JP2011173318A - Engraving apparatus, method for forming engraved pattern, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an engraving apparatus capable of eliminating a fault such as missing of dots without increasing the cost of the apparatus, and to provide a method for forming an engraved pattern, and a program. <P>SOLUTION: The engraving apparatus includes an engraving head 30 having a plurality of engraving pins 33 arranged in predetermined positions, and using at least one of the engraving pins 33 to engrave an object 100 to be engraved. The engraving apparatus engraves the surface of the object 100, sequentially by the engraving head 30 to compose an engraved pattern of a plurality of engraved parts. The engraving apparatus includes an X motor 50X and a Y motor 50Y for moving the engraving head 30 to move the plurality of engraving pins 33 relative to the object 100, and a controller 11 controlling the X motor 50X and the Y motor 50Y so that the engraving pins 33 are located in the predetermined positions with respect to the object 100 and that each of dots composing the engraved pattern is engraved by at least two different engraving pins 33 of the engraving head 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a stamping apparatus, a stamping pattern forming method, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in order to realize product management and traceability improvement, a stamping device that directly stamps the surface of an article to be stamped, such as an industrial product, using a plurality of stamping pins arranged on a stamping head. Attention has been paid. This stamping device stamps (forms) a plurality of dots by pressing the tip of a cone-shaped and sharply processed stamping pin against a workpiece. Then, for example, a two-dimensional code represented by a QR code (registered trademark) or a data matrix or various characters are directly drawn or marked on the surface of the object to be stamped.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in this type of stamping device 120, a stamping head 130 having a plurality of stamping pins (not shown) is attached to an X moving body 24 called a carriage, and the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The surface of the object to be stamped 100 is subjected to various stamping patterns.

  That is, in FIG. 10, the X moving body 24 is attached to the Y moving body 23 that moves in the Y axis direction by the X guides 51A and 51B extending in the X axis direction, and moves in the X axis direction with respect to the Y moving body 23. It is possible. The X moving body 24 moves in the X axis direction when the feed screw 60X is rotated by the X motor 50X, and the Y screw 50X is rotated by the Y motor 50Y so that the X moving body 24 and the Y moving body 23 rotate in the Y axis direction. Move to.

  As such an embossing head 130, one using a print head of a wire dot type printer is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In such a print head of a wire dot printer, even if any one of a plurality of printing pins does not work, the technology that complements the printing by this printing pin with another normal printing pin and makes a normal printing is patented It is disclosed in Document 2. This technique can also be applied when any of the stamping pins in the normal stamping head 130 does not operate. That is, in this case, information related to the stamping pin is stored in the storage means via the operation panel, and when a malfunctioning stamping pin is detected, the control device and the print medium transfer device are used to perform the stamping. The dot that the marking pin should originally stamp is complemented with other marking pins.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 3, a sensor block that detects the pattern of each dot, dot image data read by the sensor block, and print pattern data stored in a storage device are compared, and dot missing and extra dots are compared. A technique for providing a comparison circuit for detecting a dot and corresponding to missing dots is disclosed. This technique can also be applied to a normal stamping head 130 as in Patent Document 2.

JP-A-8-276607 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-78074 JP-A-8-127139

  However, according to such a technique, there is a problem that the cost of the apparatus is increased, for example, additional components such as a printing medium transfer device and a sensor block are required in addition to the control device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a stamping apparatus, a stamping pattern forming method, and a program capable of eliminating problems such as missing dots without increasing the cost of the apparatus. Objective.

In order to achieve the above object, a stamping apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a stamping head that stamps a workpiece using a plurality of stamping pins arranged at a predetermined position. A stamping device that sequentially stamps the surface of the workpiece by the stamping head to form a stamping pattern by a plurality of stamped portions, and moving the stamping head, At least one selected from the moving means for moving the stamping pin relative to the workpiece, the driving means for driving the stamping pin, and the driving pin, and controlling the driving means And a control means for driving the at least one embossing pin, wherein the control means further controls the moving means, and each of the embossing portions constituting the embossing pattern has the embossing head. At least two different stamping pins The embossing head as embossing is positioned in a predetermined position relative to the object embossing product,
It is characterized by that.

  The plurality of stamping pins are preferably arranged so as to be aligned in a straight line in the stamping head.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for forming a stamping pattern, wherein a stamping head having a plurality of stamping pins is moved relative to a workpiece, and the stamping pin is moved to the stamped object. It is characterized in that it is located at a predetermined position with respect to an object, and each of the embossed parts constituting the embossed pattern is engraved with at least two different embossing pins in the embossing head.

