A tool identification device and method

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of laser marking, and discloses a tool marking device and a marking method. The tool marking device comprises a visual recognition mechanism, a control unit and a laser assembly. The visual recognition mechanism can recognize a label on a tool box to obtain size information of a tool. The control unit can receive the size information of the tool and generate a corresponding marking code. The laser assembly comprises a laser head and a measuring mechanism. The measuring mechanism is used to measure the distance between the tool box and the laser head and calculate a preset focal length of the laser head. The laser head is focused on the outer surface of the tool through the preset focal length to mark the marking code on the tool. The tool marking method is applied to the tool marking device described above, so that the laser head directly marks the marking code on the tool through the tool box without the need to disassemble the tool box, which is simple to operate, improves the marking efficiency and realizes systematic management of the tool.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of laser marking technology, and particularly relates to a knife marking device and marking method. Background Technology

[0002] To enable more efficient use and management of CNC cutting tools, the CNC cutting tool management system performs real-time queries and monitoring of tool preparation, tool status, and working conditions during workpiece machining, thereby achieving intelligent workshop management.

[0003] Automatic tool identification often uses two-dimensional barcodes as information carriers to achieve intelligent management, and automatic tool identification itself has become an important part of intelligent manufacturing. To better manage CNC tools, companies often need to add their own unique information to the tool supplier's identification information to meet their application needs. Currently, for transportation and protection requirements, tools are mostly packaged individually (i.e., in boxes). This requires opening the box and engraving the identification code onto the tool using laser or other methods, which is inefficient, cumbersome, and detrimental to the system management of CNC tools.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a knife marking device and method to automatically mark knives when they are in packaging boxes. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a knife marking device and marking method to mark knives through a knife box without disassembling or damaging the knife box, thereby improving the efficiency of knife marking.

[0006] To achieve this objective, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0007] A knife identification device, wherein knives are stored in a knife box, the knife box having a light transmittance of ≥90%, comprising:

[0008] A visual recognition mechanism is configured to recognize a label on the knife box to obtain size information of the knife;

[0009] The control unit is configured to receive the size information of the cutting tool and generate a corresponding identification code; and

[0010] A laser assembly includes a laser head and a measuring mechanism, the measuring mechanism being used to measure the distance between the tool holder and the laser head, and to calculate a preset focal length of the laser head; the laser head is configured to focus on the outer surface of the tool through the preset focal length, so as to engrave the identification code on the tool.

[0011] Furthermore, the laser assembly also includes:

[0012] An autofocus mechanism is configured to adjust the focal length of the laser head to the preset focal length.

[0013] Furthermore, the measuring mechanism is a laser rangefinder or an infrared rangefinder.

[0014] Furthermore, the knife marking device also includes:

[0015] The track has an identification station and an marking station arranged sequentially along its extension direction. The visual identification mechanism is arranged adjacent to the identification station, and the laser component is arranged adjacent to the marking station. The track is used to transport the cutting tool.

[0016] Furthermore, the knife marking device also includes:

[0017] A tray is slidably disposed on the track, and the cutter having the cutter box is placed on the tray.

[0018] Furthermore, the tray includes:

[0019] The tray body slides in conjunction with the track; and

[0020] A clamp is provided on the tray body, and the clamp is capable of clamping or releasing the knife box.

[0021] Furthermore, the knife marking device also includes:

[0022] A limiting component is movably disposed at the identification station to lock the tray at the identification station or unlock the tray from the identification station.

[0023] A tool marking method is applied to the aforementioned tool marking device; the tool marking method includes the following steps:

[0024] The visual recognition mechanism identifies the label on the knife box to obtain the size information of the knife;

[0025] The control unit receives the size information of the cutting tool and generates a corresponding identification code;

[0026] The measuring mechanism measures the distance between the blade box and the laser head, and calculates the preset focal length of the laser head;

[0027] The laser head focuses on the outer surface of the tool through the preset focal length to engrave the identification code on the tool.

[0028] Furthermore, the focal length of the laser head is adjusted to the preset focal length by an autofocus mechanism.

[0029] Furthermore, the knife box is sequentially transported to the identification station and marking station on the track via a track.

[0030] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0031] The tool marking device proposed in this invention uses a visual recognition mechanism to identify labels on tool holders to obtain tool size information, and a control unit to generate a tool identification code based on this information. A measuring mechanism measures the preset focal length of a laser head, which then focuses on the outer surface of the tool to mark the identification code. Because this tool marking device can mark the code directly on the tool through the tool holder without disassembling it, it is easy to operate, improves marking efficiency, and enables systematic tool management.

