JP5072281B2 - Laser processing apparatus, laser processing condition setting apparatus, laser processing method, laser processing condition setting method, laser processing condition setting program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a laser marking device or the like, a laser processing device that performs processing such as printing by irradiating a processing object with laser light, a laser processing condition setting device that sets processing conditions in the laser processing device, a laser processing condition setting method, The present invention relates to a laser processing condition setting program.

  The laser processing apparatus scans a laser beam within a predetermined region and irradiates the surface of a processing target (work) such as a component or product with a laser beam to perform processing such as printing or marking. An example of the configuration of the laser processing apparatus is shown in FIG. The laser processing apparatus shown in this figure includes a laser control unit 1, a laser output unit 2, and an input unit 3. The excitation light generated by the laser excitation unit 6 of the laser control unit 1 is irradiated to the laser medium 8 constituting the oscillator by the laser oscillation unit 50 of the laser output unit 2 to cause laser oscillation. The laser oscillation light is emitted from the emission end face of the laser medium 8, the beam diameter is enlarged by the beam expander 53, reflected by the optical member 54, and guided to the scanning unit 9. The scanning unit 9 reflects the laser beam L and polarizes it in a desired direction, and the laser beam L output from the condensing unit 15 is scanned on the surface of the workpiece W to perform processing such as printing.

  The laser processing apparatus includes a scanning unit 9 as shown in FIG. 2 in order to scan the laser output light on the workpiece. The scanning unit 9 includes X / Y-axis scanners 14a and 14b constituting a pair of galvanometer mirrors, and galvano motors 51a and 51b for rotating the galvanometer mirrors fixed to the rotation shafts. As shown in FIG. 2, the X / Y-axis scanners 14a and 14b are arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other, and can scan the laser beam by reflecting it in the X and Y directions. Further, a condensing unit 15 is provided below the scanning unit 9. The condensing part 15 is comprised with the condensing lens for condensing so that a working area may be irradiated with a laser beam, and an f (theta) lens is used.

On the other hand, not only a laser processing apparatus that performs processing in such a two-dimensional plane, but also laser processing that enables three-dimensional processing by adjusting the focal length of laser light in the height direction, that is, the Z-axis direction. Equipment has also been developed. FIG. 3 shows a laser processing apparatus that can change the focal length by adding a Z-axis scanner as an example of such a laser processing apparatus capable of three-dimensional processing. The Z-axis scanner includes an incident lens facing the laser oscillation unit side and an exit lens facing the laser exit side, and the lens is slid with a drive motor or the like to relatively change the distance between the lenses. The focal distance, that is, the working distance in the height direction can be adjusted.
JP 2000-202655 A

  In such a laser processing apparatus capable of three-dimensional processing, a laser beam is scanned based on three-dimensional laser processing data for processing. At this time, three-dimensional laser processing data can be easily created by associating the Z coordinate with the XY coordinate from the three-dimensional shape data of the workpiece. With such association, if the XY coordinates are obtained, the Z coordinates are determined. Therefore, the processing of the laser processing apparatus is simplified, and the three-dimensional coordinates can be easily obtained. At the time of processing, when the X-axis and Y-axis scanners are driven to move the XY coordinates of the scanning position of the laser light, the Z-axis scanner is driven and the Z coordinates are moved in accordance with this.

  On the other hand, in the laser processing apparatus, the response time of the scanner driving motor, that is, the time until the actual position (current angle) of the scanner and the control position (target angle) coincide with each other does not pass. Cannot be processed into position. The response characteristics of the scanner, that is, the response time required to actually complete the operation after the operation instruction is given to the scanner varies depending on the scanner. In particular, in a laser processing apparatus capable of three-dimensional processing having an X, Y, and Z axis scanner, the response characteristics of the Z axis scanner tend to be inferior as compared with the X and Y axis scanners. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, an X / Y-axis scanner scans with a mirror rotated by a galvano scanner, whereas a Z-axis scanner has a mechanism for translating the lens itself in the optical axis direction. For this reason, the Z-axis scanner is disadvantageous in response characteristics of the Z-axis scanner compared to the X / Y-axis scanner due to the operation mechanism that converts the rotational motion using the motor into the parallel movement. The Z-axis scanner can be driven by a cylinder, a piston or the like without using a motor, but this case is also disadvantageous in terms of response speed compared to the X / Y-axis scanner.

  Thus, the Z-axis scanner generally tends to have inferior response characteristics due to structural and structural differences from the X / Y-axis scanner. In this case, when the Z coordinate is associated with the XY coordinate in the three-dimensional control in the XYZ directions as described above, when the XY coordinate moves, that is, when the X / Y axis scanner moves, the Z coordinate, that is, the Z axis scanner also moves. Moving. For this reason, there is a problem that a waiting time is generated in the control of the scanner because the response time of the Z-axis scanner driving motor is delayed from the X / Y-axis scanner. In order to eliminate the waiting time, it is conceivable to reduce the response speed of the X / Y-axis scanner in accordance with the response speed of the Z-axis scanner, but in any case, the time required for processing becomes longer.

  The present invention has been made to solve such conventional problems. One object of the present invention is to provide a laser processing apparatus, a laser processing condition setting apparatus, a laser processing method, and a laser processing capable of reducing the loss due to the movement time of the Z-axis scanner and reducing the processing time required for the processing. The object is to provide a condition setting method and a laser processing condition setting program.

In order to achieve the above object, a laser processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention irradiates a processing target surface of a processing target disposed in a work area with a laser beam to process it into a desired processing pattern. A laser processing device capable of generating a laser beam and a laser beam scanning system for scanning a laser beam emitted from the laser oscillation unit in a work area formed from XY coordinates The incident lens and the exit lens are provided, and the incident lens and / or the exit lens are moved in parallel in a state where the optical axes of the entrance lens and the exit lens coincide with the optical axis of the laser light emitted from the laser oscillation unit. A Z-axis scanner capable of adjusting the focal length of laser light by changing the relative distance between the incident lens and the outgoing lens along these optical axes, and a laser that passes through the Z-axis scanner For scanning in the X-axis direction of the work area, an X-axis scanner having a motor for fixing and rotating the first mirror, or a second for scanning in the Y-axis direction. The Y-axis scanner equipped with a motor for fixing the mirror to the rotation shaft and rotating, and the laser beam scanned by the one scanner in the X-axis direction or Y-axis direction of the work area As a processing condition for processing into a desired processing pattern, a laser beam scanning system including the other scanner for scanning in the other axial direction, a laser control unit for controlling the laser oscillation unit and the laser beam scanning system The processing condition setting unit for setting the three-dimensional shape and the processing pattern of the processing target surface, and the correspondence relationship between the XY coordinate position and the Z coordinate position for storing the three-dimensional shape of the processing target surface in association with each other Memory When provided with a laser control unit, while turning ON the emission of the laser light, the movement of the XY direction by the rotation of the first mirror and the second mirror of one of the scanner and other scanners, Z The XY coordinates indicated by the X-axis and Y-axis scanners are made to follow the movement in the Z direction due to the parallel movement of the incident lens and / or the outgoing lens of the axial scanner in the optical axis direction and based on the correspondence stored in the storage unit. The Z-axis scanner is moved so as to indicate the corresponding Z-coordinate, while the laser control unit interrupts the tracking of the Z-axis scanner while the emission of the laser beam is turned off, regardless of the correspondence of the XY coordinates. It is configured to move to a predetermined Z coordinate position.

A laser processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is a laser processing apparatus capable of processing a processing target surface of a processing target disposed in a work area by irradiating laser light into a desired processing pattern, A laser oscillation unit for generating laser light, and a laser beam scanning system for scanning the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillation unit in the work area formed from the XY coordinates, includes an incident lens and an emission lens, In a state where the optical axes of the incident lens and the outgoing lens are aligned with the optical axis of the laser light emitted from the laser oscillating unit, the incident lens and / or the outgoing lens are moved in parallel to make the relative between the incident lens and the outgoing lens relatively The Z-axis scanner that can adjust the focal length of the laser beam by changing the distance along these optical axes, and the laser beam that passes through the Z-axis scanner run in the X-axis direction of the work area. The first mirror is fixed to the rotating shaft, and the X-axis scanner provided with a motor for rotating, or the second mirror for scanning in the Y-axis direction is fixed to the rotating shaft and rotated. One of the Y-axis scanners provided with a motor for performing the operation, and the other for scanning the laser beam scanned by one scanner in the X-axis direction of the work area or the other axial direction of the Y-axis direction A laser beam scanning system, a laser control unit for controlling the laser oscillation unit and the laser beam scanning system, and a three-dimensional shape and machining of a machining target surface as machining conditions for machining into a desired machining pattern A processing condition setting unit for setting a pattern, and the Z coordinate are adjusted so that the focal position of the laser beam at each XY coordinate position of the work area is constant, and the XY coordinate position and the adjusted Z coordinate position are associated with each other. And a storage unit for storing for laser control unit, while turning ON the emission of laser light, in the XY direction by the rotation of the first mirror and the second mirror of one of the scanner and other scanners The movement is made to follow the movement in the Z direction due to the parallel movement of the incident lens and / or the outgoing lens of the Z axis scanner in the optical axis direction, and based on the correspondence stored in the storage unit, the X axis and Y axis scanners The Z-axis scanner is moved so as to indicate the Z coordinate corresponding to the XY coordinate to be instructed, while the laser control unit interrupts the tracking of the Z-axis scanner while the laser beam emission is turned off, and the XY coordinate It can be configured to move to a predetermined Z coordinate position regardless of the correspondence.

