Laser marking device

Abstract

To prevent setting errors of a character string, etc. in a laser marking device having a preview display function.SOLUTION: A laser marking device L includes: a setting unit 103 that sets a plurality of printing blocks Pb in each of which a character string to be marked and attribute information on the character string are associated with each other and that sets, for each printing block Pb, a change rule Cl defining whether to permit a setting change or not; a receiving unit 104 that receives a user input for changing the character string of the printing block Pb whose setting change is permitted in the change rule Cl; and a display control unit 105 that, for the printing block Pb whose user input has been received by the receiving unit 104, causes a display unit 102 to display a first locus T1 to be traced by a laser beam when the character string before the change is marked and a second locus T2 to be traced by a laser beam when the character string after the change is marked, based on the character string and the attribute information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In a device for performing marking on a workpiece using laser light, that is, a so-called laser marking device, in addition to the content of the character string to be marked on the workpiece, attribute information such as the font type and character size of the character string is also set.

[0003] Here, for example, Patent Document 1 describes that in order to preview the character string to be marked on a workpiece, a printing pattern corresponding to the character string and reflecting the attribute information is preview-displayed on a preview screen.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, as a printing pattern as described in Patent Document 1, there are cases where developed data obtained by performing so-called development processing is used. The developed data in this case refers to data that shows the locus that the laser light should follow corresponding to each line element after decomposing the character string into a number of line elements.

[0006] When such developed data is used, when the content and attribute information of the character string are changed by the user, usually only the printing pattern corresponding to the changed character string is displayed on the above-described preview screen, and the printing pattern before the change is not displayed.

[0007] This is due to the fact that when the expansion process is performed on the modified character string, the expansion data before the modification is overwritten, making it impossible to preview it. However, if only the printed pattern after the modification is previewed, it will be difficult to confirm the modification content, and there is a possibility of making mistakes in setting the character string, attribute information, etc.

[0008] The technology disclosed herein is made in view of such points, and its object is to suppress setting mistakes such as character strings in a laser marking device having a preview display function.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0009] The first aspect of the present disclosure relates to a laser marking device including 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 on the surface of a workpiece, and a marking control unit that performs marking on the workpiece using the laser light by controlling the laser light generation unit and the laser light scanning unit.

[0010] And according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the laser marking device sets a plurality of printing blocks in which a character string to be marked by the marking control unit and attribute information of the character string are respectively associated, and for each of the plurality of printing blocks, a setting unit that sets a change rule that defines whether or not to permit a setting change, a reception unit that receives a user input for changing the character string of the printing block for which a setting change is permitted in the change rule based on the change rule set by the setting unit, and for the printing block for which the user input is received by the reception unit, based on the character string of the printing block and the attribute information associated with the character string, a display control unit that causes a display unit to display a first trajectory that the laser light should follow when marking the character string before the change and a second trajectory that the laser light should follow when marking the character string after the change.

[0011] According to the first aspect, the display control unit causes the display unit to display a first locus related to the print block before the change and a second locus related to the print block after the change based on the character string and the attribute information. According to this, it is possible to compare the loci before and after the change, and it is possible to suppress setting mistakes that may occur during the change.

[0012] Further, according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the display control unit may cause the display unit to display the setting screen of the change rule.

[0013] By providing a user interface for setting the change rule as in the second aspect, the usability of the laser marking device can be improved.

[0014] Further, according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, the display control unit may cause the display unit to display a message for guiding the character string change of each print block for which the setting change is permitted.

[0015] According to the third aspect, it becomes possible to appropriately guide the setting change through the message displayed on the display unit. Thereby, setting mistakes such as character strings can be suppressed.

[0016] Further, according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, when switching the print job formed by grouping the plurality of print blocks, the reception unit executes reception of the user input, and when the reception unit receives the change of the character string in all the print blocks for which the setting change is permitted, the reception unit may permit the switching of the print job.

[0017] According to the fourth aspect, at the time of switching the print job, it is possible to surely perform it without forgetting the setting change. Thereby, the usability of the laser marking device can be improved.

[0018] Further, according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, when switching a printing job in which the plurality of printing blocks are grouped together, the reception unit executes reception of the user input, and the reception unit permits switching of the printing job regardless of whether or not the reception unit has received a change in a character string in the printing block for which the setting change is permitted.

[0019] According to the fifth aspect, when switching a printing job, it is possible to skip the change for a character string that does not need to be changed. Thereby, the usability of the laser marking device can be improved.

[0020] Further, according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the display control unit may cause the display unit to display a portion that is different between the first locus and the second locus in a state where the color is different from a portion that is the same between the first locus and the second locus.

[0021] According to the sixth aspect, by making the colors of portions that are different between the first locus and the second locus different, this can be highlighted. Thereby, it becomes possible to more clearly display the influence of the setting change to the user.

[0022] Further, according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, for a printing block including a portion that is different between the first locus and the second locus, the display control unit may cause the display unit to display the printing block in a state where the color of the entire printing block is different.

[0023] According to the seventh aspect, a portion that is different between the first locus and the second locus can be highlighted in units of printing blocks. Since the setting change itself is performed for each printing block, it becomes possible to more clearly display the difference between the printing blocks before and after the change to the user.

[0024] Further, according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the setting unit generates the first and second trajectories corresponding to the printing block based on the printing block set by the setting unit, and the setting unit may generate the first trajectory before the receiving unit receives a change in the character string.

[0025] According to the eighth aspect, by generating the first trajectory in advance, it is possible to shorten the time required to preview and display the first and second trajectories after the character string is changed. Thereby, the usability of the laser marking device can be improved.

[0026] Further, according to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, the setting unit generates the first and second trajectories corresponding to the printing block based on the printing block set by the setting unit, and the setting unit may generate the first trajectory after the receiving unit receives a change in the character string.

[0027] Further, according to the tenth aspect of the present disclosure, the display control unit may simultaneously display the first trajectory and the second trajectory on the same screen.

[0028] Further, according to the eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, the display control unit may display the first trajectory and the second trajectory superimposed.

Advantages of the Invention

[0029] As described above, according to the present disclosure, in a laser marking device having a preview display function, setting errors such as character strings can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0031] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description is illustrative.

[0032] That is, in the present embodiment, as a representative example of marking using laser light, printing (hereinafter referred to as "marking", "printing", or simply "processing") will be described. However, the present disclosure can be applied to any marking composed of a plurality of scanning lines, such as marking of graphics.

[0033] <Overall Configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a laser marking system S, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a laser marking device L in the laser marking system S. Further, FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the replacement of a printing device 1001 and a marker head 1.

[0034] 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 conveys a workpiece W. Among these, the laser marking device L illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 irradiates laser light toward a predetermined irradiation area R1 and scans the laser light on the surface of the workpiece W.

[0035] By scanning the laser light as described above, this laser marking device L can perform marking on the sheet-like flexible workpiece W using the laser light (hereinafter, the "flexible workpiece" is simply referred to as the workpiece). Note that this marking is performed corresponding to a preset printing pattern Pp, a printing job Pb, and a printing job Pj.

[0036] Here, the irradiation area R1 refers to an area set on the surface of the workpiece W and corresponds to the printed surface area that is pre-associated with the set plane R2 on the display unit 101. The irradiation area R1 as the printed surface area 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 the workpiece W moving along a two-dimensional plane is a plane along its movement path. On the other hand, the irradiation area R1 of the workpiece W moving in a three-dimensional space can be a curved surface along its movement path.

[0037] In addition, the printed pattern Pp in the following description includes, in addition to the pattern of characters to be marked on the workpiece W, patterns of figures to be marked on the workpiece W, such as ":", "×", barcodes, QR codes (registered trademarks), etc.

[0038] In particular, the laser marking device L according to the present embodiment can emit laser light having a wavelength in the vicinity of 350 nm as the laser light for processing the workpiece W. This wavelength is included in the wavelength range of ultraviolet light. 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 lights such as near-infrared light.

