GB2098133A - A device for marking surfaces by laser radiation - Google Patents

A device for marking surfaces by laser radiation Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2098133A
GB2098133A GB8211156A GB8211156A GB2098133A GB 2098133 A GB2098133 A GB 2098133A GB 8211156 A GB8211156 A GB 8211156A GB 8211156 A GB8211156 A GB 8211156A GB 2098133 A GB2098133 A GB 2098133A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
mask
light source
laser light
laser
hood
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB8211156A
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Datograf Apparatebau GmbH and Co
Original Assignee
Datograf Apparatebau GmbH and Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Datograf Apparatebau GmbH and Co filed Critical Datograf Apparatebau GmbH and Co
Publication of GB2098133A publication Critical patent/GB2098133A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/435Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material
    • B41J2/465Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material using masks, e.g. light-switching masks
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23KSOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K26/00Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring
    • B23K26/02Positioning or observing the workpiece, e.g. with respect to the point of impact; Aligning, aiming or focusing the laser beam
    • B23K26/06Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing
    • B23K26/064Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing by means of optical elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors or prisms
    • B23K26/066Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing by means of optical elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors or prisms by using masks
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/435Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material
    • B41J2/44Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material using single radiation source per colour, e.g. lighting beams or shutter arrangements
    • B41J2/442Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material using single radiation source per colour, e.g. lighting beams or shutter arrangements using lasers
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23KSOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K2101/00Articles made by soldering, welding or cutting
    • B23K2101/007Marks, e.g. trade marks

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Laser Beam Processing (AREA)
  • Lasers (AREA)
  • Thermal Transfer Or Thermal Recording In General (AREA)

