding step of injecting a second-color resin into the mold from the predetermined inlet before the first-color resin hardens, wherein the second-color resin injected from the predetermined inlet penetrates the first-color resin injected from the predetermined inlet and is molded, and in the primary molding step, the injection of the first-color resin is stopped before the first-color resin flows into the end of the model body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, for example, it is possible to provide novel model parts with a gradient applied with stable quality. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the overall front view of a model body according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram showing the nozzle portion of an injection molding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] A diagram showing the flow of injected resin according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] A diagram showing the manufacturing process of a model body according to one embodiment. [Figure 5]A diagram showing a gradient-like variation according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention as defined in the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Two or more of the features described in the embodiments may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, identical or similar configurations will be given the same reference numeral, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0012] <Composition of the model body (runner)> Next, with reference to Figure 1, an example of the configuration of the model body according to this embodiment will be described. The x, y, and z arrows indicate the upward, left, and forward directions, respectively, of the model body in which multiple parts are connected to a runner. Here, a runner refers to a plastic rod-shaped section in model toys such as plastic models, on which multiple parts are connected and arranged to surround each other before assembly. In some cases, the entire runner, including the connected parts, is also referred to as a runner. Here, the entire runner containing one or more parts (model components) is referred to as the "model body."

[0013] The model body 100 shown in Figure 1 represents a model body molded using multiple different colored synthetic resins. Here, we will explain using a model body molded in multiple colors using two colored synthetic resins as an example. Furthermore, although we will explain the model body 100 as including a part 104 molded using multiple colored synthetic resins, this does not limit the present invention. The model body in the present invention may include, for example, other multiple colored parts or single colored parts in addition to part 104.

[0014] The model body 100 is formed including a main runner 101, sub-runners 102a and 102b, gates 103a and 103b, parts 104, and a sprue 105. The main runner 101 is formed to surround the outer periphery of the model body 100. The sub-runners 102a and 102b are runners extending inward from the main runner 101.

[0015] The gates 103a and 103b are formed at the ends of the sub-runners 102a and 102b and are the connection parts between the sub-runners 102a and 102b and the parts 104. Also, by cutting the gates 103a and 103b, the parts 104 can be separated from the model body 100.

[0016] The parts 104 are formed as parts including a first layer molded with a synthetic resin of a first color and a second layer molded with a synthetic resin of a second color. That is, in the parts 104, one part is molded using two colors of synthetic resin, and further, by changing the thicknesses of the first layer and the second layer, it is molded in a gradation-like color scheme. The sprue 105 corresponds to the inlet through which the resin flows from the injection molding machine and is a flow path connecting to the main runner 101.

[0017] The model body 100 according to the present embodiment is manufactured by injection molding in which a synthetic resin material is injected into a mold by an injection molding machine. The mold is composed of a cavity (fixed side) and a core (movable side), and the model body 100 is manufactured by pouring the synthetic resin material into the cavity sandwiched between the cavity and the core and molding it. Also, the synthetic resin injected from the nozzle of the injection molding machine flows through the sprue 105 and into the main runner 101, sub-runners 102a and 102b, gates 103a and 103b, and parts 104 in this order. In the present embodiment, a plurality of synthetic resins injected by the injection molding machine flow in from one inlet (sprue 105) at different timings and are molded. Details of the manufacturing process will be described later.

[0018] <Nozzle of the injection molding machine> Referring to FIG. 2, a configuration example of the nozzle of the injection molding machine according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is an enlarged side sectional view of the nozzle portion of the injection molding machine. A form including the nozzle of a two-cylinder molding machine as the injection molding machine according to the present embodiment will be described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and other forms of molding machines such as a multi-color molding machine may be used. For example, any molding machine capable of individually injecting a plurality of different synthetic resins into a predetermined inlet of the mold may be used. Here, individually injectable means that a plurality of different synthetic resins are not simultaneously poured from one inlet, but different synthetic resins are poured from one inlet at different timings.