[0039] Hereinafter, a case will be described in which a workpiece (the aforementioned "flexible workpiece") W composed of a sheet-like film is a marking target and the film contains a UV reaction layer (not shown) that chemically reacts with UV laser light.

[0040] Note that the workpiece W in the present disclosure may be composed 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 composed of films made of various materials. Further, the film constituting the workpiece W may have a three-layer structure or a multilayer structure of three or more layers.

[0041] Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the workpiece W according to the present embodiment is formed by arranging a plurality of workpiece elements We along a predetermined conveyance direction At. Each workpiece element We may be integrally connected along the conveyance direction At, or may be arranged at intervals along the conveyance direction At. Each workpiece element We is individually marked by a laser marking device L. The workpiece element We can also be referred to as a plurality of work areas or printing areas that are set on the surface of the workpiece W and arranged at equal intervals along the conveyance direction At.

[0042] Here, in order to perform the same marking on each of the plurality of workpiece elements We, it is conceivable 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 at equal intervals along the conveyance direction on the surface of the workpiece W. As shown in FIG. 1, each alignment mark Mr may be provided at a portion between the workpiece elements We arranged in the conveyance direction At. Alternatively, each alignment mark Mr may be provided on one side in the conveyance width direction of each workpiece element We (the +X side or the -X side in FIG. 1) (not shown).

[0043] Further, the laser marking device L according to the present embodiment is configured to perform so-called two-dimensional printing by two-dimensionally scanning laser light. However, since this laser marking device L is configured to have a deeper depth of focus than conventional products, it can also perform so-called three-dimensional printing. Therefore, this laser marking device L can even mark a workpiece W conveyed along a three-dimensional movement path.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the laser marking device L according to the present embodiment includes a marker head 1 and a marker controller 100. The marker head 1 and the marker controller 100 are separate from each other in the present embodiment and are connected by a cable 200. The cable 200 according to the present embodiment may be configured by bundling at least a part of an electrical wiring for transmitting power from inside the marker controller 100 to the marker head 1, such electrical wiring, and a signal wiring for transmitting and receiving analog signals, digital signals, etc.

[0045] (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 receiving various inputs by the user.

[0046] Among these, the controller main body 100a can scan a laser beam on the surface of the workpiece W by controlling the marker head 1 according to, for example, settings regarding the printing pattern Pp. The controller main body 100a has a storage device 120 for storing such settings. This storage device 120 is a combination of a volatile memory and / or a non-volatile memory.

[0047] 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 beam generation unit 2 and a laser beam scanning unit 3, which will be described later, in the marker head 1, and by controlling these, marking using a laser beam can be performed on the workpiece W. Other details in the controller main body 100a will be described later.

[0048] 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 so as to be able to transmit and receive electrical signals by wire or wirelessly.

[0049] In particular, the user terminal 100b according to the present embodiment can be configured by a touch panel type console. The user terminal 100b may be configured separately from the controller main body 100a or integrally. When configured separately, instead of the touch panel type console, the user terminal can be configured by a tablet terminal, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, or the like.

[0050] 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. This user terminal 100b includes a display unit 102 for presenting information to the user, an operation unit 101 for receiving operation inputs from the user, and a storage device (not shown) for storing various information. Note that the user terminal 100b may also be referred to as a printing setting device for setting various printing conditions. Also, the marker head 1 and the marker controller 100 may be collectively referred to as a laser marker.

[0051] The display unit 102 can display a setting plane R2 defined by orthogonal coordinates. This display unit 102 is an example of the "display means" in the present embodiment. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, on the setting plane R2 displayed by the display unit 102, an input interface Iu for receiving an input of characters to be marked (hereinafter referred to as "printing pattern Pp") is arranged. This input interface Iu consists of a user interface such as a frame indicating the range of the setting plane R2 and a figure indicating the position of the printing pattern Pp on the setting plane R2, and based on an operation input to the operation unit 101, it can receive the input of the printing pattern Pp and display the content of the received printing pattern Pp on the setting plane R2.

[0052] Specifically, the display unit 102 can be configured by 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 type console is used, the display screen provided on the controller main body 100a or the console can be used as the display unit.

[0053] The operation unit 101 can be configured by a keyboard and a pointing device. The pointing device includes a mouse, a joystick, etc. When the user terminal 100b is incorporated into the controller main body 100a or a touch panel type console is used, the switches, buttons provided on the controller main body 100a or the console, or the display itself can be used as the operation unit.

[0054] As described above, the user terminal 100b configured as such can set the printing conditions in marking based on the operation input by the user. These printing conditions include, in addition to the details of the printing pattern Pp, the target output (laser power) of the laser beam and the scanning speed (scan speed) of the laser beam on the workpiece W, etc.

[0055] The printing conditions set by the user terminal 100b are output to the controller main body 100a and stored in the storage device 120 of the controller main body 100a. If necessary, the printing conditions may be stored in the storage device of the user terminal 100b.

[0056] (Marker head 1) On the other hand, the marker head 1 is electrically connected to the marker controller 100. The marker head 1 can communicate with the marker controller 100 by wire or wirelessly, and by being controlled by the marker controller 100, it can emit UV laser light toward the irradiation area R1.

[0057] The marker head 1 according to this embodiment is installed on a processing facility 500 that processes a work W composed of a sheet-like film. As shown in FIG. 3, this processing facility 500 includes a support member 501 that supports the marker head 1 and a conveyance roller 502 around which the work W is wound.

[0058] Among these, as shown in FIG. 3, the support member 501 can attach the laser marking device L, particularly the housing 10 of the marker head 1, to a predetermined attachment position. The support member 501 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 can, as an example of its configuration, suspend the housing 10 from above.

[0059] On the other hand, the conveyance roller 502 is configured in a cylindrical shape having a central axis extending in the short dimension direction of the work W. In this case, the work W is conveyed in the longitudinal direction along a predetermined movement path by the rotation of the conveyance roller 502.

[0060] Here, as shown in the upper and lower diagrams of FIG. 3, the processing facility 500 according to this embodiment is shared between the marker head 1 according to this embodiment and a printing device 1001 that prints using a method other than marking with laser light.

[0061] That is, the marker head 1 according to this embodiment is configured to be attachable to the support member 501 of the processing facility 500 configured to attach the printing device 1001, instead of the printing device 1001.

[0062] Examples of the printing device 1001 that can be replaced with the marker head 1 include a thermal transfer type industrial thermal printer (Thermal Transfer Overprinter: TTO), but it can also be replaced with other printing devices 1001.

[0063] Specifically, as the replaceable printing device 1001 described above, for example, it may be configured to include a housing 1010 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, which includes a printing surface 1010d formed by exposing a printing unit 1006 that contacts a printing area on a workpiece W, and a connection surface 1010u that is different from the printing surface 1010d and can be connected to a support member 501.

[0064] In this case, as shown in the upper and lower diagrams of FIG. 3, the marker head 1 is supported by a support member 501 that can be connected to the connection surface 1010u, similar to the printing device 1001. The marker head 1 thus supported irradiates the workpiece W with UV laser light toward an irradiation area R1 set corresponding to the printing area (the area that contacts the printing unit 1006 in the printing device 1001), thereby performing marking on the workpiece W.

[0065] Further, the laser marking device L according to the present embodiment is configured to include an imaging device 92 for imaging the marking result. The imaging device 92 is disposed outside the housing 10 of the marker head 1 or inside the housing 10 and can image the surface of the workpiece W. The imaging device 92 is electrically connected to an image sensor 404 that is one of external devices 400.

[0066] The external device 400 is connected to the marker controller 100 as necessary. In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the external device 400 is composed of a conveyance speed sensor 401, a programmable logic controller (PLC) 402, a mark detection sensor 403, and the aforementioned image sensor 404. Among these devices, the conveyance speed sensor 401 is connected to the marker controller 100 via the first interface unit 106. Similarly, the PLC 402 is connected to the marker controller 100 via the second interface unit 107, and the mark detection sensor 403 is connected to the marker controller 100 via the third interface unit 108. Although not shown in the figure, the image sensor 404 may be connected to the marker controller 100 via what could be called a "fourth interface unit".

