Laser focusing control method and apparatus

Abstract

A laser focusing control method and apparatus. The method comprises the following steps: recording laser marking information of a laser of a laser marking device at a plurality of positions of different heights, so as to obtain a plurality of marking position information; and, on the basis of the plurality of marking position information, acquiring the focal length position of the laser automatically, and driving the laser to the focal length position. The present technical solution can solve the technical problems that existing laser marking devices generally use a manual focusing mode for focus adjustment, time and labor are wasted, the adjusting precision is low, and the adjustment level is greatly influenced by experience, such that consistent marking quality cannot be ensured.

Description

Laser focusing control method and device

[0001] This application is based on and claims priority to the Chinese patent application with application number CN202410378530.3 and application date March 29, 2024. The entire contents of the application are hereby introduced as a whole into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the technical field of laser focus control, and in particular to a method and device for laser focus control. Background Art

[0003] Currently, in the field of laser marking, to ensure that the laser's focal point falls precisely on the surface of the object being marked, it is necessary to use a laser to mark metal sheets, while also determining whether the focal length is appropriate based on the clarity of the resulting mark. Existing laser marking equipment typically uses manual focusing to adjust the focus, i.e., finding the laser's focal length by manually controlling axis movement and observing the focus. However, in actual application, this method has been found to be not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, with low adjustment accuracy, but also highly influenced by experience, making it difficult to ensure consistent marking quality. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a method and device for laser focusing control, which aims to solve the technical problem that existing laser marking equipment usually uses manual focusing to adjust the focus, which is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, with low adjustment accuracy, but also the adjustment level is greatly affected by experience, making it difficult to ensure uniform marking quality.

[0005] To this end, a first embodiment of the present application provides a method for laser focus control, which is applied to a laser marking device, and the method includes the following steps:

[0006] Recording information of laser marking performed by the laser of the laser marking device at multiple positions at different heights to obtain multiple marking position information;

[0007] According to the multiple marking position information, the focal position of the laser is automatically obtained, and the laser is driven to the focal position. The marking position information includes height information and spot size information. The height information is the vertical distance information between the laser and the metal marking plane, and the spot size information is the diameter information of the spot projected by the laser on the metal marking plane.

[0008] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the step of recording information of laser marking performed by the laser of the laser marking device at multiple positions at different heights to obtain multiple marking position information includes:

[0009] The position of the laser is gradually adjusted according to preset height intervals, so that the position of the laser is adjusted from the highest position to the lowest position;

[0010] Each time the laser is adjusted to a new position, the laser is controlled to perform a laser marking operation on the metal marking plane, and the height information and the spot size information are automatically recorded.

[0011] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the step of gradually adjusting the position of the laser at preset height intervals so that the position of the laser is adjusted from the highest position to the lowest position includes:

[0012] The lifting power mechanism is controlled to drive the laser to perform a step-by-step descending motion, so that each time the position of the laser is adjusted, it descends by the preset height interval until it is adjusted from the highest position to the lowest position.

[0013] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, each time the laser is adjusted to a new position, the step of controlling the laser to perform a laser marking operation on the metal marking plane and automatically recording the height information and the spot size information includes:

[0014] Each time the laser is adjusted to a new position, the laser is controlled to perform a laser marking operation on the metal marking plane, and the CCD detection mechanism is controlled to collect an image of the light spot projected by the laser on the metal marking plane during the laser marking operation, so as to obtain and automatically record the height information and the light spot size information.

[0015] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the step of recording information of laser marking performed by the laser of the laser marking device at multiple positions at different heights to obtain multiple marking position information includes:

[0016] The position of the laser is gradually adjusted according to preset height intervals, so that the position of the laser is adjusted from the lowest position to the highest position;

[0017] Each time the laser is adjusted to a new position, the laser is controlled to perform a laser marking operation on the metal marking plane, and the height information and the spot size information are automatically recorded.

[0018] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the step of gradually adjusting the position of the laser at preset height intervals so that the position of the laser is adjusted from the lowest position to the highest position includes:

[0019] The lifting power mechanism is controlled to drive the laser to perform step-by-step ascending motion, so that the position of the laser rises by the preset height interval each time the position is adjusted until it is adjusted from the lowest position to the highest position.

