Laser marking apparatus

Abstract

To improve the usability of a laser marking device for marking a workpiece with a positioning mark.SOLUTION: The laser marking device L includes the setting section 103 that sets the print pattern Pp and the trigger delay Of, the first 2IF section 107 that receives the trigger signal each time the alignment mark Mr is detected, the movement amount monitoring section 110 that determines whether or not the movement amount of the workpiece We corresponding to the trigger signal reaches the trigger delay Of, and the marking control section 109 that controls the laser light scanning section 3 based on the determination result by the movement amount monitoring section 110. A setting part 103 displays a setting support image Pa visually indicating the positioning mark Mr and the trigger delay Of in the flexible workpiece W on a display part 102, and receives a user input for setting the trigger delay Of in a state of displaying the setting support image Pa.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a laser marking device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing device that is placed on the path of movement of a strip of film, and that prints on the strip of film using this printing device. This strip of film has registration marks at predetermined intervals along the transport direction, and a sensor detects these registration marks to allow the device to recognize the current position of the strip of film. By aligning the strip of film, it is possible to print at the desired position on the film.

[0003] In other words, the registration marks according to Patent Document 1 function as so-called "alignment marks" for aligning the strip of film when printing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-212222 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, when an alignment mark such as that described in Patent Document 1 is detected, the determination of the position on the strip of film to print is adjusted by adjusting the timing at which a trigger signal is sent to the printing device.

[0006] For example, by adjusting the trigger signal to be output immediately after the alignment mark is detected, it becomes possible to start printing as soon as possible, or by adjusting the trigger signal to be output after the film strip has been moved a certain distance after the alignment mark is detected, it becomes possible to delay the printing timing.

[0007] However, such adjustments require trial and error even for experienced users, resulting in a problem of device usability. This problem is not limited to the printing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, but is also common to so-called laser marking devices configured to mark sheet-like flexible workpieces.

[0008] The technology disclosed here has been developed in consideration of these points, and its purpose is to improve the usability of laser marking devices that mark workpieces that have alignment marks attached to them. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A first aspect of the present disclosure relates to a laser marking device that uses laser light to mark a sheet-like flexible workpiece on which alignment marks are provided at equal intervals along a conveyance direction. This laser marking device comprises a laser light generation unit that generates laser light, a laser light scanning unit that scans the laser light generated by the laser light generation unit over the surface of the flexible workpiece, a setting unit that sets a printing pattern to be marked on the flexible workpiece and an offset amount from the irradiation range of the laser light by the laser light scanning unit to the marking start position of the printing pattern on the flexible workpiece when a predetermined trigger signal is received, an interface unit that receives the trigger signal each time the alignment mark is detected during transport of the flexible workpiece, a movement amount monitoring unit that determines whether the movement amount of the flexible workpiece corresponding to the trigger signal has reached the offset amount each time the interface unit receives a trigger signal, and a marking control unit that controls the laser light scanning unit based on the determination result by the movement amount monitoring unit when the interface unit receives a trigger signal so that the printing pattern set by the setting unit is marked on the flexible workpiece.

[0010] According to the first aspect, the setting unit is configured to display a setting support image on a display unit that visually shows the alignment mark and the offset amount on the flexible workpiece, and to accept user input for setting the offset amount while the setting support image is displayed.

[0011] Here, the "offset amount" may be configured to be input directly by the user, or may be configured to have the user input other parameters and have the setting unit calculate the amount based on the other parameters.

[0012] According to the first aspect, the laser marking device starts marking when the movement amount of the workpiece reaches the offset amount. Here, by displaying a setting support image on the display unit, even an inexperienced user can easily set the offset amount by referring to the setting support image. This improves the usability of the laser marking device.

[0013] Furthermore, according to a second aspect of the present disclosure, the laser marking device may display one of a plurality of different setting support images on the display unit as the setting support image, and the setting unit may display one of the plurality of setting support images that corresponds to the attitude of the laser marking device.

[0014] According to the second aspect, a setting support image can be displayed according to the installation status of the laser marking device, thereby further improving the usability of the laser marking device.

[0015] Furthermore, according to a third aspect of the present disclosure, the setting unit may accept user input indicating the attitude of the laser marking device, and display a setting support image corresponding to the attitude indicated by the user input from among the multiple setting support images.

[0016] According to the third aspect, the attitude of the laser marking device can be input, and a setting support image corresponding to the input content can be displayed, thereby further improving the usability of the laser marking device.

[0017] Furthermore, according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the setting unit may cause the display unit to display, as the plurality of setting support images, images of one setting support image rotated by 90 degrees, 45 degrees, or 30 degrees.

[0018] According to the fourth aspect, instead of preparing multiple setting support images, one setting support image is rotated by 90°, 180°, or 270° and displayed, which makes it easier to display an image that corresponds to the orientation of the laser marking device.

[0019] Furthermore, according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the setting support image may further visually indicate the distance between a sensor that detects the alignment mark and the laser marking device, and the setting unit may be configured to accept input of the distance indicated by the setting support image.

[0020] According to the fifth aspect, instead of directly receiving the input of the offset amount, the device is configured to receive the input of the distance. The magnitude of this distance can be measured using a ruler or the like. Therefore, the configuration according to the fifth aspect contributes to improving the usability of the laser marking device.

[0021] Furthermore, according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the setting support image may further visually indicate a start position of marking in the irradiation range and an end position of marking in the irradiation range, and the setting unit may be configured to accept input of the start position and the end position.

[0022] According to the sixth aspect, not only the offset amount but also more detailed settings can be made. For example, by positioning the marking start position closer to the center of the irradiation range, print quality can be improved compared to when the start position is set at the edge of the irradiation range. In this way, by configuring the laser marking device to allow more detailed settings, a wider variety of settings can be realized, which is advantageous in improving the usability of the laser marking device.

[0023] Furthermore, according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the setting unit may be configured to be able to switch the display content on the display unit between a first setting screen that visually displays the setting support image and a second setting screen that accepts input of print quality including the scanning speed of the laser light scanning unit.

[0024] Furthermore, according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the laser marking device may include a second interface unit connected to an encoder that outputs a pulse signal corresponding to the conveying speed of the flexible workpiece so as to be able to receive the pulse signal, and the setting unit may calculate the number of pulses to be output when the flexible workpiece moves a predetermined distance based on the pulse signal input via the second interface unit.

[0025] Furthermore, according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, the setting unit may calculate an upper limit for the number of markings that can be performed per specified time based on the interval at which the interface unit receives a trigger signal, the length of the irradiation area in the conveying direction, and the marking time required to mark the flexible workpiece. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] As described above, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the usability of a laser marking device configured to mark a workpiece having an alignment mark attached thereto. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a laser marking system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a laser marking device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the replacement of the printing device and the marker head. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the print block and the rules for changing the print block. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a diagram for explaining screen transitions on the display unit. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining screen transitions on the display unit. [Figure 5C] FIG. 5C is a diagram for explaining screen transitions on the display unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the trigger delay. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the processing performed during operation of the laser marking system. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process for creating a print job. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process related to switching of print jobs. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process related to the operation of a print job. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display mode of the home screen. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display mode of the job menu screen. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display mode of the block selection screen. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display mode of the job editing screen. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display mode of the detailed setting screen. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display mode of the job information setting screen. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display mode of the job information setting screen. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display mode of the job information setting screen. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface for calculating the number of input pulses. [Figure 20]FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining switching of the setting support image. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the rotation of the setting support image. [Figure 22A] FIG. 22A is a diagram for explaining switching of the orientation of a character string. [Figure 22B] FIG. 22B is a diagram for explaining switching of the orientation of a character string. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display mode of the second job information setting screen. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of the display mode of the print test screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following description is for illustrative purposes only.

[0029] That is, in this embodiment, printing processing (hereinafter referred to as "marking", "printing", or simply "processing") will be described as a representative example of marking using laser light, but the present disclosure can be applied to any marking consisting of multiple scanning lines, such as the marking of a figure.

[0030] <Overall structure> Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a laser marking system S, and Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a laser marking device L in the laser marking system S. Also, Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining the replacement of a printing device 1001 and a marker head 1.

[0031] The laser marking system S illustrated in Fig. 1 includes a laser marking device L, an external device 400 connected thereto, and a processing facility 500 to which the laser marking device L is attached and which transports a workpiece W. Of these, the laser marking device L illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 irradiates a laser beam toward a predetermined irradiation area R1 and scans the laser beam over the surface of the workpiece W.

[0032] By scanning the laser beam as described above, the laser marking device L can perform marking using the laser beam on a sheet-like flexible workpiece W (hereinafter, the "flexible workpiece" will be simply referred to as the workpiece). Note that this marking is performed in accordance with a pre-set print pattern Pp, print job Pb, and print job Pj.

[0033] The irradiation area R1 here refers to an area set on the surface of the workpiece W, and is an area corresponding to a printing surface that is pre-assigned to the set plane R2 on the display unit 102. The irradiation area R1 as the printing surface can take various forms depending on the relative positional relationship between the laser marking device L and the workpiece W, the specifications of the laser marking device L, the movement path of the workpiece W, etc. For example, the irradiation area R1 of a workpiece W that moves along a two-dimensional plane will be a plane that follows the movement path. On the other hand, the irradiation area R1 of a workpiece W that moves in a three-dimensional space can be a curved surface that follows the movement path.

[0034] In addition, the printing pattern Pp in the following description includes not only character patterns to be marked on the workpiece W, but also graphic patterns to be marked on the workpiece W, such as ":", "x", barcodes, and QR codes (registered trademarks).

[0035] In particular, the laser marking device L according to this embodiment can emit laser light having a wavelength of around 350 nm as laser light for processing the workpiece W. This wavelength is included in the ultraviolet wavelength range. Therefore, in the following description, the laser light for processing the workpiece W may be referred to as "UV laser light" to distinguish it from other laser light such as near-infrared light.

[0036] Below, we will explain the case where the workpiece W (the aforementioned "flexible workpiece") made of a sheet-like film is the target of marking, and the film contains a UV-reactive layer (not shown) that chemically reacts with UV laser light.

