Unified Laser Job Control Across Plotter and Galvo Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser devices, such as laser plotters and galvo marking lasers, require separate job creations for different devices due to distinct position and movement control systems, leading to increased complexity and user unfriendliness, as users must set different parameters for each device type.
Innovation Solution
A central operator software that allows users to create jobs for both laser plotter and galvo marking lasers using a unified interface, where parameters like material type, thickness, and engraving depth are set, with the software determining the necessary movement parameters and laser settings, including power and speed, based on the selected laser type, thereby reducing the need for multiple software interfaces and minimizing setup errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate job creation software is used for laser plotters and galvo marking lasers, then each device can be optimized for its specific control system, but the complexity of operation increases and user-friendliness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control software is designed to universally support both laser plotter and galvo marking laser devices through a single interface. The software automatically detects the device type and adapts its functionality accordingly, allowing users to operate both device types without needing separate software packages, thus reducing operational complexity while maintaining device-specific optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The software dynamically adjusts control parameters based on the detected device type. When a laser plotter is detected, the software applies movement control parameters suitable for carriage-based systems; when a galvo marking laser is detected, it switches to angular adjustment parameters for mirror-based systems. This automatic parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability through device-specific optimization while improving ease of operation through a unified interface
2Manufacturing precision
If device-specific software interfaces are used, then precise control for each device type is achieved, but the time required for job setup and parameter configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The software performs preliminary device detection and configuration upon startup or when a new device is connected. It automatically identifies whether a laser plotter or galvo marking laser is present and pre-configures the appropriate control parameters, movement systems, and interface settings. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual parameter configuration, reducing job setup time while maintaining precise control through device-appropriate settings
Solution Approach 2:
The control software automatically detects the device type and self-configures the appropriate control parameters without requiring user intervention. The software serves itself by identifying the connected device (laser plotter or galvo marking laser) and automatically loading the correct control algorithms, movement parameters, and interface configurations, thereby reducing setup time while ensuring manufacturing precision through device-specific optimization
3Reliability
If multiple separate software packages are used for different laser devices, then each software can be specialized for its device, but the overall system complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of separate control software packages for laser plotters and galvo marking lasers into a single unified software system. This unified software incorporates device detection capabilities that automatically identify the connected device type and activate the appropriate control module, thereby maintaining device-specific control reliability while reducing overall system complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate software packages
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution simplifies the process by allowing users to manage jobs for both laser types within a single software platform, reducing errors and increasing user-friendliness, while ensuring accurate processing by accounting for differing beam diameters and focusing units, thus enabling efficient processing across various laser devices.
Implementation Method 1
a laser beam emitted by the beam source and sent via deflecting elements to at least one focusing unit, from which the laser beam is deflected in the direction of the workpiece and focused for processing
Implementation Method 2
the laser beam is sharply focused by a focusing lens and deflected in the direction of the workpiece to be processed. Thus, in the focus of the laser beam an extremely high power density is produced
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for creating a job from a central operator software for various laser types, in particular a laser plotter or a galvo marking laser, for engraving, marking, lettering and/or cutting a preferably flat workpiece, in which at least one beam source in the form of a laser is used in a housing of the laser device for processing the workpiece. The workpiece is deposited in a defined manner in a processing chamber on a processing table and a laser beam emitted by the beam source is sent via deflecting elements to at least one focusing unit, by which the laser beam is deflected in the direction of the workpiece and positioned accordingly. The control is effected via control software running in a control unit, in which software a so-called job is processed.