Laser processing system

Abstract

The laser processing apparatus (2) includes a setting unit that sets irradiation conditions of a laser, and a first storage unit that stores the set irradiation conditions. The setting unit sets different irradiation conditions for each unit included in the test unit. The verification device (3) photographs a processing pattern and calculates a brightness value for each unit. The setting unit sets at least one irradiation condition for actual processing based on information related to the brightness value of the test unit extracted from the brightness values of each unit and the irradiation conditions set in the test unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a laser processing system. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a laser processing apparatus that uses a laser to process a workpiece has been known. As one of the laser processing apparatuses, there is a laser marking machine used for printing a code that can be recognized and read by a machine (reading device). The laser marking machine uses a laser to perform marking (hereinafter, also referred to as "printing" or "processing") such as characters and graphics on the surface of a marking object (workpiece). In order to print a code that can be recognized and read by a reading device, it is necessary to perform processing under appropriate irradiation conditions (printing conditions), but setting the irradiation conditions requires experience and know-how.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-148309 (Patent Document 1) discloses a laser marking machine that can set appropriate printing conditions even without detailed knowledge by repeatedly performing setting and sample printing according to a guide.

[0004] Prior Art Documents

[0005] Patent Documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-148309 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] According to the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-148309, even without detailed knowledge, appropriate irradiation conditions can be set by repeatedly performing sample printing according to a guide. However, repeated trials are required, which is troublesome for the user. Therefore, a laser processing system that can set appropriate irradiation conditions without trouble is required.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a laser processing system that can set appropriate irradiation conditions without trouble.

[0010] Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] The laser processing system of the present disclosure includes: a laser processing device that processes a processing object according to a processing pattern; and a verification device that verifies the processing of the laser processing device. The processing pattern (N) includes a plurality of units. The laser processing device includes: a reception unit that receives the processing pattern; a setting unit that sets irradiation conditions of a laser for each unit of the processing pattern received by the reception unit; a first storage unit that stores the irradiation conditions set by the setting unit for each unit for which the irradiation conditions are set; and an irradiation unit that irradiates the processing object with the laser based on the irradiation conditions set by the setting unit. The setting unit uses a part of the processing pattern received during test processing as test units, and sets different irradiation conditions for each unit included in the test units. The verification device includes: a photographing unit that photographs the processing pattern formed on the processing object; and a calculation unit that calculates the brightness value of each unit based on the photographed image of the photographing unit. The setting unit sets at least one irradiation condition during formal processing based on information related to the brightness value of the test units extracted from the brightness values of each unit and the irradiation conditions set in the test units.

[0012] According to the above disclosure, appropriate irradiation conditions can be set without trouble.

[0013] In the above disclosure, the verification device further includes a transmission unit that transmits the brightness value of each unit calculated by the calculation unit to the laser processing device. The setting unit further extracts information related to the brightness value of the test units based on the configuration information of the test units and the brightness value of each unit received from the verification device.

[0014] According to the above disclosure, appropriate irradiation conditions can be set without trouble.

[0015] In the above disclosure, the verification device further includes a communication unit that communicates with the laser processing device. The calculation unit further extracts information related to the brightness value of the test units based on the configuration information of the test units and the calculated brightness value of each unit. The communication unit transmits the information related to the brightness value of the test units extracted by the calculation unit to the laser processing device. The setting unit receives the information related to the brightness value of the test units from the verification device.

[0016] According to the above disclosure, appropriate irradiation conditions can be set without trouble.

[0017] In the above disclosure, the verification device obtains the configuration information of the test units from the laser processing device.

[0018] According to the above disclosure, the user's effort of inputting the configuration information of the test units into the verification device can be saved.

[0019] In the above disclosure, the verification device further includes a second storage unit, and the configuration information of the test units is stored in the second storage unit in advance.

[0020] According to the above disclosure, it is possible to save the effort of the user to input the configuration information of the test unit into the verification device.

[0021] In the above disclosure, the information related to the brightness value of the test unit includes at least one of the information indicating the unit with the highest brightness in the test unit and the information indicating the unit with the lowest brightness in the test unit. The setting unit sets the irradiation conditions during the formal processing based on the irradiation conditions set in the unit determined by the information related to the brightness value of the test unit.

[0022] According to the above disclosure, it is possible to set appropriate irradiation conditions without trouble.

[0023] In the above disclosure, the information related to the brightness value of the test unit includes at least one of the information indicating two or more units sequentially selected from the higher brightness side in the test unit and the information indicating two or more units sequentially selected from the lower brightness side in the test unit. The setting unit sets the irradiation conditions during the formal processing based on at least one of the average value of the irradiation conditions set in two or more units with higher brightness determined by the information related to the brightness value of the test unit and the average value of the irradiation conditions set in two or more units with lower brightness determined by the information related to the brightness value of the test unit.

[0024] According to the above disclosure, it is possible to set appropriate irradiation conditions without trouble.

[0025] In the above disclosure, the receiving unit receives the material of the object to be processed. The setting unit sets different irradiation conditions for each unit in the test unit based on the material of the object to be processed received by the receiving unit during the test processing.

[0026] According to the above disclosure, it is possible to set irradiation conditions suitable for the material of the object to be processed without trouble.

[0027] In the above disclosure, the laser processing device determines the deviation of the brightness value in the area where the same irradiation conditions are set during the test processing based on the brightness value of each unit calculated by the calculation unit. When the deviation of the brightness value in this area exceeds the threshold, the setting unit sets the irradiation conditions for the substrate treatment based on the information related to the brightness value of the test unit and the irradiation conditions set in the test unit.

[0028] According to the above disclosure, it is possible to set appropriate irradiation conditions for the substrate treatment without trouble.

[0029] In the above disclosure, the processing pattern is a two-dimensional code.

[0030] According to the above disclosure, when printing the two-dimensional code, it is possible to set appropriate irradiation conditions without trouble.

[0031] In the above disclosure, the test unit is set based on the information unit of the processing pattern.

[0032] According to the above disclosure, the concern that the read information cannot be recognized in the reading device can be avoided.

[0033] In the above disclosure, the test unit is set in an area of the processing pattern other than the area for detecting the position of the two-dimensional code.

[0034] According to the above disclosure, the concern that the position detection of the code cannot be performed can be avoided.

[0035] Effects of the Invention

[0036] According to the present disclosure, a laser processing system capable of easily setting appropriate irradiation conditions can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram showing the schematic structure of the laser processing system of Embodiment 1.

[0038] Figure 2 It is a structural diagram showing the structure of the laser processing system of Embodiment 1 in more detail.

[0039] Figure 3 It is a structural diagram showing the hardware included in the control board of Embodiment 1.

[0040] Figure 4 It is a structural diagram showing the hardware included in the verification device of Embodiment 1.

[0041] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing an example of the user interface of Embodiment 1.

[0042] Figure 6 It is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the controller of Embodiment 1.

[0043] Figure 7 It is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the controller of Embodiment 1.

[0044] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing the processing pattern input to the drawing area.

[0045] Figure 9 It is a diagram showing the case where the processing pattern input to the drawing area includes a plurality of units.

[0046] Figure 10 It is a diagram for explaining the test unit.

[0047] Figure 11This is a diagram showing the irradiation conditions for the test unit when the object to be processed is aluminum.

[0048] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing the irradiation conditions for the test unit when the object to be processed is iron.

[0049] Figure 13 This is a diagram showing the irradiation conditions for the test unit when the object to be processed is plastic.

[0050] Figure 14 This is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the verification device according to Embodiment 1.

[0051] Figure 15 This is a flowchart showing the first modification of the processing of the controller according to Embodiment 1.

[0052] Figure 16 This is a flowchart showing the second modification of the processing of the controller according to Embodiment 1.

[0053] Figure 17 This is a diagram for explaining an example of the processing of the verification device according to Embodiment 2.

[0054] Figure 18 This is a diagram showing an example of the positioning mark formed by the laser marking machine according to Embodiment 3.

[0055] Figure 19 This is a diagram for explaining an example of the processing of the laser marking machine according to Embodiment 3.

[0056] Figure 20 This is a diagram for explaining an example of the processing of the verification device according to Embodiment 3. Detailed Embodiments

[0057] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described repeatedly.

[0058] [Application Example]

[0059] First, mainly with reference to Figure 1 , Figure 8 and Figure 10 , an example of the scenario in which the present invention is applied will be described. The scenario in which the present invention is applied is a scenario for setting the irradiation conditions of the laser marking machine 2. In such a case, first, the user registers the code ([the processing pattern N in Figure 8 ) that he / she wants to print on the object to be processed 8 in the laser marking machine 2. In addition, the user can also use the pre-registered codes. In this case, the user selects the code he / she wants to print from the registered codes. The laser marking machine 2 will process the units included in the received processing pattern N (for example, Figure 10The units numbered "1" to "18" in [it] are set as test units. The laser marking machine 2 sets different irradiation conditions for each unit included in the test units and performs test processing. The verification device 3 calculates the brightness value of each unit S of the processing pattern N formed by the test processing.

[0060] The test processing is a trial processing performed before the formal processing, and includes the substrate processing for testing and the processing for testing. In addition, the formal processing includes: the processing for forming the code to be printed on the object to be processed 8; and the substrate processing for irradiating the entire surface of the printing object area with a laser before the processing. Generally, the higher the brightness value of the unit S, the whiter it is, and the lower the brightness value of the unit S, the blacker it is. In addition, the clearer the contrast between black and white, the easier it is for the reading device to recognize and read the code. Therefore, the laser processing system 1 extracts information related to the brightness value of the test unit based on the calculated brightness value of each unit S, and determines at least one of the irradiation conditions suitable for white units (hereinafter, also referred to as "white units") and the irradiation conditions suitable for black units (hereinafter, also referred to as "black units") according to the extracted information. The laser processing system 1 sets the determined irradiation conditions as the irradiation conditions of the laser W during the formal processing. The irradiation conditions of the laser W during the formal processing may include only the irradiation conditions of the formal processing or may include the irradiation conditions of the formal processing and the irradiation conditions of the formal substrate processing. Thus, it is possible to set the irradiation conditions suitable for printing a code that can be recognized and read by the reading device through one test processing. Therefore, according to the laser processing system 1, it is possible to set appropriate irradiation conditions without trouble.

[0061] The laser processing system 1 includes a laser marking machine 2 and a verification device 3. The brightness value of each unit S is calculated by the verification device 3. Based on the brightness value of each unit S calculated by the verification device 3, the laser marking machine 2 or the verification device 3 extracts information related to the brightness value of the test unit. Embodiment 1 is an example of the case where the laser marking machine 2 extracts information related to the brightness value of the test unit, and Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 3 are examples of the case where the verification device 3 extracts information related to the brightness value of the test unit.

[0062] Hereinafter, as the laser processing device, a laser marking machine will be described as an example. In addition, the laser marking machine of each embodiment may have functions other than marking characters or symbols, such as functions for performing processing other than marking, such as punching, peeling, and cutting.

[0063] [Embodiment 1]

[0064] <Schematic structure of the laser processing system>

[0065] Figure 1 is a structural diagram showing the schematic structure of the laser processing system of Embodiment 1. Refer toFigure 1 , the laser processing system 1 includes a laser marking machine 2 and a verification device 3. The laser marking machine 2 has a controller 21 and a marking head 26 (equivalent to the "irradiation unit").

[0066] The controller 21 controls the operation of the marking head 26. The controller 21 has a laser oscillator that oscillates the laser W, and the details will be described later.

[0067] Based on the control of the controller 21, the marking head 26 irradiates the processing object 8 with the laser W. The marking head 26 is connected to the oscillator in the controller 21 through an optical fiber 28. Also, the marking head 26 is connected to the controller 21 through a communication cable 29. More specifically, the marking head 26 is connected to the control board in the controller 21 through the communication cable 29. In addition, the connection method between the controller 21 and the marking head 26 is the same as the conventional structure, so it will not be described in detail here.