  In the laser processing apparatus according to the third aspect of the invention, the laser control unit adjusts the Z-axis scanner so that the focal position becomes longer as the scanning position of the laser beam approaches the end of the working area, and the focal position in the working area Can be controlled to be substantially constant.

  In the laser processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the Z-axis scanner corresponds to the XY coordinates of the processing start position at which the laser beam emission is resumed next while the laser control unit turns off the emission of the laser beam. The Z coordinate can be acquired from the storage unit and moved to the Z coordinate.

  In the laser processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the predetermined Z coordinate position maintains the default Z coordinate position when the laser processing apparatus is activated, the Z coordinate when the laser beam emission is turned off, and then the laser beam. Can be any of the Z coordinates scheduled to turn on.

A laser processing apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a laser processing apparatus capable of processing a processing target surface of a processing target disposed in a work area by irradiating a laser beam into a desired processing pattern, A laser oscillation unit for generating laser light, and a laser beam scanning system for scanning the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillation unit in the work area formed from the XY coordinates, includes an incident lens and an emission lens, In a state where the optical axes of the incident lens and the outgoing lens are aligned with the optical axis of the laser light emitted from the laser oscillating unit, the incident lens and / or the outgoing lens are moved relative to each other to move the relative distance between the incoming lens and the outgoing lens. The Z-axis scanner that can adjust the focal length of the laser beam by changing the distance along these optical axes, and the laser beam that passes through the Z-axis scanner run in the X-axis direction of the work area. The first mirror is fixed to the rotating shaft, and the X-axis scanner provided with a motor for rotating, or the second mirror for scanning in the Y-axis direction is fixed to the rotating shaft and rotated. One of the Y-axis scanners provided with a motor for performing the operation, and the other for scanning the laser beam scanned by one scanner in the X-axis direction of the work area or the other axial direction of the Y-axis direction A laser beam scanning system, a condenser lens for condensing the laser beam scanned by the Y-axis scanner or the X-axis scanner so as to irradiate the work area, a laser oscillation unit, and a laser beam scanning system A laser control unit for controlling the machining, a machining condition setting unit for setting a three-dimensional shape and a machining pattern of a machining target surface as a machining condition for machining into a desired machining pattern, and a three-dimensional shape of the machining target surface In And a storage unit for storing the correspondence relationship between the XY coordinate position and the Z coordinate position in association with each other, the laser beam spot diameter is set to 50 μm or less, and the laser control unit turns on the emission of the laser beam. While moving , the first and second mirrors of one scanner and the other scanner move in the XY direction due to the rotation of the first and second mirrors, and the incident lens and / or the outgoing lens of the Z-axis scanner move in the optical axis direction. The Z-axis scanner is moved so as to indicate the Z-coordinate corresponding to the XY coordinates indicated by the X-axis and Y-axis scanner, based on the correspondence stored in the storage unit, following the movement in the Z direction by the parallel movement. On the other hand, while the laser control unit is turned off, the tracking of the Z-axis scanner is interrupted, and the laser control unit can be moved to a predetermined Z coordinate position regardless of the correspondence relationship of the XY coordinates.

A laser processing apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a laser processing apparatus capable of processing a processing target surface of a processing target disposed in a work area by irradiating a laser beam into a desired processing pattern, A laser oscillation unit for generating laser light, and a laser beam scanning system for scanning the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillation unit in the work area formed from the XY coordinates, includes an incident lens and an emission lens, In a state where the optical axes of the incident lens and the outgoing lens are aligned with the optical axis of the laser light emitted from the laser oscillating unit, the incident lens and / or the outgoing lens are moved relative to each other so that the The Z-axis scanner that can adjust the focal length of the laser beam by changing the distance along these optical axes, and the laser beam that passes through the Z-axis scanner run in the X-axis direction of the work area. The first mirror is fixed to the rotating shaft, and the X-axis scanner provided with a motor for rotating, or the second mirror for scanning in the Y-axis direction is fixed to the rotating shaft and rotated. One of the Y-axis scanners provided with a motor for performing the operation, and the other for scanning the laser beam scanned by one scanner in the X-axis direction of the work area or the other axial direction of the Y-axis direction A laser beam scanning system, a laser control unit for controlling the laser oscillation unit and the laser beam scanning system, and a three-dimensional shape and machining of a machining target surface as machining conditions for machining into a desired machining pattern A machining condition setting unit for setting a pattern, a machining data generation unit for generating laser machining data of a processing target surface, and a machining data generation unit according to the machining conditions set by the machining condition setting unit. A processing image display unit capable of displaying an image of the laser processing data in a two-dimensional and / or three-dimensional manner, and a processing condition setting unit further inputting a processing pattern as two-dimensional information; A processing surface profile input means for inputting profile information indicating the three-dimensional shape of the processing target surface, and the laser control unit associates the XY coordinates with the Z coordinates, and one scanner and the other scanner. The movement in the Z direction by the parallel movement of the incident lens and / or the outgoing lens of the Z-axis scanner in the X-axis direction following the movement in the XY direction by the rotation of the first mirror and the second mirror of A tracking function is provided to move the Z-coordinate corresponding to the XY coordinates designated by the axis and Y-axis scanners while the laser control unit is turning on the emission of the laser beam. While the tracking function of the Z-axis scanner is turned ON, the tracking function of the Z-axis scanner can be turned OFF while the laser beam emission is OFF.

A laser processing data setting device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes an incident lens and an exit lens, and the incident lens and / or the exit lens are parallel with the optical axes of the entrance lens and the exit lens being aligned with the optical axis of the laser beam. A Z-axis scanner capable of adjusting the focal length of the laser light by changing the relative distance between the incident lens and the outgoing lens along these optical axes by moving, and the laser light transmitted through the Z-axis scanner, An X-axis scanner provided with a motor for fixing and rotating the first mirror for rotating in the X-axis direction of the work area formed from the XY coordinates, or for scanning in the Y-axis direction The second mirror is fixed to the rotating shaft and either one of the Y-axis scanners having a motor for rotating and the laser beam scanned by the one scanner in the X-axis direction of the work area or Y A laser beam with respect to a processing target surface of a processing target disposed in a work area in a laser processing apparatus including a laser beam scanning system including a second scanner for scanning in the other axial direction Is a laser processing data setting device for setting processing data based on the desired processing pattern when processing into a desired processing pattern, and processing conditions are set as processing conditions for processing into the desired processing pattern. A machining condition setting unit for setting a three-dimensional shape and a machining pattern of the target surface, and adjusting the Z coordinate so that the focal position of the laser beam at each XY coordinate position of the work area is constant, and adjusting the XY coordinate position A storage unit that stores an association with a later Z coordinate position, and while the laser beam emission is ON, the first mirror and the second mirror of one scanner and the other scanner The movement of the XY direction by the rotation, to follow the movement in the Z direction by the parallel movement in the optical axis direction of the incident lens and / or the exit lens of the Z-axis scanner, based on the stored correspondence relationship storage section, X While the Z-axis scanner is moved so as to indicate the Z-coordinate corresponding to the XY coordinates specified by the axis and Y-axis scanner, and the laser beam emission is turned off, the tracking of the Z-axis scanner is interrupted, and the XY coordinates It can be configured to move to a predetermined Z coordinate position regardless of the corresponding relationship.

A laser processing method according to a ninth aspect of the present invention includes an incident lens and an output lens as a laser light scanning system that scans laser light, and the optical axes of the incident lens and the output lens are aligned with the optical axes of the laser light. A Z-axis scanner and a Z-axis scanner capable of adjusting the focal length of the laser light by changing the relative distance between the incident lens and the outgoing lens along these optical axes by translating the incident lens and / or the outgoing lens. An X-axis scanner having a motor for fixing and rotating a first mirror for rotating a laser beam passing through the X-axis in a work area formed from XY coordinates, and a Y-axis The second mirror for scanning in the direction is fixed to the rotating shaft, and a Y-axis scanner including a motor for rotating is provided. A laser processing method that three-dimensionally scans a processing target surface of a processing target disposed inside and processes the processing target surface into a desired processing pattern. The X-axis scanner that defines the X-coordinate of the laser beam scanning position and the Y-axis scanner that defines the Y-coordinate move in the XY direction by rotating the first mirror and the second mirror. The Z-axis scanner also has a tracking function that translates the incident lens and / or the outgoing lens in the optical axis direction so as to indicate the Z coordinate corresponding to the XY coordinate specified by the X-axis and Y-axis scanner. A step of turning on the tracking function of the Z-axis scanner while the laser beam is emitted, and a step of maintaining the predetermined function without operating the tracking function of the Z-axis scanner while the laser beam is not emitted, Can contain Kill.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laser processing data setting method comprising an entrance lens and an exit lens, wherein the entrance lens and / or the exit lens are parallel with the optical axes of the entrance lens and the exit lens being aligned with the optical axis of the laser beam. A Z-axis scanner capable of adjusting the focal length of the laser light by changing the relative distance between the incident lens and the outgoing lens along these optical axes by moving, and the laser light transmitted through the Z-axis scanner, An X-axis scanner provided with a motor for fixing and rotating the first mirror for rotating in the X-axis direction of the work area formed from the XY coordinates, or for scanning in the Y-axis direction The second mirror is fixed to the rotating shaft and either one of the Y-axis scanners having a motor for rotating and the laser beam scanned by the one scanner in the X-axis direction of the work area or A laser processing apparatus having a laser beam scanning system including a second scanner for scanning in the other axial direction of the axial direction, and a laser for a processing target surface of a processing target disposed in a work area A laser processing data setting method for setting processing data on the basis of the desired processing pattern when irradiating light and processing it into a desired processing pattern. A step of setting a three-dimensional shape and a processing pattern of the processing target surface, a step of associating a correspondence relationship between the XY coordinate position and the Z coordinate position with respect to the three-dimensional shape of the processing target surface, and turning on laser light emission during the the movement of the XY direction by the rotation of the first mirror and the second mirror of one of the scanner and other scanners, the light incident lens and / or the exit lens of the Z-axis scanner that are To follow the movement in the Z direction by the parallel movement in the direction, based on the stored correspondence relationship, by moving the Z-axis scanner to direct the Z coordinate corresponding to the XY coordinates indication of X-axis and Y-axis scanner, On the other hand, while the emission of the laser beam is turned off, it is possible to include a step of interrupting the tracking of the Z-axis scanner and moving it to a predetermined Z-coordinate position regardless of the correspondence relationship of the XY coordinates.