[0037] The workpiece W in the present disclosure may be made of a plastic film, a film containing an aluminum layer, a film containing an aluminum vapor deposition layer, or a film containing a paper layer. The workpiece W can be made of films made of various materials. The film constituting the workpiece W may have a three-layer structure or a multi-layer structure of three or more layers.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the workpiece W according to this embodiment is formed by arranging a plurality of workpiece elements We along a predetermined conveying direction At. The workpiece elements We may be integrally connected along the conveying direction At, or may be arranged at intervals in the conveying direction At. Each workpiece element We is individually marked by a laser marking device L. The workpiece elements We can also be described as a plurality of processed areas or non-printed areas set on the surface of the workpiece W and arranged at equal intervals along the conveying direction At.

[0039] Here, in order to apply similar markings to each of the multiple workpiece elements We, it is possible to detect the relative position of each workpiece element We with respect to the marker head 1 each time. For this purpose, alignment marks Mr are provided on the surface of the workpiece W at equal intervals along the conveying direction. As shown in FIG. 1, each alignment mark Mr may be provided in a position between workpiece elements We lined up in the conveying direction At. Alternatively, each alignment mark Mr may be provided on one side of each workpiece element We in the conveying width direction (the +X side or -X side in FIG. 1) (not shown).

[0040] Furthermore, the laser marking device L according to this embodiment is configured to perform so-called two-dimensional printing by two-dimensionally scanning the laser light, but because this laser marking device L is configured to have a deeper focal depth than conventional products, it can also perform so-called three-dimensional printing. Therefore, this laser marking device L can even mark a workpiece W that is transported along a three-dimensional movement path.

[0041] 1 and 2, the laser marking device L according to this embodiment includes a marker head 1 and a marker controller 100. In this embodiment, the marker head 1 and the marker controller 100 are separate entities and connected by a cable 200. The cable 200 according to this embodiment may be configured by bundling together at least a portion of electrical wiring for transmitting power from inside the marker controller 100 to the marker head 1, and signal wiring for transmitting and receiving analog signals, digital signals, and the like.

[0042] (Marker Controller 100) The marker controller 100 has a controller main body 100a for controlling the marker head 1, and a user terminal 100b for accepting various inputs from the user.

[0043] Of these, the controller main body 100a can scan the laser light over the surface of the workpiece W by controlling the marker head 1 in accordance with settings related to the print pattern Pp, for example. The controller main body 100a has a memory device 120 for storing such settings. This memory device 120 is made up of a combination of volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory.

[0044] For example, the controller main body 100a includes a marking control unit 109, illustrated in Fig. 2, as a functional element for controlling the marker head 1. This marking control unit 109 is electrically connected to a laser light generating unit 2 and a laser light scanning unit 3 (described later) in the marker head 1, and by controlling these, it is possible to perform marking using laser light on the workpiece W. Other details of the controller main body 100a will be described later.

[0045] On the other hand, the user terminal 100b has, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory, and is connected to the controller main body 100a by wire or wirelessly so as to be able to send and receive electrical signals.

[0046] In particular, the user terminal 100b according to this embodiment can be configured as a touch panel console. The user terminal 100b can be configured separately from the controller main body 100a, or can be configured as an integrated unit. If configured separately, the user terminal can be configured as a tablet terminal, desktop computer, laptop computer, or the like, instead of a touch panel console.

[0047] The user terminal 100b functions as a terminal for setting various printing conditions and presenting information related to marking on the workpiece W to the user. The user terminal 100b includes a display unit 102 for displaying information to the user, an operation unit 101 for accepting operation inputs by the user, and a storage device (not shown) for storing various information. The user terminal 100b may also be called a printing setting device for setting various printing conditions. The marker head 1 and marker controller 100 may also be collectively called a laser marker.

[0048] The display unit 102 can display a setting plane R2 defined by Cartesian coordinates. This display unit 102 is an example of a "display means" in this embodiment. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, an input interface Iu that accepts input of characters to be marked (hereinafter referred to as "print pattern Pp") is arranged on the setting plane R2 displayed by the display unit 102. This input interface Iu is made up of user interfaces such as a frame that indicates the range of the setting plane R2 and a graphic that indicates the position of the print pattern Pp on the setting plane R2, and can accept input of the print pattern Pp based on operation input to the operation unit 101 and display the contents of the accepted print pattern Pp on the setting plane R2.

[0049] Specifically, the display unit 102 can be configured with a liquid crystal display or an organic EL panel. When the user terminal 100b is incorporated into the controller main body 100a or a touch panel console is used, a display screen provided on the controller main body 100a or the console can serve as the display unit.

[0050] The operation unit 101 can be configured with a keyboard and a pointing device. Pointing devices include a mouse, a joystick, etc. When the user terminal 100b is incorporated into the controller main body 100a or a touch panel console is used, the operation unit can be a switch, a button, or the display itself provided on the controller main body 100a or the console.

[0051] The user terminal 100b configured as described above can set printing conditions for marking based on operation input by the user. These printing conditions include details of the print pattern Pp, as well as the target output of the laser beam (laser power) and the scanning speed of the laser beam on the workpiece W.

[0052] The printing conditions set by user terminal 100b are output to controller main body 100a and stored in storage device 120 of controller main body 100a. If necessary, the printing conditions may be stored in the storage device of user terminal 100b.

[0053] (Marker head 1) Meanwhile, the marker head 1 is electrically connected to the marker controller 100. The marker head 1 can communicate with the marker controller 100 via wire or wirelessly, and is controlled by the marker controller 100 to emit UV laser light toward the irradiation area R1.

[0054] The marker head 1 according to this embodiment is installed on processing equipment 500 for processing a workpiece W made of a sheet-like film. As shown in Fig. 3, this processing equipment 500 includes a support member 501 that supports the marker head 1 and a conveying roller 502 around which the workpiece W is wound.

[0055] Of these, the support member 501 can mount the laser marking device L, particularly the housing 10 of the marker head 1, at a predetermined mounting position, as shown in Fig. 3. As an example of the configuration of the support member 501 shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the housing 10 can be suspended from above.

[0056] On the other hand, the conveying roller 502 is configured in a cylindrical shape having a central axis extending in the short dimension direction of the workpiece W. In this case, the workpiece W is conveyed in the long dimension direction along a predetermined movement path by the rotation of the conveying roller 502.

[0057] Here, the processing equipment 500 of this embodiment is shared between the marker head 1 of this embodiment and a printing device 1001 that prints using a method other than laser light marking, as shown in the upper and lower figures of Figure 3.

[0058] That is, the marker head 1 according to this embodiment is configured so that it can be attached in place of the printing device 1001 to the support member 501 of the processing equipment 500 configured to attach the printing device 1001.

[0059] An example of a printing device 1001 that can replace the marker head 1 is a thermal transfer overprinter (TTO), but other printing devices 1001 can also be used.

[0060] In detail, the replaceable printing device 1001 as described above may be, for example, one that includes a housing 1010 configured in an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape, which includes a printing surface 1010d that exposes a printing section 1006 that contacts the printing area on the workpiece W, and a connection surface 1010u that is a surface different from the printing surface 1010d and can be connected to the support member 501.

[0061] 3, the marker head 1 is supported by a support member 501 connectable to the connection surface 1010u, similar to the printing device 1001. The marker head 1 thus supported marks the workpiece W by irradiating UV laser light toward an irradiation area R1 set corresponding to the printing area (the area in contact with the printing unit 1006 in the printing device 1001).

[0062] The laser marking device L according to this embodiment is also configured to include an imaging device 92 for capturing an image of the marking result. This imaging device 92 is disposed on the outer surface of the housing 10 of the marker head 1 or inside the housing 10, and is capable of capturing an image of the surface of the workpiece W. This imaging device 92 is electrically connected to an image sensor 404, which is part of the external device 400.

[0063] The external device 400 is connected to the marker controller 100 as necessary. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the external device 400 is composed of an encoder 401, a programmable logic controller (PLC) 402, a mark detection sensor 403, and the image sensor 404 described above. Of these devices, the encoder 401 is connected to the marker controller 100 via a first interface unit 106. Similarly, the PLC 402 is connected to the marker controller 100 via a second interface unit 107, and the mark detection sensor 403 is connected to the marker controller 100 via a third interface unit 108. Although not shown in the drawings, the image sensor 404 may be connected to the marker controller 100 via a so-called "fourth interface unit."

[0064] Hereinafter, the first interface unit 106, the second interface unit 107, and the third interface unit 108 may be referred to as the first IF unit 106, the second IF unit 107, and the third IF unit 108, respectively.

[0065] In this embodiment, the encoder 401 is configured by a rotary encoder, and is capable of detecting the conveying speed of the workpiece W. The encoder 401 outputs a signal (detection signal) indicating the detection result to the marker controller 100. The marker controller 100 controls two-dimensional scanning of the laser light, etc., based on the detection signal input from the encoder 401.

[0066] 1, the encoder 401, which is configured as a rotary encoder, is arranged to rotate its own wheel in accordance with the rotation of the conveying roller 502. The encoder 401 is configured to convert the rotation of the wheel into a pulse signal (so-called "encoder pulse") and output it.

[0067] Here, when the workpiece W moves over a unit distance in the conveying direction At, the number of pulses output from the encoder 401 (hereinafter referred to as the "output pulse number") increases or decreases according to the rotation speed of the conveying roller 502. The output pulse number of the encoder 401 characterizes the rotation speed of the conveying roller 502, and therefore the conveying speed of the workpiece W. The conveying speed of the workpiece W can be detected from this output pulse number.

[0068] The PLC 402 is configured by, for example, a microprocessor, and can input control signals to the marker controller 100. The PLC 402 is used to control the laser marking system S in accordance with a predetermined sequence.

[0069] The mark detection sensor 403 is configured, for example, by a light receiving type photoelectric sensor (so-called color sensor), and can detect the position of the alignment mark Mr attached to the surface of the workpiece W. The mark detection sensor 403 outputs a signal (trigger signal) indicating the detection signal to the marker controller 100. The marker controller 100 controls the start timing of marking, etc., based on the trigger signal input from the mark detection sensor 403.

[0070] The image sensor 404 is electrically connected to the imaging device 92 and receives an image signal generated by the imaging device 92. Based on the input image signal, the image sensor 404 inspects the print content processed on the surface of the workpiece W. In this case, inspection may be performed based on the shape, color, gloss, etc. of the marking, or, particularly when marking a character string, inspection may be performed using an OCR (Optical Character Reader).