A program according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a marking head that stamps a workpiece using a plurality of stamping pins arranged at a predetermined position, and the stamping head performs the stamping. A stamping apparatus that sequentially stamps the surface of an object to form a stamping pattern by a plurality of stamping parts, and moves the stamping head to move the stamping heads to the workpiece. A stamping pin selecting means for selecting at least one of the stamping pins as a computer provided in the stamping apparatus having a moving means for moving the stamping pin relative to the stamping pin and a driving means for driving the stamping pin. A driving control means for controlling the driving means to drive the selected at least one embossing pin; and a control means for controlling the moving means, and each of the embossing portions constituting the embossing pattern is configured to At least 2 And movement control means for positioning at a predetermined position of the embossing head as embossing with different embossing pins for the object embossing product with causes to function,
It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate problems such as missing dots without increasing the cost of the apparatus.

It is a block diagram for demonstrating the hardware constitutions of the marking apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) is a perspective view which shows a stamping unit with a one part control system, (b) is a schematic diagram which shows the front-end | tip part of a stamping head, and a to-be-cut object. It is sectional drawing of a stamping head. It is a schematic diagram which shows the alignment state of the stamping pin in a stamping head. It is a schematic diagram which shows the correspondence of the marking pin of a marking head, and the dot (cutting part) on a to-be-cut object. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the hardware constitutions of a stamping unit. It is a flowchart figure which shows the stamping operation | movement of a stamping apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the matrix comprised by the marking position of a marking pin. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating operation | movement of the marking apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating a stamping apparatus and a to-be-cut object. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating operation | movement of the marking apparatus of a prior art example.

  Hereinafter, an engraving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The stamping apparatus according to the present embodiment forms a two-dimensional code, various characters, and the like as a stamping pattern composed of a plurality of dots (scoring portions) on the surface of the workpiece.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the stamping apparatus 10 includes a controller 11, a main storage unit 12, an auxiliary storage unit 13, an input unit 14, a detection unit 15, an interface 16, and a stamping unit 20. These components are connected to each other via the system bus 10a.

  The main storage unit 12 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) and the like. The main storage unit 12 is used as a work area for the controller 11.

  The auxiliary storage unit 13 includes a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a magnetic disk, and a semiconductor memory. The auxiliary storage unit 13 stores a program executed by the controller 11 and various parameters necessary for executing the program. Further, information including the processing result by the controller 11 is sequentially stored.

  The input unit 14 includes a power switch and an operation panel for inputting a command to the marking device 10. The user instruction is input via the input unit 14 and is notified to the controller 11 via the system bus 10a.

  The detection unit 15 detects an object to be stamped 100 (see FIG. 10) located below (−Z direction) the stamping unit 20, and sends information including the detection result to the controller 11 via the system bus 10a. Output to. This information is used by the controller 11 to grasp the positional relationship between the workpiece 100 and the stamping head 30 (the stamping pin 33) described later.

  The interface 16 includes an input port such as a serial interface or a LAN (Local Area Network) interface, and a buffer that temporarily stores information input to the input port. In the present embodiment, an external device such as a personal computer is connected to the interface 16, and information regarding two-dimensional codes and various characters formed on the workpiece 100 is transmitted to the controller 11 via the interface 16 and the system bus 10 a. Be notified.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the stamping unit 20 includes a base member 21, a Y moving body 23, a Y motor 50Y, an X moving body 24, an X motor 50X, a stamping head 30, and a driver 26. The Y motor 50Y, the X motor 50X, and the marking head 30 are controlled by the controller 11 via the driver 26.

  The base member 21 includes a plate-like first portion 21a parallel to the XY plane with the longitudinal direction as the X-axis direction, and a plate-like second portion 21b parallel to the XZ plane with the longitudinal direction as the X-axis direction. A member having an L-shaped cross section. A support plate 22 having a longitudinal direction as the X-axis direction is fixed to the + Y side end portion of the first portion 21a formed on the base member 21.

  The −Y side surface of the support plate 22 and the + Y side surface of the second portion 21 b formed on the base member 21 are substantially parallel. And between the support plate 22 and the 2nd part 21b of the base member 21, one end part was fixed to the support plate 22, and the other end part was fixed to the 2nd part 21b, and let the longitudinal direction be a Y-axis direction. Cylindrical Y guides 52A and 52B are respectively installed.

  The Y moving body 23 includes a plate-like moving portion 23a whose longitudinal direction is the X-axis direction, and a + X side end portion of the moving portion 23a and a pair of support portions 23b extending in the −Z direction from the −X side end portion. . Further, a circular opening 23c penetrating in the Y-axis direction is formed at the center of the moving portion 23a of the Y moving body 23, and circular openings 23d are formed on the + X side and the −X side of the circular opening 23c, respectively. Yes. Between the pair of support portions 23b of the Y moving body 23, columnar X guides 51A and 51B having both ends fixed to the pair of support portions 23b and whose longitudinal direction is the X-axis direction are installed. Has been.