Abstract

In a device for marking surfaces by laser radiation from a laser light source (1), the radiation is shaped by beam- shaping means (5, 6, 8) and illuminates a mask (7). Objective means (9) forms an image of the illuminated mask (7) on the surface (10) to be marked. The laser light source (1), the beam-shaping means (5, 6, 8), the mask (7) and the objective means (9) are mounted on a common frame (4) and the beam path is deflected round the outside of the laser light source so that the available space is used to best advantage. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A device for marking surfaces by laser radiation The invention relates to a device for marking surfaces by laser radiation in which radiation issuing from a laser light source and shaped by beamshaping means illuminates a mask and in which objective means forms an image of the illuminated mask on a surface to be marked.
Using known devices of this type it is possible to employ the action of intense laser pulses for marking the surfaces of articles such as packaged goods, for example, to apply packaging or "sell-by" dates. The data can consist of letters, numbers or other symbols. Metallic masks are used which have apertures in the form of the data to be applied and are illuminated uniformly by laser radiation. An image of the part of the radiation which passes through the mask is formed on the surface to be marked by an optical system which is similar to the objective lens in a slide projector. Preferably a reducing image is used, so that the mask needs to be exposed onto to a relatively low power density, but sufficient intensity is nevertheless available at the marking location.
In known devices and beam-shaping means, mask, objective means, and any deflecting mirrors which are necessary, are designed as a separate unit which is attached to a suitable commercially available laser. The stability of such an arrangement as a whole is a problem, especially stability of the optical beam path. It is possible to seal off the beam-guiding system from environmental influences such as dust and moisture only by making the components of the device less easily accessible. Afurther problem with known marking devices of this kind is that it is complicated and time-consuming to replace the mask when different marking data is to be applied, and the required number of different marking data are frequently not available at all.
A main object of the invention is to provide a marking device whose design is stableperse and space-saving, and which has a mask which can be varied in a simple way to permit a wide variety of marking data to be used.
According to the invention there is provided a device for marking surfaces by laser radiation, in which radiation issuing from a laser light source and shaped by beam-shaping means illuminates a mask and in which objective means form an image of the illuminated mask on a surface to be marked, wherein the laser light source, the beam-shaping means, the mask and the objective means are arranged on a common frame, and beam deflecting means is mounted on the frame for guiding the beam around the outside of the laser light source for effective utilisation of the available space.
Preferably the mask comprises several metal strips which are arranged adjacent one another and behind a mask window and are displaceable relative to one another.
Some embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates diagrammatically a device for marking by means of laser radiation, Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, Figure 3 illustrates one embodiment of a variable mask, Figure 4 illustrates a second embodiment of a variable mask, Figure 5 is a sectional view of a mask, and Figure 6 is a sectional view of another embodi mentofa mask.
The broken lines in Figure 1 represent a light source 1. The actual laser light source can be a conventional pulsed CO2 laser, which is sealed in a housing 2. The laser 1 is illustrated simply by dot-and-dash lines in Figure 2. The laser 1 and housing 2 are fixed firmly to a frame 4 formed by profiled metal strips 3. Also mounted firmly on the frame 4 are a deflecting mirror 5, a further deflecting mirror 6 which is, for example, a three-dimensionally ground mirror which acts as beam-shaping means, a mask 7, another deflecting mirror 8 and an objective lens 9 which may comprise several lenses.The radiation emitted by the laser 1 and emergentfrom the housing 2 is incident on the first deflecting mirror 5, is deflected round the outside of the laser 1 and the housing 2 as illustrated, and emerges from the objective 9 to strike an article 10 to be marked, which can be, for example, a packaged article, especially the crown cork of a bottle. The arrangement illustrated is a very compact construction which permits exact, non-varying and mutual adjustment of the individual components. The guiding of the beam path round the outside of the laser is especially space-saving.
A hood 12 is sealed on to the frame 4, with interposed sealing means 11 for example, elastomer strips. The hood is firmly connected to the frame, so that all the components of the device are enclosed and are hermetically sealed. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the objective 9 can be mounted in the hood 12 so as to be removable with the hood. In another embodiment, the objective 9, as already mentioned, is fixed firmly to the frame 4, and the radiation emerges through a window in the hood 12 towards the article 10.
Because of this sealed arrangement, it is possible to introduce a clean, dry scavenging gas, for example N2, under a slight excess pressure into the inner space between the hood 12 and the housing 2 enclosing the laser light source, so as to prevent contamination of the device. If the laser light source 1 is a pulsed CO2 laser, it is advantageous to use spent CO2 gas from the laser as the scavenging gas.
On top of the frame 4 there is mounted a base plate 13 which is fixed firmly to the frame and carries the components of the device, that is the laser light source 1 and the parts 5,6,7,8 and 9 which are provided if appropriate with holders.
Figures 3 to 6 show preferred embodiments of variable masks according to the invention.
Figure 3 shows a mask window 14 behind which several adjacent metal strips 15, 16, 17 and 18 arranged side-by-side, which are displaceable relative to each other. The markings to be transferred are introduced above one another by known photo etching techniques into the individual strips in the manner of a stencil. The individual strips, which may be of metal foil can be wound next to one another onto two rolls, or can be unwound from those rolls.
The top rolls 19 in Figure 3 are driven manually or by a motor, and tubular drive shafts 21 located concentrically in one another serve for individual drives to the rolls. The bottom rolls 22 can be pretensioned by springs in a way known for blinds, so that automatic rewinding of the individual metal strips is possible. It is possible, in this way, to introduce a wide variety of combinations of symbols into the mask window, for example manufacturing dates of packaged goods, and to transfer these combinations permanently to the article to be marked.
Figure 4 shows a modified embodiment of an interchangeable mask. The adjacent metal strips of Figure 1 extending in a straight line are replaced by concentric rings 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28. A mask window 14 is provided in front of the rings. A window is preferably located at the rear of the rings, so that the rings are guided between the two windows. Each ring has stencil-like perforations representing the marking data to be transferred. For adjustment each ring has perforations 29 into which the pins or teeth of pinwheels or gear wheels 31 engage. If these wheels 31 are rotated by means of drive shafts 32, manually or by means of drive motors, the individual rings 23 to 28 can be adjusted so that the desired complete marking appears in the mask window 14.
As seen in Figure 5, the metal bands 15 to 18 or the metal rings 23 to 28 can be designed so that they overlap one another. This prevents harmful light from escaping between the individual members. The same effect can also be achieved by the arrangement shown in Figure 6, in which the gaps between the individual metal members are each covered, at least in the region of the mask window (Figures 3 and 4) by masking webs 33.
The interchangeable masks described above have the advantage that a large store of symbols can be represented and applied to articles in the form of marking data. The masks are especially suitable for identifying foodstuffs or drinks with their "sell-by" date. The consecutive numbering of work pieces or the like is also possible.