[0020] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, each time the laser is adjusted to a new position, the step of controlling the laser to perform a laser marking operation on the metal marking plane and automatically recording the height information and the spot size information includes:

[0021] Each time the laser is adjusted to a new position, the laser is controlled to perform a laser marking operation on the metal marking plane, and the CCD detection mechanism is controlled to collect an image of the light spot projected by the laser on the metal marking plane during the laser marking operation, so as to obtain and automatically record the height information and the light spot size information.

[0022] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the step of automatically acquiring the focal position of the laser according to the plurality of marking position information and driving the laser to the focal position includes:

[0023] performing a size comparison on the light spot size information in the plurality of marking position information to find the smallest one among the plurality of light spot size information;

[0024] The height information in the marking position information corresponding to the smallest one is set as the focal position of the laser, and the laser is driven to the focal position.

[0025] In addition, the second aspect of the present application provides a laser focusing control device, including a CCD detection mechanism, a lifting power mechanism, a memory, a processor, and a program stored in the memory and running on the processor, the processor is electrically connected to the CCD detection mechanism and the lifting power mechanism, respectively, the lifting power mechanism is used to drive the laser of the laser marking equipment to move away from or closer to the metal marking plane in a direction perpendicular to the metal marking plane, and the steps of the above method are implemented when the program is executed by the processor.

[0026] The laser focus control method and device provided by the technical solution of this application first records the laser marking information of the laser marking device at multiple positions at different heights before the laser marking device performs laser marking, thereby obtaining multiple marking position information. Based on the multiple marking position information, the focal position of the laser is then automatically determined and the laser is driven to the focal position. In this way, the focusing operation of the laser marking device can be automatically completed through the above technical solution. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0028] FIG1 is a flowchart of a method for controlling laser focus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] FIG2 is a flowchart of step S110 of the laser focus control method shown in FIG1 ;

[0030] FIG3 is another flowchart of step S110 of the laser focus control method shown in FIG1 ;

[0031] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of step S120 of the laser focus control method shown in FIG. 1 .

[0032] The realization of the objectives, functional features and advantages of this application will be further explained in conjunction with embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0034] It should be noted that all directional indications in the embodiments of the present application are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the components in a certain specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0035] In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. in this application are for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the fact that they can be implemented by ordinary technicians in this field. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by this application.

[0036] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG1 , the present application provides a method for laser focus control, which may include the following steps:

[0037] Step S110: Recording information of laser marking performed by a laser of a laser marking device at multiple positions at different heights to obtain multiple marking position information.

[0038] It is understood that the laser focus control method of the embodiment of the present application is mainly used in laser marking equipment to ensure that the laser focus position of the laser marking equipment falls exactly on the surface of the object to be marked when the laser is performing laser marking, thereby ensuring the quality and effect of the laser marking. To this end, the steps of this method record the information of the laser marking of the laser of the laser marking equipment at multiple positions at different heights to obtain multiple marking position information. That is, after automatically adjusting the position of the laser of the laser marking equipment to positions at different heights, controlling the laser to perform at least one laser marking operation at each position, and recording the corresponding height information and spot size information to obtain a marking position information. Therefore, the above-mentioned marking position information may specifically include height information and spot size information. The height information is specifically the vertical distance information between the laser and the metal marking plane, and the spot size information is specifically the diameter information of the spot projected by the laser on the metal marking plane. The above-mentioned metal marking plane refers to a metal sheet placed directly below the laser so that the metal marking plane is formed by the upper surface of the metal sheet. When the laser performs laser marking at each position, the laser light can scan a straight line onto the upper surface of the metal sheet (i.e., the metal marking plane). The image recognition mechanism then detects the spot size and records the corresponding height information and spot size information to obtain marking position information.

[0039] Step S120: Automatically obtain the focal position of the laser according to the multiple marking position information, and drive the laser to the focal position.

[0040] It can be understood that after obtaining multiple marking position information through the above method steps, the focal position of the laser can be automatically obtained according to the multiple marking position information, and the laser can be driven to the focal position, that is, after finding the focal position of the laser by comparing the multiple marking position information, the laser is driven to the focal position to complete the automatic focusing operation of the laser of the laser marking equipment.