A laser processing data setting program according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention includes an incident lens and an exit lens as a laser beam scanning system for scanning a laser beam, and the optical axes of the incident lens and the exit lens coincide with the optical axes of the laser beam. A Z-axis scanner capable of adjusting the focal length of the laser beam by changing the relative distance between the incident lens and the outgoing lens along these optical axes by translating the incident lens and / or the outgoing lens; An X-axis scanner comprising a motor for fixing and rotating a first mirror for rotating a laser beam transmitted through an axis scanner in the X-axis direction of a work area formed from XY coordinates; A laser processing apparatus that includes a Y-axis scanner that includes a motor for fixing and rotating a second mirror for scanning in the Y-axis direction and that can be processed into a three-dimensional shape. Is a laser processing data setting program for processing a processing target surface of a processing target disposed in a work area three-dimensionally with a laser beam and processing it into a desired processing pattern, The XY coordinate and the Z coordinate in the work area are associated with each other, and an X axis scanner that defines the X coordinate of the laser beam scanning position, and a first mirror and a second mirror of the Y axis scanner that define the Y coordinate The movement in the Z direction due to the parallel movement in the optical axis direction of the incident lens and / or the outgoing lens of the Z axis scanner is made to follow the movement in the XY direction by the rotation of the X axis. The Z-axis scanner tracking function is turned on while the laser beam is emitted and the Z-axis scanner tracking function is turned on while the laser beam is emitted. Not, it is possible to realize the function of maintaining a predetermined height, to the computer.

  Furthermore, a computer-readable recording medium or a recorded device storing a program according to an embodiment of the present invention stores the program. CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, flexible disk, magnetic tape, MO, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD + R, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, Blu-ray (registered) Trademarks), HD DVD and other magnetic disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, semiconductor memories and other media that can store programs. The program includes a program distributed in a download manner through a network line such as the Internet, in addition to a program stored and distributed in the recording medium. Further, the recorded devices include general-purpose or dedicated devices in which the program is implemented in a state where it can be executed in the form of software, firmware, or the like. Furthermore, each process and function included in the program may be executed by computer-executable program software, or each part of the process or hardware may be executed by hardware such as a predetermined gate array (FPGA, ASIC), or program software. And a partial hardware module that realizes a part of hardware elements may be mixed.

  According to the first, sixth to seventh, and ninth to eleventh inventions, the amount of movement of the Z-axis scanner, which is generally inferior to the XY-axis scanner, can be suppressed, and three-dimensional processing with higher controllability is possible. It becomes. According to the second and eighth inventions, the correction is interrupted while the laser beam emission is OFF while correcting with the Z-axis scanner so that the focal length at each position in the work area is kept constant, and the XY-axis is stopped. Compared to a scanner, the amount of movement of a Z-axis scanner, which is generally inferior in response characteristics, can be suppressed, and three-dimensional machining with higher speed and higher controllability is possible. According to the third aspect of the invention, the Z-axis scanner is adjusted so that the focal position is substantially uniform in the work area, and it is possible to prevent a reduction in processing accuracy near the edge of the work area without preparing a separate condenser lens or the like. . According to the fourth invention, the next machining start can be smoothly performed by prefetching the Z coordinate of the next machining start position and moving it to this position. According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the follow-up operation of the Z-axis scanner can be interrupted and held at a fixed position, the XY-axis scanner can move to the next printing position at high speed without being affected by the response time of the Z-axis scanner. The overall scanning speed can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below exemplifies a laser processing apparatus, a laser processing condition setting apparatus, a laser processing method, a laser processing condition setting method, and a laser processing condition setting program for embodying the technical idea of the present invention. The present invention does not specify the following laser processing apparatus, laser processing condition setting apparatus, laser processing method, laser processing condition setting method, and laser processing condition setting program. Further, the present specification by no means specifies the members shown in the claims to the members of the embodiments. In particular, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the component parts described in the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified, and are merely explanations. It is just an example. Note that the size, positional relationship, and the like of the members shown in each drawing may be exaggerated for clarity of explanation. Furthermore, in the following description, the same name and symbol indicate the same or the same members, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, each element constituting the present invention may be configured such that a plurality of elements are constituted by the same member and the plurality of elements are shared by one member, and conversely, the function of one member is constituted by a plurality of members. It can also be realized by sharing.

  In this specification, the connection between the laser processing apparatus and computers, printers, external storage devices and other peripheral devices for operation, control, input / output, display, and other processing connected thereto is, for example, IEEE 1394, RS- 232x, RS-422, RS-423, RS-485, USB, PS2, etc., serial connection, parallel connection, or 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T, etc. I do. The connection is not limited to a physical connection using a wire, but may be a wireless connection using radio waves such as IEEE802.1x, OFDM, etc., Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared rays, optical communication, or the like. Further, a memory card, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like can be used as a recording medium for storing observation image data or setting data.

  In the following embodiments, a laser marker will be described as an example of a laser processing apparatus embodying the present invention. However, in this specification, the laser processing apparatus can be used in general for laser application equipment regardless of its name. For example, laser processing such as laser oscillators and various laser processing apparatuses, drilling, marking, trimming, scribing, surface treatment, and laser processing, Other laser application fields as a light source, for example, a light source for high-density recording / playback of optical discs such as DVD and Blu-ray (registered trademark), a light source for communication, a printing device, a light source for illumination, a light source for display devices such as a display, It can be suitably used in medical devices and the like.

  In this specification, printing will be described as a representative example of processing. However, as described above, printing is not limited to printing processing, and it can be used in all types of processing using laser light such as melting, peeling, surface oxidation, cutting, and discoloration. it can. In addition, the term “printing” is used in a concept including various kinds of processing described above in addition to marking of characters, symbols, figures and the like. Furthermore, in this specification, processing patterns are used to include hiragana, katakana, kanji, alphabets and numbers, symbols, pictograms, icons, logos, graphics such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes, and even shapes such as lines and curves. To do. In particular, in this specification, a character indicated by a character or symbol means a character that can be read by an optical reader such as OCR, and is a concept that includes numerals, symbols, hiragana and katakana, as well as numbers and symbols. The symbol means a bar code or a two-dimensional code. The two-dimensional code includes a QR code, a micro QR code, a data matrix (Data code), a Veri code, an Aztec code, a PDF417, a maxi code, and the like. In addition, there are RSS, composite code, and the like in which a linear code and a two-dimensional code are mixed. RSS is a space-saving symbol (Reduced Space Symbology), and RSS14, RSS Stacked, RSS Limited, RSS Expanded, and the like are used. Composite code (CC) is a composite of barcode and stack type two-dimensional code, and various combinations are available. EAN / UPC (EAN-13, EAN-8) , UPC-A, UPC-E), EAN / UPC128, and RSS family (RSS14, RSS Limited, RSS Expanded) can be used. As additional information, a two-dimensional symbol of MicroPDF417 or PDF417 can be used. The present embodiment can also be applied to a combination of a barcode and a matrix type two-dimensional code such as a micro QR code.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the laser processing apparatus 100. A laser processing apparatus 100 shown in this figure includes a laser control unit 1, a laser output unit 2, and an input unit 3.
(Input unit 3)

The input unit 3 is connected to the laser control unit 1, inputs necessary settings for operating the laser processing apparatus, and transmits them to the laser control unit 1. The setting contents are operating conditions of the laser processing apparatus, specific printing contents, and the like. The input unit 3 is an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a console. In addition, a display unit 82 for confirming input information input by the input unit 3 and displaying the state of the laser control unit 1 and the like can be separately provided. As the display unit 82, a monitor such as an LCD or a cathode ray tube can be used. If a touch panel method is used, the input unit and the display unit can also be used. Accordingly, the necessary setting of the laser processing apparatus can be performed at the input unit without externally connecting a computer or the like.
(Laser controller 1)

  The laser control unit 1 includes a control unit 4, a memory unit 5, a laser excitation unit 6, and a power source 7. The setting contents input from the input unit 3 are recorded in the memory unit 5. The control unit 4 reads the setting contents from the memory when necessary, and operates the laser excitation unit 6 based on the print signal corresponding to the printing contents to excite the laser medium 8 of the laser output unit 2. The memory unit 5 can use a semiconductor memory such as a RAM or a ROM. Further, the memory unit 5 can be incorporated in the laser control unit 1, or a semiconductor memory card such as a detachable PC card or SD card, or a memory card such as a card-type hard disk can be used. The memory unit 5 composed of a memory card can be easily rewritten by an external device such as a computer. The contents set by the computer are written in the memory card and set in the laser control unit 1 so that the input unit is laser controlled. Settings can be made without connecting to the unit. In particular, a semiconductor memory is fast in reading and writing data and has no mechanical operation part, so it is resistant to vibrations and can prevent data loss accidents due to a crash like a hard disk.

