JPH1085962A - Scanning type laser marking device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To set a character pattern as users wish in a short time with a simple input operation by automatically defining the character pattern based on an inputted marking zone and the character or the character string. SOLUTION: The starting No. being currently displayed on the screen of a display is identified with a controller 38, and corresponding picture drawing data and condition data are retrieved from a memory. Next, a YAG laser oscillator 22 and a He-Ne laser 24 and operated with the controller 38 through a YAG laser power source part 34 and a He-Ne laser power source part 36, and a YAG laser beam LM and a guide light beam LG are respectively turned on. And a scanning control signal corresponding to retrieved drawing data and condition data is sent to a scanning head 20, the beam spot of the YAG laser beam LM and the guide light beam LG are scanned once on the surface of a work W, and the pattern based on the starting No. is drawn on the surface of the work W. The marking is normally finished with one time scanning.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a scanning type laser marking device.

[0020]

2. Description of the Related Art A scanning type laser marking method irradiates a workpiece with laser light focused at a high density,
The laser light is swung by a scan mirror to scan a laser spot on the surface of the workpiece, and a small portion of the surface of the workpiece hit by the beam spot is instantaneously evaporated or discolored by laser energy, and characters and characters are scanned. This is a technique in which a desired pattern such as a figure is drawn (marked).

In this laser marking method, a large number of patterns can be set as arbitrarily deformable or editable information using computer technology, and a desired pattern can be easily and quickly switched for marking. Generally, many characters or character strings representing a product name, a company name, a serial number, and the like are selected for a laser marking pattern.

In a conventional scanning laser marking apparatus, to set a character (character string) pattern, a user inputs a desired character (character string) by a key input operation from the user side, and simultaneously inputs the desired character (character string). Column) various parameters to define the layout of the pattern,
That is, the arrangement direction (horizontal, vertical, horizontal circumference, vertical circumference, etc.) of the character (character string), X starting point, Y starting point, character (character string) height, character (character string) width, character spacing, and the like are desired. Specify (input) one by one with the numerical data of. The apparatus first determines the layout based on the various parameters input, determines the pattern of the character (character string) in the layout, and registers the pattern information in the memory.

The user can confirm the character pattern set and input on the screen of the display, and if the user wants to modify the layout, he can change the numerical values (set values) of the required parameters as appropriate. Further, when a plurality of character fonts are prepared, a desired font can be selected.

[0060]

However, the setting input of the character pattern in the conventional device as described above is
This imposes troublesome judgment and operation on the user side.
In particular, when creating a layout, it is necessary to replace the image of the desired character pattern or space between characters with numerical values of various parameters and input it. , The number of parameter setting must be repeated many times.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and provides a scanning type laser marking apparatus capable of setting a character pattern as desired by a user with a simple input operation in a short time. The purpose is to do.

[0080]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a surface of a workpiece is irradiated with a laser beam while scanning the character or graphic. In a scanning laser marking apparatus for marking a desired pattern consisting of a marking area setting means for setting a marking area, and character input means for inputting a desired character or character string to be arranged in the marking area A character pattern determining means for defining a character or character string pattern input by the character input means in a predetermined layout within the marking area set by the marking area setting means; and a character pattern determining means. Character pattern information representing the character or character string pattern Characterized by comprising a shaped pattern information storage means.

The invention described in claim 2 is the same as the invention described in claim 1.
3. The scanning laser marking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the marking area setting means includes means for defining the marking area by a diagram representing an outer frame of the marking area.

The invention according to claim 3 is the same as the invention according to claim 1.
In the scanning type laser marking device described in the above, the marking area setting means includes means for defining the marking area by a figure in which the inside of the marking area is filled.

The invention according to claim 4 is the same as the invention according to claim 1.
In the scanning type laser marking device described in the above, the character pattern determining means, the character between the unit character area for arranging individual characters constituting the character string in the marking area and the adjacent unit character area Layout setting means for setting an inter-space, font storage means for storing font information defining a basic font of each character, and basic information registered in the font storage means for individual characters constituting the character string. A unit character pattern determining means for defining the pattern of each individual character in the corresponding unit character region in accordance with a font and the size of the unit character region.

The invention according to claim 5 is the same as the invention according to claim 4.
In the scanning type laser marking device described in the above, the layout setting means determines the size of the unit character area according to the length of the marking area in the character string arrangement direction and the number of characters of the input character or character string. It is characterized by the following.

