JP2006289825A - Image engraving apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply and surely fix a medium-to-be-engraved, made of an arbitrary material, to an engraving table by using a simple apparatus constitution. <P>SOLUTION: This image engraving apparatus holds the medium-to-be-engraved 36 on the engraving table 40 which is arranged on an engraving head in an opposed manner, and applies engraving to the medium-to-be-engraved by means of a stylus which is mounted on the engraving head. In the image engraving apparatus, the engraving table 20 is equipped with a reference surface 20A for placing the medium-to-be-engraved, and a paper holder 32 for holding the medium-to-be-engraved 36, placed on the reference surface, in a sandwiching manner from above; and a magnetic force generating means 26 is provided to make a magnetically attractive force act on a section between the paper holder 32 and the reference surface 20A. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is an image engraving apparatus, particularly when engraving image information such as a face photograph, fingerprint, signature, etc. on a medium to be engraved such as a booklet such as a passport or a single sheet (paper) such as a diploma or certificate. The present invention relates to an image engraving apparatus capable of easily and reliably holding an engraving medium on an engraving table.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an image engraving apparatus used for engraving a booklet-shaped engraving medium such as a passport or an engraving medium such as a sheet or card made of paper to prevent forgery or add aesthetic value. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Such an image engraving apparatus performs fine engraving on the basis of an image signal obtained by converting image data into an electrical signal, and generates an image such as a photograph or a figure on a medium. An engraving head 100 that drives an engraving needle (stylus), and a drive unit that relatively moves the medium to be engraved and the engraving head 100 and finely scrapes the surface of the medium to be engraved with a stylus to reveal a planar image. It is configured.

  In such an image engraving apparatus, a medium to be engraved in the form of a booklet such as a passport or a single-leaf sheet such as paper or a resin sheet is placed on a reference surface of an engraving table 102 that is moved by, for example, an X-axis drive mechanism. In the horizontal state (X-axis), the image is reciprocated according to the image length, and the Y-axis drive mechanism 104 and the Z-axis drive mechanism (not shown) perform the respective movements in the front-rear direction and the vertical direction. An image is generated on the target surface of the medium to be engraved by vibrating the stylus mounted on the engraving head 100 based on the image signal.

  When performing such image engraving, the medium to be engraved held on the engraving table 102 is displaced due to the cutting force by the stylus and the inertial force due to the reciprocating motion, and the image is distorted, or the thin object to be engraved In order to prevent the medium from wrinkling and causing damage or the like, it is important to attach the medium to be engraved flat and firmly to the reference surface of the table. Thus, a method of firmly adsorbing the medium to be engraved on the engraving reference surface is adopted.

  FIG. 2A shows an X-axis drive device that performs image engraving by fixing a booklet as a medium to be engraved by such vacuum suction.

  The X-axis drive device 110 includes a reciprocating mechanism (X-axis driving mechanism) 112 made up of a motor, a ball screw, or the like (not shown), and an engraving table 114 mounted on the mechanism and reciprocating in the X-axis direction. ing.

  In the X-axis driving device 110, a booklet-shaped engraved medium 116 such as a passport shown in FIG. 2B is positioned and fixed on the engraving table 114. In other words, the booklet-shaped engraving medium 116 is placed on the engraving reference surface 114A of the engraving table 114 placed on the reciprocating mechanism 112, and only the to-be-engraved page 116A is placed on the upper surface of the engraving table 114. Positioning in the horizontal (XY) direction is performed by bringing the engraved page end portions 116B and 116C into contact with the positioning guide 118 in the X and Y directions.

  The remaining pages other than the page to be engraved 116A are folded back together and placed on the passport holder 120 attached to the front end of the engraving table 114 so as to be inclined downward, and are installed on the lower end side of the holder 120. It is clamped by two elastic clips 122.

  The engraving target page 116A is covered from above by a thin plate-like paper holder 124 hinged to the rear end side of the engraving table 114, and the engaging portion 124A at the front end of the paper holder 124 is connected to the front end of the engraving table 114. By engaging with the engaged portion 114B, curling and floating are prevented.