Claims (13)

1. A device for marking surfaces by laser radiation, in which radiation issuing from a laser light source and shaped by beam-shaping means illuminates a mask and in which objective means form an image of the illuminated mask on a surface to be marked, wherein the laser light source, the beamshaping means, the mask and the objective means are arranged on a common frame, and beam deflecting means is mounted on the frame for guiding the beam around the outside of the laser light source for effective utilisation of the available space.
2. A device according to Claim 1, comprising a hood which encloses all the components and is fixed to the frame, and sealing means for sealing the hood to the frame.
3. A device according to Claim 2, wherein the objective means is carried by the hood.
4. A device according to Claim 3, wherein the objective means is an objective lens.
5. A device according to Claim 2, wherein the hood has a beam-transmitting window.
6. A device according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, comprising means for introducing a dry scavenging gas under slight excess pressure into the interspace between the hood and a housing enclosing the laser light source.
7. A device according to Claim 5, wherein the laser light source is a pulsed CO2 laser, and spent CO2 gas is introduced from the laser into the interspace.
8. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the mask comprises several metal strips which are arranged adjacent one another and behind a mask window and are displaceable relative to one another.
9. A device according to Claim 8, wherein the metal strips are located side-by-side to constitute a band which extends between winding devices.
10. A device according to Claim 8, wherein the metal strips are concentric rings.
11. A device according to Claim 10, wherein the concentric rings are guided between two mask windows and are driven by pinwheels or gear wheels which engage in performations in the rings.
12. A device according to any one of Claims 8 to 11, wherein the metal strips overlap one another.
13. A device according to any one of Claims 8 to 11, wherein separation gaps between the metal strips are covered, at least in the region of the mask window, by masking webs.
GB8211156A 1981-05-13 1982-04-16 A device for marking surfaces by laser radiation Withdrawn GB2098133A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19813118938 DE3118938A1 (en) 1981-05-13 1981-05-13 DEVICE FOR MARKING SURFACES BY LASER RADIATION

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2098133A true GB2098133A (en) 1982-11-17

Family

ID=6132158

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8211156A Withdrawn GB2098133A (en) 1981-05-13 1982-04-16 A device for marking surfaces by laser radiation

Country Status (3)

Country Link
JP (1) JPS57206591A (en)
DE (1) DE3118938A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2098133A (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2133352A (en) * 1983-01-13 1984-07-25 Laser Applic Limited A laser marking system
EP0315228A1 (en) * 1987-11-04 1989-05-10 Peter Gammelin Soldering apparatus
DE4223408A1 (en) * 1992-07-16 1994-01-20 Metronic Geraetebau Laser printer mask transport and positioning using drum carrier - has stepping motor with belt transport to drive drum on shaft, print mask on drum with mask free to move in 180 degree arc
WO1997031324A1 (en) * 1996-02-23 1997-08-28 Spectrum Technologies Ltd. Laser marking apparatus and methods
DE3836821C3 (en) * 1988-10-28 2001-04-12 Bongrain Sa Method and device for providing food with a surface marking by thermal treatment
GB2388816A (en) * 2002-05-23 2003-11-26 David John Montaque Laser stamp

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6129029A (en) * 1984-07-19 1986-02-08 三菱電機株式会社 Method of indicating terminal number or like in solenoid relay or like
JPH0320057Y2 (en) * 1985-02-13 1991-04-30
DE3915254A1 (en) * 1989-05-10 1990-11-22 Berg Gmbh Producing optical marking line on floor frequented by public - projecting light beam cyclically covering predetermined path to give appearance of line without requiring strong light or projection optics
DE10017269B4 (en) * 2000-02-10 2013-02-28 Deutsche Rockwool Mineralwoll Gmbh & Co. Ohg Process for producing an insulating material
DE19960085A1 (en) * 1999-12-13 2001-07-05 Oesterr Heraklith Gmbh Process for the production of an identifiable mineral fiber product

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2133352A (en) * 1983-01-13 1984-07-25 Laser Applic Limited A laser marking system
US5196667A (en) * 1987-04-11 1993-03-23 Peter Gammelin Soldering and desoldering device
EP0315228A1 (en) * 1987-11-04 1989-05-10 Peter Gammelin Soldering apparatus
DE3836821C3 (en) * 1988-10-28 2001-04-12 Bongrain Sa Method and device for providing food with a surface marking by thermal treatment
DE4223408A1 (en) * 1992-07-16 1994-01-20 Metronic Geraetebau Laser printer mask transport and positioning using drum carrier - has stepping motor with belt transport to drive drum on shaft, print mask on drum with mask free to move in 180 degree arc
DE4223408C2 (en) * 1992-07-16 1995-11-23 Metronic Geraetebau Laser beam printing device
WO1997031324A1 (en) * 1996-02-23 1997-08-28 Spectrum Technologies Ltd. Laser marking apparatus and methods
GB2388816A (en) * 2002-05-23 2003-11-26 David John Montaque Laser stamp

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS57206591A (en) 1982-12-17
DE3118938A1 (en) 1982-12-02

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Legal Events

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)