Laser marking device

Abstract

To provide a laser marking device capable of easily and efficiently performing marking work in a short time when a building is constructed.SOLUTION: The laser beam generating unit 11 generates a laser beam. In the object distance measuring unit 13, for example, the height to the ceiling is automatically measured by infrared rays or the like. The height data automatically measured by the object distance measuring unit 13 is sent to the arithmetic unit 15. In the calculation unit 15, calculation necessary for irradiation control of the laser light is performed based on the height data and the shape data sent from the object distance measurement unit 13. The operation unit 17 is provided with buttons for starting and stopping the laser marking device 10 and for switching between an automatic mode and a manual mode. The irradiation control command data of the laser beam calculated by the calculation unit 15 is sent to the laser beam irradiation control unit 19, and the irradiation control of the laser beam is performed based on the data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a laser marking device, and more particularly to a laser marking device that enables marking work during building construction to be carried out simply, efficiently, and in a short time. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, when constructing a building, it is necessary to mark out the concrete, wood, plywood, steel plate, etc. in order to indicate the exact vertical and horizontal positions that serve as the reference for construction. For this purpose, a marking device using a laser beam, such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, has been used.

[0003] A conventional method for attaching a lighting fixture to a ceiling using this marking device will now be described. First, the procedure is to mark the ground line 1 on the floor. Specifically, this is done by marking the opening dimensions (for example, 120 x 1250) on the ceiling along with a + mark on the floor, as shown in Figure 7. Next, the laser marking device 2 shown in Figure 8 is placed in line with this ground line 1. A laser beam is emitted from the laser marking device 2 in the vertical direction. The laser beam draws lines on the X and Y axes on the ceiling 33, intersecting the irradiation point O. As a result, as shown in Figure 9, this laser beam also hits the bar 3 on the ceiling substrate.

[0004] Next, a worker uses a scale, ruler, etc. to mark out the opening dimensions as shown by the dashed line 5 in the figure, using the irradiation point O and the X-axis and Y-axis lines as reference points. To mark out the opening dimensions, the worker faces the ceiling and measures and draws lines across the X-axis at 60 cm intervals. He also measures and draws lines across the Y-axis at 625 cm intervals. After marking out the opening, a portion of the bar 3 is cut according to the opening. After that, a ceiling finish surface such as a board is attached to the underside of the bar 3.

[0005] Next, the laser marking device 2 is again placed in alignment with the ground mark 1. Then, as shown in Figure 10, X-axis and Y-axis lines are drawn on the finished ceiling surface 35 with a laser beam. Next, using a scale, ruler, etc., a worker marks out the opening dimensions on the finished ceiling surface 35 as shown by the dashed line 7 in the figure, based on the irradiation point O and the X-axis and Y-axis lines. Then, a portion of the finished ceiling surface 35 is cut according to this opening. This makes it possible to install lighting fixtures, etc., using the opening shown by the dashed line 5 in Figure 8 and the opening shown by the dashed line 7 in Figure 9. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 3-88678 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The marking work mentioned above is done by multiple workers working together while facing the ceiling. This work must be done twice, once on the base and once on the finished surface. This makes the construction work tedious, time-consuming, and difficult, and is one of the reasons for long working hours for construction workers.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has as its object to provide a laser marking device that can easily and efficiently perform marking work during building construction in a short time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] Therefore, the present invention (claim 1) is an invention of a laser marking device, characterized in that it comprises a laser light source that generates laser light, an object onto which the laser light generated by the laser light source is irradiated, a distance measurement means that automatically measures the distance to the object, dimension and graphic shape data relating to a desired shape, a calculation means that calculates the irradiation direction of the laser light based on the shape data and the distance measured by the distance measurement means, a laser light irradiation direction control means that irradiates the laser light in the irradiation direction calculated by the calculation means, and the shape of the graphic having the dimensions described above is drawn on the surface of the object by the laser light irradiated from the laser light irradiation direction control means.

[0010] The direction of laser light irradiation is calculated based on the shape data and the distance measured by the distance measuring means. The laser light is then emitted in the direction of irradiation calculated here. By controlling the direction of laser light irradiation, a figure with the desired dimensions is drawn on the target object. This makes marking work easy and quick. Even if this work is done twice, once for the base and once for the finished surface, it reduces the burden on the worker.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention (claim 2) is an invention of a laser marking device, characterized in that the shape data is data read from an external mobile terminal.

[0012] The mobile terminal stores design drawings and other data, and shape data may be stored together with this data or downloaded via the Internet. The shape data can then be read out for marking out when needed. The user may select one required shape data from multiple types of shape data.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention (claim 3) is an invention of a laser marking device, which is configured with an adjustment means for manually adjusting the movement value along the shape of the figure, or for manually adjusting the irradiation direction of the laser light irradiated from the laser light irradiation direction control means.