  The engraving reference surface 114A of the engraving table 114 is provided with a suction groove 114C that is continuous in a rectangular shape corresponding to the area of the page to be engraved 116A, and the groove 114C intersects the conduit 126A communicating with the vacuum tube 126. The engraving target page 116A is vacuum-sucked by the engraving reference surface 114A by a vacuum pump (not shown) connected to the vacuum tube 126, and is connected to the engraving reference surface 114A. Since the firm flat fixation is realized, the engraving head 100 can engrave through the engraving window 124B of the paper holder 124.

JP 2002-86993 A

  However, when vacuum suction is used to fix a medium to be engraved such as a booklet to the engraving table 114, a vacuum circuit composed of components such as a solenoid valve, a pressure switch, and a filter is installed together with the vacuum pump, or the engraving table Since it is necessary to carry out microfabrication of the suction groove 114C and the intake hole 114D on 114, and to prepare an electric circuit and software for controlling the vacuum circuit, the apparatus configuration becomes complicated and expensive. There was a problem that had to be done.

  In addition, the vacuum pump itself generates excessive vibrations during operation, causing the engraving table and the engraving needle (stylus) to resonate, causing distortion in the engraving image and hindering the generation of a clear and accurate engraving image. there were.

  In addition, when a paper product made of raw materials such as pulp is used as the engraved medium, air leakage from the gaps between the fibers cannot be completely prevented, so that the vacuum adsorption force is reduced. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to use special engraving paper with resin coating on the paper product, resin thin film sheets, etc., and the material of the engraving medium is limited and it must be expensive. There was also the problem of not getting.

  Furthermore, when using a single-sheet engraving medium equivalent to A4 size used for a certificate or diploma, in order to adopt a holding method similar to a booklet such as a passport, the area of the engraving table is enlarged, and Since the suction capacity of the vacuum pump has to be increased, there is also a problem that the entire apparatus becomes large.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and it is possible to easily and reliably fix an engraving medium of an arbitrary material to an engraving table with a simple apparatus configuration. As a result, high-precision image engraving is achieved. An object of the present invention is to provide an image engraving apparatus capable of realizing the above.

  The present invention provides an image engraving apparatus that holds a medium to be engraved on a engraving table disposed opposite to an engraving head, and engraves the medium to be engraved with a stylus attached to the engraving head. A reference surface on which the engraving medium is placed; and a paper holder that sandwiches the medium to be engraved placed on the reference surface from above. A magnetic attraction force is provided between the paper holder and the reference surface. By providing the magnetic force generating means to act, the above-mentioned problems are solved.

  According to the present invention, in order to hold the medium to be engraved placed on the engraving table, the paper holder that is pressed from above is fixed to the table by the magnetic attractive force acting between the two. Therefore, the medium to be engraved can be reliably held on the engraving table without using a large-scale mechanical configuration such as a vacuum circuit, and can be easily attached and detached.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an outline of the entire image engraving apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The image engraving apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an engraving head 10 on which a stylus that vibrates based on an input image signal and that engraves an image on a medium to be engraved is mounted.

  The engraving head 10 can be moved up and down by a driving mechanism such as a stepping motor, a timing belt, and a ball screw provided in the Z-axis driving unit 12 disposed behind the engraving head 10 and is disposed below the Y The shaft drive unit 14 can move in the front-rear direction.

  An X-axis drive device 16 is disposed in front of the engraving head 10. The X-axis drive device 16 includes a reciprocating mechanism (X-axis driving unit) 18 and an engraving table 20 mounted on the mechanism 18 and reciprocating (moving) in the lateral direction (X-axis direction). Has been. FIG. 3 shows a state in which a booklet-shaped engraving medium 36 such as a passport is held and fixed on the engraving table 20.

  FIG. 4A shows an enlarged engraving table 20 mounted on the reciprocating mechanism 18.

  An engraving table 20 made of a non-magnetic material such as aluminum is placed on the reciprocating mechanism 18, and the table 20 reciprocates in the left-right (X-axis) direction by the operation of the reciprocating mechanism 18.

  On the upper surface of the engraving table 20, a paper guide 22 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction and a first clip 24 having elasticity are installed.

  The engraving table 20 is provided with fitting holes at four positions on the back surface, and permanent magnets 26 are embedded in the holes. A passport holder 28 is attached to the front end of the engraving table 20 with its tip inclined downward, and a second clip 30 having elasticity is provided on the passport holder 28.