The invention described in claim 6 is the same as the invention in claim 5
Wherein the layout setting means determines the size of each of the unit character areas according to the input characters or the individual characters constituting the character string.

The invention described in claim 7 is the same as that in claim 5
Alternatively, in the scanning laser marking device according to 6, the layout setting means determines each of the inter-character spaces according to each of the characters constituting the character string.

The invention described in claim 8 is the first invention.
8. The scanning type laser marking device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising parameter output means for outputting a predetermined parameter value relating to the character pattern obtained by the processing by the character pattern determination means.

The invention according to claim 9 is the first invention.
7. The scanning laser marking device according to any one of claims 7 to 7, further comprising parameter input means for inputting a set value of a predetermined parameter related to a character pattern, wherein the parameter set value of an arbitrary parameter input by the parameter input means is changed. Therefore, the character pattern determining means redefines the character pattern.

[0170]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a scanning YAG laser marking apparatus according to this embodiment. This YAG
The laser marking device has a control power supply unit 10, a laser oscillation unit 12, and a scanning head 20.

In the control power supply unit 10, a display 13 of a display unit is provided in the upper room, a keyboard and a control board are provided in the intermediate room (behind the front door 14), and the lower room (behind the front door 16). , A laser power supply circuit, a laser cooling device, and the like are arranged. The scanning control signal generated by the control unit in the intermediate room is transmitted to the scanning head 20 via a predetermined signal line (not shown). The scanning head 20 is attached to the laser emission port of the laser oscillation unit 12, and the work table 18 is provided directly below the head 20.
Is arranged. On the worktable 18, the workpiece W
Is marked.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a main part in the control power supply unit 10 and the laser oscillation unit 12.

The laser oscillation unit 12 has a YAG laser beam LM for oscillating and outputting a YAG laser beam LM for marking.
In addition to the laser oscillator 22, a He-Ne laser 24 for generating visibility, for example, red guide light LG is also provided. The YAG laser light LM oscillated and output from the YAG laser oscillator 22 is first bent at a right angle by a mirror 26, then bent at a right angle by a mirror 28, and then travels straight to the scanning head 20.
The guide light LG generated by the He-Ne laser 24 is:
First, the optical path is bent at a right angle by the mirror 30, and then the mirror 3
After the optical path is bent at a right angle in 2, the light passes through the mirror 28 from the back side, travels straight as it is, and is sent to the scanning head 20.

In the control power supply unit 10, a YAG laser power supply section 34, a He-Ne laser power supply section 36, a control section 3
8, display unit 40, input unit 42, interface circuit 44
Etc. are provided. The YAG laser power supply unit 34 supplies power to laser excitation means (for example, an excitation lamp) in the YAG laser oscillator 22 under the control of the control unit 38. H
The e-Ne laser power supply unit 36 supplies power to laser excitation means (for example, a laser tube) in the He-Ne laser 24 under the control of the control unit 38.

Display unit 40 displays an image on display 13 in accordance with the image data and display control from control unit 38. The input unit 42 includes input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, and an image scanner. The interface circuit 44 is used to exchange data, control signals, and the like with an external device (not shown).

The control unit 38 comprises a microcomputer, performs necessary data processing according to predetermined software stored in a built-in memory, and controls each unit in the apparatus. For example, the control unit 38 supplies a scanning drive circuit in the head 20 with a scanning control signal for controlling a scanning operation in the scanning head 20 as described later. Further, the YAG laser oscillator 22 has a built-in Q switch for obtaining a pulse laser beam having an extremely high peak output (peak value).
The control unit 38 controls the Q switch via a control line (not shown).

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the scanning mechanism in the scanning head 20. This scanning mechanism includes an X-axis scan mirror 52 and a Y-axis scan mirror 54 attached to rotating axes 52a and 54a orthogonal to each other, and an X-axis galvanometer 56 for rotating and oscillating (swinging) both mirrors 52 and 54, respectively. And a Y-axis galvanometer 58.

The laser light LM and / or guide light LG from the laser oscillation unit 12 that has entered the scanning head 20 first enters the X-axis scan mirror 52, where it is totally reflected and then Y-axis. The light enters the scan mirror 54, is totally reflected by the mirror 54, passes through the fθ lens 60, and is condensed and irradiated on the marking processing surface of the workpiece W. The position of the beam spot SP on the marking surface is determined by the deflection angle of the X-axis scan mirror 52 in the X direction, and is determined by the deflection angle of the Y-axis scan mirror 54 in the Y direction.

