Multi-Laser Region Control for High-Quality Surface Marking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laser irradiation technologies face challenges in achieving high-quality pattern formation on surfaces with high productivity, particularly in forming intricate designs like characters, barcodes, and images on transparent materials like PET bottles without the use of labels, while maintaining efficiency and accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A laser irradiation apparatus comprising multiple irradiation units and a controller that precisely control non-overlapping irradiation regions on a surface, using laser beams to create patterns by forming concave and convex portions with controlled dot sizes and arrangements, enhancing surface roughness and visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple laser beams are used to irradiate different regions simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but pattern quality may deteriorate due to potential overlapping and interference

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidpattern quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the base surface into multiple non-overlapping irradiation regions, with each region being irradiated by a separate laser beam. The controller coordinates the laser beams to operate simultaneously on different segments of the base, achieving high-speed marking without pattern interference. This segmentation allows parallel processing while maintaining pattern quality in each region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent arranges multiple irradiation units to irradiate different spatial regions on the base surface simultaneously. By utilizing the spatial dimension and distributing laser beams across non-overlapping areas, the system achieves parallel processing without interference, thereby improving productivity while maintaining pattern quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If laser beam irradiation is applied to form intricate patterns, then pattern quality is improved, but processing time increases reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern qualityVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the intricate pattern into multiple sub-regions that can be irradiated simultaneously by different laser beams. Each laser beam forms patterns in its designated non-overlapping region, allowing complex overall patterns to be created through parallel processing of simpler sub-patterns, thus improving productivity without sacrificing pattern quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple laser irradiation operations into a single coordinated process. Multiple laser beams operate simultaneously on different regions of the base, and the controller merges their operations to achieve high-speed marking of intricate patterns. This combining of parallel operations reduces total processing time while maintaining pattern quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enables the formation of higher-quality patterns with improved productivity by ensuring precise control over laser beam application, resulting in enhanced visibility and contrast without the need for labels, thus optimizing the process for surface marking on containers.

Implementation Method 1

multiple irradiation units (310, 320, 330) each to emit a laser beam to a surface of a base (1a) to form a pattern

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser irradiation: Laser

Implementation Method 2

irradiate only a first irradiation region on a surface of a base (1a) with the first laser beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser heating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4083569B1Laser irradiation apparatus and method
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP4083569B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4083569B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4083569B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A laser irradiation apparatus (500) includes: multiple irradiation units (310,320,330) each to emit a laser beam to a surface of a base to form a pattern, the multiple irradiation units, including: a first irradiation unit (310) to emit a first laser beam; and a second irradiation unit (320) to emit a second laser beam; and a controller (400) to: control the first irradiation unit (310) to irradiate only a first irradiation region on a surface of a base with the first laser beam; and control the second irradiation unit (320) to irradiate only a second irradiation region on the surface of the base with the second laser beam. The first irradiation region and the second irradiation region are not overlapping each other.