[0071] A signal indicating the inspection result by the image sensor 404 can be input to at least one of the PLC 402 and the marker controller 100. The PLC 402 and / or the marker controller 100 can control the operation of the processing equipment 500 and / or the laser marking device L based on the input signal.

[0072] The image sensor 404 may be incorporated into the marker controller 100. In other words, by directly connecting the imaging device 92 and the marker controller 100, the function that should be performed by the image sensor 404 can be performed by the marker controller 100.

[0073] In addition to the above-mentioned equipment and devices, the laser marking device L can be connected wirelessly or with a cable to devices for operation and control, computers for performing various other processes, memory devices, peripheral devices, etc.

[0074] <Marker head 1> 2, the marker head 1 includes, as its main components, a laser light generation unit 2 and a laser light scanning unit 3. The laser light generation unit 2 generates laser light (e.g., UV laser light) based on power supplied from outside the marker head 1. The laser light scanning unit 3 reflects the laser light generated by the laser light generation unit 2 in a desired direction, thereby scanning the laser light over the surface of the workpiece W.

[0075] The marker head 1 also includes a housing 10 that houses the aforementioned components, namely, the laser light generation unit 2 and the laser light scanning unit 3. An exit window 4 that transmits the laser light reflected by the laser light scanning unit 3 is formed in this housing 10. Although details are omitted, this housing 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape and has an exit surface 10d on which the exit window 4 is formed, and an attachment surface 10u that is a surface different from the exit surface 10d and can be connected to a support member 501. The attachment surface 10u is connected to the support member 501 via an attachment 7 (see FIG. 3).

[0076] (Laser light generating unit 2) The laser light generation unit 2 generates excitation light in accordance with the power supplied via the cable 200. The excitation light source 21 for generating the excitation light may be, for example, a laser diode. This excitation light source 21 may be housed in the marker controller 100 instead of the housing 10. In this case, a part of the laser light generation unit is housed in the marker controller 100, and the other part is housed in the housing 10.

[0077] The laser light generating unit 2 also has a solid-state laser crystal 22 that generates a fundamental wave based on the generated excitation light, and a nonlinear optical crystal (not shown) that generates UV laser light by modulating the fundamental wave.

[0078] For example, a rod-shaped Nd:YVO4 (yttrium vanadate) can be used as the solid-state laser crystal 22. The fundamental wave can be generated by any method, such as one-directional excitation by end pumping.

[0079] The nonlinear optical crystal can be composed of multiple optical crystals, such as an optical crystal for generating the second harmonic wave and an optical crystal for generating the third harmonic wave, etc. Various optical materials can be used for each optical crystal.

[0080] (Laser light scanning unit 3) The laser light scanning unit 3 is configured using a so-called two-axis (X-axis and Y-axis) galvanometer scanner, and has a first scanner (not shown) that scans the laser light in the Y direction, and a second scanner (not shown) that scans the laser light in the X direction.

[0081] (Laser light scanning unit 3) The laser light scanning unit 3 is configured using a so-called two-axis (X-axis and Y-axis) galvanometer scanner, and has a first scanner (not shown) that scans the laser light in the Y direction, and a second scanner (not shown) that scans the laser light in the X direction.

[0082] The laser beam scanning unit 3 drives the first scanner and the second scanner in accordance with pre-created print data, thereby polarizing the laser beam generated by the laser beam generating unit 2 so that it is irradiated toward the irradiation area R1. The laser beam thus deflected passes through the exit window 4 and is irradiated onto the irradiation area R1.

[0083] <Marker Controller 100> As described above, the marker controller 100 includes the user terminal 100b and a controller main body 100a for controlling the marker head 1. The controller main body 100a includes, as main components, a setting unit 103, a receiving unit 104, a display control unit 105, the first IF unit 106, the second IF unit 107, and the third IF unit 108, the marking control unit 109, and a movement amount monitoring unit 110.

[0084] (Setting unit 103) Based on user input through the operation unit 101, the setting unit 103 sets a printing block Pb that corresponds to the character string (printing pattern Pp) to be marked on each work element We by the marking control unit 109 and the attribute information of that printing pattern Pp.

[0085] Here, the attribute information of the print pattern Pp includes, for example, one or more of the character font, font size, character thickness, character spacing, and the position of the print pattern Pp as viewed on the setting plane R2.

[0086] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 14 and other figures, which will be described later, the setting unit 103 according to this embodiment displays the print block Pb on the setting plane R2 on the display unit 102, and at the same time displays an input field for the print block Pb (for example, a fourteenth display item I14 in Fig. 14) and input fields for attribute information (for example, fifteenth display item I15 to nineteenth display item I19 in Fig. 14) nearby. Character strings and numerical values ​​can be entered into these input fields by operating the touch panel, input to the operation unit 101, etc., and the print block Pb can be set through this user input.

[0087] Here, the setting unit 103 can set multiple printing blocks Pb for marking to be performed on one work element We, such as a first printing block Pb indicating the manufacturing date, a second printing block Pb indicating the lot number, and a third printing block Pb indicating the manufacturing factory.

[0088] By allowing multiple print blocks Pb to be set, it becomes possible to use different fonts for the date of manufacture and the lot number, for example, thereby enabling marking with a greater variety to be achieved.

[0089] Furthermore, the setting unit 103 can generate a print job Pj that associates multiple print blocks Pb together and groups them together based on user input via the operation unit 101 (see the upper part of Figure 4). For example, it can generate a first print job Pj that groups together the first print block Pb, the second print block Pb, and the third print block Pb, or it can generate a second print job Pj that groups together the fourth print block Pb and the fifth print block Pb. Note that the numbering of the first print block Pb to the fifth print block Pb is merely an example. A print job Pj can be generated by grouping together any number of print blocks Pb.

[0090] Here, the setting unit 103 can set multiple different print jobs Pj depending on the type of work W, the purpose of marking, etc., such as a first print job Pj that groups together print blocks Pb to be marked on small pouches of food A, a second print job Pj that groups together print blocks Pb to be marked on small pouches of food B, and a third print job Pj that groups together print blocks Pb to be marked on products other than small pouches.

[0091] By making it possible to set multiple print jobs Pj, when switching between workpieces W, for example, it is possible to perform marking appropriate for the switched workpiece W simply by switching the print job Pj, without having to reset each of the multiple print blocks Pb. A specific example of a user interface for setting the print job Pj will be described later.

[0092] The setting unit 103 can also set change rules Cl for each of the multiple print blocks Pb that make up each print job Pj, which specify whether or not changes to the settings of each print block Pb are permitted (see the bottom row of Figure 4). These change rules Cl can be stored in the storage device 120, and can be created anew as needed, or previously created ones can be overwritten and saved.

[0093] By setting the change rule Cl in advance, for example, when an operator on the production line tries to switch print jobs Pj, the settings can be changed each time for print blocks Pb indicating the manufacturing date and other print patterns Pp that may change from day to day.On the other hand, for print blocks Pb indicating the manufacturing factory and other print patterns Pp that generally do not change, the settings can be fixed without any change.

[0094] Setting of the change rule Cl may be permitted on the condition that the user has a predetermined administrative authority, such as a production line manager, etc. In this case, a user without administrative authority, such as a production line operator, is not permitted to set the change rule Cl and cannot change it.

[0095] Additionally, the setting unit 103 can set information other than character strings, such as the transport speed of the workpiece W and parameters that characterize the timing of starting marking, as attribute information of the print job Pj (hereinafter also referred to as "job information").

[0096] For example, the setting unit 103 can set, as job information, an offset amount (also called a "trigger delay") Of from the irradiation area R1 of the laser light by the laser light scanning unit 3 to the marking start position of the print pattern Pp on each work element We when a predetermined trigger signal is received (see FIG. 6). Here, the trigger signal is output each time the mark detection sensor 403 detects the alignment mark Mr.

[0097] Therefore, if the waiting time from when the mark detection sensor 403 detects the alignment mark Mr until it starts marking the work element We corresponding to that alignment mark Mr is called the "delay time," then the trigger delay Of here can be considered to be the amount of movement of the work W during that delay time. By appropriately setting the trigger delay Of, marking can be performed at more appropriate timing for each work element We.

[0098] In particular, in this embodiment, the trigger delay Of can be set by dividing it into two parameters: an offset amount (hereinafter also referred to as the "first offset amount") O1 of the mark detection sensor 403 relative to a reference point (for example, the center position of the irradiation area R1) Po within the irradiation area R1, and an offset amount (hereinafter also referred to as the "second offset amount") O2 of the alignment mark Mr relative to the marking start position of each work element We.

[0099] In this case, as shown in Figure 6, Trigger delay (mm) = 1st offset (mm) + 2nd offset (mm) The following relationship holds. Note that the units of length are examples.

[0100] The trigger delay Of, the first offset amount O1, and the second offset amount O2 are all defined as distances along the transport direction At. Therefore, the first offset amount O1 can be rephrased as the distance from the reference point to the mark detection sensor 403. Similarly, the second offset amount O2 can be rephrased as the distance from the alignment mark Mr to the marking start position.

[0101] The first offset amount O1 is usually a positive value. On the other hand, the second offset amount O2 can be a negative value as well as a positive value. The trigger delay Of must be a positive value.

[0102] For example, if the user inputs the first offset amount O1 and the second offset amount O2 in advance, the setting unit 103 can automatically calculate the trigger delay Pf and store the calculation result in the storage device 120. By automatically setting the trigger delay Of in advance, the effort of setting the marking start timing can be eliminated, improving usability.

[0103] Other input parameters related to the trigger delay Of and details of the input interface will be described later when explaining specific examples of the screen.

[0104] In addition, the setting unit 103 can also set, as job information, whether printing is to be performed while the transport of the work W is temporarily stopped (so-called "static printing"), or whether printing is to be performed while the transport of the work W is continuing without being stopped (so-called "moving printing").

[0105] The setting unit 103 also accepts a user's selection of a print job Pj and switches to the selected print job Pj. The setting unit 103 then determines the trajectory of the laser beam to follow when marking the character string that constitutes each print block Pb of the selected print job Pj. The trajectory of the laser beam varies depending on the attribute information described above, such as character thickness and character spacing. The data determined by the setting unit 103 is temporarily or continuously stored in the storage device 120 of the controller main body 100a.

[0106] Hereinafter, data indicating the trajectory that the laser beam should follow may be referred to as "expanded data," and the process for determining the expanded data may be referred to as "expanding process."