[0067] 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.

[0068] The conveyance speed sensor 401 is composed of, for example, a rotary encoder and can detect the conveyance speed of the workpiece W. The conveyance speed sensor 401 outputs a signal (detection signal) indicating the detection result to the marker controller 100. The marker controller 100 controls the two-dimensional scanning of the laser light and the like based on the detection signal input from the conveyance speed sensor 401.

[0069] The PLC 402 is composed of, for example, a microprocessor and can input a control signal to the marker controller 100. The PLC 402 is used to control the laser marking system S according to a predetermined sequence.

[0070] The mark detection sensor 403 is composed of, for example, 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 its 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.

[0071] The image sensor 404 is electrically connected to the imaging device 92, and an image signal generated by the imaging device 92 is input thereto. The image sensor 404 inspects the printing content processed on the surface of the workpiece W based on the input image signal. At this time, inspection may be performed based on the shape, color, gloss, etc. of the marking, or particularly when marking a character string, inspection using OCR (Optical Character Reader) may be performed.

[0072] 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 operations of the processing facility 500 and / or the laser marking device L based on the input signal.

[0073] Note that 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 marker controller 100 can also perform the functions that the image sensor 404 should perform.

[0074] In addition to the above-described devices and apparatuses, devices for operation and control, computers for performing various other processes, storage devices, peripheral devices, etc. can be connected to the laser marking device L wirelessly or by wire.

[0075] <Marker head 1> As shown in FIG. 2, the marker head 1 mainly includes a laser light generation unit 2 and a laser light scanning unit 3. The laser light generation unit 2 generates laser light (for example, UV laser light) based on the power supplied from outside the marker head 1. The laser light scanning unit 3 scans the laser light on the surface of the workpiece W by reflecting the laser light generated by the laser light generation unit 2 in a desired direction.

[0076] The marker head 1 also includes a housing 10 that houses the above-described components, that is, the laser light generation unit 2 and the laser light scanning unit 3. An emission window 4 that transmits the laser light reflected by the laser light scanning unit 3 is formed in the housing 10. Although details are omitted, the housing 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and has an emission surface 10d on which the emission window 4 is formed, and a mounting surface 10u that is different from the emission surface 10d and can be connected to the support member 501. The mounting surface 10u is connected to the support member 501 via the attachment 7 (see FIG. 3).

[0077] (Laser light generation unit 2) The laser light generation unit 2 generates excitation light corresponding to the power based on the power supplied via the cable 200. The excitation light source 21 for generating the excitation light may be, for example, a laser diode. The excitation light source 21 may be housed in the marker controller 100 instead of the housing 10. In that 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.

[0078] The laser light generation unit 2 also includes a solid laser crystal 22 that generates a fundamental wave based on the generated excitation light, and a non-linear optical crystal (not shown) that generates UV laser light by modulating the fundamental wave.

[0079] As the solid laser crystal 22, for example, rod-shaped Nd:YVO 4 (yttrium vanadate) can be used. The fundamental wave can be generated by any method such as a one-way excitation method by end pumping.

[0080] The nonlinear optical crystal can be composed of a plurality of optical crystals, such as an optical crystal for generating the second harmonic wave and an optical crystal for generating the third harmonic wave. As each optical crystal, various optical materials can be used.

[0081] In addition, power is supplied from the external power source 405 to the laser light generation unit 2, particularly the drive circuit of the excitation light source 21. In FIG. 2, the external power source 405 and the marker head 1 are directly connected, but the external power source 405 and the marker controller 100 may be connected, and power may be supplied to the marker head 1 via the marker controller 100. Here, between the external power source 405 and the marker head 1 (or between the marker head 1 and the marker controller 100), the first lock circuit 406 and the second lock circuit 407 for ensuring the interlock function are electrically interposed.

[0082] The first lock circuit 406 and the second lock circuit 407 are connected in series and are each constituted by a relay circuit. The contacts of each relay circuit are closed during normal times. In this case, the power supply from the external power source 405 to the marker head 1 will be carried out without being obstructed.

[0083] On the other hand, the contacts of each relay circuit are configured to be opened when the safety mechanism operates. In this case, the power supply from the external power source 405 to the marker head 1 will be cut off by the first lock circuit 406 or the second lock circuit 407. The laser marking device L will be in a so-called "interlock state" in which the irradiation of the laser light on the workpiece W is prohibited.

[0084] Note that the safety mechanism is provided individually for each relay circuit and is configured to operate when an event specific to the installation environment of the device L occurs, such as when a person enters the installation space of the laser marking device L (for example, when the door of the room where the laser marking device L is installed is opened).

[0085] Although not shown in the drawings, the first lock circuit 406 and the second lock circuit 407 are each electrically connected to the marker controller 100. When the contacts of the first lock circuit 406 and the second lock circuit 407 are each opened, a signal indicating that (interlock signal) is generated. The marker controller 100 can continuously monitor whether it is in an interlock state by monitoring whether this interlock signal is generated.

[0086] Note that the PLC 402 may be electrically connected to the first lock circuit 406 and the second lock circuit 407, and the PLC 402 may monitor whether it is in an interlock state. Also, instead of using a relay circuit, for example, an interlock signal may be generated by a sensor capable of detecting a person.

[0087] The external power supply 405, the first lock circuit 406, and the second lock circuit 407, together with the conveyance speed sensor 401, the PLC 402, the mark detection sensor 403, etc., constitute the external device 400 in the present embodiment.

[0088] (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 includes a first scanner (not shown) that scans laser light in the Y direction and a second scanner (not shown) that scans laser light in the X direction.

[0089] The laser light scanning unit 3 polarizes the laser light generated by the laser light generation unit 2 so as to be irradiated toward the irradiation area R1 by driving the first scanner and the second scanner according to the pre-created printing data. The laser light deflected in this way passes through the emission window 4 and is irradiated onto the irradiation area R1.

[0090] <Marker controller 100> As described above, in addition to the aforementioned user terminal 100b, the marker controller 100 includes a controller main body 100a for controlling the marker head 1. This controller main body 100a mainly includes a setting unit 103, a reception unit 104, a display control unit 105, the aforementioned first IF unit 106, second IF unit 107, and third IF unit 108, the also aforementioned marking control unit 109, a first monitoring unit 110, a second monitoring unit 111, and a third monitoring unit 112.

[0091] (Setting Unit 103) Based on user input through the operation unit 101, the setting unit 103 sets a print block Pb in which a character string (print pattern Pp) to be marked on each work element We by the marking control unit 109 and attribute information of the print pattern Pp are associated.

[0092] Here, the attribute information of the print pattern Pp includes, for example, one or more of the font of the character, the font size, the thickness of the character, the character spacing, and the position of the print pattern Pp as viewed on the setting plane R2.

[0093] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14 described later, the setting unit 103 according to the present 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, the 14th display item I14 in FIG. 14) and an input field for attribute information (for example, the 15th display item I15 to the 19th display item I19 in FIG. 14) in the vicinity thereof. Character strings and numerical values can be input into these input fields through touch panel operations, inputs to the operation unit 101, etc., and the print block Pb can be set through the user input.

[0094] Here, the setting unit 103 can set a plurality of print blocks Pb for the marking performed on one work element We, such as a first print block Pb indicating the manufacturing date, a second print block Pb indicating the lot number, and a third print block Pb indicating the manufacturing factory.

[0095] By enabling a plurality of printing blocks Pb to be set, for example, it becomes possible to vary the font of the characters according to the manufacturing date and lot number, and it becomes possible to realize more diverse markings.

[0096] Furthermore, the setting unit 103 can generate a print job Pj in which a plurality of printing blocks Pb are associated with each other and grouped together based on user input through the operation unit 101 (see the upper part of FIG. 4). For example, a first print job Pj in which a first printing block Pb, a second printing block Pb, and a third printing block Pb are grouped together can be generated, or a second print job Pj in which a fourth printing block Pb and a fifth printing block Pb are grouped together can be generated. Note that the numbering such as the first printing block Pb to the fifth printing block Pb is merely an example. By grouping any number of printing blocks Pb together, a print job Pj can be generated.

