JP3629196B2 - Laser marking device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a laser marking device provided with a galvanometer mirror.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, the laser marking apparatus includes a pair of galvanometer mirrors 1M and 2M arranged in the middle of the optical path of the laser beam L, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-308976 shown in FIG. By driving the galvanometer mirrors 1M and 2M, the marking point MP is scanned to a desired position on the object to be marked W. Here, the “marking point” is a point that becomes an irradiation point of the laser light on the object to be marked when the laser light source is turned on, and when the laser light is turned off, When the laser light source is turned on, it means a point that can be an irradiation point of laser light on the object to be marked. Therefore, the marking point can exist on the object to be marked even in a state where the laser light is not output from the laser light source.
[0003]
Further, the laser marking device includes a setting unit (not shown) for setting marking information, and a CPU (not shown) for processing the marking information and controlling on / off of the laser light source and the galvanometer mirror. . In this setting unit, when marking information related to characters / symbols / graphics to be marked and printing speed is set, the CPU converts the characters / symbols / graphics into predetermined line elements based on the marking information before starting marking. The coordinate data of the start point and the end point and the coordinate data of the intermediate point from the start point to the end point are generated for each line element. When the coordinate data is given from the CPU to the galvanometer mirror, the marking point is moved on the object to be marked. At this time, if the laser light source is turned off and the marking point is moved, then the desired position is moved. Then, marking can be started, and if the laser light source is turned on and the marking point is moved, a desired character, symbol, or figure is marked.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, as described above, as the non-printing movement section in which the laser light source is turned off and the marking point is moved, for example, when marking the character string “AB”, the following can be cited. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, before marking, the marking point is arranged at the origin P0 set on the object to be marked, and from the origin P0 to the start point P1 of the first line element K1, The non-printing movement section D1 is entered. When the end point P3 of the previously marked line element K2 is away from the start point P4 of the next line element K3 to be marked, the end point P2 to the next start point P3 is the non-printing movement section D2. Become. Further, in FIG. 5, a non-printing movement section D3 is similarly formed between the end point P5 of the line element K3 and the start point P6 of the line element K4.
[0005]
In the conventional laser marking apparatus, since the CPU does not generate the coordinate data of the intermediate point of the non-printing movement section, for example, in the case of the non-printing movement section D1, the coordinate data of the origin P0 serving as the starting point is the galvanometer mirror. Next, the coordinate data of the starting point P1 of the line element K1 which is the end point of the non-printing movement section D1 is given. The same applies to the non-printing movement sections D2 and D3. For this reason, when the non-printing movement section is long, the galvanometer mirror is accelerated at a stroke based on a large deviation between the start point and the end point and moves toward the end point at full speed. When approaching the end point, the vehicle decelerates at once, that is, suddenly brakes and the marking point reaches the end point.
[0006]
However, even if the galvano mirror stops on the electrical signal at the end point of the non-printing movement section, mechanical vibration of the galvano mirror, that is, ringing may occur. And, in the vicinity of the end point of the non-printing movement section and the start point of the next line element to be marked, the vibration of the marking point exceeds a predetermined reference amplitude, and when marking is started in that state, Print quality is decreasing.
[0007]
For this reason, the conventional laser marking device employs a configuration in which a wait time is provided after the marking point reaches the end point of the non-printing movement section, and the amplitude of the marking point is converged to an allowable value or less within the wait time. It was. Specifically, in the range of the printable area (S1 in FIG. 5) of the laser marking device, the case where the wait time is the longest required is obtained experimentally, for example, and set as a fixed wait time. Even at the end point of the non-printing movement section, the marking of the next line element is started after the marking point arrives and a fixed wait time elapses.
[0008]
However, the distance of the non-printing movement section varies, and the ringing magnitude of the galvano mirror varies depending on the distance of the non-printing movement section. This is because, as shown in FIG. 6, in the laser marking apparatus, the maximum speed of the marking point is determined according to the moving distance. Therefore, the longer the non-printing movement section is, the higher the maximum speed is. When stopping, a large sudden braking is required. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the longer the moving distance, the longer the ringing decay time. This is necessary (see T1 and T2 in FIG. 7 for comparison).