[0019] The nozzle 200 of the injection molding machine includes inner nozzles 201, 202a, 202b, and a discharge port 203. The first-color synthetic resin is supplied to the inner nozzles 202a, 202b from the outer peripheral portion of the inner nozzle 201. The first-color synthetic resin flowing through the inner nozzles 202a, 202b is ejected from the discharge port 203 located at the tip of the nozzle 200. A second-color synthetic resin different in color from the first-color synthetic resin is supplied to the inner nozzle 201. The second-color synthetic resin flowing through the inner nozzle 201 is ejected from the discharge port 203 located at the tip of the nozzle 200, similarly to the first synthetic resin flowing through the inner nozzles 202a, 202b.

[0020] These ejected synthetic resins flow into the mold and are molded. Taking the mold body 100 as an example, these ejected synthetic resins flow in from the spool 105, and then flow in and are molded in the order of the main runner 101, sub-runners 102a, 102b, gates 103a, 103b, and parts 104. The injection molding machine can change the inflow amount, inflow speed, and inflow timing of different synthetic resins into the mold. According to the present embodiment, the gradation adjustment of the part 104 can be adjusted by adjusting the inflow of this synthetic resin.

[0021] <Inflow path of synthetic resin> Refer to Figure 3 to explain the inflow path of the synthetic resin in the model body 100. In Figure 3, the inflow path of the synthetic resin when molding the model body 100 is indicated by arrows.

[0022] Spool 105 corresponds to the inlet through which synthetic resin flows in from nozzle 200. The synthetic resin flowing in from spool 105 flows vertically in the figure to the main runner 101, flows along the outer circumference of the model body 100, and finally reaches the end portions 106a and 106b. The synthetic resin flowing in from spool 105 also flows to the secondary runner 102a to the left in the figure, passes through gate 103a, and flows into part 104. Furthermore, this synthetic resin passes through gate 103b at the end of part 104 and flows into secondary runner 102b, flows to the main runner 101, and finally reaches the end portions 106a and 106b. At the end portions 106a and 106b, the synthetic resin flowing in from the left and right collide and dams each other.

[0023] <Manufacturing process for gradient parts> Referring to Figure 4, the manufacturing process of the gradient part (part 104) according to this embodiment will be described. The number following S indicates the step number of the manufacturing process. For the sake of clarity, the inflow path from the spool 105 to the end portion 106 in the model body 100 is schematically shown here.

[0024] S1 and S2 represent the primary molding process in which the first color synthetic resin 401 is injected during the manufacturing process of the model body 100. In S1, the first color synthetic resin 401 is injected from the injection molding machine and flows in through a predetermined inlet (spool 105) along the inflow path described above. Then, in S2, the injection of the first color synthetic resin 401 is stopped before it reaches the end portions 106a and 106b of the model body 100. The amount of the first color synthetic resin that flows in can be adjusted according to this stopping timing. The dotted line 410 indicates the stopping position (arrival position) of the first color synthetic resin 401 in the flow path of the model body 100 at the timing of S2.

[0025] Steps S3 and S4 represent secondary molding in which a second color synthetic resin 402 is injected during the manufacturing process of the model body 100. In step S3, the second color synthetic resin 402 is injected from the injection molding machine and, like the first color synthetic resin 401, flows in through a predetermined inlet (spool 105) and along the inlet path described above. Here, step S3 is performed after the injection of the first color synthetic resin 401 is stopped in step S2, and before the inflowing first color synthetic resin 401 hardens. As a result, as shown in Figure 4, since the second color synthetic resin 402 is injected into the same inlet, it can enter the interior of the first color synthetic resin 401 before it hardens and flow through the first color synthetic resin 401.

[0026] As the second-color synthetic resin 402 penetrates the first-color synthetic resin 401, it pulls the first-color synthetic resin 401 that it is in contact with on the outer surface of the second-color synthetic resin 402, allowing it to advance further along the aforementioned path. As shown by the dotted line 410, the entry position of the first-color synthetic resin 401 in S3 is further toward the end portion 106 in the inflow path than the position where the injection of the first-color synthetic resin 401 was stopped in S2.

