Laser plotter and method for operating a laser plotter, in particular a flatbed laser plotter

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a laser plotter (1), in particular a flatbed laser plotter, for performing at least one job (2) for cutting, engraving, marking, and / or inscribing a preferably flat workpiece (3), said laser plotter forming at least one housing (4) with a processing chamber (5) for positioning a workpiece (3) on a processing table (7). The laser plotter has at least one radiation source (8) in the form of a laser (9) and a control unit (10) for controlling the slide (11) which is operated preferably by means of a belt drive and has a focusing unit (12) or a laser head (12) movably arranged thereon. The control unit (10) is designed to divide the maximum possible processing area of the processing table (7) into a plurality of virtual regions, in particular areas (21), and allocating same into section / logical processing regions (26) on which jobs (2) can be performed which can be carried out on different workpieces (3) and different materials using different parameters / settings according to the specification of the job (2).

Description

[0001] I

[0002] Laser plotter and method for operating a laser plotter, in particular a

[0003] Flatbed laser plotters

[0004] The invention relates to a laser plotter for processing a job for cutting, engraving, marking and / or inscribing a preferably flat workpiece and a method for operating a laser plotter as described in claims 1 and 10.

[0005] Flatbed laser systems are known from the prior art and are equipped with a belt-driven carriage on which a focusing unit or laser head is also adjustable. Preferably, flat workpieces such as paper, boards, textiles, etc. are processed using a laser, in particular a laser beam. In the laser plotter, a beam source in the form of a laser is inserted in a housing, which acts on the workpiece to be processed. The workpiece is placed on the processing table in a processing space, and a laser beam emitted by the beam source is sent via deflection elements to a focusing unit or laser head. The laser head deflects the laser beam towards the workpiece and focuses it for processing.A control unit controls the position of the workpiece through running software, allowing the workpiece to be machined line by line by adjusting a carriage, preferably via a belt drive, in the XY direction. An engraving can be created by removing material line by line, and a cutting process can be performed by traversing a predetermined geometry (not line by line), preferably using vectors (lines and curves of a geometry). At least one extraction device is provided to extract the exhaust gases or vapors generated during processing.

[0006] In this case, WO 2021 / 159158 A1 discloses a possibility provided by the applicant in which an extraction bar is arranged between the carriage and a processing surface of the processing space for extracting the exhaust gases or vapors generated during the processing of the workpiece by a laser beam.

[0007] Such laser plotters have the disadvantage that workpieces made of different materials have to be inserted and processed one after the other, which always requires the job to be adjusted or reloaded.

[0008] The object of the invention is to create a laser plotter and a method in which, on the one hand, the above-mentioned disadvantages are avoided and, on the other hand, the operation of the laser plotter is simplified.

[0009] The object is achieved by the invention, in particular by independent claims 1 and 10. Advantageous embodiments and measures are described in the subclaims.

[0010] The object of the invention is achieved by a laser plotter in which the control unit is designed to divide a maximum possible processing area of ​​the processing table into several virtual areas, in particular areas, and to assign them into sections / logical processing areas, to which jobs can be applied with different parameters / settings on different workpieces and different materials depending on the specifications of the job.

[0011] The advantage here is that for the first time it is possible to place different workpieces made of different materials on the machining table and process them preferably in a continuous machining process. This is possible because the individual areas are viewed as separate tables, so that each table is assigned its own job. Another advantage is that the jobs to be processed are combined in one machining process and thus the entire machining table with the individual tables / areas is processed without interruption, i.e. the inserted workpieces are preferably processed without interruption. It has proven advantageous here if workpiece is processed one after the other, because this means that the laser head height does not have to be constantly adjusted to the workpiece height.

[0012] It is advantageous to have the control unit configured to generate a processing process from the jobs for the virtual processing areas, especially areas. This eliminates the need to manually start the next job after each job; instead, a processing process is created for all jobs that automatically processes the individual jobs one after the other.