  Furthermore, the Y moving body 23 is supported by the base member 21 so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction by a pair of Y guides 52A and 52B inserted into the circular openings 23d of the moving portion 23a.

  The circular opening 23c formed in the moving portion 23a of the Y moving body 23 is rotatably supported by the second portion 21b of the base member 21 and the support plate 22 at the + Y side end and the −Y side end. The fed feed screw 60Y is screwed. The Y moving body 23 is moved in the Y-axis direction when the feed screw 60Y is rotated by the Y motor 50Y.

  The X moving body 24 is a rectangular parallelepiped member whose longitudinal direction is the Z-axis direction. A circular opening 24a penetrating in the X-axis direction is formed at the center of the X moving body 24, and a pair of circular openings 24b are formed on the + Z side and the −Z side of the circular opening 24a.

  Further, the X moving body 24 is supported so as to be movable in the X-axis direction with respect to the Y moving body 23 by X guides 51A and 51B respectively inserted into the circular openings 24b.

  A feed screw 60 </ b> X that is rotatably supported at both ends by a support portion 23 b formed at the Y moving body 23 is screwed into the circular opening 24 a formed at the X moving body 24. The X moving body 24 is moved in the X-axis direction when the feed screw 60X is rotated by the X motor 50X.

  The stamping head 30 is supported by a U-shaped holder 25 fixed to the + Y side surface of the X moving body 24.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the stamping head 30 is provided with nine (plural) stamping pins 33. Each embossing pin 33 has a large-diameter portion 33 s at the + Z side end portion, and the main body portion is elongated. The -Z end side portion of each embossing pin 33 is formed in a conical shape. The tip of each marking pin 33 is aligned on the straight line in the Y-axis direction at the −Z side end 30a of the marking head 30 (see FIG. 3). Thereby, the positioning of the stamping pin 33 accompanying the movement of the stamping head 30 is facilitated. As the marking head 30 moves along at least one of the X axis and the Y axis, only one or a plurality of the marking pins 33 protrude from the −Z side end portion 30a of the marking head 30 at the same time. Thus, dots are sequentially imprinted on the surface of the object to be stamped 100 to form a two-dimensional code having various stamping patterns and various characters. Here, as the object to be stamped 100, for example, a plate-like body can be used, and as the material thereof, a non-metal such as plastic or a metal such as stainless steel or aluminum can be assumed.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the embossing head 30 shown in FIG. 2A as viewed from the + Y direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the stamping head 30 includes a casing 31 in which nine actuators 40 that drive the nine stamping pins 33 are accommodated, and a holding member 32 that holds the stamping pins 33. ing. Here, each actuator 40 includes a stamping pin drive lever 114, a movable yoke 116, a drive coil 43, and a return spring 113. The casing 31 includes a yoke case 117 that holds the drive coil 43, a yoke pin 118 that has a punching pin drive lever 114 slidably mounted thereon, an opening through which the movable yoke 116 is inserted, and an actuator 40. And a head cover 119 for housing the housing.

  The holding member 32 accommodates the stamping pin 33 and the stamping pin guide plates 115a to 115d therein, and the stamping pin 33 is substantially constant in the holding member 32 by the stamping pin guide plates 115a to 115d. Maintain posture. The stamping pin guide plates 115a to 115d are formed by passing holes serving as guides through the plate body, and the posture of the stamping pin 33 is maintained by passing the stamping pin 33 through the guide hole.

  The return spring 113 is a coil spring, and the stamp pin 33 is inserted to urge the stamp pin 33 in the + Z direction (upward).

  The stamping pin drive lever 114 is made of a soft magnetic material, and is used to move each stamping pin 33 in the −Z direction (downward) from the standby position. A tip end portion of a cylindrical movable yoke 116 is integrally fixed to the stamping pin drive lever 114 by caulking or the like. Here, the standby position is a position where the movement of the + Z side end (large diameter portion 33 s) of the stamping pin 33 is restricted by the central protrusion 119 a of the head cover 119 via the stamping pin drive lever 114. That is.

  The stamping pin 33 is urged in the + Z direction by the return spring 113, but the large-diameter portion 33 s of the stamping pin 33 comes into contact with the central protrusion 119 a of the head cover 119 via the stamping pin drive lever 114. Further movement in the + Z direction is restricted.

  The stamping pin drive lever 114 has an end (rear end) opposite to the abutting portion (front end) of the stamping pin drive lever 114 with the large diameter portion 33s of the stamping pin 33 on the yoke plate 118. It is held so as to be swingable in the Z-axis direction by a holding mechanism that does not. This holding mechanism is configured by providing a leaf spring or the like between the head cover 119 and the end portion of the stamping pin drive lever 114.