[0027] As a result, the first-color synthetic resin 401 covers at least a portion of the second-color synthetic resin 402, and is molded so that the thickness of the covering (film thickness) gradually decreases towards the end portion 106. This is because the second-color synthetic resin 402 pulls only the contact portion of the first-color synthetic resin 401. In this way, by gradually decreasing the thickness of the first-color synthetic resin covering the second-color synthetic resin 402, the color can be smoothly changed in a gradient manner, and a gradient part according to this embodiment can be molded.

[0028] Furthermore, in the molded gradient part, the first layer is made of the first color synthetic resin 401, and at least a portion of the outer surface of the second color synthetic resin 402, which forms the second layer, is covered by the first layer. Since these synthetic resins are different colors, the thickness of the first layer changes, which in turn changes the transparency of the second layer located inside it, and this change is expressed as a gradient.

[0029] In S4, the second color synthetic resin 402 reaches the end portion 106, and the injection of the second synthetic resin is stopped. This completes the manufacturing process for the gradient part. The model body 100 is manufactured repeatedly multiple times using an injection molding machine and a mold. In this case, the nozzle 200 of the injection molding machine according to this embodiment injects the first color synthetic resin 401 and the second synthetic resin from the same discharge port 203. Therefore, when the injection of the second color synthetic resin 402 is stopped in S4, the second color synthetic resin 402 is not injected and remains as residue at the tip of the nozzle 200. If a new model body 100 is manufactured again from S1 in this state, when the first color synthetic resin 401 is injected in S1, the residue of the second color synthetic resin 402 at the nozzle tip is pushed out and injected. Such residue may hinder the intended change in the gradient effect. Therefore, according to this embodiment, after stopping the injection of the second color synthetic resin 402 in S4, the control is performed to push out the residue by further injecting the first color synthetic resin 401. This prevents any impact on the manufacturing of the next model body.

[0030] <Variations of gradient parts> Refer to Figure 5 to explain the variations of the gradient parts according to this embodiment. Figure 5 shows three model bases with different gradient patterns.

[0031] Model bodies 100, 501, and 502 are molded using a first-color synthetic resin 401 and a second-color synthetic resin 402, respectively. The amount of each synthetic resin used differs between model bodies 100, 501, and 502. As described above, the amount of synthetic resin used can be changed by altering the amount, flow rate, and flow timing of each synthetic resin into the mold.

[0032] In the example shown in Figure 5, model body 100 uses more of the second color synthetic resin 402 than the first color synthetic resin 401. Model body 501 uses roughly equal amounts of the first color synthetic resin 401 and the second color synthetic resin 402. Model body 502 uses more of the first color synthetic resin 401 than the second color synthetic resin 402. Thus, according to this embodiment, the change in gradient tone can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of each synthetic resin used. On the other hand, by fixing the amount of each used, multiple gradient parts can be manufactured with stable quality. That is, individual differences between parts can be reduced.

[0033] As described above, the model body (100) according to this embodiment comprises a runner formed using resins of different colors and one or more parts connected to the runner. The one or more parts are formed by a first color resin flowing in from a predetermined inlet, and a second color resin flowing in from a predetermined inlet penetrating the first color resin. The model part (401) comprises a first layer formed from the first color resin and a second layer that flows into the interior of the first color resin and is formed by penetrating the first color resin. Furthermore, the first layer covers the second layer, forming a part with a gradient color scheme.

[0034] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. For example, the above embodiments described an example in which gradient parts are molded using synthetic resins of different colors as different synthetic resins. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any synthetic resin made of different materials may be used. For example, materials with different flexibility (hardness) or different textures may be used.