[0097] Here, the setting unit 103 can set a plurality of different print jobs Pj according to the type of work W, the purpose of marking, etc., such as a first print job Pj in which the printing blocks Pb to be marked on the sachet of food A are grouped together, a second print job Pj in which the printing blocks Pb to be marked on the sachet of food B are grouped together, and a third print job Pj in which the printing blocks Pb to be marked on products other than the sachet are grouped together.

[0098] By enabling a plurality of print jobs Pj to be set, for example, when switching the work W, it is possible to perform marking suitable for the work W after switching only by switching the print job Pj without re-setting each of the plurality of printing blocks Pb. A specific example of the user interface for setting the print job Pj will be described later.

[0099] The setting unit 103 can also set a change rule Cl that defines whether or not to permit changes to the settings of each of the plurality of printing blocks Pb that make up each printing job Pj (see the lower part of FIG. 4). This change rule Cl can be stored in the storage device 120 and can be newly created as needed or overwritten and saved with a previously created one.

[0100] By setting the change rule Cl in advance, for example, when an operator on the production line tries to switch the printing job Pj, for a printing block Pb indicating the manufacturing date, etc., whose printing pattern Pp can vary daily, the setting can be changed each time. On the other hand, for a printing block Pb indicating the manufacturing factory, etc., whose printing pattern Pp is basically unchanged, it can be fixed without changing the setting.

[0101] The setting of the change rule Cl may be permitted on the condition that the user has a predetermined management authority, such as the administrator of the production line. In this case, a user without management authority, such as an operator on the production line, is not permitted to set the change rule Cl and cannot change it.

[0102] In addition, the setting unit 103 can also set information other than a character string, such as the conveyance speed of the work W and parameters characterizing the start timing of marking, as attribute information of the printing job Pj (hereinafter also referred to as "job information").

[0103] For example, the setting unit 103 can set, as job information, an offset amount (so-called "trigger delay") from the irradiation area R1 of the laser light by the laser light scanning unit 3 to the marking start position of the printing pattern Pp in each work element We when, for example, a predetermined trigger signal is received.

[0104] In particular, in the present embodiment, the trigger signal is output each time the mark detection sensor 403 detects the alignment mark Mr. Therefore, the trigger delay can be set separately into two parameters: the offset amount of the mark detection sensor 403 with respect to the center position of the irradiation area R1, and the offset amount of the alignment mark Mr with respect to the marking start position of each workpiece element We. For example, by having the user manually input these parameters, the setting unit 103 can automatically calculate the trigger delay and store the calculation result in the storage device 120. By setting the trigger delay in advance, it becomes possible to appropriately control the timing to start marking for each workpiece element We.

[0105] Note that all three offset amounts mentioned here are defined as offset amounts as viewed along the conveyance direction At.

[0106] The setting unit 103 also receives a selection operation of the printing job Pj by the user and executes the switching to the selected printing job Pj. After that, for each printing block Pb constituting the selected printing job Pj, the setting unit 103 determines the trajectory that the laser beam should follow when marking the character string forming each printing block Pb. The trajectory that the laser beam should follow changes according to the above-described attribute information such as the thickness of the character and the character spacing.

[0107] Specifically, the setting unit 103 according to the present embodiment determines data indicating the start point, end point, etc. of the trajectory that the laser beam should follow for each line element of each character. This determination is made based on the character string of each printing block Pb and the data (printing data) indicating the attribute information, and the data determined by the setting unit 103 is temporarily or continuously stored in the storage device 120 of the controller main body 100a.

[0108] Hereinafter, the data indicating the trajectory that the laser beam should follow may be referred to as "expansion data", and the process for determining the expansion data may be referred to as "expansion process".

[0109] (Reception unit 104) The reception unit 104 receives, through the operation unit 101, a user input for changing the character string of the printing block Pb for which setting change is permitted in the change rule Cl, based on the change rule Cl set by the setting unit 103.

[0110] For example, as shown in FIG. 16 described later, when switching the printing job Pj, the reception unit 104 according to the present embodiment arranges and displays only the printing blocks Pb for which setting change is permitted among the printing blocks Pb constituting the printing job Pj on the screen (in the illustrated example, "2021.09.28" forming one printing block Pb and "XYZ" forming another printing block Pb), and makes the printing blocks Pb for which setting change is not permitted non-displayed on the screen (in the illustrated example, "Shelf life" forming one printing block Pb and "+ABC / " forming another printing block Pb). By operating a pointing device or the like on the screen (for example, a tap operation on the 13th display item I13), it becomes possible to change the character string of the printing block Pb for which setting change is permitted.

[0111] Regarding the developed data after the character string change, the development process by the setting unit 103 will be performed after the reception unit 104 receives the character string change. The developed data generated through the development process is stored in the storage device 120 and then appropriately read by the marking control unit 109. Regarding the developed data before the character string change, it may be generated before the character string change or after the character string change. In the present embodiment, before the reception unit 104 receives the character string change, the developed data before the change is generated in advance.

[0112] (First IF unit 106) The first IF unit 106 is electrically connected to the PLC 402 and receives a control signal output from the PLC 402 during the operation of the laser marking system S. This control signal is input to the marking control unit 109 and the like via the first IF unit 106 and is used for the control of the controller main body 100a.

[0113] (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. This trigger signal is inputted via the second IF unit 107 to the third monitoring unit 112, which serves as a movement amount monitoring unit, and to the marking control unit 109.

[0114] (3rd IF part 108) The third IF unit 108 is electrically connected to the conveying speed sensor 401, and receives a pulse signal (encoder pulse) generated in the conveying speed sensor 401 in response to the rotation of the conveying roller 502 during the conveying of the workpiece W. This encoder pulse is inputted via the third IF unit 108 to the third monitoring unit 112 as a movement amount monitoring unit and the marking control unit 109.

[0115] (1st monitoring unit 110) The first monitoring unit 110 is electrically connected to the marking control unit 109, and detects the interlock state in the laser marking device L. When the interlock state is detected, the first monitoring unit 110 inputs a signal indicating the detection result to the display control unit 105.

[0116] Specifically, the first monitoring unit 110 according to this embodiment is connected to be able to send and receive electrical signals to a first locking circuit 406 and a second locking circuit 407 serving as the external device 400. Upon receiving an interlock signal from outside the laser marking device L, i.e., from the first locking circuit 406 and the second locking circuit 407, the first monitoring unit 110 detects that the laser marking device L is in an interlock state.

[0117] Alternatively, instead of receiving the interlock signals from the first lock circuit 406 and the second lock circuit 407, the first monitoring unit 110 may actively access the first lock circuit 406 and the second lock circuit 407 to monitor the states of the respective circuits.

[0118] (Second monitoring unit 111) The second monitoring unit 111 is connected to each part of the marker controller 100 and the marker head 1, and detects a trouble state that occurs inside the laser marking device L (for example, elements other than the external device 400 and the processing facility 500). When a trouble state is detected, the second monitoring unit 111 inputs a signal indicating the detection result to the display control unit 105.

[0119] Specifically, the second monitoring unit 111 according to the present embodiment can detect, as a trouble state, an "error state" indicating a state in which an abnormality (error) has occurred inside the laser marking device L, and a "warning state" indicating a state in which, although an error has not occurred yet, there is a concern about the occurrence of an error (a state in which the possibility of an error occurrence has increased).

[0120] As an example of the error state, a state in which the temperature of the solid laser crystal 22 exceeds the appropriate range can be cited. Similarly, as an example of the warning state, a state in which the temperature of the solid laser crystal 22 has risen to near the upper limit of the appropriate range can be cited.