The X-axis scan mirror 52 oscillates (oscillates) in the directions of arrows A and A 'when the X-axis galvanometer 56 is driven. On the other hand, the Y-axis scan mirror 54 oscillates (oscillates) in the directions of arrows B and B ′ by driving the Y-axis galvanometer 58.

The X-axis galvanometer 56 contains a movable iron piece (rotor) coupled to the X-axis scan mirror 52, a control spring connected to the movable iron piece, and a drive coil attached to the stator. Have been. A driving current corresponding to an X-direction scanning control signal is supplied from an X-axis galvanometer driving circuit (not shown) to the driving coil in the X-axis galvanometer 56 via an electric cable 62, so that the movable iron piece (rotor) ) Swings at an angle specified by the X-direction scanning control signal integrally with the X-axis scan mirror 52 against the control spring.

The Y-axis galvanometer 58 has the same configuration, and a drive current corresponding to the Y-direction scanning control signal is supplied from a Y-axis galvanometer drive circuit (not shown) via the electric cable 64 to the Y-axis galvanometer 58. , The movable iron piece (rotor) in the Y-axis galvanometer 58 swings at an angle designated by the Y-direction scanning control signal together with the Y-axis scan mirror 54.

Therefore, each time the laser light LM and / or guide light LG from the laser oscillation unit 12 enters the scanning head 20 at a predetermined timing, the two galvanometers 56 and 58 are synchronized with the scanning in the X direction and in the X direction. By oscillating the X-axis scan mirror 52 and the Y-axis scan mirror 54 at predetermined angles in response to the Y-direction scanning control signal, the laser light LM and / or the guide light LG on the marking surface of the workpiece W.
Is scanned.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a setting screen displayed on the display 13 of the control power supply unit 10. In the left area of the screen, the current mode (the illustrated mode is the “start standby” mode) is displayed at the top. Below that,
A start No. for designating a schedule of each marking operation. Is displayed, and below this start No. The file name of the pattern registered corresponding to the
, The condition data defining the marking operation, ie, Q switch frequency, marking speed, lamp current, aperture No. The setting input values of various condition data such as are listed and displayed. In the right area of the screen, the start number is displayed. ("ABCD") is displayed on the XY coordinates. The illustrated character pattern ("ABCD") is set in a "character input" mode described later.

[0320] In the ROM in the control unit 38, the start No. Software for a “setting input” mode for setting and inputting drawing data and various condition data for defining a desired pattern in units of unit; Software for a “marking execution” mode for controlling the execution of the marking operation in units is stored. In the RAM or the external storage device in the control unit 38, each start No. Drawing data (pattern information), condition data, and the like set for each are stored in predetermined storage locations in a correspondence relationship as shown in FIG. The control unit 38 also includes a font memory used in a “character input” mode described later.

In this laser marking apparatus, there are various main modes such as a "setting input" mode and a "marking execution" mode in addition to the "start standby" mode as shown in FIG. And the "setting input" mode has a "character input" mode,
There are various sub-modes such as a "graphic input" mode and a "condition data input" mode. By inputting a predetermined command from a keyboard or a mouse of the input unit 42,
The mode is switched to a desired main mode or sub mode.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the control unit 38 in the “marking execution” mode. Prior to the “marking execution” mode, the workpiece W is positioned on the worktable 18.

For example, when the above start No. When entering the “marking execution” mode in the example of the example No. 3, the control unit 38 firstly activates the start No. currently displayed on the screen of the display 13.
3 is identified (step A1). 3
The drawing data Dm3 (drawing data of "ABCD") and the condition data (Q switch frequency, marking speed, etc.) corresponding to are retrieved from the memory (step A2).

Next, the control section 38 controls the YAG laser oscillator 22 and the He-Ne laser 24 through the YAG laser power supply section 34 and the He-Ne laser power supply section 36, respectively.
To turn on the YAG laser light LM and the guide light LG, respectively (steps A3 and A4). And
A scanning control signal corresponding to the retrieved drawing data and condition data is sent to the scanning head 20, and the beam spot SP of the YAG laser light LM and the guide light LG is scanned once on the surface of the workpiece W,
This activation No. is displayed on the surface of the workpiece W. The pattern MS (character of "ABCD") is drawn by (No. 3) (step A5).