[0041] In this way, the laser focusing control method provided in the embodiment of the present application can automatically complete the focusing operation of the laser of the laser marking device through the above-mentioned technical solution. Compared with the manual focusing method, it improves the efficiency of finding the focal position of the laser of the laser marking device, so that the focus quality of the laser of the laser marking device can be guaranteed. At the same time, since the focus quality is guaranteed, the marking quality and process effect of the product by the laser marking device are also greatly improved.

[0042] In some examples, as shown in FIG2 , the process of executing the above method step of “recording information of laser marking performed by a laser marking device at multiple positions at different heights to obtain multiple marking position information” is as follows:

[0043] Step S111: gradually adjusting the position of the laser according to preset height intervals, so that the position of the laser is adjusted from the highest position to the lowest position.

[0044] It is understood that in order to ensure that the focal position of the laser of the laser marking equipment can be quickly and accurately found, and to facilitate the automatic adjustment of the position of the laser at different heights, the position of the laser can be gradually adjusted according to preset height intervals, so that the position of the laser is adjusted from the highest position to the lowest position. Furthermore, the specific process is as follows: the lifting power mechanism is controlled to drive the laser to perform a step-by-step downward movement, so that the position of the laser is lowered by a preset height interval each time it is adjusted, until it is adjusted from the highest position to the lowest position. The highest position mentioned above specifically refers to the extreme position at which the lifting power mechanism performs an upward operation on the laser, at which the vertical distance between the laser and the metal marking plane is the largest. The lowest position mentioned above specifically refers to the extreme position at which the lifting power mechanism performs a downward operation on the laser, at which the vertical distance between the laser and the metal marking plane is the smallest. By first adjusting the position of the laser to the highest position, and then lowering the height of the laser position by a preset height interval each time, and finally adjusting the position of the laser to the lowest position, the entire position adjustment operation is completed. This can achieve rapid position adjustment of the laser while ensuring that the laser does not miss every possible focal position. The specific value of the above-mentioned preset height interval can be adaptively adjusted according to the accuracy of the focal length position actually found. Generally speaking, the smaller the value, the higher the accuracy of the focal length position found and the better the focusing effect. However, the smaller the value, the more adjusted position information will be, which will affect the efficiency of automatic focusing. Therefore, it is necessary to balance the needs of the two. Generally, a value of 0.1mm~0.3mm is preferred to ensure a good focusing effect while minimizing its impact on focusing efficiency.

[0045] Step S112: Every time the laser is adjusted to a new position, the laser is controlled to perform a laser marking operation on the metal marking plane, and the height information and the spot size information are automatically recorded.

[0046] It is understood that when the laser is adjusted according to the above method and steps, each time the laser is adjusted to a new position, the laser can be controlled to perform a laser marking operation on the metal marking surface, and the height information and spot size information can be automatically recorded. Furthermore, the specific process is as follows: each time the laser is adjusted to a new position, the laser can be controlled to perform a laser marking operation on the metal marking surface, and the CCD detection mechanism can be controlled to capture an image of the spot projected by the laser on the metal marking surface during the laser marking operation, thereby obtaining and automatically recording the height information and spot size information.

[0047] In this way, the above method steps can be used to better record the information of laser marking by the laser of the laser marking equipment at multiple positions at different heights to obtain multiple marking position information, so as to facilitate the subsequent automatic acquisition of the focal length position of the laser based on these marking position information.

[0048] In some examples, as shown in FIG3 , the process of executing the above method step of “recording information of laser marking performed by a laser marking device at multiple positions at different heights to obtain multiple marking position information” is as follows:

[0049] Step S211: gradually adjusting the position of the laser according to preset height intervals, so that the position of the laser is adjusted from the lowest position to the highest position.