[0107] (Reception unit 104) The receiving unit 104 receives, through the operation unit 101, user input for changing the character string of the print block Pb for which setting changes are permitted in the change rule Cl set by the setting unit 103, based on the change rule Cl.

[0108] For example, when switching print jobs Pj, the reception unit 104 according to this embodiment can display, on a screen (not shown), only the print blocks Pb for which setting changes are permitted among the print blocks Pb that make up the print job Pj. By inputting a touch operation or the like on the screen, it becomes possible to change the character strings of the print blocks Pb for which setting changes are permitted.

[0109] It should be noted that the setting unit 103 performs the expansion process for the expanded data after the character string has been changed after the receiving unit 104 has received the change to the character string. The expanded data generated through the expansion process is stored in the storage device 120 and then read appropriately by the marking control unit 109. The expanded data before the character string has been changed may be generated before or after the character string has been changed. In this embodiment, the expanded data before the change is generated in advance before the receiving unit 104 receives the change to the character string.

[0110] (First IF Part 106) The first IF unit 106 is electrically connected to the PLC 402, and receives a control signal output from the PLC 402 when operating the laser marking system S. This control signal is input to the marking control unit 109, etc. via the first IF unit 106, and is used to control the controller main body 100a.

[0111] (2nd IF part 107) The second IF unit 107 is electrically connected to the mark detection sensor 403, and receives a trigger signal indicating that the mark Mr has been detected each time the alignment mark Mr is detected during the transport of the workpiece W. The second IF unit 107 is an example of the "interface unit" in this embodiment.

[0112] The trigger signal received by the second IF unit 107 is input to the movement amount monitoring unit 110 and the marking control unit 109 via the second IF unit 107. The trigger signal, together with the offset amount Of described above, is used to control the timing of marking each work element We.

[0113] (3rd IF part 108) The third IF unit 108 is connected to an encoder 401 that outputs a pulse signal (encoder pulse) according to the conveying speed of the workpiece W so as to be able to receive the encoder pulse. The third IF unit 108 is an example of the "second interface unit" in this embodiment.

[0114] The encoder pulses received by the third IF section 108 are input to a third monitoring section 112 serving as a movement amount monitoring section, a marking control section 109, and a setting section 103 via the third IF section 108.

[0115] (Movement amount monitoring unit 110) The movement amount monitoring unit 110 is electrically connected to the second IF unit 107 and the third IF unit 108, and each time the second IF unit 107 receives a trigger signal, it determines whether the movement amount of the work element We corresponding to the trigger signal has reached the offset amount (trigger delay Of) set by the setting unit 103.

[0116] The determination by the movement amount monitoring unit 110 can be made based on, for example, the number of encoder pulses input to the third IF unit 108 after receiving the trigger signal, or the time that has elapsed since receiving the trigger signal. If it is determined that the offset amount has been reached after receiving the trigger signal, the movement amount monitoring unit 110 inputs a signal indicating this to the marking control unit 109.

[0117] (Marking control unit 109) The marking control unit 109 reads out the decompressed data stored in advance in the storage device 120, and controls the laser light scanning unit 3 to scan the laser light along the trajectory indicated by the read out decompressed data.

[0118] The marking control unit 109 performs marking on each work element We by scanning the laser light on the surface of each work element We. As described above, the timing at which marking starts on each work element We can be controlled by a trigger signal and a determination related to the offset amount.

[0119] In detail, when the second IF unit 107 receives a trigger signal, the marking control unit 109 controls the laser light scanning unit 3 so that the printing pattern Pp set by the setting unit 103 is marked on the flexible workpiece W based on the determination result by the movement amount monitoring unit 110.

[0120] More specifically, the marking control unit 109 is configured to read the expanded data and control the laser light scanning unit 3 using the expanded data when it is determined that the movement amount of the work element We corresponding to the trigger signal has reached the offset amount (trigger delay Of) after receiving the trigger signal.

[0121] (Display control unit 105) The display control unit 105 displays a predetermined display screen on the display unit 102 based on various electrical signals, and can also switch the display screen appropriately based on the on / off of a key switch, user input, etc. Furthermore, the display control unit 105 is configured to transition the display mode of each display screen based on the state of the laser marking system S.

[0122] Specifically, when the laser marking device L is powered on, the display control unit 105 can display a stop screen D1 indicating that the device L is in a stopped state on the display unit 102, when the device L is in an adjustment state, an adjustment screen D2 indicating that the device L is in an adjustment state on the display unit 102, when the device L is in a standby state, a standby screen D3 indicating that the device L is in a standby state on the display unit 102, and when the device L is in an operating state, an operating screen D4 indicating that the device L is in an operating state on the display unit 102.

[0123] Here, the "stopped state" refers to a state in which the laser marking device L is powered on but its key switch is off. The "adjustment state" refers to a state in which the key switch is on in the stopped state but adjustment of the laser marking device L, such as temperature adjustment of the solid-state laser crystal 22, is incomplete. The "standby state" refers to a state in which adjustment of the laser marking device L is complete in the adjustment state. The "operating state" refers to a state in which marking is possible by the marking control unit 109 as a result of operating the user interface in the standby state. For example, the stopped state and adjustment state can be considered to be states in which marking by the marking control unit 109 is stopped.

[0124] The stop screen D1, adjustment screen D2, standby screen D3, and operation screen D4 have a common layout except for some items. That is, these screens D1 to D4 may have, as display elements, a status bar S1 for displaying the current state of the laser marking device L, the date and time, an error button, etc., a main display section S2 for displaying main information to be conveyed to the user, a switch button S3 for switching the state of the laser marking device L, and a menu button S4 for switching the display content of the main display section S2. Of these display elements, at least the switch button S3 may be omitted from the stop screen D1.

[0125] 5A, the display control unit 105 according to this embodiment has a common layout for display elements S1 to S4 among the adjustment screen D2, the standby screen D3, and the operation screen D4. The four screens D1 to D4 differ, for example, in the display mode of the status bar S1 (particularly the content of the displayed text), the presence and display mode of the switch button S3, and the display mode of the menu button S4.

[0126] -Switch button S3- 5A, the switch button S3 is displayed, for example, in a corner of the screen of the display unit 102. This switch button S3 is configured to accept operations such as pointing device operations and touch operations, and is displayed as "Stop" on the driving screen D4, and operating this button S3 allows switching from the driving state to the standby state. On the other hand, the switch button S3 is displayed as "Start" on the standby screen D3, and operating this button S3 allows switching from the standby state to the driving state.

[0127] -Menu button S4- The menu button S4 is a display item that is common to the four types of screens D1 to D4 described above.

[0128] Specifically, the menu button S4 according to this embodiment is made up of, for example, multiple buttons arranged vertically. Each button is configured to accept operations such as pointing device operations and touch operations. Each button displays a menu item corresponding to the display content of the main display section S2, such as "Home," "Job," "Settings," and "Inspection" (for example, see the operation screen D4 shown in FIG. 11).

[0129] -Main display S2- The main display section S2 is a display item that is common to the four types of screens D1 to D4 described above.

[0130] Specifically, when "Home" is selected with the menu button S4, the main display unit S2 displays a home display for displaying the operational status of the laser marking system L. This home display can display a display field showing the content of the print job Pj (in the illustrated example, "ABC" in capital letters), the number of prints accumulated since use of the laser marking device L began (cumulative print count), the number of prints accumulated since switching to the current print job Pj (job print count), and the number of prints per minute (print throughput). The home display can be considered a progress screen that shows the progress of marking the workpiece W.

[0131] Furthermore, when "Home" is selected using the menu button S4, a switching interface S5 is displayed on the screen, and by operating this, the display mode can be switched between an enlarged preview mode (see the bottom diagram of Figure 5B) in which the contents of the print job Pj are enlarged, and an enlarged monitor mode (see the top diagram of Figure 5B) in which the display fields for the cumulative number of prints, number of job prints, and print throughput are enlarged.

[0132] On the other hand, when "Job" is selected with menu button S4, a job menu such as that shown on screen D4' in Fig. 5C is displayed on main display unit S2. This job menu can display a display field that lists each print job Pj as "Job A," "Job B," and "Job C" and allows selection of one print job Pj, a switch button S6 that switches to the selected print job Pj, and a display field that shows the contents of the selected print job Pj.

[0133] Also, although omitted in Figure 5C, it is also possible to directly transition from the job menu to a job information setting screen D45 for the selected print job Pj, a setting screen for the print block Pb for the selected print job Pj, and a print test screen D46 for the selected print job Pj, etc.

[0134] In addition, by selecting the "Settings" item, a setting screen for the laser marking device L's communication, date, etc. can be displayed on the main display unit S2, and by selecting the "Inspection" item, a screen for checking the laser marking system L's log, operating information, etc. can be displayed on the main display unit S2.

[0135] -Status bar S1- The status bar S1 is a display item common to the four types of screens D1 to D4 described above.

[0136] Specifically, the status bar S1 according to this embodiment can display "Stopped" in the stopped state, "Adjusting" in the adjusting state, "Waiting" in the standby state, and "Operating" in the operating state, as shown in FIG. 5A, for example.

[0137] 6, together with the display of "adjusting," the time required for the adjustment (estimated value) may be displayed in the status bar S1. Furthermore, if the switch button S3 is operated while "adjusting" is displayed, the display of "adjusting" may be changed to "preparing for operation," and at the same time, the display content of the switch button S3 may be changed from "start" to "stop" (hereinafter, this state may also be referred to as "operation preparation state").

[0138] <Example of Laser Marking System S in operation> Fig. 7 is a flowchart focusing on the print job Pj, showing the processing performed when operating the laser marking system S. As shown in Fig. 7, when operating the laser marking system S, the main steps performed are creating the print job Pj (step St1), switching the print job Pj (step St2), and running the print job Pj (step St3).

[0139] The following describes the details of the processes involved in these steps and specific examples of the display screen of the display unit 102 in each step.

[0140] In actual operation, prior to step St1, the power is turned on to the laser marking device L, and the key switch is turned on, etc. By performing these steps, the display contents of the display unit 102 will change in the order of the stop screen D1, adjustment screen D2, standby screen D3, and operation screens D4 and D4' described above, unless an interlock state or a trouble state occurs.