  The yoke case 117 is made of a soft magnetic material such as electromagnetic soft iron or silicon steel, and is magnetized by the drive coil 43 to attract the movable yoke 116 and move the stamping pin drive lever 114 from the standby position in the −Z direction ( Drive down). Thereby, the stamping pin 33 stamps the surface of the workpiece 100. The yoke case 117 is held on the holding member 32. The yoke case 117 is provided with a cylindrical core corresponding to the position where the movable yoke 116 is disposed, and the drive coil 43 is provided around the core.

  The yoke plate 118 is made of a soft magnetic material such as electromagnetic soft iron or silicon steel, and forms a closed magnetic path. The drive coil 43 magnetizes the yoke case 117 and the yoke plate 118 when supplied with current.

  Returning to FIG. 2A, the controller 11 controls the embossing head 30 attached to the Y motor 50Y, the X motor 50X, and the X moving body 24 via the holder 25 by executing a program. The Y motor 50Y moves the Y moving body 23 along the Y axis with respect to the base member 21, and the X motor 50X moves the X moving body 24 along the X axis with respect to the Y moving body 23. Let Thereby, the stamping head 30 is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the workpiece 100.

  Further, the controller 11 selects at least one of the nine stamping pins 33 and controls the actuator 40 corresponding to the selected at least one stamping pin 33 out of the nine actuators 40 to thereby perform the stamping. The chopping pin 33 is driven. Specifically, the controller 11 energizes the drive coil 43 and magnetizes the yoke case 117 with respect to the selected at least one stamping pin 33. Then, the movable yoke 116 is attracted to the yoke case 117. For this reason, the tip of the stamping pin drive lever 114 swings in the −Z direction. Accordingly, the stamping pin 33 is pressed against the tip of the stamping pin drive lever 114 and moves in the −Z direction. As a result of the marking pin 33 moving in the −Z direction in this way, the −Z side end (tip) of the marking pin 33 strikes the workpiece 100 and bites into the workpiece 100. Dots are imprinted on the surface of the workpiece 100. On the other hand, when the controller 11 interrupts energization of the drive coil 43 for the selected at least one embossing pin 33, the embossing pin 33 and the embossing pin drive lever 114 urge it in the + Z direction. The return spring 113 returns to the standby position.

  As described above, the stamping apparatus 10 marks the surface of the workpiece 100 (see FIG. 2B) with the tip of the at least one stamping pin 33 selected by the controller 11, and the workpiece to be stamped. On the surface of 100, a two-dimensional code, various characters, and the like are formed as a marking pattern composed of a plurality of dots.

  In the present embodiment, for ease of explanation, as shown in FIG. 4, each of the nine embossing pins 33 has an end on the + Z side and an end on the −Z side on the Y axis. In the following description, it is assumed that they are held by the holding member 32 (see FIG. 3) in a state of being aligned along the parallel straight lines L1 and L2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the stamping pins 33 provided in the stamping head 30 shown in FIG. 2A, and is a schematic diagram when the stamping head 30 in FIG. 2A is viewed from the + X direction. . Although not shown in FIG. 4, the stamping pin drive lever 114 and the drive coil 43 (see FIG. 3) for driving the stamping pin 33 are also arranged along the straight line L1 parallel to the Y axis. It is arranged on the plate 118. Referring to FIG. 4, for the nine stamping pins 33, the stamping pin 33 positioned closest to the + Y side is indicated as a stamping pin 33 a, and each stamping pin 33 is stamped in the −Y direction. Pins 33b, 33c,..., 33i are displayed.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the tip portions of the embossing pins 33 (33a to 33i) are aligned along the straight line L2 and are separated by a distance d (inch) with respect to the Y-axis direction. Are arranged as follows. This distance d is 1/100 inch here.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the controller 11 is electrically connected to the X motor 50X, the Y motor 50Y, and the stamping head 30 (9 actuators 40a to 40i) via a driver 26 that drives each component. ing. Then, based on an instruction from the controller 11, the X motor 50X and the Y motor 50Y are driven via the driver 26 to move the marking head 30 in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction (see FIG. 5). Further, based on an instruction from the controller 11, a pulse signal is supplied to each of the drive coils 43 of the actuators 40 a to 40 i that respectively drive the marking pins 33 a to 33 i of the marking head 30 via the driver 26. At least one stamping pin 33 selected in advance is driven.

  Next, an example of the marking pattern marking operation performed by the marking apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The processing here is executed by the controller 11 described above. Here, as shown in FIG. 10, the workpiece 100 is arranged below the stamping unit 20, and the presence or absence of the stamping device 10 and the stamping device 10 are detected by the controller 11 via the detection unit 15 (see FIG. 1). It is assumed that the positional relationship is detected. Here, as an example, it is assumed that a vertical line “|” is formed by stamping on a matrix M of 18 rows and 9 columns shown in FIG. The vertical line “|” consists of a set of dots (2 × 18 = 36 dots) in 18 rows and 2 columns.

