Batch laser engraving method and system for multi-task workpieces

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method and system for batch laser engraving of workpieces with multiple task volumes. There are multiple engraving positions to be engraved and processed on the workpiece. The laser engraving method includes: providing multiple laser engraving machines; configuring corresponding numbers of engraving tasks for each laser engraving machine, and the total number of engraving tasks of all laser engraving machines is equal to the number of engraving positions on the current workpiece; successively performing engraving work on the workpiece through multiple laser engraving machines, and each of the multiple laser engraving machines respectively provides the configured number of engraving tasks for the workpiece; through the above method, the processing cycle of a single laser engraving machine is significantly reduced. For the laser engraving operation of batch workpieces, the residence time of the workpiece in each laser engraving machine can be reduced, so as to match the processing cycle of other manufacturing processes in the workpiece processing process, and the overall manufacturing efficiency of the workpiece is significantly improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of PCB laser engraving, and in particular to a mass laser engraving method and system for workpieces with a large number of tasks. Background Art

[0002] On the PCB board of electronic products, there is generally an SN code (i.e., product serial number) representing its identity number. Nowadays, the SN code is usually engraved on the PCB board by laser laser technology. During the production process of the PCB board, in order to improve production efficiency, centralized operations are carried out on a mother board including multiple PCB boards corresponding to the same product, including circuit laying, installation of electronic components, and SN code engraving. Among the many production processes of the PCB board, SN code engraving is relatively time-consuming. In traditional SN code laser engraving operations, it is generally a single-machine assembly line operation. Thus, when the processing cycle of the laser engraving machine is greater than the processing cycles of other equipment on the entire assembly line, the laser engraving station will become the bottleneck station of the entire production line, affecting the production efficiency of the entire production line. Therefore, how to shorten the processing cycle of a single laser engraving machine to solve the bottleneck problem of the laser engraving process has become a requirement in the industry. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a mass laser engraving method and system for workpieces with a large number of tasks, which can greatly shorten the processing cycle of a single laser engraving machine and thus effectively improve the overall production efficiency.

[0004] To achieve the above purpose, the present invention discloses a mass laser engraving method for workpieces with a large number of tasks. There are multiple engraving positions to be engraved and processed on the workpiece. The laser engraving method includes:

[0005] Providing multiple laser engraving machines;

[0006] Configuring corresponding numbers of engraving tasks for each of the laser engraving machines, and the total number of engraving tasks of all the laser engraving machines is equal to the number of the engraving positions on the current workpiece;

[0007] Successively performing engraving work on the workpiece through multiple laser engraving machines, and each of the multiple laser engraving machines provides the configured number of engraving tasks for the workpiece.

[0008] Preferably, a task management system is communicatively connected with multiple laser engraving machines. When the workpiece enters the first laser engraving machine, the task management system assigns engraving contents corresponding to multiple respective engraving positions to the workpiece;

[0009] When the workpiece enters the station where any laser engraving machine is located, the task management system sends the corresponding engraving content to the laser engraving machine according to the station where the workpiece is located.

[0010] Preferably, the task management system also assigns a unique identification code to each workpiece, and the unique identification code is associated with the unused engraving content to which the workpiece belongs;

[0011] When the workpiece enters the first laser engraving machine, the task management system sends the unique identification code to the laser engraving machine, and engraves the unique identification code on the workpiece through the laser engraving machine;

[0012] Moreover, when a non-first laser engraving machine is started, the unique identification code on the current workpiece is identified and obtained through a vision device, and the unique identification code is sent to the task management system. The task management system queries the unused engraving content according to the unique identification code on the current workpiece, and sends the corresponding number of engraving contents obtained by the query to the current laser engraving machine.

[0013] Preferably, after any workpiece is processed by the last laser engraving machine, the task management system compares the number of unused engraving contents queried through the unique identification code with the number of engraving tasks requested by the current laser engraving machine. If the number of unused engraving contents queried through the unique identification code is greater than the number of engraving tasks requested by the current laser engraving machine, the remaining engraving contents are released.