[0068] The verification device 3 verifies the processing of the laser marking machine 2. The verification device 3 has a photographing unit 330 and a control unit 310 (equivalent to the "calculation unit"). The photographing unit 330 and the control unit 310 are connected through a communication cable 11a. The photographing unit 330 photographs the processing pattern N formed on the processing object 8 (refer to Figure 8 ), and sends the photographed image to the control unit 310. Based on the photographed image of the photographing unit 330, the control unit 310 calculates the brightness value of each unit S of the processing pattern N (refer to Figure 9 ). The calculated brightness value of each unit S is sent to the laser marking machine 2 (specifically, the controller 21). The verification device 3 is connected to the laser marking machine 2 (specifically, the controller 21) through a communication cable 11b. The laser marking machine 2 (specifically, the controller 21) extracts information related to the brightness values of the test units ( Figure 10 the units from "1" to "18" in it) based on the received brightness values of each unit S, and sets the irradiation conditions of the laser W during formal processing based on the extracted information related to the brightness values of the test units and the irradiation conditions set for the test units.

[0069] In addition, when the laser marking machine 2 is equipped with a camera unit, the photographing unit 330 can also be replaced by the camera unit of the laser marking machine 2. In such a case, the camera unit photographs the processing pattern N formed on the object to be processed 8, and transmits the photographed image to the control unit 310. The camera unit and the control unit 310 are connected by a communication cable. The control unit 310 calculates the brightness value of each unit S of the processing pattern N based on the photographed image, and transmits the calculated brightness value of each unit S to the controller 21. The control unit 310 is connected to the controller 21 through the communication cable 11b. The controller 21 extracts information related to the brightness value of the test unit based on the received brightness value of each unit S, and sets the irradiation condition of the laser W during the formal processing based on the extracted information related to the brightness value of the test unit and the irradiation condition set for the test unit.

[0070] In addition, the control unit 310 can also be integrated with the photographing unit 330 (or the camera unit). When the control unit 310 is integrated with the photographing unit 330 (or the camera unit), the photographing unit 330 (or the camera unit) photographs the processing pattern N formed on the object to be processed 8, calculates the brightness value of each unit S of the processing pattern N based on the photographed image, and transmits the calculated brightness value of each unit S to the controller 21. The photographing unit 330 (or the camera unit) is connected to the controller 21 through a communication cable. The controller 21 extracts information related to the brightness value of the test unit based on the received brightness value of each unit S, and sets the irradiation condition of the laser W during the formal processing based on the extracted information related to the brightness value of the test unit and the irradiation condition set for the test unit.

[0071] In addition, the control unit 310 can also be replaced by the controller 21. When the control unit 310 is replaced by the controller 21, the photographing unit 330 (or the camera unit) photographs the processing pattern N formed on the object to be processed 8, and transmits the photographed image to the controller 21. The photographing unit 330 (or the camera unit) is connected to the controller 21 through a communication cable. The controller 21 receives the photographed image of the photographing unit 330 (or the camera unit), and calculates the brightness value of each unit S of the processing pattern N based on the photographed image. The controller 21 extracts information related to the brightness value of the test unit based on the calculated brightness value of each unit S, and sets the irradiation condition of the laser W during the formal processing based on the extracted information related to the brightness value of the test unit and the irradiation condition set for the test unit.

[0072] <Detailed Structure of the Laser Processing System 1>

[0073] Figure 2 is a structural diagram showing in more detail the structure of the laser processing system according to Embodiment 1. Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2, as described above, the laser processing system 1 includes a controller 21, a marking head 26, and a verification device 3.

[0074] The controller 21 includes a laser oscillator 240, a control board 210, a driver 220, and a driver power supply 230. A setting device 4 including a display device 6 and an input device 7 can be connected to the controller 21. The display device 6 and the input device 7 are used, for example, when a user changes the setting content in the controller 21.

[0075] (Controller 21)

[0076] (1) Laser oscillator 240

[0077] When explaining the laser oscillator 240, it is as follows. The laser oscillator 240 has an optical fiber 241, semiconductor lasers 242, 243, 249A - 249D, isolators 244, 246, couplers 245, 248, and a band - pass filter 247.

[0078] The semiconductor laser 242 is a seed light source that emits seed light. The semiconductor laser 242 is driven by the driver 220 and emits pulsed seed light.

[0079] The isolator 244 allows light to pass through only in one direction and blocks light incident in the opposite direction to the light. Specifically, the isolator 244 allows the seed light emitted from the semiconductor laser 242 to pass through and blocks the return light from the optical fiber 241. Thereby, damage to the semiconductor laser 242 can be prevented.

[0080] The semiconductor laser 243 is an excitation light source that emits excitation light for exciting rare - earth elements added to the core of the optical fiber 241.

[0081] The coupler 245 couples the seed light from the semiconductor laser 242 and the excitation light from the semiconductor laser 243 and makes them incident on the optical fiber 241.

[0082] The excitation light incident on the optical fiber 241 from the semiconductor laser 243 via the coupler 245 is absorbed by the rare - earth elements contained in the core of the optical fiber 241. Thereby, the rare - earth elements are excited and a population inversion state is obtained. In this state, if the seed light from the semiconductor laser 242 is incident on the core of the optical fiber 241, stimulated emission occurs. Through this stimulated emission, the seed light (pulsed light) is amplified. That is, the seed light and the excitation light are incident on the optical fiber amplifier composed of the optical fiber 241, and thereby the seed light is amplified.

[0083] The isolator 246 allows the pulsed light output from the optical fiber 241 to pass through and blocks the light returning to the optical fiber 241.

[0084] The band-pass filter 247 is configured to allow light in a specified wavelength band to pass through. Specifically, the "specified wavelength band" is a wavelength band that includes the peak wavelength of the pulsed light output from the optical fiber 241. When spontaneous emission light is emitted from the optical fiber 241, the spontaneous emission light is removed by the band-pass filter 247.

[0085] The laser light that has passed through the band-pass filter 247 enters the optical fiber 28 provided for transmitting the laser light via the coupler 248. The semiconductor lasers 249A to 249D emit pump light to amplify the laser light that has passed through the band-pass filter 247 in the optical fiber 28. That is, the optical fiber 28, similar to the optical fiber amplifier composed of the coupler 245, the optical fiber 241, and the isolator 246, forms an optical fiber amplifier by combining the coupler 248 and an isolator 262 described later.

[0086] The coupler 248 couples the pulsed light that has passed through the band-pass filter 247 with the light from the semiconductor lasers 249A to 249D and makes it incident on the optical fiber 28.

[0087] In addition, Figure 2 The structure of the laser oscillator 240 shown is an example and is not limited thereto. For example, the laser oscillator 240 may not have the band-pass filter 247 as long as it can obtain laser light in a specified wavelength band.

[0088] (2) Control substrate 210

[0089] The control substrate 210 includes a control unit 211 (equivalent to the "setting unit"), a pulse generation unit 212, a storage unit 213 (equivalent to the "first storage unit"), and communication processing units 214, 215, 216, and 217.

[0090] The control unit 211 controls the overall operation of the controller 21 by controlling the pulse generation unit 212 and the driver 220. Specifically, the control unit 211 controls the overall operation of the controller 21 by executing the operating system and application programs stored in the storage unit 213. As a result, the laser W is irradiated from the marking head 26 to the workpiece 8.

[0091] The pulse generation unit 212 generates an electrical signal having a specified repetition frequency and a specified pulse width. The pulse generation unit 212 outputs the electrical signal or stops the output of the electrical signal under the control of the control unit 211. The electrical signal from the pulse generation unit 212 is supplied to the semiconductor laser 242.

[0092] In addition to the operating system and application programs, the storage unit 213 also stores various data.

[0093] The communication processing unit 214 is an interface for communicating with the marker head 26. The control unit 211 sends a control signal to the marker head 26 via the communication processing unit 214 and the communication cable 29.

[0094] The communication processing unit 215 is an interface for communicating with the verification device 3. The control unit 211 receives the luminance value of each unit S (refer to Figure 9 ) sent from the verification device 3 via the communication cable 11b and the communication processing unit 340 (equivalent to the "transmission unit").

[0095] The communication processing unit 216 (equivalent to the "reception unit") receives the input from the input device 7. The input device 7 is various pointing devices (e.g., mouse, touchpad, etc.), keyboard, etc. The communication processing unit 216 notifies the received input to the control unit 211.

[0096] The communication processing unit 217 sends the image data generated by the control unit 211 to the display device 6. In addition, in this case, the display device 6 displays an image (user interface) based on the image data. For an example of the user interface displayed on the display device 6, refer to Figure 5 which will be described later.

[0097] (3) Driver 220 and driver power supply 230

[0098] The driver power supply 230 supplies power to the driver 220. Thereby, the driver 220 supplies drive current to the semiconductor lasers 242, 243, 249A to 249D. The semiconductor lasers 242, 243, 249A to 249D respectively perform laser oscillation by being supplied with drive current. The drive current supplied to the semiconductor laser 242 is modulated by the electrical signal from the pulse generation unit 212. Thereby, the semiconductor laser 242 performs pulse oscillation and outputs pulsed light having a prescribed repetition frequency and a prescribed pulse width as seed light. On the other hand, continuous drive current is supplied to the semiconductor lasers 243, 249A to 249D respectively by the driver 220. Thereby, the semiconductor lasers 243, 249A to 249D each perform continuous oscillation and output continuous light as excitation light.

[0099] (Marker head 26)

[0100] The marker head 26 includes an isolator 262, a collimating lens 263, a galvanometer mirror unit 264 (a galvanometer mirror 264a in the X direction and a galvanometer mirror 264b in the Y direction), and a condenser lens 265. The isolator 262 allows the pulsed light output from the optical fiber 28 to pass through and blocks the light returning to the optical fiber 28. The pulsed light passing through the isolator 262 is output from the collimating lens 263 attached to the isolator 262 into the atmosphere and is incident on the galvanometer mirror unit 264. The condenser lens 265 converges the laser beam W incident on the galvanometer mirror unit 264. The galvanometer mirror unit 264 scans the laser beam W in at least one of the directions of the first axis (specifically, the axis parallel to the arrow of Figure 1 ) and the second axis perpendicular to the first axis.

[0101] (Verification device 3)

[0102] The verification device 3 includes a control unit 310, a storage unit 320 (equivalent to the "second storage unit"), a photographing unit 330, and a communication processing unit 340.

[0103] The control unit 310 controls the overall operation of the verification device 3 by executing the operating system and application programs stored in the storage unit 320.

[0104] In addition to the operating system and application programs, the storage unit 320 also stores various data.

[0105] The photographing unit 330 includes an illumination unit 331 and a light receiving unit 332. The illumination unit 331 is lit according to the photographing instruction from the control unit 310. The light from the illumination unit 331 irradiates the object to be processed 8, and the reflected light is received by the light receiving unit 332. The photographing unit 330 forms an image based on the reflected light received by the light receiving unit 332. Thus, an image of the processing pattern N formed on the object to be processed 8 (refer to Figure 8 ) is formed. The photographing unit 330 sends the photographed image to the control unit 310.

[0106] The control unit 310 calculates the brightness value of each unit S of the processing pattern N (refer to Figure 9 ) based on the photographed image received from the photographing unit 330.

[0107] The communication processing unit 340 is an interface for communicating with the controller 21. The communication processing unit 340 sends the brightness value of each unit S calculated by the control unit 310 to the laser marking machine 2 (specifically, the controller 21) via the communication cable 11b. When the irradiation conditions of the laser beam W during formal processing are set by the controller 21 (specifically, the control unit 211), the brightness value of each unit S sent to the laser marking machine 2 (specifically, the controller 21) is referred to.