[0032] The tool marking method proposed in this invention is applied to the tool marking device mentioned above. The marking code is directly engraved on the tool through the tool box without disassembling the tool box. The operation is simple, the marking efficiency is improved, and the tool management is realized in a systematic way. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the knife marking device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the tray and knife box provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the laser head, tool box, and tool for the identification station provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 4 This is a detailed flowchart of the tool marking method provided in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0037] The component names and labels in the diagram are as follows:

[0038] 10. Knives; 20. Knife box; 201. Labels;

[0039] 1. Visual recognition mechanism; 2. Control unit; 3. Laser head; 4. Measuring mechanism; 5. Track;

[0040] 6. Pallet; 61. Pallet body; 62. Clamp; 7. Limiting component. Detailed Implementation

[0041] To make the technical problems solved by the present invention, the technical solutions adopted, and the technical effects achieved clearer, the technical solutions of the present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely for explaining the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts related to the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, not all of them.

[0042] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0043] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0044] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used only for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0045] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0046] Automatic tool identification often uses two-dimensional barcodes as information carriers to achieve intelligent management. To achieve systematic management of CNC tools, it is necessary to add a unique enterprise identification code to the tool supplier's identification information.

[0047] like Figure 1As shown, currently, the cutting tools 10 delivered by suppliers are mostly individually packaged in tool boxes 20 for easy transportation and protection. When it is necessary to mark the identification code, the tool box 20 needs to be opened and the identification code needs to be marked on the cutting tool 10 by means of laser or other methods. This is inefficient, cumbersome, and not conducive to the systematic management of CNC cutting tools 10.

[0048] To address the aforementioned issues, this embodiment discloses a tool marking device. This device can directly mark the marking code onto the outer surface of the tool 10 through the tool holder 20 without disassembling or damaging the tool holder 20. It should be noted that the light transmittance of the tool holder 20 in this embodiment is greater than or equal to 90%, ensuring that the laser energy on the surface of the tool 10 exceeds the ablation threshold of the material. For example, the tool holder 20 can be made of transparent PC material to guarantee that sufficient laser energy can penetrate the tool holder 20 and reach the surface of the tool 10.

[0049] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, the tool marking device includes a vision recognition mechanism 1, a control unit 2, and a laser assembly. The vision recognition mechanism 1 can identify the label 201 on the tool holder 20 to obtain the size information of the tool 10. The size information of the tool 10 includes its diameter D, length, and material. The vision recognition mechanism 1 is electrically or communicatively connected to the control unit 2 to transmit the size information of the tool 10 to the control unit 2. The control unit 2 can receive the size information of the tool 10 and generate a corresponding identification code. The laser assembly includes a laser head 3 and a measuring mechanism 4. The measuring mechanism 4 is used to measure the distance between the tool holder 20 and the laser head 3 and calculate the preset focal length of the laser head 3. The laser head 3 focuses on the outer surface of the tool 10 through the preset focal length to mark the identification code on the tool 10.

[0050] Since the tool marking device can directly mark the marking code onto the tool 10 through the tool box 20 without disassembling the tool box 20, the operation is simple, the marking efficiency is improved, and the systematic management of the tool 10 is realized.

[0051] It should be noted that the tool marking device has a frame and a machine base, wherein the control unit 2, the vision recognition mechanism 1 and the laser component are all mounted on the frame.

[0052] In this embodiment, the visual recognition mechanism 1 is a CCD camera. The CCD camera can quickly and accurately acquire images of the label 201 and obtain the size information of the tool 10. Of course, the visual recognition mechanism 1 can also be a barcode scanner or other devices, as long as it can acquire the size information of the tool 10 on the label 201.

[0053] like Figure 1As shown, the cutting tool 10 is stored in the tool holder 20, which has a positioning plate. The cutting tool 10 is installed by engaging with the positioning plate, and the positioning plate locks the relative position of the cutting tool 10 and the tool holder 20. A label 201 is affixed or printed on one outer side of the tool holder 20.

[0054] It should be noted that the distance between the tool holder 20 and the outer surface of the tool 10 inside is greater than 3mm, so as to avoid the laser head 3 etching the tool holder 20 when focusing on the outer surface of the tool 10, thus damaging the integrity of the tool holder 20.

[0055] like Figure 1 As shown, the tool marking device also includes a track 5, with an identification station and a marking station arranged sequentially along its extension direction. A visual recognition mechanism 1 is arranged adjacent to the identification station, and a laser assembly is arranged adjacent to the marking station. The track 5 is used to transport the tool 10. The tool 10 passes sequentially through the identification station and marking station via the track 5, realizing the automation and intelligence of the tool marking device and improving marking efficiency.

[0056] Specifically, track 5 is laid on the machine platform. Track 5 is a closed ring guide rail, which can reduce the extension length of track 5, thereby reducing the area occupied on the machine platform and making the structural arrangement of the tool marking device more compact.