By this scanning operation, the work W
The beam spot S of the YAG laser beam LM on the surface of
A minute portion on the surface of the workpiece to which P is applied instantaneously evaporates or discolors with the laser energy, and a marking is formed on the trace where the beam spot SP passes. Further, since the beam spot of the visible light (red) guide light LG draws the same pattern as the beam spot of the invisible light (infrared light) YAG laser light LM, the manner in which the pattern is marked can be visually confirmed.

Normally, the marking process is completed by one scanning. Therefore, after one scanning, the scanning control signal is stopped there (step A6), and the YAG laser light LM and the guide light LG are turned off (step A7). Note that scanning for marking processing can be repeated a plurality of times as necessary.

By performing the scanning with the YAG laser beam LM in the “marking execution” mode as described above, a pattern (“ABCD”) is formed (marked) on the surface of the workpiece W as shown in FIG. ) Is done.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of control unit 38 in the "character input" mode. The above start No. This processing operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 18 by taking the character pattern (“ABCD”) in FIG. 3 as an example.

When entering the "character input" mode, the control unit 38 first performs necessary initialization (step B1), and displays an initial screen of "character input" on the display 13 as shown in FIG. . Here, in the left area of the screen, a “file name” field for inputting a file name of a character pattern set this time, a character string arrangement direction ([horizontal],
[Vertical], [horizontal circumference], [vertical circumference]), an “array” column, and various parameters representing the layout of the character pattern, for example, “X start point”, “Y start point”, “character height” , Etc., and a "character" column for inputting a desired character (character string) are displayed as blank or unspecified, respectively. In the right area of the screen, a screen with coordinates for displaying an image of the character pattern set this time is displayed.

In this initial screen, the user enters a desired file name (for example, “J12
3 "), and a desired arrangement direction, for example, [landscape] is designated in the column of" arrangement ", and then a marking area MA of a desired size is displayed on the right screen of the display 13 using a pointing means such as a mouse or a keyboard. Should be specified.

Here, the control section 38 sets and inputs the marking area MA based on the command and the position data input by the pointing means, and displays the position and range of the marking area MA set as shown in FIG. Marking area diagram << MA >> shown on display 1
3 is displayed on the screen (step B2). This marking area diagram << MA >> may be represented by a diagram representing the outer frame of the marking area MA, or the marking area M
The inside of A may be represented by a solid figure.

Next, the user can input a desired character or character string (“ABC”) to be arranged in the marking area MA.
D ") may be input by a command from, for example, a keyboard. The control unit 38 identifies each input character by a character code and identifies or counts the number of input characters (step B3).

The characters in this embodiment include arbitrary symbolic information to which a character code and a character font are assigned. Therefore, not only characters in a narrow sense (for example, “a” and “ka”) but also symbols (for example, “→” and “/”) and fixed figures (for example, “○”,
"▲") etc. are included.

Next, the control unit 38 accesses the font memory for each input character and searches for each basic font (step B4).

Next, the control unit 38 controls the individual characters (A, B, C, and C) constituting the input character string (“ABCD”) in the marking area MA set as described above.
D) Unit character area (C1, C2, C3) for arranging
, C4) and a space between characters are set (step B5).

In the first layout setting process, as shown in FIG. 11, the length (Wx) of the marking area MA in the character string arrangement direction and the input character or character string (“ABC
D "), the standard unit character area size (Lx, Hy) and the standard inter-character space Px are determined in accordance with the number of characters (four). In this case, the height Hy of the standard unit character area is determined in the marking area MA. If the ratio (standard ratio) between the width size Lx of the standard unit character area and the standard inter-character space Px (standard ratio) is K and the number of input characters is N, the following expression (1) is obtained. ), From (2), Lx, Px
Can be determined. N · Lx + (N−1) Px = Wx (1) Px = K · Lx (where 0 <K <1) (2)

Next, the control unit 38 controls the unit character areas (C 1, C 2,
Character pattern determination processing for defining the pattern of each character (A, B, C, D) in C3, C4) is performed (step B6).

In this character pattern determination processing, as shown in FIG. 12, the basic font (“A”, “B”,...) Of each character set (defined) in the basic font area FS is Of each unit character area (C1, C2, C3, C4) by coordinate conversion according to the ratio of the size (Lx, Hy) of the unit character area to the size (Lx, Hy) of the unit character area Ci.
Transfer to inside. In this example, the center point O of the regions FS and Ci is selected as the origin of the coordinates, and the coordinates A (xa, yb) of the line segment (vector) constituting the basic font of each character
), B (xb, yb)... Respectively (Lx: Ls, Hy)
: Hs) and the coordinates A ′ (xa ′, yb ′), B ′ (xb ′,
yb ')...