Further, the control unit 4 scans the laser light L oscillated by the laser medium 8 on the print object (work) W so as to perform the set printing, and thus the scanning signal for operating the scanning unit 9 of the laser output unit 2. Is output to the scanning unit 9. The power source 7 applies a predetermined voltage to the laser excitation unit 6 as a constant voltage power source. The print signal for controlling the print operation is a PWM signal corresponding to one pulse of the laser light L that is oscillated by switching on / off of the laser light L according to the HIGH / LOW. Although the laser intensity of the PWM signal is determined based on a duty ratio corresponding to the frequency, the laser intensity may be changed depending on the scanning speed based on the frequency.
(Laser excitation unit 6)

The laser excitation unit 6 includes a laser excitation light source 10 and a laser excitation light source condensing unit 11 that are optically bonded. An example of the inside of the laser excitation unit 6 is shown in the perspective view of FIG. The laser excitation unit 6 shown in this figure has a laser excitation light source 10 and a laser excitation light source condensing unit 11 fixed in a laser excitation unit casing 12. The laser excitation unit casing is made of a metal such as copper having good thermal conductivity, and efficiently radiates the laser excitation light source 10 to the outside. The laser excitation light source 10 is composed of a semiconductor laser, a lamp or the like. In the example of FIG. 4, a laser diode array in which a plurality of semiconductor laser diode elements are arranged in a straight line is used, and laser oscillation from each element is output in a line. Laser oscillation enters the incident surface of the laser excitation light source condensing unit 11 and is output as laser excitation light condensed from the emission surface. The laser excitation light source condensing unit 11 is composed of a focusing lens or the like. Laser excitation light from the laser excitation light source condensing unit 11 is incident on the laser medium 8 of the laser output unit 2 through an optical fiber cable 13 or the like. The laser excitation light source 10, the laser excitation light source condensing unit 11, and the optical fiber cable 13 are optically coupled via a space or an optical fiber.
(Laser output unit 2)

The laser output unit 2 includes a laser oscillation unit 50. The laser oscillation unit 50 that generates the laser light L includes a laser medium 8, an output mirror and a total reflection mirror that are arranged to face each other at a predetermined distance along the optical path of the stimulated emission light emitted from the laser medium 8, and Apertures, Q switches, etc. arranged between The stimulated emission light emitted from the laser medium 8 is amplified by multiple reflection between the output mirror and the total reflection mirror, and the mode is selected by the aperture while being cut off in a short period by the operation of the Q switch, and the output mirror The laser beam L is output through The laser output unit 2 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a laser medium 8 and a scanning unit 9. The laser medium 8 is excited by the laser excitation light incident from the laser excitation unit 6 via the optical fiber cable 13 and is oscillated. The laser medium 8 employs a so-called end pumping excitation method in which laser excitation light is input from one end surface of the rod shape and is excited, and laser light L is emitted from the other end surface.
(Laser medium 8)

In the above example, a rod-shaped Nd: YVO ₄ solid laser medium is used as the laser medium 8. The wavelength of the pumping semiconductor laser of the solid laser medium was set to 809 nm, which is the center wavelength of the Nd: YVO ₄ absorption spectrum. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and other solid-state laser media such as rare earth doped YAG, LiSrF, LiCaF, YLF, NAB, KNP, LNP, NYAB, NPP, GGG, etc. can also be used. Moreover, the wavelength of the laser beam L to be output can be converted into an arbitrary wavelength by combining a wavelength conversion element with the solid laser medium. Moreover, it is applicable also to what is called a fiber laser using a fiber as an oscillator instead of a bulk as a laser medium.

Furthermore, it is also possible to use a wavelength conversion element that does not use a solid laser medium, in other words, does not constitute a resonator that oscillates laser light, and performs only wavelength conversion. In this case, wavelength conversion is performed on the output light of the semiconductor laser. Examples of the wavelength conversion element include KTP (KTiPO ₄ ), organic nonlinear optical materials and other inorganic nonlinear optical materials such as KN (KNbO ₃ ), KAP (KAsPO ₄ ), BBO, LBO, and bulk type polarization inversion elements ( LiNbO ₃ (Periodically Polled Lithium Niobate: PPLN), LiTaO ₃ or the like) can be used. Further, a semiconductor laser for an excitation light source of a laser by up-conversion using a fluoride fiber doped with rare earth such as Ho, Er, Tm, Sm, and Nd can be used. Thus, in this embodiment, various types can be appropriately used as a laser generation source.

Furthermore, the laser oscillation unit is not limited to the solid-state laser, CO ₂ and helium - it neon, argon, also use a gas laser using a gas such as nitrogen as a medium. For example, when a carbon dioxide laser is used, the laser oscillation unit is filled with carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) inside the laser oscillation unit and has an electrode built in. The laser oscillation is based on a print signal given from the laser control unit. The carbon dioxide in the unit is excited to cause laser oscillation.
(Scanning system)

  Next, the laser beam scanning system of the laser processing apparatus is shown in FIGS. In these drawings, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the laser beam scanning system of the laser processing apparatus, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of FIG. 5 viewed from the reverse direction, and FIG. 7 is a side view. . The laser processing apparatus shown in these drawings is orthogonal to a beam expander 53 having a Z-axis scanner in which the optical path coincides with a laser oscillation unit that generates laser light L, an X-axis scanner 14a, and an X-axis scanner 14a. And a Y-axis scanner 14b arranged as described above. In this laser beam scanning system, the laser beam L emitted from the laser oscillation unit is scanned two-dimensionally in the work area WS by the X-axis scanner 14a and the Y-axis scanner 14b, and further in the height direction by the Z-axis scanner 14c. The working distance, that is, the focal length can be adjusted, and printing can be performed in a three-dimensional manner. Needless to say, the X-axis scanner, the Y-axis scanner, and the Z-axis scanner can function similarly even if they are interchanged. For example, the laser beam emitted from the Z-axis scanner may be received by the Y-axis scanner, or the Y-axis may be controlled by the X-axis scanner and the Z-axis may be controlled by the Y-axis scanner. In the figure, the fθ lens which is a condensing lens is not shown.

  In general, in a laser processing apparatus, an fθ lens is disposed between the second mirror and the work area in order to focus the laser light reflected by the second mirror (Y-axis scanner) so as to irradiate the work area. A condensing lens called is arranged. The fθ lens performs correction in the Z-axis direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8A, the focal position is extended as it gets closer to the end of the work area WS and is corrected to be positioned on the workpiece processing surface. Since the focal position of the laser beam is an arc-shaped trajectory, when the surface to be processed is a flat surface, the focal position is set so that the focal position is aligned at a position vertically below, the center of the plane WM indicating the surface to be processed in FIG. Then, the further away from the center, that is, the closer to the periphery of the work area WS, the farther the focal position is from the surface to be processed (laser light L ′), the focus is not adjusted, and the processing accuracy decreases. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8B, correction is performed by the fθ lens so that the focal position of the laser light L becomes longer as the end of the work area WS is approached. The focal position of the laser beam L can be positioned on the plane WM by virtually converting the plane WM of the processing target surface into a convex curved correction surface indicated by WM ′.

  In the laser marker, for example, when it is desired to form a beam having a spot diameter smaller than about 50 μm, it is preferable to arrange an fθ lens. On the other hand, when a beam diameter larger than the small spot diameter described above and having a spot diameter of about 100 μm (usually used spot diameter) is adopted, the Z-axis assembly provided in the beam expander on the Z-axis scanner side is used. By moving the optical lens in the Z-axis direction, correction in the Z-axis direction that should be performed by the fθ lens can be performed as correction control. Thereby, when the spot diameter is large, the fθ lens can be omitted. In the example of FIG. 8A described above, correction in the Z-axis direction to be performed by the fθ lens is performed by correction control of the Z-axis scanner. On the other hand, when the spot diameter is small, the focus position is not sufficiently adjusted by the correction by the Z-axis scanner, so the fθ lens is used as described above. In this embodiment, three types of spot diameters of laser light, a small spot, a standard, and a wide spot, are prepared, and only the small spot type among them is used to correct distortion at the end of the work area WS with an fθ lens. In standard and wide spots, the fθ lens is not used, and correction is performed by a Z-axis scanner.

  Even when correction control in the Z-axis direction is performed by the Z-axis condenser lens provided in the beam expander of the Z-axis scanner, correction similar to the correction by the fθ lens described above is performed. The height of the correction surface WM ′ described in FIG. 8B, that is, the Z coordinate is uniquely determined by the XY coordinate. Therefore, by associating the corrected Z coordinate for each XY coordinate, if the Z-axis scanner is moved to the associated Z-coordinate according to the movement of the XY-axis scanner, processing at the focal position can always be performed. Become. The association data is stored in the storage unit 5A of the laser processing data setting device shown in FIG. 13A. Alternatively, the data can be stored and transferred to the memory unit 5 provided in the laser control unit of the laser processing apparatus. As a result, the corrected Z coordinate is determined following the movement of the XY coordinates in the work area, so that it is possible to irradiate laser light whose focal position is adjusted almost uniformly in the work area.