[0014] Preferably, different communication interface names are configured for the laser engraving machines at the first, middle, and last positions in the laser engraving process respectively, and the task management system identifies the working position of the current requested laser engraving machine through the communication interface name.

[0015] The present invention also discloses a batch laser engraving system for workpieces with multiple task amounts. There are multiple engraving positions to be engraved and processed on the workpiece. The laser engraving system includes multiple laser engraving machines sequentially arranged in the installation positions and a task management system communicatively connected to the multiple laser engraving machines. Each laser engraving machine is configured with a corresponding number of engraving tasks, and the total number of engraving tasks of all the laser engraving machines is equal to the number of the engraving positions on the current workpiece;

[0016] The task management system is configured to sequentially perform engraving work on the workpiece through the multiple laser engraving machines, and each of the multiple laser engraving machines respectively provides the configured number of engraving tasks for the workpiece.

[0017] Preferably, the task management system includes a resource allocation module and an extraction module;

[0018] When the workpiece enters the first laser engraving machine, the resource allocation module is used to allocate multiple engraving contents corresponding to the respective engraving positions for the workpiece;

[0019] When the workpiece enters the station where any of the laser engraving machines is located, the extraction module extracts the corresponding engraving content from the resource allocation module according to the station where the workpiece is located, and sends it to the laser engraving machine.

[0020] Preferably, a feature code generation module and an association module are also provided in the task management system; the feature code generation module is used to generate a unique identification code for each workpiece; the association module is used to associate the unique identification code with the unused engraving content to which the workpiece belongs;

[0021] When the workpiece enters the first laser engraving machine, the laser engraving machine also engraves the unique identification code on the workpiece.

[0022] Preferably, different communication interface names are configured for the laser engraving machines in the first, middle, and last positions in the laser engraving process respectively, and the task management system identifies the station where the currently requested working laser engraving machine is located through the communication interface name.

[0023] Preferably, the task management system further includes a resource release module. After any workpiece is processed by the last laser engraving machine, the resource release module is used to release the remaining engraving content.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the above technical solution of the present invention performs laser engraving operations on the workpiece to be processed through multiple laser engraving machines. Among them, there are multiple engraving positions on the workpiece, and the engraving tasks corresponding to the multiple engraving positions are decomposed onto multiple laser engraving machines. That is, each laser engraving machine is only responsible for the operation of part of the engraving positions, thereby greatly reducing the processing cycle of a single laser engraving machine. Then, for the laser engraving processing operation of batch workpieces, the residence time of the workpiece in each laser engraving machine can be reduced, so as to match the processing cycle of other manufacturing processes in the workpiece processing process, and the overall manufacturing efficiency of the workpiece is greatly improved. Description of the Drawings

[0025] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the batch laser engraving method in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 It is a planar structure diagram of a PCB board in the embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Embodiment

[0027] In order to explain in detail the technical content, structural features, achieved purposes and effects of the present invention, the following is described in detail in combination with the embodiments and with reference to the drawings.

[0028] This embodiment discloses a batch laser engraving method for workpieces, which is used to perform laser engraving operations on workpieces. For example, Figure 2, in this embodiment, the workpiece is a PCB board 100, and the SN code of the product is engraved on the PCB board 100 through this laser engraving method. Specifically, there are multiple engraving positions to be processed on the workpiece, that is, multiple engravings need to be completed on the workpiece. Then, this laser engraving method is as follows:

[0029] Provide multiple laser engraving machines, which are sequentially arranged at different workstations, for example, sequentially arranged at the first, middle, and last positions;

[0030] Configure the corresponding number of engraving tasks for each laser engraving machine, and the total number of engraving tasks of all laser engraving machines is equal to the number of engraving positions on the current workpiece;

[0031] Sequentially perform engraving work on the workpiece through multiple laser engraving machines, and each of the multiple laser engraving machines provides the configured number of engraving tasks for the workpiece respectively.