[0121] Generally, the error state corresponds to a state in which the irradiation of the laser beam should be restricted, similar to the interlock state described above. On the other hand, the warning state corresponds to a state in which, although the irradiation of the laser beam is allowed, it is necessary to notify the user that there is a concern about the occurrence of an error.

[0122] Among other possible states in the laser marking system S, states that may be included in the monitoring target of the second monitoring unit 111 include a "stopped state" in which the laser marking device L is powered on but its key switch is in the off state, a "adjustment state" in which, although the key switch is in the on state in the stopped state, the adjustment of the laser marking device L such as the temperature adjustment of the solid laser crystal 22 is incomplete, a "standby state" in which the adjustment of the laser marking device L is completed in the adjustment state, and an "operating state" in which marking becomes possible by the marking control unit 109 as a result of the user interface being operated in the standby state. For example, the stopped state and the adjustment state can be regarded as states in which marking by the marking control unit 109 is stopped.

[0123] (Third monitoring unit 112) The third monitoring unit 112 is electrically connected to the second IF unit 107 and the third IF unit 108, and each time the mark detection sensor 403 detects a single alignment mark Mr and the second IF unit 107 receives a trigger signal, it can determine whether the movement amount of the work element We corresponding to the trigger signal has reached the offset amount set by the setting unit 103. When it is determined that the offset amount has been reached, the third monitoring unit 112 inputs a signal indicating this to the marking control unit 109.

[0124] (Marking control unit 109) The marking control unit 109 reads out the developed data previously stored in the storage device 120, and scans the laser beam scanning unit 3 so that the laser beam scans along the trajectory indicated by the read developed data.

[0125] (Marking control unit 109) The marking control unit 109 reads out the developed data previously stored in the storage device 120, and scans the laser beam scanning unit 3 so that the laser beam scans along the trajectory indicated by the read developed data.

[0126] The marking control unit 109 performs marking on each workpiece element We by scanning a laser beam on the surface of each workpiece element We. The timing for starting marking on each workpiece element We can be controlled by the aforementioned trigger signal and encoder pulses.

[0127] (Display control unit 105) Based on various electrical signals, the display control unit 105 causes the display unit 102 to display a predetermined display screen, and at the same time, can appropriately switch the display screen based on the on / off of the 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.

[0128] Specifically, when the laser marking device L is powered on, the display control unit 105 causes the display unit 102 to display a stop screen D1 indicating that the device L is in a stopped state when the device L is in a stopped state, an adjustment screen D2 indicating that the device L is in an adjustment state when the device L is in an adjustment state, a standby screen D3 indicating that the device L is in a standby state when the device L is in a standby state, and an operation screen D4 indicating that the device L is in an operating state when the device L is in an operating state.

[0129] In the case of normal operation, as shown in FIG. 5A, after the stop screen D1 is displayed on the display unit 102 with the power-on, it switches from the stop screen D1 to the adjustment screen D2. Then, after switching from the adjustment screen D2 to the standby screen D3, it switches from the standby screen D3 to the operation screen D4.

[0130] The stop screen D1, the adjustment screen D2, the standby screen D3, and the operation screen D4 have a common layout except for some items. That is, these screens D1 to D4 each have, as their respective 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 the 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. Among these display elements, at least the switch button S3 may be omitted on the stop screen D1.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 5A, in the display control unit 105 according to the present embodiment, the layouts of the display elements S1 to S4 are shared among the adjustment screen D2, the standby screen D3, and the operation screen D4. Among the four types of screens D1 to D4, for example, the display mode of the status bar S1 (particularly, the content of the displayed character string), the presence or absence and display mode of the switch button S3, and the display mode of the menu button S4 are different.

[0132] - Switch button S3 - As shown in FIG. 5A, the switch button S3 is, for example, displayed at a corner of the screen of the display unit 102. This switch button S3 is configured to receive operations of a pointing device, touch operations, etc., and is displayed as "Stop" on the operation screen D4, and by operating the button S3, it is possible to switch from the operating state to the standby state. On the other hand, the switch button S3 is displayed as "Start" on the standby screen D3, and by operating the button S3, it is possible to switch from the standby state to the operating state.

[0133] - Menu button S4 - The menu button S4 is a common display item among the four types of screens D1 to D4 described above.

[0134] Specifically, the menu button S4 according to the present embodiment is composed of, for example, a plurality of buttons arranged vertically. Each button is adapted to receive operations of a pointing device, touch operations, and the like. On each button, menu items corresponding to the display contents of the main display unit S2, such as "Home", "Job", "Settings", "Inspection", etc., are displayed (see, for example, the operation screen D4 shown in FIG. 11).

[0135] -Main display unit S2- The main display unit S2 is a common display item among the four types of screens D1 to D4 described above.

[0136] Specifically, when "Home" is selected in the menu button S4, a home display for displaying the operation status of the laser marking system L is shown on the main display unit S2. In this home display, a display column showing the content of the printing job Pj (in the illustration, the capital letters "ABC"), the cumulative number of prints (cumulative print count) accumulated since the start of using the laser marking device L, the cumulative number of prints (job print count) accumulated since switching to the current printing job Pj, and the number of prints per minute (print throughput) can be displayed. The home display can be regarded as a progress screen showing the progress status of the marking on the workpiece W.

[0137] Also, when "Home" is selected in the menu button S4, a switching interface S5 is displayed on the screen. By operating this, it is possible to switch the display mode between a preview magnification mode in which the content of the printing job Pj is enlarged (see the lower figure in FIG. 5B) and a monitor magnification mode in which the display columns of the cumulative print count, job print count, and print throughput are enlarged (see the upper figure in FIG. 5B).

[0138] On the other hand, when "Job" is selected in the menu button S4, a job menu as shown in the screen D4' of FIG. 5C is displayed on the main display unit S2. In this job menu, a display column configured to list and select each printing job Pj such as "Job A", "Job B", and "Job C", a switching button S6 for executing switching to the selected printing job Pj, and a display column showing the content of the selected printing job Pj can be displayed.

[0139] Also, although omitted in FIG. 5C, it is also possible to transition from the job menu to a setting screen for job information in the selected printing job Pj, a setting screen for the printing block Pb in the selected printing job Pj, a printing test screen for the selected printing job Pj, and the like.

[0140] In addition, by selecting the "Settings" item, a setting screen for communication, date, etc. of the laser marking device L can be displayed on the main display unit S2, and by selecting the "Inspection" item, a screen for checking the log, operation information, etc. of the laser marking system L can also be displayed on the main display unit S2.

[0141] - Status bar S1 - The status bar S1 is a common display item among the above-mentioned four types of screens D1 to D4.

[0142] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A for example, the status bar S1 according to this embodiment can display "Stopped" in the stopped state, "Adjusting" in the adjustment state, "Standby" in the standby state, and "Operating" in the operating state.

[0143] In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, in conjunction with the display of "Adjusting", the required time (estimated value) required for the adjustment may be displayed on the status bar S1. Also, when the switch button S3 is operated while the display of "Adjusting" is on, the display of "Adjusting" may be switched to "Preparing for Operation", and at the same time, the display content of the switch button S3 may be switched from "Start" to "Stop" (hereinafter, this state is also referred to as the "Operation Preparation State").

[0144] (Preview Function) FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the preview function. As described above, the reception unit 104 according to the present embodiment is configured to receive user input for changing the character string for the print block Pb for which setting change is permitted. In relation to such a configuration, the display control unit 105 according to the present embodiment can cause the display unit 102 to preview and display the content of the character string after the change. In particular, in the present embodiment, the display control unit 105 is configured not only to display the content of the character string, but also to display side by side the trajectories of the laser beams corresponding to each character string for both the character string before and after the change.

