A laser direct write imaging apparatus

Abstract

When the distance between the magnetic slider and the fixed magnetic pole block in the first and second magnetic energy storage components of the laser direct-write imaging device provided in this application is compressed, the magnetic slider promotes the acceleration or deceleration of the scanning component under the action of the magnetic force applied by the fixed magnetic pole block. The first and second magnetic energy storage components can convert the kinetic energy of the scanning component during the deceleration phase into potential energy, and then release the potential energy during the reverse movement to accelerate the scanning component in the opposite direction. This improves the scanning speed of the emitted light array without changing the motor power and the weight of the device itself, thereby improving the production efficiency of the laser direct-write imaging device. Secondly, the laser direct-write imaging device in this application uses the force between the non-directly connected magnetic slider and the fixed magnetic pole to promote the acceleration or deceleration of the scanning component, avoiding mechanical vibration caused by direct contact and improving the stability of the laser direct-write imaging device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of laser direct-write imaging equipment technology, and more particularly to a laser direct-write imaging equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Laser direct writing imaging devices in related technologies (such as the laser direct plate-making device for flat screen printing plates disclosed in application number: 201310084860.3) control a laser array to reciprocate scanning the photosensitive coating on the exposure surface in a preset horizontal direction, and detect the position that can be irradiated by the laser during the reciprocating movement, so as to expose the mapping position of the pixel exposure point in each pixel row on the exposure surface.

[0003] In related technologies, the faster the laser array scans horizontally in laser direct-write imaging equipment, the shorter the scanning time and the higher the production efficiency. The applicant has found that to increase the scanning speed of existing laser arrays, increased acceleration is required within a limited acceleration distance, necessitating a higher instantaneous output power from the motor in a short period. However, this increased instantaneous power leads to increased mechanical vibration, requiring a heavier chassis to mitigate vibration, thus increasing equipment costs. Furthermore, motors with higher instantaneous power are also more expensive. To meet the speed-up demands of laser direct-write imaging equipment in improving production efficiency, improvements to existing laser direct-write imaging equipment are necessary. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a laser direct-write imaging device that uses the potential energy stored during the deceleration phase to power the acceleration phase, thereby increasing the scanning speed of the output light array without changing the motor power and the weight of the device itself, and improving the production efficiency and stability of the laser direct-write imaging device.

[0005] This application provides a laser direct-writing imaging device, which may include:

[0006] The system comprises a controller, a scanning component, a first magnetic energy storage component, and a second magnetic energy storage component; wherein,

[0007] The scanning component is provided with an output light array, and the output light array is movable in the horizontal and vertical directions;

[0008] The first magnetic energy storage component and the second magnetic energy storage component include one or more sets of energy storage components. Each set of energy storage components includes a guide post, one or more magnetic sliders sleeved on the guide post, and a fixed magnetic pole block.

[0009] The guide posts in the first magnetic energy storage component and the second magnetic energy storage component are respectively disposed on both sides of the scanning component; when the distance between the magnetic slider in the first magnetic energy storage component or the second magnetic energy storage component and the fixed magnetic pole block is compressed, the magnetic slider promotes the scanning component to accelerate or decelerate under the action of the magnetic force applied by the fixed magnetic pole block;

[0010] The controller is electrically connected to the driver of the emitted light array and is used to generate a control signal to control the switching state of the light beam according to the real-time position of the light beam in the emitted light array during the movement of the emitted light array, so as to selectively expose the pixels on the photosensitive coating on the exposure surface.

[0011] Optionally, as a possible implementation, in this embodiment of the application, the fixed magnetic pole blocks in the first magnetic energy storage component and the second magnetic energy storage component have the same magnetic poles on the opposite side of the nearest magnetic slider, so as to generate a repulsive magnetic force on the nearest magnetic slider.

[0012] Optionally, as a possible implementation, in this embodiment of the application, the magnetic slider in the first magnetic energy storage component and the second magnetic energy storage component is cylindrical or prismatic.

[0013] Optionally, as a possible implementation, in this embodiment of the application, the center of the fixed magnetic pole block in the first magnetic energy storage component and the second magnetic energy storage component is provided with a concave hole that matches the guide post.

[0014] Optionally, as a possible implementation, in this embodiment of the application, a limit block is provided on the side of the first magnetic energy storage component and the second magnetic energy storage component near the fixed magnetic pole block to prevent the magnetic slider from disengaging from the guide post.

