Shaping apparatus and shaping method

Abstract

The present disclosure makes it possible to appropriately shape a three-dimensional object with high precision. A three-dimensional object shaping apparatus of the present disclosure for shaping a three-dimensional object includes: inkjet heads that discharge ink droplets using an ink jet method; a shaping platform that is a platform-shaped member on which the three-dimensional object being shaped is supported at a position facing the inkjet heads; a main scanning driver that causes the inkjet heads to perform a main scanning operation in which ink droplets are discharged while moving relative to the shaping platform in a pre-set main scanning direction; and an airflow generator that generates airflows that flow from the inkjet heads toward the shaping platform.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shaping apparatus for shaping a three-dimensional object, the shaping apparatus comprising:
 an inkjet head, configured to discharge ink droplets using an inkjet method;   a shaping platform that is a platform-shaped member configured to support the three-dimensional object being shaped at a position facing the inkjet head;   a main scanning driver, configured to cause the inkjet head to perform a main scanning operation in which ink droplets are discharged while moving relative to the shaping platform in a pre-set main scanning direction; and   an airflow generator, configured to generate an airflow that flows from the inkjet head toward the shaping platform.   
     
     
         2 . The shaping apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the shaping apparatus is configured to shape the three-dimensional object whose height is at least 1 cm.   
     
     
         3 . The shaping apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 when the three-dimensional object being shaped and the inkjet head face each other during the main scanning operation, a distance between an uppermost surface of the three-dimensional object being shaped and the inkjet head is adjusted to a distance according to which a front edge airflow is generated at an edge of the three-dimensional object on a front side in a direction of movement of the inkjet head during the main scanning operation, the front edge airflow being an airflow flowing from the three-dimensional object toward the inkjet head, and   the airflow generator generates an airflow that flows from the inkjet head toward the shaping platform against the front edge airflow.   
     
     
         4 . The shaping apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein
 when the three-dimensional object being shaped and the inkjet head face each other during the main scanning operation, a distance between an uppermost surface of the three-dimensional object being shaped and the inkjet head is adjusted to a distance according to which a front edge airflow is generated at an edge of the three-dimensional object on a front side in a direction of movement of the inkjet head during the main scanning operation, the front edge airflow being an airflow flowing from the three-dimensional object toward the inkjet head, and   the airflow generator generates an airflow that flows from the inkjet head toward the shaping platform against the front edge airflow.   
     
     
         5 . The shaping apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 when ink droplets are discharged from the inkjet head toward a flat region, the inkjet head discharges ink droplets under a condition according to which the ink droplets land with a precision in an allowable range corresponding to a resolution of the three-dimensional object even without causing an airflow to be generated by the airflow generator.   
     
     
         6 . The shaping apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein
 when ink droplets are discharged from the inkjet head toward a flat region, the inkjet head discharges ink droplets under a condition according to which the ink droplets land with a precision in an allowable range corresponding to a resolution of the three-dimensional object even without causing an airflow to be generated by the airflow generator.   
     
     
         7 . The shaping apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein
 when ink droplets are discharged from the inkjet head toward a flat region, the inkjet head discharges ink droplets under a condition according to which the ink droplets land with a precision in an allowable range corresponding to a resolution of the three-dimensional object even without causing an airflow to be generated by the airflow generator.   
     
     
         8 . The shaping apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein
 when ink droplets are discharged from the inkjet head toward a flat region, the inkjet head discharges ink droplets under a condition according to which the ink droplets land with a precision in an allowable range corresponding to a resolution of the three-dimensional object even without causing an airflow to be generated by the airflow generator.   
     
     
         9 . The shaping apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a distance between an uppermost surface of the three-dimensional object being shaped and the inkjet head is less than or equal to 3 mm.   
     
     
         10 . The shaping apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein
 a distance between an uppermost surface of the three-dimensional object being shaped and the inkjet head is less than or equal to 3 mm.   
     
     
         11 . The shaping apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the distance between the uppermost surface of the three-dimensional object being shaped and the inkjet head is less than or equal to 3 mm.   
     
     
         12 . The shaping apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the distance between the uppermost surface of the three-dimensional object being shaped and the inkjet head is less than or equal to 3 mm.   
     
     
         13 . The shaping apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the inkjet head discharges ink droplets having a volume of at least 1 pL.   
     
     
         14 . The shaping apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the inkjet head discharges ink droplets having a volume of at least 1 pL.   
     
     
         15 . The shaping apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the inkjet head discharges ink droplets having a volume of at least 1 pL.   
     
     
         16 . The shaping apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the inkjet head discharges ink droplets having a volume of at least 1 pL.   
     
     
         17 . A shaping method for shaping a three-dimensional object, comprising:
 using an inkjet head that discharges ink droplets using an inkjet method;   supporting the three-dimensional object being shaped at a position facing the inkjet head on a shaping platform that is a platform-shaped member;   generating an airflow that flows from the inkjet head toward the shaping platform; and   causing the inkjet head to perform a main scanning operation in which ink droplets are discharged while moving relative to the shaping platform in a pre-set main scanning direction.