[0108] In addition, the verification device 3 can be a code verification machine that verifies the code according to the direct part marking quality guidelines (ISO29158) or the like, or can be a camera of an image processing system adopted in the manufacturing site process. If the verification device 3 is a code verification machine, the optimal irradiation conditions can be set through one-time printing and one-time verification, and the quality conforming to ISO29158 etc. can also be ensured. In addition, if the verification device 3 is a camera of an image processing system, even if a code verification machine is not specially prepared, the irradiation conditions suitable for white printing and black printing can be obtained by only photographing the high-brightness unit and the low-brightness unit using the camera of the image processing system.

[0109] (Hardware structures of the control substrate 210 and the verification device 3)

[0110] Figure 3 is a structural diagram showing the hardware included in the control substrate of Embodiment 1. Refer to Figure 3 , the control substrate 210 has a processor 110, a memory 120, a communication interface 130, and a pulse generation circuit 140.

[0111] The memory 120 is configured to include, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 121, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 122, and a flash memory 123. In addition, the above-mentioned operating system, application programs, and various data are stored in the flash memory 123. The memory 120 corresponds to Figure 2 the storage unit 213 shown.

[0112] The processor 110 controls the overall operation of the controller 21. In addition, Figure 2 the control unit 211 shown is implemented by the processor 110 executing the operating system and application programs stored in the memory 120. In addition, when executing the application program, various data stored in the memory 120 are referred to.

[0113] The communication interface 130 is used for communicating with external devices (for example, the verification device 3, the marking head 26, the display device 6, the input device 7). The communication interface 130 corresponds to Figure 2 the communication processing units 214, 215, 216, 217.

[0114] The pulse generation circuit 140 corresponds to Figure 2 the pulse generation unit 212. That is, the pulse generation circuit 140 generates an electrical signal having a prescribed repetition frequency and a prescribed pulse width based on an instruction from the processor 110.

[0115] Figure 4 is a structural diagram showing the hardware included in the verification device of Embodiment 1. Refer toFigure 4 The verification device 3 includes an arithmetic processing circuit 150, a memory 160, a communication interface 170, and an imaging unit 330.

[0116] The memory 160 is configured to include, for example, a ROM 161, a RAM 162, and a flash memory 163. In addition, the above-mentioned operating system, application programs, and various data are stored in the flash memory 163. The memory 160 corresponds to Figure 2 the storage unit 320 shown. In addition, the memory 160 may also be configured to have an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

[0117] The arithmetic processing circuit 150 includes a main processor 151 and an image processing dedicated processor 152. Figure 2 The control unit 310 shown is implemented by the arithmetic processing circuit 150 executing the operating system and application programs stored in the memory 160. In addition, when executing the application program, various data stored in the memory 160 are referred to.

[0118] The main processor 151 controls the overall operation of the verification device 3. The image processing dedicated processor 152 preprocesses the captured image of the imaging unit 330 and calculates the luminance value of each unit S (refer to Figure 9 ). In addition, instead of the image processing dedicated processor 152, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) for performing image processing may be provided.

[0119] The communication interface 170 is used for communicating with the controller 21. The communication interface corresponds to Figure 2 the communication processing unit 340.

[0120] In addition, Figure 3 and Figure 4 the hardware structure shown is an example and is not limited to these.

[0121] <Prior registration>

[0122] Refer to Figure 2 and Figure 5 to describe the user interface displayed on the display device 6. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the user interface of Embodiment 1. The user interface 700 is displayed on the display device 6 by the control unit 211 executing the application program stored in the storage unit 213. Input operations by the user on the input device 7 in the user interface 700 are received by the communication processing unit 216, and the received operation content is notified to the control unit 211.

[0123] The control unit 211 can switch the screen mode in accordance with the user's operation.Figure 5 Displays a screen of an editing mode for creating and editing marking data. When the control unit 211 receives a user operation of clicking the button 703, it switches the screen from the screen of the editing mode to the screen of an operation mode used when actually performing marking (processing). In addition, the control unit 211 switches the screen of the operation mode to the screen of the editing mode by receiving a user operation of clicking a button displayed on the screen of the operation mode.

[0124] When the control unit 211 receives a user operation of clicking the button 702, it causes a test marking screen to be displayed on the display device 6. Thus, the user can confirm the created and edited marking data on the display device 6.

[0125] The control unit 211 receives an input of a pattern to be marked such as characters, graphics, symbols, etc. to be marked (for example, Figure 8 the processing pattern N shown). That is, the control unit 211 operates as a part of the reception unit for receiving the processing pattern N. In the first embodiment, the processing pattern is, for example, a pattern that can be recognized and read by a reading device. The user uses the drawing area 701 to draw the processing pattern. A coordinate system composed of an X-axis and a Y-axis is set in the drawing area 701. The control unit 211 determines the processing pattern input by the user in the coordinate system. That is, the control unit 211 receives the processing pattern input by the user as position information.

[0126] In a state where the laser / scanning tab 710 is selected, the control unit 211 receives settings of the irradiation conditions of the laser and the material of the processing object 8. The laser / scanning tab 710 includes columns for inputting the output power of the laser, the frequency of the laser, the processing speed, and the material of the processing object 8. When values are input in the columns of "Power", "Frequency", and "Processing Speed", the control unit 211 sets the input values as the output power of the laser, the frequency of the laser, and the processing speed. In addition, when a material is selected in the "Material" column, the control unit 211 sets the selected material as the material of the processing object 8. In addition, the irradiation conditions of the laser may include other elements (for example, pulse shape, number of scans, irradiation interval of the laser, etc.) in addition to the output power of the laser, the frequency of the laser, and the processing speed.

[0127] When the control unit 211 receives a user operation of clicking the button 750, it saves the user input content (setting content) as the default value. When the control unit 211 receives a user operation of clicking the button 760, it restores the user input content (setting content) to the default value.

[0128] In addition, Figure 5The user interface 700 shown is an example and is not limited thereto. For example, a field for inputting the material of the processing object 8 may be provided other than the laser / scan tab 710. In addition, a field for inputting the type of code (e.g., QR code (registered trademark), DataMatrix (registered trademark), etc.) may be provided in the user interface 700. Further, the control unit 211 can also write the content (setting content) input by the user, for example, in the form of a file to an external memory or send it to an external device. Thus, these setting contents can be transferred to a laser marking machine 2 other than the laser marking machine 2 (refer to Figure 1 ) outside.

[0129] The laser marking machine 2 irradiates a laser based on the processing pattern N input by the user using the user interface 700 and the irradiation conditions of the laser, and processes the processing object 8. In order to print a code that can be recognized and read by a reading device, it is necessary to perform processing under appropriate irradiation conditions, but setting the irradiation conditions requires experience and expertise. In addition, even for a user with experience and expertise, repeated trials are required in setting the irradiation conditions, which is rather troublesome. Therefore, the laser marking machine 2 sets the cells included in the received processing pattern N as test cells. The laser marking machine 2 sets different irradiation conditions for each cell included in the test cells and performs test processing. The verification device 3 calculates the brightness value of each cell S of the processing pattern N formed by the test processing. Generally, the higher the brightness value of the cell S, the whiter it is, and the lower the brightness value of the cell S, the blacker it is. In addition, the clearer the contrast between black and white, the easier it is for the reading device to recognize and read the code. Therefore, the laser marking machine 2 extracts information related to the brightness value of the test cells based on the brightness value of each cell S calculated by the verification device 3, and sets the irradiation conditions of the laser W during formal processing based on the extracted information. Thus, the optimal irradiation conditions can be set through one test processing. Therefore, according to the laser processing system 1, appropriate irradiation conditions can be set without trouble. Hereinafter, the setting of the laser irradiation conditions by the laser processing system 1 will be described in detail.

[0130] <Setting of Laser Irradiation Conditions>

[0131] Refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figures 6 to 14 , and the method for setting the laser irradiation conditions of the laser processing system 1 will be described. Hereinafter, the method for setting the laser irradiation conditions will be described by taking the case of performing black printing on a white substrate as an example. Figure 6 And Figure 7 are flowcharts showing an example of the processing of the controller according to Embodiment 1. Figure 6 And Figure 7 The processing shown is implemented by the control unit 211 executing an application program stored in the storage unit 213.

[0132] First, the control unit 211 receives the processing pattern N via the communication processing unit 216 (step S605).

[0133] Here, with reference to Figure 2 , Figure 5 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 , the processing of step S605 will be specifically described. Figure 8 is a diagram showing the processing pattern input to the drawing area. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the case where the processing pattern input to the drawing area includes a plurality of units. The processing pattern N is input by the user to the drawing area 701 and received by the communication processing unit 216. In addition, in the case of using a pre-registered code, the user selects the code to be printed from the registered codes, and it is received by the communication processing unit 216. The communication processing unit 216 sends the received processing pattern N to the control unit 211. When the control unit 211 receives the processing pattern N from the communication processing unit 216, it receives the received processing pattern N as a Figure 9 set of a plurality of units S as shown, and assigns unit numbers to each unit S according to a predetermined rule. Thus, the position of each unit S within the processing pattern N is determined by the unit number. In Embodiment 1, the processing pattern N is a two-dimensional code. Examples of two-dimensional codes include QR codes and DataMatrix. In Figure 8 and Figure 9 , as an example of a two-dimensional code, DataMatrix is shown.

[0134] Referring again to Figure 6 , the control unit 211 sets the irradiation conditions for the test base treatment (step S610). The irradiation conditions for the test base treatment are determined in advance for each material of the processing object 8 and stored in the storage unit 213. In addition, the irradiation conditions for the base treatment may also include a condition of not performing the base treatment.

[0135] Next, the control unit 211 performs the test base treatment (step S615). The control unit 211 irradiates at least the entire surface of the test printing target area with laser under the irradiation conditions set in step S610. In addition, in step S610, when a condition of not performing the base treatment is set as the irradiation condition for the base treatment, the control unit 211 does not perform the processing of step S615.

[0136] Next, the control unit 211 sets the test unit (step S620). Specifically, the control unit 211 sets a part of the divided plurality of units S in the received processing pattern N as the test unit.

[0137] Here, with reference to Figure 10 the test unit will be described.Figure 10 is a diagram for explaining the test unit. In Figure 10 , numbers "1" to "18" are assigned to the test units in order to distinguish the test units from the units S other than the test units.

[0138] As Figure 10 shown, the processing pattern N is composed of black units S and white units S. When the processing pattern N is a two-dimensional code, one piece of information is composed of 8 units S. Hereinafter, a block of 8 units S that constitutes one piece of information is also referred to as an "information unit". For example, there are information unit R1, information unit R2, information unit R3, etc. In addition, in Figure 10 , only 3 information units are depicted, but in fact all the units S that constitute the processing pattern N are divided into information units.

[0139] In a two-dimensional code, the content of the information is determined according to the arrangement of the black units S and the white units S of each information unit. That is, if the arrangement of the black units S and the white units S of each information unit is changed, it may be impossible to recognize and read the information by the reading device. In step S635 described later, a laser is irradiated to the unit S selected as the test unit. Therefore, in order to be able to recognize and read the information by the reading device, the test unit is selected and set based on the information unit of the processing pattern. More specifically, the test unit is set so that the arrangement of the black units S and the white units S of each information unit does not change compared with the arrangement of the processing pattern N received in step S605.

[0140] In addition, in the two-dimensional code, there are areas R10 etc. for detecting the position of the code. If the arrangement of the black units S and the white units S in this area is changed, it may be impossible to detect the position of the code. Therefore, the test unit is selected and set from the areas in the processing pattern other than the area for detecting the position of the two-dimensional code.

