JP2002292481A - Laser marking device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a laser marking device capable of shortening transfer time in non-printing transfer class interval. SOLUTION: The control means 130 gives first coordinate data on the leading end point (P0) of non-printing transfer class interval, and next, coordinate data on a temporary closing end point P1F to a galvanoscanner 220 side. And, when an access condition detecting means 250 detects that the marking point accesses the temporary closing end point P1F, namely, when the marking point moves by distance L2 from the closing end point P1 to the temporary closing end point P1F side, the coordinate data on the closing end point P1 is so composed as to give to the galvanoscanner side 220. And, the distance L2 is set within the distance where residual magnetic flux does not occur practically when controlling current to the operating portions 220X, 220Y is suspended. Accordingly, the marking point can arrive at the closing end point P1 without practically receiving a torque through residual magnetic flux.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a laser marking device having a galvanomirror, and more particularly to an improved laser marking device for controlling the galvanomirror.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a laser marking apparatus has a pair of galvanometer mirrors 1 and 2 arranged in the optical path of a laser beam L as shown in FIG. Each of the galvanomirrors 1 and 4 is driven by a driving unit 3 and 4 having a driving motor with
By driving the mark 2, the marking point MP is scanned to a desired position on the marking target object W. here,
The “marking point” is a point to be an irradiation point of the laser light L on the object to be marked W when the laser light source is on, and when the laser light source is off, When the light source is turned on, it refers to a point that can be an irradiation point of the laser light L on the marking target object W. Therefore, the marking point can be present on the marking target object W even when the laser light L is not output from the laser light source.

The laser marking device has a setting unit (not shown) for setting marking information, and a CPU (not shown) for processing the marking information and for controlling on / off of the laser light source and galvanometer mirrors 1 and 2. And are provided. In this setting section, the characters, symbols,
After setting the marking information related to the graphic and the like, and the printing speed, the CPU divides characters, symbols, graphics, and the like into predetermined line elements based on the marking information before starting the marking, and starts and ends the respective line elements. And the coordinate data of the intermediate point from the start point to the end point are generated. When the coordinate data is given from the CPU to the driving units 3 and 4, the marking point MP is moved on the target object W. At this time, the laser light source is turned off and the marking point MP is moved. Then, marking can be started from the desired position next, if the laser light source is turned on and the marking point MP is moved,
A desired character, symbol or figure is marked.

[0004]

As described above, as the non-printing movement section in which the laser light source is turned off and the marking point MP is moved, for example, the character string "A" is used.
When marking "B", the following may be mentioned. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, before performing marking,
The marking point MP is located at the origin P0 set on the marking target object W, and the non-print moving section D1 extends from the origin P0 to the start point P1 of the first line element K1. Then, after printing in the order of the line element K1 and the line element K2, if the start point P4 of the line element K3 to be marked next is separated from the end point P3 of the line element K2, the next start point from the end point P3 The area up to P4 is the non-printing movement section D2. Further, in the same figure, the end point P5 of the line element K3
Similarly, between the start point P6 of the line element K4 and the non-print moving section D3. In the conventional laser marking device, the CPU does not generate the coordinate data of the intermediate point of the non-printing movement section. For example, in the case of the non-printing movement section D1,
The coordinate data of the origin P0, which is the starting point, is
Then, the coordinate data of the start point P1 of the line element K1, which is the end point of the non-print movement section D1, is provided. The same applies to the non-printing movement sections D2 and D3.

At this time, the driving units 3 and 4 supply a driving current corresponding to the positional deviation between both ends of the non-printing moving section to the driving motor to accelerate the rotation of the galvanometer mirrors 1 and 2. Then, when the marking point MP approaches the end point, a reverse current to the driving current is caused to flow to decelerate,
The marking point MP reaches the end point. here,
As the non-printing movement section becomes longer, the driving current increases in accordance with the positional deviation between the two end points, and the reverse current also increases. Then, even if the current supply to the drive motor is stopped, the torque acting on the opposite side to the moving direction is generated by the residual magnetic flux generated by the reverse current, and the marking point MP finally reaches the terminal point. There was a problem that it took time.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a laser marking device capable of shortening a moving time in a non-print moving section.