[0032] Specifically, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , still taking the PCB board 100 as an example for the workpiece. There are 30 small boards 10 on the PCB board 100, and corresponding SN numbers need to be engraved on each small board 10, which are SN1 to SN30 in sequence. Three laser engraving machines are sequentially arranged, namely the first laser engraving machine at the first position, the second laser engraving machine at the middle position, and the third laser engraving machine at the last position. The preset engraving tasks of these three laser engraving machines are all 10. When the PCB board 100 reaches the first laser engraving machine, the first laser engraving machine engraves the SN numbers on 10 of the small boards 10 on the PCB (forming the 1st to 10th SN codes), and then transfers the PCB board 100 to the second laser engraving machine. At the same time, the first laser engraving machine receives a new PCB board 100. After receiving the PCB board 100 transferred by the first laser engraving machine, the second laser engraving machine engraves the SN numbers on another 10 small boards 10 on the PCB board 100 (forming the 11th to 20th SN codes), and then transfers the PCB board 100 to the third laser engraving machine. After receiving the PCB board 100 transferred by the second laser engraving machine, the third laser engraving machine engraves the SN numbers on the remaining 10 small boards 10 on the PCB board 100 (forming the 21st to 30th SN codes), thus completing the engraving work of multiple engraving positions of the current PCB. Through the above working process, it can be seen that the engraving tasks of multiple engraving positions of the PCB board 100 are decomposed onto multiple laser engraving machines, thereby reducing the processing cycle of a single laser engraving machine and shortening the residence time of the PCB board 100 on each laser engraving machine. In this way, when mass-producing the PCB board 100, the time cycle for the laser engraving machine at the first position to receive the PCB board 100 is significantly shortened, solving the bottleneck problem that the laser engraving process becomes in the manufacturing process of the PCB board 100.

[0033] Furthermore, it is communicatively connected to multiple laser engraving machines through a task management system. When a workpiece enters the first laser engraving machine, the task management system assigns engraving contents corresponding to multiple respective engraving positions to the workpiece. Taking the PCB board 100 in the above embodiment as an example, since there are 30 small boards 10 on the PCB board 100, that is, there are 30 engraving positions, then when the PCB board 100 arrives at the first laser engraving machine, the task management system assigns 30 engraving contents to the PCB board 100 through the work order number, that is, assigns 30 SN numbers.

[0034] In this embodiment, when the workpiece enters the station where any laser engraving machine is located, the task management system sends the corresponding engraving content to the laser engraving machine according to the station where the workpiece is located, so that each laser engraving machine orderly obtains different engraving contents.

[0035] Furthermore, when the workpiece is transferred between different laser engraving machines, in order to facilitate the task management system to manage the engraving contents of each station, the task management system also assigns a unique identification code to each workpiece, and the unique identification code is associated with the unused engraving content to which the workpiece belongs. The unique identification code in this embodiment is an AOI barcode.

[0036] When the workpiece enters the first laser engraving machine, the task management system sends the unique identification code to the laser engraving machine (such as Figure 1 ), and engraves the unique identification code on the workpiece through the laser engraving machine.

[0037] Moreover, when the non-first laser engraving machine is started, the visual device identifies and obtains the unique identification code on the current workpiece, and sends the unique identification code to the task management system. The task management system queries the unused engraving content according to the unique identification code on the current workpiece, and sends the corresponding number of queried engraving contents to the current laser engraving machine.

[0038] In this embodiment, still taking the above-mentioned PCB with 30 small boards 10 as an example, when the PCB board 100 enters the first laser engraving machine at the first position, the task management system assigns 30 SN codes to this PCB board 100 according to the work order uploaded by the laser engraving machine. At the same time, a unique identification code is also assigned to this PCB board 100. At the same time, the unique identification code is associated with the storage unit storing the 30 SN codes. When this PCB board 100 enters the second laser engraving machine from the first laser engraving machine, 10 SN codes in the storage unit are released, and there are 20 remaining SN codes. Then, at this time, the task management system can query that there are 20 remaining SN codes out of the 30 SN codes reserved for this PCB board 100 through the unique identification code scanned on the PCB board 100. Then, 10 are extracted from these remaining 20 SN codes and released to the second laser engraving machine. Similarly, when the PCB board 100 enters the third laser engraving machine, the task management system queries the storage unit through the unique identification code obtained on this PCB board 100 and finds that there are still 10 reserved SN codes, so the 10 remaining SN codes are sent to the third laser engraving machine.