[0141] Referring again to Figure 6 , the control unit 211 sets the irradiation conditions for each unit S set as the test unit in step S620, and stores the set irradiation conditions in the storage unit 213 for each unit S for which the irradiation conditions are set (step S625). As an example, the control unit 211 stores the unit number of the unit S selected as the test unit and the irradiation conditions set for the unit S determined by the unit number in the storage unit 213 in a corresponding manner. The unit number of the unit S selected as the test unit is an example of the "configuration information of the test unit".

[0142] Here, referring to Figure 2 , Figure 5 , Figure 10 and Figures 11 to 13 , the irradiation condition setting in step S625 will be described.Figure 11 This is a diagram showing the irradiation conditions for the test unit when the object to be processed is aluminum. Figure 12 This is a diagram showing the irradiation conditions for the test unit when the object to be processed is iron. Figure 13 This is a diagram showing the irradiation conditions for the test unit when the object to be processed is plastic.

[0143] Figures 11 to 13 The irradiation conditions shown are stored in the storage unit 213. Even when irradiating the laser under the same irradiation conditions, since the processing state (e.g., the hue of the object to be processed 8) changes according to the material of the object to be processed 8, in the laser processing system 1, the irradiation conditions for the test unit are stored for each material of the object to be processed 8. As Figures 11 to 13 shown, for one material, 18 kinds of irradiation conditions for the test unit are prepared. Each irradiation condition (Irradiation Condition 1 to Irradiation Condition 18) consists of "power", "frequency", and "processing speed". The processing state (e.g., the hue of the object to be processed 8) also changes according to the irradiation conditions of the laser. That is, the hue of the object to be processed 8 is determined according to the combination of the material of the object to be processed 8 and the irradiation conditions of the laser. In addition, the irradiation conditions of the laser may include other elements (e.g., pulse shape, number of scans, irradiation interval of the laser, etc.) in addition to "power", "frequency", and "processing speed".

[0144] When the user selects the material of the object to be processed 8 on the user interface 700, the selected material of the object to be processed 8 is received by the communication processing unit 216 and sent to the control unit 211. The control unit 211 determines the irradiation conditions for the test unit corresponding to the material received from the communication processing unit 216 from the irradiation conditions for the test unit stored in the storage unit 213, and distributes the determined irradiation conditions (Irradiation Condition 1 to Irradiation Condition 18) to each unit S of the test unit ( Figure 6 ) set in step S620 (refer to Figure 10 ) with the numbers "1" to "18" assigned. For example, when the material of the object to be processed 8 is aluminum, the control unit 211 sets Figure 11 the shown Irradiation Condition 1 to the unit S assigned the number "1" in Figure 10 . Similarly, the control unit 211 sets Figure 11 the shown Irradiation Conditions 2 to 18 to the respective units S assigned the numbers "2" to "18" in Figure 10 . Thus, different irradiation conditions are set for each unit S of the test unit.

[0145] In the present embodiment, the number of types of irradiation conditions for different materials of the test units and the number of units of the test units are both 18, but are not limited thereto. The number of types of irradiation conditions for different materials of the test units is arbitrarily determined based on the range of irradiation conditions that can be set in the laser marking machine 2 (see Figure 1 ), and the number of units of the test units only needs to be consistent with the number of types of irradiation conditions for different materials of the test units. In addition, aluminum, iron, and plastic are examples of the materials of the object to be processed 8. As the irradiation conditions for the test units, in addition to the irradiation conditions shown in Figures 11 to 13 , irradiation conditions suitable for materials other than aluminum, iron, and plastic can also be stored in the storage unit 213.

[0146] In the present embodiment, one of the 18 types of irradiation conditions is assigned to each of the 18 test units, but there may be multiple test units assigned the same irradiation condition. For example, there may be 2 test units each assigned the same irradiation condition. In this case, 9 types of irradiation conditions are assigned to the 18 test units.

[0147] In addition, the irradiation conditions set for the test units may also include a condition of not performing laser irradiation. The test units set with the condition of not performing laser irradiation are the test units for the white units. That is, the irradiation conditions for the white units may also include a condition of not performing laser irradiation. When the irradiation condition for the white units is a condition of not performing laser irradiation, the color after the substrate treatment is directly left (in the case of not performing substrate treatment, it is the color of the raw material of the object to be processed 8).

[0148] Referring again to Figure 6 , the control unit 211 sets the irradiation conditions of the common printing unit and stores the set irradiation conditions in the storage unit 213 (step S630). As an example, the control unit 211 stores the unit number of the unit S classified as the common printing unit and the irradiation conditions set for the unit S determined by the unit number in the storage unit 213 in correspondence. The common printing unit is a printing object unit other than the test unit. The unit number of the unit S classified as the common printing unit is an example of the configuration information of the common printing unit. As the irradiation conditions of the common printing unit, one type of irradiation condition for the white unit and one type of irradiation condition for the black unit are preset respectively. Since the color of the material of the object to be processed 8 is mostly directly used, the irradiation conditions set as the irradiation conditions of the common printing unit are mostly either the irradiation condition for the white unit or the irradiation condition for the black unit. In addition, as the irradiation conditions of the common printing unit, both the irradiation condition for the white unit and the irradiation condition for the black unit can also be set.

[0149] Next, the control unit 211 performs machining processing for testing according to the irradiation conditions set in steps S625 and S630 (step S635). Specifically, based on the irradiation conditions set by the control unit 211 in steps S625 and S630, the marking head 26 irradiates the workpiece 8 with a laser. As a result, a machining pattern N is formed on the workpiece 8. The verification device 3 photographs the machining pattern N formed on the workpiece 8, reads the code corresponding to the machining pattern N based on the photographed image, and calculates the luminance value of each unit S of the machining pattern N. The verification device 3 sends the calculated luminance value of each unit S to the controller 21. Here, with reference to Figure 2 and Figure 14 , the processing of the verification device 3 will be described.

[0150] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the verification device according to Embodiment 1. Figure 14 The processing shown is implemented by the control unit 310 executing an application program stored in the storage unit 320. Figure 14 The processing shown starts, for example, when a button or the like provided on the verification device 3 is operated by the user.

[0151] In step S1401, the control unit 310 causes the imaging unit 330 to photograph the machining pattern formed on the workpiece 8 and preprocesses the photographed image, thereby creating an image of the code.

[0152] In step S1402, the control unit 310 detects the position detection pattern from the created image of the code. When the machining pattern is Figure 8 the DataMatrix as shown, the control unit 310 detects the L shape ( Figure 10 the area R10 shown) arranged on the left side and the lower side of the code. Thereby, the position and orientation of the code are estimated.

[0153] In addition, when the machining pattern is a QR code, in step S1402, the control unit 310 detects the finder pattern F (refer to Figure 17 ) arranged at three vertices of the code, and estimates the position and orientation of the QR code based on the detected finder pattern F.

[0154] In step S1403, the control unit 310 estimates the grid. The grid refers to the center position of each unit. That is, through the processing in step S1403, the position of each unit is determined. When the machining pattern is Figure 8 the DataMatrix as shown, the control unit 310 obtains the clock track based on the detected L shape, thereby estimating the grid.

[0155] In step S1404, the control unit 310 calculates the luminance values at the center positions of the respective cells, determines whether they are dark cells ("1") or bright cells ("0"), and thereby binary-values the respective cells.

[0156] In step S1405, the control unit 310 converts the binary 0 / 1 information into a string. At the time of conversion, error correction is also considered.

[0157] In step S1406, the control unit 310 determines whether the reading is successful. When the reading is successful (in step S1406, it is "Yes"), the control unit 310 ends Figure 14 the series of processes shown. On the other hand, when the reading fails (in step S1406, it is "No"), the control unit 310 transfers the process to step S1407.

[0158] In step S1407, the control unit 310 determines whether the retry of the binary-valueing of the cells is completed. Retry means changing the settings and re-performing the process when the reading fails. When the retry of the binary-valueing of the cells is completed (in step S1407, it is "Yes"), the control unit 310 transfers the process to step S1408. On the other hand, when the retry of the binary-valueing of the cells is not completed (in step S1407, it is "No"), the control unit 310 returns the process to step S1404.

[0159] In step S1408, the control unit 310 determines whether the retry of the grid estimation is completed. When the retry of the grid estimation is completed (in step S1408, it is "Yes"), the control unit 310 transfers the process to step S1409. On the other hand, when the retry of the grid estimation is not completed (in step S1408, it is "No"), the control unit 310 returns the process to step S1403.

[0160] In step S1409, the control unit 310 determines whether the retry of the detection of the position detection pattern is completed. When the retry of the detection of the position detection pattern is completed (in step S1409, it is "Yes"), the control unit 310 transfers the process to step S1410. On the other hand, when the retry of the detection of the position detection pattern is not completed (in step S1409, it is "No"), the control unit 310 returns the process to step S1402.

[0161] In step S1410, the control unit 310 determines whether the retry of the image creation is completed. When the retry of the image creation is completed (in step S1410, it is "Yes"), the control unit 310 ends Figure 14A series of processes shown. On the other hand, when the retry for image creation is not completed (No in step S1410), the control unit 310 returns the process to step S1401.

[0162] The control unit 310 reads the code by Figure 14 the method shown. The control unit 310 stores the luminance value at the time of successful reading for each unit in the storage unit 320. As an example, the control unit 310 stores the luminance value of each unit in the storage unit 320 in correspondence with the position information of each unit within the code. The control unit 310 sends the luminance value of each unit at the time of successful reading (including the luminance value of each unit and the position information of each unit within the code) to the laser marking machine 2. Thus, in Figure 6 step S640 shown, the control unit 211 determines "Yes".

[0163] Referring again to Figure 6 , the control unit 211 determines whether it has received the luminance value of each unit S from the verification device 3 (step S640). When it has received the luminance value of each unit S from the verification device 3 (Yes in step S640), the control unit 211 transfers the process to step S645.

[0164] In step S645, the control unit 211 determines whether at least one of the following conditions is met: the black-and-white contrast of the common printing unit is lower than the threshold value, the deviation of the white color of the common printing unit exceeds the threshold value, and the deviation of the black color of the common printing unit exceeds the threshold value. In step S645, it is determined whether the irradiation conditions set in the common printing unit meet the quality standards. The case where at least one of the black-and-white contrast of the common printing unit is lower than the threshold value, the deviation of the white color of the common printing unit exceeds the threshold value, and the deviation of the black color of the common printing unit exceeds the threshold value is an example of the case where the luminance value deviation in the area where the same irradiation conditions are set during test processing exceeds the threshold value.

[0165] When at least one of the black-and-white contrast of the common printing unit is lower than the threshold value, the deviation of the white color of the common printing unit exceeds the threshold value, and the deviation of the black color of the common printing unit exceeds the threshold value is met (Yes in step S645), the control unit 211 transfers the process to step S650. On the other hand, when none of the black-and-white contrast of the common printing unit is lower than the threshold value, the deviation of the white color of the common printing unit exceeds the threshold value, and the deviation of the black color of the common printing unit exceeds the threshold value is met (No in step S645), the control unit 211 transfers the process to step S680.

[0166] In step S650, the control unit 211 determines whether there is a test cell with a luminance lower than that of the common printing unit, based on the configuration information of cell S stored in the storage unit 213 and the luminance value of each cell S received from the verification device 3. The configuration information of cell S includes the configuration information of the above-mentioned test cell and the configuration information of the common printing unit. Specifically, in step S650, the control unit 211 extracts the cell number of the cell S with the lowest luminance among the test cells, based on the configuration information of cell S and the luminance value of each cell S received from the verification device 3. The cell number of the cell S with the lowest luminance among the test cells is an example of "information related to the luminance value of the test cell". The control unit 211 determines whether there is a test cell with a luminance lower than that of the common printing unit, by comparing the luminance value of the cell S determined by the extracted cell number with the luminance value of the common printing unit. When there is a test cell with a luminance lower than that of the common printing unit (in step S650, "Yes"), the control unit 211 transfers the process to step S655. On the other hand, when there is no test cell with a luminance lower than that of the common printing unit (in step S650, "No"), the control unit 211 transfers the process to step S660.