[0015] Optionally, as a possible implementation, in this embodiment of the application, the scanning component includes a horizontal guide rail, a horizontal moving platform, and a vertical moving platform; the horizontal moving platform is disposed on the horizontal guide rail and can move along the horizontal guide rail, and a vertical guide rail is disposed on the horizontal moving platform; the vertical moving platform is disposed on the vertical guide rail and can move along the vertical guide rail, and a plurality of lasers arranged in a straight line are disposed on the vertical moving platform.

[0016] Optionally, as a possible implementation, in this embodiment of the application, the horizontal moving platform is provided with at least two sets of horizontal guide rails.

[0017] Optionally, as a possible implementation, in this embodiment of the application, the emitted light array consists of multiple lasers whose vertical projection points are arranged without overlap along the vertical direction.

[0018] Optionally, as a possible implementation, in this embodiment of the application, the emitted light array is a multi-beam light array formed by modulating a laser light source using a DMD digital micromirror device.

[0019] As can be seen from the above technical solutions, the embodiments of this application have the following advantages:

[0020] In this embodiment of the application, when the distance between the magnetic sliders in the first and second magnetic energy storage components of the laser direct-write imaging device and the fixed magnetic pole block is compressed, the magnetic sliders promote the acceleration or deceleration of the scanning component under the action of the magnetic force applied by the fixed magnetic pole block. Thus, the first and second magnetic energy storage components can convert the kinetic energy of the scanning component during the deceleration phase into potential energy, and then release the potential energy during the reverse motion to accelerate the scanning component in the opposite direction. This increases the scanning speed of the emitted light array without changing the motor power and the weight of the device itself, thereby improving the production efficiency of the laser direct-write imaging device. Secondly, the laser direct-write imaging device in this embodiment uses the force between the non-directly connected magnetic sliders and the fixed magnetic poles to promote the acceleration or deceleration of the scanning component, avoiding mechanical vibration caused by direct contact and improving the stability of the laser direct-write imaging device. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the laser direct-writing imaging device in this application;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a possible structural embodiment of a group of energy storage components in a laser direct-write imaging device according to the present application. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0024] In the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application, the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, 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 this application.

[0025] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more. Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "joined" should be interpreted broadly, for example, as a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; or a connection within two elements. The term "comprising" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0026] For ease of understanding, the laser direct-write imaging device in the embodiments of this application is described below. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 1 One embodiment of a laser direct-writing imaging device in this application may include: a controller (not shown), a scanning component 10 (containing...) Figure 1 The first magnetic energy storage component 20 and the second magnetic energy storage component 30 are shown as 101, 102, 103, 104 and 1031.

[0027] The scanning component is equipped with an emitted light array, which is movable in both the horizontal and vertical directions. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the horizontal direction refers to the direction parallel to the pixel rows of the desired image on the exposure surface or a plane parallel to the exposure surface, and the vertical direction refers to the direction perpendicular to the selected horizontal direction on the exposure surface or a plane parallel to the exposure surface. Therefore, the horizontal and vertical directions in this application vary with the location of the exposure surface and the direction of the pixel rows of the desired image on the exposure surface; the specific directions are not limited here.

[0028] For example, as one possible implementation, the emitted light array may include multiple lasers 101 arranged in a vertical direction (such as...). Figure 1As shown in the diagram, the vertical projection points of the lasers constituting the emitted light array (i.e., the projection points of the laser spots in the vertical direction, ensuring that the scanning traces of the laser spots in the vertical direction do not overlap) are arranged without overlap. For example, as a possible implementation, the emitted light array can also be a multi-beam array formed by modulating the laser source using a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device). In practical applications, the controller can control the emitted light array to repeatedly scan the exposure surface along the horizontal direction. During one scan, the multiple beams in the emitted light array scan multiple pixel rows on the exposure surface simultaneously at a fixed interval (this fixed interval is determined by the installation position) to selectively expose the pixels in each pixel row. After the previous scan is completed, the controller can control the emitted light array to move along the vertical direction of the scanning direction with a fixed step distance, and then scan in the opposite horizontal direction, so that the beams in the emitted light array can perform parallel scanning exposure of the unscanned pixel rows in the scanning gaps between adjacent beams on their respective exposure surfaces. A single reciprocating scan consists of two horizontal scans: one from left to right and one from right to left, scanning different pixel rows each. Specific scanning and exposure procedures can be found in relevant technical documentation and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0029] For example, as one possible implementation, please refer to Figure 1 The scanning assembly includes a horizontal guide rail 102, a horizontal moving platform 103, and a vertical moving platform 104. The horizontal moving platform 103 is mounted on the horizontal guide rail 102 and can move along it. A vertical guide rail 1031 is mounted on the horizontal moving platform 103. The vertical moving platform 104 is mounted on the vertical guide rail 1031 and can move along it. An output light array composed of multiple lasers 101 is mounted on the vertical moving platform 104. Optionally, to maintain stable movement, the horizontal guide rail 102 can be in two or more sets.