[0145] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, for the printing block Pb on which the user input is received by the reception unit 104, the display control unit 105 according to the present embodiment is configured to display on the display unit 102 a first trajectory T1 that the laser beam should follow when marking the original string and a second trajectory T2 that the laser beam should follow when marking the modified string, based on the character string of the printing block Pb and the attribute information associated with the character string. The first and second trajectories T1 and T2 are generated by the setting unit 103 so as to correspond to the printing block Pb based on the printing block Pb set by the setting unit 103. Note that the first and second trajectories T1 and T2 are simultaneously displayed on the same screen. They may also be displayed overlapping each other. Also, depending on the content to be printed, the trajectory may not be displayed. For example, when printing characters or a logo, it is preferable to display them with a trajectory, but when printing each cell of a QR code, it may be displayed as a solid fill instead of a trajectory. This can increase the display processing speed.

[0146] Here, the display control unit 104 causes the display unit 102 to display the different parts between the first trajectory T1 and the second trajectory T2 in a state where the colors are different from those of the parts that are the same between the first trajectory T1 and the second trajectory T2. The color of the different parts may be, for example, a red system.

[0147] As described with reference to FIG. 4, the setting of the change rule Cl is performed in units of the printing block Pb. Therefore, for the printing block Pb including the different parts between the first trajectory T1 and the second trajectory T2, the display control unit 104 may cause the display unit 102 to display the entire printing block Pb in a state where the colors are different.

[0148] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a case where setting changes are permitted for a printing block Pb composed of a character string indicating the date "2021.09.28" and a printing block Pb composed of an arbitrary character string "XYZ" will be described as an example.

[0149] Here, assume that the character string of the former printing block Pb is changed to a character string indicating the date of "September 30, 2021", and the character string of the latter printing block Pb is changed to a character string of "123".

[0150] In this case, as can be seen from the display mode marked with reference numerals T11 and T21 in FIG. 6, in the former printing block Pb, not only the date of "30", but also the part indicating the year and month of "2021.09." is displayed in a state where the color is different, similar to the date of "30".

[0151] The same applies to the display mode marked with reference numerals T12 and T22 in FIG. 6. Also in the latter printing block Pb, the entire changed character string of "123" is displayed in a state where the color is different.

[0152] A specific example of the process related to the preview display will be described later together with a specific example of the display screen.

[0153] <Operation Example of Laser Marking System S> FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processes performed when operating the laser marking system S, focusing on the printing job Pj. As shown in FIG. 7, when operating the laser marking system S, mainly the creation of the printing job Pj (step St1), the switching of the printing job Pj (step St2), and the operation of the printing job Pj (step St3) are performed.

[0154] Hereinafter, specific examples of the details of the processes related to these steps and the display screen of the display unit 102 in each step will be described.

[0155] In actual operation, prior to step St1, the laser marking device L is powered on, and an ON operation of the key switch or the like is performed. By performing these steps, the display content of the display unit 102 will transition in the order of the aforementioned stop screen D1, adjustment screen D2, standby screen D3, and operation screens D4 and D4' as long as it does not enter the interlock state or trouble state.

[0156] As also illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B and the like, the operation screens D4 and 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 modes. As described above, this switching can be executed by performing a click operation, a touch operation, 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'".

[0157] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, on the home screen D4, as the main display items, a status bar S1, a main display unit S2, a switch button S3, and a menu button S4 are displayed. These display items are common to all the screens described later.

[0158] On the status bar S1 of the home screen D4, a first display item I1 indicating the current state of the laser marking device L and a notification mark S7 are displayed.

[0159] Also, on the main display section S2 of the same operation screen D4, there are displayed the aforementioned switching interface S5, a job ID (for example, "0000") for identifying the printing job Pj, a second display item I2 for displaying the name of the printing job Pj (for example, "Food A"), a character string of a plurality of printing blocks Pb constituting the printing job Pj displayed in the second display item I2, and a third display item I3 for visually displaying the attribute information of each printing block Pb. The display area of the third display item I3 corresponds to the aforementioned setting plane R2. In this example, the same content as the printing job Pj illustrated in FIG. 5 is displayed in the third display item I3.

[0160] Furthermore, on the main display section S2 of the same operation screen D4, there are displayed a fourth display item I4 for displaying the aforementioned cumulative printing count, a fifth display item I5 for displaying the job printing count, and a sixth display item I6 for displaying the printing throughput. These display contents are incremented sequentially after the start of marking by the laser marking device L.

[0161] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, on the job menu screen D4', as main display items, there are displayed a list of a plurality of printing jobs Pj, a seventh display item I7 for receiving an operation of selecting one printing job Pj, a switching button S6 for executing switching to the printing job Pj selected in the seventh display item I7, and a job setting button S8 for setting the content of the selected printing job Pj.

[0162] (Step St1) FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the process related to the creation of the printing job Pj and is a diagram showing the details of step St1 in FIG. 7. That is, step St1 in FIG. 7 corresponds to a single step representing steps St11 to St13 in FIG. 8.

[0163] First, prior to step St11, the 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 screen is switched from the home screen D4 to the job menu screen D4'. This switching is configured to be executed by the display control unit 105.

[0164] Thereafter, when a user input for the job setting button S8 is received while a single printing job Pj is selected on the job menu screen D4', the display control unit 105 causes a transition from the job menu screen D4' to a block selection screen D4'' that forms one of the operation screens, similar to the screen D4'.

[0165] As illustrated in FIG. 13, on the block selection screen D4'', as main display items, a menu button S6, a list of a plurality of printing blocks Pb, an eighth display item I8 that accepts an operation for selecting a single printing block Pb, and a block setting button S9 for setting the content of the selected printing block Pb are displayed.

[0166] When a user input for the block setting button S9 is received while a single printing block Pb is selected on the block selection screen D4'', the display control unit 105 causes a transition from the block selection screen D4'' to a job editing screen D4 that forms one of the operation screens, similar to the screen D4''. 3 to cause the transition.

[0167] - Step St11 - In step St11 of FIG. 8, the setting unit 103 and the reception unit 104 are configured to set the content of a character string and the attribute information of the character string for each printing block Pb based on a user input for the job editing screen D4. 3 The job editing screen D4 is included in a setting screen for performing settings related to marking and constitutes a first setting screen for editing the content of the character string to be marked. 3

[0168] As illustrated in FIG. 14, the job editing screen D4 3 displays, as its main display items, a first switching tab I9 for transitioning to a setting screen for changing the character string of the selected printing block Pb, a second switching tab I10 for transitioning to a setting screen for determining the layout of the printing block Pb, and a third switching tab I11 for transitioning to a setting screen for inputting other detailed settings. The job editing screen D4 shown in FIG. 14 3 corresponds to the state where the first switching tab I9 is selected.

[0169] Also, on the job editing screen D4 3 there are displayed a twelfth display item I12 for accepting a switching operation to another printing block Pb, a thirteenth display item I13 for accepting an operation of selecting a format in the currently selected printing block Pb, a fourteenth display item I14 for accepting an operation of changing the character string of the printing block Pb according to the format selected via the thirteenth display item I13, and a completion button S10 for accepting an operation of completing the setting of the content of the character string and the attribute information of the character string. is being displayed.

[0170] 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 causes a calendar to be displayed on the display unit 102. The setting unit 103 and the reception unit 104 can set "date" as a character string based on user input to the calendar.

[0171] By accepting user input for the twelfth display item I12 to the fourteenth display item I14, the setting unit 103 and the reception unit 104 can newly set the character string of the printing block Pb or change the setting content later.

[0172] Also, on the job editing screen D4 3In the currently selected printing block Pb, a 15th display item I15 that accepts an operation for setting the size of the character string, a 16th display item I16 that accepts an operation for setting the character width of the character string, a 17th display item I17 and an 18th display item I18 that accept operations for setting parameters related to the arrangement of the character string such as the character spacing, and a 19th display item I19 that accepts an operation for setting the thickness of the character string are displayed.

[0173] By accepting user input for the 15th display item I15 to the 19th display item I19, the setting unit 103 and the reception unit 104 can newly set the attribute information of the printing block Pb or change the setting content later.