[0167] In step S655, the control unit 211 sets the irradiation conditions of the test cell with the lowest luminance as the irradiation conditions for the official processing. Specifically, in step S655, the control unit 211 sets the irradiation conditions corresponding to the cell number extracted in step S650, among the irradiation conditions stored in the storage unit 213, as the irradiation conditions for the official processing.

[0168] In step S660, the control unit 211 sets the irradiation conditions of the common printing unit as the irradiation conditions for the official processing. Specifically, in step S660, the control unit 211 sets the irradiation conditions for the black cell, among the irradiation conditions of the common printing unit stored in the storage unit 213, as the irradiation conditions for the official processing.

[0169] In step S665, the control unit 211 determines whether there is a test cell with a luminance higher than that of the common printing unit, based on the configuration information of cell S stored in the storage unit 213 and the luminance value of each cell S received from the verification device 3. Specifically, the control unit 211 extracts the cell number of the cell S with the highest luminance among the test cells, based on the configuration information of cell S and the luminance value of each cell S received from the verification device 3. The cell number of the cell S with the highest luminance among the test cells is an example of "information related to the luminance value of the test cell". The control unit 211 determines whether there is a test cell with a luminance higher than that of the common printing unit by comparing the luminance value of the cell S determined by the extracted cell number with the luminance value of the common printing unit. If there is a test cell with a luminance higher than that of the common printing unit (in step S665, "yes"), the control unit 211 transfers the process to step S670. On the other hand, if there is no test cell with a luminance higher than that of the common printing unit (in step S665, "no"), the control unit 211 transfers the process to step S675.

[0170] In step S670, the control unit 211 sets the irradiation conditions of the test cell with the highest luminance as the irradiation conditions for the official substrate treatment. Specifically, in step S670, the control unit 211 sets the irradiation conditions stored in the storage unit 213 and corresponding to the cell number extracted in step S665 as the irradiation conditions for the official substrate treatment. In addition, in step S670, the control unit 211 may set the irradiation conditions for the official substrate treatment on the basis of not only considering the irradiation conditions of the test cell with the highest luminance but also considering the irradiation conditions of the test substrate treatment.

[0171] In step S675, the control unit 211 sets the irradiation conditions of the test substrate treatment stored in the storage unit 213 as the irradiation conditions for the official substrate treatment.

[0172] In step S680, the control unit 211 sets the irradiation conditions of the common printing unit as the irradiation conditions for the official processing treatment. In addition, the process in step S680 is the same as the process in step S660.

[0173] In step S685, the control unit 211 sets the irradiation conditions of the test substrate treatment as the irradiation conditions for the official substrate treatment. In addition, the process in step S685 is the same as the process in step S675.

[0174] After step S670, step S675, or step S685, the control unit 211 ends Figure 6 and Figure 7 the series of processes shown.

[0175] In addition, as described above, the irradiation conditions of the test unit may include a condition where laser irradiation is not performed, and the irradiation conditions of the substrate treatment for testing may include a condition where substrate treatment is not performed. Therefore, in some cases, it is determined not to perform substrate treatment in step S670, step S675, and step S685.

[0176] In addition, in the above, after performing the substrate treatment for testing (the process of step S615), the control unit 211 sets the irradiation conditions of the test unit and the common printing unit and performs the processing for testing (the process of step S635). However, the control unit 211 may also perform the substrate treatment for testing and the processing for testing after setting the irradiation conditions of the substrate treatment for testing, the irradiation conditions of the test unit, and the irradiation conditions of the common printing unit.

[0177] In this way, the laser processing system 1 of Embodiment 1 sets at least two or more units S among the units S included in the received processing pattern N as test units. The laser processing system 1 sets different irradiation conditions for each unit S included in the test unit, and sets at least one of the irradiation conditions for the white unit and the irradiation conditions for the black unit for the common printing unit to perform test processing. The verification device 3 calculates the brightness value of each unit S of the processing pattern N formed by the test processing. The laser marking machine 2 extracts information related to the brightness value of the test unit based on the brightness value of each unit S calculated by the verification device 3, and sets the irradiation conditions for the formal processing based on the extracted information. Thus, the optimal irradiation conditions can be set through one-time test processing. Therefore, in the laser processing system 1, appropriate irradiation conditions can be set without trouble.

[0178] In addition, in the laser processing system 1, the irradiation conditions are improved only when the irradiation conditions set for the common printing unit do not meet the quality standard. However, the irradiation conditions can also be improved always regardless of whether the irradiation conditions set for the common printing unit meet the quality standard. In such a case, the determination process of step S645 shown Figure 7 is not performed.

[0179] In addition, the laser marking machine 2 can set the test unit according to a predetermined rule, or can set the test unit according to the user's designation.

[0180] In addition, the brightness value of each unit calculated by the verification device 3 may also be the average density in each unit.

[0181] In addition, the above setting method can also be applied to the case of performing white printing on a black substrate. When performing white printing on a black substrate, the processes of steps S650 to S670 and step S680 are replaced as follows. In step S650, it is replaced with "The control unit 211 determines whether there is a test cell with a luminance higher than that of the common printing unit based on the configuration information of cell S stored in the storage unit 213 and the luminance value of each cell S received from the verification device 3." In step S655, it is replaced with "The control unit 211 sets the irradiation condition of the test cell with the highest luminance as the irradiation condition for the official processing." In steps S660 and S680, it is replaced with "The control unit 211 sets the irradiation condition of the common printing unit as the irradiation condition for the official processing." Specifically, in step S660, it is replaced with "The control unit 211 sets the irradiation condition for the white cell in the irradiation condition of the common printing unit stored in the storage unit 213 as the irradiation condition for the official processing." In step S665, it is replaced with "The control unit 211 determines whether there is a test cell with a luminance lower than that of the common printing unit based on the configuration information of cell S stored in the storage unit 213 and the luminance value of each cell S received from the verification device 3." In step S670, it is replaced with "The control unit 211 sets the irradiation condition of the test cell with the lowest luminance as the irradiation condition for the official substrate processing. In addition, the control unit 211 may set the irradiation condition for the official substrate processing on the basis of not only considering the irradiation condition of the test cell with the lowest luminance but also considering the irradiation condition for the test substrate processing."

[0182] In addition, the control unit 211 may only set the irradiation condition for the official processing without setting the irradiation condition for the official substrate processing. In this case, the control unit 211 only needs to extract at least one of the cell numbers of the cell S with the lowest luminance and the cell number of the cell S with the highest luminance among the test cells as the information related to the luminance value of the test cells.

[0183] [First Modification Example in Embodiment 1]

[0184] Refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 7 and Figure 15 , a first modification example of the processing of the controller 21 will be described. In the first modification example, the control unit 211 extracts the cell numbers of the cell S with the second lowest luminance and the cell S with the second highest luminance among the test cells as the information related to the luminance value of the test cells.

[0185] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing a first modification example of the processing of the controller in Embodiment 1.Figure 15 The processing shown is implemented by the control unit 211 executing the application program stored in the storage unit 213. After the processing of steps S605 to S640 shown in Figure 6 , the control unit 211 performs the Figure 15 processing shown. Figure 15 The processing shown, except for steps S650A, S655A, S665A, and S670A, is the same as the Figure 7 processing shown. Therefore, only steps S650A, S655A, S665A, and S670A will be described below.

[0186] In step S650A, the control unit 211 determines whether the brightness of the second-lowest test cell is lower than the brightness of the common printing unit based on the configuration information of cell S stored in the storage unit 213 and the brightness value of each cell S received from the verification device 3. Specifically, in step S650A, the control unit 211 extracts the cell number of the cell S with the second-lowest brightness among the test cells based on the configuration information of cell S and the brightness value of each cell S received from the verification device 3. The cell number of the cell S with the second-lowest brightness among the test cells is an example of "information related to the brightness value of the test cell". The control unit 211 determines whether the brightness of the second-lowest test cell is lower than the brightness of the common printing unit by comparing the brightness value of the cell S determined by the extracted cell number with the brightness value of the common printing unit. When the brightness of the second-lowest test cell is lower than the brightness of the common printing unit (in step S650A, "yes"), the control unit 211 transfers the processing to step S655A. On the other hand, when the brightness of the second-lowest test cell is not lower than the brightness of the common printing unit (in step S650A, "no"), the control unit 211 transfers the processing to step S660.

[0187] In step S655A, the control unit 211 sets the irradiation condition of the second-lowest test cell to the irradiation condition for the official processing. Specifically, in step S655A, the control unit 211 sets the irradiation condition stored in the storage unit 213 corresponding to the cell number extracted in step S650A as the irradiation condition for the official processing.

[0188] In step S665A, the control unit 211 determines whether the brightness of the test cell with the second highest brightness is higher than the brightness of the common printing unit, based on the configuration information of cell S stored in the storage unit 213 and the brightness value of each cell S received from the verification device 3. Specifically, in step S665A, the control unit 211 extracts the cell number of the cell S with the second highest brightness among the test cells, based on the configuration information of cell S and the brightness value of each cell S received from the verification device 3. The cell number of the cell S with the second highest brightness among the test cells is an example of "information related to the brightness value of the test cell". The control unit 211 determines whether the brightness of the test cell with the second highest brightness is higher than the brightness of the common printing unit, by comparing the brightness value of the cell S determined by the extracted cell number with the brightness value of the common printing unit. In the case where the brightness of the test cell with the second highest brightness is higher than the brightness of the common printing unit ( "Yes" in step S665A), the control unit 211 transfers the process to step S670A. On the other hand, in the case where the brightness of the test cell with the second highest brightness is not higher than the brightness of the common printing unit ( "No" in step S665A), the control unit 211 transfers the process to step S675.

[0189] In step S670A, the control unit 211 sets the irradiation condition of the test cell with the second highest brightness as the irradiation condition for the official substrate treatment. Specifically, in step S670A, the control unit 211 sets the irradiation condition corresponding to the cell number extracted in step S665A among the irradiation conditions stored in the storage unit 213 as the irradiation condition for the official substrate treatment. In addition, in step S670A, the control unit 211 may set the irradiation condition for the official substrate treatment, based on not only considering the irradiation condition of the test cell with the second highest brightness but also considering the irradiation condition of the test substrate treatment.

[0190] By Figure 6 and Figure 15 the processes shown, even in the case where there is a cell S with an abnormally high brightness or a cell S with an abnormally low brightness among the test cells, the irradiation condition of the laser W during the official processing is set by excluding the cell S with the highest brightness and the cell S with the lowest brightness among the test cells. As a result, the accuracy of the irradiation condition during the official processing is increased.