[0014] By allowing manual adjustment, highly accurate marking work can be performed even in buildings with different ceiling heights or where the floor surface is not uniform.

[0015] Furthermore, the present invention (claim 4) is an invention of a laser marking device, which is configured to include a level adjustment means that enables automatic level adjustment with respect to the floor surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As explained above, according to the present invention (claim 1), the apparatus is configured to include a calculation means for calculating the direction of laser light irradiation based on shape data and the distance measured by the distance measurement means, and a laser light irradiation direction control means for irradiating the laser light in the irradiation direction calculated by the calculation means, so that the laser light irradiated from the laser light irradiation direction control means draws a figure shape having desired dimensions on the surface of the object. This makes it possible to easily perform marking work in a short time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a laser marking device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] Configuration of the laser light irradiation control unit [Figure 3] A diagram showing the installation of the laser marking device [Figure 4] A diagram showing the shape of an opening drawn on the ceiling for a lighting fixture. [Figure 5] Processing flow of the laser marking device according to the embodiment of the present invention [Figure 6] A diagram showing the relationship between the movement value and the azimuth angle θ and elevation angle φ [Figure 7] Example of marking the ground on the floor [Figure 8] An example of a laser marking device aligned with the ground mark [Figure 9] Diagram showing the X and Y axis lines drawn on the substrate by a laser beam [Figure 10] A diagram showing the appearance of X-axis and Y-axis lines drawn by a laser beam on the ceiling finish surface DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. A configuration diagram of a laser marking device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 1, a laser light generating unit 11 generates laser light. An object distance measuring unit 13 automatically measures the height to the ceiling, for example, using infrared rays or laser light. In other words, the height of the ceiling substrate or ceiling board surface can be automatically measured. However, the measurement target is not limited to height. It may also be horizontal distance, etc. The height data automatically measured by this target distance measurement unit 13 is sent to a calculation unit 15. The calculation unit 15 performs calculations necessary for controlling the irradiation of the laser light based on the height data sent from the target distance measurement unit 13 and the aperture shape data described below.

[0019] The operation unit 17 is provided with buttons for starting and stopping the laser marking device 10 and for switching between automatic and manual modes. The laser light irradiation control command data calculated by the calculation unit 15 is sent to the laser light irradiation control unit 19, and the laser light irradiation is controlled based on this data. In the calculation unit 15, the position coordinates of the laser light irradiation point are converted into a rotation angle relative to the swing motor, as will be described later.

[0020] Fig. 2 shows the configuration of the laser light irradiation control unit 19. In Fig. 2, the laser light emitted from the laser light generating unit 11 is reflected by a mirror 25 installed at the head of the swing motor 23. At this time, the swing motor 23 swings the laser light in the Y-axis direction of the ceiling surface 31 by a predetermined angle. The laser light is then further reflected by mirror 29 attached to the head of oscillation motor 27, which is disposed at a 90-degree angle from oscillation motor 23. Mirror 29 is oscillated by a predetermined angle by oscillation motor 27 in the X-axis direction defined on ceiling surface 31. The laser light reflected by mirror 29 strikes ceiling surface 31, and is made to appear as an afterimage of light having an aperture shape 34 by sequentially controlling mirrors 25 and 29.

[0021] The external command device 30 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a touch panel, mobile phone, smartphone, or PC on which construction drawing data is saved. Predetermined application software is installed on the external command device 30. This application software transmits processing dimension data, including the opening shape (e.g., rectangular or round) required for embedding lighting fixtures, air conditioning equipment, and the like, and its dimensions, to the calculation unit 15 via Bluetooth. However, this opening shape may be any free-form shape. Furthermore, the opening shape and its dimensions may be transferred to the terminal as Excel data created on a PC. This opening shape and dimension data may also be directly input to the mobile terminal. Based on this transmitted data, a rectangular or other light frame of predetermined dimensions is projected onto the ceiling or the like via the laser light irradiation control unit 19. The laser marking device 10 may be equipped with a function that enables automatic level adjustment. This level adjustment can be performed, for example, by emitting infrared rays (not shown) from the bottom of the laser marking device 10 and adjusting the difference between the direction of the light emitted toward the floor and the direction of the light reflected from the floor, or by emitting infrared rays toward the floor from multiple points on the bottom and adjusting the distance from the floor.

[0022] Next, a construction method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in Figure 3, the laser marking device 10 is installed in line with the ground mark 1 marked on the floor. When the laser marking device 10 is started using the operation unit 17, the target distance measurement unit 13 automatically measures the height h to the ceiling.

[0023] Then, as shown in Figure 4, an opening shape 34 for constructing an opening for a lighting fixture is drawn on the bar 3 around point O by irradiating it with a laser beam, for example, as shown by the dotted line in the figure. The worker can mark out the opening shape 34 by tracing the light line with a marker or the like. The same can be done for the work on the base and the ceiling finish surface.