[0013] A design in which each area is assigned a safety zone is advantageous. This zone is inactive when at least two areas are combined in this area, enabling continuous processing. This ensures that the formation of the safety zone prevents a collision of the laser head with the adjacent workpiece, as the laser head is not allowed to process into the safety zone. However, if two areas are combined into one area to create a larger table, the safety zone bordering the two areas is automatically deactivated to enable processing across the entire area.

[0014] It is advantageous to have a training program that involves connecting an external component, especially a laptop, to control the laser plotter or create the job(s). This allows for easy control, parameterization, etc. of the laser plotter. A custom software application, such as Ruby, can also run on the external component, simplifying management, creation, and parameterization.

[0015] It is advantageous to have a training program where one or more sections can be selected on the external component, especially on the laptop, which then correspondingly select and activate the virtual areas on the laser plotter. This makes it easy to select virtual areas. For example, by single-clicking or double-clicking a section, this section can be enlarged in the software to create text or a graphic and set the corresponding parameters, such as material thickness, material type, laser power, processing type, etc. This makes it easy to create a job for a section. Of course, this function is also available via the internal control unit.

[0016] It is advantageous to have a design that allows multiple virtual areas, especially areas, to be assigned to a section on the external component, especially a laptop. This allows for larger areas to be created for larger workpieces, while still allowing the different sections to be loaded with different workpieces made of different materials.

[0017] A design that allows for so-called tandem operation is advantageous. A safety shield running through the processing table separates the processing area of ​​the laser or laser plotter from the unloading / loading area. This allows both halves of the table to be processed, loaded, or unloaded alternately in tandem operation. However, the table surface can also be divided into areas / sections, allowing workpieces made of different materials to be processed in a single process even in tandem operation.

[0018] A design that defines fixed / stop points on the maximum processing area, particularly the four corners of the processing table, for the respective virtual area, especially the area, as the initial starting point for the sections / logical processing areas, is advantageous. This ensures that each area has a corner area where the workpiece can be positioned, thus creating a simple starting point for the laser.

[0019] It is advantageous to have training that allows the actual starting points in the individual sections / virtual machining areas to be set relative to the respective initial starting point before starting the machining process from multiple jobs. This allows for individual adjustment of the starting point.

[0020] However, the object of the invention is also achieved by a method for operating a laser plotter, in particular a flatbed laser plotter, in which the maximum possible processing area of ​​the processing table is divided into several virtual areas, in particular areas, and assigned by the control unit into sections / logical processing areas, to which jobs are applied with different parameters / settings on different workpieces and different materials depending on the specifications of the job.

[0021] The advantage here is that for the first time, it is possible to machine different workpieces made of different materials in a single machining process. A further advantage is that the machining table can be divided individually. Measures in which a common machining process is generated by the control unit or external component, particularly a laptop, from the assigned jobs per section / logical machining area, especially area, are advantageous. This ensures that the entire machining table can be machined in a single work step or move, i.e., without a break, even with different workpieces made of different materials.

[0022] Advantageous measures include providing each area / virtual machining area with a safety zone that is deactivated when at least two areas are combined to form a section within that area, creating a continuous machining area within that section / logical machining area on the machining table. This allows for individual adjustment of the table layout.

[0023] Measures that connect an external component, particularly a laptop, to the laser plotter for controlling the laser plotter or creating the job(s) are advantageous. This provides a simple way to achieve the best possible control of the laser plotter.

[0024] Advantageous measures include defining sections on the external component, especially on the laptop, which then select, connect, and activate the virtual areas on the laser plotter. This creates a simple way to customize the processing table. This is also possible via the laser plotter's control unit.

[0025] Advantageous measures include fixed / stop points on the maximum machining area, particularly the four corners of the machining table, that define the starting point for the respective virtual area, especially the area. This ensures that each area also has a defined starting point where the workpiece can be easily positioned.

[0026] Advantageous are the measures in which a so-called tandem operation is selected for the laser plotter, in which a safety shield is activated, which separates two sections, each consisting of virtual areas from one side of the I

[0027] The sections are configured with shielding, shielding them from each other to ensure safe loading and unloading of the sections during machining. This ensures that one half of the machining table can always be loaded while the other half performs the machining process.

