Laser Marker Trigger Queueing for Close Workpiece Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In laser processing devices, the interval between workpieces must be greater than the distance between the trigger sensor and the laser marker to prevent detection errors, leading to increased processing time and cost when handling multiple workpieces.
Innovation Solution
A laser processing device with a trigger sensor, encoder, and FIFO memory that uses a free running counter to store and read out trigger timing count values to accurately determine the position of each workpiece and initiate printing operations, allowing for reduced intervals between workpieces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the interval between workpieces is set to be greater than the distance d between the trigger sensor and the laser marker device, then detection errors due to smoke adhesion are prevented, but the processing time and processing cost increase when handling multiple workpieces
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing trigger signals and their corresponding timing information in a queue memory before processing. When a trigger signal is received, the system stores the workpiece detection timing in the queue without immediately processing, allowing subsequent workpieces to be detected and stored in advance. This preliminary storage of detection data enables the system to process multiple workpieces in sequence without waiting for each processing operation to complete before detecting the next workpiece, thereby reducing the interval between workpieces while maintaining detection accuracy.
2Productivity
If the interval between workpieces is reduced to equal to or less than the distance d, then processing time and processing cost decrease, but trigger signals from subsequent workpieces are canceled and detection errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the processing of trigger signals by introducing a queue memory structure that separates signal reception from signal processing. Each trigger signal is independently stored in the queue with its timing information, allowing the system to handle multiple trigger signals simultaneously without cancellation. The processing control unit then retrieves and processes these segmented signals in sequence, ensuring that each workpiece is properly identified and processed even when intervals are reduced to equal to or less than distance d.
3Measurement precision
If multiple workpieces are processed sequentially with large intervals, then accurate position recognition is maintained, but the total processing time for multiple workpieces increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by enabling the trigger sensor to continuously detect and store trigger signals from multiple workpieces without interruption. While one workpiece is being processed, the system continues to receive and store trigger signals for subsequent workpieces in the queue memory. This continuous detection and storage operation eliminates idle time between workpiece detections, allowing the system to process multiple workpieces in parallel preparation stages, thereby reducing total processing time while maintaining position recognition accuracy through precise timing information storage.
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 configuration enables efficient and cost-effective printing processing for multiple workpieces by accurately recognizing workpiece positions and initiating printing operations, thereby shortening processing time.
Implementation Method 1
a trigger sensor 3 for optically detecting each of the workpieces A to C
Implementation Method 2
An encoder 4 for detecting a transfer position of each workpiece is disposed on the belt conveyor 2
Implementation Method 3
the workpiece is irradiated with laser light L at the timing when each workpiece moves to a printing position
Implementation Method 4
printing or drawing processing is performed
Data Source
AI summary
A laser marker device (11) includes: a free running counter (16) configured to output a free count value (Cf) obtained by counting the number of pulses of a pulse signal; a FIFO memory (15) configured to sequentially store the free count value as a trigger timing count value every time a trigger signal (tr) is output from a trigger sensor (13); a printing control unit (17, 18) configured to sequentially read out the trigger timing count value from the memory in order of storage, recognize a position of a workpiece to be printed next, and perform printing processing with respect to the workpiece if the workpiece is conveyed to the printing position.