JP2009082963A - Laser marking device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a laser marking device capable of simplifying the input work of marking information on each mark in its matrix arrangement pattern when marking a plurality of marks by a non-grid type matrix arrangement pattern, and rapidly executing the marking work. <P>SOLUTION: When an operator prepares a calculation formula 35 capable of calculating the coordinate data necessary for marking the marks in a non-grid type matrix pattern by scanning laser beam, and inputs and sets it on a marking information setting screen G, the coordinate data of the desired pattern can be generated based on the result of calculation of the calculation formula 35. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a laser marking apparatus that scans a marking object with a laser beam and marks a predetermined mark on the marking object.

  In general, a laser marking device includes a laser light source that emits laser light, and a character, a symbol, a figure, and a combination of the laser light emitted from the laser light source with respect to a marking object disposed in a scannable region. Scanning means for scanning to mark a mark (mark), and control means for controlling these. Then, the control means controls the scanning means based on coordinate data corresponding to a marking position where the mark is marked in a laser beam scannable area by the scanning means.

  Here, in such a laser marking apparatus, a mark having the same marking content may be repeatedly marked at different positions in the scannable region. For example, a plurality of identical marks may be marked so as to form a matrix arrangement pattern in the scannable area. In such a case, if the marking information necessary for calculating the coordinate data corresponding to the marking position of each mark in the scannable area is individually input for every mark, the input work is very large. There is a problem that the marking work cannot be performed quickly.

Therefore, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, a laser marking device for dealing with such a problem has been conventionally proposed. In this laser marking apparatus, marking information for marking a plurality of identical marks so as to form a grid-like matrix arrangement pattern in which each mark is linearly arranged in the row direction and the column direction in the scannable region, that is, Various information relating to the line spacing, the column spacing, the number of rows, and the number of columns is input from an input device such as a console. Then, based on the input marking information, the coordinate data of each mark having an individual deviation from a specific reference coordinate position is calculated, and a plurality of the same marks become the grid-like matrix arrangement pattern according to the coordinate data. It was marked as follows.
JP 2002-292484 A

  By the way, in the case where a plurality of identical marks are repeatedly marked at different positions in the scannable area as described above, there is a case where it is desired to mark each mark with a matrix arrangement pattern different from the grid-like matrix arrangement pattern as described above. is there. For example, this is a case of marking with a non-square matrix arrangement pattern such as a staggered matrix arrangement pattern or a matrix arrangement pattern in which rows or columns having different numbers of marks are mixed.

  In such a case, in the laser marking device of Patent Document 1, even if the information about the line interval, the column interval, the number of rows, and the number of columns input from the input device is changed, the line interval, the column interval, etc. are changed only by that. As a result, the matrix arrangement mode of each mark to be marked remains a square matrix arrangement pattern. That is, within the scannable area, the size of the area occupied by the grid-like matrix arrangement pattern by each mark only changes in a similar manner.

  For this reason, in order to obtain a non-square matrix arrangement pattern such as a staggered matrix pattern, in the laser marking apparatus of Patent Document 1, a marking related to each marking position for each of a plurality of marks in a specific row or column There is a problem that a complicated operation of individually inputting information is required, and the marking operation cannot be performed quickly yet.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to mark the marking information regarding each mark in the matrix arrangement pattern when marking a plurality of marks with a non-square matrix arrangement pattern. It is an object of the present invention to provide a laser marking apparatus that is simple in input work and can perform marking work quickly.

  In order to achieve the above object, a laser marking device of the present invention includes a laser light source that emits laser light, and a scan that scans the laser light emitted from the laser light source to mark the marking object. And a matrix arrangement pattern formed by a plurality of marks in the laser beam scannable region by the scanning means, and adjacent marks in one of the row direction and the column direction are in the other direction. Common position information related to the marking position of each mark is a calculation formula that enables calculation of the coordinate data of the marking position of each mark in the scannable region in the non-meshed matrix arrangement pattern of the arrangement mode shifted from each other. Marking information setting means which can be set by including marking information including Coordinate data generating means for collectively generating the coordinate data of the marking position of each mark in the non-meshed matrix arrangement pattern based on the calculation result of the set calculation formula, and the coordinate data generating means Control means for controlling the scanning means based on the coordinate data.