[0007]

To achieve the above object, a laser marking apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided with a laser light source and a laser light emitted from the laser light source. A galvanomirror that scans a marking point that becomes an irradiation point on the object to be marked when it is pressed, a galvano driving unit that rotates the galvanomirror by a drive motor, and characters, symbols, figures, etc. to be printed on the object to be marked. Setting means for setting marking information relating to, based on the set marking information, characters, symbols, figures, etc. are divided into predetermined line elements, and for each of those line elements, a plurality of lines including a start point and an end point A data generating means for generating coordinate data, and controlling on / off of the laser light source, and generating the coordinate data by the data generating means. Control means for sequentially providing the target data to the galvano driving means, while controlling on / off of the laser light source, based on each coordinate data from the control means by the galvano driving means, the coordinates given next from the current position of the marking point By applying a control current corresponding to the positional deviation to the position corresponding to the data to the drive motor and rotating the galvanomirror, the position and moving speed of the marking spot are controlled, and the desired characters, symbols and figures are printed. In the laser marking device, the data generating means is configured such that the laser light source is turned off and the marking point is moved to move the marking point. Is provided, and is configured to generate coordinate data of the temporary terminal point,
The control means provides the galvano drive means with the coordinate data of the temporary end point next to the coordinate data of the start end point of the non-printing movement section, and when the marking point moves a predetermined distance from the end point to the temporary end point side. This is characterized in that the coordinate data of the terminal point is given to the.

In the present invention, the "marking point" is a point to be irradiated with laser light on an object to be marked when the laser light source is on, and the laser light source is off. In this case, when the laser light source is turned on, it refers to a point that can be an irradiation point of the laser light on the object to be marked. Therefore, the marking point can exist on the object to be marked even when the laser light is not being output from the laser light source.

[0009]

According to the laser marking apparatus of the present invention, first, a control current flows through the drive motor in accordance with the positional deviation from the starting point of the non-printing moving section to the temporary end point, and the marking point is temporarily set. Move towards the end point.
Then, when the marking point is moved by a predetermined distance beyond the end point by the control means, the coordinate data of the end point is given to the galvano driving means, so that the marking point can be moved to the end point without substantially receiving torque due to residual magnetic flux. Can be reached. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the moving time of the non-printing moving section and to shorten the time required for the entire marking as compared with the conventional method of waiting until the residual magnetic flux disappears.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The laser marking device of the present embodiment is shown in FIG. 1 as a whole. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 210 denotes a laser light source, and the direction of the laser light emitted from the laser light source is changed by a galvano scanner 220. . The galvano scanner 220 includes a drive unit 220 including first and second galvanometer mirrors 220V and 220W, and a drive motor (not shown) having the respective galvanometer mirrors 220V and 220W attached to a rotation shaft.
X, 220Y (corresponding to the “galvano driving means” of the present invention), and when a voltage signal as coordinate data is given to the drive motors of the drive units 220X, 220Y, an angle corresponding to the level of the voltage signal is given. Each galvanometer mirror 2
20V, 220W rotates. Then, the laser beam is swung in a predetermined direction (this is referred to as “X direction”) by the first galvanomirror 220V, and the second galvanomirror 2
At 20 W, the laser beam is swung in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction (this direction is referred to as a “Y direction”). Is scanned to a desired position.

FIG. 2 shows an electrical configuration of the laser marking apparatus according to the present embodiment. A head unit 200 including a laser light source 210 and a galvano scanner 220 and a controller unit 100 are respectively provided with a line driver / receiver. They are connected via 50A and 50B. The reference numeral 110 in FIG. 2 in the controller unit 100 is a setting unit constituted by, for example, a console or the like corresponding to the setting unit of the present invention. Using this setting section 110, characters, symbols, and graphics to be marked by the laser marking device, and marking information relating to the printing speed are set. The set marking information may be displayed on, for example, a monitor (not shown) so that the contents can be checked simultaneously with the setting operation.

Reference numeral 120 denotes data generating means,
It comprises a pair of CPUs 1 and 2. Based on the marking information set by the setting unit 110, characters, symbols, figures, etc.
The data is divided into predetermined line elements, and coordinate data relating to the start point and end point of each line element and coordinate data of one or a plurality of intermediate points between the start point and the end point are generated.
Write to. At this time, the data generation means 120 also writes on / off data for controlling on / off of the laser light source 10 in the memory 142. Note that the above-described coordinate data of the start point / end point and the intermediate point all mean both coordinate data given to the first and second galvanometer mirrors 220V and 220W. The same applies to the following description.

In the present embodiment, the data generating means 1
20 obtains, from the marking information, a non-printing movement section in which the marking point is moved without performing marking,
The following data processing is performed. Here, the “marking point” is a point to be an irradiation point of the laser light on the object to be marked W when the laser light source 210 is on, and when the laser light source 210 is off. Indicates a point that can be an irradiation point of the laser beam on the marking target object W when the laser light source 210 is turned on. Therefore, the marking point can be present on the marking target object W even when the laser light is not output from the laser light source 210.