  First, the controller 11 determines whether or not character information related to characters (vertical line “|”) is supplied from an external device or the like via the interface 16 (see FIG. 1) (step S101). Note that the controller 11 maintains a standby state while character information is not supplied (step S101: NO).

  When the controller 11 determines that the character information has been supplied (step S101: YES), the controller 11 sets the character pattern of the character to be formed on the workpiece 100 from the character information (step S102). For example, the auxiliary memory unit 13 stores character pattern data representing a character pattern in association with the character code of the character represented by the character pattern, and the controller 11 includes the character pattern data. From this, it is performed by selecting the character code associated with the character code included in the information on the character. The character pattern data is data representing a character pattern by arrangement of dots (engraved portions) on the matrix M as shown in FIG. 8, for example (in FIG. 8, “●” is a dot to be imprinted, “○” indicates points where dots can be engraved). As shown in FIG. 8, since there are no points to be engraved with dots in the first to third columns and the sixth to ninth columns of the matrix M, in the first to third columns and the sixth to ninth columns of the matrix M, No stamping operation is performed.

  Next, the controller 11 controls the X motor 50X and the Y motor 50Y through the driver 26, moves the stamping head 30, and moves the stamping head to the position where the characters on the upper surface of the workpiece 100 are to be stamped. 30 is positioned (step S103), and it is determined whether or not the movement to the predetermined position is completed (step S104). Here, as described above, since the marking operation is not performed in the first to third columns and the sixth to ninth columns of the matrix M, the controller 11 should perform the marking of the marking head 30 in the fourth column of the matrix M. Move to a predetermined position.

  Subsequently, the controller 11 determines whether or not the movement of the marking head 30 is completed at a predetermined row position in the fourth column of the matrix M shown in FIG. Then, when the controller 11 determines that the movement of the marking head 30 is completed (step S104: YES), the marking corresponding to the dots necessary for generating the character among the marking pins 33a to 33i. At least one pin 33a to 33i is selected and driven to engrave dots (step S105). On the other hand, when it is determined that the marking head 30 has not been moved to the predetermined row position (step S104: NO), the controller 11 completes the movement of the stamping head 30 to the predetermined row position. The moving operation of the marking head 30 by at least one of the X motor 50X and the Y motor 50Y is continued.

  Subsequently, the controller 11 determines whether or not the stamping head 30 has been stamped at a predetermined row position in the fourth column of the matrix M (step S106). Then, when the controller 11 determines that the embossing of the embossing head 30 has been completed (step S106: YES), the controller 11 controls the Y motor 50Y, moves the embossing head 30 in the + Y direction (row direction), and the matrix. The embossing head 30 is positioned at the lower position in the fourth row of M.

  When the controller 11 completes the stamping for all the fourth columns of the matrix M, the controller 11 controls the X motor 50X and the Y motor 50Y to move the stamping head 30 in the −Y direction and the −X direction. It is moved in the (column direction), positioned at a predetermined position in the fifth column of the matrix M, and the same stamping operation as in the fourth column is repeated. Here, the controller 11 does not drive the X motor 50X and the Y motor 50Y while the stamping at the predetermined position of the matrix M is not completed (step S106: NO), and moves the stamping head 30 to the predetermined position. The state positioned at is maintained (step S105). In this way, the controller 11 repeats the processing from step S103 to step S106, and imprints characters (vertical line “|”) in the matrix M. At this time, the distance between each row of the matrix M is 1/100 inch.

  In step S105 described above, the controller 11 controls the marking head 30 to drive the marking pins 33a to 33i corresponding to the dots necessary to generate characters among the marking pins 33a to 33i. Dots are stamped on the surface of the workpiece 100. In the present embodiment, each dot constituting the character is imprinted by at least two different imprinting pins 33 a to 33 i in the embossing head 30.

  Specifically, when a character (vertical line “|”) is stamped and formed on the matrix M of 18 rows and 9 columns shown in FIG. Each dot constituting the vertical line “|” is engraved twice. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the controller 11 drives the marking pins 33a to 33i when the marking head 30 is positioned at a predetermined position in the fourth column of the matrix M. With the pins 33a to 33i, the dots on the odd-numbered rows 1, 3, 5,. Thereafter, when the time period Δt (sec) has elapsed since the previous stamping operation (hereinafter the same), the same stamping pins 33a to 33i are driven while maintaining the position of the stamping head 30, Each dot in the same odd row is again engraved at once with the engraving pins 33a to 33i. Subsequently, the controller 11 moves the stamping head 30 by a distance d (= 1/100 inch) in the + Y direction, drives the stamping pins 33a to 33i, and uses the stamping pins 33a to 33i in even rows. Each dot on lines 2, 4, 6,..., 16, 18 is imprinted at a time. Thereafter, the same stamping pins 33a to 33i are driven, and the same even-numbered dots are again stamped at once by the stamping pins 33a to 33i. Thus, the marking operation for the fourth column of the matrix M is completed. Then, after finishing the stamping operation on the fourth column of the matrix M, the controller 11 moves the stamping head 30 in the −Y direction and the −X direction, and positions it at a predetermined position on the fifth column of the matrix M. At the same time, the same operation as that in the fourth row is performed. Then, each dot constituting the character “|” is engraved twice by the engraving pins 33 a to 33 i in the engraving head 30. In such a conventional method, for example, when the stamping pin 33e does not operate for some reason, the dots in the ninth and tenth rows are not stamped, and the stamping pattern to be “|” is “: It is a stamping pattern such as That is, “dot missing” occurs.

