JP2002254183A - Air flow generating device and laser marking device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air flow generating device capable surely suppressing the effect of smoke generating in marking, and a laser marking device provided therewith. SOLUTION: An air suction device 40 compreses an air suction duct 41 having an opening in the vicinity of an object W to be marked, and an air suction fan 42, and installed so as to generate an air flow in the reverse direction of an imprinting direction of a imprinting unit that a laser marking device imprints in order. The laser marking device imprints, e.g. a character row 'ABC' is every character unit of A, B, C in the arrow direction in order. The air suction device 40 is disposed in the vicinity of the installation position of the object W to be marked directing the air suction duct 41 to the same direction (direction of arrow mark M) as the imprinting direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air flow generating device for generating an air flow in a printing area of a laser marking device, and a laser marking device having the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A laser marking device includes a pair of galvanometer mirrors arranged in the optical path of a laser beam.
By driving these galvanometer mirrors, the irradiation point of the laser beam is scanned on a plane on the object to be marked, and desired characters, symbols, figures, etc. are printed. This device includes a control device for controlling on / off of a laser light source and an operation of a galvanomirror, and an input device such as a console for designating characters, symbols, figures, and the like to be printed. The control device includes a memory that stores font data relating to printable characters, symbols, figures, and the like, and a CPU that processes input information from the input device and generates control data for the galvanomirror. ing. In such a laser marking device, when characters or the like to be printed are input by an input device, coordinate data of a start point and an end point of a line segment constituting a character or the like to be printed are read by a control device, and a galvanomirror based on the coordinate data is read out. Is generated, and the galvanomirror moves the laser spot on the object to be marked to perform printing. Therefore, characters and the like to be marked on the object to be marked are printed in a predetermined writing order.

[0003]

When a laser beam is irradiated onto an object to be marked, smoke, soot and the like may be generated from the irradiation point. When such smoke enters the optical path of the laser beam, the energy of the laser beam is attenuated, and the characters, symbols, figures, and the like to be printed are blurred or the characters are missing, thereby deteriorating the printing quality. there were. In particular, when a large amount of irradiation energy is required depending on the material of the object to be marked, or when deep engraving is performed, and when irradiation is performed for a long time, the influence of the smoke tends to increase. Was. The present invention
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an airflow generation device capable of reliably suppressing the influence of smoke generated during marking and a laser marking device including the airflow generation device.

[0004]

To achieve the above object, a laser marking apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is arranged such that a laser beam emitted from a laser light source is scanned over an object to be marked by a galvano scanner. The laser marking device body that irradiates and prints characters, symbols, figures, etc., and the air flow in the direction opposite to the printing direction for the predetermined printing units that make up the characters, symbols, figures, etc. to be printed by the laser marking device body. And an air flow generating device for flowing air.

[0005] An air flow generating apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a laser light source for emitting laser light, a galvano scanner for irradiating laser light onto an object to be marked by changing the direction of the laser light, and a galvano scanner. A control device for irradiating a laser beam so as to scan over the object to be marked by driving the scanner, and controlling to sequentially print predetermined printing units constituting characters, symbols, figures, etc. An airflow generation device provided in a marking device, wherein the airflow generation device sequentially generates airflow in an airflow generation means for generating an airflow in a fixed wind direction in a printing area of an object to be marked and a laser marking device. It is characterized in that a moving means for moving the air flow generating means to a position where the air flow flows in a direction opposite to the printing direction of the printing unit is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an airflow generating device, comprising: a laser light source for emitting a laser beam; a galvano scanner for irradiating a laser beam onto an object to be marked by changing the direction of the laser beam; A control device for irradiating a laser beam so as to scan over the object to be marked by driving the scanner, and controlling to sequentially print predetermined printing units constituting characters, symbols, figures, etc. An airflow generation device provided in a marking device, wherein the airflow generation device has an opening that is open on the printing region side while surrounding the printing region, and generates an airflow in the printing region through the opening. By partially enabling the airflow generating means and the opening of the airflow generating means, the laser marking device sequentially prints the airflow in a direction opposite to a printing direction of a printing unit in a printing area. Having characterized in that the air flow direction control means for generating is provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the air flow generating device according to the second aspect, the moving means acquires a printing direction of a printing unit based on control data of a control device of the laser marking device, and performs printing. It is characterized in that the airflow generating means is moved to a position where the airflow flows in a direction opposite to the direction.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the air flow generating device according to the third aspect, the air flow direction control means obtains a printing direction of a printing unit based on control data of a control device of the laser marking device. The feature is that the opening of the air flow generating means is partially activated so as to generate an air flow in the printing area in a direction opposite to the printing direction.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laser marking device including the airflow generating device according to any one of the second to fifth aspects.