Thus, as shown in FIG. 13, the pattern ("A", "B", "C", "D") of each character is defined in each unit character area (C1, C2, C3, C4). Is done.
Information representing this character pattern (character pattern information)
Each character pattern is composed of vector information representing a line segment (straight line or curve). In this character pattern determination process, the values (numerical values) of various parameters such as [X start point], [Y start point], and [character spacing] for the character pattern defined this time are also obtained. The [character spacing] is the distance between the center points Oi, Oi + 1 of adjacent unit character areas Ci, Ci + 1.

Next, the control unit 38 controls the vector-format character patterns (“A”, “B”,
“C” and “D”) are converted into bitmap image data (“ABCD”) with the same layout, and this character pattern image (“ABCD”) is displayed on the screen of the display 13 as shown in FIG. It is displayed superimposed on the marking area diagram << MA >> (step B7). At this time, in the left-hand area of the screen, the parameter values (numerical values) obtained by the above-described character pattern determination processing are displayed in the respective columns of various parameters “X start point”, “Y start point”, “character height”. And the contents of the input characters (ABCD)
Is also displayed.

If the user views this screen and determines that the contents and layout of the currently defined (displayed) character pattern (“ABCD”) are acceptable, the user can input a predetermined command for instructing registration. Good (step B8).
When the registration command is input, the control unit 38 registers the currently defined (displayed) character pattern ("ABCD") as determined (step B10). That is, vector information (character pattern information) and various parameter values relating to the character pattern ("ABCD") are registered in the memory in the file (J123).

However, when the user wants to change or correct the contents or layout of the character pattern ("ABCD") displayed on the display screen, the user inputs a predetermined command for instructing the change and displays the corresponding command on the screen. The parameter value may be changed by specifying the parameter item to be changed (steps B8 and B9). Then, the control unit 38 re-executes the above-described layout setting processing (step B5) and character pattern determination processing (step B6) based on the changed parameter values, and again executes the character pattern ("ABCD"). Is defined.

For example, in FIG. 14, the user changes the value of “character width” from [054.0] mm to [048.0] m.
m. In this case, since the “character width” corresponds to the width of the marking area MA, the width size of the marking area MA is changed from Wx (54.0 mm) to Wx ′ (48.0 m).
m). The values of the other parameters have not been changed. Therefore, the character pattern ("ABCD") as shown in FIG. 16 is defined by re-executing the layout setting processing (step B5) and the character pattern determination processing (step B6).

On the screen of the display 13, the character pattern ("ABCD") thus redefined is superimposed on the marking area diagram MA (step B7).
). If the user inputs a confirmation command while viewing this screen, the character pattern ("ABCD") of the displayed content is registered (step B10).

At this stage, however, the character pattern ("ABCD") can be changed or corrected again by inputting the change command. For example, the value of “inter-character space” is changed from [006.4] mm to [005.
0] mm, a character pattern (“ABCD”) having a layout as shown in FIG. 17 is defined. In this case, the value of the “character space” after the change is given as the determined parameter value. Therefore, the width size (Lx) of the unit character area is determined from the determined character space (Px ”) and the character width (Wx ′). ") Will be determined.

[0580] As described above, in the "character input" mode of this embodiment, the user sets a marking area with a desired size at a desired position from the display screen through the pointing means, and inputs a desired character (character string). If input, unit character area and inter-character space according to the number of input characters are set at a predetermined size ratio in the marking area by executing software of character pattern determination processing in control unit 38 of the apparatus side, By developing a pattern corresponding to the basic font of each character in each unit character area, a character pattern desired by the user is automatically defined or set.

[0590] Furthermore, the numerical values of various parameters obtained in the process of defining the character pattern are presented to the user through the display screen, so that the user can change any parameter value and thereby change or correct the character pattern. , Ensuring a perfect man-machine interface function.

Therefore, even a non-expert can set a desired character pattern with a simple input operation in a short time.

The above character pattern example (“ABC
D ") is a relatively simple character string, but this is only an example, and various other forms of character patterns can be set in the" character input "mode of the present embodiment. .

FIG. 18 shows some other examples. FIG.
(A) is an example in which the size (width size) of the unit character area is changed according to the individual characters constituting the character string.
FIG. 18B is an example in which the size (height size) and inter-character space of the unit character area are changed according to each character constituting the character string. FIG. 18C shows a case where one character is put in the marking area MA. FIG. 18D shows an example in which “array” is selected as “horizontal circumference”.