[0039] In addition, when individual engraving positions on the workpiece are abnormal and do not require engraving at this position, the number of engraving tasks configured for the laser engraving machine can be modified. However, the task management system will still assign the original number of engraving contents to this workpiece according to the work order. Therefore, when it is confirmed that the workpiece has passed through the last laser engraving machine, it is necessary to check whether the engraving contents assigned to this workpiece in the task management system have been used up. In this regard, a further improvement is as follows: when any workpiece has been processed by the last laser engraving machine, the task management system compares the number of unused engraving contents queried through the unique identification code with the number of engraving tasks requested by the current laser engraving machine. If the number of unused engraving contents queried through the unique identification code is greater than the number of engraving tasks requested by the current laser engraving machine, the remaining engraving contents will be released. Specifically, for the PCB board 100 with 30 small boards 10, if one of the small boards 10 is an NG board, then this PCB board 100 actually has only 29 engraving positions. The first laser engraving machine requests 9 engraving contents, the second laser engraving machine requests 10 engraving contents, and the third laser engraving machine requests 10 engraving contents. When this PC board enters the first laser engraving machine at the first position, the task management system will also assign 30 engraving tasks to this PCB board 100. Therefore, when the PCB board 100 flows out of the third laser engraving machine, the task management system will release the remaining one engraving content.

[0040] According to the above embodiments, through the setting of the unique identification code, not only can the engraving contents in the task management system be queried and counted, but also the task management system can be prevented from sending duplicate engraving contents to different laser engraving machines.

[0041] In the above embodiments, the task management system performs different management tasks on the laser engraving machines at the first, middle, and last positions. For example, it is necessary to send a unique identification code to the laser engraving machine at the first position. When the workpiece flows out of the laser engraving machine at the last position, it is necessary to record the information of the end of laser engraving once, and count whether the engraving content allocated for the workpiece has been used up. If not, it needs to be released in a timely manner. For this reason, in this embodiment, different communication interface names are configured for the laser engraving machines at the first, middle, and last positions in the laser engraving process respectively. The task management system identifies the working position of the currently requested laser engraving machine through the communication interface name.

[0042] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a batch laser engraving system is also disclosed. The workpiece has a plurality of engraving positions to be engraved and processed. The laser engraving system includes a plurality of laser engraving machines arranged in sequence according to the installation position and a task management system communicatively connected to the plurality of laser engraving machines. Each laser engraving machine is configured with a corresponding number of engraving tasks, and the total number of engraving tasks of all laser engraving machines is equal to the number of engraving positions on the current workpiece.

[0043] The task management system is configured to sequentially perform engraving tasks on the workpiece through a plurality of laser engraving machines, and each of the plurality of laser engraving machines provides the configured number of engraving tasks for the workpiece respectively.

[0044] Further, the task management system includes a resource allocation module and an extraction module;

[0045] When the workpiece enters the laser engraving machine at the first position, the resource allocation module is used to allocate engraving content corresponding to a plurality of respective engraving positions for the workpiece;

[0046] When the workpiece enters the working position of any laser engraving machine, the extraction module extracts the corresponding engraving content from the resource allocation module according to the working position of the workpiece and distributes it to the laser engraving machine.

[0047] Further, a feature code generation module and an association module are also provided in the task management system; used to generate a unique identification code for each workpiece; the association module is used to associate the unique identification code with the unused engraving content belonging to the workpiece;

[0048] When the workpiece enters the laser engraving machine at the first position, the laser engraving machine also engraves the unique identification code on the workpiece.

[0049] Further, different communication interface names are configured for the laser engraving machines at the first, middle, and last positions in the laser engraving process respectively. The task management system identifies the working position of the currently requested laser engraving machine through the communication interface name.

[0050] Furthermore, the task management system also includes a resource release module. When any workpiece is processed by the laser engraving machine at the last position, the resource release module is used to release the remaining engraving content.

[0051] In addition, it should be noted that for the working principle and working mode of the batch laser engraving system in this embodiment, please refer to the above-mentioned batch laser engraving method, which will not be elaborated here.