  According to this configuration, when marking a plurality of marks with a non-matrix matrix arrangement pattern, the calculation formula capable of calculating the coordinate data of the marking position of each mark in the non-matrix matrix arrangement pattern is Marking information including common position information regarding the marking position of each mark is set by being included in the components of the calculation formula. Based on the calculation result of the calculation formula, the coordinate data of each mark in the non-mesh matrix arrangement pattern is generated in a lump. Therefore, it is possible to easily input the marking information regarding each mark in the non-matrix-like matrix arrangement pattern without promptly inputting the marking information including the position information of the marking position of each mark, and the marking work can be quickly performed. .

  Further, in the laser marking device of the present invention, when the marking information setting means sets the marking information including common position information related to the marking position of each mark in the component of the calculation formula, the calculation formula As a constituent element, at least information relating to a displacement amount is set so that marks adjacent to each other in one of the row direction and the column direction are displaced from each other in the other direction.

  According to this configuration, marking a plurality of marks marked by coordinate data generated according to the calculation result of the set calculation formula with a non-meshed matrix arrangement pattern having a staggered or stepwise arrangement mode Can do.

  Further, in the laser marking device of the present invention, when the marking information setting means sets the marking information including common position information related to the marking position of each mark in the component of the calculation formula, the calculation formula In addition, at least one of row interval information, column interval information, a coefficient, and the calculation symbol constituting the calculation formula in association with the calculation symbol is included.

  According to this configuration, even when marking each mark with a wide variety of non-matrix matrix arrangement patterns, appropriate coordinate data can be easily generated in a batch based on the input of various information that is a component of the calculation formula. Can respond.

  In the laser marking device of the present invention, the coordinate data generation unit generates the coordinate data for each mark as data that can be grasped by a predetermined reference coordinate and its deviation.

  According to this configuration, if it is desired to change the marking position of each mark in the non-matrix matrix arrangement pattern as a whole pattern, the coordinate data of each mark in the pattern can be batched only by changing the position of the reference coordinate. Can be changed easily.

In the laser marking device of the present invention, the scanning means is provided in an installation manner in which the reflection direction of the laser light can be changed in the optical path of the laser light.
According to this configuration, even when the marking position of each mark in the non-matrix matrix arrangement pattern is changed, the laser light is appropriately applied to the mark by changing the reflection direction of the laser light by the galvanometer mirror. It is possible to scan.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the laser marking device 11 of the present embodiment has a transport path TR that transports a plurality of workpieces W as marking objects along a predetermined direction (Y direction in FIG. 1). A laser marker 12 is disposed above the transport path TR. A controller 14 is connected to the laser marker 12 through a cable 13, and an input / output device 16 such as a console is connected to the controller 14 through a connection cable 15. The laser marker 12 includes a main body portion 12a having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a portion of the main body portion 12a on the front end side in the longitudinal direction (left side in FIG. 1) is formed as a head portion 12b having an accommodation space therein. ing. The head portion 12b is located immediately above the transport path TR, and a circular opening 12c is formed on the surface (the lower surface in FIG. 1) of the head portion 12b that faces the transport path TR.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a laser light source 21 such as a carbon dioxide laser or a YAG laser is accommodated in the main body 12 a of the laser marker 12. When a predetermined drive signal is input, the laser light source 21 emits a laser beam L having a laser output value corresponding to the drive signal, and can irradiate the laser beam L outward from the opening 12c. Yes. In addition, a pair of galvanometer mirrors 22X and 22Y and a converging lens 23 constituting a scanning unit are accommodated in the head portion 12b of the laser marker 12. The galvano mirrors 22X and 22Y and the converging lens 23 are located on the laser light source 21 side in the optical path of the laser light L connecting the laser light source 21 and the opening 12c of the head portion 12b. A converging lens 23 is disposed on the opening 12c side.

  The pair of galvanometer mirrors 22X and 22Y is rotationally displaced about two axes (X axis and Y axis) orthogonal to each other in the horizontal direction based on the driving of the corresponding galvano motors 24X and 24Y. The laser light L emitted from the laser light source 21 in the dynamically displaced posture can be reflected toward the converging lens 23 (and the opening 12c). That is, each galvano motor 24X, 24Y rotationally displaces the corresponding galvano mirror 22X, 22Y in response to the input of a predetermined drive signal, so that the reflection direction of the laser light L is changed. The galvanometer mirrors 22X and 22Y apply the laser light L emitted from the laser light source 21 to each workpiece W arranged in the scannable area A defined by the rotatable range around the two axes. The reflected light is scanned on the marking surface Wa formed by the upper surface of each workpiece W.