[0057] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the knife marking device also includes a tray 6, which is slidably mounted on a track 5. The knife 10 with the knife box 20 is placed on the tray 6. The tray 6 slides on the track 5 as a carrier, avoiding wear and damage to the knife box 20, while ensuring the smooth movement of the knife box 20 on the track 5.

[0058] Specifically, such as Figure 2 As shown, the tray 6 includes a tray body 61 and a clamp 62. The tray body 61 slides in conjunction with the track 5. The clamp 62 is disposed on the tray body 61 and can clamp or release the knife box 20. By clamping the knife box 20 with the clamp 62, the relative position of the knife 10 on the tray body 61 is locked.

[0059] like Figure 1 As shown, the track 5 has a recessed groove, and a slider is correspondingly provided on the lower end face of the tray body 61. Through the sliding engagement of the slider and the groove, the movement of the tray 6 is guided and limited, preventing the tray 6 from deviating from its trajectory when sliding on the track 5, thus improving the movement accuracy and reliability of the tray 6. It can be understood that the tray 6 can achieve cyclic movement on the track 5 through a motor or other driving components.

[0060] In this embodiment, the tray body 61 is a rectangular flat plate, and the clamp 62 is a U-shaped gripper. The knife box 20 can be snapped into the U-shaped gripper. The knife box 20 and the clamp 62 achieve quick locking or unlocking of the knife box 20 through a snap-fit ​​engagement. Of course, the two grippers of the clamp 62 can also be connected by a telescopic rod to adjust the distance between the two grippers in real time, thereby enabling the clamping of knife boxes 20 of different sizes.

[0061] After the clamp 62 engages the tool holder 20, the tool 10 is fixed in position relative to the tray 6. When the tray 6 moves to the identification station on the track 5, the side of the tool holder 20 with the label 201 faces the vision recognition mechanism 1, allowing the vision recognition mechanism 1 to acquire the size information of the tool 10 from the label 201. The vision recognition mechanism 1 is electrically connected to the control unit 2 to transmit the size information of the tool 10 to the control unit 2. The control unit 2 contains automatic coding software that can automatically generate corresponding plaintext information and identification codes (e.g., QR codes) based on the size information of the tool 10. The plaintext information is stored in the control unit 2 for easy retrieval from the tool 10 database. The QR code is engraved on the tool 10 using the laser head 3.

[0062] When the tray 6 slides from the identification station to the marking station, the laser head 3 is positioned directly above the knife box 20. The tray 6 needs to remain at the marking station for a certain period of time so that the laser head 3 can mark the QR code onto the knife 10 inside the knife box 20. For this purpose, the knife marking device also includes a limiting member 7, which is movably disposed at the marking station to lock the tray 6 at the marking station or unlock the tray 6 from the marking station.

[0063] like Figure 1 As shown, the limiting member 7 is a strip-shaped rod, with one end slidably mounted on the machine base. When the tray 6 slides to the marking station, the limiting member 7 extends above the track 5 and prevents the tray 6 from sliding further, thus locking the tray 6 at the marking station. After the marking code is completed, the limiting member 7 retracts, and the tray 6 continues to slide along the track 5.

[0064] It should be noted that the side of the knife box 20 has a label 201. The laser head 3 marks through the top surface of the knife box 20, avoiding the laser head 3 marking through the side with the label 201, thereby avoiding the label 201 from blocking the laser and affecting the marking quality of the identification code.

[0065] like Figure 3As shown, when the pallet 6 moves to the marked station, the tool holder 20 is located directly below the laser head 3. At this time, the distance L2 between the upper surface of the tool holder 20 and the laser head 3 is measured by the measuring mechanism 4. The diameter D of the tool 10 can be obtained from the size information of the tool 10. The distance L1 between the bottom surface of the tool holder 20 and the laser head 3 is the distance between the top surface of the pallet body 61 and the laser head 3, which is the inherent distance. The distance L3 between the axis of the tool 10 and the laser head 3 is (L1+L2) / 2. By subtracting the radius of the tool 10 from L3, the distance S from the laser head 3 to the outer surface of the tool 10 can be obtained, which is the focal length of the laser head 3 focused on the outer surface of the tool 10.

[0066] In this embodiment, the measuring mechanism 4 is a laser rangefinder or an infrared rangefinder, which has high measurement accuracy and can accurately measure L2. It is a mature product and can be obtained through external purchase. The calculation of the focal length S can be completed by the measuring mechanism 4. Furthermore, the measurement data L2 from the measuring mechanism 4 can be transmitted to the control unit 2, and the control unit 2 can then complete the calculation of the focal length S.