  In this specification, the time period Δt (sec) means that the energization of the drive coil 43 and the embossing pin 33 are moved in the −Z direction from the standby position when performing the engraving operation. Is the time required for the stamping pin 33 to return to the standby position by the return spring 113 and stabilize at that position.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the same vertical line “|” is stamped and formed as follows. That is, FIG. 9 (in the figure, numbers 1 to 9 correspond to the stamping pins 33a to 33i, respectively. Also, the stamping pins 33a to 33i that are driven at the timing of each stamping are represented by white numbers (background black). As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 11 drives the embossing pins 33g to 33i when the embossing head 30 is positioned in the fourth column of the matrix M. First, 1, 3, 5 Imprint each dot on the line at once. Thereafter, the controller 11 moves the stamping head 30 in the + Y direction by a distance of 4d (= 4/100 inch), and the time period Δt (sec) has elapsed since the previous stamping operation (hereinafter the same applies). Then, the selected marking pins 33e to 33i are driven, and the dots in the first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth rows are again stamped at once. Subsequently, the controller 11 moves the stamping head 30 by a distance of 5d (= 5/100 inch) in the + Y direction, drives the selected stamping pins 33c to 33i, and 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, Each dot on the 12th and 14th rows is imprinted at a time. Subsequently, the controller 11 moves the stamping head 30 in the + Y direction by a distance 4d (= 4/100 inch), drives all the selected stamping pins 33a to 33i, and 2, 4, 6, 8, Each dot on lines 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 is imprinted at a time. Subsequently, the controller 11 moves the stamping head 30 in the + Y direction by a distance of 5d (= 5/100 inch), drives the selected stamping pins 33a to 33f, and 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, Each dot on the 17th line is imprinted at once. Subsequently, the controller 11 moves the stamping head 30 by a distance 4d (= 4/100 inch) in the + Y direction, drives the selected stamping pins 33a to 33d, and performs the 11th, 13th, 15th, and 17th rows. Imprint each dot at once. Thereafter, the controller 11 moves the stamping head 30 in the + Y direction by a distance of 5d (= 5/100 inch), drives the selected stamping pins 33a and 33b, and sets each dot in the 16th and 18th rows at a time. Imprint. Thereafter, the controller 11 moves the stamping head 30 in the −Y direction and the −X direction, positions the fifth column of the matrix M, and performs the same operation as that of the fourth column described above.

  By performing the stamping operation as described above, each dot constituting the character “|” is stamped by at least two different stamping pins 33 a to 33 i in the stamping head 30. In such a method of the present embodiment, the dots in the 9th and 10th rows are necessarily engraved by using any two different engraving pins 33 among the engraving pins 33b, 33e, 33g, and 33i. Even if any one of the marking pins 33b, 33e, 33g, and 33i does not operate normally, the marking pattern of the vertical line “|” is correctly stamped. That is, since the same dot is imprinted using two different embossing pins 33, even if any one of the embossing pins 33a to 33i does not operate normally, it is set in advance by an external device. A stamped pattern is formed as it was.

  In the stamping pattern shown in FIG. 9, even if neither the stamping pin 33b nor the stamping pin 33e operates, there is no problem in forming the stamping pattern. That is, according to the present embodiment, even if one or more of the stamping pins 33a to 33i does not operate normally, a stamping pattern as set in advance by the external device is formed. It is also possible to do.

  Thus, when the embossing pattern of the matrix M is engraved, the engraving for one character is completed (step S107). Further, when a character string composed of a plurality of matrices M is formed by sequentially engraving characters in the −X direction, the above-described operation is repeated. In this way, character strings arranged in one line are completed (step S108).

  Furthermore, when this character string is the first line, when generating a character string on the second line, the controller 11 moves the embossing head 30 in the XY direction and moves the first line on the second line. The marking head 30 is positioned at the position where the character is to be stamped, and the above-described operations (steps S101 to S108) are repeated.

  As a result of the above-described marking operation, when all the dots constituting the character string have been engraved on the object 100, the controller 11 ends the processing here.

