Laser Marking Matrix Control Using Fixed and Variable Image Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-speed marking systems face challenges in adapting to changes in products or images, requiring the entire image to be processed each time, leading to increased modification and marking times.

Innovation Solution

The method divides images into fixed and variable portions, transforming them into respective matrices, which are combined to form a complete matrix for marking, allowing only the variable portion to be processed for changes, thereby reducing the need for complete data processing in each marking operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the entire image is processed in each marking operation, then the marking system can handle different product variations, but the modification time and marking time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to handle different product variationsVSAvoidmodification time and marking time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The image is divided into a fixed portion (common to all variations) and a variable portion (different for each variation). The fixed portion is processed once and stored, while only the variable portion is reprocessed for each new product variation, significantly reducing the processing time while maintaining full adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the entire image data is processed for each marking operation, then complete accuracy is achieved, but the processing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarking accuracyVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixed portion of the image is processed in advance and the results are stored in memory. When a new marking operation is required, the system retrieves the pre-processed fixed portion and combines it with the newly processed variable portion, ensuring complete accuracy while dramatically improving processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the laser marking system processes complete image data for each variation, then the marking quality is maintained, but the output speed reduces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarking qualityVSAvoidoutput speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The image data is segmented into fixed and variable portions. The fixed portion is processed once and reused across multiple marking operations, while only the variable portion requires reprocessing. This segmentation maintains marking quality by ensuring all necessary data is included, while significantly increasing output speed by eliminating redundant processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 optimization reduces modification and marking times, enabling efficient marking of different variations without increasing overall marking time, and improves system control and output speed.

Implementation Method 1

uses a laser beam from at least one laser diode for each dot in an N or N x M matrix

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

Said laser beams or light beams are subject to spatial phase modulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight: Light

Implementation Method 3

which angularly deflects the individual light beams by means of micro-mirrors and then concentrates the selected signals on the object to be marked

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3251783B9Procedure for controlling a laser marking matrix system and laser marking matrix system
Publication Date: 2022.09.21 MACSA ID
  • EP3251783B9 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3251783B9 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3251783B9 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method of controlling a laser marking matrix system, the matrix system comprising an N x M matrix of lasers to produce the laser marking, the method comprising the sequential transformation of at least two images to be marked into a series of marking commands according to an N x M matrix of dots, which comprises the following phases: - division of a first image into a fixed portion and a variable portion, - transformation of the fixed portion into a fixed matrix and the variable portion into a variable matrix, - combination of said fixed and variable matrices, - laser marking of the first image, - processing of a second image, obtaining a new variable matrix which is added to the previous fixed matrix, producing a complete new matrix, - laser marking of the second image.