[0009]
Therefore, in the case where a fixed wait time is provided regardless of the length of the non-printing movement section as in the prior art, even if the non-printing movement section is short and the ringing can be settled in a short time, it is necessary to wait for the fixed wait time. This was a wasteful waiting time and resulted in a longer marking time. For this reason, there has been a demand for the development of a laser marking apparatus that eliminates the above-described useless waiting time and shortens the time required for marking.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a laser marking device capable of shortening the time required for marking without deteriorating the print quality.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a laser marking device according to a first aspect of the present invention is arranged on a marking target object when laser light is emitted from a laser light source and a laser light source disposed in the optical path of the laser light source. Based on the set marking information, the galvanometer mirror for scanning, the setting means for setting the marking information about the characters, symbols, and figures to be marked on the object to be marked. The symbol and figure are divided into predetermined line elements, and for each of these line elements, a plurality of coordinate data including a start point and an end point are generated, and the laser light source is turned on / off and generated by the data generation means. The given coordinate data is given to the galvanometer mirror at a predetermined cycle to control the marking point position and moving speed. Control means, and by moving the marking point with the laser light source turned off, the marking can be started from a desired position, and the marking point is moved with the laser light source turned on to move a desired character / In the laser marking device that enables marking of symbols and figures, the data generator means that the non-printing movement section that moves the marking point with the laser light source turned off is provisionally terminated before the end point of the non-printing movement section A point is provided to generate the coordinate data of the temporary end point, and the control means applies the coordinate data of the temporary end point to the galvanometer mirror next to the coordinate data of the start end point of the non-printing movement section, and follows it. It is configured so that the coordinate data of the end point of the non-printing movement section is given to the galvanometer mirror after entering the standby state waiting for the delay. The distance from the end point to the end point is determined as follows: When the coordinate data of the end point is switched from the coordinate data of the temporary end point and applied to the galvano mirror, the marking point vibration caused by the vibration of the galvano mirror does not amplify. Even if the marking point's vibration when it reaches the temporary end point is set to the length to move to the end point and exceeds the specified reference amplitude, the marking point will move from the temporary end position to the start point. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the amplitude is attenuated below the reference amplitude.
[0012]
In the present invention, the “marking point” is a point that becomes an irradiation point of the laser beam on the object to be marked when the laser beam is on, and when the laser beam is off. When the laser light source is turned on, it refers to a point that can be an irradiation point of laser light on the object to be marked. Therefore, the marking point can exist on the object to be marked even in a state where the laser light is not output from the laser light source.
[0013]
Further, in the present invention, the “standby state waiting for follow-up delay” refers to a state of waiting for the marking point to move within a predetermined distance from the temporary terminal point. On the other hand, it ends when it moves within the range of the predetermined distance.
[0014]
[Action and effect of the invention]
According to the laser marking device of the present invention, when the marking information is set by the setting means, the data generating means sets the temporary end point before the end point of the non-printing movement section and generates the coordinate data. To do. Then, when the marking is started, the control means gives the coordinate data of the temporary end point to the galvano mirror next to the coordinate data of the start end point of the non-printing movement section, enters a standby state waiting for a follow-up delay, and then performs the non-printing movement. The coordinate data of the end point of the section is given to the galvanometer mirror. Thereby, the marking point moves at a stretch from the start point to the temporary end point. At this time, at the temporary termination point, the vibration of the marking point may exceed a predetermined reference amplitude, but in the present invention, the marking point that has reached the temporary termination point does not newly increase the vibration of the marking point. Since it moves to the end point, the vibration of the marking point is attenuated during the section from the temporary end point to the end point.
[0015]
That is, in the present invention, the marking point can be moved from the start point to the temporary end point at once, and the marking point can be moved to the end point while attenuating the vibration of the marking point generated at that time. In addition, it is possible to shorten the total movement time in the non-printing movement section compared to the case of simply waiting at the same position until the vibration of the marking point is attenuated, and thus the marking time can be shortened. it can. In the present invention, the set distance between the temporary termination point and the termination point may be obtained experimentally or by calculation.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the laser marking device of the present embodiment. A first galvanometer mirror 11 and a second galvanometer mirror 12 are provided in the optical path of the laser beam emitted from the laser light source 10. It has been.
[0017]
Each of the galvanometer mirrors 11 and 12 includes a mirror (not shown) that reflects a laser beam and a drive unit (not shown) that can change the angle of the mirror, and a voltage signal as coordinate data is supplied to the drive unit. Is given, the mirror rotates at an angle corresponding to the level of the voltage signal. Then, the first galvanometer mirror 11 oscillates the laser light in a predetermined direction (referred to as “X direction”), and the second galvanometer mirror 12 performs a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction (referred to as “Y direction”). Thus, the irradiation point of the laser beam on the object to be marked W is scanned at a desired position in the two-dimensional direction of the X direction and the Y direction.
[0018]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 13 denotes a setting unit composed of, for example, a console. The setting unit 13 is used to set characters / symbols / graphics to be marked by the laser marking device and marking information related to the printing speed. The set marking information may be displayed on, for example, a monitor (not shown) so that the contents can be confirmed simultaneously with the setting operation.