  As described above, according to the stamping device 10 of the present embodiment, even when at least one stamping pin 33 among the nine stamping pins 33 included in the stamping head 30 does not operate for some reason, The other punching pins 33 included in the cutting head 30 can supplement the stamping pins 33 that do not operate. Accordingly, the formation of the embossing pattern as set in advance by the external device is normally performed by the program for operating the controller 11. For this reason, in addition to the controller 11 (control device), auxiliary components such as a print medium transfer device and a sensor block for complementing the non-operating stamping pin 33 are unnecessary. Therefore, according to the stamping apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the stamping pattern is normally formed only by changing the program for operating the controller 11. For this reason, problems such as missing dots can be solved without increasing the cost of the apparatus. Moreover, it can respond also to the existing stamping apparatus 10 only by a program change.

  Moreover, according to the stamping apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, a stamping pattern is formed by stamping the same dot using two different stamping pins 33. For this reason, the difference in the shape of the dots by the different stamping pins 33 is averaged. Hereinafter, the reason will be described in detail.

  As described above, in this embodiment, as a result of the energization of the drive coil 43 and the embossing pin 33 moving in the −Z direction, the −Z side end portion (tip portion) formed in the conical shape of the embossing pin 33 is formed. By hitting the workpiece 100 and biting into the workpiece 100, dots are imprinted on the surface of the workpiece 100. Here, for example, the shape of the −Z end side portion of the punching pin 33 formed in a conical shape has dimensional variations due to processing accuracy and the like. For example, the angle forming the cone is acute or obtuse, and is not constant. When the diameter of the dot imprinted by the embossing pin 33 formed in an obtuse conical shape is compared with the diameter of the dot imprinted by the embossing pin 33 formed in an acute conical shape, − When the amount of biting at the Z end is the same, the dot formed by the acute cone is smaller than the outer diameter of the dot formed by the obtuse cone.

  Further, due to the difference in operating conditions such as the sliding resistance of each side surface of the embossing pin 33 and the hole side surface of the embossing pin guide plates 115a to 115d (see FIG. 3), the −Z end side The speed at which the part strikes the workpiece 100 is different. Then, with respect to the depth at which the −Z end side portion of the punching pin 33 hitting the workpiece 100 at a certain speed bites into the workpiece 100, the punching pin 33 hitting at a slower speed than that. The depth at which the −Z end side bites becomes shallower. Since the −Z side end portion of the punching pin 33 is formed in a conical shape, the outer diameter of the formed dot is different when the depth of biting into the workpiece 100 is different. That is, assuming that the cone shape at the −Z end side is the same, the outer diameter of the dots formed when hitting the workpiece 100 at a higher speed is slower at the target article. It becomes larger than the outer diameter of the dot formed when 100 is hit.

  Further, the −Z side end portion of the stamping pin 33 provided in the stamping head 30 is held by the holding member 32 (see FIG. 3) in a state of being aligned along the straight line L2 as shown in FIG. However, due to reasons such as an assembly error of the stamping head 30 and a processing error of the stamping pin 33, the actual −Z side end portion of each stamping pin 33 is in the + Z direction or the −Z direction centered on the straight line L2. They are lined up with varying linearity. In other words, in this state, the distance from the object to be stamped 100 is different for each stamping pin 33.

  Therefore, when the shape of the embossing pin 33, the speed when the embossing pin 33 strikes the workpiece 100, and the stroke when moving in the -Z direction are the same, the workpiece 100 is stamped. The outer diameter of the dots will be different depending on the distance up to. Specifically, with the stamping pin 33 that is close to the workpiece 100, the amount of biting at the −Z side end of the stamping pin 33 with respect to the workpiece 100 is larger than that of the far stamping pin 33. . Since the −Z side end portion of the stamping pin 33 is formed in a conical shape, the outer diameter of the formed dot becomes larger as the amount of biting into the workpiece 100 increases.

  Considering the visibility of the stamp pattern, it is desirable that the dot diameter is as uniform as possible. However, as described above, since the outer diameter of the dots formed on the surface of the workpiece 100 varies depending on the stamping pin 33, the conventional method of stamping the same dot using one stamping pin 33 is used. Then, it is difficult to make these uniform.

  However, when the same dot is stamped using two different stamping pins 33 as in this embodiment, for example, the stamping pin 33 formed with an acute cone and the stamp formed with an obtuse cone. When the same dot is imprinted by the pin 33, the outer diameter of the formed dot becomes substantially the same as the outer diameter of the dot formed by the embossing pin 33 formed by an obtuse cone.

  In addition, the outer diameter of the dots formed when the same dot is imprinted in two cases with different striking speeds is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the dots formed when the embossing is performed at a higher speed. become.