FIG. 19 shows two character patterns (“ABCD”) set in advance in separate files.
("WIDE") is synthesized with a new file (J129). In this case, the start No. In the marking operation of No. 3, two character patterns ("ABCD"), ("W
IDE ") will be marked simultaneously in the positional relationship as shown.

[0640] It is also possible to set two or more lines of characters or character strings in one marking area by the above-described layout or arrangement method.

The configuration of each part of the YAG laser marking device in the above embodiment, for example, the control power unit 1
0, laser oscillation unit 12, scanning head 1
The configuration of 0 is also an example, and another configuration may be adopted.

[0660]

As described above, according to the present invention,
If the user sets a marking area and inputs a character or a character string to be arranged in the area, the device automatically defines a character pattern based on the input marking area and the character or the character string. Thus, a character pattern as desired by the user can be set with a simple input operation and in a short time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a scanning YAG according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a perspective view showing the appearance of a laser marking device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part in a control power supply unit and a laser oscillation unit in the apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a scanning mechanism in a scanning head in the apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example in which a character pattern set in the apparatus of the embodiment is marked on a workpiece.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen displayed on a display of a control power supply unit in the apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a format example of data management of setting values in the apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of a control unit for a “marking execution” mode in the apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of a control unit for a “character input” mode in the apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an initial screen in “character input mode” of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a marking area is set and input and displayed on a screen in a “character input mode” of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a unit character area and a space between characters set in a marking area in the “character input mode” of the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a mechanism for defining a character pattern by transferring a basic font of each character into each unit character area in the “character input mode” of the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an entire pattern of characters (character strings) defined in the “character input mode” of the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a character pattern and parameter values defined in “character input mode” of the embodiment are displayed on a screen.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a state where a character pattern deformed by reducing the character width is displayed on a screen together with parameter values in the “character input mode” of the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a character pattern redefined by reducing the character width in the “character input mode” of the embodiment.

FIG. 17 shows the “character input mode” of the embodiment;
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a character pattern redefined by further reducing the inter-character space from the state of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating some other examples that can be set in the “character input mode” of the embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a combination of a plurality of character patterns possible in the “character input mode” of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 13 Display 20 Scanning Head 22 YAG Laser Oscillator 38 Control Unit 40 Display Unit 42 Input Unit 48 Monitor Camera W Workpiece

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A scanning type laser marking apparatus for irradiating a surface of a workpiece with a laser beam while scanning the same to mark a desired pattern composed of characters or figures, etc., in a marking area setting means for setting a marking area. Character input means for inputting a desired character or character string to be arranged in the marking area; and a pattern of the character or character string input by the character input means is set by the marking area setting means. A character pattern determining unit that defines a predetermined layout in the marking area; and a character pattern information storage unit that stores character pattern information representing the character or character string pattern defined by the character pattern determining unit. A laser marking device, comprising: 2. A laser marking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said marking area setting means includes means for defining said marking area by a diagram representing an outer frame of said marking area. 3. The laser marking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the marking area setting means includes means for defining the marking area by a figure in which the inside of the marking area is filled. 4. A character space between an adjacent unit character area and an adjacent unit character area for arranging individual characters constituting the input character string in the marking area, A font setting unit that stores font information that defines a basic font of each character; and a basic font registered in the font storage unit for each character that constitutes the character string. 2. The laser marking apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit character pattern determining unit that defines a pattern of each of the characters in the corresponding unit character region according to a size of the unit character region. . 5. The layout setting unit determines a size of the unit character area according to a length of the marking area in a character string arrangement direction and the number of characters of the input character or character string. The laser marking device according to claim 4. 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said layout setting means determines the size of each of said unit character areas according to each of the characters constituting said input character or character string. Laser marking device. 7. The laser marking according to claim 5, wherein the layout setting means determines each of the inter-character spaces according to each of the characters forming the input character string. apparatus. 8. The laser according to claim 1, further comprising parameter output means for outputting a value of a predetermined parameter relating to the character pattern obtained by the processing by the character pattern determination means. Marking device. 9. Parameter input means for inputting a set value of a predetermined parameter relating to a character pattern, wherein said character pattern determination means converts said character pattern in accordance with a set value of an arbitrary parameter inputted by said parameter input means. 8. The laser marking device according to claim 1, wherein the laser marking device is redefined.