[0028] It is advantageous to set the starting points in the individual virtual machining areas before starting the machining process from multiple jobs. This creates a flexible option.

[0029] Finally, the measures that automatically focus on a defined point before starting the machining process from multiple jobs are advantageous. This allows an individual starting point to be defined for each section / area.

[0030] The invention is described below in the form of exemplary embodiments, whereby it is pointed out that the invention is not limited to the illustrated and described exemplary embodiments or solutions.

[0031] They show:

[0032] Fig.1 is a simplified, schematic representation of a laser plotter processing a workpiece with the safety shield extended;

[0033] Fig. 2 a plan view of the machining table with dashed areas, in a simplified, schematic representation;

[0034] Fig. 3 is a front view of an external component with the user software for configuring a laser plotter according to Figure 1, in a simplified, schematic representation;

[0035] Fig. 4 is a front view of an external component with the application software and activated four virtual sections, in a simplified, schematic representation;

[0036] Fig. 5 shows a simplified, schematic front view of an external component with the application software and three activated virtual sections; Fig. 6 shows a simplified, schematic front view of an external component with the application software and two activated virtual sections;

[0037] Fig. 7 is a simplified schematic front view of an external component with the application software and three virtual sections activated in tandem operation;

[0038] Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of the laser plotter with four areas and inserted workpieces, in a simplified, schematic representation;

[0039] Fig. 9 is a simplified, schematic representation of the laser plotter in tandem operation with three areas and only half-loaded processing table;

[0040] Fig.10 is a simplified, schematic representation of the laser plotter in tandem operation with three areas and with a fully loaded processing table.

[0041] By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the various embodiments, identical parts are provided with identical reference symbols or component designations, whereby the disclosures contained in the entire description can be applied mutatis mutandis to identical parts with identical reference symbols or component designations. Furthermore, the positional information chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refers to the described figure and, if the position changes, is to be applied mutatis mutandis to the new position. Individual features or combinations of features from the illustrated and described embodiments can also represent independent inventive solutions in their own right.

[0042] Figures 1 to 10 show a laser machine or a laser plotter 1, in particular a flatbed laser plotter 1, wherein the laser plotter 1 is designed to process one or more jobs 2 in the form of a machining process for cutting, engraving, marking and / or labeling a preferably flat workpiece 3.

[0043] The laser plotter 1 has a housing 4, wherein all elements, such as drives, electronics, laser source, etc., are integrated in the housing 4, so that the laser plotter 1 can be operated as a stand-alone device. The laser plotter 1 has at least one processing space 5 for positioning the workpiece 3 on a processing surface 6 of a processing table 7. Furthermore, the laser plotter 1 has at least one radiation source 8 in the form of a laser 9 and a control unit 10 for controlling the carriage 11, which is preferably operated via a belt drive and has a laser head 12 or focusing unit 12 arranged thereon so that it can move. The laser head 12 is provided with a cover 12a. The control unit 10 is also responsible for other functions, such as suction, positioning, sensors, etc.