  Further, when the same dot is imprinted using two different embossing pins 33 having different distances between the −Z side end and the surface of the object 100, the outer diameter of the dot to be formed is It becomes substantially the same as the outer diameter of the dot formed by striking with the stamping pin 33 that is closer to the object 100.

  As described above, when the same dot is imprinted using two different embossing pins 33, the outer diameter of the formed dot is engraved with the embossing pins 33 in two different states. Go to the direction of homogenization. As a result, the quality of stamping can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the nine (plural) stamping pins 33 are arranged in a straight line in the stamping head 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the plurality of stamping pins 33 may be arranged at predetermined angular intervals on the circumference of the stamping head 30. For example, it may be arranged in a staggered pattern.

  In this embodiment, the same dot is imprinted twice using two different embossing pins 33 to form an embossing pattern. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to form a stamp pattern by stamping the same dot three or more times using three or more different stamp pins 33.

  By doing so, even if the number of non-operating stamping pins 33 increases, there is a high possibility that the stamping pattern forming operation can be continued without causing problems such as missing dots. Further, since the formed dot diameter is more uniform, the quality of engraving is further improved.

  Various embodiments and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, the above-described embodiment is for explaining the present invention, and does not limit the scope of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, the description has been made by taking as an example a stamping device that stamps (forms) a plurality of dots by pressing the tip of a cone-shaped and sharply processed stamping pin against a workpiece. However, the technical idea of the present invention can also be applied to a print head of a wire dot printer that prints a predetermined pattern by pressing a print pin against a substrate via an ink ribbon.

  If the printing apparatus includes such a print head and holds the print head so as to be movable in a plane parallel to the printing material and in a vertical direction, the same effects as the present embodiment can be obtained. Become. In other words, even when at least one of the plurality of print pins included in the print head does not operate due to some cause, the other normal print pins included in the print head can be supplemented with non-operating print pins. The print pattern can be formed normally as it is.

  Also, the printing head has different speeds and conditions when the printing pin comes into contact with the substrate for reasons such as sliding resistance and assembly error, as with the marking head 30. Further, when conditions such as the speed at which the printing pin abuts on the substrate and the distance between the −Z side end of the printing pin and the substrate are different, for example, the speed at which a specific printing pin abuts on the substrate If the ink ribbon is slow, the pressure for pressing the ink ribbon may not be sufficient, and the amount of ink transferred from the ink ribbon to the substrate may be insufficient. That is, there is a possibility that shading will occur in the dots printed by the printing pins.

  Even in such a case, according to the present embodiment, the same dot is imprinted twice using two different printing pins, so that the ink density tends to be uniform. Therefore, it is possible to improve the print quality.

  Various embodiments and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, the above-described embodiment is for explaining the present invention, and does not limit the scope of the present invention.

11 Controller (control means; stamping pin selection means, drive control means, movement control means)
20 Stamping unit 30 Stamping head 33 Stamping pin 40 Actuator (drive means)
50X X motor (moving means)
50Y Y motor (moving means)
100 Workpiece 113 Return spring (coil spring)
114 Stamping pin drive lever

Claims (4)

A stamping head for stamping an object to be stamped using a plurality of stamping pins arranged at a predetermined position, and the surface of the workpiece to be stamped is sequentially stamped by the stamping head; A stamping device that configures a stamping pattern with a stamped portion,
Moving means for moving the plurality of embossing pins relative to the object to be engraved by moving the embossing head;
Driving means for driving the embossing pin;
Selecting at least one of the stamping pins, controlling the driving means, and driving the at least one stamping pin; and
The control means further controls the moving means so that each of the stamping portions constituting the stamping pattern is stamped by at least two different stamping pins in the stamping head. Is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the workpiece.
A stamping device characterized by that. The plurality of stamping pins are arranged to align in a straight line in the stamping head.
The stamping device according to claim 1. A stamping head having a plurality of stamping pins is moved relative to the workpiece, and the stamping pin is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the workpiece, thereby forming a stamping pattern. Each of the parts is stamped with at least two different stamping pins in the stamping head;
A method for forming an embossed pattern. A stamping head for stamping an object to be stamped using a plurality of stamping pins arranged at a predetermined position, and the surface of the workpiece to be stamped is sequentially stamped by the stamping head; A stamping device that constitutes a stamping pattern with a stamping part, and a moving means that moves the stamping heads relative to the workpiece to be moved by moving the stamping head; A computer provided in a stamping device having driving means for driving the stamping pin,
Stamping pin selection means for selecting at least one of the stamping pins;
Drive control means for controlling the drive means to drive the selected at least one stamping pin;
The workpiece to be stamped is controlled so that each of the stamping parts constituting the stamping pattern is stamped by at least two different stamping pins in the stamping head. Functioning as movement control means for positioning at a predetermined position with respect to
A program characterized by that.

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