[0052] The above-disclosed are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention. Of course, the scope of rights of the present invention cannot be limited thereby. Therefore, equivalent changes made according to the scope of the patent application of the present invention still fall within the scope covered by the present invention.

Claims

1. A batch laser engraving method for workpieces with multiple task volumes, characterized in that, The workpiece has a plurality of engraving positions to be engraved, and the laser engraving method includes: Providing a plurality of laser engraving machines; Configuring corresponding numbers of engraving tasks for each of the laser engraving machines, and the total number of engraving tasks of all the laser engraving machines is equal to the number of the engraving positions on the current workpiece; Sequentially performing engraving work on the workpiece through the plurality of laser engraving machines, and each of the plurality of laser engraving machines respectively provides the configured number of engraving tasks for the workpiece; Communicatively connecting to the plurality of laser engraving machines through a task management system. When the workpiece enters the first laser engraving machine, the task management system assigns engraving contents corresponding to the plurality of engraving positions to the workpiece; When the workpiece enters the station where any one of the laser engraving machines is located, the task management system issues the corresponding engraving content to the laser engraving machine according to the station where the workpiece is located; The task management system also assigns a unique identification code to each workpiece, and the unique identification code is associated with the unused engraving content to which the workpiece belongs; When the workpiece enters the first laser engraving machine, the task management system issues the unique identification code to the laser engraving machine, and engraves the unique identification code on the workpiece through the laser engraving machine; Moreover, when a non-first laser engraving machine is started, the unique identification code on the current workpiece is identified and acquired through a vision device, and the unique identification code is sent to the task management system. The task management system queries the unused engraving content according to the unique identification code on the current workpiece, and issues the corresponding number of engraving contents to the current laser engraving machine; When any workpiece is processed by the last laser engraving machine, the task management system compares the number of unused engraving contents queried through the unique identification code with the number of engraving tasks requested by the current laser engraving machine. If the number of unused engraving contents queried through the unique identification code is greater than the number of engraving tasks requested by the current laser engraving machine, the remaining engraving contents are released.

2. The batch laser engraving method for multi-task workpieces according to claim 1, characterized in that, Different communication interface names are respectively configured for the laser engraving machines at the first, middle, and last positions in the laser engraving process, and the task management system identifies the station where the currently requested laser engraving machine is located through the communication interface names.

3. A batch laser engraving system for workpieces with multiple task volumes, characterized in that, The workpiece has a plurality of engraving positions to be engraved, and the laser engraving system includes a plurality of laser engraving machines sequentially arranged in the installation station order and a task management system communicatively connected to the plurality of laser engraving machines. Each of the laser engraving machines is configured with a corresponding number of engraving tasks, and the total number of engraving tasks of all the laser engraving machines is equal to the number of the engraving positions on the current workpiece; The task management system is configured to sequentially perform engraving work on the workpiece through the plurality of laser engraving machines, and each of the plurality of laser engraving machines respectively provides the configured number of engraving tasks for the workpiece; the task management system includes a resource allocation module and an extraction module; When the workpiece enters the first laser engraving machine, the resource allocation module is used to assign engraving contents corresponding to the plurality of engraving positions to the workpiece; When the workpiece enters the station where any of the laser engraving machines is located, the extraction module extracts the corresponding engraving content from the resource allocation module according to the station where the workpiece is located, and sends it to the laser engraving machine; The task management system is also provided with a feature code generation module and an association module; the feature code generation module is used to generate a unique identification code for each workpiece; the association module is used to associate the unique identification code with the unused engraving content to which the workpiece belongs; When the workpiece enters the first laser engraving machine, the laser engraving machine also engraves the unique identification code on the workpiece; The task management system further includes a resource release module. When any workpiece is processed by the last laser engraving machine, the resource release module is used to release the remaining engraving content.

4. The batch laser engraving system for multi-task workpieces according to claim 3, characterized in that, Different communication interface names are configured for the laser engraving machines at the first, middle, and last positions in the laser engraving process respectively, and the task management system identifies the station where the currently requested working laser engraving machine is located through the communication interface names.

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