[0044] For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that the laser plotter 1 is or can be equipped with connections or lines 13 for power supply or for connection to the intranet and / or internet 14, as shown schematically. It is possible to connect to external components 15, such as a laptop 15a or computer, an automatic feed unit, a conveyor belt, a removal robot, etc., directly via an interface or line or wirelessly via the intranet and / or internet 14, in particular a cloud, or via WLAN or Bluetooth. Data for processing the workpiece 3 can be transmitted from the external component 15, in particular the laptop 15a, wherein said data is preferably sent in the form of a job 2(ad). In the embodiment of the stand-alone device according to Fig.1, the workpiece 3 is manually inserted and removed by an operator on the processing table 7 in the processing room 5, wherein a text and / or graphic 16 or a job 2, as was created, for example, on the laptop 15a, is then started via an operating unit 17 on the laser plotter 1 or directly from the external component 15, in particular the laptop 15a. A detailed description of the function of the laser plotter 1 and the processing of the workpiece 3 is omitted, since laser plotters 1 of this type are already known from the prior art. It is merely pointed out that this is a laser plotter 1 for processing so-called jobs 2 or graphics and / or text 16 for cutting, engraving, marking and / or labeling a preferably flat blank 3, in particular workpiece 3. The laser plotter 1 is used for workpiece thicknesses of preferably up to 100 mm, for example. The workpieces 3 orBlanks 3 are preferably processed from paper, boards, textiles, Plexiglas, wood, plastic, etc. It is essential for such laser plotters 1 that they have a processing space 5, in which a carriage 11, preferably operated by a belt drive, with a focusing unit 12 or laser head 12 that can be moved thereon, is moved. For this purpose, a laser beam 18 is directed from the radiation source 8, in particular laser 9, as shown schematically, via deflection elements (not shown) to the focusing unit or laser head 12, from which the laser beam 18 is deflected and focused towards the workpiece 3, so that the blank 3 or workpiece 3 is processed, in particular engraved or cut, according to the job 2 or graphic and / or text 16 loaded into the control unit 10. It is advantageous if the laser plotter 1 is equipped with a safety shield 19, which, during a processing process, as shown in Fig.1 is visible, is activated and extended. This ensures that any reflected laser beams 18 can be intercepted and, at the same time, reaching into the processing space 5 is made more difficult or even impossible. Since exhaust gases or vapors, in particular smoke or gases or particles, are produced during the evaporation of material by the laser beam 18 when processing the various materials, it is necessary for the laser plotter 1 to have appropriate extraction. For this purpose, it is possible to attach an air guide disc 20 to the laser head 12 for better extraction.

[0045] According to the invention, it is now provided that the maximum machining table 7 is divided into several physical machining areas or areas 21, as shown in Figure 2 with dashed lines, which are managed by the control unit 10. Preferably, in the illustrated embodiment, four areas 21ad are defined, as shown in Figure 2 with dashed lines, with each area 21ad being assigned various functions or parameters, such as buttons, safety pins, sensors, etc. Furthermore, the areas 21 also have a safety area 22a-d, as shown with a dash-dotted line and hatching, so that the laser head 12 with possibly attached air guide disc 20 does not crash or move against a workpiece 3 when machining two different areas 21ad with workpieces 3 of different heights, i.e.that the laser head 12 can only process the individual areas 21 ad with the laser beam 18 within the safety area 22 ad, thereby ensuring that the laser head 12 does not protrude into the processing area of ​​another area 21 ad, as schematically shown with dashed lines in area 21 a. Furthermore, the individual areas 21 ad also have a fixed / stop point, in particular a starting point 23a-d, as schematically shown with a circle in Fig. 2, for the processing of a workpiece 3. The starting points 23a-d are formed by the outer edges of the processing table 7, so that the workpiece 3 can be positioned accordingly. This ensures that each area 21 ad has a defined point or stop for the workpiece 3 to start a processing process. Of course, a different starting point 23a-d for inserted workpieces 3a-d is also possible, which can be individually set.

[0046] It can therefore be said that the control unit 10 divides the machining table 7 into physical areas / machining areas or areas 21 ad and corresponding functions or parameters are assigned to these areas 21 ad.

[0047] In order for these physical areas 21 ad to be addressed or configured, corresponding software settings are necessary, as shown by way of example in Figures 3 to 7. For this purpose, Figures 3 to 7 show an external component 15, in particular a laptop 15a, on which a software application 24, in particular the applicant's "Ruby" software, is opened and schematically illustrated.

[0048] Figure 3 shows the application / configuration for the laser plotter 1 according to Figure 1, wherein the graphic 16 and / or the text 16 is shown in the display area 25. The entire display area 25 is defined as an entire surface / table, so that the four virtual areas 21 ad merge into a single large area 21, i.e., the laser head 12 can now be applied and used across the entire processing table 7, thus ignoring the safety area 22 between the areas 21 ad.