[0141] As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the operation screens D4, D4' can be switched between the operation screen D4 set to the home display as shown in FIG. 11 and the operation screen D4' set to the job menu as shown in FIG. 12 as the main display mode. As described above, this switching can be performed by clicking, touching, or the like on the menu button S4. Hereinafter, the operation screen D4 set to the home display may be simply referred to as the "home screen D4," and the operation screen D4' set to the job menu may be referred to as the "job menu screen D4'."

[0142] 11, the home screen D4 displays, as main display items, a status bar S1, a main display area S2, a switch button S3, and a menu button S4. These display items are common to all screens described below.

[0143] The status bar S1 on the home screen D4 displays a first display item I1 indicating the current status of the laser marking device L and a notification mark S7.

[0144] Also displayed on the main display section S2 of the same operation screen D4 are the aforementioned switching interface S5, a second display item I2 that displays a job ID (e.g., "0000") for identifying the print job Pj, the name of the print job Pj (e.g., "Food A"), and a third display item I3 that visually displays the character strings of the multiple print blocks Pb that make up the print job Pj displayed in the second display item I2 and the attribute information of each print block Pb. The display area of ​​the third display item I3 corresponds to the setting plane R2 described above. In this example, the same content as the print job Pj illustrated in FIG. 5 is displayed in the third display item I3.

[0145] Furthermore, the main display section S2 of the same operation screen D4 displays a fourth display item I4 that displays the cumulative number of prints, a fifth display item I5 that displays the number of job prints, and a sixth display item I6 that displays the print throughput. These display contents are counted up sequentially after marking by the laser marking device L begins.

[0146] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, the job menu screen D4' displays a list of multiple print jobs Pj as main display items, and also displays a seventh display item I7 that accepts an operation to select one print job Pj, a switch button S6 for switching to the print job Pj selected in the seventh display item I7, and a job setting button S8 for setting the contents of the selected print job Pj.

[0147] (Step St1) Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process for creating a print job Pj, and shows details of step St1 in Fig. 7. In other words, step St1 in Fig. 7 corresponds to steps St11 to St17 in Fig. 8 expressed as one step.

[0148] First, prior to step St11, a home screen D4 shown in Fig. 11 is displayed on the display unit 102. When the menu button S4 is operated on the home screen D4, the home screen D4 is switched to a job menu screen D4' shown in Fig. 12. This switching is configured to be performed by the display control unit 105.

[0149] Thereafter, when a print job Pj is selected on the job menu screen D4′ and a user input is received on the job setting button S8, the display control unit 105 transitions from the job menu screen D4′ to a block selection screen D4″, which, like the job menu screen D4′, is one of the operation screens.

[0150] As shown in FIG. 13, the main display items on the block selection screen D4" are a menu button S4', an eighth display item I8 that displays a list of multiple print blocks Pb, and accepts an operation to select one print block Pb, and a block setting button S9 for setting the contents of the selected print block Pb.

[0151] When a print block Pb is selected on the block selection screen D4'', and user input is received on the block setting button S9, the display control unit 105 transitions from the block selection screen D4'' to the job editing screen D43, which, like the block selection screen D4'', is one of the operation screens.

[0152] -Step St11- In step St11 of FIG. 8, the setting unit 103 and the receiving unit 104 set the content of the character string and the attribute information of the character string for each print block Pb based on the user input on the job editing screen D43.

[0153] As shown in Fig. 14, the job editing screen D43 mainly displays a first switching tab I9 that transitions to a settings screen for changing the character string of the selected print block Pb, a second switching tab I10 that transitions to a settings screen for determining the layout of the print block Pb, and a third switching tab I11 that transitions to a settings screen for inputting other detailed settings. The job editing screen D43 shown in Fig. 14 corresponds to a state in which the first switching tab I9 is ​​selected. Also, a complete button S10 on the job editing screen D43 is operated when editing of the print job Pj is completed.

[0154] The job editing screen D43 also displays a 12th display item I12 that accepts an operation to switch to another print block Pb, a 13th display item I13 that accepts an operation to select the format of the currently selected print block Pb, and a 14th display item I14 that accepts an operation to change the text string of the print block Pb according to the format selected via the 13th display item I13.

[0155] For example, when "Date" is selected in the thirteenth display item I13, and the fourteenth display item I14 is operated, the display control unit 105 displays a calendar on the display unit 102. The setting unit 103 and the receiving unit 104 can set "Date" as a character string based on the user's input to the calendar.

[0156] By accepting user input for the twelfth display item I12 to the fourteenth display item I14, the setting unit 103 and the accepting unit 104 can set a new character string for the print block Pb or change the setting content later.

[0157] In addition, the job editing screen D43 displays a 15th display item I15 that accepts an operation to set the size of the character string for the currently selected print block Pb, a 16th display item I16 that accepts an operation to set the character width of the character string, a 17th display item I17 and an 18th display item I18 that accept an operation to set parameters related to the arrangement of the character string, such as character spacing, and a 19th display item I19 that accepts an operation to set the thickness of the character string.

[0158] By accepting user input for the 15th display item I15 to the 19th display item I19, the setting unit 103 and the receiving unit 104 can set new attribute information for the print block Pb or change the setting content later.

[0159] -Step St12- In step St12 of Figure 8, the setting unit 103 and the receiving unit 104 are configured to set the change rule Cl described using Figure 4 and other details for each print block Pb based on user input on the detailed setting screen D44.

[0160] As shown in Fig. 15, the detailed settings screen D44 displays a rule switching button S11 that switches whether or not to permit changes to text string settings when switching jobs for each print block Pb. Based on user input to this rule switching button S11, the setting unit 103 can set a change rule Cl for each print block Pb. For example, the state shown in Fig. 15 corresponds to a state in which setting changes are permitted.

[0161] In addition, the detailed setting screen D44 displays a 20th display item I20 that accepts input of a message to be displayed on the display unit 102 when changing the settings of the print block Pb that is performed when switching jobs, and a 21st display item I21 that sets restrictions on the input of character strings when changing the settings, such as whether or not only numeric input should be accepted.

[0162] By inputting a message in advance through the twentieth display item I20, it is possible to prompt the user to make appropriate setting changes when switching jobs, for example.

[0163] Thereafter, upon receiving a user input to the Complete button S10, the setting unit 103 and the receiving unit 104 complete the settings for each print job Pj, each print block Pb, and switching between print jobs Pj. The settings thus made are stored in the storage device 120 for each print job Pj. Upon completion of the settings, the display control unit 105 transitions from the detailed settings screen D44 to a job information setting screen D45 for setting the above-mentioned job information, such as settings related to the transport of the workpiece W. With this transition, the control process shown in FIG. 8 proceeds from step St12 to step St13.

[0164] -Step St13~Step St15- 8, setting unit 103 and receiving unit 104 set job information for print job Pj selected on job menu screen D4' based on user input on job information setting screen D45. This job information setting screen D45 visually displays setting support image Pa, which will be described later, and can be considered the "first setting screen" in this embodiment.

[0165] As shown in FIG. 16, the job information setting screen D45 mainly displays a fourth switching tab I22 that transitions to the first job information setting screen D45 for defining basic job information settings, a fifth switching tab I23 that transitions to the second job information setting screen D45′ for defining the print quality of the selected print job Pj, and a sixth switching tab I24 that transitions to the third job information setting screen D45″ for defining other option settings. The job information setting screen D45 shown in FIG. 16 corresponds to a state in which the fourth switching tab I22 is selected.

[0166] 16, the first job information setting screen D45 mainly displays a 25th display item I25 that switches for each print job Pj whether the selected print job Pj will be run as stationary printing or moving printing, a 26th display item I26 that switches the line speed (the transport speed of the workpiece W) when moving printing is selected, and a 27th display item I27 that accepts user input of the line speed when the line speed is set to "constant speed." The 26th display item I26 and the 27th display item I27 are displayed on the display unit 102 only when moving printing is selected.

[0167] As described above, each time a trigger signal is received, the movement amount monitoring unit 110 monitors whether the movement amount of the workpiece W after the reception has reached the trigger delay Of. When moving printing is selected, in order to perform such monitoring accurately, the line speed must be input into the marker controller 100 in advance.

[0168] Therefore, in step St14 following step St13, the marker controller 100 determines whether or not moving printing has been selected, and if moving printing has been selected, the control process proceeds from step St14 to step St15, and displays user interfaces for inputting the line speed, such as the 26th display item I26 and the 27th display item I27, on the display unit 102. On the other hand, if it is determined in step St14 that moving printing has not been selected, the marker controller 100 skips step St15 and proceeds to step St16.

[0169] Here, possible methods for setting the line speed include, for example, a method in which the speed is directly input (first setting method), a method based on the number of markings (number of film rotations) per specified time (second setting method), and a method based on the number of output pulses from encoder 401 (third setting method).

[0170] The marker controller 100 according to this embodiment is configured to be able to switch between these three setting methods. This switching can be performed by the marker controller 100 accepting a user input to the 26th display item I26 shown in FIG.

[0171] Specifically, the 26th display item I26 is configured as a so-called scroll bar, and allows the user to select one of "Constant Speed" as shown in FIG. 16, "Film Rotation Speed" as shown in FIG. 17, and "Encoder" as shown in FIG. 18.

[0172] (1) First setting method The first setting method corresponds to a state in which "constant speed" is selected in the 26th display item I26. In this case, the display control unit 105 displays the 27th display item I27 on the display unit 102 as an interface for accepting a user input of the line speed (see FIG. 16). Note that the unit [m / min] in FIG. 16 is an example.

[0173] In this case, the movement amount monitoring unit 110 Movement distance of workpiece W [mm] = line speed [m / min] · elapsed time after receiving trigger signal [s] · 1000 / 60 … (A) The movement amount of the workpiece W can be calculated through the above calculation. Then, it becomes possible to control the timing for starting marking based on whether or not the calculated movement amount has reached the trigger delay Of described above. Specifically, the movement amount monitoring unit 110 counts the time that has elapsed since receiving the trigger signal each time a trigger signal is received, and can determine whether or not the movement amount of the workpiece W has reached the trigger delay Of based on the elapsed time. The count of the elapsed time may be reset each time a trigger signal is received.

[0174] In this case, the elapsed time that serves as the judgment criterion may be calculated in advance by performing a backward calculation of the above formula (A) for the elapsed time and stored in the storage device 120. In this case, it is possible to determine whether the movement amount of the workpiece W has reached the trigger delay Of based on whether the elapsed time has reached the judgment criterion.