[0191] In addition, Figure 6 and Figure 15The setting method shown can also be applied to the case of performing white printing on a black substrate. In the case of performing white printing on a black substrate, the processes of step S650A to step S670A and step S680 are replaced as follows. In step S650A, it is replaced with "The control unit 211 determines whether the brightness of the test unit with the second highest brightness is higher than the brightness of the common printing unit based on the configuration information of unit S stored in the storage unit 213 and the brightness value of each unit S received from the verification device 3." In step S655A, it is replaced with "The control unit 211 sets the irradiation condition of the test unit with the second highest brightness as the irradiation condition for the official processing." In step S660 and step S680, it is replaced with "The control unit 211 sets the irradiation condition of the common printing unit as the irradiation condition for the official processing. Specifically, the control unit 211 sets the irradiation condition for the white unit in the irradiation condition of the common printing unit as the irradiation condition for the official processing." In step S665A, it is replaced with "The control unit 211 determines whether the brightness of the test unit with the second lowest brightness is lower than the brightness of the common printing unit based on the configuration information of unit S stored in the storage unit 213 and the brightness value of each unit S received from the verification device 3." In step S670A, it is replaced with "The control unit 211 sets the irradiation condition of the test unit with the second lowest brightness as the irradiation condition for the official substrate treatment. In addition, the control unit 211 may set the irradiation condition for the official substrate treatment on the basis of not only considering the irradiation condition of the test unit with the second lowest brightness but also considering the irradiation condition for the test substrate treatment."

[0192] In addition, in the first modification example, it is also possible to set only the irradiation condition for the official processing without setting the irradiation condition for the official substrate treatment. In this case, the control unit 211 only needs to extract at least one of the unit numbers of the unit S with the second lowest brightness and the unit number of the unit S with the second highest brightness among the test units.

[0193] [Second Modification Example in Embodiment 1]

[0194] Refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 7 and Figure 16 , a second modification example of the processing of the controller 21 will be described. In the second modification example, the control unit 211 extracts the unit numbers of n (n is an integer of 2 or more) test units with low brightness and the unit numbers of n test units with low brightness among the test units as information related to the brightness values of the test units.

[0195] Figure 16 is a flowchart showing a second modification example of the processing of the controller in Embodiment 1.Figure 16 The processing shown is implemented by the control unit 211 executing the application program stored in the storage unit 213. After the processing of steps S605 to S640 shown in Figure 6 , the control unit 211 performs Figure 16 the processing shown. Figure 16 The processing shown, except for steps S650B, S655B, S665B, and S670B, is the same as Figure 7 the processing shown, so only steps S650B, S655B, S665B, and S670B will be described below.

[0196] In step S650B, the control unit 211 determines whether the average brightness of the n test cells with low brightness is lower than the brightness value of the common printing unit based on the configuration information of cell S stored in the storage unit 213 and the brightness value of each cell S received from the verification device 3. Specifically, the control unit 211, based on the configuration information of cell S and the brightness value of each cell S received from the verification device 3, sequentially selects n cell S from the lower-brightness side among the test cells, and extracts the cell numbers of the selected cell S. The cell numbers of the n cell S sequentially selected from the lower-brightness side among the test cells are an example of "information related to the brightness value of the test cells". The control unit 211 calculates the average brightness of the cell S determined by the extracted cell numbers. The control unit 211 determines whether the average brightness of the n test cells with low brightness is lower than the brightness value of the common printing unit by comparing the calculated brightness value with the brightness value of the common printing unit. When the average brightness of the n test cells with low brightness is lower than the brightness value of the common printing unit (in step S650B, it is "yes"), the control unit 211 transfers the processing to step S655B. On the other hand, when the average brightness of the n test cells with low brightness is not lower than the brightness value of the common printing unit (in step S650B, it is "no"), the control unit 211 transfers the processing to step S660.

[0197] In step S655B, the control unit 211 sets the average of the irradiation conditions set for the n test cells with low brightness as the irradiation conditions for the official processing. Specifically, in step S655B, the control unit 211 calculates the average of the irradiation conditions stored in the storage unit 213 corresponding to the cell numbers extracted in step S650B, and sets the calculated average as the irradiation conditions for the official processing.

[0198] In step S665B, the control unit 211 determines whether the average brightness of the n test cells with high brightness is higher than the brightness value of the common printing unit, based on the configuration information of cell S stored in the storage unit 213 and the brightness value of each cell S received from the verification device 3. Specifically, the control unit 211 selects n cells S in order from the one with higher brightness among the test cells based on the configuration information of cell S and the brightness value of each cell S received from the verification device 3, and extracts the cell numbers of the selected cells S. The cell numbers of the n cells S selected in order from the one with higher brightness among the test cells are an example of "information related to the brightness value of the test cells". The control unit 211 calculates the average brightness of the cells S determined by the extracted cell numbers. The control unit 211 determines whether the average brightness of the n test cells with high brightness is higher than the brightness value of the common printing unit by comparing the calculated brightness value with the brightness value of the common printing unit. When the average brightness of the n test cells with high brightness is higher than the brightness value of the common printing unit (in step S665B, "yes"), the control unit 211 transfers the process to step S670B. On the other hand, when the average brightness of the n test cells with high brightness is not higher than the brightness value of the common printing unit (in step S665B, "no"), the control unit 211 transfers the process to step S675.

[0199] In step S670B, the control unit 211 sets the average of the irradiation conditions set for the n test cells with high brightness as the irradiation conditions for the official base treatment. Specifically, in step S670B, the control unit 211 calculates the average of the irradiation conditions stored in the storage unit 213 that correspond to the cell numbers extracted in step S665B, and sets the calculated average as the irradiation conditions for the official base treatment. In addition, in step S670B, the control unit 211 may set the irradiation conditions for the official base treatment on the basis of not only considering the average of the irradiation conditions set for the n test cells with high brightness but also considering the irradiation conditions for the test base treatment.

[0200] By Figure 6 and Figure 16 the processing shown, even when there is a cell S with extremely high brightness or a cell S with extremely low brightness among the test cells, as the irradiation conditions for the official base treatment, the average of the irradiation conditions set for the test cells with relatively high brightness among the test cells is set, and as the irradiation conditions for the official processing treatment, the average of the irradiation conditions set for the test cells with relatively low brightness among the test cells is set. As a result, the accuracy of the irradiation conditions during official processing increases.

[0201] In addition, in step S655B, the control unit 211 may also set the median of the irradiation conditions respectively set for the n test cells with low brightness as the irradiation conditions for the formal processing. Further, in step S670B, the control unit 211 may also set the median of the irradiation conditions respectively set for the n test cells with high brightness as the irradiation conditions for the formal substrate processing.

[0202] In addition, in step S650B, the control unit 211 may also sort the test cells based on the brightness value of each cell S received from the verification device 3, select the k-th to (k + m)-th cells S (k and m are integers greater than or equal to 1) from the lower order of the sorting, and extract the cell numbers of the selected cells S. In this case, the control unit 211 calculates the average brightness of the cells S determined by the extracted cell numbers, and compares the calculated brightness value with the brightness value of the common printing unit. When the calculated brightness value is lower than the brightness value of the common printing unit (in step S650B, "Yes"), the control unit 211 sets the average value of the irradiation conditions set for the k-th to (k + m)-th test cells from the lower order of the sorting as the irradiation conditions for the formal processing (step S655B). In addition, in step S665B, the control unit 211 may also sort the test cells based on the brightness value of each cell S received from the verification device 3, select the k-th to (k + m)-th cells S from the higher order of the sorting, and extract the cell numbers of the selected cells S. In this case, the control unit 211 calculates the average brightness of the cells S determined by the extracted cell numbers, and compares the calculated brightness value with the brightness value of the common printing unit. When the calculated brightness value is higher than the brightness value of the common printing unit (in step S665B, "Yes"), the control unit 211 sets the average value of the irradiation conditions set for the k-th to (k + m)-th test cells from the higher order of the sorting as the irradiation conditions for the formal substrate processing (step S670B).

[0203] In addition, Figure 6 and Figure 16The setting method shown above can also be applied to the case of performing white printing on a black substrate. In the case of performing white printing on a black substrate, the processes of steps S650B to S670B and step S680 are replaced as follows. In step S650B, it is replaced with "Based on the configuration information of unit S stored in storage unit 213 and the luminance value of each unit S received from verification device 3, control unit 211 determines whether the average luminance of the n test units with high luminance is higher than the luminance value of the common printing unit." In step S655B, it is replaced with "Control unit 211 sets the average of the irradiation conditions set for the n test units with high luminance as the irradiation conditions for the official processing." In steps S660 and S680, they are replaced with "Control unit 211 sets the irradiation conditions of the common printing unit as the irradiation conditions for the official processing. Specifically, control unit 211 sets the irradiation conditions for the white unit in the irradiation conditions of the common printing unit as the irradiation conditions for the official processing." In step S665B, it is replaced with "Based on the configuration information of unit S stored in storage unit 213 and the luminance value of each unit S received from verification device 3, control unit 211 determines whether the average luminance of the n test units with low luminance is lower than the luminance value of the common printing unit." In step S670B, it is replaced with "Control unit 211 sets the average of the irradiation conditions set for the n test units with low luminance as the irradiation conditions for the official substrate processing. Additionally, control unit 211 may set the irradiation conditions for the official substrate processing on the basis of not only considering the average of the irradiation conditions set for the n test units with low luminance but also considering the irradiation conditions for the test substrate processing."

[0204] In addition, in the second modification, it is also possible to set only the irradiation conditions for the official processing without setting the irradiation conditions for the official substrate processing. In this case, control unit 211 only needs to extract at least one of the unit numbers of the n test units sequentially selected from the lower luminance side and the unit numbers of the n test units sequentially selected from the higher luminance side among the test units.

[0205] [Embodiment 2]

[0206] In Embodiment 1, laser marking machine 2 extracts information related to the luminance value of the test unit. In contrast, in Embodiment 2, verification device 3 extracts information related to the luminance value of the test unit. In Embodiment 2, similar to Embodiment 1, the processing pattern during test processing is a two-dimensional code. Since the structure of the laser processing system in Embodiment 2 is the same as that of laser processing system 1 in Embodiment 1, the same reference numerals are used as in Embodiment 1 and their descriptions are not repeated. Hereinafter, the differences from Embodiment 1 will be mainly described.

[0207] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 6 In order for the verification device 3 to extract information related to the luminance value of the test unit, when photographing the processing pattern formed on the object to be processed 8 through test processing, it is necessary to be able to determine the position corresponding to the test unit (hereinafter, also referred to as "the position of the test unit") from the photographed image. Therefore, in the laser processing system 1 of Embodiment 2, the laser marker 2 sends the configuration information of the test unit to the verification device 3.

[0208] The configuration information of the test unit is information indicating the configuration of the test unit set in step S620. Specifically, the configuration information of the test unit is information indicating the relative positional relationship between the position detection pattern (the above-mentioned L-shaped, finder pattern, etc.) and each test unit. For example, it is information on how numbers are assigned to each unit and which unit number is set for the test unit. After step S620, the laser marker 2 sends the configuration information of the test unit to the verification device 3.

[0209] Reference Figure 2 、 Figure 14 and Figure 17 The processing of the verification device 3 of Embodiment 2 will be described. Figure 17 This is a diagram for explaining an example of the processing of the verification device of Embodiment 2. In Figure 17 it, the case where the code C is a QR code is taken as an example for explanation.

[0210] The verification device 3 (specifically, the control unit 310) receives the configuration information of the test unit t from the laser marker 2 at the beginning of the processing shown in Figure 14 . The control unit 310 executes the processing shown in Figure 14 and stores the luminance value at the time of successful reading in the storage unit 320 for each unit.

[0211] Figure 17 The image I shown in is the image of the code C created in step S1401. In addition, in Figure 17 , in order to distinguish the test unit t from other units, the units corresponding to the test unit t are marked with dot shading. However, actually, in the area of the test unit t (test unit area T) shown in the image I captured by the verification device 3, although there are shades, like the area outside the test unit area T, it is shown as an aggregate of white units or black units.

[0212] The control unit 310 determines the positions of the test units t based on the configuration information of the test units t received from the laser marking machine 2. The control unit 310 determines the brightness value of each test unit t with reference to the brightness value of each unit when reading stored in the storage unit 320. The control unit 310 extracts information related to the brightness value of the test unit t, that is, the unit numbers of the test units t that meet the specified conditions, based on the configuration information of the test unit t and the determined brightness value of the test unit t. The communication processing unit 340 (equivalent to the "communication unit") sends the information related to the brightness value of the test unit t extracted by the control unit 310 to the laser marking machine 2.