[0030] Please see Figure 1 or Figure 2Both the first magnetic energy storage component 20 and the second magnetic energy storage component 30 include a guide post A, one or more magnetic sliders B sleeved on the guide post A, and a fixed magnetic pole block C. When multiple magnetic sliders are sleeved on the guide post A, the magnetic poles on opposite sides of adjacent magnetic sliders are identical to generate a repulsive magnetic force. The guide posts in the first magnetic energy storage component 20 and the second magnetic energy storage component 30 are respectively disposed on both sides of the scanning component 10; the fixed magnetic pole block C in the first magnetic energy storage component 20 and the second magnetic energy storage component 30 has the same magnetic pole on the opposite side of the nearest magnetic slider B to generate a repulsive magnetic force on the nearest magnetic slider B. Preferably, the central axes of the guide post A, the magnetic slider B, and the fixed magnetic pole block C are located on the same straight line (parallel to the horizontal direction). When the scanning assembly 10 is in the deceleration phase during horizontal reciprocating motion, the distance between the magnetic slider B in the first magnetic energy storage assembly 20 or the second magnetic energy storage assembly 30 and the fixed magnetic pole block C is compressed, so that the magnetic slider B promotes the deceleration of the scanning assembly 10 under the action of the magnetic force applied by the fixed magnetic pole block C. When the scanning assembly 10 is in the acceleration phase during horizontal reciprocating motion, the distance between the magnetic slider in the first magnetic energy storage assembly 20 or the second magnetic energy storage assembly 30 and the fixed magnetic pole block has been compressed in advance, so that the magnetic slider promotes the acceleration of the scanning assembly under the action of the magnetic force applied by the fixed magnetic pole block. Thus, the first magnetic energy storage component 20 and the second magnetic energy storage component 30 can convert the kinetic energy of the scanning component 10 into potential energy during the deceleration phase. This potential energy can then be released during the reverse motion to accelerate the scanning component 10 in the opposite direction. Only an additional drive is needed during the startup phase to obtain the initial potential energy, allowing acceleration and deceleration to be performed with relatively low drive power (compared to a scenario without potential energy drive) throughout the entire motion. Furthermore, the laser direct-write imaging device uses the force between the non-directly connected magnetic slider and the fixed magnetic poles to promote the acceleration or deceleration of the scanning component, avoiding mechanical vibration caused by direct contact and improving the stability of the laser direct-write imaging device.

[0031] The controller in the laser direct-write imaging device is electrically connected to the driver of the output light array. During the movement of the output light array, a control signal for controlling the switching of the lasers can be generated based on the real-time position of each laser on the scanning component, so as to selectively expose the pixels on the photosensitive coating on the exposure surface.

[0032] In some embodiments, the controller in this application may be a central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor, or other data processing chip (such as FPGA, PLC, etc.), which can run program code stored in memory or process data, execute computer programs, etc., to achieve the set functions. The specific implementation method is not limited in this application.

[0033] The imaging control process of the laser direct-write imaging device in this application is as follows: The image to be imaged on the exposure surface of the workpiece is rasterized (the specific rasterization process is prior art) to obtain the position information of the laser exposure points on the exposure surface. During the movement of the laser on the scanning component, the real-time position of the laser on the scanning component is detected to determine whether the position where the laser can be exposed is consistent with the mapping position of the laser exposure point on the exposure surface; if they are consistent, the corresponding laser can be turned on for exposure until the exposure of the entire exposure surface is completed. The specific rasterization process and the switching control process of the emitted beam (laser) can be referred to relevant technologies, and will not be elaborated here.