[0010] In the present invention, the "printing unit" includes:
It includes each line segment constituting the character, the character itself, and a character string composed of a plurality of characters, and refers to a character sequence in which the formation order of one or more component line segments is predetermined. Further, in the present invention, the air flow is generated in the `` reverse direction '' to the printing direction, so that smoke generated during printing is caused to flow backward in the printing direction so as not to always enter the optical path of the laser beam. To do that. Therefore, the object of the present invention can be achieved without necessarily being strictly “reverse”.
Therefore, in the present invention, "reverse direction" does not mean "reverse direction" in a strict sense with respect to the printing direction, but means "reverse direction" in a substantial sense.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the airflow generating device causes the airflow to flow in the direction opposite to the printing direction of the laser marking device main body, it is generated by printing. Smoke will always flow backward in the printing direction. Accordingly, the optical path of the laser beam traveling in the printing direction is not affected by smoke due to the smoke, and the printing quality can be improved.

<Inventions of Claims 2 and 3> In the case of characters, symbols, figures, and the like printed on an object to be marked by a laser marking device, the printing direction of the printing unit constituting the same may not be constant. . In such a case, even if an airflow that is opposite to a certain printing direction is generated in the printing area,
When the printing direction is changed, the generated smoke cannot flow in the direction opposite to the printing direction, which may cause a problem that subsequent printing may be hindered. However, according to the second and third aspects, it is possible to change the direction of the air flow generated in the printing area in accordance with the printing direction, and to always flow the air flow in the direction opposite to the printing direction. Thus, even if the printing direction changes during printing, the printing quality can be improved.

<Inventions of Claims 4 and 5>
According to the configuration of claim 4 and claim 5, the moving means and the air flow direction control means are automatically driven based on the control data of the control device of the laser marking device, and the air flowing in the opposite direction according to the printing direction. A flow can be generated in the print area.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS <First Embodiment> A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a laser light source, and the laser light emitted from the laser light source is changed in direction by a galvano scanner 20 and is irradiated onto a target object W to be marked. The galvanometer scanner 20 includes a pair of galvanometer mirrors 20V and 20W.
And a converging lens 20Z. One galvanomirror 20W can shift the reflection angle in the vertical direction by the driving means 20Y, and the other galvanomirror 20V
The reflection angle can be shifted in the lateral direction by the driving means 20X. Both galvanometer mirrors 20V, 2
The direction of the laser light can be adjusted in two orthogonal directions by 0W, and as a result, the irradiation point of the laser light can be moved to any position on the marking target object W. The converging lens 20Z is formed of, for example, an fθ lens, and has a function of converging the laser light reflected by the galvanomirrors 20V and 20W to focus on the target object W.

Each driving means 2 of the galvano scanner 20
0X and 20Y are controlled by a controller 30 corresponding to a control device. A console (not shown) is connected to the controller 30 so that a desired character to be marked
When symbols, figures, and the like are set in the console, the controller 30 gives control data to the galvano scanner 20 corresponding to the console. More specifically, the controller 30 has a built-in memory that stores font data such as characters, symbols, and figures. When characters to be marked are set, the font data is read out, and based on this, data is not shown. The CPU generates coordinate data for determining the irradiation position on the object to be marked W, D / A converts the coordinate data, and provides the data to each of the driving units 20X and 20Y of the galvano scanner 20. Therefore, the controller 30 functions as control data generating means for generating control data for the galvano scanner 20.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 40 denotes an air intake device, which comprises an air intake duct 41 and an air intake fan 42 opened near the object W to be marked, and which is printed by the laser marking device in a printing unit. It is provided so as to generate an airflow in the opposite direction to the object W to be marked. The laser marking device of the present embodiment includes:
As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the character string “ABC” is changed to A, B,
Printing is sequentially performed in the direction of arrow M for each character C. Therefore, the suction device 40 directs the suction duct 41 in the same direction (the direction of the arrow M) as the printing direction to mark the object W to be marked.
Is disposed near the installation part. When the intake fan 42 is driven in this arrangement, air near the object to be marked W can be sucked to generate an airflow flowing in the direction indicated by the arrow N in FIG. This allows
Smoke generated by printing always flows in the direction of arrow N, and does not disturb the optical path of the laser beam traveling in the printing direction of arrow M, which hinders printing, thereby improving printing quality. .