Each scanner has a galvano mirror which is a total reflection mirror as a reflecting surface for reflecting light, a galvano motor for rotating with the galvano mirror fixed to the rotating shaft, and a position where the rotating shaft rotates. A position detector for outputting as a signal is provided. The scanner is connected to a scanner driving unit that drives the scanner. The scanner driving unit is connected to the scanner control unit 74, receives a control signal for controlling the scanner from the scanner control unit 74, and drives the scanner based on the control signal. For example, the scanner driving unit adjusts the driving current for driving the scanner based on the control signal. The scanner driving unit includes an adjustment mechanism that adjusts a temporal change in the rotation angle of each scanner with respect to the control signal. The adjustment mechanism is constituted by a semiconductor component such as a variable resistor that adjusts each parameter of the scanner driving unit.
(Z-axis scanner 14c)

  The Z-axis scanner 14c constitutes a beam expander 53 that adjusts the spot diameter of the laser light L and thereby adjusts the focal length. That is, by changing the relative distance between the entrance lens and the exit lens by the beam expander, the beam diameter of the laser light can be enlarged / reduced, and the focal position can also be changed. The beam expander 53 is arranged in front of the galvanometer mirror as shown in FIG. 5 and adjusts the beam diameter of the laser light L output from the laser oscillating unit, in order to effectively collect light on a small spot. At the same time, the focal position of the laser beam L can be adjusted. A method for adjusting the working distance by the Z-axis scanner 14c will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 are side views of the laser beam scanning system. FIG. 9 shows a case where the focal length of the laser beam L is increased, and FIG. 10 shows a case where the focal length is reduced. FIG. 11 shows a front view and a sectional view of the Z-axis scanner 14c. As shown in these figures, the Z-axis scanner 14c includes an incident lens 16 facing the laser oscillating unit and an exit lens 18 facing the laser emitting side, and the distance between these lenses changes relatively. It is possible. 9 to 11, the exit lens 18 is fixed, and the entrance lens 16 can be slid along the optical axis direction by a drive motor or the like. FIG. 11 omits the illustration of the exit lens 18 and shows the drive mechanism of the entrance lens 16. In this example, the movable element can be slid in the axial direction by a coil and a magnet, and the incident lens 16 is fixed to the movable element. However, the incident lens side can be fixed and the exit lens side can be moved, or both the entrance lens and the exit lens can be moved.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the distance between the entrance lens 16 and the exit lens 18 is made closer, the focal position becomes farther and the focal distance (working distance) becomes larger. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 10, when the distance between the incident lens 16 and the outgoing lens 18 is increased, the focal position approaches and the focal length becomes smaller.

The laser processing apparatus capable of three-dimensional processing, that is, processing in the height direction of the workpiece, is not limited to the method of adjusting the Z-axis scanner as shown in FIGS. It is possible to use other methods such as moving the laser output unit or the marking head itself.
(Distance pointer)

  In addition, in order to adjust the focal position at the center of the work area of the laser marker that can be three-dimensionally processed, a guide pattern indicating the irradiation position when the laser beam is scanned into the work area WS can be displayed. The laser beam scanning system of the laser marker shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 6 serves as a distance pointer and guide light optics for aligning the guide light source 60 and the guide light G from the guide light source 60 with the optical axis of the laser light scanning system. A half mirror 62 is provided as one form of the system, and a pointer light source 64 for irradiating pointer light P as a pointer light adjustment system, and a pointer scanner as a third mirror formed on the back surface of the Y-axis scanner 14b. The mirror 14d and the fixed mirror 66 that further reflects the pointer light P from the pointer light source 64 reflected by the pointer scanner mirror 14d and irradiates it toward the focal position. The distance pointer is adjusted by irradiating the pointer light P indicating the focal position of the laser light from the pointer light source 64 and irradiating the pointer light P almost at the center of the guide pattern displayed by the guide light G. The focal position of the laser beam is indicated.

In the above example, the laser beam scanning system is provided with a mechanism capable of adjusting the focal length of the laser beam, thereby enabling three-dimensional processing. However, by controlling the stage height so that the position of the stage on which the workpiece is placed can be adjusted in the vertical direction, the height of the stage is adjusted so that the focal point of the laser beam is connected to the work surface of the workpiece. Dimensional processing can also be performed. Also, by making the stage movable in the X-axis or Y-axis direction, the corresponding scanner of the laser beam scanning system can be omitted. These configurations can be suitably used not only in a form in which the workpiece is conveyed on the line but also in a form in which the work is placed on the stage and processed.
(System configuration of laser marker)

  Next, FIG. 12 shows a system configuration of a laser marker capable of three-dimensional printing. The laser processing system shown in this figure is connected to a marking head 150, a controller 1A that is connected to the marking head 150 and controls the marking head 150, and the controller 1A so that data communication is possible. A laser processing data setting device 180 that sets a print pattern as three-dimensional laser processing data; The laser processing apparatus 100 is configured by the marking head 150 and the controller 1A. In the example of FIG. 12, the laser processing data setting device 180 installs a laser processing data setting program in a computer to realize a laser processing data setting function. The laser processing data setting device can use a programmable logic controller (PLC) connected with a touch panel, other dedicated hardware, etc. in addition to a computer. The laser processing data setting device can also function as a control device that controls the operation of the laser processing device. For example, a function as a laser processing data setting device and a function as a controller of a marking head including a laser output unit may be integrated into one computer. Further, the laser processing data setting device is constituted by a member different from the laser processing device, and can also be integrated into the laser processing device, for example, a laser processing data setting circuit incorporated in the laser processing device.

Furthermore, various external devices 190 can be connected to the controller 1A as necessary. For example, an image recognition device such as an image sensor for confirming the type and position of a workpiece conveyed on the line, a distance measuring device such as a displacement meter for obtaining information on the distance between the workpiece and the marking head 150, and a device according to a predetermined sequence It is possible to install a PLC that controls the above, a PD sensor that detects the passage of a workpiece, and other various sensors, and to be connected so that data communication is possible.
(Laser processing data setting device)

Laser processing data, which is setting information for printing planar print data in a three-dimensional form, is set by a laser processing data setting device 180. FIG. 13A shows a block diagram as an example of the laser processing data setting device 180. The laser processing data setting device 180 shown in this figure constitutes an input unit 3 for inputting various settings, a processing data generation unit 80K for generating laser processing data based on information input from the input unit 3, and the like. A calculation unit 80, a display unit 82 for displaying setting contents and laser processing data after calculation, and a storage unit 5A for storing various setting data. Further, the storage unit 5A includes a reference table 5a that holds a plurality of combinations of processing parameters in association with each other. The display unit 82 is a processing image display unit 83 that can display an image of the processing target surface in three dimensions, and an image of the marking head when the processing image display unit 83 displays the processing target surface image in three dimensions. Is provided. The input unit 3 is a machining surface profile input unit 3A for inputting profile information indicating the three-dimensional shape of the print surface of the workpiece as a machining condition setting unit 3C for inputting machining conditions for machining with a desired machining pattern. The processing pattern input means 3B for inputting print pattern information, the processing block setting means 3F capable of setting a plurality of processing blocks in the work area and setting the processing pattern for each processing block, and the block setting means 3F A group setting unit 3J for setting a processing group in which a plurality of set processing blocks are grouped, and a position adjusting unit 3K capable of adjusting the position of the processing pattern arranged on the processing target surface are realized. The machining surface profile input means 3A further includes basic graphic designating means 3a for designating a basic graphic representing the machining target surface, and three-dimensional shape data input means for inputting three-dimensional shape data representing the machining target surface from the outside. The function of 3b is realized. The storage unit 5A corresponds to the memory unit 5 in FIG. 1 and is a member that stores information such as profile information and print pattern information set by the input unit 3, and includes a storage medium such as a fixed storage device, a semiconductor memory, and the like. Available. In addition to providing a dedicated display, the display unit 82 may use a computer monitor connected to the system.
(Calculation unit 80)

  The calculation unit 80 includes a processing data generation unit 80K for generating processing data for performing actual processing based on the processing conditions set by the processing condition setting unit 3C, and three-dimensional laser processing data on the display unit 82. Initial position setting means 80L for determining an initial position where laser processing data is arranged on the processing target surface when displaying the laser beam, and detecting a processing defect area where the processing cannot be performed because the laser beam cannot be irradiated in the work area or the processing is defective. The processing defect area detecting means 80B, the highlight processing means 80I for performing highlight processing for displaying the processing defect area detected by the processing defect area detecting means 80B in a mode different from the processable area, When setting the processing pattern in the condition setting unit 3C, it is detected that some processing is set to the region including the processing failure region. To realize the function of setting warning means 80J for issuing a warning. Further, if necessary, the processing condition adjusting means 80C for adjusting the processing conditions in the processing defect area so that the processing can be performed, and the print pattern information from the planar shape to the three-dimensional so as to virtually match the print pattern with the print surface. Functions such as coordinate conversion means for converting to spatial coordinate data can also be realized. The calculation unit 80 is configured by an IC such as an FPGA or LSI.

