Laser Plotter Block Sequencing to Reduce Engraving Striation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser plotters face issues with striation in engraving flat objects due to mechanical structure limitations, particularly with CO2 lasers, YAG lasers, and fiber lasers, leading to irregular vertical lines.
Innovation Solution
A method and laser plotter design where multiple lasers alternate on the workpiece, with a control unit adjusting a sequence control to prevent striation by processing in defined blocks with varying directions and pseudorandom patterns, reducing overlaps and free spaces, and optimizing the engraving sequence based on quality settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If line-by-line processing is used with standard mechanical carriage structure, then processing speed is maintained, but striation and irregular vertical lines occur in the engraved image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the engraving area into multiple blocks and processes them in an alternating sequence rather than continuous line-by-line processing. This segmentation allows the mechanical carriage to change direction less frequently, reducing the accumulation of mechanical play and preventing striation while maintaining reasonable processing speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-calculates and plans the optimal processing sequence for all blocks before actual engraving begins. The control system determines the best alternating block sequence in advance, optimizing the path to minimize direction changes and mechanical play accumulation, thereby preventing striation while maintaining efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If alternating block processing is used to prevent striation, then engraving quality improves, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system pre-calculates the optimal alternating block sequence before processing, determining the most efficient path that minimizes carriage direction changes and travel time. This preliminary optimization ensures that while alternating block processing is used to prevent striation, the additional processing time is minimized.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the processing sequence based on the specific engraving area and block configuration. The control system optimizes the alternating block pattern for each specific job, adapting the sequence to minimize unnecessary carriage movements and direction changes, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining quality improvement.
3Device complexity
If mechanical carriage structure is used for line-by-line engraving, then processing is simple, but mechanical play causes oscillation around the ideal line
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the engraving area into blocks and processing them in an alternating sequence, the patent reduces the total number of direction changes the mechanical carriage must make. This segmentation approach maintains the simple mechanical structure while minimizing the accumulation of mechanical play effects, as the carriage travels longer continuous paths within each block before reversing direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system pre-plans the optimal alternating block sequence to minimize carriage direction changes and travel distance. By calculating the best processing path in advance, the system optimizes the use of the simple mechanical structure, reducing the impact of mechanical play on line accuracy without requiring complex mechanical modifications.
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 approach significantly reduces striation in engraved images while maintaining a processing time close to standard line-by-line methods, allowing for high-quality engraving with adjustable quality settings, and can be implemented with commercially available laser plotters.
Implementation Method 1
In laser plotters, the laser light is sharply focused with a focusing lens. An extremely high-powered density is created in the focus of the laser beam, with which materials can be melted or evaporated, engraved, marked or inscribed.
Implementation Method 2
the laser light is sharply focused with a focusing lens. An extremely high-powered density is created in the focus of the laser beam
Implementation Method 3
An extremely high-powered density is created in the focus of the laser beam, with which materials can be melted or evaporated, engraved, marked or inscribed.
Data Source
AI summary
A described method includes engraving, marking and/or inscribing a workpiece using a laser plotter. In a housing of the laser plotter, one, preferably more, in particular two laser sources in the form of lasers have an effect preferably alternating on the workpiece to be processed. The workpiece is laid in a defined manner on a processing table and a laser beam emitted from the beam source is transmitted to at least one focusing unit via deflection elements and the laser beam is diverted toward the workpiece and focused for processing. A sequence control adapted to the quality of the engraving is determined and/or carried out by a control unit and the focusing unit on the carriage is controlled corresponding to the defined parameters of the sequence control.