In the data processing in the non-printing movement section, when the data generation means 120 finds the non-printing movement section from the marking information, the data generation means 120 is located on an extension extending from the end point of the non-printing movement section in the moving direction. A temporary terminal point is set at a position separated from the terminal point by a distance L, and coordinate data of the temporary terminal point is generated and written to the memory 142. Here, in the present embodiment, the distance L is, as shown in FIG.
1 and a distance L2 corresponding to the "predetermined distance" of the present invention. And the distance L2
Is set to such a length that substantially no residual magnetic flux is generated when the control current to the driving units 220X and 220Y is stopped. The length may be obtained experimentally or by calculation. You may.

Reference numeral 140 denotes storage means, which is formed by connecting a counter 141 to a memory 142. Then, the data generation unit 120 is stored in the memory 142 of the storage unit 140.
Is stored. Symbol 130
Is a control means for storing the plurality of coordinate data in the storage means 140, and sequentially taking out the coordinate data from the storage means 140 and outputting the coordinate data to the line driver / receiver 50A. Further, the control means 130 recognizes whether or not the plurality of coordinate data is coordinate data of an end point which is a start point and an end point, outputs the plurality of coordinate data, and turns on / off the laser light source 210. Control.

On the other hand, reference numeral 2 in FIG.
Numeral 30 denotes a D / A conversion unit, which converts a plurality of coordinate data sent from the storage unit 140 of the controller unit 100 via the line drivers / receivers 50A and 50B into corresponding voltages. Code 240
Is a servo circuit that controls the driving units 220X and 220Y (see FIG. 1) of the galvano scanner 220 based on the voltage from the D / A conversion unit 230. Symbol 25
0 is an approach state detecting means, and the comparator 253
(Hereinafter simply referred to as “first comparator 253”), window comparator 254 (hereinafter simply referred to as “second comparator 254”), an angle sensor 251 and a differentiating circuit 252. Then, based on the voltage corresponding to each coordinate data from the D / A converter 230 and the voltage corresponding to the driving amount of the galvano scanner 220, the approaching state of the irradiation position of the laser beam with respect to the coordinate data of the end point. Is detected.

The configuration of the laser marking apparatus according to the present embodiment is as described above. Next, the operation will be described in detail by taking, for example, the case of marking a character string "AB" as an example.
When the character string “AB” is set as the marking information in the setting unit 110, the data generation unit 120
"A" and "B" are represented by the line elements K1 to K6 shown in FIG.
When marking these line elements K1 to K6, the non-print movement sections D1 and D in which the marking point is moved with the laser light source 210 turned off.
2. Find D3. Then, the data generation means 120
With respect to each of the line elements K1 to K6, coordinate data of the start point / end point (P1 to P8) and coordinate data of a plurality of intermediate points (not shown) on each of the line elements K1 to K6 are generated and stored in the memory 15. I do. At this time, the laser light source 21
The on / off data of 0 is also stored in the memory 142.

The non-printing movement sections D1, D2, D3
With regard to the above, the data generation means 120 sets the temporary end points P1F, P4F, P6F at positions separated by a distance L in the movement direction from the end points of the non-printing movement sections D1, D2, D3, and sets these temporary end points P1F , P4F, P6F are generated and stored in the memory 142.

Next, when a marking start switch (not shown) of the laser marking device is turned on, the control means 130 fetches coordinate data from the memory 142,
These coordinate data are sequentially provided to the galvano scanner 220 at a predetermined cycle. More specifically, the coordinate data stored in the memory 142 is provided to the D / A conversion means 230 via the line driver / receivers 50A and 50B by the control means 130, and is converted into a voltage signal by the D / A conversion means 230. The signal is supplied to the servo circuit 240. Then, a control current corresponding to the voltage signal is supplied to each of the driving units 220X and 220Y by the servo circuit 240, and the galvanomirrors 220V and 220W rotate. Then, at this time, when the laser light source 210 is turned on and the marking point is moved based on the on / off signal from the control means 130, desired characters, symbols and figures are marked.

On the other hand, when the laser light source 210 is turned off and the marking point is moved, the next line element can be marked from a desired position. Specifically, in the non-printing movement section D1 in which the laser light source 210 is turned off to move the marking point, the laser marking device operates as follows. That is, the control means 130
Following the coordinate data of the start point P0 (see FIG. 4) of the non-printing movement section D1, the coordinate data of the temporary end point P1F is given to the galvano scanner 220 side. Then, a drive current corresponding to the positional deviation between the start end point P0 and the provisional end point P1F is applied to each of the drive units 220X and 220Y of the galvanomirrors 220V and 220W.
, The marking point is accelerated toward the temporary terminal point P1F, and a reverse current to the driving current is applied from the middle to decelerate the marking point. Therefore, a residual magnetic flux can still be generated at a position close to the temporary termination point P1F where the supply of the reverse current is stopped.