  In the example of FIG. 13A, the laser processing data setting device 180 is configured by dedicated hardware, but these members can also be executed by software. In particular, as shown in FIG. 12, a laser processing data setting program can be installed in a general-purpose computer so as to function as the laser processing data setting device 180. In the example of FIG. 13A, the laser processing data setting device 180 and the laser processing device 100 are separate devices, but they can also be integrated. For example, a laser processing data setting function can be added to the laser processing apparatus itself.

  In the example of FIG. 13A, the machining data generation unit 80K is arranged on the laser machining data setting device 180 side. For example, a laser processing data setting program is installed in a general-purpose computer, and the function of the processing data generation unit 80K is realized by a computer that functions as the laser processing data setting device 180. On the other hand, the processing data generation unit can be provided on the controller side of the laser processing apparatus. FIG. 13B is a block diagram showing an example in which the controller includes a machining data generation unit 180K. By providing the processing data generation units 80K and 180K on the laser processing device 100 side and the laser processing data setting device 180 side, it is possible to generate laser processing data in either the laser processing device 100 or the laser processing data setting device 180. Laser processing data can be transferred, edited, and displayed individually. In the example of FIG. 13B, the laser processing data is generated by the processing data generation unit 180K on the laser processing apparatus 100 side, the laser processing data is received by the processing data generation unit 80K on the laser processing data setting apparatus 180 side, and the display unit 82 Can be displayed.

Alternatively, the processing data generation unit may be provided only on the laser processing apparatus side and not on the laser processing data setting apparatus side. An example of this is shown in the block diagram of FIG. 13C. The laser processing apparatus 100 performs processing and display based on the laser processing data generated by the processing data generation unit 180K.
(Laser processing data setting program)

  Next, a procedure for generating a processing pattern based on the character information input from the processing condition setting unit 3C using the laser processing data setting program will be described based on the user interface screen shown in FIG. In the examples of user interface screens of these programs, it goes without saying that the layout, shape, display method, size, color scheme, pattern, etc. of each input field and button can be changed as appropriate. By changing the design, the layout can be made easier to display, easier to evaluate and judge, and easy to operate. For example, the detailed setting screen can be displayed as a separate window, or a plurality of screens can be displayed within the same display screen. On the user interface screens of these programs, ON / OFF operations for numerically provided buttons and input fields, designation of numerical values and command inputs, etc. are performed by the input unit 3 connected to the computer in which the program is incorporated. . In this specification, “pressing” includes not only physically touching and operating buttons, but also clicking or selecting with an input unit and pseudo-pressing. Input / output devices constituting the input unit or the like are connected to a computer by wire or wirelessly, or are fixed to the computer or the like. Examples of general input units include various pointing devices such as a mouse, keyboard, slide pad, track point, tablet, joystick, console, jog dial, digitizer, light pen, numeric keypad, touch pad, and accu point. These input / output devices are not limited to program operations, but can also be used for hardware operations such as laser processing equipment. Furthermore, a touch screen or a touch panel is used for the display itself of the display unit 82 that displays the interface screen, so that the user can directly input or operate the screen by hand, or voice input or other existing input is possible. Means can be used, or these can be used in combination.

  The laser processing data setting program can edit three-dimensional laser processing data. However, considering users who are not good at editing 3D data, a “2D editing mode” is available, which allows only setting on a plane and cannot be edited on 3D. It may be possible to switch to a possible “3D editing mode”. When such a plurality of editing modes are provided, an editing mode display field 270 indicating the current editing mode and an editing mode switching button 272 for switching the editing mode are provided. In the example of FIG. 14, the “2D editing mode” is set when the laser processing data setting program is started, and the editing mode display field 270 provided at the upper right of the screen indicates that the current editing mode is “2D editing in progress”. I am letting. By setting the two-dimensional editing mode, which is relatively easy to operate, as the default editing mode at the time of activation, even a user who is not good at editing three-dimensional laser processing data can operate without confusion. Further, the editing mode at the time of activation can be configured to be changeable by the user, and it can also be set so that a user who has mastered the operation can edit the three-dimensional laser processing data without switching the editing mode.

The edit mode switching button 272 provided on the right side of the edit mode display field 270 displays “3D” characters indicating that switching to the 3D edit mode is possible. When the edit mode switch button 272 is pressed from this state, the mode is switched to “3D edit mode” and the display in the edit mode display field 270 is changed to “3D editing in progress” (FIG. 15 and the like). Further, the edit mode switching button 272 displays “2D” characters indicating that switching from the 3D editing mode to the 2D editing mode is possible.
In this way, by providing a “2D editing mode” that restricts or eliminates 3D display and editing, when the user wants to set and edit machining data for a two-dimensional machining surface, machining data for a two-dimensional machining surface By providing a user interface capable of only setting / editing, it is possible to simplify the user interface and improve the operability associated therewith. In addition, even when the user wants to set / edit machining data for a three-dimensional machining plane, it is not suddenly unfamiliar 3D display, but the two-dimensional editing is performed in the above-described “2D editing mode”. Set and edit the machining data for the machining surface, and further process and edit the 2D machining data set and machined in this “2D editing mode” into the desired 3D machining data in “3D editing mode”. By taking the correction process, the “3D editing mode” can improve the user interface that is easy to understand for the user and the operability associated therewith.

  The 2D editing mode shown in FIG. 14 and the 3D editing mode shown in FIG. 15 are substantially equal in appearance. In the 2D editing mode of FIG. 14, the “shape setting” tab 204i for setting a three-dimensional shape is grayed out and cannot be selected. By pressing the edit mode switching button 272 from the screen of FIG. 14 and switching to the 3D editing mode shown in FIG. 15, the “shape setting” tab 204i can be selected. In this way, by changing the items that can be set with almost no change in the user interface of the program between the 2D editing mode and the 3D editing mode, the transition from the 2D editing mode to the 3D editing mode or vice versa can be easily performed. It can be done smoothly.

  As described above, since this laser machining data setting program uses almost the same interface as the 2D editing mode even in the 3D editing mode, the setting and editing work of the 3D laser machining data is also performed using the 2D laser machining data. It can be done in almost the same way as the setting of. Also in the 3D editing mode, first, the character size and shape of the print pattern are designated from the same user interface as in the 2D editing mode. Next, three-dimensional shape information necessary for the three-dimensional laser processing data is added to the setting of the two-dimensional print pattern. At this time, the user can set the actual print data while switching between the two-dimensional display viewed from the front in the printing direction, that is, the laser light irradiation direction, and the three-dimensional display viewed from an arbitrary direction. This provides a simple user interface that allows a user who has only experienced two-dimensional print data creation to easily create three-dimensional laser processing data.

  An example of the processing condition setting unit 3C will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15 show an example of a user interface screen of the laser processing data setting program. An edit display field 202 for displaying an image of a processing pattern to be printed on the work is shown on the left side of the screen, and a specific example is shown on the right side. A printing pattern input field 204 for specifying various data as processing conditions is provided. In the print pattern input field 204, a “basic setting” tab 204h, a “shape setting” tab 204i, and a “detailed setting” tab 204j can be switched as tabs for selecting setting items. In the example of FIG. 14, a “basic setting” tab 204h is selected, and a processing type designation field 204a, a character data designation field 204d, a character input field 204b, and a detailed setting field 204c are provided. The processing type designation field 204a designates whether the operation as a printing pattern including a character string, a symbol, a logo, a pattern, an image such as a figure, or a processing machine is performed as a processing pattern type. In the example of FIG. 14, a character string, a logo / diagram, and a processing machine operation are selected from the processing type designation field 204a by radio buttons. The character data designation field 204d designates the type of character data. Here, any one of a character, a barcode, a two-dimensional code, and an RSS / composite code (CC) is selected from a pull-down menu. Further, according to the type of the selected character data, a more detailed type is selected in the type designation field 204q. For example, if you select a character, select a font type. If you select a barcode, select CODE39, ITF, 2 of 5, NW7, JAN, Code 28, etc. RSS-14, RSS-14 CC-A, RSS Stacked, RSS Stacked CC-A, RSS Limited, RSS Limited CC- when selecting 2D code type such as Micro QR Code, DataMatrix, RSS / Composite Code Specifies an RSS code type such as A or an RSS composite code type. In the character input field 204b, character information to be printed is input. The inputted character is printed as it is as a character string when a character is selected in the character data designation field 204d. On the other hand, when a symbol is designated, a processing pattern in which a character string input according to the type of the selected symbol is encoded is generated. The machining pattern may be generated by the machining data setting unit in addition to the machining condition setting unit 3C. In this example, the calculation unit 80 performs. The detailed setting column 204c switches the tabs and designates details of printing conditions such as a “printing data” tab 204e, a “size / position” tab 204f, and a “printing conditions” tab 204g.

  In the example of FIG. 14, the QR code is designated in the character data designation field 204d, and the cell size, print line width, error correction rate, version, etc. are designated numerically on the “print data” tab 204e. In addition, automatic mode, black and white reversal, password, etc. can be specified as necessary.

  When the processing machine operation is selected from the processing type designation field 204a, the processing type can be selected from the pull-down menu. You can choose. In the processing machine operation, a line segment coordinate designation field 278 is provided as a machining pattern instead of the character input field, and a locus such as a straight line or an arc is designated by coordinates. FIG. 16 shows a setting screen when a broken line is selected as the processing type as an example of the processing machine operation. FIG. 17 shows a setting screen when a clockwise circle / ellipse is selected, and FIG. 18 shows a setting screen displayed in a three-dimensional shape by further switching to 3D editing.