[0019]
Reference numeral 14 denotes a CPU. When marking information is set by the setting unit 13, the CPU 14 operates as a data generation unit according to the present invention, and generates coordinate data and the like before starting marking. That is, before starting the marking, the CPU 14 divides characters, symbols, and figures into predetermined line elements based on the marking information, coordinate data regarding the start point and end point of each line element, and one or more between the start point and the end point. Are generated and written to the memory 15. At this time, the CPU 14 also writes on / off data in the memory 15 for on / off control of the laser light source 10.
[0020]
Note that the above-described coordinate data of the start point / end point and the intermediate point all mean both coordinate data given to the first and second galvanometer mirrors 11 and 12, respectively. The same applies to the following description.
[0021]
In the present embodiment, the CPU 14 obtains a non-print movement section in which the marking point is moved without performing marking from the marking information, and performs the following data processing. Here, the “marking point” is a point that is an irradiation point of the laser light on the object to be marked W when the laser light is on, and when the laser light is off, The point which can become an irradiation point of the laser beam on the marking target W when the laser light source 10 is turned on. Accordingly, the marking point can exist on the marking target object W even when the laser beam is not output from the laser light source 10.
[0022]
In the data processing in the non-printing movement section, when the CPU 14 obtains the non-printing movement section from the marking information, the CPU 14 moves it from the end point of the non-printing movement section to a position on the start point side by an attenuation distance G (see FIG. 2) described later. A temporary terminal point is set, coordinate data of the temporary terminal point is generated, and written into the memory 15. Here, the distance from the temporary termination point to the termination point, that is, the attenuation distance G, is obtained when the coordinate data of the termination point is switched to the coordinate data of the temporary termination point and given to the galvanometer mirrors 11 and 12. The vibration of the marking point due to the vibration of 12 is set to such a length that the marking point can move to the end point without being amplified. Further, the length of the attenuation distance G may be obtained experimentally or by calculation.
[0023]
After starting the marking, the CPU 14 operates as a control unit according to the present invention, sequentially extracts the coordinate data stored in the memory 15 and sends it out at a predetermined cycle. Then, the coordinate data is given to the galvanometer mirrors 11 and 12 via the D / A converter 16. Further, when the CPU 14 extracts predetermined coordinate data from the memory 15, the CPU 14 also extracts on / off data of the laser light source 10 and supplies it to the laser light source 10.
[0024]
The configuration of the laser marking apparatus of the present embodiment is as described above. Next, the operation will be described specifically by taking, for example, the case of marking a character string “AB” as an example.
[0025]
When the character string “AB” is set as the marking information by the setting unit 13, the CPU 14 divides “A” and “B” into the line elements K1 to K6 shown in FIG. When marking K6, the non-printing movement sections D1, D2, and D3 for moving the marking point are obtained with the laser light source 10 turned off. And about each line element K1-K6, CPU14 produces | generates the coordinate data of those start points / end points (P1-P8), and the coordinate data of the some intermediate point (not shown) on each line element K1-K6. Is stored in the memory 15. At this time, on / off data of the laser light source 10 is also stored in the memory 15.
[0026]
Now, with respect to each non-printing movement section D1, D2, D3, the CPU 14 is a temporary terminal located on the start point side of the non-printing movement section by the attenuation distance G from the terminal point of each non-printing movement section D1, D2, D3. Points P20, P21, and P22 are set, coordinate data of these temporary terminal points P20, P21, and P22 are generated and stored in the memory 15.
[0027]
Next, when a marking start switch (not shown) of the laser marking device is turned on, the CPU 14 takes out the coordinate data from the memory 15 and sequentially passes the coordinate data through the D / A converter 16 in a predetermined cycle. To the galvanometer mirrors 11 and 12. During this predetermined period, the galvanometer mirrors 11 and 12 are driven at the speed at which the marking point moves between the two positions specified by the coordinate data. At this time, when the laser light source 10 is turned on and the marking point is moved based on the on / off signal from the CPU 14, a desired character / symbol / graphic is marked.
[0028]
On the other hand, when the laser light source 10 is turned off and the marking point is moved, the next line element can be marked from a desired position. Specifically, in the non-printing movement section D1 in which the laser light source 10 is turned off and the marking point is moved, the laser marking apparatus operates as follows. That is, the CPU 14 gives the coordinate data of the temporary end point P20 to the galvanometer mirrors 11 and 12 next to the coordinate data of the start end point P0 (see FIG. 2) of the non-printing movement section D1, and sets the marking point to the temporary end point P20. To reach within a predetermined range around. As a result, the marking point moves from the start point P0 to the temporary end point P20 all at once.
[0029]
However, at this time, at the temporary terminal point P20, the vibration of the marking point may be greater than or equal to a predetermined reference amplitude. However, in the laser marking device of the present embodiment, the marking point is moved within a predetermined distance range with respect to the temporary terminal point P20, and then the terminal point P1 of the non-printing movement section D1 (see FIG. 2). Since the coordinate data is given to the galvanometer mirrors 11 and 12, the vibration of the marking point is attenuated while moving toward the terminal point P1 (see FIG. 3). The same applies to the non-printing movement sections D2 and D3.
[0030]
Thus, in this embodiment, the marking point is moved from the start point to the temporary end point all at once, and the marking point is moved to the end point while attenuating the vibration of the marking point generated at that time. As compared with the case of simply waiting at the same position until the vibration of the marking point is attenuated, the total movement time in the non-printing movement section can be shortened, and the time required for marking can be shortened.
[0031]
<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the embodiments described below are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and various other than the following can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It can be changed and implemented.
[0032]
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the case where a character (for example, the character string “AB”) is marked has been illustrated. However, the present invention may be applied to a case where a symbol, a figure, or the like is marked in addition to the character.
[0033]
(2) In the embodiment, the CPU 14 as the data generation means may generate only one temporary end point coordinate data and store it in the memory, or may store a plurality of temporary end point coordinate data. It may be generated and stored in a memory. When the coordinate data of a plurality of temporary terminal points are generated, after starting the marking, the CPU 14 gives the coordinate data of the temporary terminal points to the galvanometer mirrors 11 and 12 as a control means over a plurality of times. When the tracking delay of the marking point at the temporary terminal point is waited (becomes a standby state according to the present invention), the marking point moves within a predetermined distance range with respect to the temporary terminal point.
[0034]
(3) In order to move the marking point within a predetermined distance range with respect to the temporary terminal point, the following configuration may be adopted. That is, the position sensor provided in the galvanometer mirror detects the detection delay of the galvanometer mirror and waits until the marking point moves within a predetermined distance range with respect to the temporary end point, or the coordinate data of the temporary end point It is good also as a structure which continues giving to a galvanometer mirror. The position sensor detects that the marking point has moved within a predetermined distance range with respect to the temporary terminal point, and gives the coordinate data of the terminal point of the predetermined distance range to the galvanometer mirror based on the detection result. You may do it. That is, the control means according to the present invention has a configuration in which the coordinate data of the end point of the non-printing movement section is given to the galvanometer mirror based on the marking point being within a predetermined distance from the temporary end point. There may be.
[0035]
(4) Further, in the laser marking device to which the present invention is applied, a wait time may be provided at the end point of the non-printing movement section. In this case, the wait time can be set shorter than the conventional fixed wait time, and the total marking time can be shortened.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a laser marking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of characters to be marked. FIG. 3 is a graph showing a damping state of marking point vibration. Perspective view of mirror [Fig. 5] Schematic diagram of characters to be marked [Fig. 6] Graph showing the relationship between the moving speed and moving distance of the marking point [Fig. 7] Graph showing the damping state of the marking point vibration [Explanation of symbols] ]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Laser light source 11, 12 ... Galvanometer mirror 13 ... Setting part (setting means)
14 ... CPU (data generating means, control means)
D1, D2, D3 ... Non-printing movement section G ... Attenuation distances K1 to K6 ... Line element W ... Object to be marked W

Claims (1)

A laser light source;
A galvanometer mirror that scans a marking point that is an irradiation point on an object to be marked when the laser light is emitted from the laser light source, arranged in the middle of the optical path of the laser light source,
Setting means for setting marking information related to characters, symbols, and figures to be marked on the object to be marked;
Based on the set marking information, the character / symbol / figure is divided into predetermined line elements, and data generating means for generating a plurality of coordinate data including a start point and an end point for each of the line elements,
Control means for controlling on / off of the laser light source, giving the coordinate data generated by the data generation means to the galvanometer mirror at a predetermined period, and controlling the position and moving speed of the marking point;
By turning off the laser light source and moving the marking point, marking can be started from a desired position, and by turning on the laser light source and moving the marking point, a desired character, symbol, In the laser marking device that can mark figures,
The data generation means provides a temporary end point before the end point of the non-printing movement section for a non-printing movement section in which the laser light source is turned off and the marking point is moved. Configured to generate coordinate data,
The control means gives the coordinate data of the temporary end point to the galvanometer mirror next to the coordinate data of the start end point of the non-printing movement section, waits for a follow-up delay, and then waits for the end of the non-printing movement section. The coordinate data of the point is configured to be given to the galvanometer mirror,
Furthermore, the distance from the temporary terminal point to the terminal point is the marking point associated with the vibration of the galvano mirror when the coordinate data of the terminal point is switched from the coordinate data of the temporary terminal point to the galvano mirror. Is set to the length that the marking point moves to the end point without amplification,
Even if the vibration of the marking point when it reaches the temporary terminal point exceeds a predetermined reference amplitude, the amplitude of the marking point moves from the temporary terminal position to the starting point while the reference point is moving. A laser marking device configured to be attenuated below an amplitude.

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