[0034] As disclosed above, in the laser direct-write imaging device, the first and second magnetic energy storage components are respectively disposed on both sides of the scanning component. By adjusting their installation positions, when the distance between the magnetic sliders and the fixed magnetic poles in the first and second magnetic energy storage components is compressed, the magnetic sliders, under the action of the magnetic force applied by the fixed magnetic poles, promote the acceleration or deceleration of the scanning component. Thus, the first and second magnetic energy storage components can convert the kinetic energy of the scanning component during the deceleration phase into potential energy, and then release this potential energy during the reverse motion to accelerate the scanning component in the opposite direction. This increases the scanning speed of the emitted light array without changing the motor power or the weight of the device itself, thereby improving the production efficiency of the laser direct-write imaging device. Furthermore, the laser direct-write imaging device in this embodiment uses the force between the non-directly connected magnetic sliders and the fixed magnetic poles to promote the acceleration or deceleration of the scanning component, avoiding mechanical vibration caused by direct contact and improving the stability of the laser direct-write imaging device.

[0035] For example, as one possible implementation, please refer to Figure 2 To reduce friction, the magnetic slider B in the first magnetic energy storage component 20 and the second magnetic energy storage component 30 is preferably cylindrical or prismatic.

[0036] For example, as one possible implementation, please refer to Figure 2 The fixed magnetic pole block C in the first magnetic energy storage component and the second magnetic energy storage component has a concave hole O at its center that matches the guide post A, so that the fixed magnetic pole block C and the magnetic slider B do not collide during the movement.

[0037] Based on any of the above-mentioned related embodiments, as a possible implementation, a limiting block is provided on the side of the first magnetic energy storage component and the second magnetic energy storage component near the fixed magnetic pole block to prevent the magnetic slider from detaching from the guide post. This limiting block can be a baffle or other type of fixing device (fixing the outermost magnetic slider), and the specific implementation method is not limited here.

[0038] The above-disclosed content is only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and not to limit them; although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A laser direct-writing imaging device, characterized in that, include: The system comprises a controller, a scanning component, a first magnetic energy storage component, and a second magnetic energy storage component; wherein, The scanning component is provided with an output light array, and the output light array is movable in the horizontal and vertical directions; The first magnetic energy storage component and the second magnetic energy storage component include one or more sets of energy storage components. Each set of energy storage components includes a guide post, one or more magnetic sliders sleeved on the guide post, and a fixed magnetic pole block. The guide posts in the first magnetic energy storage component and the second magnetic energy storage component are respectively disposed on both sides of the scanning component; when the distance between the magnetic slider in the first magnetic energy storage component or the second magnetic energy storage component and the fixed magnetic pole block is compressed, the magnetic slider promotes the scanning component to accelerate or decelerate under the action of the magnetic force applied by the fixed magnetic pole block; The controller is electrically connected to the driver of the emitted light array and is used to generate a control signal to control the switching state of the light beam according to the real-time position of the light beam in the emitted light array during the movement of the emitted light array, so as to selectively expose the pixels on the photosensitive coating on the exposure surface.

2. The laser direct-writing imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixed magnetic pole blocks in the first and second magnetic energy storage components have the same magnetic poles on the opposite side of the nearest magnetic slider to generate a repulsive magnetic force on the nearest magnetic slider.

3. The laser direct-writing imaging device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The magnetic sliders in the first and second magnetic energy storage components are cylindrical or prismatic rings.

4. The laser direct-writing imaging device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fixed magnetic pole blocks in the first and second magnetic energy storage components have a recessed hole at their center that matches the guide post.

5. The laser direct-writing imaging device according to claim 2, characterized in that, A limit block is provided on the side of the first magnetic energy storage component and the second magnetic energy storage component near the fixed magnetic pole block to prevent the magnetic slider from detaching from the guide post.

6. The laser direct-writing imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The scanning assembly includes a horizontal guide rail, a horizontal moving platform, and a vertical moving platform; the horizontal moving platform is disposed on the horizontal guide rail and can move along the horizontal guide rail, and a vertical guide rail is disposed on the horizontal moving platform; the vertical moving platform is disposed on the vertical guide rail and can move along the vertical guide rail, and a plurality of lasers are disposed on the vertical moving platform in a row distributed along a straight line.

7. The laser direct-writing imaging device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The horizontal moving platform is equipped with at least two sets of horizontal guide rails.

8. The laser direct-writing imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The emitted light array consists of multiple lasers whose vertical projection points are arranged without overlap along the vertical direction.

9. The laser direct-writing imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The emitted light array is a multi-beam array formed by modulating a laser source using a DMD digital micromirror device.

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