[0067] The laser assembly also includes an autofocus mechanism, through which the laser head 3 adjusts its own focal length to a preset focal length so that the laser emitted by the laser head 3 is focused on the outer surface of the tool 10.

[0068] After the laser head 3 marks the identification code, the limiting component 7 unlocks, and the tray 6 continues to slide along the track 5 to the designated position, removing the marked tool box 20. The next tray 6 carrying the tool box 20 and the tool 10 enters the identification station again to continue the marking operation. The marking time is usually 10 seconds. To ensure sufficient marking time, the time interval between locking and unlocking the limiting component 7 can be set to about 30 seconds.

[0069] This embodiment also discloses a tool marking method, which is applied to the aforementioned tool marking device. Specifically, as... Figure 4 As shown, the tool marking method includes the following steps:

[0070] The visual recognition mechanism 1 identifies the label 201 on the knife box 20 to obtain the size information of the knife 10.

[0071] The control unit 2 receives the dimension information of the tool 10 and generates the corresponding identification code.

[0072] The measuring mechanism 4 measures the distance between the knife box 20 and the laser head 3, and calculates the preset focal length of the laser head 3.

[0073] The laser head 3 focuses on the outer surface of the tool 10 through a preset focal length to mark the identification code on the tool 10.

[0074] This tool marking method can directly mark the marking code onto the tool 10 through the tool box 20 without disassembling the tool box 20. It is easy to operate, improves marking efficiency, and realizes the systematic management of the tool 10.

[0075] Specifically, the laser head 3 is adjusted to a preset focal length by an automatic focusing mechanism so that it focuses on the outer surface of the tool 10. The tool box 20 is then sequentially conveyed to the identification station and marking station on the track 5. Since the working process of the tool marking device has already been described in detail above, the specific process of the tool marking method will not be repeated to avoid repetition.

[0076] The above embodiments merely illustrate the basic principles and characteristics of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the present invention as claimed. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A knife marking device, wherein a knife (10) is stored in a knife box (20), the light transmittance of the knife box (20) is greater than or equal to 90%, and the distance between the outer surface of the knife box (20) and the outer surface of the knife (10) is greater than 3 mm, characterized in that, include: A visual recognition mechanism (1) is configured to recognize a label (201) on the knife box (20) to obtain size information of the knife (10), the label (201) being affixed or printed on one outer side of the knife box (20). The control unit (2) is configured to receive the dimension information of the cutting tool (10) and generate a corresponding identification code; and The laser assembly includes a laser head (3) and a measuring mechanism (4). The measuring mechanism (4) is used to measure the distance between the tool holder (20) and the laser head (3) and to calculate the preset focal length of the laser head (3). The tool holder (20) is located below the laser head (3). The laser head (3) is configured to focus on the outer surface of the tool (10) through the preset focal length so as to mark the identification code on the tool (10).

2. The knife marking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The laser component also includes: An autofocus mechanism is configured to adjust the focal length of the laser head (3) to the preset focal length.

3. The knife marking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The measuring mechanism (4) is a laser rangefinder or an infrared rangefinder.

4. The knife marking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The knife marking device further includes: The track (5) is provided with an identification station and an marking station in sequence along its extension direction. The visual identification mechanism (1) is arranged adjacent to the identification station, and the laser component is arranged adjacent to the marking station. The track (5) is used to transport the cutting tool (10).

5. The knife marking device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The knife marking device further includes: The tray (6) is slidably disposed on the track (5), and the knife (10) having the knife box (20) is placed on the tray (6).

6. The knife marking device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The tray (6) includes: The tray body (61) slides in conjunction with the track (5); and A clamp (62) is disposed on the tray body (61), and the clamp (62) is capable of clamping or releasing the knife box (20).

7. The knife marking device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The knife marking device further includes: A limiting member (7) is movably disposed at the marking station to lock the tray (6) at the marking station or to unlock the tray (6) from the marking station.

8. A method for marking knives, characterized in that, The tool marking device is applied to any one of claims 1 to 7; the tool marking method includes the following steps: The visual recognition mechanism (1) identifies the label (201) on the knife box (20) to obtain the size information of the knife (10); The control unit (2) receives the size information of the cutting tool (10) and generates a corresponding identification code; The measuring mechanism (4) measures the distance between the knife box (20) and the laser head (3) and calculates the preset focal length of the laser head (3); The laser head (3) focuses on the outer surface of the tool (10) through the preset focal length to mark the identification code on the tool (10).

9. The tool marking method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The focal length of the laser head (3) is adjusted to the preset focal length by an autofocus mechanism.

10. The tool marking method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The knife box (20) is sequentially transported to the identification station and the marking station on the track (5) via the track (5).

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