[0049] Furthermore, it is also possible for the display area 25 to be divided into several sections 26 or for several sections 26 to be arranged and displayed one behind the other. For this purpose, for example, in Figure 4, the display area 25 of the software 24 is divided into four sections 26a-d. This now makes it possible for four different machining processes to be generated and executed on a laser machine, in particular laser plotter 1, as will be shown and described later. By selecting four sections 26a-d in the software 24, four different graphics / texts 16a-d can also be generated or loaded.

[0050] Corresponding to the four sections 26a-d, the four areas 21 ad of the machining table 7 are also activated and used during a machining process, so that four workpieces 3a-d can be inserted, as shown in Figure 8. In principle, as many sections 26a-d as there are areas 21 ad available are possible, since one section 26 corresponds to one area 21, although the sections 26a-d and areas 21 ad can be combined or summarized, as described below by way of example.

[0051] It has proven advantageous to select and define the number of sections 26, whereupon the individual sections 26 can be enlarged by simply clicking on them, so that only this section 26 can be created or edited, and at the same time, the other parameters and functions for this section 26 can be set. The enlarged view can then be closed, and an overview of all sections 26, in this case four sections 26a-d, is again visible.

[0052] Figure 5 shows an application of the software 24 with three activated sections 26a, c, and d, wherein the sections 26a and b are combined to form one section 26a / b, i.e., correspondingly, the areas 21a and 21b also merge to form one area 21a / b, and the safety area 22 between the areas 21a and b is not active, whereas the safety areas 22 in the areas 21c and 21d and 21a / b to 21c and 21a / b to 21d are fully activated again. This creates one large area (section 26a / b, area 21a / b) on the machining table 7 and two smaller areas (sections 26c and 26d, areas 21c and 21d) on the machining table 7, into which several, in particular three, workpieces 3 can be inserted.

[0053] Figure 6 shows an embodiment with two sections 26a / b and 26c / d, where sections 26a and b and sections 26c and d are each connected to form one section 26a / b and 26c / d. Alternatively (not shown), sections 26a and c and sections b and d could also be connected to form one section 26a / c and 26b / d, and other possible variants exist. Correspondingly, areas 21a and b are again controlled during a machining process.

[0054] Furthermore, a so-called tandem operation 27 can also be set, as shown schematically in Figure 7. In tandem operation 27, the safety shield 19a, which divides the processing table 7, is raised in the processing table 7 so that the laser head 12 together with the carriage 11 can process the workpiece 3 on one side and the second half of the processing table 7 can be loaded with workpieces 7, for which purpose the lateral safety shields 19 on the corresponding side can be retracted. If the second half is loaded and the safety shields 19 are extended again, this is detected by the control unit 10. Preferably, after the processing process in the other half has been completed, the middle safety shield 19a is then retracted again and the carriage 11 switches to the other half, whereupon the middle safety shield 19a is closed or opened again.is started up, and the second half can be processed, as shown, for example, in Figs. 1 and 10. Thus, the first half can then be reloaded. This tandem operation 27 is, for example, entered in the display area 25 with two solid lines, so that the sections 26a-d can also be selected or activated. Figure 7 shows, as an example, a tandem operation 27 with three sections 26a / b and 26c and 26d, as also shown in Figure 5.

[0055] Figure 8 now shows an application of the laser plotter 1 with four sections 26 (26a-d) according to laptop 15a as an example, so that the processing table 7 is also configured with four virtual areas 21 (21a-d), as described, for example, in Figure 4. For example, on the external component 15, in particular on the laptop 15a, the software 24 was first opened and the texts or graphics 16a-d created or loaded. In addition, further parameters, such as laser power, workpiece material, material thickness, etc., can or must be set in the software 24 for each section 26a-d. Alternatively, individual or all jobs 2a-d can be loaded or sent directly to the laser plotter 1. The user can subsequently or previously insert a wide variety of workpieces 3a-d made of a wide variety of materials and thicknesses (as shown).For the first time, it has been possible to insert workpieces 3a-d made of different materials, such as aluminum (workpiece 3a), wood (workpiece 3b), leather (workpiece 3c) and acrylic (workpiece 3d), since correspondingly independent jobs 2a-d are or were sent, from which the control unit 10 subsequently creates an entire machining process for the different areas 21 ad.