The laser processing apparatus is not limited to character strings, and can print image data such as logos and drawings. 19 and 20 show examples of setting screens for printing such image data. As shown in FIG. 19, when “logo / diagram” is selected from the processing type designation column 204a, a file name input column is displayed on the “print content” tab 217, and an external file can be referred to. By creating and saving a logo or a figure as raster data or vector data in advance, these external files can be designated and read and displayed in the edit display field 202. Further, as shown in FIG. 20, the print power, scan speed, etc. are set in the “print condition” tab 218.
(Processing block setting means)

  As described above, the print pattern information relating to one print block is set. A plurality of print blocks can be set. That is, a plurality of printing blocks can be set in the processing area, and printing can be performed under different printing conditions. In addition to setting a plurality of printing blocks for one work or a processing (printing) target surface, it is also possible to set each of a plurality of printing blocks for a plurality of works existing in the processing area.

  The machining block is set by machining block setting means. In the example of FIG. 14, a block number selection field is provided above the print pattern input field 204 as one form of the processing block setting unit. The block number selection field is provided with a number display field for displaying a block number, and a “>” button, a “>>” button, a “<” button, and a “<<” button as number designation means. When the “>” button is pressed, the block number is incremented by 1, and a new print block can be set. Similarly, when changing the setting of a set printing block, the user can select the block number by operating the “>” button and call the setting of the corresponding printing block. If the “>>” button is pressed, the program jumps to the last block number. If the “<” button is further pressed, the block number is returned by one, and if the “<<” button is pressed, the program jumps to the first block number. Furthermore, a block number can be designated by directly inputting a numerical value in a numerical value display field of the block number selection field. In this way, a print block is selected in the block number selection field, and print pattern information is designated for each print block. In this example, the block number can be set from 0 to 255.

  FIG. 15 shows an example in which three print blocks are set. The QR code set in FIG. 14 is displayed as the block number 000, the bar code is displayed as the block number 001, and the character string is displayed as the block number 002. In the example of FIG. 15, a barcode is designated in the character data designation field 204d, and the barcode height, narrow width, print line width, thin / thickness ratio, etc. are designated numerically on the “print data” tab 204e. In addition, the presence / absence of check digit, black / white inversion, etc. can be designated as necessary.

  In addition, regarding the arrangement of the print blocks, adjustment of the arrangement position (centering with respect to the central axis, right alignment, left alignment, etc.), the stacking order when a plurality of print blocks overlap, and the layout such as alignment can be set. For example, FIG. 21 shows an example in which each print block is moved to the center position in the horizontal direction of the screen. Similarly, alignment can be performed at the center in the vertical direction. In this way, the arrangement of the plurality of print blocks can be automatically adjusted.

Furthermore, the arrangement of each print block can be specified by coordinates or the like. In the example of FIG. 21, for the character string of block number 002, the X and Y coordinates of the block coordinates are designated by numerical values from the “size / position” tab 204f constituting the position adjusting means 3K. From this screen, the character height, character width, character spacing, etc. can be specified as the character size. Further, as the block shape, horizontal writing, vertical writing, cylinder inner circumference, outer circumference, etc. at the time of three-dimensional printing are designated.
(Print block setting list)

The print block set in this way can display a list of setting items as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 15, by selecting “Block List” from the “Edit” menu, the block list screen of FIG. 22 is displayed in a separate window. From this list screen, set print blocks can be deleted, or new print blocks can be added by copying. Alternatively, a desired print block may be selected and the setting items may be adjusted.
(Batch change of 3D shape)

Furthermore, it is possible to provide a batch change function for changing the shapes of a plurality of print blocks at once. As an example, let us consider a case where it is desired to change all of these three printing blocks composed of two cones and a sphere as shown in FIG. 23 into a cylindrical shape. When a “3D shape batch change” button 274 provided at the bottom of the toolbar at the left end of the setting screen in FIG. 23 is pressed, a 3D shape batch change screen 275 in FIG. 24 is displayed. On the 3D shape batch change screen 275, a list of currently set print blocks is displayed, showing each coordinate position, figure type, character string, and the like. From this screen, a print block to be changed is selected by a check box, and a desired shape is designated in a batch change shape designation column 276. In the example of FIG. 24, a plane, a cylinder, a sphere, a cone, a 3D processing machine, a ZMAP, and the like are prepared as pull-down menus in the batch change shape designation field 276. At the same time, when it is desired to specify the changed block shape, the check box in the “Change block shape all at once” column 277 is turned on, and the changed details are input. In the example of FIG. 24, “Cylinder” is designated in the collective change shape designation field 276 as the changed shape, and the diameter and the arrangement surface are input for the changed block shape. When “OK” is pressed after the setting is completed, the print blocks are collectively converted into a cylindrical shape having the same diameter as shown in FIG. In this way, the change work can be facilitated by converting the shapes of a plurality of print blocks at once, and the labor of changing the setting for each print block can be saved. This is particularly effective when it is desired to convert the shape of a large number of printing blocks into the same shape, and this saves a great amount of labor.
(Print group)

It is also possible to set a print group in which a plurality of print blocks are collected, and to set print conditions such as an output value of laser light and a scanning speed for each print group. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 26 shows a state in which a plurality of print blocks are set by the block setting means 3F and displayed in a two-dimensional form in the edit display column 202, and FIG. 27 shows a state in which this is switched to a three-dimensional display. Show. In the above example, only one line of data can be printed in one printing block as shown in FIG. For this reason, when it is desired to print a plurality of lines, it is possible to set a plurality of print blocks and arrange these print blocks side by side. In the example of FIGS. 26 and 27, for a cylindrical workpiece, a columnar print block B1 (block number 000) of the character string “abcde” is set in the upper stage, and the columnar shape of the character string “ABCDE” is set in the lower stage A printing block B2 (block number 001) is set, and these are stacked one above the other. Printing conditions are set for these printing blocks B1 and B2. For this reason, conventionally, the user has individually set printing conditions for each printing block. However, in this case, since the printing blocks 1 and 2 are printing on the same workpiece, there are many common items as printing conditions such as laser light output and scanning speed. Conventionally, the same printing conditions have to be individually set for these, and the work is complicated. In particular, as the number of print blocks increases, the setting takes time. In order to deal with such a problem, a plurality of print blocks are collectively set as a print group, and print condition setting can be performed in units of print groups. Specifically, print group setting is performed by the group setting means 3J.
(Group setting means 3J)

  In the example shown in FIG. 28 as the group setting means 3J, a group setting field 250 is provided in the print pattern input field 204. More specifically, the check box of the “group setting” column 251 of the group setting column 250 is turned ON to select a print block to be grouped, and the group number is specified in the group number specifying column 252. To select a print block, for example, as shown in FIG. 29, a range is specified from the edit display column 202 to include a print block to be selected with a pointing device such as a mouse, or left click with the mouse while holding down the CTRL key. Means such as this can be used as appropriate. After selecting the print blocks to be grouped in this way, grouping is set by pressing the “group” button 253 in the group setting field 250. Also, as shown in FIG. 30, after specifying a plurality of print blocks to be grouped by range specification or mouse click, the “group” menu 257 is selected from the right-click menu 256 of the mouse, and “group” is selected. . The group number is incremented by 1 from 000 each time a new group is set and is automatically given. In this example, up to 254 groups can be set. When grouping is performed in this way, printing conditions and the like can be collectively performed in units of groups. In the example of FIG. 28, the print blocks B1 and B2 are designated with the edit display field 202 displayed two-dimensionally, and set as the print group G1 (group number 000) in the group setting field 250 of the print pattern input field 204. . Thus, a frame BW surrounding the two-stage character string is displayed so as to indicate the range of the print group G1 in the edit display field 202. FIG. 31 shows how the frame display changes from the print block frame BW to the print group frame GW. In this way, the frame displayed in units of print blocks changes to a frame GW indicating a print group. As a result, the entire character strings “abcde” and “ABCDE” can be handled like a single printing block, and the output value of laser light, scanning speed, adjustment of the printing block size and offset position, etc. can be collectively processed. Can be set.

  In addition to displaying the print block and the print group in the same manner, the frame may be displayed differently. For example, the print block and the print group can be distinguished by displaying the frame BW indicating the print block with a thin line and the frame showing the print group GW with a thick line. These can also be distinguished by changing the line pattern to a solid line, a broken line or the like, or changing the display color of the line to green, blue or red.

  Such group setting work is preferably performed in a state in which the edit display field 202 is in a two-dimensional display as shown in FIG. This is because the printing block can be simply displayed in the display by the plan view, and the selection is easy. However, as shown in FIG. 32, the edit display field 202 can be set so that it can be displayed in a three-dimensional display (details will be described later). Usability can be improved by enabling the group to be set from both two-dimensional and three-dimensional states.

  In order to cancel the grouping, the “group cancellation” button 254 is pressed from the group setting field 250 in FIG. 28, or “group cancellation” is selected from the grouping menu 257 in FIG. As a result, the print blocks once grouped can be disassembled again, which is useful when it is desired to set individual print conditions for a part of the group.

  Note that the print group not only groups adjacent print blocks, but also groups print blocks at distant positions. For example, as shown in FIG. 33, when three sets of character strings “abcde” and “ABCDE” arranged in two columns are printed on the side surface of a can-shaped workpiece, a print block B3 of the character string “abcde”, The three blocks B4 and B5 are collectively set as the print block G2, and the three print blocks B6, B7, and B8 of the character string “ABCDE” are collectively set as the print block G3. Thus, the print density for the character string “abcde” and the print density for the character string “ABCDE” can be set independently. The same character string has the same darkness and the different character strings have different darkness. Now you can print. As described above, the grouping can be arbitrarily set according to the ease of setting the printing conditions or the like, in addition to collecting images such as adjacent character strings and logos.