  A paper holder 32 made of a magnetic metal plate having elasticity is hinged to the rear end of the engraving table 20 facing the mounting position of the passport holder 28. Engaging portions 32A are provided at the front end portions on both sides of the paper holder 32, and the paper holders 22 are engaged by engaging with engaged portions 20B provided at corresponding positions on the front end portion of the engraving table 20. At the same time, the permanent magnet 26 fixed and embedded in the engraving table 20 magnetically attracts the paper holder 32 so as to be in close contact with the engraving reference surface 20A on which the medium to be engraved is placed.

  In the present embodiment configured as described above, the paper holder 32 is first lifted upward to expose the engraving reference surface 20A of the engraving table 20 as shown in FIG. Next, the engraving page 36A of the booklet-shaped engraving medium 36 shown in FIG. 5B is brought into close contact with the engraving reference surface 20A, and the leading end 36B is held between the engraving reference surface 20A by the first clip 24. To do.

  At this time, positioning of the medium to be engraved 36 in the horizontal direction is performed by pressing the end portions 36B and 36C against the paper guide 22 that regulates the X direction and the Y direction. The remaining pages other than the engraved page 36 </ b> A are folded back together and placed on the passport holder 28, and the rear end portion thereof is held by the second clip 30.

  Next, the paper holder 32 is pressed against the engraved page 36A so that the page is sandwiched between the engraving reference surface 20A, and the engaging portion 32A is engaged with the engaged portion 20B using its elasticity. At this time, since the permanent magnet 26 magnetically attracts the paper holder 32 through the engraved page 36A, the engraved page 36A is pressed against the reference surface 20A by the holder 32 in a flat state and is in close contact. It is firmly fixed.

  After the fixing (holding) of the medium 36 to be engraved is completed, the image engraving apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is started, and the portion of the engraved page 36A exposed from the engraving window 22B of the paper holder 32 is engraved with an engraving needle. Cutting and image generation.

  At this time, the engraving table 20 on the reciprocating mechanism 18 performs high-speed reciprocating motion, and the engraving needle generates an image by the cutting action on the engraved page 36A. An acting force such as separation from the engraving reference surface 20A is received by the cutting resistance.

  However, due to the interaction between the clamping force of the first clip 24 and the second clip 30 and the magnetic attraction force of the permanent magnet 26 to the paper holder 32, the engraved medium 36 resists the acting force and the reference surface 20A of the engraving table 20 is. Therefore, a clear and accurate image engraving can be performed.

  After the image engraving is completed, the medium 36 to be engraved can be easily detached by releasing the engagement using the elasticity of the engaging portion 32A and releasing the paper holder 32.

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the magnetic attraction force and the engagement force between the holder 32 and the engraving table 20 are used for firmly fixing the booklet-shaped engraved medium 36 without using vacuum suction. Therefore, it is not necessary to install a vacuum pump, a vacuum circuit, or the like, and to finely process the suction groove and the suction hole with respect to the engraving reference surface, thereby simplifying the structure of the apparatus.

  Also, since vacuum suction is not used to hold the medium to be engraved, it is not necessary to use the medium to be engraved that does not have air permeability in order to maintain the suction force. Therefore, any kind of material can be selected for engraving. It becomes possible to do.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an X-axis drive device extracted from the image engraving device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the X-axis drive device 16 is provided with a sculpture table 40 on which a member to be engraved in the form of a single sheet (sheet) such as a diploma or a certificate can be placed. It is substantially the same as the form.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the feature of the present embodiment is that the engraving table 40 mounted on the reciprocating mechanism 18 is enlarged so that it can accommodate a medium to be engraved such as a diploma, and accordingly, The paper holder 42 is also enlarged.

  A paper guide 44 and an elastic first clip 46 are attached to the upper end portion of the engraving table 40, and a plurality of fitting holes are provided on the back surface of the engraving table 40 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. A magnet 26 is embedded.