[0024] Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 5 shows the processing flow of a laser marking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. When a command to start processing is issued, first, in step 1 (abbreviated as S1 in the figure, the same applies below), processing dimensional data relating to the opening shape is read from the external command device 30. The processing dimensional data may be an outline drawing of any shape, or a numerical string of length and width dimension data in the case of a rectangle, or diameter data in the case of a circle.

[0025] The machining dimension data may be stored in the external command device 30, or may be data downloaded to the external command device 30 via the Internet. In this case, machining dimension data for a plurality of types of opening shapes may be prepared in the external command device 30, and the data to be applied at this time may be selected and read from among this. Also, this machining dimension data may be stored in a memory unit (not shown) prepared in the laser marking device 10, and the data stored in this memory unit may be read.

[0026] In step 2, the target distance measurement unit 13 automatically measures the distance h from the laser marking device 10 to the marking location O. In step 3, the calculation unit 15 sets the initial values ​​(x0, y0, h) of the marking line. In step 5, the calculation unit 15 calculates the azimuth angle θ1 and elevation angle φ1 at this point in time as shown in Figure 6 based on (x, y, h) through geometric calculations. In step 7, the calculation unit 15 saves the relationship between the movement value (x, y, h) and the azimuth angle θ1 and elevation angle φ1 in history data. In step 9, based on the azimuth angle θ1 and elevation angle φ1, the swing motor 23 and the swing motor 27 are rotated by a predetermined angle, respectively, to control the mirror 25 and the mirror 29.

[0027] In step 11, it is determined whether the calculation has completed a full cycle (returned to the initial value) according to the opening shape in the construction drawing. If it has not yet completed a full cycle, the process proceeds to step 13, where the displacement on the X axis or the displacement on the Y axis is moved by the infinitesimal distance δ1 or δ2 according to the opening shape. Depending on the shape, both the infinitesimal distance δ1 and the infinitesimal distance δ2 may be moved. As a result, in step 15, the in-plane movement value (xi, yi, h) at height h is set. The process from step 5 is repeated for this updated movement value (xi, yi, h).

[0028] Thereafter, if it is determined in step 11 that the calculation has been completed in accordance with the opening shape on the construction drawing, the process proceeds to step 19. Then, in the processing thereafter, the relationship between the movement value (x, y, h), the azimuth θ1, and the elevation angle φ1 is read from the history data at each specified timing, and the laser light is controlled. This is because once the calculation is completed, no further calculation is required in the subsequent processing, and control can be performed quickly by using the history data.

[0029] As a result, a predetermined opening shape 34 is drawn on the ceiling by the laser light. Therefore, the worker can mark out the opening simply by tracing the opening shape with a marker or the like. Furthermore, even when the floor surface is moved to a higher location, the distance h is automatically measured again, the opening shape according to this height is calculated, and this opening shape 34 is drawn on the ceiling surface by the laser light.

[0030] Next, the process when the ceiling height of a hall or the like is high will be described. In this case, the laser marking device 10 is placed on a stepladder or the like. It is possible that the stepladder or the like may be distorted. For this reason, the operation unit 17 is provided with a switch button for switching between automatic mode and manual mode, and when manual mode is selected, the movement values ​​(x, y, h) can be manually fine-tuned using the application software on the mobile terminal, as well as the azimuth angle θ1 and elevation angle φ1. In this way, when manual mode is selected, the dimensions and the like input from the mobile terminal are reflected in the projection position. Furthermore, when automatic mode is selected, the processing of Figure 5 is performed automatically. It should be noted that the present invention can be modified and combined in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention also covers such modifications and combinations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 1. Ground mark 3 Bar 10 Laser marking device 11 Laser light generating unit 13 Target distance measurement unit 15 Arithmetic section 17 Control section 19 Laser light irradiation control unit 23, 27 Oscillating motor 25, 29 Mirror 30 External command unit 31, 33, 35 Ceiling surface 34 Opening shape

Claims

1. a laser light source that generates laser light; an object to be irradiated with the laser light generated by the laser light source; distance measuring means for automatically measuring the distance to the object; dimensional and graphic shape data relating to the desired shape; a calculation means for calculating the irradiation direction of the laser light based on the shape data and the distance measured by the distance measuring means; a laser beam irradiation direction control means for irradiating the laser beam in the irradiation direction calculated by the calculation means; A laser marking device characterized in that the shape of the figure having the dimensions is drawn on the surface of the object by the laser light irradiated from the laser light irradiation direction control means.

2. 2. The laser marking device according to claim 1, wherein the shape data is data read from an external mobile terminal.

3. A laser marking device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that it is equipped with an adjustment means for manually adjusting the movement value along the shape of the figure or manually adjusting the irradiation direction of the laser light irradiated from the laser light irradiation direction control means.

4. 3. The laser marking device according to claim 1, further comprising a level adjustment means for automatically adjusting the level with respect to the floor surface.

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