  The converging lens 23 converges the laser light L reflected by the galvanometer mirrors 22X and 22Y onto the marking surface Wa of the workpiece W. That is, when the laser light L reflected by the galvanometer mirrors 22X and 22Y enters the converging lens 23, the laser light L in a state converged to a predetermined beam diameter passes through the opening 12c of the head portion 12b and passes through the workpiece W. The marking surface Wa is scanned. When the laser beam L scans the marking surface Wa of the workpiece W, the marking surface Wa is melted and sublimated, and a mark (mark) made up of characters, symbols, figures and these k-links along the scanning locus of the laser beam L M is marked on the marking surface Wa.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a sensor 17 connected to the controller 14 is disposed in the transport path TR. The sensor 17 outputs a detection signal to the controller 14 at a timing when the work W to be conveyed enters the scannable area A. In addition, a rotary encoder 18 connected to the controller 14 is disposed in the transport path TR in the same manner as the sensor 17. The rotary encoder 18 outputs a pulse signal corresponding to the transport distance of the workpiece W along the transport path TR to the controller 14.

  Further, the controller 14 includes a control unit 41 as a control unit that controls the laser marking apparatus 11 in an integrated manner and a memory 42 as a storage unit. The control unit 41 controls the laser light source 21 and the galvano motors 24X and 24Y to scan the laser light L on the marking surface Wa of each workpiece W arranged in the scannable area A. The control unit 41 detects the position of the workpiece W based on the detection signal output from the sensor 17 and the pulse signal output from the rotary encoder 18, and moves each workpiece W moving in the scannable area A. The laser beam L is scanned at a predetermined coordinate position on the marking surface Wa. Note that the laser marking device 11 in the present embodiment is capable of marking a workpiece W that passes through the scannable region A continuously or intermittently.

  In addition, the control unit 41 includes a marking information setting unit 41a as a marking information setting unit and a coordinate data generation unit 41b as a coordinate data generation unit. The marking information setting unit 41a enters a marking information setting screen G (see FIG. 3) in which the marking information regarding each mark M to be marked on the marking surface Wa of each workpiece W in the scannable area A can be set and input. The information is displayed on the display unit 16a of the output device 16. In this marking information setting screen G, an input field 32 for inputting the marking content (printing content) of the mark M that is repeatedly marked so that the arrangement mode in the scannable area A is a non-matrix matrix arrangement pattern. Is provided.

  Further, on the marking information setting screen G, reference coordinates P1 (X1, Y1) of a reference position serving as common position information of each mark M when a plurality of marks M are marked with a non-matrix matrix arrangement pattern are input. Input fields 33a and 33b are provided. Further, in the setting frame portion G1, the row step (interval) α and the column step (interval) of each mark M, which becomes common position information as in the case of the reference coordinates P1 (X1, Y1) of the reference position. Input fields 34a and 34b for inputting β are provided.

  And marking information is comprised by the various information input by the operator from these each input column 32, 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b, and various information used as common position information among this marking information is made into each component. A calculation formula 35 that enables calculation of the coordinate data P (X, Y) of the mark M is displayed in the setting frame portion G1 below the marking information setting screen G. The calculation formula 35 includes a calculation symbol such as “+” and “*” as a constituent element, a coefficient (constant) consisting of a constant numerical value, and a displacement amount that shifts the adjacent marks M in the column direction in the row direction. Is included together with the row step (interval) α and the column step (interval) β. Normally, one calculation formula 35 is stored as a model formula in a memory 42 as a storage means, and the calculation formula 35 is displayed in the setting frame portion G1.

  Then, next, the effect | action at the time of marking with respect to each workpiece | work W arrange | positioned so that it may become a non-schematic matrix arrangement | positioning pattern in the scannable area A with this laser marking apparatus 11 is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when marking each workpiece W that has been transported to the position of the scannable region A by the transport path TR, the operator is first marked based on the arrangement mode of each workpiece W. Assume a non-square matrix arrangement pattern corresponding to each mark M. Then, a calculation formula 35 that enables calculation of coordinate data P (X, Y) corresponding to the assumed pattern is input to the setting frame portion G1 of the marking information setting screen G. Here, it is assumed that a calculation formula 35 corresponding to the pattern 30 shown in FIG. 4 is input.

  That is, at that time, the operator can select various marking information (for example, numerical values such as row step α, mark M, etc.) displayed in the input fields 32, 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b on the marking information setting screen G. It is determined whether or not it is necessary to rewrite and change the marking content). Similarly, it is necessary to change each piece of information relating to the numerical value of the row step correction γ included in the calculation formula 35 as a model formula displayed in the setting frame portion G1 and the calculation symbol in the formula. Determine whether or not.