  On the other hand, the engraving table 40 has a paper piece holding part (holder) 40B bent downward at the front end, and an elastic second clip 48 is attached to the lower surface of the paper piece holding part 40B. Similarly, a paper holder 42 formed of a magnetic metal plate is hinged to the rear end side of the engraving table 40 facing the mounting position of the paper piece holding portion 40B. Furthermore, the engaged pieces 50 are attached to the front end portions on both sides of the engraving table 40 in the reciprocating direction. By engaging the engaging portion 42A at the tip of the paper holder 42 with the engaged piece 50, the paper holder 42 is fixed, and at the same time, the permanent magnet 26 embedded in the engraving table 40 is based on the paper holder 42. Magnetic attraction is performed so as to be in close contact with the surface 40A.

  In the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, the paper holder 42 is first lifted upward to expose the engraving reference surface 40A of the engraving table 40, and then the single-sheet-shaped engraved member 52 shown in FIG. 6B. 52A is sandwiched between the engraving reference surface 40A and the first clip 46.

  At this time, positioning of the medium to be engraved 46 in the horizontal direction is performed by pushing the first clip 46 until the leading end 52A hits and pressing the side end 52B against the paper guide 44. The remaining portion of the medium 52 to be engraved is folded back into a cylindrical shape to form a curl shape 52C, and is placed so that the outer periphery of the arc contacts the paper piece holder 40B formed on the front end side of the engraving table 40. The leading end 52D is clamped by the second clip 44.

  Next, the paper holder 42 is pressed from above the engraved medium 52 so as to be in close contact with the reference surface 40A, and the engaging portion 42A is engaged with the engaged piece 50 using its elasticity. At that time, the permanent magnet 26 magnetically attracts the paper holder 42 through the medium 52 to be engraved, and the engraved part 52E is firmly fixed in a state of being in close contact with the reference surface 40A.

  By fixing the single-paper engraved medium 52 in this way, the curl shape 52C is formed into a cylindrical shape even when the fan is caused by the wind pressure generated by the high-speed reciprocating motion during engraving. Furthermore, since the rigidity of the paper piece can be increased and the air resistance can be made difficult, stable image engraving can be realized.

  According to the embodiment described above in detail, when a single-paper engraved medium is used, the engraving table needs to have a large reference surface covering the entire engraved medium in order to curl into a cylindrical shape. Therefore, it is possible to reduce size and weight.

  Similarly, since the medium to be engraved is curled into a cylindrical shape, it is possible to prevent the fanning caused by the wind pressure due to the reciprocating motion during engraving, so that stable image engraving can be realized.

  Note that the hinge position of the paper holder 32 is not limited to that shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 and may be any position on the four sides of the engraving table 20 or may be divided by dividing it into two in the X-axis direction. Thus, it may be opened and closed at the facing position.

  Moreover, instead of attaching the permanent magnet 26 to the fitting hole of the engraving table 20, the entire engraving table 40 may be made of a permanent magnet. An electromagnet may be used to generate magnetic force.

  Further, the positioning paper guide 22 may be provided with a mark for guiding the attachment of a booklet such as engraving or printing, instead of being attached to the surface of the engraving table 20 as a part.

  In the embodiment, the case where the paper holder is hinged to the engraving table has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the paper holder may simply be placed on the reference surface of the engraving table. The paper holder is not limited to a plate shape, and may be a tape shape.

Plan view showing an outline of a conventional image engraving apparatus A perspective view showing the features of a conventional engraving table The perspective view which shows the outline | summary of the whole image engraving apparatus of 1st Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the characteristic of the engraving table of 1st Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the principal part of the image engraving apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the characteristic of the engraving table of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Engraving head 12 ... Z-axis drive part 14 ... Y-axis drive part 16 ... X-axis drive device 18 ... Reciprocating mechanism (X-axis drive part)
20, 40 ... engraving table 22, 44 ... paper guide 24 ... first clip 26 ... permanent magnet 28 ... passport holder 30 ... second clip 32, 42 ... paper holder 36 ... medium to be engraved (booklet)
46 ... 1st clip 48 ... 2nd clip 52 ... Media to be engraved (single-leaf paper)

Claims (1)

In an image engraving apparatus for holding a medium to be engraved on an engraving table disposed opposite to the engraving head and engraving the medium to be engraved with a stylus mounted on the engraving head,
The engraving table includes a reference surface for placing the medium to be engraved, and a paper holder for sandwiching the medium to be engraved placed on the reference surface from above,
An image engraving apparatus comprising magnetic force generating means for applying a magnetic attractive force between the paper holder and the reference surface.

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