[0175] (2) Second setting method The second setting method corresponds to a state in which "film rotation speed" is selected. In this case, the display control unit 105 displays the 35th display item I35 on the display unit 102 as an interface for receiving user input of the film rotation speed. Note that the unit "RPM" in FIG. 17 is an example. For example, if marking is performed on 50 work elements We per minute, the film rotation speed is 50 [RPM]. Furthermore, the "film rotation speed" here does not correspond to the number of rotations of the conveying roller 500, etc., but corresponds to the number of times marking is performed per specified time.

[0176] When "film rotation number" is selected, the display control unit 105 further causes the display unit 102 to display a 36th display item I36 as an interface for receiving user input of the interval (mark interval) Im of the alignment marks Mr shown in Fig. 6. Note that the unit [mm] in Fig. 16 is an example.

[0177] In this case, the movement amount monitoring unit 110 Movement distance of workpiece W [mm] = Film rotation speed [min -1 ]·Mark interval [mm]·Time elapsed after receiving trigger signal [s] / 60 …(B) The movement amount of the workpiece W can be calculated through the above calculation. Then, it becomes possible to control the timing for starting marking based on whether or not the calculated movement amount has reached the trigger delay Of described above. Specifically, the movement amount monitoring unit 110 counts the time that has elapsed since receiving the trigger signal each time a trigger signal is received, and can determine whether or not the movement amount of the workpiece W has reached the trigger delay Of based on the elapsed time. The count of the elapsed time may be reset each time a trigger signal is received.

[0178] In this case, the elapsed time that serves as the judgment criterion may be calculated in advance by performing a backward calculation of the above formula (B) for the elapsed time and stored in the storage device 120. In this case, it is possible to determine whether the movement amount of the workpiece W has reached the trigger delay Of based on whether the elapsed time has reached the judgment criterion.

[0179] (3) Third setting method: Basic concept The third setting method corresponds to a state in which "encoder" is selected. In this case, the display control unit 105 displays the 37th display item I37 on the display unit 102 as an interface for accepting user input of the number of output pulses described above. Note that the unit "pulses / mm" in FIG. 17 is an example. For example, if 50 encoder pulses are output when the workpiece W moves 1 mm, the number of pulses output will be 50 [pulses / mm].

[0180] In this case, the movement amount monitoring unit 110 Movement distance of workpiece W [mm] = Number of pulse inputs counted after receiving trigger signal [pulses] / Number of pulse outputs [pulses / min] ... (C) The movement amount of the workpiece W can be calculated through the above calculation. Here, "the number of pulse inputs counted after receiving a trigger signal" refers to the number of pulses input to the marker controller 100 after receiving a trigger signal. The count of this number of pulses may be reset every time a trigger signal is received.

[0181] Then, it becomes possible to control the timing to start marking based on whether or not the calculated movement amount has reached the trigger delay Of. Specifically, each time a trigger signal is received, the movement amount monitoring unit 110 counts the number of pulses input after receiving the trigger signal, and based on the count, it can determine whether or not the movement amount of the workpiece W has reached the trigger delay Of.

[0182] In this case, the number of input pulses that serves as the judgment criterion may be calculated in advance by performing a reverse calculation of the above formula (C) for the number of input pulses and storing the calculated number in the storage device 120. In this case, it is possible to determine whether the movement amount of the workpiece W has reached the trigger delay Of based on whether the number of input pulses has reached the judgment criterion.

[0183] (4) Third setting method: Automatic setting However, to implement the third setting method, it is necessary to input the number of pulse outputs, but there may be cases where this parameter is unknown. In such cases, the user must set the number of pulse outputs through trial and error, which leaves room for improvement in usability.

[0184] Therefore, the display control unit 105 according to this embodiment is configured to display a user interface W1 for automatically setting the number of pulse outputs on the display unit 102. This user interface W1 is displayed by accepting a tap operation or the like on the 38th display item I38 in Fig. 18, and is provided in the form of a window as shown in Fig. 19, for example.

[0185] As illustrated in FIG. 19, the user interface W1 is laid out with an input field I39 for the mark spacing defined in the same manner as in the second setting method, a selection field I40 for parameters for calculating the number of pulse outputs, and a display field I41 for displaying the calculation results of the number of pulse outputs.

[0186] Here, the mark interval in input field I39 can be a value measured by the user using a ruler or the like. Meanwhile, in the state shown in FIG. 19, "Trigger Input" is selected in selection field I40. When the workpiece W is transported in this state, the marker controller 100 counts the number of encoder pulses during the period from when one trigger signal is received to when the next trigger signal is received (the trigger signal input interval).

[0187] In this case, the marker controller 100: Number of pulse outputs [pulses / mm] = Encoder pulse count [pulses] / Mark interval [mm] ... (D) The number of pulse outputs can be calculated through the above calculation. Here, the display field I41 is updated in real time every time a trigger signal is input. When a tap operation or the like is received on the input button S13, the marker controller 100 inputs the numerical value displayed in the display field I41 into the input field for the number of pulse outputs (37th display item I37). When a tap operation or the like is received on the cancel button S12, the marker controller 100 closes the user interface W1 and returns to the job information setting screen D45 shown in FIG. 18.

[0188] Furthermore, by tapping the selection field I40, it is also possible to count the number of encoder pulses based on the encoder input frequency, ready signal, etc. instead of the input interval of the trigger signal.

[0189] When the input of the line speed-related parameters is accepted through the first to third setting methods, the marker controller 100 advances the control process to step St16. Note that the order of steps St14 to St16 is merely an example for simplifying the explanation, and may be changed as appropriate. For example, the process may be configured to proceed to steps St14 to St15 after performing step St16, or to process step St16 and steps St14 to St15 in parallel.

[0190] (5) Other settings When the display control unit 105 receives a user input on the fifth switching tab I23, it transitions the display mode to a second job information setting screen D45' as shown in Fig. 23. The second job information setting screen D45' is configured to receive input of print quality including the scanning speed (scan speed) of the laser light scanning unit 3, and can be considered as the "second setting screen" in this embodiment. The setting unit 103 is configured to be able to switch the display content on the display unit 102 between the job information setting screen D45 and the second job information setting screen D45'.

[0191] The second job information setting screen D45' mainly includes a scan speed input field I39 and a standard button I40 for switching the scan speed to the standard setting. In addition, a scroll bar may be provided to allow intuitive setting of the scan speed.

[0192] -Step St16- Returning to the explanation of the job information setting screen D45, in step St16 of FIG. 8, the setting unit 103 and the reception unit 104 are configured to perform detailed settings regarding the trigger delay Of for the print job Pj selected on the job menu screen D4′ based on user input on the job information setting screen D45.

[0193] As shown in FIG. 6, the trigger delay Of can be expressed using a first offset amount O1 and a second offset amount O2 as parameters related to the alignment mark Mr and the mark detection sensor 403.

[0194] Although using these offset amounts is extremely useful for performing marking corresponding to the actual layout of the alignment marks Mr and the mark detection sensor 403, there is a risk that it may be misunderstood by an inexperienced user, leading to incorrect parameter input, etc. This is inconvenient in terms of improving the usability of the laser marking system S.

[0195] (1) Basic concept of setting support images To resolve such inconveniences, the setting unit 103 according to this embodiment displays a setting support image Pa, which visually shows the alignment mark Mr and the offset amount (trigger delay Of) on the flexible workpiece W, on the display unit 102 via the display control unit 105. Then, the setting unit 103 is configured to accept a user input for setting the trigger delay Of while the setting support image Pa is displayed.

[0196] 16 to 18, the job information setting screen D45 has an image display area R3 that displays a setting support image Pa. This setting support image Pa includes at least a graphic that visually indicates the position of at least a part of the laser marking device L (for example, the marker head 1), a graphic that visually indicates the relative position of the mark detection sensor 403 with respect to the laser marking device L, and a graphic that visually indicates the relative position of the alignment mark Mr with respect to the work element We.

[0197] Specifically, the setting support image Pa of this embodiment includes, as main image elements, a schematic figure of the marker head 1 (a rectangular parallelepiped located directly above the lines marked "3" and "4"), a schematic figure of the workpiece W and the conveying roller 502, a schematic figure of the workpiece element We (a sheet marked with the letters "ABC"), a schematic figure of the alignment mark Mr (a square placed at the corner of the workpiece element We and filled in with black), and a schematic figure of the mark detection sensor 403 (a rectangular parallelepiped located directly above the alignment mark Mr and marked "1").

[0198] Here, the distance marked with "1" in the setting support image Pa visually indicates the distance between the mark detection sensor 403 and the housing 10 of the marker head 1, and corresponds to the first offset amount O1 described above. Also, the distance marked with "2" in the same image Pa visually indicates the distance between the alignment mark Mr corresponding to each work element We and the marking start position on that work element We, and corresponds to the second offset amount O2 described above.

[0199] In order to smoothly set these distances, the setting unit 103 according to this embodiment is configured to accept input of the distances (first offset amount O1 and second offset amount O2) indicated by the setting support image Pa. Specifically, the setting unit 103 controls the display unit 102 via the display control unit 105 to cause the display unit 102 to display a 28th display item I28 that accepts input of the first offset amount O1 and a 29th display item 29 that accepts input of the second offset amount O2.

[0200] Generally, marking by the laser beam scanning unit 3 can be started immediately after the work element We enters the irradiation area R1 in Fig. 1, but for reasons of print quality, etc., it may be possible to wait until the work element We has advanced to a predetermined position within the irradiation area R1 before starting marking. Similar measures can be considered for the timing to end marking.

[0201] To meet such needs, the setting support image Pa further visually indicates the start position of the marking in the irradiation area (irradiation range) R1 and the end position of the marking in the irradiation area R1, and the setting unit 103 is configured to accept input of the start position and the end position.

[0202] Specifically, the distance marked "3" in the setting support image Pa visually indicates the start position of the marking in the irradiation area R1, and the distance marked "4" in the same image Pa visually indicates the end position of the marking in the irradiation area R1.

[0203] In order to smoothly set these positions, the setting unit 103 according to this embodiment is configured to accept input of the start position and end position indicated by the setting support image Pa. Specifically, the setting unit 103 controls the display unit 102 via the display control unit 105 to cause the display unit 102 to display a 31st display item 131 that accepts input of the start position and a 32nd display item 132 that accepts input of the end position.