[0035] <Summary of Embodiments> The above embodiments disclose at least the following model body, method for manufacturing the same, and model parts. (1) It is a model base, A single runner formed using resins of different colors, One or more parts connected to the aforementioned runner and Equipped with, The aforementioned one or more parts are A model body in which a second color of resin, also flowing in from a predetermined inlet, penetrates the first color of resin, which flows in from the same predetermined inlet, and is molded into the model body. (2) The aforementioned one or more parts are The model body according to (1), wherein the resin of the first color is molded to cover at least a portion of the resin of the second color. (3) The model body according to (2), wherein the coating of the second color resin with the first color resin becomes thinner as it moves away from the predetermined inlet. (4) A model body according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the second color resin flows in before the first color resin that flows in from the predetermined inlet hardens. (5) The model body described in any one of (1) to (4), wherein one or more of the aforementioned parts are molded as parts with a gradient color scheme. (6) The model body according to (5), wherein the gradient tone of one or more parts can be adjusted by adjusting at least one of the amount of resin of the first color and the resin of the second color and the rate of inflow into the mold. (7) Model parts, The first layer is molded with the first color of resin, A second layer is formed by flowing into the first colored resin and penetrating the first colored resin. Equipped with, A model part in which the first layer covers the second layer, forming a part with a gradient-like color scheme. (8) The first layer is thinner toward a predetermined end of the model part, as described in (7). (9) A method for manufacturing a model body, The process involves a primary molding step in which a first color of resin is injected into a mold from a predetermined inlet to form the resin, A secondary molding step is performed in which, before the first colored resin hardens, a second colored resin is injected into the mold from the predetermined inlet to form the resin. Includes, A manufacturing method in which a second color resin, also injected from a predetermined inlet, penetrates the first color resin, which is injected from the predetermined inlet, and is formed. (10) The manufacturing method according to (9), wherein in the primary molding step, the injection of the resin of the first color is stopped before the resin of the first color flows into the end of the model body. (11) The manufacturing method according to (9) or (10), wherein in the secondary molding step, when the resin of the second color penetrates the resin of the first color and flows into the end of the model body, the injection of the resin of the second color is stopped. (12) The manufacturing method according to any one of (9) to (11), wherein in the secondary molding step, after stopping the injection of the second color resin, the first color resin is injected into the mold from the predetermined inlet to push out the second color resin remaining at the nozzle tip in the secondary molding step.

[0036] 100: Model body, 101: Main runner, 102a, 102b: Secondary runner, 103a, 103b: Gate, 104: Parts, 105: Spool (inlet)

Claims

1. It is a model base, A single runner formed using resins of different colors, One or more parts connected to the aforementioned runner and Equipped with, The one or more of the aforementioned parts are A model body in which the flow of a first-color resin that enters from a predetermined inlet is stopped before it reaches the end of the model body, and a second-color resin enters from the predetermined inlet before the first-color resin hardens, and is formed by penetrating the first-color resin.

2. The one or more of the aforementioned parts are The model body according to claim 1, wherein the first colored resin is molded to cover at least a portion of the second colored resin.

3. The model body according to claim 2, wherein the coating of the second colored resin with the first colored resin becomes thinner as it moves away from the predetermined inlet.

4. The model body according to claim 1, wherein the second color resin flows in before the first color resin that flows in from the predetermined inlet hardens.

5. The model body according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one or more of the aforementioned parts are molded as parts with a gradient color scheme.

6. The model body according to claim 5, wherein the gradient tone of one or more parts can be adjusted by adjusting at least one of the amount of resin of the first color and the resin of the second color and the rate of inflow into the mold.

7. A method for manufacturing a model body, The process involves a primary molding step in which a first color of resin is injected into a mold from a predetermined inlet to form the resin, A secondary molding step is performed in which, before the first colored resin hardens, a second colored resin is injected into the mold from the predetermined inlet to form the resin. Includes, A second color resin, also injected from the predetermined inlet, penetrates the first color resin and forms a molded structure with respect to the first color resin injected from the predetermined inlet. A manufacturing method comprising the first molding step, in which the injection of the first color resin is stopped before the first color resin flows into the end of the model body.

8. The manufacturing method according to claim 7, wherein in the secondary molding step, when the resin of the second color penetrates the resin of the first color and flows into the end of the model body, the injection of the resin of the second color is stopped.

9. The manufacturing method according to claim 8, wherein in the secondary molding step, after stopping the injection of the second color resin, the first color resin is injected into the mold from the predetermined inlet to push out the second color resin remaining at the nozzle tip in the secondary molding step.

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