  When the determination result that there is no need to change is input via a predetermined input means in the input / output device 16, or there is no input operation for changing information even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit If the determination is made at 41, then coordinate data P (X, Y) for marking each mark M is generated.

  In other words, according to the calculation result of the calculation formula 35 of the model formula displayed at that time, when marking each mark M in a non-mesh matrix arrangement pattern in the scannable area A by the coordinate data generation unit 41b Coordinate data P (X, Y) necessary for the above is generated. The controller 41 controls the driving of the galvano motors 24X and 24Y that rotate and displace the galvano mirrors 22X and 22Y so that the region corresponding to the coordinate data P (X, Y) is scanned by the laser light L. The As a result, marking with an appropriate marking position and marking content is executed on each workpiece W arranged in the scannable area A so as to have a non-matrix matrix arrangement pattern.

  On the other hand, the operator rewrites and changes various types of marking information displayed in the input fields 32, 33a, 33b, 34a, and 34b, and information on the numerical value of the row step correction γ in the calculation formula 35 of the model formula. If it is determined that it is necessary, input of information that needs to be changed is performed. Here, it is assumed that it is determined that the interval in the row direction of the pattern desired to be marked is changed. Therefore, in this case, a new numerical value (hereinafter referred to as “correction value”) is input to the input column 34a of the row step (interval) α in the setting frame portion G1.

  Then, in accordance with the input of the correction value, the calculation formula 35 displayed in the setting frame portion G1 of the marking information setting screen G is the numerical value of the row step (interval) α included as a component in the formula. Is changed to a new calculation formula 35 in which the numerical value of the correction value is changed. Then, when a new calculation formula 35 is displayed by inputting the correction value, next, according to the calculation result of the calculation formula 35, the coordinate data generation unit 41b and the pattern 30 shown in FIG. The coordinate data P (X, Y) necessary for marking each mark M is generated by the non-square matrix arrangement pattern having different row steps (intervals) α.

  If the operator determines that it is necessary to create a new calculation formula 35 that is completely different from the calculation formula 35 of the model formula displayed in the setting frame portion G1 of the marking information setting screen G, A calculation formula 35 having a mathematical formula configuration different from the calculation formula 35 of the model formula is input and set in the setting frame portion G1 of the marking information setting screen G by the operator. Then, when the newly created calculation formula 35 is displayed, next, according to the calculation result of the calculation formula 35, the coordinate data generation unit 41b defines the pattern 30 shown in FIG. Coordinate data P (X, Y) necessary for marking each mark M in a non-matrix matrix arrangement pattern with completely different arrangement modes is generated.

  The galvano motors 24X and 24Y that rotationally displace the galvano mirrors 22X and 22Y are driven so that the region corresponding to the coordinate data P (X, Y) generated in this way is scanned by the laser light L. It is controlled by the control unit 41. As a result, marking with an appropriate marking position and marking content is performed on each workpiece W arranged in the scannable area A so as to have a non-square matrix arrangement pattern according to the change of the calculation formula 35.

  When marking each workpiece W while the transport path TR is moving, the control unit 41 determines the marking contents of the mark M, the moving speed V1 (see FIG. 1) of the transport path TR, and the laser light L. Based on the scanning speed V2 (see FIG. 1), coordinate data P (X, Y) for scanning the laser beam at a corresponding position in the scannable area A is set. The laser light source 21 and the galvano motors 24X and 24Y are controlled to scan the laser beam L based on the coordinate data P (X, Y) generated by the coordinate data generator 41b.

  Further, the marking information setting unit 41a recognizes the marking information set on the marking information setting screen G from the reference coordinates P1 (X1, Y1) and the deviation in the X-axis and Y-axis directions from the reference coordinates, and stores the marking information. 42 is stored. Therefore, when the marking position is corrected for the entire group of patterns to be repeatedly marked, the marking position can be easily adjusted by correcting the data of the reference coordinates P1 (X1, Y1) or the deviation data. Become.

According to the laser marking device 11 of the above embodiment, the following functions and effects can be enjoyed.
(1) When marking a plurality of marks M with the non-matrix matrix arrangement pattern 30, a calculation formula 35 that can calculate the coordinate data P (X, Y) of the marking position of each mark M in the pattern is as follows: Marking information including common position information related to the marking position of each mark M is set by being included in the components of the calculation formula 35. Then, based on the calculation result of the calculation formula 35, the coordinate data P (X, Y) of each mark M in the non-matrix matrix arrangement pattern is generated collectively. Accordingly, the marking information relating to each mark M in the non-matrix-like matrix arrangement pattern can be easily input without marking information including the position information of the marking position of each mark M individually for each mark M. It can be done quickly.