[0050] It is understood that in order to ensure that the focal position of the laser of the laser marking equipment can be quickly and accurately found, and to facilitate the automatic adjustment of the position of the laser at different heights, the position of the laser can be gradually adjusted according to preset height intervals, so that the position of the laser is adjusted from the lowest position to the highest position. Furthermore, the specific process is as follows: the lifting power mechanism is controlled to drive the laser to perform a step-by-step upward movement, so that the position of the laser is increased by a preset height interval each time it is adjusted, until it is adjusted from the lowest position to the highest position. The highest position mentioned above specifically refers to the extreme position at which the lifting power mechanism performs an upward operation on the laser, at which point the vertical distance between the laser and the metal marking plane is the largest. The lowest position mentioned above specifically refers to the extreme position at which the lifting power mechanism performs a downward operation on the laser, at which point the vertical distance between the laser and the metal marking plane is the smallest. By first adjusting the position of the laser to the lowest position, and then raising the height of the laser position by a preset height interval each time, and finally adjusting the position of the laser to the highest position to complete the entire position adjustment operation, the laser position can be quickly adjusted while ensuring that the laser does not miss every possible focal position. The specific value of the above-mentioned preset height interval can be adaptively adjusted according to the accuracy of the focal length position actually found. Generally speaking, the smaller the value, the higher the accuracy of the focal length position found and the better the focusing effect. However, the smaller the value, the more adjusted position information will be, which will affect the efficiency of automatic focusing. Therefore, it is necessary to balance the needs of the two. Generally, a value of 0.1mm~0.3mm is preferred to ensure a good focusing effect while minimizing its impact on focusing efficiency.

[0051] Step S212: Every time the laser is adjusted to a new position, the laser is controlled to perform a laser marking operation on the metal marking plane, and the height information and the spot size information are automatically recorded.

[0052] It is understood that when the laser is adjusted according to the above method and steps, each time the laser is adjusted to a new position, the laser can be controlled to perform a laser marking operation on the metal marking surface, and the height information and spot size information can be automatically recorded. Furthermore, the specific process is as follows: each time the laser is adjusted to a new position, the laser can be controlled to perform a laser marking operation on the metal marking surface, and the CCD detection mechanism can be controlled to capture an image of the spot projected by the laser on the metal marking surface during the laser marking operation, thereby obtaining and automatically recording the height information and spot size information.

[0053] In this way, the above method steps can be used to better record the information of laser marking by the laser of the laser marking equipment at multiple positions at different heights to obtain multiple marking position information, so as to facilitate the subsequent automatic acquisition of the focal length position of the laser based on these marking position information.

[0054] In some examples, as shown in FIG4 , the process of executing the above method step of “automatically obtaining the focal position of the laser according to the plurality of marking position information and driving the laser to the focal position” is as follows:

[0055] Step S121 : performing size comparison on the light spot size information in the plurality of marking position information to find the smallest one among the plurality of light spot size information.

[0056] It can be understood that, based on the above description, each marking position information can specifically include height information and spot size information. The height information specifically refers to the vertical distance between the laser and the metal marking plane, and the spot size information specifically refers to the diameter of the spot projected by the laser on the metal marking plane. Generally speaking, when the laser is at the focal position, the diameter of the spot projected on the metal marking plane is the smallest. Therefore, to obtain the focal position of the laser, the spot size information in multiple marking position information should first be compared to find the smallest spot size among the multiple spot sizes.

[0057] Step S122: setting the height information in the marking position information corresponding to the smallest one as the focal position of the laser, and driving the laser to the focal position.

[0058] It is understandable that after finding the smallest of the multiple spot size information through the above method steps, the height information in the marking position information corresponding to the smallest can be directly set as the focal position of the laser, and the laser can be driven to the focal position.

[0059] In this way, the above method and steps can be used to automatically find the focal position of the laser according to the multiple marking position information, so as to better complete the laser automatic focusing process of the laser marking equipment.

[0060] In one embodiment, the embodiment of the present application provides a device for laser focusing control, which may specifically include a CCD detection mechanism, a lifting power mechanism, a memory, a processor, and a program stored in the memory and running on the processor. The processor is electrically connected to the CCD detection mechanism and the lifting power mechanism, respectively. The lifting power mechanism is used to drive the laser of the laser marking equipment to move away from or closer to the metal marking plane in a direction perpendicular to the metal marking plane. When the program is executed by the processor, the steps of the laser focusing control method in the above embodiment are implemented.