In the above-described embodiment, the air intake device 40 is arranged so that air flows in a direction opposite to the printing direction in units of characters constituting a character string to be printed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the suction device 40 may be arranged in the printing direction in units of character strings. As shown in the figure, each character string is “ABC”, “DEF”, “GH”.
In the case of printing in the direction of arrow M in the order of "I", the intake duct 4 is also directed in the same direction (the direction of arrow M) as the printing direction.
1 is arranged. Further, the intake device 40 may be provided integrally with the laser marking device,
It may be provided as a separate so-called external device. Further, in the present embodiment, the intake device 40 has been described as an example of the airflow generating device. However, if this is a blower that sends out air, it will be arranged at a position facing the mounting position of the intake device 40. .

<Second Embodiment> FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment (corresponding to the second and fourth aspects of the present invention). The difference from the above-described embodiment is that the suction device can be rotated around the installation portion of the object to be marked W, and the other points are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment denote the same parts, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Only different points will be described below. As shown in FIG. 4, the air intake device 50 has the same function as the air intake device 40 of the first embodiment, and includes, for example, an annular moving rail L provided so as to surround the installation portion of the object W to be marked. The intake duct 51 always moves toward the installation section.
The suction device 50 is moved by the CPU (not shown) based on control data given to the galvano scanner 20 by the controller 30 of the laser marking device.
Up movement is controlled.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a laser marking device converts a character string "ABCDE" into A, B,
Arrow M (M1, M2, M3) for each character unit of C, D, E
Will be described. The memory stores coordinate data in a rectangular coordinate system for each character. The CPU of the air intake device 50 sequentially captures the coordinate data for each character unit, compares the coordinate data between the character units, detects the printing direction of the laser marking device as needed, and determines the direction opposite to the printing direction. The intake device 50 is moved to a position where the intake duct 51 faces in the same direction. In the figure, by comparing the coordinate data of the character A and the character B, it is detected that the printing direction is the direction of the arrow M1, and the suction device 50 is moved to the position. Then, by comparing the coordinate data of the character B and the character C to detect that the printing direction does not change, the suction device 50 stays at the position, but printing is performed by comparing the coordinate data of the character C and the character D. Detecting that the direction becomes the arrow M2, the intake device 50 is moved to the position. Then, the character D and the character E are moved to the position obtained by comparison.

As described above, even when a character string whose printing direction changes in the middle is printed, the air suction device 50 moves in accordance with the change in the printing direction, and the air flow is always in the opposite direction to the printing direction. Therefore, it is possible to improve the printing quality without being affected by the generated smoke. In the second embodiment, the printing direction of each character unit to be sequentially printed is detected, and the air suction device 50 is sequentially moved to change the direction of the air flow. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Character string "ABCDE" printed as shown in
May be used as one unit to detect the printing direction based on the coordinate data of the starting point of “A” printed first and the ending point of “E” printed last.
In this case, the suction device 50 stops at almost the position while the character string “ABCDE” is being printed.