[0204] In addition, by accepting a tap operation or the like on the check box (rule switching button) S11 shown in Figure 16, etc., it is possible to switch between a state in which the start position and end position are displayed in the setting support image Pa and a state in which the start position and end position are not displayed.

[0205] For example, when the check box S11 is checked as shown in Figures 16 and 17, the start position and end position are visually indicated in the setting support image Pa, and at the same time, the 31st display item I31 and the 32nd display item 32 are displayed in the main display section S2.

[0206] 18, when the check box S11 is unchecked, the start position and end position are not displayed in the setting support image Pa, and the 31st display item I31 and the 32nd display item I32 are not displayed in the main display section S2. In this case, the start position and end position are automatically set to the upper and lower limit values, respectively. With this automatic setting, the start position is set to the start point of the irradiation area R1 in the conveying direction At, and the end position is set to the end point of the irradiation area R1 in the conveying direction At.

[0207] (2) Rotating display of setting support image The setting unit 103 also displays one of a plurality of different setting support images Pa, Pa', Pa", and Pa3 on the display unit 102 as the setting support image. Specifically, the setting unit 103 displays, as the plurality of setting support images Pa, Pa', Pa", and Pa3, images obtained by rotating one setting support image Pa by 90 degrees each (see FIG. 21). During this rotation, the marker head 1 and the flexible workpiece W are rotated integrally. Instead of rotating one setting support image Pa by 90 degrees each, the setting unit 103 may also display images obtained by rotating it by 45 degrees or 30 degrees each.

[0208] The setting unit 103 in this embodiment is configured to display, from among the multiple setting support images Pa, Pa', Pa'', Pa3, those corresponding to the posture of the laser marking device L, particularly the marker head 1, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, for example.

[0209] In detail, in order to select one of the multiple setting support images Pa, Pa', Pa", and Pa3, the setting unit 103 is configured to accept user input indicating the posture of the marker head 1 and to display the setting support image Pa, Pa', Pa", and Pa3 corresponding to the posture indicated by the user input from among the multiple setting support images Pa, Pa', Pa", and Pa3.

[0210] More specifically, the setting unit 103 controls the display unit 102 via the display control unit 105 to display a 33rd display item I33 for selecting one of the setting support images Pa, Pa', Pa", and Pa3 in the job information setting screen D45. For example, in the state shown in FIG. 16, when a single tap operation is performed on the 33rd display item I33, a second setting support image Pa', which is the setting support image Pa rotated 90 degrees, is displayed in the image display area R3, as shown in FIG. 20.

[0211] 21, each time the 33rd display item I33 receives a user input, the display mode of the image display area R3 changes. Specifically, when the 33rd display item I33 is operated while the second setting support image Pa' is displayed, a third setting support image Pa" obtained by rotating the second setting support image Pa' by an additional 90 degrees is displayed in the image display area R3. When the 33rd display item I33 is operated in this state, a fourth setting support image Pa3 obtained by rotating the third setting support image Pa" by an additional 90 degrees is displayed in the image display area R3. When the 33rd display item I33 is operated in this state, the first setting support image Pa obtained by rotating the fourth setting support image Pa3" by an additional 90 degrees is displayed in the image display area R3. As the image is rotated, the visual indications indicating the first offset amount O1 and the second offset amount O2 may also be rotated.

[0212] In addition, the 33rd display item I33 can be used as a so-called scroll bar, and you can freely switch to one of the four setting support images Pa, Pa', Pa'', and Pa3 without having to tap the 33rd display item I33 multiple times.

[0213] Note that the "multiple different setting support images Pa, Pa', Pa", and Pa3" referred to here may be obtained by rotating one image by 90 degrees, as explained with reference to FIG. 21 etc. By configuring in this way, it is possible to realize four different setting support images Pa, Pa', Pa", and Pa3 by simply preparing one image, without having to prepare four separate images.

[0214] (3) Rotating text in the setting support image In general, the orientation of the text in the work element We (for example, the direction of the text in the text string "ABC") can change as appropriate depending on the type of print job Pj. While the orientation of the text can be changed when setting the print block Pb, for example, by operating the second switching tab I10 in Fig. 14, it is effective in improving usability to make it changeable when setting the job information as well.

[0215] Therefore, in this embodiment, the setting unit 103 controls the display unit 102 via the display control unit 105 to display the 33rd display item I34 for changing the orientation of the text string in the job information setting screen D45.

[0216] For example, when the setting support image Pa is transitioned to the second setting support image Pa' in the state shown in FIG. 18, the character string will rotate integrally as shown in FIG. 22A. In this state, when the 34th display item I34 is tapped once or multiple times, the character string in the second setting support image Pa' can be rotated by 90 degrees as shown in FIG. 22B. By further operating the 34th display item I34, the character string can be rotated by 180 degrees or 270 degrees. In this way, the character string can be rotated independently while the setting support image Pa remains rotated.

[0217] (4) Subsequent processing When a user input to an interface marked "Save" in the switching button S6 is accepted, the setting unit 103 and the accepting unit 104 complete the settings related to the job information. The settings thus made are stored in the storage device 120 for each print job Pj. With the settings completed, the display control unit 105 transitions the display unit 102 from the job information setting screen D45 to a print test screen D46 that provides an interface related to the print test. With this transition, the control process shown in FIG. 8 proceeds from step St16 to step St17. Note that step St17 is not essential and may be skipped as necessary.

[0218] -Step St17- In step St17 of FIG. 8, the setting unit 103 and the reception unit 104 are configured to change the settings of the print job Pj selected on the job menu screen D4′ based on the user input on the print test screen D46, taking into account the print test.

[0219] As shown in FIG. 24, the print test screen D46 mainly includes a 41st display item I41 that displays the print test results, a trigger button S14 and a print time confirmation button S15 for executing the print test, a check box S16 for selecting whether to perform static printing during the print test, a 42nd display item I42 that displays the time required for the conversion process (conversion time), the time required for printing (print time), and the line speed, a 43rd display item I43 that accepts input of the trigger interval, a 44th display item that displays the maximum print throughput, a print time adjustment button S17 that adjusts the print time, and a print position adjustment button S18 that adjusts the print position. Clicking the print time adjustment button S17 displays a screen for editing the scan speed. Clicking the print position adjustment button S18 displays a screen for adjusting the XY position of the print block.

[0220] (1) Processing related to the direction of the string For example, when the display control unit 105 receives a tap operation or the like on the print position adjustment button S18, it causes an adjustment screen (not shown) for adjusting the print position to be displayed on the display unit 102. On this adjustment screen, the relative position of the print job Pj with respect to each work element We can be adjusted, and the optimum print position can be set according to the orientation of the setting support image Pa, the orientation of the character string, etc.

[0221] In this case, the setting unit 103 can automatically associate the direction as viewed in the irradiation area R1 and the setting plane R2 with the offset direction of the relative position according to the orientation of the character string (the direction in which the character string is arranged) set as described above.

[0222] 22A, if the direction of the character strings is set to be parallel to the conveying direction At, the offset direction perpendicular to the conveying direction At will be a direction perpendicular to the direction of the character strings as viewed on the set plane R2. At the same time, the offset direction extending parallel to the conveying direction At will be a direction that coincides with the direction of the character strings as viewed on the set plane R2.

[0223] 22B, if the arrangement direction of the character strings is set to be perpendicular to the conveying direction At, the offset direction perpendicular to the conveying direction At will be the same as the arrangement direction of the character strings as viewed on the set plane R2. At the same time, the offset direction extending parallel to the conveying direction At will be the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the character strings as viewed on the set plane R2.

[0224] In this way, the setting unit 103 according to this embodiment can automatically associate the conveying direction At with the direction as viewed on the setting plane R2 according to the orientation of the character string described using Figures 22A and 22B, etc.

[0225] (2) Processing related to maximum printing throughput "Maximum printing throughput" refers to the upper limit of the work elements We that can be marked per given time (for example, 1 minute). For example, if the maximum printing throughput is 125.0 [pieces / min] as shown in Figure 24, this means that 125 pieces per minute is the upper limit of the work elements We that can be marked. The maximum printing throughput generally has a negative correlation with the transport speed of the workpiece W, and can also be said to be a parameter that characterizes the upper limit of the transport speed.

[0226] Generally, if the printing interval is set too short in moving printing, the starting position of marking as seen on the work element We will gradually shift each time marking is performed on that work element We, and eventually the starting position may be offset outside the range of the irradiation area R1.

[0227] One way to prevent this from happening is to set an upper limit on the print interval, but setting such an upper limit is difficult for inexperienced users, and there is room for improvement in terms of improving usability.

[0228] Therefore, the setting unit 103 according to this embodiment calculates the upper limit of the transport speed of the flexible workpiece W based on the reception interval of the trigger signal by the second IF unit 107, the width of each irradiation area R1 in the transport direction At (hereinafter also referred to as the "printing area width"), and the marking time required to mark each workpiece We. This upper limit may be calculated as the upper limit of the transport speed of the workpiece W, or may be calculated as a parameter that characterizes the upper limit of the transport speed, like the maximum printing throughput described above. Here, an example will be given of a case in which the maximum printing throughput is calculated.

[0229] When calculating the maximum printing throughput, the setting unit 103 executes a printing test in response to a user input to the trigger button S14 or the printing time confirmation button S15, and updates the printing time (corresponding to the marking time) required for the printing test. When the trigger button S14 is operated, marking is actually executed, and when the printing time confirmation button S15 is operated, only operations related to printing are executed without emitting a laser. Furthermore, if there is a function for predicting printing time, it may be configured to use this function to predict the printing time.

[0230] The printing time (marking time) referred to here means the time that elapses from the start of printing until the next printing can be started, and includes the time required to return the scanner mirror that constitutes the laser light scanning unit 3 to a predetermined position and the time required for the process of returning the operating state related to the control of the laser light to the printing start state.

[0231] Thereafter, the setting unit 103 accepts input of the trigger interval through the 43rd display item I43. If "constant speed printing" is selected when setting the job information, the trigger interval may be manually input by the user. Similarly, if "number of film rotations" is selected, the value of the mark interval Im may be automatically input.

[0232] The setting unit 103 then reads the print area width from the storage device 120 or the like. As mentioned in the explanation of the setting support image Pa, if at least one of the start position of the marking in the irradiation area R1 and the end position of the marking in the irradiation area R1 has been changed, the distance from the start position to the end position is used as the print area width. In this case, the print area width will be narrower than if the setting has not been changed.