[0061] It should be noted that when the lifting power mechanism drives the laser of the laser marking device to rise, the laser moves away from the metal marking plane in a direction perpendicular to the metal marking plane. When the lifting power mechanism drives the laser of the laser marking device to descend, the laser moves toward the metal marking plane in a direction perpendicular to the metal marking plane. The above-mentioned laser focus control device and the above-mentioned laser focus control method embodiment are based on the same concept. The specific implementation process is detailed in the above-mentioned laser focus control method embodiment. The technical features of the above-mentioned laser focus control method embodiment are also applicable to the present laser focus control device embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0062] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and does not limit the patent scope of the present application. All equivalent structural transformations made by using the contents of the present application description and drawings under the inventive concept of the present application, or direct / indirect application in other related technical fields are included in the patent protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A laser focus control method, applied to laser marking equipment, characterized in that: The method comprises the following steps: Recording information of laser marking performed by the laser of the laser marking device at multiple positions at different heights to obtain multiple marking position information; According to the multiple marking position information, the focal position of the laser is automatically obtained, and the laser is driven to the focal position. The marking position information includes height information and spot size information. The height information is the vertical distance information between the laser and the metal marking plane, and the spot size information is the diameter information of the spot projected by the laser on the metal marking plane.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The step of recording the information of laser marking performed by the laser of the laser marking device at multiple positions at different heights to obtain multiple marking position information includes: The position of the laser is gradually adjusted according to preset height intervals, so that the position of the laser is adjusted from the highest position to the lowest position; Each time the laser is adjusted to a new position, the laser is controlled to perform a laser marking operation on the metal marking plane, and the height information and the spot size information are automatically recorded.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein The step of gradually adjusting the position of the laser at preset height intervals so that the position of the laser is adjusted from the highest position to the lowest position includes: The lifting power mechanism is controlled to drive the laser to perform a step-by-step descending motion, so that each time the position of the laser is adjusted, it descends by the preset height interval until it is adjusted from the highest position to the lowest position.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein The step of controlling the laser to perform a laser marking operation on the metal marking plane and automatically recording the height information and the spot size information each time the laser is adjusted to a new position includes: Each time the laser is adjusted to a new position, the laser is controlled to perform a laser marking operation on the metal marking plane, and the CCD detection mechanism is controlled to collect an image of the light spot projected by the laser on the metal marking plane during the laser marking operation, so as to obtain and automatically record the height information and the light spot size information.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein The step of recording the information of laser marking performed by the laser of the laser marking device at multiple positions at different heights to obtain multiple marking position information includes: The position of the laser is gradually adjusted according to preset height intervals, so that the position of the laser is adjusted from the lowest position to the highest position; Each time the laser is adjusted to a new position, the laser is controlled to perform a laser marking operation on the metal marking plane, and the height information and the spot size information are automatically recorded.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein The step of gradually adjusting the position of the laser according to the preset height intervals so that the position of the laser is adjusted from the lowest position to the highest position includes: The lifting power mechanism is controlled to drive the laser to perform step-by-step ascending motion, so that the position of the laser rises by the preset height interval each time the position is adjusted until it is adjusted from the lowest position to the highest position.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein The step of controlling the laser to perform a laser marking operation on the metal marking plane and automatically recording the height information and the spot size information each time the laser is adjusted to a new position includes: Each time the laser is adjusted to a new position, the laser is controlled to perform a laser marking operation on the metal marking plane, and the CCD detection mechanism is controlled to collect an image of the light spot projected by the laser on the metal marking plane during the laser marking operation, so as to obtain and automatically record the height information and the light spot size information.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The step of automatically acquiring the focal position of the laser according to the plurality of marking position information and driving the laser to the focal position includes: performing a size comparison on the light spot size information in the plurality of marking position information to find the smallest one among the plurality of light spot size information; The height information in the marking position information corresponding to the smallest one is set as the focal position of the laser, and the laser is driven to the focal position.

9. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein: The highest position is the limit position of the lifting power mechanism for the laser to be raised, and the lowest position is the limit position of the lifting power mechanism for the laser to be lowered.

10. A laser focus control device, characterized in that: The system comprises a CCD detection mechanism, a lifting power mechanism, a memory, a processor, and a program stored in the memory and running on the processor, wherein the processor is electrically connected to the CCD detection mechanism and the lifting power mechanism, respectively, and the lifting power mechanism is used to drive the laser of the laser marking device to move away from or close to the metal marking plane in a direction perpendicular to the metal marking plane. When the program is executed by the processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 are implemented.

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