<Third Embodiment> FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment (corresponding to the third and fifth aspects of the invention). The structure of the suction device for changing the direction of the air flow generated in the print area is different from that of the suction device 50 of the second embodiment, and the other points are the same as those of the second embodiment. Therefore, the second
The same reference numerals are given to the embodiment, detailed description is omitted, and only different points will be described below. As shown in FIG. 6 (A), the suction device 60 has a cylindrical shape whose inner diameter surrounds the installation portion of the object to be marked W, and has a plurality of suction holes 62 formed on the inner wall surface thereof. 61, and an intake hole closing portion 63 having a cylindrical shape along the inner wall surface and having a cutout formed in a part thereof and having a C-shaped cross section. As shown in FIG. A section 63 is provided rotatably in the intake section 61. The suction device 60 is disposed slightly above the installation portion of the object W to be marked, and each of the suction holes 62 is formed with the opening directed slightly downward. Then, of the plurality of intake holes 62 formed in the intake portion 61, only the intake hole 62 corresponding to the cut portion of the intake hole closing portion 63 is validated, so that the airflow flowing in one direction on the target object W is marked. Generate. Then, similarly to the second embodiment, the CPU 30 (not shown) uses the CPU 30 of the laser marking device based on the control data given to the galvano scanner 20 based on the control data supplied to the galvano scanner 20.
Is controlled. Thereby, the intake device 60 exhibits the same function as the intake device 50 of the second embodiment, and can obtain the same effect.

<Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
In addition to the following, various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. (1) In the above-described second embodiment, the intake device 50 is used as the airflow generating device. However, a blowing device that sends out air may be used. In that case, it moves to a position facing the position of the intake device 50.

(2) Although the air intake device 60 is similarly used in the third embodiment, it may be an air blower. In this case, the air intake hole closing portion 63 is formed of the air intake portion 62 of the air intake portion 61. Intake hole 6 on the side opposite to the case of intake device 60
2 will be activated.

(3) The intake devices 50 and 60 of the second and third embodiments are controlled based on the control data given to the galvano scanner 20 by the controller 30. However, the invention is not limited to this. The direction of the airflow may be changed by manually moving or rotating according to the direction.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an installation position of an air flow generation device (part 1);

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an installation position of an air flow generation device (part 2);

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an intake device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a movement position of the intake device.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an intake device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Galvano scanner 30 ... Controller 40, 50, 60 ... Intake device 51 ... Intake duct 60 ... Intake device 61 ... Intake part 62 ... Each intake hole 62 ... Intake hole 63 ... Intake hole closing part L ... Moving rail M (M1, M1 M2, M3) ... printing direction N ... direction of air flow W ... object to be marked

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A laser marking device main body that irradiates a laser beam emitted from a laser light source so as to scan an object to be marked by a galvano scanner to print characters, symbols, figures, and the like, and the laser marking device. A laser marking device comprising: an airflow generating device for flowing an airflow in a direction opposite to a printing direction for a predetermined printing unit constituting characters, symbols, figures, and the like to be printed by a main body. 2. A laser light source for emitting laser light; a galvano scanner for irradiating the laser light onto an object to be marked by changing the direction of the laser light; and driving the galvano scanner to generate the laser light. Irradiation so as to scan on the object to be marked,
An airflow generator provided in a laser marking device comprising: a control device for controlling to sequentially print predetermined printing units constituting characters, symbols, figures, and the like. Airflow generating means for generating an airflow having a constant wind direction in a printing area of a marking target; and And a moving means for moving the means. 3. A laser light source for emitting laser light, a galvano scanner for irradiating the laser light onto an object to be marked by changing the direction of the laser light, and driving the galvano scanner to generate the laser light. Irradiation so as to scan on the object to be marked,
A control device for sequentially printing predetermined printing units constituting characters, symbols, figures, etc., provided in a laser marking device, wherein the airflow generating device includes the printing An air flow generating means for generating an air flow in the print area through the opening, the air flow generating means having an opening surrounding the area, and opening to the print area side; Air flow direction control means for generating, in the printing area, an air flow in a direction opposite to the printing direction of the printing unit in which the laser marking device sequentially prints. Generator. 4. The moving means acquires a printing direction of the printing unit based on control data of the control device of the laser marking device, and moves the air to a position where an airflow flows in a direction opposite to the printing direction. The air flow generation device according to claim 2, wherein the flow generation means is moved. 5. The airflow direction control means acquires a printing direction of the printing unit based on control data of the control device of the laser marking device, and prints an airflow in a direction opposite to the printing direction. 4. The air flow generating device according to claim 3, wherein the opening of the air flow generating means is partially activated so as to generate the air flow in an area. 6. A laser marking device comprising the airflow generating device according to claim 2. Description: