JP7370284B2 - Marking system, diagnosis support device, diagnosis support method, diagnosis support program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

The technology disclosed herein relates to a marking system including a laser marker, a diagnostic support device, a diagnostic support method, a diagnostic support program, and a storage medium that stores the diagnostic support program.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, laser markers equipped with a camera for checking the state of printing are known.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a laser marker (laser printing device) is disclosed.

The laser marker disclosed in Patent Document 1 images the printing surface after printing processing, and performs image processing on the imaged signal to determine whether the laser printing is good or bad. By making the imaging optical system and the laser beam emission axis coaxial, this laser marker can image the printed surface immediately after laser printing without moving the workpiece.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-220686

By the way, even if symptoms indicating printing defects such as missing prints, irregular printing, and misaligned printing positions are discovered, the cause of the printing defects must be correctly identified, and settings and adjustments can be made to improve the symptoms. It is difficult to take countermeasures in a short period of time.

In particular, in the case of a user who is not accustomed to operating a laser marker, time and effort are spent on identifying the cause of the printing failure in the first place, let alone performing settings to improve the symptoms. The configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot solve these problems.

The technology disclosed herein has been developed in view of these points, and its purpose is to efficiently identify the cause of printing defects and improve the usability of diagnosing printing defects. It is in.

A first aspect of the present disclosure includes an excitation light generation section that generates excitation light, and a laser light output section that generates a laser beam based on the excitation light generated by the excitation light generation section and emits the laser beam. and a laser beam scanning section that irradiates the workpiece with a laser beam emitted from the laser beam output section and performs two-dimensional scanning on the surface of the workpiece.

According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the marking system includes a first status item indicating a state of a printing defect occurring on the workpiece, and a second status item indicating a status different from the first status item. a display unit that displays a status item; a reception unit that receives an operation for selecting at least one of the first and second status items displayed on the display unit; The correspondence relationship between the item and a plurality of first cause parameters that are candidate causes of printing defects corresponding to the first status item is stored together with the display priority order of the plurality of first cause parameters; A correspondence relationship between a second status item and a plurality of second cause parameters that are candidate causes of printing defects corresponding to the second status item is stored together with a display priority order of the plurality of second cause parameters. and a storage unit that displays information on the display unit when the first status item is selected through the reception unit and when the second status item is selected, based on the storage content in the storage unit. and a control unit that changes the combinations of the plurality of cause parameters to be displayed on the screen or changes the display priority order of the plurality of cause parameters.

Here, the first aspect of the present disclosure also includes a configuration having three or more "status items". For example, when three status items are displayed on the display, one of the three status items corresponds to the first status item, and one of the remaining two status items corresponds to the second status item. This corresponds to the status item.

Moreover, the term "display priority order" means the priority order when displaying on the display section. This priority order may be reflected in the display position on the display unit, or may be reflected in the display mode on the display unit. For example, it may be displayed higher on the display to indicate a higher priority, or displayed further lower on the display to indicate a lower priority. Alternatively, for example, the priority may be indicated on the display section according to differences in font or color (the larger the font, the higher the priority, etc.).

Further, each parameter that constitutes the plurality of first cause parameters and each parameter that constitutes the plurality of second cause parameters may be completely the same, or may be only partially different. .

Moreover, the term "a plurality of causal parameters" refers to a concept that collectively refers to "a plurality of first causal parameters" and "a plurality of second causal parameters."

According to this configuration, when a status item is selected by the user, the cause parameters corresponding to the selected status item are displayed on the display section in a predetermined order (display priority order), and the cause parameters corresponding to the selected status item are displayed on the display section or Accordingly, the combination of causal parameters to be displayed on the display unit may be changed.

Thereby, even a user with little experience can efficiently diagnose the cause of printing defects. This makes it possible to improve usability in diagnosing printing defects.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit may control the control unit to determine whether the first status item is selected through the reception unit or the second status item is selected through the reception unit. The display priority of each cause parameter forming the plurality of first cause parameters is different from the display priority of each cause parameter forming the plurality of second cause parameters, and the causes are displayed in the order of the display priority. The parameters may be displayed on the display section, or the plurality of first and Among the causal parameters constituting the second causal parameter, the combination of causal parameters to be displayed on the display section is at least partially different, and the causal parameters are displayed on the display section based on the combination. You can also use it as

This configuration is advantageous in improving usability in diagnosing printing defects.

Further, according to a third aspect of the present disclosure, the marking system includes a casing in which at least the laser beam output section and the laser beam scanning section are provided, and a laser beam output from the laser beam output section. a power monitor that detects the output of light; and a distance measuring mechanism that is provided inside or outside of the housing and measures the distance from the housing to the workpiece, and the causal parameter includes the power monitor. The output of the laser beam detected by the distance measuring mechanism and the distance to the workpiece measured by the distance measuring mechanism may be included.

According to this configuration, the marking system according to the present disclosure can use the laser light output and the distance to the workpiece as causal parameters. This makes it possible to more precisely identify the cause of the printing defect.

Further, according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the distance measuring mechanism may be provided inside the housing.

Further, according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the marking system is provided inside or outside a casing of the laser marker, and the marking system is arranged on the workpiece disposed within a region two-dimensionally scanned by the laser beam scanning section. an image acquisition unit that generates a captured image including at least a part of the workpiece by capturing an image; and the laser beam scanning unit performs two-dimensional scanning on the captured image generated by the image acquisition unit. and an image processing unit that specifies the position of the workpiece when viewed along the area, and the cause parameter may include the position of the workpiece specified by the image processing unit.

According to this configuration, the marking system according to the present disclosure can use the position of the workpiece as a causal parameter. This makes it possible to more precisely identify the cause of the printing defect.

According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the marking system includes a transmission window that is provided in a housing of the laser marker and through which a laser beam two-dimensionally scanned by the laser beam scanning unit passes; a dirt detection unit that detects dirt in the dirt detection unit, and the cause parameter may include dirt detected by the dirt detection unit.

According to this configuration, the marking system according to the present disclosure can use dirt on the transmission window as a causal parameter. This makes it possible to more precisely identify the cause of the printing defect.

Further, according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the reception unit is configured to be able to select both the first and second status items, and the control unit is configured to select the first and second status items based on the content stored in the storage unit. , when both the first and second status items are selected through the reception unit, the display priority order of the plurality of first cause parameters and the display priority order of the plurality of second cause parameters. By referring to one of the parameters having a higher rank, a display priority order for displaying both of the plurality of first and second cause parameters on the display unit may be set.

According to this configuration, the marking system according to the present disclosure can select a plurality of status items via the reception unit. When multiple status items are selected, by setting the display priority for each status item to be respected on both sides, it becomes possible to more accurately diagnose the cause of printing defects. .

According to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the storage unit may store at least whether each of the cause parameters is displayed on the display unit as the correspondence relationship.

According to this configuration, it is possible to set not only the order of display but also whether or not to display on the display unit, thereby further improving usability in diagnosing printing defects.

Further, according to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit may display the change over time of the cause parameter on the display unit based on the content stored in the storage unit.

According to this configuration, by displaying the change in the causal parameter over time instead of only displaying the value of the causal parameter at a specific date and time, it is advantageous in efficiently identifying the cause of the printing defect. This makes it possible to further improve the usability of diagnosing printing defects.

Further, a tenth aspect of the present disclosure includes an excitation light generation unit that generates excitation light, and a laser beam that generates a laser beam based on the excitation light generated by the excitation light generation unit and emits the laser beam. generated on the workpiece during marking processing using a laser marker including an output section and a laser beam scanning section that irradiates the workpiece with a laser beam emitted from the laser beam output section and performs two-dimensional scanning on the surface of the workpiece. The present invention relates to a diagnostic support device that supports the diagnosis of printing defects.

According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, the diagnostic support device includes a first status item indicating a characteristic of a printing defect occurring on the workpiece, and a first status item indicating a characteristic different from the first status item. a display unit that displays a second status item; a reception unit that receives an operation for selecting at least one of the first and second status items displayed on the display unit; A correspondence relationship between a status item and a plurality of first cause parameters indicating causes of printing defects corresponding to the first status item is stored together with a display priority order of the plurality of first cause parameters; A correspondence relationship between a second status item and a plurality of second cause parameters indicating causes of printing defects corresponding to the second status item is stored together with a display priority order of the plurality of second cause parameters. a storage unit; and based on the storage content in the storage unit, a message is displayed on the display unit when the first status item is selected through the reception unit and when the second status item is selected. A control unit that changes the combination of the plurality of cause parameters to be displayed or makes the display priority of the plurality of cause parameters different.

According to this configuration, it is possible to efficiently identify the cause of the printing defect, and furthermore, it is possible to improve the usability of diagnosing the printing defect.

Furthermore, an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure includes: a display unit that displays information to a user; a reception unit that receives operations by the user; a storage unit that stores the information; and a control unit that controls the display unit. an excitation light generation section that generates excitation light; and a laser light output section that generates laser light based on the excitation light generated by the excitation light generation section and emits the laser light. and a laser beam scanning unit that irradiates the workpiece with a laser beam emitted from the laser beam output unit and scans the surface of the workpiece two-dimensionally. A mark generated on the workpiece during printing processing using a laser marker. The present invention relates to a diagnosis support method that supports diagnosis of defects.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, in the diagnosis support method, the display unit includes a first status item indicating characteristics of a printing defect occurring on the workpiece, and a a second status item indicating different characteristics; and the receiving unit performs an operation of selecting at least one of the first and second status items displayed on the display unit. the storage unit stores a correspondence relationship between the first status item and a plurality of first cause parameters indicating causes of printing defects corresponding to the first status item; while storing the correspondence relationship between the second status item and a plurality of second cause parameters indicating causes of printing defects corresponding to the second status item. storing in advance a display priority order of a plurality of second cause parameters, and when the control unit selects the first status item through the reception unit based on the storage content in the storage unit; a step of changing the combination of the plurality of cause parameters to be displayed on the display unit or differentizing the display priority of the plurality of cause parameters depending on when the second status item is selected; Equipped with

According to this method, it is possible to efficiently identify the cause of the printing defect and, in turn, improve the usability of diagnosing the printing defect.

A twelfth aspect of the present disclosure also provides a display unit that displays information to a user, a reception unit that receives operations by the user, a storage unit that stores the information, and a control unit that controls the display unit. an excitation light generation unit that generates excitation light by causing a computer to execute the excitation light generation unit; and a laser light output that generates laser light based on the excitation light generated by the excitation light generation unit and emits the laser light. and a laser beam scanning unit that irradiates the workpiece with a laser beam emitted from the laser beam output unit and performs two-dimensional scanning on the surface of the workpiece. This relates to a diagnostic support program that supports the diagnosis of printing defects.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, the diagnostic support program is configured such that the display section displays a first status item indicating characteristics of a printing defect occurring on the workpiece, and a first status item that indicates a characteristic of a printing defect occurring on the workpiece. a second status item indicating different characteristics; and the receiving unit performs an operation of selecting at least one of the first and second status items displayed on the display unit. the storage unit stores a correspondence relationship between the first status item and a plurality of first cause parameters indicating causes of printing defects corresponding to the first status item; while storing the correspondence relationship between the second status item and a plurality of second cause parameters indicating causes of printing defects corresponding to the second status item. storing in advance a display priority order of a plurality of second cause parameters, and when the control unit selects the first status item through the reception unit based on the storage content in the storage unit; a step of changing the combination of the plurality of cause parameters to be displayed on the display unit or differentizing the display priority of the plurality of cause parameters depending on when the second status item is selected; causes the computer to execute.

According to this program, it is possible to efficiently identify the cause of printing defects, and furthermore, it is possible to improve the usability of diagnosing printing defects.

Furthermore, a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computer-readable storage medium. This storage medium stores the diagnosis support program according to the twelfth aspect.

As described above, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to efficiently identify the cause of printing defects, and further improve usability regarding diagnosis of printing defects.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a marking system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a laser marker. FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a marker head. FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the marker head. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of the marker head. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the laser beam scanning section. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the triangulation method. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating how the marking system is used. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for creating print settings, search settings, and distance measurement settings. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the processing area and the setting surface. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating display contents on the display section. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the operating procedure of the laser marker. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the contents of a print log. FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the diagnosis support device. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a specific procedure of the diagnosis support method. FIG. 15A is a diagram illustrating a selection screen for symptoms of printing defects. FIG. 15B is a diagram illustrating a screen for specifying the date and time of occurrence of printing defects. FIG. 15C is a diagram illustrating a printing defect diagnosis screen. FIG. 15D is a diagram illustrating a printing defect diagnosis screen. FIG. 15E is a diagram illustrating a printing defect diagnosis screen. FIG. 15F is a diagram illustrating a countermeasure screen for solving printing defects. FIG. 16 is a table illustrating the relationship between causes of printing defects and display priorities. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the display priority order when multiple symptoms are selected. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a diagnosis screen when multiple symptoms are selected. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the diagnosis screen. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating correction of determination results.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below based on the drawings. Note that the following explanation is an example.

In addition, in this specification, printing processing will be explained as a typical example of processing, but it is not limited to printing processing, and can be applied to any marking using laser light, such as marking of shapes such as QR code (registered trademark). can be used.

<Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the marking system S. As shown in FIG. Moreover, FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the laser marker L in the marking system S. The marking system S illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a laser marker L, an operation terminal 800, an external device 900, and an external terminal 700 connected to the laser marker L.

The laser marker L illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 irradiates a workpiece W as a printing object with laser light emitted from the marker head 1, and scans the surface of the workpiece W three-dimensionally. Printing is performed by Note that "three-dimensional scanning" here refers to a two-dimensional operation of scanning the irradiation position of the laser beam on the surface of the work W (so-called "two-dimensional scanning") and adjusting the focal position of the laser beam. It refers to a concept that collectively refers to the combination of one-dimensional movement and.

In the following description, the laser beam for printing on the workpiece W may be referred to as "printing laser beam" to distinguish it from other laser beams.

Further, the laser marker L according to the present embodiment measures the distance to the workpiece W (the height of the workpiece W) via the distance measuring unit 5 built into the marker head 1, and prints using the measurement result. The focal position of the laser beam can be adjusted. This distance measuring unit 5 is an example of the "distance measuring mechanism" in this embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the laser marker L includes a marker head 1 for emitting laser light and a marker controller 100 for controlling the marker head 1.

The marker head 1 and the marker controller 100 are separate bodies in this embodiment, and are electrically connected via electrical wiring and optically coupled via an optical fiber cable.

More generally, one of the marker head 1 and the marker controller 100 can be integrated into the other. In this case, optical fiber cables and the like can be omitted as appropriate.

The operation terminal 800 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory, and is connected to the marker controller 100. This operating terminal 800 functions as a terminal for setting various processing conditions (also referred to as printing conditions) such as printing settings, and for showing information related to laser marking to the user. This operation terminal 800 includes a display section 801 for displaying information to the user, an operation section 802 for receiving operation input from the user, and a storage device 803 for storing various information.

Specifically, the display section 801 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL panel. The display unit 801 displays the operating status of the laser marker L, printing conditions, etc. as information related to laser marking. On the other hand, the operation unit 802 includes, for example, a keyboard and/or a pointing device. Here, the pointing device includes a mouse, a joystick, and the like. The operation unit 802 is configured to accept operation input from a user, and is used to operate the marker head 1 via the marker controller 100.

The operation terminal 800 configured as described above can set printing conditions for laser marking based on the operation input by the user. These printing conditions include, for example, the character string to be printed on the workpiece W, the contents of graphics such as barcodes and QR codes (registered trademarks) (marking patterns), and the output required for the laser beam (target output). , the scanning speed of the laser beam on the workpiece W (scanning speed), and one or more of the following.

Furthermore, the printing conditions according to the present embodiment also include conditions and parameters related to the above-mentioned distance measuring unit 5 (hereinafter also referred to as "distance measuring conditions"). Such distance measurement conditions include, for example, data that associates the signal indicating the detection result by the distance measurement unit 5 with the distance to the surface of the workpiece W.

The printing conditions set by the operation terminal 800 are output to the marker controller 100 and stored in its condition setting storage unit 102. If necessary, the storage device 803 in the operating terminal 800 may store the printing conditions.

Note that the operation terminal 800 can be integrated into, for example, the marker controller 100. In this case, the term "control unit" or the like is used instead of "operation terminal," but at least in this embodiment, the operation terminal 800 and the marker controller 100 are separate from each other.

The external device 900 is connected to the marker controller 100 of the laser marker L as necessary. In the example shown in FIG. 1, an image recognition device 901 and a programmable logic controller (PLC) 902 are provided as the external device 900.

Specifically, the image recognition device 901 determines, for example, the type and position of the work W being transported on the manufacturing line. As the image recognition device 901, for example, an image sensor can be used. PLC 902 is used to control marking system S according to a predetermined sequence.

Furthermore, the laser marker L according to this embodiment includes an external terminal 700 connected to the marker controller 100 by wire or wirelessly. This external terminal 700 can execute a diagnosis support method for supporting diagnosis of printing defects occurring on the workpiece W, and functions as a diagnosis support device. This diagnosis support method may be executed by the operation terminal 800 described above. In this case, one terminal serves both as the operation terminal 800 and the external terminal 700. Such a configuration can be realized, for example, by installing a program for operating the laser marker L and a program for executing a diagnostic support method (diagnosis support program to be described later) in a common terminal.

Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of each of the marker controller 100 and the marker head 1, and the configuration related to the control of the marker head 1 by the marker controller 100 will be described in order. Thereafter, the configuration of external terminal 700 as a diagnostic support device will be explained in detail.

<Marker controller 100>
As shown in FIG. 2, the marker controller 100 includes a condition setting storage section 102 that stores the above-described printing conditions, a control section 101 that controls the marker head 1 based on the printing conditions stored therein, and a laser excitation control section 101 that controls the marker head 1 based on the printing conditions stored therein. It includes an excitation light generation section 110 that generates light (excitation light).

Specifically, the condition setting storage unit 102 is configured using a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc., and stores the printing conditions. Information indicating the information can be stored temporarily or continuously.

(Control unit 101)
The control unit 101 controls at least the excitation light generation unit 110 in the marker controller 100, the laser light output unit 2, the laser light guide unit 3, and the laser light guide unit 3 in the marker head 1, based on the printing conditions stored in the condition setting storage unit 102. By controlling the laser beam scanning unit 4, the distance measuring unit 5, the coaxial camera 6, and the overall camera (non-coaxial camera) 7, printing processing and the like on the workpiece W are executed.

Specifically, the control unit 101 has a CPU, a memory, and an input/output bus, and receives signals indicating information input via the operation terminal 800 and print conditions read from the condition setting storage unit 102. A control signal is generated based on the signal shown. The control unit 101 controls printing on the workpiece W and measurement of the distance to the workpiece W by outputting the control signal thus generated to each part of the laser marker L.

For example, when starting processing the workpiece W, the control unit 101 reads the target output stored in the condition setting storage unit 102 and outputs a control signal generated based on the target output to the excitation light source drive unit 112. , controlling the generation of laser excitation light.

Furthermore, when actually processing the workpiece W, the control unit 101 reads the printed content (marking pattern) stored in the condition setting storage unit 102, for example, and transmits a control signal generated based on the printed content to the laser beam. It is output to the optical scanning section 4 and performs two-dimensional scanning with the laser beam for printing.

In this way, the control section 101 can control the laser beam scanning section 4 to realize two-dimensional scanning of the laser beam for printing.

(Excitation light generation unit 110)
The excitation light generation unit 110 is optically coupled to the excitation light source 111 with an excitation light source 111 that generates laser light according to a drive current, and an excitation light source drive unit 112 that supplies a drive current to the excitation light source 111. and an excitation light condensing section 113.

Each part of the excitation light generation section 110 will be explained in order below.

The excitation light source drive unit 112 supplies a drive current to the excitation light source 111 based on the control signal output from the control unit 101. Although details will be omitted, the excitation light source drive unit 112 determines a drive current based on the target output determined by the control unit 101, and supplies the determined drive current to the excitation light source 111.

The excitation light source 111 is supplied with a drive current from the excitation light source drive unit 112 and oscillates laser light according to the drive current. For example, the excitation light source 111 is composed of a laser diode (LD) or the like, and an LD array or LD bar in which a plurality of LD elements are arranged in a straight line can be used.

The excitation light condenser 113 condenses the laser beam output from the excitation light source 111 and outputs it as laser excitation light (excitation light). For example, the excitation light condenser 113 is composed of a focusing lens or the like, and has an entrance surface into which the laser beam is incident, and an exit surface through which the laser excitation light is output. The excitation light condenser 113 is optically coupled to the marker head 1 via the aforementioned optical fiber cable. Therefore, the laser excitation light output from the excitation light condenser 113 is guided to the marker head 1 via the optical fiber cable.

(other components)
The marker controller 100 also includes a distance measuring section 103 that measures the distance to the workpiece W via the distance measuring unit 5. The distance measurement section 103 is electrically connected to the distance measurement unit 5, and receives a signal related to the measurement result by the distance measurement unit 5 (at least a signal indicating the distance measurement light receiving position in the distance measurement light receiving section 5B). It is possible to receive.

Further, as will be described later, the laser marker L according to this embodiment includes a coaxial camera 6 and an overall camera 7 as a non-coaxial camera. This laser marker L can image the surface of the workpiece W by operating at least one of the coaxial camera 6 and the overall camera 7.

The marker controller 100 includes a distance measuring section 103, an image processing section 104, and a quality determining section 105 in order to perform processing related to the captured image Pw generated by the coaxial camera 6 or the overall camera 7.

The marker controller 100 also includes a setting section 107 that sets information related to marking patterns. The settings in the setting unit 107 are read and used by the control unit 101 and the like.

By the way, the signal output from the distance measuring unit 5 basically corresponds to the distance to the surface of the workpiece W. However, for example, if the transmission window 19 is dirty, in addition to the signal corresponding to the distance to the surface of the work W, a signal corresponding to the distance to the surface of the transmission window 19 may be detected. Note that the transmission window 19 here refers to a window portion through which the printing laser beam generated and amplified inside the marker head 1 passes in order to emit the printing laser beam to the outside.

Therefore, the marker controller 100 according to the present embodiment further includes a dirt detection section 106 for detecting dirt on the transparent window 19. The detection result by the dirt detection section 106 can be output to the distance measurement section 103, the operation terminal 800, and/or the external device 900.

Note that the distance measurement section 103, the image processing section 104, the quality determination section 105, and the dirt detection section 106 may be configured by the control section 101. For example, the control unit 101 may also serve as the distance measurement unit 103. Furthermore, the image processing unit 104 may also serve as the quality determining unit 105 or the like. Details of the distance measuring section 103, the image processing section 104, the quality determining section 105, and the dirt detecting section 106 will be described later.

<Marker head 1>
As described above, the laser excitation light generated by the excitation light generation section 110 is guided to the marker head 1 via the optical fiber cable. This marker head 1 includes a laser beam output section 2 that amplifies and generates laser light based on laser excitation light and outputs it, and a laser beam output section 2 that irradiates the surface of a workpiece W with the laser beam outputted from the laser beam output section 2. A laser beam scanning unit 4 that performs dimensional scanning, a laser beam guide unit 3 that configures an optical path from the laser beam output unit 2 to the laser beam scanning unit 4, and a distance measuring unit that emits and receives light through the laser beam scanning unit 4. It includes a distance measuring unit 5 for measuring the distance to the surface of the workpiece W based on light, and a coaxial camera 6 and an overall camera 7 for capturing an image of the surface of the workpiece W.

Here, the laser light guide section 3 according to the present embodiment not only constitutes an optical path, but also includes a Z scanner (focus adjustment section) 33 that adjusts the focal position of the laser light, a guide light source 36 that emits guide light, A plurality of members, such as a coaxial camera 6 that captures an image of the surface of the workpiece W, are combined.

The laser beam guide section 3 further includes an upstream merging mechanism 31 that merges the printing laser beam outputted from the laser beam output section 2 and the guide light emitted from the guide light source 36, and guides the laser beam to the laser beam scanning section 4. It has a downstream merging mechanism 35 that merges the laser beam emitted from the distance measuring unit 5 with the distance measuring light projected from the distance measuring unit 5.

3A to 3B are block diagrams illustrating the schematic configuration of the marker head 1, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of the marker head 1. 3A to 3B, FIG. 3A shows an example of processing the workpiece W using a laser beam for printing, and FIG. 3B shows a case of measuring the distance to the surface of the workpiece W using the distance measuring unit 5. Illustrated.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 4, the marker head 1 includes a housing 10 in which at least a laser beam output section 2, a laser beam guide section 3, and a laser beam scanning section 4 are provided. This housing 10 has a substantially rectangular external shape as shown in FIG. The lower surface of the housing 10 is defined by a plate-shaped bottom plate 10a. The bottom plate 10a is provided with a transmission window 19 for emitting laser light from the marker head 1 to the outside of the marker head 1. The transmission window 19 is constructed by fitting a plate-shaped transparent member through which printing laser light, guide light, and ranging light can pass through a through hole that penetrates the bottom plate 10a in the thickness direction.

In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the casing 10 in FIG. 4 will be simply referred to as the "longitudinal direction" or the "front-back direction," and the lateral direction of the casing 10 in FIG. This is sometimes referred to as the "left-right direction." Similarly, the height direction of the housing 10 in FIG. 4 may be simply referred to as the "height direction" or the "up-down direction."

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the laser beam scanning section 4. As shown in FIG.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, a partition portion 11 is provided inside the casing 10. The internal space of the casing 10 is partitioned into one side and the other side in the longitudinal direction by the partition part 11.

Specifically, the partition portion 11 is formed into a flat plate shape extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 10 . Hereinafter, the space partitioned on the other side in the longitudinal direction (the rear side in FIG. 4) in the housing 10 will be referred to as the first space S1, while the space partitioned on one side in the longitudinal direction (the front side in FIG. 4) will be referred to as the second space S1. It is called space S2.

In this embodiment, a laser beam output section 2, some parts of the laser beam guide section 3, a laser beam scanning section 4, and a distance measuring unit 5 are arranged inside the first space S1. On the other hand, the main components of the laser beam guide section 3 are arranged inside the second space S2.

Specifically, the first space S1 is partitioned by the substantially flat base plate 12 into a space on one side in the transverse direction (the left side in FIG. 4) and a space on the other side (the right side in FIG. 4). . Parts constituting the laser light output section 2 are mainly arranged in the former space. A heat sink 22 shown in FIG. 5 and the like are arranged in the latter space.

Further, the second space S2 accommodates most of the components that constitute the laser beam guide section 3. These components are housed in a space surrounded by the partition part 11 and the cover member 17 that partitions the front surface of the housing 10.

Hereinafter, the configurations of the laser beam output section 2, the laser beam guide section 3, the laser beam scanning section 4, and the distance measuring unit 5 will be explained in order.

(Laser light output section 2)
The laser light output section 2 generates a printing laser beam for printing processing based on the laser excitation light generated by the excitation light generation section 110, and outputs the printing laser beam to the laser beam guide section 3. It is configured as follows.

Specifically, the laser beam output unit 2 includes a laser oscillator 21a that generates a laser beam having a predetermined wavelength based on laser excitation light, amplifies the laser beam, and emits a laser beam for printing, and a laser oscillator 21a that generates a laser beam with a predetermined wavelength based on the laser excitation light. A beam sampler 21b for separating a part of the printed laser beam for printing, and a power monitor 21c into which the laser beam for printing separated by the beam sampler 21b is incident.

Although details are omitted, the laser oscillator 21a according to the present embodiment includes a laser medium that performs stimulated emission corresponding to laser excitation light to emit laser light, and a laser medium that emits laser light by performing stimulated emission corresponding to laser excitation light, and a It has a Q switch and a mirror that resonates the laser light pulsed by the Q switch.

The power monitor 21c detects the output of the laser beam for printing. The power monitor 21c is electrically connected to the marker controller 100 and can output its detection signal to the control unit 101 and the like.

(Laser light guide section 3)
The laser beam guide section 3 forms at least a part of a laser beam path P that guides the printing laser beam emitted from the laser beam output section 2 to the laser beam scanning section 4 . In addition to a bend mirror 34 for forming such a laser beam path P, the laser beam guiding section 3 includes a Z scanner (focus adjustment section) 33, a guide light source (guide light emitting section) 36, and the like. All of these parts are provided inside the housing 10 (mainly in the second space S2).

The printing laser beam incident from the laser beam output section 2 is reflected by the bend mirror 34 and passes through the laser beam guide section 3 . A Z scanner 33 is arranged on the way to the bend mirror 34 for adjusting the focal position of the laser beam for printing. The printing laser beam that passes through the Z scanner 33 and is reflected by the bend mirror 34 enters the laser beam scanning section 4 .

The laser optical path P configured by the laser beam guide section 3 can be divided into two with the Z scanner 33 serving as a focus adjustment section as the boundary. Specifically, the laser beam path P configured by the laser beam guide section 3 includes an upstream optical path Pu from the laser beam output section 2 to the Z scanner 33, and a downstream optical path Pd from the Z scanner 33 to the laser beam scanning section 4. , can be divided into .

More specifically, the upstream optical path Pu is provided inside the housing 10 and extends from the laser beam output section 2 to the Z scanner 33 via the above-mentioned upstream merging mechanism 31.

On the other hand, the downstream optical path Pd is provided inside the casing 10, and passes from the Z scanner 33 through the bend mirror 34 and the aforementioned downstream merging mechanism 35 in order to the laser beam scanning section 4. The first scanner 41 is reached.

In this way, inside the housing 10, the upstream merging mechanism 31 is provided in the middle of the upstream optical path Pu, and the downstream merging mechanism 35 is provided in the middle of the downstream optical path Pd.

-Z Scanner 33-
The Z scanner 33 as a focus adjustment section is disposed in the middle of the optical path constituted by the laser light guide section 3, and can adjust the focal position of the printing laser beam emitted from the laser light output section 2.

Specifically, the Z scanner 33 is provided inside the housing 10 in the middle of the optical path of the laser light path P from the upstream side merging mechanism 31 as a guide light merging mechanism to the laser beam scanning unit 4.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the Z scanner 33 according to the present embodiment includes an input lens 33a that transmits the printing laser beam emitted from the laser beam output section 2, and a laser beam that passes through the input lens 33a. A collimating lens 33b that passes the laser beam for printing, an output lens 33c that passes the laser beam for printing that has passed through the input lens 33a and the collimator lens 33b, a lens driving section 33d that moves the input lens 33a, and an input lens 33a. It has a casing 33e that accommodates a collimating lens 33b and an exit lens 33c.

The Z scanner 33 as a focus adjustment unit functions as a means for vertically scanning the laser beam for printing. Hereinafter, the scanning direction by the Z scanner 33 may be referred to as the "Z direction."

Note that the printing laser light passing through the Z scanner 33 is coaxial with the guide light emitted from the guide light source 36. Therefore, by operating the Z scanner 33, it is possible to adjust not only the focal position of the laser beam for printing but also the focal position of the guide light.

Note that the Z scanner 33 according to this embodiment, particularly the lens drive section 33d in the Z scanner 33, is configured to operate based on a control signal output from the control section 101.

-Bend mirror 34-
The bend mirror 34 is provided in the middle of the downstream optical path Pd, and is arranged so as to bend the optical path Pd and direct it backward. Although not shown, the bend mirror 34 is arranged at approximately the same height as the optical member 35a in the downstream merging mechanism 35, and can reflect the printing laser light and guide light that have passed through the Z scanner 33. .

The printing laser beam and guide light reflected by the bend mirror 34 propagate toward the rear, pass through the downstream merging mechanism 35, and reach the laser beam scanning section (specifically, the first scanner 41) 4.

-Downstream merging mechanism 35-
The downstream merging mechanism 35 guides the distance measuring light emitted from the distance measuring light emitting section 5A in the distance measuring unit 5 to the workpiece W via the laser beam scanning section 4 by merging it into the aforementioned downstream optical path Pd. . In addition, the downstream merging mechanism 35 guides the distance measuring light reflected by the workpiece W and returning in the order of the laser beam scanning section 4 and the downstream optical path Pd to the distance measuring light receiving section 5B in the distance measuring unit 5.

The downstream merging mechanism 35 can be configured using, for example, a dichroic mirror. Specifically, the downstream merging mechanism 35 according to this embodiment includes a dichroic mirror 35a that transmits one of the ranging light and the guide light and reflects the other (see FIG. 5). The printing laser beam and the guide light are incident on one mirror surface of the dichroic mirror 35a, while the distance measuring light is incident on the other mirror surface.

The dichroic mirror 35a according to this embodiment can reflect the distance measuring light and transmit the printing laser light and the guide light. Thereby, for example, when the distance measurement light emitted from the distance measurement unit 5 enters the dichroic mirror 35a, the distance measurement light can be merged into the downstream optical path Pd and made coaxial with the printing laser light and the guide light. can. The printing laser light, guide light, and distance measurement light thus coaxially reach the first scanner 41 as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

On the other hand, the distance measuring light reflected by the workpiece W returns to the laser beam scanning section 4 and reaches the downstream optical path Pd. The distance measuring light that has returned to the downstream optical path Pd is reflected by the dichroic mirror 35a in the downstream merging mechanism 35 and reaches the distance measuring unit 5.

(Laser beam scanning section 4)
As shown in FIG. 3A, the laser beam scanning section 4 irradiates the workpiece W with a laser beam (printing laser beam) emitted from the laser beam output section 2 and guided by the laser beam guide section 3, and also It is configured to perform two-dimensional scanning on the surface of W.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the laser beam scanning section 4 is configured as a so-called two-axis galvano scanner. That is, this laser beam scanning section 4 includes a first scanner 41 for scanning the printing laser beam incident from the laser beam guide section 3 in a first direction, and a first scanner 41 for scanning the printing laser beam scanned by the first scanner 41. It has a second scanner 42 for scanning in a second direction.

Here, the second direction refers to a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. Therefore, the second scanner 42 can scan the printing laser beam in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first scanner 41. In this embodiment, the first direction is equal to the front-rear direction (the longitudinal direction of the housing 10), and the second direction is equal to the left-right direction (the lateral direction of the housing 10). Hereinafter, the first direction will be referred to as the "X direction", and the second direction orthogonal thereto will be referred to as the "Y direction". Both the X direction and the Y direction are perpendicular to the above-mentioned Z direction.

The first scanner 41 has a first mirror 41a at its tip. The first mirror 41a is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown) built into the first scanner 41. This motor can rotate the first mirror 41a around a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction. By adjusting the rotational attitude of the first mirror 41a, the angle of reflection of the printing laser beam by the first mirror 41a can be adjusted.

Similarly, the second scanner 42 has a second mirror 42a at its tip. The second mirror 42a is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown) built into the second scanner 42. This motor can rotate the second mirror 42a around a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction. By adjusting the rotational attitude of the second mirror 42a, the reflection angle of the printing laser beam by the second mirror 42a can be adjusted.

Therefore, when the laser beam for printing enters the laser beam scanning section 4 from the downstream side merging mechanism 35, the laser beam for printing is transmitted to the first mirror 41a in the first scanner 41 and the second mirror 42a in the second scanner 42. The light is sequentially reflected by the light beams and emitted to the outside of the marker head 1 through the transmission window 19.

At this time, by operating the motor of the first scanner 41 and adjusting the rotational attitude of the first mirror 41a, it becomes possible to scan the surface of the workpiece W with the laser beam for printing in the first direction. At the same time, by operating the motor of the second scanner 42 and adjusting the rotational attitude of the second mirror 42a, it becomes possible to scan the surface of the workpiece W with the laser beam for printing in the second direction.

Furthermore, as described above, the laser beam scanning unit 4 receives not only the laser beam for printing but also the guide light that has passed through the optical member 35a of the downstream merging mechanism 35 or the distance measuring light that has been reflected by the optical member 35a. It will be incident. The laser beam scanning unit 4 according to the present embodiment can two-dimensionally scan the guide light or distance measurement light that has entered by operating the first scanner 41 and the second scanner 42, respectively.

In this way, the laser beam scanning section 4 according to the present embodiment is electrically controlled by the control section 101 serving as a scanning control section to emit a laser beam for printing onto the printing area R1 set on the surface of the workpiece W. A predetermined printing pattern (marking pattern) can be formed within the printing area R1 by irradiation.

(Coaxial camera 6)
The coaxial camera 6 has an imaging optical axis A1 branched from a laser optical path P from the laser beam output section 2 to the laser beam scanning section 4 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). The coaxial camera 6 images the workpiece W via the laser beam scanning section 4 . The coaxial camera 6 generates a captured image Pw including at least a portion of the workpiece W by capturing an image of the workpiece W placed within a region (printing region R1) that is two-dimensionally scanned by the laser beam scanning unit 4. do. The coaxial camera 6 is an example of the "image acquisition unit" in this embodiment.

The coaxial camera 6 is configured as an imaging means that is coaxial with a printing laser beam for printing processing. Although the coaxial camera 6 has a narrower field of view than the overall camera 7, it can generate an image of the printing area R1 enlarged at a relatively high magnification as the captured image Pw, and can scan the imaging area via the laser beam scanning unit 4. It is possible to perform two-dimensional scanning. The coaxial camera 6 is used, for example, to generate an image in which a portion of the print area R1 is locally enlarged.

The captured image Pw generated by the coaxial camera 6 can be displayed on the display unit 801 with at least a portion thereof enlarged or reduced.

The coaxial camera 6 according to this embodiment is built into a housing 10. Specifically, the coaxial camera 6 is arranged at approximately the same height as the bend mirror 34 in the laser light guide section 3 . The coaxial camera 6 receives reflected light that has entered the laser beam guide section 3 from the laser beam scanning section 4 . The coaxial camera 6 is configured so that the reflected light reflected at the printing point of the workpiece W enters through the bend mirror 34. The coaxial camera 6 can image the surface of the workpiece W by forming an image of the incident reflected light. Note that the layout of the coaxial camera 6 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the coaxial camera 6 and the bend mirror 34 may have different heights.

The reflected light used by the coaxial camera 6 for imaging is branched from the aforementioned downstream optical path Pd and propagated. Therefore, by operating the laser beam scanning section 4 appropriately, the printing area R1 illustrated in FIG. 9 can be two-dimensionally scanned.

Note that the coaxial camera 6 according to this embodiment is configured to operate based on a control signal output from the control unit 101, similarly to the guide light source 36 and the like.

(Overall camera 7)
The overall camera 7 has an imaging optical axis A2 independent of the laser optical path P (see FIG. 9). The overall camera 7 images the workpiece W without the intervention of the laser beam scanning section 4 . Similar to the coaxial camera 6, the overall camera 7 captures at least a portion of the workpiece W by capturing an image of the workpiece W placed within the area (printing area R1) that is two-dimensionally scanned by the laser beam scanning unit 4. A captured image Pw including the captured image Pw is generated. The overall camera 7 is an example of the "image acquisition section" in this embodiment.

The overall camera 7 is configured as an imaging means that is not coaxial with the printing laser beam for printing processing. Although the general camera 7 cannot perform two-dimensional scanning via the laser beam scanning unit 4, it has a wider field of view than the coaxial camera 6, and generates an image of the print area R1 with a relatively wide field of view as the captured image Pw. can do. The entire camera 7 is used, for example, to capture an image of the entire print area R1 at once.

The captured image Pw generated by the general camera 7 can be displayed on the display unit 801 with at least a portion thereof enlarged or reduced. The display unit 801 displays the captured image Pw generated by the overall camera 7 and the captured image Pw generated by the coaxial camera 6 side by side, or alternatively displays one of the two types of captured images Pw. can be displayed or displayed.

The overall camera 7 according to this embodiment is placed directly above the transparent window 19, and is fixed in a position with its imaging lens facing downward. As described above, the imaging optical axis A2 of the overall camera 7 is not coaxial with the optical axis Az of the laser beam for printing described above (see FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 9).

Note that the "image acquisition unit" according to the present embodiment includes at least one of the coaxial camera 6 and the overall camera 7. That is, the captured image Pw may be generated using either the coaxial camera 6 or the whole camera 7, or may be generated by combining the two. A configuration including both the coaxial camera 6 and the overall camera 7 is not essential. It is sufficient to have either one.

(Distance measurement unit 5)
As shown in FIG. 3B, the distance measuring unit 5 projects distance measuring light via the laser beam scanning section 4, and irradiates the surface of the workpiece W with the distance measuring light. The distance measuring unit 5 also receives distance measuring light reflected by the surface of the workpiece W via the laser beam scanning section 4.

The distance measurement unit 5 is mainly divided into a module for projecting distance measurement light and a module for receiving distance measurement light. Specifically, the ranging unit 5 includes a ranging light emitting section 5A configured as a module for projecting ranging light, and a ranging light receiving section configured as a module for receiving ranging light. It is equipped with 5B.

Of these, the distance measuring light emitting section 5A is provided inside the housing 10, and transmits the distance measuring light for measuring the distance from the marker head 1 of the laser marker L to the surface of the workpiece W to the laser beam scanning section. Fire towards 4.

On the other hand, the distance measuring light receiving section 5B is provided inside the housing 10 similarly to the distance measuring light emitting section 5A, and is reflected on the surface of the workpiece W to the laser beam scanning section 4 and the downstream merging mechanism 35. It receives the distance measuring light that returns through the .

Hereinafter, the configuration of each part forming the ranging unit 5 will be explained in order.

-Distance measurement light emitting section 5A-
The distance measuring light emitting unit 5A is provided inside the housing 10 and is configured to emit distance measuring light for measuring the distance from the marker head 1 of the laser marker L to the surface of the workpiece W. .

Specifically, the ranging light emitting section 5A includes the above-mentioned ranging light source 51 and light projecting lens 52.

The distance measurement light source 51 emits distance measurement light toward the front side of the housing 10 according to a control signal input from the control unit 101. The distance measurement light source 51 according to this embodiment can emit laser light in the visible light range as distance measurement light.

The light projection lens 52 can be, for example, a plano-convex lens. The light projection lens 52 collects the distance measurement light emitted from the distance measurement light source 51 and emits it to the outside of the casing.

The distance measuring light emitted from the distance measuring light source 51 passes through the center of the projection lens 52 and is output to the outside of the distance measuring unit 5. The distance measuring light thus output is reflected by the bend mirror 59 and the optical member 35a in the downstream merging mechanism 35, and enters the laser beam scanning section 4.

The distance measuring light incident on the laser beam scanning unit 4 is reflected in order by the first mirror 41a of the first scanner 41 and the second mirror 42a of the second scanner 42, and is reflected from the transmission window 19 to the outside of the marker head 1. It will be emitted to.

As described in the description of the laser beam scanning unit 4, by adjusting the rotational attitude of the first mirror 41a of the first scanner 41, the surface of the workpiece W can be scanned with the distance measuring light in the first direction. . At the same time, by operating the motor of the second scanner 42 and adjusting the rotational attitude of the second mirror 42a, it becomes possible to scan the surface of the workpiece W with the distance measuring light in the second direction.

The distance measuring light thus scanned is reflected on the surface of the workpiece W. A part of the distance measuring light thus reflected (hereinafter also referred to as "reflected light") enters the inside of the marker head 1 through the transmission window 19. The reflected light that has entered the interior of the marker head 1 returns to the laser beam guide section 3 via the laser beam scanning section 4 . The reflected light is reflected by the optical member 35a of the downstream merging mechanism 35 in the laser beam guide section 3, and enters the distance measuring unit 5 via the bend mirror 59.

-Distance measurement light receiving section 5B-
The distance measurement light receiving section 5B is provided inside the housing 10, and receives distance measurement light (equivalent to the above-mentioned "reflected light") emitted from the distance measurement light emission section 5A and reflected by the workpiece W. is configured to do so.

Specifically, the ranging light receiving section 5B includes a pair of light receiving elements 56L and 56R and a light receiving lens 57.

The pair of light-receiving elements 56L and 56R each have a light-receiving surface directed diagonally forward, detect the receiving position of reflected light on each light-receiving surface, and output a signal (detection signal) indicating the detection result. do. Detection signals output from each of the light receiving elements 56L and 56R are input to the marker controller 100 and reach the distance measuring section 103.

The light-receiving lens 57 is arranged inside the housing 10 so that the optical axes of the pair of light-receiving elements 56L and 56R pass through it. The light-receiving lens 57 is also provided in the middle of the optical path connecting the downstream merging mechanism 35 and the pair of light-receiving elements 56L, 56R. Light can be focused on each light receiving surface.

The light-receiving lens 57 collects the reflected light that has returned to the laser beam scanning section 4, and forms a spot of the reflected light on the light-receiving surface of each of the light-receiving elements 56L and 56R. Each light receiving element 56L, 56R outputs a signal indicating the peak position of the spot thus formed and the amount of received light to the distance measuring section 103.

The laser marker L basically measures the distance to the surface of the workpiece W based on the light receiving position of the reflected light (in this embodiment, the peak position of the spot) on the light receiving surface of each of the light receiving elements 56L and 56R. I can do it. A so-called triangulation method is used to measure the distance.

-About distance measurement method-
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the triangulation method. In FIG. 6, only the distance measuring unit 5 is illustrated, but the following explanation is also common to the case where the distance measuring light is emitted via the laser beam scanning section 4 as described above.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, when distance measuring light is emitted from the distance measuring light source 51 in the distance measuring light emitting section 5A, the surface of the workpiece W is irradiated with the distance measuring light. When the distance measuring light is reflected by the work W, the reflected light (particularly the diffuse reflected light) will propagate approximately isotropically if the influence of specular reflection is removed.

The reflected light that propagates in this way includes a component that enters the light receiving element 56L via the light receiving lens 57, but depending on the distance between the marker head 1 and the workpiece W, the amount of the incident light that enters the light receiving element 56L varies. The angle of incidence will increase or decrease. When the angle of incidence on the light-receiving element 56L increases or decreases, the light-receiving position on the light-receiving surface 56a shifts.

In this way, the distance between the marker head 1 and the workpiece W and the light receiving position on the light receiving surface 56a are related in a predetermined relationship. Therefore, by understanding this relationship in advance and storing it in the marker controller 100, for example, it is possible to calculate the distance between the marker head 1 and the workpiece W from the light receiving position on the light receiving surface 56a. Such a calculation method is nothing but a method using a so-called triangulation method.

That is, the aforementioned distance measuring section 103 measures the distance from the laser marker L to the surface of the workpiece W by a triangular distance measuring method based on the light receiving position of the distance measuring light in the distance measuring light receiving section 5B.

Specifically, the above-mentioned condition setting storage unit 102 stores in advance the relationship between the light receiving position on the light receiving surface 56a and the distance from the marker head 1 to the surface of the workpiece W. On the other hand, a signal indicating the light receiving position of the distance measuring light in the distance measuring light receiving section 5B, specifically, the peak position of the spot formed on the light receiving surface 56a by the reflected light of the distance measuring light is input to the distance measuring section 103. be done.

The distance measuring unit 103 measures the distance to the surface of the workpiece W based on the input signal and the relationship stored in the condition setting storage unit 102. The measured values thus obtained are inputted to, for example, the control unit 101 and used by the control unit 101 to control the Z scanner 33 and the like.

For example, the laser marker L automatically or manually determines the part (print point) to be processed by the marker head 1 on the surface of the workpiece W. Next, before executing the printing process, the laser marker L measures the distance to each printing point (more precisely, the distance measurement point set around the printing point) and sets the focal point corresponding to the measured distance. The control parameters of the Z scanner 33 are determined so that The laser marker L operates the Z scanner 33 based on the control parameters determined in this way, and then performs a printing process on the workpiece W using a printing laser beam.

A specific method of using the marking system S will be explained below.

<How to use Marking System S>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing how to use the marking system S. Further, FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure for creating print settings, search settings, and distance measurement settings, FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between print area R1 and setting surface R4, and FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating display contents in a section 801. FIG.

Moreover, FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the operation procedure of the laser marker L. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the contents of a print log Lg generated during operation of the laser marker L.

The marking system S including the laser marker L can be installed and operated on a production line in a factory, for example. When operating the system, first, before starting the production line, set conditions such as the installation position of the work W that will flow through the line, and the output of the printing laser light and distance measuring light that will be irradiated to the work W. Create (step S1).

The settings created in step S1 are transferred to and stored in the marker controller 100 and/or the operating terminal 800, or read by the marker controller 100 immediately after creation (step S2).

When the production line is in operation, the marker controller 100 refers to the setting contents that have been stored in advance or read immediately after creation. The laser marker L is operated based on the referenced setting contents, and performs printing processing on each workpiece W flowing on the line (step S3). Specifically, each time each workpiece W is transported near the marker head 1, the PLC 903 inputs a trigger to the marker controller 100. The marker controller 100 executes a printing sequence on each work W every time a trigger is input. The printing sequence here refers to an operation for applying printing to each workpiece W (see FIG. 11 for details). The marker controller 100 executes a printing sequence for each workpiece W to be printed.

Furthermore, when the printing process for all the works W is completed, the marker controller 100 outputs a printing log Lg in which each printing result is arranged in chronological order (step S4). The print log Lg can be composed of a general text file, and is stored in various storage media including the condition setting storage section 102. The generation of the print log Lg can be executed in real time in parallel with the process in step S3. The marker controller 100 outputs the print log Lg thus generated to the external terminal 700 as a diagnostic support device.

(Specific creation steps for each setting)
FIG. 8 illustrates specific processing in step S1 of FIG.

First, in step S11, the coaxial camera 6 or the overall camera 7 built into the laser marker L generates a captured image Pw that includes at least a part of the printing area R1. The captured image Pw generated by the coaxial camera 6 or the overall camera 7 is output to the operation terminal 800.

The display unit 801 in the operation terminal 800 displays a setting surface R4 associated with the print area R1, and displays the captured image Pw overlappingly on the setting surface R4 (see FIGS. 9 and 10).

Thereby, the coordinate system (print coordinate system) defined on the setting surface R4 of the display unit 801 and the coordinate system (camera coordinate system) defined on the captured image Pw can be associated with each other. For example, by designating a printing point while viewing the captured image Pw, the user can print on the printing area R1 via the setting surface R4. The captured image Pw functions as a background image when performing various settings through the setting screen R4.

In the following step S12, the setting unit 107 sets printing conditions. The setting unit 107 sets printing conditions by reading out the contents stored in the condition setting storage unit 102 and the like, and by reading operation inputs etc. via the operation terminal 800.

As an example of printing conditions, the setting unit 107 sets a printing pattern (marking pattern) Pm on the surface of the workpiece W, indicating the printing content to be formed in the printing area R1. Setting of the print pattern Pm is performed via the above-mentioned setting surface R4.

The printing conditions include a printing pattern Pm as a marking pattern as well as a printing block B indicating the position of this printing pattern Pm. The print block B can be used to adjust the layout, size, rotational posture, etc. of the print pattern Pm. Further, the print block B is used in association with a distance measurement position I, which will be described later.

The display unit 801 can display the print pattern Pm and the print block B superimposed on the captured image Pw. For example, in FIG. 10, on the surface of the workpiece W, a print pattern Pm consisting of a character string "123" and a rectangular print block B surrounding it are arranged on a setting surface R4. The display unit 801 displays the print pattern Pm and the print block B thus arranged, superimposed on the captured image Pw.

Further, although not shown, a plurality of workpieces W may be displayed on the setting surface R4, or only one workpiece W may be displayed as illustrated in FIG. 10. Further, a plurality of print blocks B may be arranged on one workpiece W. As for the print pattern Pm, patterns other than character strings can also be used, such as barcodes, QR codes, etc.

Returning to step S12 in FIG. 8, in this step, for example, the user manually creates a print block B and arranges the print block B on the setting surface R4. As described above, since the setting surface R4 and the captured image Pw are associated with each other, the user can place the print block B while viewing the captured image Pw.

After one or more print blocks B are arranged, the user determines a print pattern Pm for each print block B. The determination of the print pattern Pm is executed, for example, by the user operating the operation unit 802 and the operation unit 802 inputting the print pattern Pm to the marker controller 100 based on the operation input at that time.

The setting unit 107 reads the print blocks B thus arranged and the print pattern Pm determined for each print block B, and sets them as print conditions. The setting unit 107 according to the present embodiment temporarily or continuously stores the coordinates of the printing block B on the setting surface R4 (coordinates in the printing coordinate system) in the condition setting storage unit 102 or the like.

Note that the printing conditions also include conditions related to laser light for printing (hereinafter referred to as "laser conditions"). These laser conditions include the emission position of the laser beam for printing, the target output (laser power) of the laser beam for printing, the scanning speed (scan speed) of the laser beam for printing by the laser beam scanning section 4, and the repetition of the laser beam for printing. It includes at least one of the following: frequency (pulse frequency), whether or not to make the laser spot of the printing laser beam variable (spot variable), and the number of times the printing laser beam traces the printing pattern Pm (printing number). . As shown in the menu D1 displayed at the lower right of FIG. 10, these printing conditions can be set for each printing block B.

Further, generally, when a production line is operated, each workpiece W that is sequentially processed will have a positional shift in the X direction and the Y direction (XY direction). The laser marker L according to this embodiment can correct such positional deviation by using various methods.

Therefore, in step S13 following step S12, the setting unit 107 creates condition settings (search settings) for correcting the positional deviation in the X and Y directions. The laser marker L according to this embodiment can use, for example, a pattern search as a method for correcting positional deviation in the XY directions.

When using a pattern search, the setting unit 107 defines a pattern area (not shown) for specifying the position of the workpiece W and a movement range of the pattern area (not shown) as conditions related to the pattern search (search conditions). A search area (not shown) to be searched is set on the captured image Pw.

The search conditions set by the marker controller 100 are stored as search settings in the condition setting storage unit 102 or the like. Once the creation of the search settings is completed, the control process proceeds from step S13 to step S14.

Further, in general, when a production line is operated, each workpiece W that is sequentially processed will have a positional shift in the Z direction. Such a positional shift is undesirable because it causes a shift in the focal position of the laser beam for printing. Since the laser marker L according to this embodiment includes the distance measuring unit 5, it is possible to detect a positional shift in the Z direction based on the distance to the surface of the workpiece W. This makes it possible to correct positional deviations in the Z direction and, by extension, focal position deviations. To this end, in step S14 following step S13, condition settings (distance measurement settings) for correcting the positional deviation in the Z direction are created.

Specifically, in this step S14, conditions (distance measurement conditions) related to the distance measurement unit 5 are determined. The setting unit 107 according to the present embodiment sets at least a distance measurement position I for measuring the distance from the marker head 1, particularly the housing 10 to the surface of the work W on the captured image Pw, as a distance measurement condition. (See the star in Figure 10). This distance measurement position I is basically set to overlap the surface of the workpiece W, and indicates the coordinates where the distance measurement light should be irradiated.

Note that when a plurality of print blocks B are set, the setting unit 107 can set distance measurement conditions for each print block B. In this case, the setting unit 107 can set the distance measurement position I within each print block B (see the asterisk in FIG. 10). Alternatively, the setting unit 107 may set the distance measurement position I outside each print block B.

The distance measurement conditions set by the setting unit 107 are stored in the condition setting storage unit 102 and the like as distance measurement settings. When the creation of the ranging settings is completed, the control process proceeds from step S14 to step S15 and returns.

(Execution of printing processing)
FIG. 11 illustrates specific processing in step S3 of FIG. That is, the process shown in FIG. 11 is executed in order for each workpiece W that flows when the manufacturing line is operated.

First, prior to each step shown in FIG. 11, as explained using step S1 in FIG. 7 and steps S11 to S15 in FIG. The settings for the print block B, etc. (print settings), the settings for the pattern image, etc. (search settings), and the settings for the distance measurement position I, etc. (distance measurement settings) are created in advance.

By completing the creation of each setting, the marker controller 100 is in a state where it can execute the control process illustrated in FIG. 11. This control process includes, as main processes, a control process (steps S31 to S33) for executing XY tracking (detection of positional deviation in the XY directions) and Z tracking (height measurement in the Z direction), and and a control process (steps S34 to S39) for executing printing processing that reflects Z tracking and storing the printing results.

First, in step S31 of FIG. 11, a trigger is input to the marker controller 100 from the PLC 902 or the like. At this time, a workpiece W of the same type as the workpiece W used for various settings including distance measurement settings is transported. Furthermore, when a trigger is input to the marker controller 100, the marker controller 100 writes in the print log Lg that the print sequence has started. When writing to the print log Lg, serial numbers may be added to distinguish the print sequences, as shown by the symbols N1 and N2 in FIG. 12, for example.

In this step S31, the marker controller 100 images the same type of workpiece W via the coaxial camera 6 or the overall camera 7, and generates the captured image (camera image) Pw. The marker controller 100 displays the generated captured image Pw superimposed on the setting surface R4. At this time, the marker controller 100 sets a file path for associating the work W before printing with the captured image Pw generated by imaging the work W as the "pre-print camera image file path". do. The marker controller 100 writes the file path thus set into the print log Lg for each print sequence (see FIG. 12).

In the subsequent step S32, the marker controller 100 reads the search settings (search conditions) for each of the print blocks B as search targets, and executes XY tracking using pattern search based on the search settings. This process is executed by the image processing unit 104 described above.

Specifically, in step S32, the image processing unit 104 executes a pattern search on the captured image Pw. Thereby, the image processing unit 104 can specify the position of the work W on the captured image Pw when viewed along the printing area R1 (that is, when viewed along the XY plane). Note that the position of the workpiece W here refers to the relative position of the workpiece W, which is the target of XY tracking, with respect to the workpiece W used to create the search settings. This relative position is nothing but a positional shift of the workpiece W in the XY directions.

In this way, by the image processing unit 104 executing XY tracking, the difference between the workpiece W used for creating print settings, search settings, and distance measurement settings and the workpiece W newly conveyed during operation is determined. Positional deviations in the XY directions are detected. At this time, the marker controller 100 writes the amount of deviation of the workpiece W in the XY directions to the text log Lg for each print sequence as an "XY tracking result" (see FIG. 12).

Further, in step S32, the marker controller 100 reads the distance measurement settings (distance measurement conditions) for each of the print blocks B targeted for distance measurement, and based on the distance measurement settings, the Z Perform tracking. Specifically, in this step S32, the distance measuring section 103 operates the distance measuring unit 5 to determine the distance from the marker head 1 to the distance measuring position I, and furthermore, the height of the workpiece W at the distance measuring position I. Measure. At this time, the marker controller 100 writes the measured height of the workpiece W into the text log Lg for each printing sequence as a "Z tracking result" (see FIG. 12).

Furthermore, in step S32, the marker controller 100 corrects the positional deviation of the workpiece W in the XY directions based on the detection results of the positional deviation in the same directions. Specifically, the marker controller 100 corrects the position of the print block B on the setting surface R4 so as to reduce the positional deviation of the workpiece W in the XY directions.

Furthermore, in step S32, the marker controller 100 corrects the positional deviation of the work W in the Z direction based on the measurement result of the height of the work W. Specifically, the marker controller 100 corrects the focal position of the printing laser beam based on the positional deviation of the workpiece W in the Z direction.

In this way, in step S32, the positional deviation of the print block B in the XYZ directions is corrected for each workpiece W that is transported as the production line operates.

In the following step S33, the marker controller 100 determines the details of the print pattern Pm. The information determined in step S33 includes information that is determined during actual operation (particularly at the timing after a trigger is input), such as the manufacturing date, expiration date, lot number, and count value.

Further, the laser marker L according to the present embodiment has a function of allowing a user to confirm the print pattern Pm formed by the marker head 1, and a function of determining whether the print pattern Pm is good or bad.

In order to realize these functions, it is required that the coaxial camera 6 or the overall camera 7 image the actually formed print pattern Pm. In particular, in order to determine the quality of the print pattern Pm, it is required to generate a captured image Pw that includes at least the entire print pattern Pm. In order to image the entire print pattern Pm, at least an index indicating the area to be imaged is required.

Therefore, in step S34 following step S33, the marker controller 100 sets an imaging area indicating the area to be imaged. Specifically, the marker controller 100 defines an imaging area on the surface of the work W that includes the print pattern Pm. The marker controller 100 also sets the position and size of the thus defined imaging area, and causes the condition setting storage unit 102 to temporarily or continuously store this.

In step S35 following step S34, the marker controller 100 executes printing processing via the marker head 1. By executing the printing process, the printing pattern Pm that is determined in detail in step S33 is formed on the surface of the workpiece W that is the marking target.

Next, in step S36 following step S35, the marker controller 100 selects one of the coaxial camera 6 and the overall camera 7, and uses the selected camera to image the above-mentioned imaging area. As a result, a captured image Pw including the entire print pattern Pm is obtained. At that time, the marker controller 100 sets a file path for linking the work W after printing and the captured image Pw generated by imaging the work W as the "post-print camera image file path". do. The marker controller 100 writes the file path thus set into the print log Lg for each print sequence (see FIG. 12).

Next, in step S37 following step S36, the marker controller 100 determines whether the printing process performed on the workpiece W is good or bad by using the captured image Pw acquired in step S36.

Specifically, in this step S37, the quality determination unit 105 determines that the quality of the printing process is good (OK determination) based on the printing pattern Pm formed on the surface of the workpiece W, or determines that the quality of the printing process is good (OK judgment). It is determined that the quality of the product is poor (NG determination). These determinations can be performed using various methods depending on the type of print pattern Pm.

For example, when marking a two-dimensional code such as a QR code as the print pattern Pm, the quality determination unit 105 uses the print quality evaluation standard (AIM DPM) defined by the International Association of Automatic Identification Manufacturers (AIM). Evaluate quality using This evaluation standard defines an overall grade in six stages from "A" to "F" in order from the highest evaluation side, and the higher the overall grade, the higher the printing quality is evaluated. The condition setting storage unit 102 assigns one of the overall grades from "A" to "F" to each print pattern Pm.

Further, the condition setting storage unit 102 stores in advance a threshold value (threshold rank) of the overall grade that defines the boundary between OK determination and NG determination. The quality determining unit 105 makes an OK or NG determination for each print pattern Pm by comparing the threshold rank and the overall grade given to each print pattern Pm. For example, when the threshold rank is set to "C", the quality determination unit 105 makes an OK determination for the print pattern Pm that has been given an overall grade of "A" or "B", and The printing pattern Pm to which the overall grade of "D", "E", or "F" has been assigned is judged as NG.

On the other hand, when marking a character string as the print pattern Pm, the quality determination unit 105 evaluates the quality of each print pattern Pm based on the difference between the captured images Pw. Specifically, the quality determination unit 105 generates, for each printing sequence, a difference image between the captured image Pw generated immediately before printing and the captured image Pw generated immediately after printing. Next, the quality determination unit 105 calculates a score (hereinafter referred to as "print score") by calculating the difference between the difference image and the print image generated from the print settings (setting image of the print pattern Pm). do. When the difference between the difference image and the print image is large, the print score is lower (lower evaluation) than when the difference is small. In this embodiment, the print score is calculated within the range of 0 to 100.

Further, in the condition setting storage unit 102, a print score threshold (threshold score) that defines the boundary between OK determination and NG determination is predefined. The quality determining unit 105 makes an OK or NG determination for each print pattern Pm by comparing the threshold score with the print score for each print pattern Pm. For example, if the threshold score is set to "50", the quality determination unit 105 determines OK for the print pattern Pm for which a print score of more than 50 was calculated, and for the print pattern Pm for which a print score of 50 or less was calculated. The print pattern Pm is judged as NG.

Note that the condition setting storage unit 102 can also execute a combination of multiple types of determination methods. For example, when marking a two-dimensional code as the print pattern Pm, the quality determination unit 105 performs both determination using the overall grade and determination using the print score. In this case, the quality determining unit 105 makes an NG determination when the overall grade is "C", "D", "E", or "F", or when the print score is 50 or less.

In addition, in step S37, the marker controller 100 writes the results of the quality determination made on each work into the printing log Lg for each printing sequence as "printing confirmation results" (see FIG. 12). Here, the marker controller 100 may write the above-mentioned overall grade and/or print score to the print log Lg as the pass/fail judgment result, or write only information indicating the OK judgment or NG judgment to the print log Lg. You can also write it down.

Next, in step S38 following step S37, the marker controller 100 detects dirt on the transmission window 19 by emitting ranging light from the ranging unit 5. This process is executed by the dirt detection unit 106 described above.

Specifically, the dirt detection section 106 detects dirt on the transmission window 19 by identifying the distance measurement light caused by the light reflected by the transmission window 19 from among the distance measurement light received by the distance measurement light receiving section 5B. Detect.

As described above, the transparent window 19 is fixed to the housing 10. Therefore, the optical path length between the transmission window 19 and the ranging light emitting section 5A is known. Since the optical path length is known, the position where the ranging light reflected by the surface of the transmission window 19 peaks on the light-receiving surfaces of the pair of light-receiving elements 56L and 56R can be estimated in advance. The dirt detection unit 106 detects the degree of dirt on the transmission window 19 by monitoring the light reception situation (for example, the amount of light reception) at the light reception position where the light is estimated to reach its peak. This detection result (degree of dirt) is written in the print log Lg for each print sequence as a "window monitor result after printing."

Next, in step S39 following step S38, the marker controller 100 detects the output of the laser beam for printing using the power monitor 21c. This detection result is written as "laser power" in the print log Lg for each print sequence.

Furthermore, when the printing process for all the works W is completed, the marker controller 100 ends the process related to step S3 and starts the process related to step S4.

(Print log output)
In step S4, the marker controller 100 inputs the print log Lg to the external terminal 700. The print log Lg is grouped every time a trigger is input. As described above, since the printing sequence is started every time a trigger is input, this grouping allows the status information to be divided for each workpiece W and arranged in chronological order. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the print log Lg includes a group G1 corresponding to the first print sequence and a group G2 corresponding to the second print sequence.

In addition, the printing log Lg includes the judgment results of quality of each printing process through status information such as the above-mentioned "Printing confirmation result", "Camera image file path after printing", and "XY tracking result". The captured image Pw used in acquiring each determination result and multiple types of state information at the time of acquiring each determination result can be linked to each other.

Here, "state information" refers to information indicating the state of the laser marker L. The multiple types of status information include at least the position of the workpiece W specified by the image processing unit 104 (XY tracking result), the distance to the workpiece W measured by the distance measuring unit 5 (Z tracking result), and printed information. One or more of the dirt detected by the dirt detection unit 106 after processing (post-printing window monitor result) and the output of the printing laser beam detected by the power monitor 21c (laser power result). can be included. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the plurality of status information includes all of these pieces of information.

In this way, the printing log Lg includes the judgment results of quality of each printing process when printing processes are executed on a plurality of workpieces W, the captured image Pw used to obtain each judgment result, and each A plurality of types of status information at the time of acquiring the determination result are linked to each other and arranged in chronological order. The print log Lg is an example of "history information" in this embodiment.

The external terminal 700 supports diagnosis of the laser marker L based on the print log Lg input from the marker controller 100. The configuration of external terminal 700 as a diagnostic support device will be described in detail below.

<Diagnostic support device>
FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an external terminal (diagnosis support device) 700. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a specific procedure of the diagnosis support method. Further, FIG. 15A is a diagram illustrating a selection screen Sc1 for symptoms of printing defects. FIG. 15B is a diagram illustrating a designation screen Sc2 for the date and time of occurrence of a printing defect. FIG. 15C is a diagram illustrating a printing defect diagnosis screen Sc3. FIG. 15D is a diagram illustrating a printing defect diagnosis screen Sc4. FIG. 15E is a diagram illustrating a printing defect diagnosis screen Sc5. FIG. 15F is a diagram illustrating a countermeasure screen Sc6 for solving printing defects. FIG. 16 is a table illustrating the relationship between causes of printing defects and display priorities.

(External terminal 700)
The external terminal 700 is configured by, for example, a personal computer, and is connected to the marker controller 100 by wire or wirelessly. The external terminal 700 functions as a diagnostic support device for supporting diagnosis of printing defects occurring on the workpiece W by executing a diagnosis support method described below.

Specifically, the external terminal 700 accepts an operation to select a specific symptom of a printing defect, or receives an operation according to the selected symptom, in order to support diagnosis of a printing defect that occurs on the workpiece W during marking processing using the laser marker L. Display the cause of printing defects to the user.

Specifically, the external terminal 700 includes a display section 701 that displays information to the user, a reception section 702 that receives operations from the user, a storage section 703 that stores various information, and a control section that controls at least the display section 701. 704.

Among these, the display section 701 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL panel. The display unit 701 displays a selection screen Sc1 for selecting a symptom of printing defects, and a diagnosis screen Sc5 for diagnosing printing defects.

The reception unit 702 includes, for example, a keyboard and/or a pointing device. Here, the pointing device includes a mouse, a joystick, and the like. The reception unit 702 is configured to receive operation input from the user, and is used for selecting a symptom on the selection screen Sc1.

The storage unit 703 is configured by, for example, a hard disk drive or solid state drive as a secondary storage device. The storage unit 703 includes a history storage unit 703a and a correspondence storage unit 703b, which will be described later, as functional elements.

The control unit 704 has a CPU, memory, and an input/output bus. The control unit 704 controls each unit constituting the external terminal 700, such as the display unit 701, by executing various programs.

Furthermore, the external terminal 700 can read a storage medium 705 that stores programs. In particular, the storage medium 705 according to this embodiment stores a diagnostic support program that is a program of a diagnostic support method. This diagnostic support program is read and executed by the control unit 704. When the control unit 704 executes the diagnosis support program, the external terminal 700 functions as a diagnosis support device.

-History storage section 703a-
The history storage unit 703a stores the print log Lg sent from the laser marker L as history information. The history storage unit 703a stores the printing log Lg at least at a timing earlier than the diagnosis of printing defects.

Further, the history storage unit 703a stores the determination results by the quality determination unit 105 for the number of works W on which printing has been performed. In particular, when printing defects are actually diagnosed, the history storage unit 703a stores a plurality of determination results including at least NG determination results. The history information stored in the history storage section 703a can be displayed on the display section 701.

In particular, the history storage unit 703a according to this embodiment is configured to store not only NG determination results but also OK determination results. Specifically, the history storage unit 703a according to the present embodiment stores at least a plurality of OK judgment results among the judgment results by the quality judgment unit 105, a captured image Pw used in acquiring each OK judgment result, and a plurality of states. Among the information, a plurality of pieces of status information at the time of acquisition of each OK determination result are stored as history information in chronological order in a mutually linked state. This step can be regarded as one of the steps constituting the diagnosis support method according to the present embodiment.

-Correspondence storage unit 703b-
The correspondence storage unit 703b stores the correspondence relationship between a status item indicating a state of printing failure occurring on the workpiece W and a plurality of cause parameters that are candidate causes of the printing failure corresponding to this status item. are stored together with their display priority.

Here, the "status item" refers to an item that categorizes symptoms of printing defects, as shown in FIG. 15A, for example. The "status item" may be an item that is perceivable by the user or may be an item that is not perceptible to the user.

Status items that fall under the former category include, for example, "No printing", "Printing is missing", "Printing is dark, printing is light, printing is uneven", "Printing is disordered", Symptoms include ``the printed content is incorrect'' and ``the printing position is shifted.'' On the other hand, status items that fall under the latter category include items that indicate symptoms such as "low overall grade, low print score, etc."

Furthermore, the term "causal parameter" refers to a parameter indicating the possible cause of a printing defect for each status item. As the cause parameter, for example, state information of the laser marker L can be used. At least two cause parameters are set.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, the causal parameters according to the present embodiment include the laser light output (laser power) detected by the power monitor 21c and the transmission window 19 detected by the dirt detection unit 106. The information includes dirt (window inspection), the distance to the workpiece W measured by the distance measuring unit 5 (Z tracking result), and the position of the workpiece W specified by the image processing unit 104 (XY tracking result). The values of these parameters can be read from the print log Lg stored in the history storage section 703a. For example, the value of laser power corresponds to the value of "laser power result" in FIG. 12, and the value of window inspection corresponds to the value of "post-printing window inspection result" in FIG.

These four cause parameters can be said to be parameters that characterize the causes of printing defects, rather than indicating the causes themselves. In that sense, these causal parameters can be regarded as parameters indicating "superficial causes." In addition, among the four causal parameters, the laser power and window inspection are determined to be the cause of the printing defect in the laser marker L itself, and the Z tracking result and It is determined that factors other than the laser marker L, such as the shape of the workpiece W itself, caused the printing defect.

Furthermore, in addition to parameters that change over time such as laser power, the causal parameters according to the present embodiment include, for example, "whether or not the print settings have been changed" and "whether or not a foreign object has appeared in the captured image Pw." It also includes a parameter indicating whether a specific event has occurred, such as "?".

The latter type of parameters include, for example, as shown in FIG. "Whether the settings have been changed (settings changed)", "Whether the captured image Pw shifted during printing processing (camera image: shift during printing)", "Changes in the brightness of the captured image Pw, etc." ``Whether the usage status of lighting, etc. has changed (camera image: lighting/camera change)'', ``Whether a foreign object, shielding object, etc. is reflected in the captured image Pw (camera image: foreign object/obscuring object)'', This includes "whether or not other events have occurred, such as power down of the laser beam for printing (others)".

These seven cause parameters can be said to be parameters that indicate the causes of printing defects themselves, or parameters that are deeply connected to the causes. In that sense, these causal parameters can be regarded as parameters indicating the "fundamental cause." Also, among the seven cause parameters, event log, job number. Mistakes and settings changes are determined to be caused by user operation errors, PLC902 operations, etc., and the other four causal parameters are determined to be caused by other environmental factors. be done.

Each status item is associated with multiple cause parameters. As will be described later, the external terminal 700 as a diagnostic support device displays the cause parameter corresponding to the symptom to the user when the user specifies the symptom of printing failure as a status item.

Therefore, the correspondence storage section 703b stores at least whether or not each of the plurality of cause parameters is displayed on the display section 701, as the correspondence between each status item and the plurality of cause parameters.

In other words, causal parameters that are considered to have a strong correlation with the symptoms are displayed on the display unit 701 to be taught to the user. On the other hand, causative parameters that are considered to have a weak correlation with symptoms are deliberately not displayed on the display unit 701, so that they are not taught to the user. By doing so, unnecessary causal parameters can be excluded from the diagnosis target, so usability can be improved when diagnosing printing defects.

Specifically, consider a case in which "Print position is shifted" is focused on as an example of the status item. Intuitively, this symptom seems to have a strong correlation with XY tracking, but a weak correlation with laser power. Therefore, the correspondence storage unit 703b sets a relationship to be displayed on the display unit 701 for XY tracking as a correspondence relationship between the symptom of “the printing position is shifted” and a plurality of causal parameters. , the relationship is set so that the laser power is not displayed on the display unit 701 (see also FIG. 16).

Furthermore, the correspondence storage section 703b stores the priority order (display priority order) when each of the plurality of cause parameters is displayed on the display section 701, along with such correspondence relations.

For example, among the causal parameters to be displayed on the display section 701, a causal parameter that is considered to have a relatively strong correlation with the symptoms is given priority to the display section 701 over a causal parameter that is considered to have a relatively weak correlation. 701. By doing so, it is possible to display the parameters in order of importance, starting from the most important, thereby improving usability when diagnosing printing defects.

Further, at least two status items are set. Therefore, at least two sets of multiple cause parameters corresponding to the status item are prepared.

In other words, the correspondence storage unit 703b according to the present embodiment stores the correspondence between a first status item and a plurality of first cause parameters that are candidate causes of printing defects corresponding to the first status item. , are stored together with the display priority order of the plurality of first cause parameters, and at the same time, a second status item indicating a status different from the first status item, and a candidate cause of the printing defect corresponding to the second status item. The correspondence relationship between the plurality of second cause parameters can be stored together with the display priority order of the plurality of second cause parameters.

The details of the diagnosis support method will be explained below using a specific example.

(Diagnosis support method)
The diagnosis support method is configured as a method that the aforementioned diagnosis support program causes the external terminal 700 to execute. When this diagnostic support method is started, each step shown in FIG. 14 is executed in order.

First, in step S101 in FIG. 14, the display unit 701 displays two or more status items indicating the status of printing defects that have occurred on the workpiece W. Specifically, in step S01, the display unit 701 displays at least a first status item and a second status item indicating a status different from the first status item. As a result, a list of symptoms (status items) of printing defects is displayed on the display unit 701.

FIG. 15A illustrates an example of the selection screen Sc1 displayed on the display unit 701. This selection screen Sc1 includes, as status items, a status item B1 that indicates the symptom of "no printing", a status item B2 that indicates the symptom of "printing is missing", and a status item B2 that indicates the symptom of "printing is missing", and "printing is dark, printing is light". Status item B3 indicates the symptom "Printing is uneven"; Status item B4 indicates the symptom "Printing is disordered"; Status item B5 indicates the symptom "Printed content is incorrect"; A status item B6 indicating a symptom of "Print position is shifted" and a status item B7 indicating a symptom of "Print evaluation value is low (low overall grade, low print score, etc.)" are displayed.

In the following step S102, the user selects the symptom of the printing defect occurring on the workpiece W via the reception unit 702. Specifically, in step S102, the receiving unit 702 receives an operation for selecting at least one of the two or more status items displayed on the display unit 701. Specifically, in step S102, the accepting unit 702 accepts an operation for selecting at least one of two or more status items including a first status item and a second status item. More specifically, in step S102, the user operates the reception unit 702 to select the status item corresponding to the symptom occurring in the workpiece W from among the status items B1 to B7 described above.

In the example shown in FIG. 15A, a desired status item can be selected by clicking on any one of the status items B1 to B7 listed on the selection screen Sc1. With the status item selected, clicking the button B8 labeled "Next" switches the display content on the display unit 701. Here, the explanation will be continued assuming that the symptom of "printing is missing" has been selected.

In the following step S103, the control unit 704 determines whether or not each cause parameter should be displayed and/or the priority order for display, based on the symptom (condition item) selected in step S102. Specifically, in step S103, the control unit 704 selects the first status item through the reception unit 702 based on the status item selected in step S102 and the content stored in the correspondence storage unit 703b. The display priorities of the plurality of cause parameters are made different depending on when a second status item different from the first status item is selected. More specifically, the control unit 704 sets the display priority order of each cause parameter constituting the plurality of first cause parameters and the display priority order of each cause parameter constituting the plurality of second cause parameters to be different. let In other words, the control unit 704 can change the display order when displaying each cause parameter on the display unit 701 for each status item.

In this step S103, in addition to or instead of the control for differentiating the display priority as described above, the control unit 704 controls when the first status item is selected through the reception unit 702 and when the first status item is selected through the reception unit 702. The combination of the plurality of cause parameters to be displayed on the display unit 701 is made different depending on when the second status item is selected. More specifically, the control unit 704 selects at least some of the combinations of cause parameters to be displayed on the display unit 701 out of all the cause parameters that constitute the plurality of first cause parameters and the plurality of second cause parameters. Make it different. In other words, the control unit 704 can change, for example, the above-described correspondence relationship for each status item.

In particular, the control unit 704 according to the present embodiment is configured to perform both control to vary the display priority order and control to vary the configuration of causal parameters to be displayed on the display unit 701. .

In this way, the control unit 704 according to the present embodiment changes the display priority of cause parameters corresponding to each status item, and displays each cause parameter on the display unit 701 for each status item. It is possible to change whether or not to display (for example, the above-mentioned correspondence).

FIG. 16 exemplifies each cause parameter and its corresponding relationship and display priority. Here, the alphabetic characters "A", "B", and "C" indicate causal parameters that are displayed on the display section 701, and the symbol "x" indicates a causal parameter that is not displayed on the display section 701. Show that. Further, alphabetical characters "A", "B", and "C" have a high display priority in alphabetical order.

For example, when "Printing is disordered" is selected as the status item, the control unit 704 does not display laser power and window inspection on the display unit 701, but displays Z tracking and XY tracking preferentially. In particular, the control unit 704 according to the present embodiment selects the "superficial cause" from the status items classified as "superficial causes" and the status items classified as "fundamental causes." The status items are displayed on the display unit 701 in the order of classification. Specific display contents will be illustrated in the explanation of step S106.

In the following step S104, the display unit 701 displays the determination result of the quality of the print process in chronological order along with the captured image Pw and the print score. Specifically, in this step S104, the display unit 701 displays a first display area Rc1 in which a plurality of determination results (good or bad determination results) stored in the history storage unit 703a are displayed in chronological order; At least one of the second display area Rc2, which displays captured images Pw corresponding to each of the plurality of determination results displayed in the display area Rc1 in chronological order, is displayed.

FIG. 15B shows an example of a screen Sc2 for specifying the date and time of occurrence of printing defects. As shown in the figure, the display unit 701 according to the present embodiment can display both the first display area Rc1 and the second display area Rc at the same time. In the example shown in FIG. 15B, the first display area Rc1 displays a plurality of vertical bars indicating that the printing sequence has been performed in chronological order. Among the vertical bars displayed in the first display area Rc, the vertical bar displayed with a two-dot chain line indicates a judgment result that the printing was good (OK judgment result), and a mark Mn is attached and a solid line The vertical bar indicated by indicates a determination result that a printing defect has occurred (NG determination result). In this example, the determination result for the second to last printing sequence executed around 12:00 is determined to be NG.

Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 15B, the second display area Rc2 displays captured images Pw corresponding to each determination result in chronological order from the left side. Here, captured images Pw generated in the last five printing sequences among the printing sequences performed multiple times are displayed. Each captured image Pw exemplifies a case where a character string "ABC" is adopted as the print pattern Pm. Furthermore, near the upper right of the display area (square-shaped area) of each captured image Pw, a print score calculated when determining the quality of print processing is displayed.

Here, among the five captured images Pw, the determination result corresponding to the second to last captured image Pw is determined to be NG as described above. To support the determination result, the second to last captured image Pw displays a printed score of "46" which is less than 50 and a character string "NG" indicating that the determination is NG. . In this way, the captured image Pw to which the character string "NG" is attached is associated with the NG determination result. On the other hand, captured images Pw to which the character string "NG" is not attached are associated with the OK determination result.

Here, if any judgment result in the first display area Rc1 is selected via the reception unit 702, the captured image Pw linked to the selected judgment result will also be in a selected state in the second display area Rc2. . On the contrary, when any of the captured images Pw in the second display area Rc2 is selected, the determination result associated with the selected captured image Pw also becomes a selected state in the first display area Rc1.

In this way, the diagnosis support device according to the present embodiment is configured such that the operation input within the first display area Rc1 and the operation input within the second display area Rc2 are interlocked with each other.

In the example shown in FIG. 15B, the first display area Rc1 is arranged above the second display area Rc2. Further above the first display area Rc1, a third display area Rc3 is displayed for setting an extraction period for the determination results in the first display area Rc1. By inputting desired numerical values into the date and time specification field C1 and the time specification field C2 in the third display area Rc3, the extraction period for the determination results can be set.

By changing the determination result extraction period, the display content in the first display area Rc1 is changed. In conjunction with this change, the control unit 704 can change the display content in the second display area Rc2. Specifically, the control unit 704 changes the display content in the second display area Rc2 so as to display the captured image Pw corresponding to the changed determination result in the first display area Rc1.

On the other hand, buttons Bb1 and Bb2 for changing the captured image Pw to be displayed are displayed in the second display area Rc2. For example, by clicking the button Bb1, it is possible to go back in time to the capturing timing of the captured image Pw to be displayed and change the display content in the second display area Rc2. Further, when the button Bb2 is clicked, the imaging timing of the captured image Pw to be displayed can be changed in the opposite direction to that when the button Bb1 is clicked. In conjunction with these changes, the control unit 704 can change the display content in the first display area Rc1. Specifically, the control unit 704 changes the display content in the first display area Rc1 so as to display the determination result corresponding to the changed captured image Pw in the second display area Rc2.

In this way, the control unit 704 according to the present embodiment changes the display content of the other when the display content of one of the first display area Rc1 and the second display area Rc2 is changed. The display unit 701 can be controlled as follows. Note that the display content referred to here also includes changes in display due to selection of the determination result or captured image Pw.

By the way, as described above, the determination result by the quality determination unit 105 is shown in the first display area Rc1 and the second display area Rc2 through the display mode of vertical bars in the first display area Rc. However, even if the quality determining unit 105 determines that the printing is "good," when the user visually checks the captured image Pw, the user may discover some kind of printing defect (a printing defect that does not appear in the overall grade or print score). there is a possibility.

Therefore, the reception unit 702 according to the present embodiment is configured to accept an operation for modifying the determination result by the quality determination unit 105. When the determination result is corrected via the reception unit 702, the control unit 704 controls the display unit 701 so that the correction via the reception unit 702 is reflected.

Specifically, the receiving unit 702 can change an OK determination to a NG determination, or change an NG determination to an OK determination, through a click operation or the like on the captured image Pw in the second display area Rc2 ( (see Figure 20). The content of the change is appropriately reflected in the display mode in the first display area Rc1 and the second display area Rc2.

In the following step S105, the user selects, via the reception unit 702, the determination result of the quality of the printing process or the captured image Pw associated with each printing process. As described above, each determination result and the captured image Pw are grouped by print sequence as a unit. Therefore, by selecting the determination result or the captured image Pw, the date and time when the printing defect occurred is specified (see the bold frame Fn). Specifically, in step S105, the reception unit 702 selects which of the NG determination result displayed in the first display area Rc1 and the captured image Pw displayed in the second display area Rc2 and corresponding to the NG determination result. It accepts an operation to select one or more of each.

In other words, the reception unit 702 according to the present embodiment accepts operations such as selecting a plurality of NG determination results or selecting a plurality of captured images Pw. In this case, the date and time of occurrence of the printing defect will be designated as the "period of occurrence of the printing defect" that includes a plurality of selected determination results or captured images Pw.

In the following step S106, the display unit 701 displays the status information of the laser marker L, centering on the date and time of occurrence specified by selecting the NG determination result or the captured image Pw in step S105. Specifically, in this step S106, the control unit 704 selects at least the NG determination result or The display unit 701 is controlled so that the status information linked to the captured image Pw is displayed on the display unit 701. The process related to step S106 may be started, for example, by clicking a button on which the phrase "start diagnosis" is written, or may be started automatically without such an operation.

Further, when the NG determination result or the captured image Pw is designated via the reception unit 702, the control unit 704 displays at least one type of status information among the plurality of types of status information on the display unit 701 in chronological order. display on top. Specifically, when a plurality of NG determination results or captured images Pw are selected, the control unit 704 may display the status information linked to each NG determination result or captured image Pw in chronological order. can. However, this method cannot deal with the case where only one NG determination result or only one captured image Pw is selected.

Therefore, the display unit 801 according to the present embodiment displays state information linked to the selected NG judgment result or judgment result other than the captured image Pw or the captured image Pw, and state information linked to the selected NG judgment result or the captured image Pw. status information and can be displayed side by side. Specifically, in step S<b>106 , the control unit 704 selects status information linked to a determination result other than the NG determination result specified via the reception unit 702 from among the plurality of types of status information, or The display unit 701 is controlled so that the status information linked to the captured image Pw other than the captured image Pw specified by the user is displayed on the display unit 701.

In particular, in this embodiment, the display unit 701 displays multiple cause parameters as multiple types of status information. In this case, the external terminal 700 as the diagnostic support device is configured to change the display order of the cause parameters and whether or not they are displayed, depending on the symptoms of the printing failure, as described above.

Specifically, in step S106, the control unit 704 displays the causal parameters on the display unit 701 in the order of display priority determined in step S103, or displays the causal parameters based on the combination determined in step S103. can be displayed on the display unit 701.

FIG. 15C shows an example of the printing defect diagnosis screen Sc3. This diagnosis screen Sc3 is displayed immediately after switching from the specification screen Sc2, and is a screen for diagnosing the first causal parameter. On the left side of the diagnosis screen Sc3, a cause list Lt in which a plurality of cause parameters are arranged from the top according to display priority is displayed.

As mentioned above, the four cause parameters classified as "root causes", such as window inspection, are given higher display priority than the multiple cause parameters classified as "superficial causes", such as event logs. High ranking. Furthermore, the display priority order of cause parameters classified as "fundamental causes" is determined based on the table illustrated in FIG. 16. As illustrated in Figure 16, when "printing is missing" is selected as the status item, window inspection is displayed with the highest priority, followed by laser power and XY tracking, and then Z tracking. It will be displayed.

Specifically, the control unit 704 causes the display unit 701 to display the cause parameter as status information based on the contents stored in the history storage unit 703a. In the example shown in FIG. 15C, the graph display area Rc4 located at the center of the screen displays the temporal change in window inspection, which is the cause parameter that should be displayed with the highest priority (see the white part in the cause list Lt).

Specifically, in the graph display area Rc4 illustrated in FIG. 15C, a line graph connecting the values of each window inspection is displayed to show the change over time of the window inspection as a causal parameter. When the window inspection value is small, it can be determined that the transparent window 19 is dirty compared to when it is large. Further, the mark Mn in the graph display area Rc4 indicates a printing sequence for which an NG determination result was given, as described above. As shown by this mark Mn, in the printing sequence in which an NG determination result was given, the value of the window inspection fluctuates significantly compared to other timings.

In the following step S107, the user diagnoses the printing defect based on the change in the causal parameter over time. At this time, the diagnosis support method according to the present embodiment can support diagnosis of printing defects in an interactive manner with the user.

Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 15C, an interaction area Rc5 for interacting with the user is displayed above the graph display area Rc4. This dialog area Rc5 shows whether the change over time of the causal parameter displayed in the graph display area Rc4 exhibits a specific behavior (specifically, the behavior when there is an abnormality in the displayed causal parameter). There is a question asking whether or not you agree, an item By that says "Yes" that you can click if it is determined that you are behaving in a certain way, and an item that you can click "By" that you can click if it is determined that you are not behaving that way. An item Bn that says "No" and an item Bi that says "I don't know" are clicked when it cannot be determined whether such behavior is occurring or not.

In other words, the item By of "Yes" is selected when it is determined that the causal parameter displayed in the graph display area Rc4 is a trigger for the symptoms characterizing printing defects. The item Bn "No" is selected when it is determined that the causal parameter displayed in the graph display area Rc4 does not trigger a symptom characterizing printing defects. The item Bi "I don't know" is selected when it is determined that the cause parameter displayed in the graph display area Rc4 may be related to the symptoms characterizing the printing defect.

In the case of the illustrated example, the window inspection results fluctuate greatly at the timing when the NG determination result is given (the timing at which the mark Mn is attached). In this case, the user clicks on the item "Yes" By.

The control unit 704 repeats steps S106 and S107 for all the causal parameters that are determined to be displayed on the display unit 701. For example, FIG. 15D shows a diagnosis screen Sc4 for diagnosing the third cause parameter. This diagnostic screen Sc4 exemplifies changes over time in Z tracking as a cause parameter that has a lower display priority than window inspection.

Specifically, in the graph display area Rc4 illustrated in FIG. 15D, a line graph connecting Z tracking values (measured values by the ranging unit 5) is displayed. In the case of the illustrated example, it can be determined that the Z tracking results fluctuate greatly in the printing sequence for which an NG determination result was given. Therefore, the user clicks on the item "Yes" By.

Note that when the symptom "printing is missing" is selected, the control unit 704 displays all four cause parameters classified as "superficial causes" on the display unit 701. (See Figure 16). When the diagnosis related to the causal parameters classified as "superficial causes" is completed, the control unit 704 starts displaying the causal parameters classified as "fundamental causes" on the display unit 701.

For example, FIG. 15E shows a diagnosis screen Sc5 for diagnosing the sixth cause parameter. This diagnostic screen Sc5 exemplifies changes over time in the event log (whether or not the occurrence of a specific event has been written in the print log Lg).

In the case of the illustrated example, a plot indicating NG is displayed in a printing sequence for which an NG determination result was given. Therefore, the user clicks on the item "Yes" By.

In addition, in the diagnosis screens Sc3 to Sc5 exemplified so far, a line graph connecting the values of each cause parameter is displayed in order to show the change over time of the cause parameter as status information. The display method is not limited to a line graph. Changes in causal parameters over time as status information can be displayed on the display unit 701 using at least one of a line graph, a bar graph, and a scatter diagram. Furthermore, the display method may be different for each type of status information.

When the user completes diagnosis of all the cause parameters displayed in the cause list Lt, the control unit 704 identifies the cause of the printing failure. In the case of the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 15C, since the window inspection value fluctuated greatly, it is determined that the dirt on the transparent window 19 is the cause. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 15D, since the Z tracking value also fluctuated greatly, the shift of the workpiece W is considered to be the cause. The details of the deviation, such as whether this deviation occurred during printing, can be determined through diagnosis related to other causal parameters. This identification is performed based on the cause parameter for selecting the item By of "Yes" or the item Bi of "I don't know" in the dialogue area Rc5.

Thereafter, the user clicks the button Bb3 on which the words "Display countermeasures" are displayed. By operating this button Bb3, the control process proceeds from step S107 to step S108. Note that clicking the button Bb3 is not essential. As soon as the user completes the diagnosis, the process may automatically proceed to step S108.

In step S108, the display unit 701 displays the cause identified in step S107 and countermeasures for solving the cause. For example, FIG. 15F shows a countermeasure screen Sc6, such as the diagnosis screen Sc3 shown in FIG. 15C, for displaying causes identified through the cause parameters exemplified above and countermeasures thereof. As shown in FIG. 15F, the countermeasure screen Sc6 displays the window dirt identified as the first cause (Cause 1), countermeasures for solving the dirt, and the second cause (Cause 2). ) and the countermeasures for solving the deviation are displayed.

Thereafter, the user clicks the button Bb4 on which the words "Output Report" is displayed or the button Bb5 on which the words "End Diagnosis" is displayed. If the former button Bb4 is operated, the control process proceeds from step S108 to step S109. In this skip S109, a report is output showing the diagnostic results of the printing failure, such as the date and time of occurrence of the printing failure, the cause of the printing failure, and countermeasures for solving the cause.

On the other hand, if the button Bb5 on which the phrase "end diagnosis" is displayed is operated in step S108, the control process skips step S109 and ends.

Note that, in step S108, it is not necessary to click the buttons Bb4 and Bb5. The report may be automatically output at the same time as the process of displaying the countermeasure screen Sc6, or at a timing before or after executing this process.

(Processing when multiple symptoms are selected)
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the display priority order when multiple symptoms are selected. Further, FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a diagnosis screen Sc7 when a plurality of symptoms are selected.

Up to this point, we have exemplified the process when the symptom "printing is missing" is selected, that is, the process when one status item is selected, but the diagnosis support method according to the present disclosure can be performed using two or more is configured to allow selection of status items. That is, on the selection screen Sc1 shown in FIG. 15A, a plurality of status items can be selected from status items B1 to B7. Specifically, the reception unit 702 according to this embodiment is configured to be able to select both the first and second status items.

However, if both the first and second status items are selected, a problem arises as to how to configure display priorities. In order to solve this problem, the control unit 704 according to the present embodiment respects both the display priority order corresponding to the first status item and the display priority order corresponding to the second status item. , configured to reset display priorities.

Specifically, when both the first and second status items are selected through the reception unit 702, the control unit 704 displays the plurality of first cause parameters based on the contents stored in the correspondence storage unit 703b. By referring to one of the priority order and the display priority order of the plurality of second cause parameters, which has a higher order, both the plurality of first and second cause parameters are displayed on the display unit 701.

That is, when both the first and second status items are selected, the display unit 701 displays a plurality of first cause parameters that are cause candidates corresponding to the first status item, and the second status item. A plurality of second cause parameters, which are cause candidates corresponding to the item, are both displayed.

At that time, even if a predetermined parameter (for example, "Z tracking") has a low display priority among the cause parameters constituting the plurality of first cause parameters, in the group of the plurality of second cause parameters, , if the display priority of the predetermined parameter is high, the display priority of the predetermined parameter is set high.

FIG. 17 shows a state in which status item B2 indicating the symptom "printing is missing" is selected as the first status item, and the status item B2 indicating the symptom "printing is disordered" is selected as the second status item. The processing when item B4 is selected is illustrated.

As shown in the upper part of FIG. 17, in the plurality of first cause parameters corresponding to the first status item (printing is missing), the display priority of Z tracking is set to a low value of "C". , in the plurality of second cause parameters corresponding to the second status item (distorted printing), the display priority of Z tracking is set high as "A". In this case, as shown in the middle part of FIG. 17, the final display priority is set to "A", which has a higher priority.

Furthermore, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 17, the display priority of window inspection is set high as "A" in the plurality of first cause parameters, while the display priority of window inspection is set as high as "A" in the plurality of second cause parameters. It is set so that "x" is not displayed on the display section 701. In this case, as shown in the middle part of FIG. 17, window inspection is set as the cause parameter to be displayed, and its display priority is set to "A".

By performing this process on all of the cause parameters that make up the plurality of first cause parameters and the cause parameters that make up the plurality of second cause parameters, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 17, The final necessity of display and display priority for display are determined.

FIG. 18 exemplifies the diagnosis screen Sc7 that is displayed based on the determination. As illustrated in the same figure, when "printing is missing" and "printing is disordered" are selected, cause list Lt' includes cause parameters in substantially the same order as in the lower row of FIG. are displayed side by side.

(Modified example of diagnosis screen)
The diagnostic screens Sc3 to Sc6 in the embodiment include a second display area Rc2 that displays a captured image Pw for specifying the date and time of occurrence of the printing defect as information for diagnosing the printing defect, and a cause as status information. Although a graph display area Rc4 for displaying changes in parameters over time was provided, the configuration of the diagnosis screen is not limited to this.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the diagnosis screen. The diagnosis screen Sc7 according to this modification is further provided with a condition display area Rc6 in addition to areas such as the graph display area Rc4. This condition display area Rc6 is an area for displaying changes in the laser conditions described above, such as laser power, scan speed, and pulse frequency. Referring to this condition display area Rc6 is advantageous in identifying the cause of printing defects.

(About improving usability)
By the way, even if symptoms indicating printing defects such as missing prints, irregular printing, and misaligned printing positions are discovered, the cause of the printing defects must be correctly identified, and settings and adjustments can be made to improve the symptoms. It is difficult to take countermeasures in a short period of time.

In particular, in the case of a user who is inexperienced in operating the laser marker L, time and effort are spent on identifying the cause of the printing failure in the first place, let alone performing settings to improve the symptoms. The configurations known so far have not been able to solve these problems.

On the other hand, according to the embodiment, when a status item is selected by the user, cause parameters corresponding to the selected status item are displayed on the display section 701 in a predetermined order (display priority order), The combination of cause parameters to be displayed on the display unit 701 is changed depending on the status item selected (see step S103 in FIG. 14).

Thereby, even a user with little experience can efficiently diagnose the cause of printing defects. This makes it possible to improve usability in diagnosing printing defects.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the marking system S according to the present embodiment can control the output of the laser beam for printing (laser power), the distance to the workpiece W (Z tracking), the position of the workpiece W (XY tracking), and Dirt on the transparent window 19 (window inspection) can be used as a cause parameter. By using these, it becomes possible to more precisely identify the cause of the printing defect.

Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, the marking system S according to this embodiment can select a plurality of status items via the reception unit 702. When multiple status items are selected, by setting the display priority for each status item to be respected on both sides, it becomes possible to more accurately diagnose the cause of printing defects. .

Furthermore, as illustrated by the symbol "x" in FIG. 16, by making it possible to set not only the display order but also whether or not to display it on the display section 701, usability related to the diagnosis of printing defects can be further improved. can be improved.

In addition, as illustrated in FIGS. 15C to 15E, instead of displaying only the value of the causal parameter at a specific date and time, by displaying changes in the causal parameter over time, the cause of the printing defect can be efficiently identified. It will be advantageous to do so. This makes it possible to further improve the usability of diagnosing printing defects.

《Other embodiments》
In the embodiment described above, the diagnosis support device is configured by the operation terminal 800 and the external terminal 700 that is separate from or integrated with the operation terminal 800, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the marker controller 100 can also constitute a diagnostic support device. In this case, all the elements constituting the diagnosis support device may be implemented by the marker controller 100, or only some of the elements may be implemented by the marker controller 100. For example, among the components of the diagnostic support device, the storage section 703 can be configured by the condition setting storage section 102 of the marker controller 100, and the other components can be configured by the external terminal 700.

Further, in the embodiment, there are causal parameters that are not displayed on the display unit 701 depending on the selected symptom (status item), but the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration. For example, display priorities may be set for all cause parameters, and then all cause parameters may be displayed on the display unit 701 regardless of the selected symptom (condition item). Alternatively, the configuration may be such that only whether or not to display on the display unit 701 is set without setting the display priority for each cause parameter.

Further, in the embodiment, the distance measuring unit 5 as a distance measuring mechanism was provided inside the housing 10, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The distance measuring mechanism can also be provided outside the housing 10.

Further, in the embodiment, both the coaxial camera 6 and the overall camera 7 as the image acquisition unit were provided inside the housing 10, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the overall camera 7 as an image acquisition unit can be provided outside the housing 10.

Further, in the embodiment, the diagnosis support method was explained using the flow shown in FIG. 14, but the configuration of the diagnosis support method is not limited to the flow shown in FIG. For example, the order of each step may be changed.

Specifically, in the embodiment, the display priority is determined in step S103 after a symptom is selected in step S102, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, after executing the process related to step S102 and before executing the process related to step S103, processes related to step S104, step S105, etc. may be executed first.

Further, in the above embodiment, after selecting the symptom in step S102, the process proceeds to step S105 via step S103 and step S104, and in step S105, the date and time of occurrence of the printing defect is specified. The disclosure is not limited in its configuration. For example, it is also possible to configure the process to proceed to step S101 and step S102 after executing step S104 and step S105. With this configuration, the user can select a symptom while referring to the captured image Pw and the determination result.

Furthermore, the configuration of the state information used as the cause parameter is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 12. Part of what is shown in FIG. 12 may be used, or information not shown in FIG. 12 may be added. As information that can be added, for example, dirt on the transparent window 19 detected immediately before printing (pre-printing window monitoring result) can be considered. When using this information, the same process as step S38 in FIG. 11 will be performed at any one of steps S31 to S34 in FIG. By combining the pre-printing window monitoring results and the post-printing window monitoring results, it becomes possible to diagnose dirt on the transparent window 19 in more detail.

Similarly, regarding Z tracking as status information, as described in step S32, the measured value before correcting the positional deviation in the Z direction may be used, or the measurement value after correcting the positional deviation may be used. value may be used, or both measured values before and after correction may be used.

Further, in the embodiment, the history information is transmitted and received between the marker controller 100 and the external terminal 700 via the print log Lg, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. History information may be sent and received in real time without going through the print log Lg.

Further, in the embodiment, the display unit 701 was configured to display the causal parameters one by one in the graph display area Rc4, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, multiple cause parameters may be displayed simultaneously. In this case, the cause parameters may be displayed in order from the top according to the display priority order, for example.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the display unit 701 was configured to simultaneously display the first display area Rc1 and the second display area Rc2 when specifying the date and time when a printing defect occurred. It is not limited to that configuration. For example, the display section 701 may display one of the first display area Rc1 and the second display area Rc2.

Further, in the embodiment, the display unit 701 was configured to display both the NG determination result and the OK determination result in the first display area Rc1, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. . The display unit 701 should display at least the NG determination result.

S Marking system L Laser marker 1 Marker head 10 Housing 19 Transmission window 2 Laser light output section 21c Power monitor 3 Laser light guide section 4 Laser light scanning section 5 Distance measuring unit (distance measuring mechanism)
6 Coaxial camera (image acquisition section)
7 Overall camera (image acquisition section)
100 Marker controller 104 Image processing unit 106 Dirt detection unit 110 Excitation light generation unit 700 External terminal (diagnosis support device, computer)
701 Display section 702 Reception section 703 Storage section 703b Correspondence storage section 704 Control sections B1 to B7 Status item Pw Captured image R1 Print area (area to be two-dimensionally scanned)
W work

Claims (13)

an excitation light generation section that generates excitation light; a laser light output section that generates a laser beam based on the excitation light generated by the excitation light generation section and emits the laser beam; and a laser beam output section that emits the laser beam. A marking system comprising a laser marker equipped with a laser beam scanning unit that irradiates a workpiece with a laser beam and scans the surface of the workpiece two-dimensionally, the marking system comprising:
a display unit that displays a first status item indicating a state of a printing defect occurring on the workpiece; and a second status item indicating a status different from the first status item;
a reception unit that receives an operation for selecting at least one of the first and second status items displayed on the display unit;
a correspondence relationship between the first status item and a plurality of first cause parameters that are candidate causes of printing defects corresponding to the first status item, together with a display priority order of the plurality of first cause parameters; While storing, the correspondence relationship between the second status item and a plurality of second cause parameters that are candidate causes of printing defects corresponding to the second status item is determined. a storage unit that stores the display priority along with the display priority;
Based on the content stored in the storage unit, the information that should be displayed on the display unit when the first status item is selected through the reception unit and when the second status item is selected. 1. A marking system comprising: a control unit that makes different combinations of a plurality of cause parameters or makes different display priorities of the plurality of cause parameters. The marking system according to claim 1,
The control unit is configured to control each cause parameter forming the plurality of first cause parameters when the first status item is selected through the reception unit and when the second status item is selected. The display priority order and the display priority order of each cause parameter forming the plurality of second cause parameters are made different, and the cause parameters are displayed on the display section in the order of the display priority order, or
Among the cause parameters forming the plurality of first and second cause parameters when the first status item is selected through the reception unit and when the second status item is selected, A marking system characterized in that the combination of cause parameters to be displayed on the display section is at least partially different, and the cause parameters are displayed on the display section based on the combination. The marking system according to claim 1 or 2,
a housing in which at least the laser light output section and the laser light scanning section are provided;
a power monitor that detects the output of the laser light output from the laser light output section;
A distance measuring mechanism provided inside or outside the housing and measuring the distance from the housing to the workpiece,
The causal parameters include:
an output of laser light detected by the power monitor;
A marking system comprising: a distance to the workpiece measured by the distance measuring mechanism. The marking system according to claim 3,
The marking system is characterized in that the distance measuring mechanism is provided inside the housing. The marking system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A captured image containing at least a portion of the workpiece is captured by imaging the workpiece that is provided inside or outside the housing of the laser marker and is placed within a region that is two-dimensionally scanned by the laser beam scanning unit. an image acquisition unit that generates;
an image processing unit that specifies the position of the workpiece when viewed along the area two-dimensionally scanned by the laser beam scanning unit on the captured image generated by the image acquisition unit;
The causal parameters include:
A marking system characterized in that the position of the workpiece specified by the image processing unit is included. The marking system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
a transmission window provided in a housing of the laser marker, through which a laser beam scanned two-dimensionally by the laser beam scanning unit passes;
a dirt detection unit that detects dirt on the transparent window,
The causal parameters include:
A marking system comprising dirt detected by the dirt detection section. The marking system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The reception unit is configured to be able to select both the first and second status items,
The control unit, based on the storage content in the storage unit,
When both the first and second status items are selected through the reception unit, the display priority order of the plurality of first cause parameters and the display priority order of the plurality of second cause parameters. A marking system characterized in that a display priority order for displaying both of the plurality of first and second cause parameters on the display unit is set by referring to one having a higher order. The marking system according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The storage unit stores at least the following as the correspondence relationship:
A marking system characterized by storing whether or not each of the cause parameters is to be displayed on the display unit. The marking system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The marking system is characterized in that the control unit displays a change over time of the cause parameter on the display unit based on the content stored in the storage unit. an excitation light generation section that generates excitation light; a laser light output section that generates a laser beam based on the excitation light generated by the excitation light generation section and emits the laser beam; and a laser beam output section that emits the laser beam. a laser beam scanning unit that irradiates a workpiece with a laser beam and scans the surface of the workpiece in two dimensions; And,
a display unit that displays a first status item indicating a characteristic of a printing defect occurring on the workpiece; and a second status item indicating a characteristic different from the first status item;
a reception unit that receives an operation for selecting at least one of the first and second status items displayed on the display unit;
A correspondence relationship between the first status item and a plurality of first cause parameters indicating causes of printing defects corresponding to the first status item is stored together with a display priority order of the plurality of first cause parameters. On the other hand, the correspondence relationship between the second status item and a plurality of second cause parameters indicating causes of printing defects corresponding to the second status item is given priority in displaying the plurality of second cause parameters. A memory unit that stores the rank along with the rank;
Based on the content stored in the storage unit, the information that should be displayed on the display unit when the first status item is selected through the reception unit and when the second status item is selected. A diagnostic support device comprising: a control unit that makes different combinations of a plurality of cause parameters or makes different display priorities of the plurality of cause parameters. By using a computer equipped with a display unit that displays information to a user, a reception unit that receives operations by the user, a storage unit that stores the information, and a control unit that controls the display unit, excitation light can be an excitation light generation section that generates a laser beam, a laser light output section that generates a laser beam based on the excitation light generated by the excitation light generation section and emits the laser beam, and a laser beam output section that outputs the laser beam. A diagnostic support method for assisting in diagnosing printing defects that occur on a workpiece during marking processing using a laser marker, which includes a laser beam scanning unit that irradiates a workpiece with a laser beam and performs two-dimensional scanning on the surface of the workpiece. hand,
a step in which the display unit displays a first status item indicating a characteristic of a printing defect occurring on the workpiece, and a second status item indicating a characteristic different from the first status item;
the receiving unit receiving an operation for selecting at least one of the first and second status items displayed on the display unit;
The storage unit stores the correspondence relationship between the first status item and a plurality of first cause parameters indicating causes of printing defects corresponding to the first status item, While storing the display priority order in advance, the correspondence relationship between the second status item and a plurality of second cause parameters indicating the causes of printing defects corresponding to the second status item is stored in the plurality of second cause parameters. a step of pre-memorizing the cause parameters along with the display priority;
The control unit displays information on the display unit when the first status item is selected through the reception unit and when the second status item is selected, based on the storage content in the storage unit. 1. A diagnosis support method comprising the step of: varying the combination of a plurality of cause parameters to be displayed, or varying the display priority order of the plurality of cause parameters. Excitation can be performed by a computer including a display section that displays information to the user, a reception section that receives operations by the user, a storage section that stores the information, and a control section that controls the display section. an excitation light generation section that generates light; a laser light output section that generates a laser beam based on the excitation light generated by the excitation light generation section and emits the laser beam; and a laser beam output section that outputs the laser beam. A diagnostic support program that supports diagnosis of printing defects that occur on the workpiece during marking processing using a laser marker, which includes a laser beam scanning unit that irradiates a workpiece with a laser beam and scans the surface of the workpiece two-dimensionally. There it is,
a step in which the display unit displays a first status item indicating a characteristic of a printing defect occurring on the workpiece, and a second status item indicating a characteristic different from the first status item;
the receiving unit receiving an operation for selecting at least one of the first and second status items displayed on the display unit;
The storage unit stores the correspondence relationship between the first status item and a plurality of first cause parameters indicating causes of printing defects corresponding to the first status item, While storing the display priority order in advance, the correspondence relationship between the second status item and a plurality of second cause parameters indicating the causes of printing defects corresponding to the second status item is stored in the plurality of second cause parameters. a step of pre-memorizing the cause parameters along with the display priority;
The control unit displays information on the display unit when the first status item is selected through the reception unit and when the second status item is selected, based on the storage content in the storage unit. A diagnostic support program characterized by causing the computer to execute the steps of: changing a combination of a plurality of cause parameters to be displayed in a different manner, or changing a display priority order of the plurality of cause parameters. A computer-readable storage medium storing the diagnostic support program according to claim 12.

Images