[0213] The laser marking machine 2 (specifically, the control unit 211) receives information related to the brightness value of the test unit t from the verification device 3, and sets the irradiation conditions during formal processing based on the received information and the irradiation conditions set for the unit indicated by the received information. As an example, the laser marking machine 2 sets the irradiation conditions set for the unit indicated by the information related to the brightness value of the test unit t received from the verification device 3 as the irradiation conditions during formal processing.

[0214] In addition, the configuration information of the test unit t may also be pre-stored in the storage unit 213 of the laser marking machine 2 and the storage unit 320 of the verification device 3. In this case, the configuration information of the test unit t is not transmitted or received between the laser marking machine 2 and the verification device 3. In this case, the laser marking machine 2 performs the setting of the test unit t based on the configuration information of the test unit t stored in the storage unit 213.

[0215] In this way, according to Embodiment 2, the verification device 3 can determine the positions of the test units t. Therefore, the verification device 3 can extract information related to the brightness value of the test unit t and send the extracted information to the laser marking machine 2. Thereby, the laser marking machine 2 only needs to set the irradiation conditions during formal processing based on the information related to the brightness value of the test unit t received from the verification device 3 and the irradiation conditions set for the test unit t, so the processing burden on the laser marking machine 2 is reduced.

[0216] In addition, according to Embodiment 2, similar to Embodiment 1, the optimal irradiation conditions can be set through one test processing. Therefore, appropriate irradiation conditions can be set without trouble.

[0217] In addition, since the configuration information of the test unit t is sent from the laser marking machine 2 to the verification device 3 or pre-stored in the storage unit 320, the trouble of the user inputting the configuration information of the test unit t to the verification device 3 can be saved.

[0218] In addition, among the information sent from the verification device 3 to the laser marking machine 2, in addition to the unit numbers of the test units t that meet the specified conditions, the brightness values of the test units t that meet the specified conditions and the brightness values of each unit of the common printing unit may also be included. In this case, the laser marking machine 2 can also be based on the information received from the verification device 3 and use Figure 7 the process shown in Figure 15 the process shown in, and Figure 16 any of the processes shown in the process shown in to set the irradiation conditions during formal processing.

[0219] [Embodiment 3]

[0220] In Embodiments 1 and 2, the processing pattern during test processing is a two-dimensional code. In contrast, in Embodiment 3, the processing pattern during test processing is a pattern other than a two-dimensional code. In Embodiment 3, similar to Embodiment 2, the verification device extracts information related to the brightness value of the test unit. Since the structure of the laser processing system in Embodiment 3 is the same as the structure of the laser processing system 1 in Embodiment 2, the same reference numerals as those in Embodiment 2 are used and the description thereof is not repeated. Hereinafter, the differences from Embodiment 2 will be mainly described.

[0221] The control unit 211 (refer to Figure 2 ) accepts a processing pattern with a positioning mark added in the area (test unit area) where the test unit is arranged. Refer to Figure 2 and Figure 18 for the description of the positioning mark. Figure 18 is a diagram showing an example of the positioning mark formed by the laser marking machine of Embodiment 3. In addition, in Figure 18 , for easy understanding, the unit corresponding to the test unit t is marked with dot shading.

[0222] The positioning mark M is a mark for determining the position of the test unit t. The pattern of the positioning mark M may be any pattern that can uniquely determine the test unit area T. For example, it may be a pattern combining three marks as shown in (A) of Figure 18 , or a pattern composed of one L-shaped mark as shown in (B) of Figure 18 , or a pattern composed of one T-shaped mark as shown in (C) of Figure 18 , or a pattern composed of a mark imitating a finder pattern as shown in (D) of Figure 18 .

[0223] In addition, the pattern of the positioning mark M is not limited to the pattern shown in Figure 18 . In addition, when the positioning mark M is Figure 18In the case of a combination of multiple marks as shown in (A) of , the number of marks included is not limited to three, and the types of the respective marks may also be different.

[0224] Refer to Figure 2 , Figure 6 and Figure 19 , the processing of the laser marking machine 2 of Embodiment 3 will be described. Figure 19 is a diagram for explaining an example of the processing of the laser marking machine of Embodiment 3. In Figure 19 , in order to distinguish the test unit t from the units S other than the test unit t, the units corresponding to the test unit t are marked with dot shading.

[0225] The control unit 211 generates the configuration information of the test unit t. In the example shown in Figure 19 , the configuration information of the test unit t is as follows. That is, the information of the pattern of the positioning mark M is the information composed of three cross marks. The information indicating the relative position of the positioning mark M and the test unit area T is the information that the positioning mark M is arranged at three of the four vertices of the test unit area T. The information indicating the configuration of the test unit t in the test unit area T is as follows: the test unit area T is divided into 4×4 test units t, and the unit numbers 1 to 16 are assigned in order from the upper left test unit t to the lower right test unit t.

[0226] The control unit 211 sends the generated configuration information of the test unit t to the verification device 3. The verification device 3 determines the positions of the respective test units t based on the configuration information of the test unit t.

[0227] Refer to Figure 2 , Figure 14 and Figure 20 , the processing of the verification device 3 of Embodiment 3 will be described. Figure 20 is a diagram for explaining an example of the processing of the verification device of Embodiment 3.

[0228] The verification device 3 (specifically, the control unit 310) receives the configuration information of the test unit t from the laser marking machine 2 at the beginning of the processing shown in Figure 14 . Then, the control unit 310 estimates the center positions of the respective test units t by executing the steps S1401 to S1403 of the processing shown in Figure 14 .

[0229] In step S1401, the control unit 310 causes the imaging unit 330 to image the processing pattern formed on the object to be processed 8 and preprocesses the captured image, thereby creating an image I. The image I includes the test unit area T and the positioning mark M. When the processing surface of the object to be processed 8 is not perpendicular to the imaging optical axis, as in Figure 20As shown, in the image I, the test unit area T and the positioning mark M are shown obliquely.

[0230] In step S1402, the control unit 310 detects the positioning mark M from the captured image I based on the information of the pattern of the positioning mark M included in the configuration information of the test unit t received from the laser marking machine 2.

[0231] In step S1403, the control unit 310 estimates the grid. Specifically, first, the control unit 310 determines the test unit area T from the image I based on the information indicating the relative position of the positioning mark M and the test unit area T included in the configuration information of the test unit t received from the laser marking machine 2. Then, the control unit 310 estimates the center positions of the respective test units t from the image I based on the information indicating the configuration of the test units t within the test unit area T included in the configuration information of the test unit t received from the laser marking machine 2.

[0232] As an example, first, the control unit 310 creates a parallelogram with three positioning marks M as three vertices, and determines the area of the created parallelogram as the test unit area T. Then, the control unit 310 divides the determined test unit area T into 4×4 equal parts, and estimates the center position of each area as the center position of each test unit t.

[0233] After step S1403, the control unit 310 calculates the brightness value at the center position of each test unit t. Then, the control unit 310 extracts the information related to the brightness value of the test unit t, that is, the unit number of the test unit t that satisfies the specified conditions, based on the information indicating the configuration of the test units t within the test unit area T included in the configuration information of the test unit t and the calculated brightness values of the respective test units t. The communication processing unit 340 (equivalent to the "communication unit") sends the information related to the brightness value of the test unit t extracted by the control unit 310 to the laser marking machine 2.

[0234] In addition, the laser marking machine 2 can set the positioning mark according to a predetermined rule or according to the user's specification.

[0235] Alternatively, the configuration information of the test unit t can be stored in advance in the storage unit 213 of the laser marking machine 2 and the storage unit 320 of the verification device 3. In this case, the laser marking machine 2 performs the setting of the test unit t and the setting of the positioning mark based on the configuration information of the test unit t stored in the storage unit 213.

[0236] In addition, according to Embodiment 3, the same effects as those of Embodiment 2 can be achieved.

[0237] [Supplementary Note]

[0238] The above-described embodiments and modifications can also be appropriately and selectively combined. The present embodiment described above includes the following technical ideas.

[0239] [Structure 1]

[0240] A laser processing system (1) having: a laser processing device (2) that processes a processing object (8) according to a processing pattern (N); and a verification device (3) that verifies the processing of the laser processing device (2), wherein

[0241] The processing pattern (N) includes a plurality of units (S),

[0242] The laser processing device (2) includes:

[0243] A reception unit (216) that receives the processing pattern (N);

[0244] A setting unit (211) that sets irradiation conditions of a laser (W) for each of the units (S) of the processing pattern (N) received by the reception unit (216);

[0245] A first storage unit (213) that stores the irradiation conditions set by the setting unit (211) for each of the units (S) for which the irradiation conditions are set; and

[0246] An irradiation unit (26) that irradiates the processing object (8) with the laser (W) based on the irradiation conditions set by the setting unit (211),

[0247] The setting unit (211) uses a part of the processing pattern (N) received during test processing as a test unit, and sets different irradiation conditions for each of the units (S) included in the test unit (t),

[0248] The verification device (3) includes:

[0249] A photographing unit (330) that photographs the processing pattern (N) formed on the processing object (8); and

[0250] A calculation unit (310) that calculates a brightness value for each of the units (S) based on the photographed image of the photographing unit (330),

[0251] The setting unit (211) sets at least one irradiation condition during formal processing based on information related to the brightness value of the test unit (t) extracted from the brightness values of each of the units (S) and the irradiation conditions set for the test unit (t).

[0252] [Structure 2]

[0253] In the laser processing system described in Structure 1,

[0254] The verification device (3) further includes a transmission unit (340), and the transmission unit (340) transmits the brightness value of each unit (S) calculated by the calculation unit (310) to the laser processing device (2).

[0255] The setting unit (211) further extracts information related to the brightness value of the test unit (t) based on the configuration information of the test unit (t) and the brightness value of each unit (S) received from the verification device (3).

[0256] [Structure 3]

[0257] In the laser processing system described in Structure 1,

[0258] The verification device (3) further includes a communication unit (340), and communication is performed between the communication unit (340) and the laser processing device (2).

[0259] The calculation unit (310) further extracts information related to the brightness value of the test unit (t) based on the configuration information of the test unit (t) and the calculated brightness value of each unit (S).

[0260] The communication unit (340) transmits the information related to the brightness value of the test unit (t) extracted by the calculation unit (310) to the laser processing device (2).

[0261] The setting unit (211) receives the information related to the brightness value of the test unit (t) from the verification device (3).

[0262] [Structure 4]

[0263] In the laser processing system described in Structure 3,

[0264] The verification device (3) obtains the configuration information of the test unit (t) from the laser processing device (2).

[0265] [Structure 5]

[0266] In the laser processing system described in Structure 3,

[0267] The verification device (3) further includes a second storage unit (320).

[0268] The configuration information of the test unit (t) is pre-stored in the second storage unit (320).

[0269] [Structure 6]

[0270] In the laser processing system according to any one of Structures 1 to 5,

[0271] The information related to the luminance value of the test unit (t) includes at least one of the information indicating the unit (S) with the highest luminance in the test unit (t) and the information indicating the unit (S) with the lowest luminance in the test unit (t).

[0272] Based on the irradiation conditions set in the unit (S) determined by the information related to the luminance value of the test unit (t), the setting unit (211) sets the irradiation conditions during formal processing.

[0273] [Structure 7]

[0274] In the laser processing system according to any one of Structures 1 to 5,

[0275] The information related to the luminance value of the test unit (t) includes at least one of the information indicating two or more units (S) sequentially selected from the higher luminance side in the test unit (t) and the information indicating two or more units (S) sequentially selected from the lower luminance side in the test unit (t).