[0056] Preferably, each workpiece 3a-d is processed separately, i.e., workpiece 3a is processed first, then workpiece 3b, followed by workpiece 3c and finally workpiece 3d. This ensures that, with workpieces 3a-d of different thicknesses, as shown, the laser head 12, in particular the focusing of the laser beam 18, is only set or adjusted at the beginning of the processing of the workpiece 3a-d. Since in laser plotters 1 of this type the material height or thickness of the workpiece 3a-d is set, i.e. focused, by the height of the laser head 12, the processing table 7 is fixed and the laser head 12 changes the distance to the processing surface 6 or is adjusted to the workpiece surface. The safety area 22 is important so that the laser head 12 cannot move into a thick workpiece 3b, as shown with workpiece 3b.The safety area 22 ensures that the laser head 12 is only adjusted to such an extent that it does not move beyond the area or beyond the virtual area 21, or only moves slightly, in accordance with the further safety area 22, so that the laser head 12 cannot hit or move against a thicker material in the adjacent area 21.

[0057] In the same way, the laser plotter 1 can be configured for other virtual areas 21 (ad), which are defined via the selected sections 26(ad) according to Figures 3 to 7. As a further exemplary embodiment, Figures 9 and 10 show the tandem operation 27 according to Figure 7, i.e., in the software, particularly in Ruby, three sections 26ab, c, and d have been defined in tandem operation 27, and the corresponding jobs 2a / b, c, and d have been created. Furthermore, it can be seen that the table half, separating safety shield 19a, and the outer circumferential safety shield 19 in Figure 9 are only extended for one table half, so that the workpieces 3c and 3d can still be loaded. In Figure 10, the processing table 7 is fully loaded, and all safety shields 19 and 19a are extended.

[0058] The carriage 11 is located on the side of areas 21 a / b and machines this area, whereby the further area / areas 21 c, d can be loaded for the next machining operation, as shown in Figure 9, or has already been loaded, as shown in Figure 10. As soon as the first half of the table has been machined, the carriage 11 changes to the other half of the table with areas 21 c and d, by retracting the separating safety shield 19 a and the carriage 11 changes to the other side, so that the safety shield 19 a is then extended again and the first half of the table can be loaded, while the second half of the table is machined. It can now be seen that when the sections 26 a / b or areas 21 a / b are folded together, the entire width of the machining table 7 can be used, whereas when the sections 26 c and d orIn areas 21c and d, only half the table width is available, but two workpieces 3c and 3d made of different materials can be machined. For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that workpieces 3 made of the same material can also be defined and inserted in the individual areas 21ad or sections 26a-d.

[0059] Furthermore, it is possible to define an individual starting point 23 for each area 21 and section 26, for example, by manually adjusting and confirming / saving the laser head 12 for each active area 21 / section 26. The machining process can then be started.

[0060] Furthermore, it is possible that when jobs 2 (ad) are transmitted for the defined areas 21 (ad)Zsections 26(ad), these are combined into a single job 2. This means that, for example, with four defined sections 26a-d for the four corresponding areas 21 ad, not four jobs 2a-d are transmitted, but only one job 2 containing the four jobs 2. Thus, the control unit 10 only needs to convert this one job 2 into a processing process and, after processing has started, process it. In principle, the processing process can be formed by the job(s) 2. This applies to the entire description.