  (2) A non-matrix matrix arrangement pattern in which a plurality of marks M marked by the coordinate data P (X, Y) generated according to the calculation result of the set expression 35 are arranged in a staggered or stepwise arrangement manner. Marking can be performed at 30.

  (3) Even when each mark M is marked with a variety of non-matrix-like matrix arrangement patterns, appropriate coordinate data P (X, Y) can be easily obtained based on the input of various information that is a component of the calculation formula 35. Can be generated collectively.

  (4) When it is desired to change the marking position of each mark M in the non-meshed matrix arrangement pattern as the entire pattern, the mark M in the pattern is simply changed by changing the position of the reference coordinate P1 (X1, Y1). The coordinate data P (X, Y) can be easily changed at once.

  (5) Even when the marking position of each mark M in the non-matrix matrix arrangement pattern is changed, the laser beam is applied to the mark M by changing the reflection direction of the laser beam L by the galvanometer mirrors 22X and 22Y. It becomes possible to scan L appropriately.

The above embodiment may be changed to another embodiment (another example) as follows.
In the above embodiment, the calculation formula 35 for calculating the coordinate data P (X, Y) required at the time of marking is not limited to the content of the formula shown in FIG. 3 and can be arbitrarily set. .

  In the embodiment described above, the calculation formula 35 of the model formula may not be displayed in the setting frame portion G1 of the marking information setting screen G. In addition, the marking information setting screen G may not have the input fields 34a and 34b for the row step (interval) α and the column step (interval) β.

  In the above embodiment, the non-mesh matrix arrangement pattern is not limited to the staggered or stepwise matrix arrangement mode. In short, the present invention can be applied to other than a matrix arrangement pattern having a grid shape arranged linearly in the row direction and the column direction.

The schematic structure perspective view of the laser marking apparatus of this embodiment. The functional configuration front view of the laser marking device of the present embodiment. The front view of the marking information setting screen in the laser marking device of this embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the matrix arrangement pattern of each mark in the laser marking apparatus of this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Laser marking apparatus, 21 ... Laser light source, 22X, 22Y ... Galvano mirror which comprises scanning means, 23 ... Converging lens which comprises scanning means, 30 ... Non-matrix matrix arrangement pattern, 35 ... Calculation formula, 41 ... Control unit as control means, 41a ... Marking information setting part as marking information setting means, 41b ... Coordinate data generation part as coordinate data generation means, 42 ... Memory as storage means, A ... Scannable area, L ... Laser Light, P (X, Y) ... coordinate data, P1 (X1, Y1) ... reference coordinates, M ... mark, W ... workpiece as marking object.

Claims (5)

A laser light source for emitting laser light;
Scanning means for scanning the laser beam emitted from the laser light source to mark the mark on the marking object;
A matrix arrangement pattern formed by a plurality of marks within the laser beam scannable region by the scanning means, and adjacent marks in one of the row direction and the column direction are displaced from each other in the other direction. The calculation formula that enables calculation of the coordinate data of the marking position of each mark in the scannable area in the non-meshed matrix arrangement pattern of the arrangement mode including the common position information regarding the marking position of each mark Marking information setting means that can be set by including marking information;
Coordinate data generating means for collectively generating the coordinate data of the marking positions of the marks in the non-matrix matrix arrangement pattern based on the calculation result of the calculation formula set by the marking information setting means;
A laser marking apparatus comprising: control means for controlling the scanning means based on the coordinate data generated by the coordinate data generating means. The laser marking device according to claim 1,
When the marking information setting means sets the marking information including the common position information related to the marking position of each mark to be included in the components of the calculation formula, the marking information setting means includes the row direction and the column direction as the components of the calculation formula. A laser marking device characterized in that at least information relating to an amount of displacement for making an arrangement mode in which adjacent marks in one direction are displaced from each other in the other direction is included. The laser marking device according to claim 2,
When the marking information setting means sets the marking information including the common position information related to the marking position of each mark to be included in the calculation formula component, the calculation formula further includes the calculation formula A laser marking device characterized in that at least one of row interval information, column interval information, a coefficient, and the calculation symbol configured in association with a calculation symbol is included. In the laser marking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The coordinate data generation means generates coordinate data for each mark as data that can be grasped by a predetermined reference coordinate and a deviation from the predetermined reference coordinate. In the laser marking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The laser marking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the scanning unit is provided in an installation manner in which a reflection direction of the laser beam can be changed in an optical path of the laser beam.

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