[0276] Based on at least one of the average value of the irradiation conditions set in two or more units (S) with higher luminance in the unit (S) determined by the information related to the luminance value of the test unit (t) and the average value of the irradiation conditions set in two or more units (S) with lower luminance in the unit (S) determined by the information related to the luminance value of the test unit (t), the setting unit (211) sets the irradiation conditions during formal processing.

[0277] [Structure 8]

[0278] In the laser processing system according to any one of Structures 1 to 7,

[0279] The receiving unit (216) receives the material of the workpiece (8).

[0280] During test processing, based on the material of the workpiece (8) received by the receiving unit (216), the setting unit (211) sets different irradiation conditions for each unit (S) in the test unit (t).

[0281] [Structure 9]

[0282] In the laser processing system according to any one of Structures 1 to 8,

[0283] The laser processing device (2) determines the deviation of the luminance value in the area where the same irradiation conditions are set during the test processing, based on the luminance value of each unit (S) calculated by the calculation unit (310).

[0284] When the deviation of the luminance value in this area exceeds the threshold value, the setting unit (211) sets the irradiation conditions for the substrate processing, based on the information related to the luminance value of the test unit (t) and the irradiation conditions set in the test unit (t).

[0285] [Structure 10]

[0286] In the laser processing system according to any one of Structures 1 to 9,

[0287] The processing pattern (N) is a two-dimensional code.

[0288] [Structure 11]

[0289] In the laser processing system according to Structure 10,

[0290] The test unit (t) is set based on the information unit of the processing pattern (N).

[0291] [Structure 12]

[0292] In the laser processing system according to Structure 10 or 11,

[0293] The test unit (t) is set in the area of the processing pattern (N) other than the area for detecting the position of the two-dimensional code.

[0294] It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is represented by the claims, rather than the above description, and is intended to include the meanings equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the scope.

[0295] Reference Signs Explanation

[0296] 1: Laser processing system; 2: Laser marking machine; 3: Verification device; 4: Setting device; 6: Display device; 7: Input device; 8: Workpiece to be processed; 11a, 11b, 29: Communication cables; 21: Controller; 26: Marking head; 28, 241: Optical fibers; 110: Processor; 120, 160: Memories; 121, 161: ROMs; 122, 162: RAMs; 123, 163: Flash memories; 130, 170: Communication interfaces; 140: Pulse generation circuit; 150: Arithmetic processing circuit; 151: Main processor; 152: Image processing dedicated processor; 210: Control board; 211, 310: Control units; 212: Pulse generation unit; 213, 320: Storage units; 214, 215, 216, 217, 340: Communication processing units; 220: Driver; 230: Power supply for driver; 240: Laser oscillator; 242, 243, 249A, 249B, 249C, 249D: Semiconductor lasers; 244, 246, 262: Isolators; 245, 248: Couplers; 247: Band-pass filter; 263: Collimating lens; 264: Galvanometer mirror unit; 264a, 264b: Galvanometer mirrors; 265: Condensing lens; 330: Imaging unit; 331: Lighting unit; 332: Light receiving unit; 700: User interface; 701: Drawing area; 702, 703, 750, 760: Buttons; 710: Laser / Scan tab; N: Processing pattern; S: Unit; t: Test unit; T: Test unit area; W: Laser.

Claims

1. A laser processing system, comprising: a laser processing device that processes a processing object according to a processing pattern; and a verification device that verifies the processing of the laser processing device, wherein, the processing pattern includes a plurality of units, the laser processing device includes: a reception unit that receives the processing pattern; a setting unit that sets laser irradiation conditions for each of the units of the processing pattern received by the reception unit; a first storage unit that stores the irradiation conditions set by the setting unit for each of the units for which the irradiation conditions are set; and an irradiation unit that irradiates the processing object with the laser based on the irradiation conditions set by the setting unit, the setting unit uses a part of the processing pattern received during test processing as a test unit, and sets different irradiation conditions for each of the units included in the test unit, the verification device includes: a photographing unit that photographs the processing pattern formed on the processing object; and a calculation unit that calculates the brightness value of each of the units based on the photographed image of the photographing unit, the setting unit sets at least one irradiation condition during formal processing based on information related to the brightness value of the test unit extracted from the brightness values of each of the units and the irradiation conditions set in the test unit, the verification device further includes a communication unit that communicates with the laser processing device, the calculation unit further extracts information related to the brightness value of the test unit based on the configuration information of the test unit and the calculated brightness value of each of the units, the communication unit sends the information related to the brightness value of the test unit extracted by the calculation unit to the laser processing device, the setting unit receives the information related to the brightness value of the test unit from the verification device.

2. The laser processing system according to claim 1, wherein, the verification device obtains the configuration information of the test unit from the laser processing device.

3. The laser processing system according to claim 1, wherein, the verification device further includes a second storage unit, the configuration information of the test unit is pre-stored in the second storage unit.

4. A laser processing system, comprising: a laser processing device that processes a processing object according to a processing pattern; and a verification device that verifies the processing of the laser processing device, wherein, the processing pattern includes a plurality of units, the laser processing device includes: a reception unit that receives the processing pattern; a setting unit that sets laser irradiation conditions for each of the units of the processing pattern received by the reception unit; a first storage unit that stores the irradiation conditions set by the setting unit for each of the units for which the irradiation conditions are set; and an irradiation unit that irradiates the processing object with the laser based on the irradiation conditions set by the setting unit, The setting unit uses a part of the processing pattern received during test processing as a test unit, and sets different irradiation conditions for each of the units included in the test unit. The verification device includes: an imaging unit that images the processing pattern formed on the object to be processed; and a calculation unit that calculates the brightness value of each of the units based on the captured image of the imaging unit. The setting unit sets at least one irradiation condition during formal processing based on information related to the brightness value of the test unit extracted from the brightness values of each of the units and the irradiation conditions set in the test unit. The information related to the brightness value of the test unit includes at least one of information indicating the unit with the highest brightness in the test unit and information indicating the unit with the lowest brightness in the test unit. The setting unit sets the irradiation condition during formal processing based on the irradiation condition set in the unit determined by the information related to the brightness value of the test unit.

5. A laser processing system having: a laser processing device that processes an object to be processed according to a processing pattern; and a verification device that verifies the processing of the laser processing device. Wherein, the processing pattern includes a plurality of units. The laser processing device includes: a reception unit that receives the processing pattern; a setting unit that sets the irradiation condition of the laser for each of the units of the processing pattern received by the reception unit; a first storage unit that stores the irradiation condition set by the setting unit for each of the units for which the irradiation condition is set; and an irradiation unit that irradiates the object to be processed with the laser based on the irradiation condition set by the setting unit. The setting unit uses a part of the processing pattern received during test processing as a test unit, and sets different irradiation conditions for each of the units included in the test unit. The verification device includes: an imaging unit that images the processing pattern formed on the object to be processed; and a calculation unit that calculates the brightness value of each of the units based on the captured image of the imaging unit. The setting unit sets at least one irradiation condition during formal processing based on information related to the brightness value of the test unit extracted from the brightness values of each of the units and the irradiation conditions set in the test unit. The information related to the brightness value of the test unit includes at least one of information indicating two or more of the units sequentially selected from the side with higher brightness in the test unit and information indicating two or more of the units sequentially selected from the side with lower brightness in the test unit. The setting unit sets the irradiation conditions during the formal processing based on at least one of the average value of the irradiation conditions set in two or more of the units with high brightness determined from the information related to the brightness value of the test unit, and the average value of the irradiation conditions set in two or more of the units with low brightness determined from the information related to the brightness value of the test unit.

6. A laser processing system, comprising: a laser processing device that processes a workpiece according to a processing pattern; and a verification device that verifies the processing of the laser processing device. Wherein, The processing pattern includes a plurality of units. The laser processing device includes: A reception unit that receives the processing pattern. A setting unit that sets the irradiation conditions of the laser for each of the units of the processing pattern received by the reception unit. A first storage unit that stores the irradiation conditions set by the setting unit for each of the units for which the irradiation conditions are set. And An irradiation unit that irradiates the laser to the workpiece based on the irradiation conditions set by the setting unit. The setting unit uses a part of the processing pattern received during the test processing as a test unit, and sets different irradiation conditions for each of the units included in the test unit. The verification device includes: A photographing unit that photographs the processing pattern formed on the workpiece; and A calculation unit that calculates the brightness value of each of the units based on the photographed image of the photographing unit. The setting unit sets at least one irradiation condition during the formal processing based on the information related to the brightness value of the test unit extracted from the brightness values of each of the units and the irradiation conditions set in the test unit. The reception unit receives the material of the workpiece. During the test processing, the setting unit sets different irradiation conditions for each of the units in the test unit based on the material of the workpiece received by the reception unit.

7. A laser processing system, comprising: a laser processing device that processes a workpiece according to a processing pattern; and a verification device that verifies the processing of the laser processing device. Wherein, The processing pattern includes a plurality of units. The laser processing device includes: A reception unit that receives the processing pattern. A setting unit that sets the irradiation conditions of the laser for each of the units of the processing pattern received by the reception unit. A first storage unit that stores the irradiation conditions set by the setting unit for each of the units for which the irradiation conditions are set. And An irradiation unit that irradiates the laser to the workpiece based on the irradiation conditions set by the setting unit. The setting unit uses a part of the processing pattern received during the test processing as a test unit, and sets different irradiation conditions for each of the units included in the test unit. The verification device includes: A photographing unit that photographs the processing pattern formed on the workpiece; and A calculation unit that calculates the brightness value of each unit based on the captured image of the capturing unit. The setting unit sets at least one irradiation condition during formal processing based on the information related to the brightness value of the test unit extracted from the brightness values of each unit and the irradiation condition set in the test unit. The laser processing device determines the deviation of the brightness value in the area where the same irradiation condition is set during the test processing based on the brightness value of each unit calculated by the calculation unit. When the deviation of the brightness value in this area exceeds the threshold, the setting unit sets the irradiation condition for substrate processing based on the information related to the brightness value of the test unit and the irradiation condition set in the test unit.

8. A laser processing system, comprising: a laser processing device that processes a processing object according to a processing pattern; and a verification device that verifies the processing of the laser processing device. Wherein, The processing pattern includes a plurality of units. The laser processing device includes: A reception unit that receives the processing pattern. A setting unit that sets the irradiation condition of the laser for each unit of the processing pattern received by the reception unit. A first storage unit that stores the irradiation condition set by the setting unit for each unit for which the irradiation condition is set. And An irradiation unit that irradiates the laser to the processing object based on the irradiation condition set by the setting unit. The setting unit uses a part of the processing pattern received during the test processing as a test unit, and sets different irradiation conditions for each unit included in the test unit. The verification device includes: A capturing unit that captures the processing pattern formed on the processing object; and A calculation unit that calculates the brightness value of each unit based on the captured image of the capturing unit. The setting unit sets at least one irradiation condition during formal processing based on the information related to the brightness value of the test unit extracted from the brightness values of each unit and the irradiation condition set in the test unit. The processing pattern is a two-dimensional code.

9. The laser processing system according to claim 8, Wherein, The test unit is set based on the information unit of the processing pattern.

10. The laser processing system according to claim 8, Wherein, The test unit is set in an area of the processing pattern other than the area for detecting the position of the two-dimensional code.

11. The laser processing system according to any one of claims 4 to 10, Wherein, The verification device further includes a sending unit that sends the brightness value of each unit calculated by the calculation unit to the laser processing device. The setting unit further extracts the information related to the brightness value of the test unit based on the configuration information of the test unit and the brightness value of each unit received from the verification device.

Images