However, in the laser marking apparatus of this embodiment, when the approaching state detecting means 250 detects that the marking point has approached the temporary terminal point, that is, when the marking point is moved from the terminal point P1 to the temporary terminal point P1.
The coordinate data of the terminal point P1 is provided to the galvano scanner 220 side when the distance L2 is moved to the F side. As described above, the distance L2 is set to a distance where substantially no residual magnetic flux is generated when the control current to the driving units 220X and 220Y is stopped. Therefore, the marking point reaches the terminal point P1 without substantially receiving the torque due to the residual magnetic flux. The same applies to the non-printing movement sections D2 and D3.

As described above, in this embodiment, the temporary end point is given to the galvano scanner 220 first after the start point of the non-printing movement section, and the marking point is moved to the temporary end point side at a stroke, and the marking point is moved to the end point. After passing through, the coordinate data of the terminal point is given, and the driving unit 22
When the control current to 0X, 220Y is stopped, it is moved to the terminal point within a distance where substantially no residual magnetic flux is generated. Therefore, the moving time of the non-printing moving section can be reduced as compared with the conventional method of waiting until the residual magnetic flux disappears, and the time required for the entire marking can be shortened.

<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 embodiment, a character (for example, a character string “A
B)) is described as an example, but the present invention may be applied to the case of marking not only characters but also symbols and figures.

(2) In the above embodiment, the distance L from the end point to the set position of the temporary end point is the distance L1 corresponding to the approach detection range of the approach state detecting means 250 and the "predetermined distance" of the present invention. The distance is set to be the total distance from L2, but is not limited to this length. That is, when the control unit 130 moves the marking point from the terminal point to the temporary terminal point side by the distance L2 (corresponding to the "predetermined distance" of the present invention), it gives the galvano scanner 220 the coordinate data of the terminal point. With such a configuration, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the temporary terminal point may be set at a position farther than the distance L2 from the terminal point. With such a configuration, during the deceleration of the marking point moving to the temporary terminal point side, or depending on the setting, by giving the coordinate data of the terminal point before and after the start of deceleration and moving to the terminal point, the movement of the non-print moving section can be performed. The time can be further reduced.

(3) Further, in the laser marking apparatus to which the present invention is applied, a wait time may be provided at the end point of the non-printing moving section. In this case, the wait time can be set shorter than the conventional fixed wait time, and the total required marking time can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a laser marking device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram thereof.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a character to be marked.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a non-print moving section (part 1).

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a non-print moving section (part 2).

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a laser marking device for conventional explanation.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of characters to be marked.

[Explanation of symbols]

 110: setting unit 120: data generation unit 130: control unit 210: laser light source 220V, 220W: galvanometer mirror 220X, 220Y: driving unit D1, D2, D3: non-printing moving section L2: distance P1F, P4F, P6F: temporary termination Point P1, P4, P6 ... terminal point W ... object to be marked

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C362 BA17 BA18 BA42 BB37 BB38 BB44 CB67 2H045 AB22 BA15 4E068 AB00 CB01 CE03

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A laser light source, and a galvano mirror disposed in the optical path of the laser light source and scanning a marking point to be an irradiation point on an object to be marked when laser light is emitted from the laser light source. Galvano driving means for rotating the galvanometer mirror by a driving motor, setting means for setting marking information on characters, symbols, figures, and the like to be printed on the object to be marked, and setting the marking information Based on said character,
A data generating unit that divides a symbol, a graphic, and the like into predetermined line elements, and generates a plurality of coordinate data including a start point and an end point for each of the line elements; and controls on / off of the laser light source and generates the data. Control means for sequentially providing the coordinate data generated by the means to the galvano driving means, while performing on / off control of the laser light source, the galvano driving means based on each coordinate data from the control means, By applying a control current corresponding to a positional deviation from the current position of the marking point to a position corresponding to the next given coordinate data to the drive motor to rotate the galvanometer mirror, the position and the moving speed of the marking spot are changed. A laser marking device for controlling and printing desired characters / symbols / graphics; The forming means, for the non-printing movement section that moves the marking point by turning off the laser light source, providing a temporary terminal point on an extension line extending from the terminal point of the non-printing movement section in the moving direction, The control unit is configured to generate the coordinate data of the temporary end point, and the control unit transmits the coordinate data of the temporary end point to the galvano driving unit, following the coordinate data of the start end point of the non-printing movement section. And a coordinate data of the terminal point is provided when the marking point moves a predetermined distance from the terminal point to the temporary terminal point.