[0174] Job editing screen D4 3 When the 3rd switching tab I11 is operated on the job editing screen D4, the display control unit 105 switches from the job editing screen D4 3 to a detailed setting screen D4 that forms one of the operation screens, similar to the same screen D4 3 This transition causes the control process shown in FIG. 8 to proceed from step St11 to step St12. 4

[0175] - Step St12 - In step St12 of FIG. 8, the setting unit 103 and the reception unit 104 are configured to set the change rule Cl described with reference to FIG. 4 and other details for each printing block Pb based on user input for the detailed setting screen D4. 4

[0176] As illustrated in FIG. 15, on the detailed setting screen D4 4 rule switching buttons S11 for individually switching whether to permit setting changes of the character string for each printing block Pb when switching jobs are displayed. Based on user input for this rule switching button S11, the setting unit 103 can set the change rule Cl individually for each printing block Pb. For example, the state illustrated in FIG. 15 corresponds to a state where setting changes are permitted. Detailed setting screen D4​​4 In that it is possible to set the change rule Cl, it can be regarded as a setting screen for the change rule Cl.

[0177] In addition, for the detailed setting screen D4 4 when changing the settings of the printing block Pb performed at the time of job switching, a 20th display item I20 that accepts the input of a message to be displayed on the display unit 102, and whether only numerical input should be accepted at that time, etc., a 21st display item I21 for setting the input restriction of the character string in the setting change is displayed.

[0178] By entering a message in advance through the 20th display item I20, for example, at the time of job switching, the user can be prompted to make appropriate setting changes.

[0179] After that, when accepting the user input for the completion button S11, the setting unit 103 and the reception unit 104 complete the settings regarding each printing job Pj, each printing block Pb, and the switching of the printing job Pj. The settings thus made are stored in the storage device 120 for each printing job Pj. Along with the completion of the settings, the display control unit 105 transitions from the detailed setting screen D4 4 to a conveyance setting screen (not shown) for making settings regarding the conveyance of the workpiece W. Along with this transition, the control process shown in FIG. 8 proceeds from step St12 to step St13.

[0180] - Step St13 - In step St13 of FIG. 8, the setting unit 103 and the reception unit 104 are configured to make settings related to the conveyance of the workpiece W based on the user input for the conveyance setting screen. Also, the above-described job information can be set through this conveyance setting screen. The conveyance setting screen is included in a setting screen for making settings related to marking, and constitutes a second setting screen for making settings related to the conveyance of the workpiece W.

[0181] Specifically, the conveyance setting screen can accept settings such as intermittently stopping the work W and performing printing on the stopped work W (so-called "static printing"), performing printing while moving the work W (so-called "moving printing"), accepting settings regarding the conveyance speed of the work W, accepting settings regarding the aforementioned trigger delay, and accepting settings regarding the scanning speed of the laser beam. The settings thus accepted are stored in the storage device 120. Along with the completion of the settings, the display control unit 105 changes the display content from the conveyance setting screen to the home screen D4 or the job menu screen D4'. Along with this transition, the control process shown in FIG. 8 ends the process related to step St13 and proceeds from step St1 to step St2 in FIG. 7.

[0182] (Step St2) FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the process related to the switching of the printing job Pj and is a diagram showing the details of step St2 in FIG. 7. That is, step St2 in FIG. 7 corresponds to the steps St21 to St28 in FIG. 9 taken as one step. When job switching is not required, the control process skips step St2 and proceeds to step St3. The following explanation is based on the premise that job switching is performed.

[0183] Regarding the preview process described with reference to FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the reception of user input for accepting changes to the character string is executed when switching the printing job Pj. The flowchart shown in FIG. 9 also illustrates a specific example of the process related to the preview display.

[0184] In step St21, based on the user's operation input, the display control unit 105 causes the job menu screen D4' to be displayed on the display unit 102. In this case, on the setting plane R2, the currently selected printing job Pj will be displayed.

[0185] The setting unit 103 according to this embodiment is configured to execute development processing for the currently selected printing job Pj before the reception unit 104 receives a change in the character string. In other words, this setting unit 103 is configured to generate the first trajectory T1 described above in advance. Therefore, in this step St21, in the setting plane R2, the first trajectory T1 is preview-displayed in advance.

[0186] In the subsequent step St22, based on a user input for the seventh display item I7 on the job menu screen D4', the controller main body 100a selects one printing job Pj from the list of printing jobs Pj.

[0187] In the subsequent step St23, with the switching destination printing job Pj selected, the reception unit 104 receives a user input such as a tap operation or a click operation on the switching button S6 as the first switching button. The job menu screen D4' can be regarded as a switching screen that switches only the setting items (editing items) that can be changed via the job editing screen D4 as the first setting screen. 3

[0188] In the subsequent step St24, the reception unit 104 determines whether the switching destination printing job Pj includes a printing block Pb for which setting changes are permitted. This determination is made based on the change rule Cl stored in the storage device 120.

[0189] If the determination in step St24 is NO, the control process skips steps St25 to St27 and proceeds to step St28 to complete the switching of the printing job Pj. In this case, the controller main body 100a executes development processing on the data indicating the switched printing job Pj and generates development data corresponding to the printing job Pj.

[0190] ​On the other hand, when the determination in step St24 is YES, the control process proceeds from step St24 to step St25. In this case, the display control unit 105 changes the display content from the job menu screen D4' to the preview screen D4 which forms one of the operation screens in the same manner as the screen D4'. 5 to cause the display content to transition.

[0191] As illustrated in FIG. 16, on the preview screen D4 5 the main display items include a 22nd display item I22 that arranges and displays the print blocks Pb for which setting changes are permitted, a character string change button S13 that displays an edit screen for the print block Pb displayed in the 22nd display item I22, and a return button S12 that accepts an operation to return from the preview screen D4 5 to the job menu screen D4'. is being displayed.

[0192] In the 22nd display item I22, a message pre-entered through the 20th display item I20 is to be displayed. This message is displayed by the display control unit 105 and guides the character string change of each print block Pb for which setting changes are permitted in the change rule Cl. In the illustrated example, messages guiding the character string change, such as "Please enter the expiration date" and "Please enter the manufacturing unique number", are being displayed.

[0193] In step St25, when a user input is received for the character string change button S13, the display control unit 105 causes the display unit 102 to display an edit screen (not shown) that accepts the change of the character string. The reception unit 104 accepts the character string change of the print block Pb based on the user input to the edit screen.

[0194] Upon receiving a character string change, the setting unit 103 executes a development process on the printed block Pb after the change, and generates a trajectory of the laser beam corresponding to the printed block Pb, that is, the above-described second trajectory T2. Generation of the second trajectory T2 is performed only for the printed block Pb that has received the character string change, and the development process is not executed for the printed block Pb for which setting changes are not permitted and for the printed block Pb for which setting changes are permitted but the setting changes are incomplete.

[0195] Then, in the subsequent step St26, the display control unit 105 displays the trajectories of the laser beam before and after the change, that is, the first trajectory T1 and the second trajectory T2, side by side based on the character string and attribute information of the printed block Pb before and after the change.

[0196] Specifically, the preview screen D4 according to the present embodiment 5 displays, as further display items, a 23rd display item I23 that displays the first trajectory T1 and a 24th display item I24 that displays the second trajectory T2.

[0197] For example, in the example shown in FIG. 16, the character string has not been changed yet. In this case, the first trajectory T1 and the second trajectory T2 are the same. On the other hand, when the reception unit 104 receives user input to change the character string, the setting unit 103 executes a development process for the character string after the change and newly generates the second trajectory T2. After the generation of the second trajectory T2, the preview screen D4 5 transitions from the display mode shown in FIG. 16 to the display mode shown in FIG. 17. Along with this transition, the control process proceeds from step St24 to step St25.

[0198] Specifically, in the display mode shown in FIG. 17, as a result of changing the character string for the printed block Pb marked with T11, the first trajectory T1 corresponding to the character string before the change and the second trajectory T2 corresponding to the character string after the change are displayed side by side.