[0233] Furthermore, if a movement path is adopted in which the position of the workpiece W changes along the Z direction in addition to moving the workpiece W along the XY plane, the irradiation area R1 may become a three-dimensional curved surface along the movement path of the workpiece W. In this case, the marker controller 100 will perform correction according to the three-dimensional curved surface before and after the unfolding process. When such correction is performed, the print area width will be narrower than when correction is not performed.

[0234] When changing the setting of the marking start position and / or end position and correcting the three-dimensional curved surface are used in combination, the setting unit 103 adopts the narrowest print area width.

[0235] The setting unit 103 then compares the trigger interval with the narrowest print area width and sets the narrower one as the "effective print area width." The setting unit 103 may store the value of the effective print area width in the storage device 120 or display it on the print test screen D46.

[0236] Thereafter, the setting unit 103 Upper limit of transport speed [mm / s] = Effective print area width [mm] / Print time [s] ... (E) The upper limit of the transport speed is calculated through the above calculation.

[0237] Thereafter, the setting unit 103 Maximum printing throughput [pcs / min] = 60 / (trigger interval [mm] / upper conveyance speed [mm / s]) ... (F) The maximum print throughput is calculated through the above calculation and displayed in the 44th display item I44. The user can modify the job information by referring to the displayed maximum print throughput.

[0238] (3) Subsequent processing When the processing related to the print test is completed, the display control unit 105 transitions the display content from the print test screen D46 or the job information setting screen D45 to the home screen D4 or the job menu screen D4'. With this transition, the control process shown in Fig. 8 ends the processing related to step St17 and proceeds from step St1 to step St2 in Fig. 7. The display content is transitioned to the home screen D4 or the job menu screen D4'. With this transition, the control process shown in Fig. 9 ends the processing related to step St13 and proceeds from step St1 to step St2 in Fig. 8.

[0239] (Step St2) Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing related to switching of print job Pj, and shows details of step St2 in Figure 7. In other words, step St2 in Figure 7 corresponds to steps St21 to St25 in Figure 9 expressed as one step. Note that if job switching is not required, the control process skips step St2 and proceeds to step St3. The following explanation is based on the assumption that job switching will be performed.

[0240] In step St21, display control section 105 displays job menu screen D4' on display section 102 based on user input. In this case, the currently selected print job Pj is displayed on setting plane R2. In this state, main controller body 100a selects one print job Pj from the list of print jobs Pj based on user input to seventh display item I7.

[0241] In the following step St22, the accepting unit 104 accepts a user input such as a tap operation or a click operation on the switching button S6 while the switching destination print job Pj is selected.

[0242] In the next step St23, the receiving unit 104 determines whether the print job Pj to be switched to includes a print block Pb for which a setting change is permitted. This determination is made based on the change rule Cl stored in the storage device 120.

[0243] If the determination in step St23 is NO, the control process skips step St24 and proceeds to step St25, where the switching of print job Pj is completed. In this case, main controller body 100a executes a decompression process on the data indicating the switched print job Pj, and generates decompressed data corresponding to that print job Pj.

[0244] On the other hand, if the determination in step St23 is YES, the control process proceeds from step St23 to step St24. In this case, the display control unit 105 transitions the display content from the job menu screen D4′ to a preview screen (not shown), which is also an operation screen like the job menu screen D4′.

[0245] Although details are omitted, the preview screen can display a list of print blocks Pb for which setting changes are permitted, or display an editing screen for print blocks Pb for which setting changes are permitted.

[0246] When the editing operation for the print block Pb for which the setting change is permitted (for example, changing the character string of each print block Pb) is completed, the setting unit 103 completes the setting that occurs with the job switch, and the control process proceeds from step St24 to step St25. As a result, the control process shown in Figure 9 ends all the processing shown in the figure, and proceeds from step St2 to step St3 in Figure 7.

[0247] (Step St3) Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing related to the operation of print job Pj, and shows details of step St3 in Fig. 7. In other words, step St3 in Fig. 7 corresponds to steps St31 to St35 in Fig. 10 expressed as one step.

[0248] First, in step St31, the controller main body 100a accepts a user input such as a tap operation or a click operation on the switch button S3.

[0249] In the following step St32, the processing equipment 500 is operated in response to a control signal from the PLC 402, etc., to start transporting the workpiece W. In the following step St33, detection signals from the encoder 401, the mark detection sensor 403, etc. are input to the controller main body 100a.

[0250] In the next step St34, it is determined based on the input detection signal whether the amount of movement of the work element We after the trigger signal is input has reached the trigger delay Of. If this determination is YES, the process proceeds to step St35, whereas if this determination is NO, the determination related to step St34 is repeated. This determination may be made based on whether the elapsed time after the trigger signal is input has reached the time equivalent to the trigger delay Of.

[0251] In the following step St35, the marking control unit 109 controls the laser light generation unit 2 and the laser light scanning unit 3 to perform marking on each work element We.

[0252] <About setting support for laser marking device L> 16 and other figures, in this embodiment, the laser marking device L starts marking when the movement amount of the workpiece W reaches the trigger delay Of. Here, by displaying a setting support image Pa on the display unit 102, even an inexperienced user can easily set the trigger delay Of by referring to the setting support image Pa. This improves the usability of the laser marking device L.

[0253] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, setting support images Pa, Pa', Pa'', and Pa3 can be displayed according to the installation status of the laser marking device L, thereby further improving the usability of the laser marking device.

[0254] Furthermore, as shown in the 33rd display item I33 in Figure 20, etc., the posture of the laser marking device L can be input, and setting support images Pa, Pa', Pa'', Pa3 can be displayed according to the input content, thereby further improving the usability of the laser marking device L.

[0255] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 22, instead of preparing multiple setting support images, a single setting support image Pa can be rotated by 90°, 180°, or 270° and displayed, making it easier to display an image that corresponds to the posture of the laser marking device L.

[0256] 16 etc., if the input of the first offset amount O1 and the second offset amount O2 is accepted instead of directly accepting the input of the trigger delay Of, each parameter can be measured using a ruler, etc. This contributes to improving the usability of the laser marking device L.

[0257] 16 etc., by positioning the marking start position close to the center Pa of the irradiation range (irradiation area R1), it is possible to improve the print quality compared to when the start position is set at the edge of the irradiation area R1. In this way, by configuring the laser marking device L so that more detailed settings are allowed, it is possible to realize a wider variety of settings, which is advantageous in improving the usability of the laser marking device L. [Explanation of symbols]

[0258] L Laser marking device 1 marker head 2. Laser light generation unit 3 Laser beam scanning unit 100 Marker Controller 100a Controller body 100b User terminal 102 Display section 103 Settings 105 Display control unit 107 Second IF section (interface section) 108 Third IF section (Second interface section) 109 Marking control section 110 Movement amount monitoring section 403 Encoder D45 Job Information Setting Screen (First Setting Screen) D45' Second job information setting screen (second setting screen) Mr. Alignment Mark Of Trigger Delay (Offset) O1 First offset amount O2 Second offset amount Pa setting support image Pa' Second setting support image Pa” 3rd setting support image Pa3 4th setting support image R1 Irradiation area (irradiation region) W work (flexible work)

Claims

1. A laser marking device that uses laser light to mark a sheet-like flexible workpiece on which alignment marks are provided at equal intervals along a conveyance direction, a laser light generating unit that generates a laser light; a laser beam scanning unit that scans the laser beam generated by the laser beam generating unit on the surface of the flexible workpiece; a setting unit that sets a print pattern to be marked on the flexible workpiece and an offset amount from the irradiation range of the laser light by the laser light scanning unit to the marking start position of the print pattern on the flexible workpiece when a predetermined trigger signal is received; an interface unit that receives the trigger signal every time the alignment mark is detected during the transport of the flexible workpiece; a movement amount monitoring unit that determines whether or not a movement amount of the flexible workpiece corresponding to a trigger signal has reached the offset amount each time the interface unit receives the trigger signal; a marking control unit that controls the laser light scanning unit so that the print pattern set by the setting unit is marked on the flexible workpiece based on the determination result by the movement amount monitoring unit when the interface unit receives a trigger signal, The setting unit is configured to display a setting support image on a display unit that visually shows the alignment mark on the flexible workpiece and the offset amount, and to accept user input for setting the offset amount while the setting support image is displayed. A laser marking device characterized by:

2. 2. The laser marking device according to claim 1, As the setting support image, one of a plurality of setting support images different from each other is displayed on the display unit; The setting unit displays a setting support image corresponding to the attitude of the laser marking device among the plurality of setting support images. A laser marking device characterized by:

3. 3. The laser marking device according to claim 2, The setting unit receives a user input indicating an orientation of the laser marking device, and displays a setting support image corresponding to the orientation indicated by the user input from among the plurality of setting support images. A laser marking device characterized by:

4. 4. The laser marking device according to claim 2 or 3, The setting unit causes the display unit to display, as the plurality of setting support images, images obtained by rotating one setting support image by 90 degrees, 45 degrees, or 30 degrees. A laser marking device characterized by:

5. The laser marking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the setting support image further visually indicates a distance between a sensor that detects the alignment mark and the laser marking device; The setting unit is configured to receive an input of the distance indicated by the setting support image. A laser marking device characterized by:

6. 6. The laser marking device according to claim 1, The setting support image further includes: a marking start position in the irradiation area; and visually indicating the end position of the marking in the illumination range; The setting unit is configured to accept input of the start position and the end position. A laser marking device characterized by:

7. 7. The laser marking device according to claim 1, The setting unit a first setting screen visually showing the setting support image; a second setting screen for receiving input of print quality including the scanning speed of the laser beam scanning unit; A laser marking device characterized by:

8. 8. The laser marking device according to claim 1, a second interface unit connected to an encoder that outputs a pulse signal corresponding to the transport speed of the flexible workpiece so as to be able to receive the pulse signal; The setting unit calculates the number of pulses to be output when the flexible workpiece moves a predetermined distance based on the pulse signal input via the second interface unit. A laser marking device characterized by:

9. 9. The laser marking device according to claim 1, The setting unit calculates an upper limit of the number of markings that can be performed per predetermined time based on the interval at which the interface unit receives a trigger signal, the length of the irradiation range in the conveying direction, and the marking time required to mark the flexible workpiece. A laser marking device characterized by:

Images