[0061] Basically, it can therefore be said that a laser plotter 1, in particular a flatbed laser plotter, for processing at least one job 2 for cutting, engraving, marking and / or inscribing a preferably flat workpiece 3, which forms at least one housing 4 with a processing space 5 for positioning a workpiece 3 on a processing table 7, said housing having at least one radiation source 8 in the form of a laser 9 and a control unit 10 for controlling the carriage 11, which is preferably operated via a belt drive and has a focusing unit 12 or 13 arranged thereon so as to be movable.Laser head 12, wherein the control unit 10 is designed to divide a maximum possible processing area of ​​the processing table 7 into several virtual areas, in particular areas 21, and to assign them into sections / logical processing areas 26, to which jobs 2 can be applied with different parameters / settings on different workpieces 3 and different materials depending on the specifications of job 2.It can therefore be said that the control unit 10 is designed to divide the processing table 7 into several, in particular two, three, four, or more virtual processing areas, in particular areas 21, and that the control unit 10 can assign a separate job 2 with different parameters / settings to each virtual processing area, in particular area 21, so that different workpieces 3 made of different materials can be inserted into the virtual processing areas, in particular areas 21, on the processing table 7, depending on the specifications of the job 2. Likewise, a corresponding method for operating a laser plotter 1, in particular a flatbed laser plotter, for processing preferably flat workpieces 3 for at least one job 2 to be processed for cutting, engraving, marking and / or labeling a workpiece 3 orBlank 3, in which at least one beam source 8 in the form of a laser 9 is used in a housing 4 of the laser plotter 1, which acts on the workpiece 3 to be processed, wherein the workpiece 3 is deposited in a defined manner in a processing space 5 and a laser beam 18 emitted by the beam source 8 is directed via deflection elements to a focusing unit 12 orLaser head 12 is sent from which the laser beam 18 is deflected in the direction of the workpiece 3 and focused for processing, wherein via a control unit 10, in particular the position control to the workpiece 3 is carried out by running software, so that the workpiece 3 is preferably processed line by line by adjusting a carriage 11 via preferably a belt drive in the XY direction, wherein the maximum possible processing area of ​​the processing table 7 is divided into several virtual areas, in particular areas 21, and assigned by the control unit 10 into sections / logical processing areas 26, to which jobs 2 are applied with different parameters / settings on different workpieces 3 and different materials depending on the specifications of job 2.It can also be said that the machining table 7 is divided into several, in particular two, three, four, or more virtual machining areas, in particular areas 21, wherein each virtual machining area, in particular area 21, is assigned a separate job 2 with preferably different parameters / settings, so that in the virtual machining areas, in particular areas 21, different workpieces 3 made of different materials are placed on the machining table 7 depending on the specifications of the job 2.

[0062] In the described inventive solution, a physically existing work surface (processing table 7) of a machine (laser plotter 1) is divided into delimited logical work areas (areas 21). The logical work areas (areas 21) can be independently loaded with material (workpieces 3) and processing specifications, and their processing can be started. To this end, the mechanical, fluid mechanics, electrical, software, and safety-related structure must be designed to enable high-quality, efficient, and safe processing within the logical work area (areas 21). This now also makes it possible for the first time for different workpieces 3 made of different materials to be inserted and processed in one machining process.

[0063] Furthermore, it is possible for one or more sections 26 to be selectable on the external component 15, in particular on the laptop 15a, which correspondingly select and activate the virtual areas 21 on the laser plotter 1, and for one or more sections 26 to be selectable on the operator unit 17, which correspondingly select and activate the virtual areas 21 on the laser plotter 1. It should be noted that all settings, administration, creation, and parameterization can be performed via the external component 15 as well as via the operator unit 17 arranged on the laser plotter 1. For the sake of clarity, it should finally be pointed out that, for the sake of better understanding, the structure of the laser plotter 1 and its components or parts are partially not to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size, and above all, are only shown schematically.

Claims

P a t e n t a n s p r ü c h e :

1. Laser plotter (1), in particular a flatbed laser plotter, for processing at least one job (2) for cutting, engraving, marking and / or inscribing a preferably flat workpiece (3), which comprises at least one housing (4) with a processing space (5) for positioning a workpiece (3) on a processing table (7), said housing comprising at least one radiation source (8) in the form of a laser (9) and a control unit (10) for controlling the carriage (11), which is preferably operated via a belt drive and has a focusing unit (12) or focusing device (14) arranged thereon so as to be movable.Laser head (12), characterized in that the control unit (10) is designed to divide a maximum possible processing area of the processing table (7) into several virtual areas, in particular areas (21), and to assign them into sections / logical processing areas (26), on which jobs (2) with different parameters / settings on different workpieces (3) and different materials can be applied depending on the specifications of the job (2).