[0199] At that time, as shown in the printing block Pb marked with the symbol T21, the generation of the second locus T2 is performed in units of the printing block Pb. In the illustrated example, only the locus corresponding to the changed printing block Pb is highlighted in a color such as red or a display mode such as boldface. Also, as shown in the 22nd display item I22 on the upper side in FIG. 17, for the printing block Pb that has received the printing change, a check mark Mc is displayed along with a message guiding the character string change.

[0200] After that, in the subsequent step St27, when a user input such as a tap operation or a click operation is performed on the second switching button S15 shown in the lower right of the screens in FIGS. 16 to 18, the setting unit 103 completes the setting regarding the change of the character string and thus the job switching, and advances the control process from step St26 to step St27. As a result, the control process shown in FIG. 8 ends all the processes shown in the figure and proceeds from step St2 to step St3 in FIG. 7. Note that the second switching button S15 may be made operable in response to the character string being changed in all the printing blocks Pb for which the setting change is permitted.

[0201] Regarding step St27, the reception unit 104 according to the present embodiment is configured to permit the switching of the printing job Pj when the change of the character string in all the printing blocks Pb for which the setting change is permitted is received.

[0202] In the illustrated example, when the change of the character string is received for both the printing block Pb with the block ID "01" displayed on the upper side and the printing block Pb with the block ID "03" displayed on the lower side (when the above-described check mark Mc is displayed on both of the two printing blocks Pb), the user input for the second switching button S15 is permitted.

[0203] (Step St3) FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the processing related to the operation of the printing job Pj, and is a diagram showing the details of step St3 in FIG. 8. That is, step St3 in FIG. 8 corresponds to a single step representing steps St31 to St34 in FIG. 10.

[0204] First, in step St31, the controller main body 100a receives a user input such as a tap operation or a click operation on the switch button S3. In the subsequent step St32, the processing equipment 500 is operated through a control signal from the PLC 402 or the like, and the conveyance of the workpiece W is started. In the subsequent step St33, detection signals from the conveyance speed sensor 401, the mark detection sensor 403, etc. are input to the controller main body 100a. In the subsequent step St34, based on the start timing according to the input detection signal, the marking control unit 109 executes marking for each workpiece element We. As the trajectory that the laser beam should follow during this marking, the second trajectory T2 described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17 and the like is used.

[0205] <Regarding the preview display before and after the change> As shown in FIG. 6 and the like, the display control unit 105 according to the present embodiment causes the display unit 102 to display the first trajectory T1 related to the printing block Pb before the change and the second trajectory T2 related to the printing block Pb after the change based on the character string and the attribute information. According to this, it is possible to compare the trajectories before and after the change, and it is possible to suppress setting mistakes that may occur during the change.

[0206] Also, as in the detailed setting screen D4 shown in FIG. 15 4 By providing a user interface for setting the change rule Cl, the usability of the laser marking device L can be improved.

[0207] Also, as exemplified in the 22nd display item I22 in FIG. 17 and the like, it becomes possible to appropriately guide the setting change through the message displayed on the display unit 102. Thereby, setting mistakes such as character strings can be suppressed.

[0208] Also, as described with reference to FIG. 18 and the like, by permitting switching of the printing job Pj on the condition that a change in the character string has been accepted in all the print blocks Pb for which setting changes are permitted, it is possible to surely perform the switching of the printing job Pj without overlooking the setting changes. Thereby, the usability of the laser marking device L can be improved.

[0209] Also, as illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 18, by making the colors of different portions different between the first locus T1 and the second locus T2, this can be highlighted. Thereby, it becomes possible to more clearly show the influence of the setting change to the user.

[0210] At that time, the display control unit 105 according to the present embodiment can highlight different portions between the first locus T1 and the second locus T2 in units of the print blocks Pb. Since the setting changes themselves are made for each print block Pb, it becomes possible to more clearly show the differences between the print blocks Pb before and after the change to the user.

[0211] Also, at the time of preview display, by generating the first locus T1 in advance, it becomes possible to shorten the time required until the first and second loci T1, T2 are preview-displayed after the change in the character string. Thereby, the usability of the laser marking device L can be improved.

[0212] <Other Embodiments> The reception unit 104 according to the above-described embodiment was configured to permit switching of the printing job Pb when a change in the character string in all the print blocks Pb for which setting changes are permitted has been accepted, but the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration.

[0213] For example, the reception unit 104 may be configured to permit switching of the printing job Pb regardless of whether it has received a change to the character string in the printing block Pb for which setting changes are permitted. In this case, the second switching button S15 shown in FIG. 18 or the like can be operated at any timing regardless of the change status of the printing block Pb.

[0214] Also, although the setting unit 103 according to the above embodiment was configured to generate the first trajectory T1 in advance before the reception unit 104 receives a change to the character string, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration.

[0215] For example, the setting unit 103 may be configured to generate the first trajectory T1 after the reception unit 104 receives a change to the character string. In this case, among the plurality of printing blocks Pb that make up the printing job Pj, it is preferable to execute the expansion process only for the printing block Pb that has received the change, and to configure the other printing blocks Pb to use the same expansion data as the second trajectory T2.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0216] L Laser marking device 1 Marker head 2 Laser light generation unit 3 Laser light scanning unit 100 Marker controller 100a Controller main body 100b User terminal 105 Display control unit 109 Marking control unit Cl Change rule Pb Printing block Pj Printing job T1 First trajectory T2 Second trajectory W Workpiece

Claims

1. 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 on the surface of a workpiece, A laser marking device comprising a marking control unit that performs marking on the workpiece using laser light by controlling the laser light generation unit and the laser light scanning unit, A setting unit that sets a plurality of printing blocks in which a character string to be marked by the marking control unit and attribute information of the character string are respectively associated, and sets a change rule that defines whether or not to permit a setting change for each of the plurality of printing blocks, A reception unit that receives a user input for changing the character string of a printing block for which setting change is permitted based on the change rule set by the setting unit, A display control unit that causes a display unit to display a first locus that the laser light should follow when marking the character string before change and a second locus that the laser light should follow when marking the character string after change, based on the character string of the printing block for which the user input has been received by the reception unit and the attribute information associated with the character string, A laser marking device characterized by the above.

2. In the laser marking device according to Claim 1, The display control unit causes the display unit to display a setting screen for the change rule A laser marking device characterized by the above.

3. In the laser marking device according to Claim 2, The display control unit causes the display unit to display a message for guiding the character string change of each printing block for which the setting change is permitted A laser marking device characterized by the above.

4. In the laser marking device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, The reception unit executes reception of the user input when switching a printing job formed by grouping the plurality of printing blocks, The reception unit permits switching of the printing job when receiving changes to the character strings in all printing blocks for which the setting change is permitted A laser marking device characterized by the above.

5. In the laser marking device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, The reception unit executes reception of the user input when switching a printing job formed by grouping the plurality of printing blocks, The reception unit permits switching of the printing job regardless of whether or not it has received a change to the character string in the printing block for which the setting change has been permitted. A laser marking device characterized by the above.

6. In the laser marking device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, the display control unit causes the display unit to display, in a state where portions that are different between the first locus and the second locus are made to have different colors from portions that are the same between the first locus and the second locus, A laser marking device characterized by the above.

7. In the laser marking device according to Claim 6, for a printing block including a portion that is different between the first locus and the second locus, the display control unit causes the display unit to display the entire printing block in a state where the colors are different. A laser marking device characterized by the above.

8. In the laser marking device according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, the setting unit generates the first and second loci corresponding to the printing block based on the printing block set by the setting unit, and the setting unit generates the first locus before the reception unit receives a change to the character string. A laser marking device characterized by the above.

9. In the laser marking device according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, the setting unit generates the first and second loci corresponding to the printing block based on the printing block set by the setting unit, and the setting unit generates the first locus after the reception unit receives a change to the character string. A laser marking device characterized by the above.

10. In the laser marking device according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, the display control unit causes the first locus and the second locus to be simultaneously displayed on the same screen. A laser marking device characterized by the above.

11. In the laser marking device according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, the display control unit causes the first locus and the second locus to be displayed in an overlapping manner. A laser marking device characterized by the above.

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