2. Laser plotter (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (10) is designed to generate a machining process from the jobs (2) for the virtual machining areas, in particular areas (21).

3. Laser plotter (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each area (21) is assigned a safety area (22) which is inactive when at least two areas (21) are combined in this area in order to enable continuous processing.

4. Laser plotter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an external component (15), in particular a laptop (15a), is connected or connected to control the laser plotter (1) or to create the job(s) (2).

5. Laser plotter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the external component (15), in particular on the laptop (15a), one or more sections (26) can be selected, which correspondingly select and activate the virtual areas (21) on the laser plotter (1).

6. Laser plotter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several virtual areas, in particular areas (21), can be assigned to the external component (15), in particular laptop (15a), or operator unit (17) of a section (26).

7. Laser plotter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a so-called tandem operation (27) is possible, in which a safety shield (19a) running through the processing table (7) separates the processing area of the laser (9) or laser plotter (1) from the removal / loading area.

8. Laser plotter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that fixed / stop points on the maximum processing area, in particular the four corners of the processing table (7), for the respective virtual area, in particular area (21) are also defined as the initial starting point (23) for the sections / logical processing areas (21).

9. Laser plotter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that before the start of the processing process from several jobs, the actual starting points in the individual sections / logical processing areas can be set relative to the respective initial starting point.

10. Method for operating a laser plotter (1), in particular a flatbed laser plotter, for processing preferably flat workpieces (3) for at least one job (2) to be processed for cutting, engraving, marking and / or inscribing a workpiece (3) or blank (3), in which at least one beam source (8) in the form of a laser (9) is used in a housing (4) of the laser plotter (1), which beam source acts on the workpiece (3) to be processed, wherein the workpiece (3) is deposited in a defined manner in a processing space (5) and a laser beam (18) emitted by the beam source (8) is sent via deflection elements to a focusing unit (12) or laser head (12), from which the laser beam (18) is deflected in the direction of the workpiece (3) and focused for processing, wherein a control unit (10), in particular the position control for Workpiece (3) is carried out by running software, so that the workpiece (3) is preferably machined line by line by adjusting a carriage (11) via preferably a belt drive in the XY direction, characterized in that the maximum possible machining area of the machining table (7) is divided into several virtual areas, in particular areas (21), and is assigned by the control unit (10) into sections / logical machining areas (26), to which jobs (2) with different parameters / settings are applied to different workpieces (3) and different materials depending on the specifications of the job (2).

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that a common processing process is generated from the assigned jobs (2) per section / logical processing area (26), in particular area (21), by the control unit (10) or the external component (15), in particular laptop (15a).

12. Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that each area / virtual processing area (21) has a safety area (22) which is deactivated when at least two areas (21) are combined to form a section (26) in this area in order to create a continuous processing area within this section / logical processing area (26) on the processing table (7).

13. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an external component (15), in particular a laptop (15a), is connected to the laser plotter (1) for controlling the laser plotter (1) or for creating the job(s) (2).

14. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that sections (26) are defined on the external component (15), in particular on the laptop (15a), which sections select, connect and activate the virtual areas (21) on the laser plotter (1) accordingly.

15. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that fixed / stop points on the maximum processing area, in particular the four corners of the processing table (7), for the respective virtual area, in particular area (21) define the starting point (23) for the area (21).

16. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a so-called tandem operation (27) is selected for the laser plotter (1 ), in which a safety shield (19a) is activated, which two sections, each consisting of virtual areas / areas (21 ) from one side of the Shielding is configured to shield each other in order to ensure that the sections can be loaded and unloaded during production.

17. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that before the start of the machining process from multiple jobs, the actual starting points in the individual sections / logical machining areas are set relative to the respective initial starting point.

18. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that before the start of the machining process from multiple jobs, the focus is automatically set to a defined point.

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