The above describes an example of setting a plurality of print blocks for one work arranged in the work area. However, when a plurality of works are arranged in one work area, each work is The grouping can be set as appropriate even when individual printing is set. In FIG. 34, when three workpieces W1 to W3 are arranged in the work area, different printing is performed for each workpiece, and character strings “abcde” and “ABCDE” are arranged in two columns for the workpiece W1. The example which grouped the thing is shown. In this example, the same printing conditions can be set for the workpiece W2 and the workpiece W3. In this way, groups can be set for any combination of multiple workpieces and multiple printing blocks, making it easy to make appropriate settings according to the printing purpose and application, and the burden of user setting work. Can be reduced.
(Work profile information)

Next, returning to FIG. 14, a procedure for setting workpiece profile information will be described. The example of FIG. 14 shows an example of printing on a planar workpiece. In this laser processing data setting program, the processing target surface is not limited to a planar shape, and a three-dimensional processing target surface can be set. Profile information relating to the three-dimensional shape of the workpiece surface to be machined is set from the machining surface profile input means 3A in FIG. 13A. The following method can be considered as a method for specifying the profile information.
(1) A method of drawing and specifying a workpiece from a program that can input a three-dimensional shape

The shape of the workpiece is drawn and specified from the program. For example, drawing tools such as planes and straight lines such as existing three-dimensional CAD, three-dimensional modeling tools, and drawing software are prepared, and a user directly draws a three-dimensional shape. This method can be easily used by a user accustomed to drawing a three-dimensional shape, but has a problem that a threshold is high for a user who is not good at such drawing.
(2) Method for allowing the user to input parameters for specifying the shape of the workpiece in an interactive format

Like the wizard method, it is a method for specifying a shape by allowing a user to specify necessary information interactively. This method has the advantage that it is easy to use because knowledge about three-dimensional drawing is not required. For example, the shape of the workpiece is designated as a basic figure, and parameters for specifying the shape are designated. Specifically, the shape of the workpiece is presented as an option in advance, and an input parameter setting item for specifying the shape is further presented and input according to the selected shape. For example, if the surface to be processed is an inclined surface, the coordinate position of the reference point, the direction of the normal vector, and the like are designated. In the case of a cylinder, the coordinate position of the reference point, the cylinder radius, the direction of the cylinder center axis, and the like are designated. Or if it is spherical, the coordinate position of the central point, the radius of the sphere, etc. are designated.
(3) Method to select basic figure

Further, the method is not limited to the interactive format, and a method may be used in which a basic graphic is selected and parameters relating to the basic graphic are designated. In other words, two-dimensional data can be easily obtained by letting the user select a basic figure such as a cylinder, cone, or sphere prepared in advance, presenting parameters for specifying the selected basic figure, and allowing the user to input a numerical value. The shape can be converted into a three-dimensional shape. By pseudo-representing a workpiece with a basic figure, there is an advantage that designation can be performed easily and accurately.
(4) A method of inputting and converting a 3D data file created in advance into the shape of the workpiece

A work data file created in advance by another program such as three-dimensional CAD is converted and used. In this method, since already created data can be used, work shape designation work can be greatly saved. Various general-purpose formats such as DXF, IGES, STEP, STL, and GKS can be used as the readable data file format. It is also possible to directly input a special format of a specific application such as DWG for conversion.
(5) Specify height information directly in 2D information

The height and the inclination in the height direction are specified numerically in the print pattern indicating the flat print content. As an example, an example is shown in which a print block B9 made up of the character string “ABCDEFGHIJKLM” in FIG. 35 is printed on an inclined surface as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 35, the printing on the inclined surface is performed by designating the plane in the shape selection column 206 from the print pattern input column 204 and displaying the layout target surface in a two-dimensional display in the edit display column 202 and “layout”. In the tab 216, the X-axis and Y-axis offset amounts of the print block B9 are set. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 36, it can be set by designating the rotation angle in the rotation angle setting field 211B provided in the “block shape / arrangement” tab 211. The rotation angle can be specified by a numerical value or a slider in each of the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the X-axis direction. In the example of FIG. 36, X rotation of 30 ° is specified. This method has an advantage that a simple stepped shape, an inclined surface, and the like can be easily expressed. On the other hand, it is not suitable for specifying complex shapes.
(6) Method of actually acquiring the shape of the workpiece by reading it with an image recognition device such as an image sensor

  The workpiece is read by an image sensor or the like, and data is automatically acquired by a method such as image recognition.

Of these, the methods (3) and (4) are adopted here. Specifically, means for selecting from basic figures prepared in advance and means for inputting a file in which a three-dimensional shape is recorded can be used. This state will be described with reference to FIGS. When the tab for selecting the setting item of the print pattern input field 204 is switched from the “basic setting” tab 204h to the “shape setting” tab 204i on the screen of FIG. 14, the screen shown in FIG. 37 is displayed, and a method for inputting profile information is selected. A profile designation field 205 is displayed as profile input selection means. In the profile designation field 205 of FIG. 37, one of a basic figure, ZMAP, and processing machine operation is selected with a radio button.
(Basic figure designation means 3a)

In the method of selecting from the basic figure, the shape of the basic figure prepared in advance is selected. Basic figures include planes, cylinders, spheres, cones, and the like. In the example of FIG. 37, as one form of the basic figure specifying means 3a, a basic figure is selected in the profile designation column 205, and “plane” is selected in the shape selection column 206 provided in the lower column. Here, when a cylinder is selected as shown in FIG. 38, the two-dimensional display in the edit display field 202 is switched from a planar shape to a cylindrical shape. That is, since the XY coordinate plane view of the QR code printed on the cylindrical workpiece is displayed, the QR code is deformed and displayed so as to become narrower toward the right side of the QR code.
(3D display)

  In addition, the processing target surface can be displayed three-dimensionally. In this example, the display format of the edit display field 202 can be switched between a two-dimensional display and a three-dimensional display as a processed image display unit. When the display switch button (3D) 207 provided on the screen of FIG. 38 is pressed, the edit display field 202 is switched to 3D display as shown in FIG. . When the display switching button (2D) 207 is pressed from the screen of FIG. 39, the screen is switched to the screen of FIG. Thus, every time the display switching button 207 is pressed, the 2D display and the 3D display are switched, and the display of the display switching button 207 is switched to 2D and 3D indicating the other display form accordingly. Also in the 3D display screen of FIG. 39, the region of the processing pattern is displayed surrounded by a frame K, similarly to the 2D display screen of FIG.

In the example of FIG. 39, the display switching button 207 for 2D display and 3D display is provided on the floating toolbar. The floating toolbar can be moved to any position. Further, the display / non-display of the floating toolbar may be switched, or the floating toolbar may be incorporated into a normal toolbar.
(Change of viewpoint of 3D display screen)

  On the 3D display screen, it is possible to change to an arbitrary viewpoint. FIGS. 40 to 47 show examples in which the printing surface for printing the QR code shown in FIG. 38 on a cylindrical workpiece is displayed on the 3D display screen from various viewpoints. When the display switching button (3D) 207 of the floating toolbar is pressed from the 2D display screen of FIG. 38, the screen is switched to the 3D display screen of FIG. By operating the scroll bar 209 from the 3D display screen, the viewpoint of the 3D display screen can be freely changed as shown in FIGS. 40 is a perspective view of the work area as viewed obliquely from above, and FIG. 41 shows an example in which the work area is rotated from the state of FIG. 40 and the work is displayed from the back side. In order to change the viewpoint, in addition to using a scroll bar, the work may be rotated by dragging an arbitrary point on the 3D display screen with a mouse.

  Further, when the “scroll bar movement / rotation switching” provided in the floating toolbar is pressed, the use of the scroll bar is switched from the rotation of the workpiece to the movement of the screen. When the horizontal scroll bar is operated from the screen of FIG. 40, the visual field can be translated left and right while maintaining the display angle of the three-dimensional display as shown in FIGS. When the vertical scroll bar is operated, the field of view can be moved in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. Thus, by using the scroll bar by switching between screen movement and rotation, even a user unfamiliar with 3D display operation can change the field of view relatively easily.

Further, the 3D display screen can be switched to display from a specified viewpoint. In the example of FIG. 40, a “display position” change field 207B is provided in the floating toolbar, and the viewpoint can be changed to a specified display such as an XY plane. For example, FIG. 45 shows an example in which the print surface is displayed on the XY plane, and a plan view corresponding to the 2D display screen shown in FIG. 38 is displayed. 46 shows a display example on the YZ plane, and FIG. 47 shows a display example on the ZX plane. In addition, the viewpoint of display can be changed from each screen by operating a scroll bar or the like. As described above, even in the three-dimensional display, it is possible to quickly switch to a display screen viewed from a specified direction, which is useful for display change, restoration, confirmation, and the like.
(3D viewer 260)

  In the above example, the edit display field 202 is switched to either 2D display or 3D display. However, there are cases where it is desired to display two-dimensional display and three-dimensional display of the same workpiece side by side. In order to meet such a demand, a three-dimensional viewer 260 that opens in a separate window is prepared. FIG. 48 shows an example in which a three-dimensional viewer 260 is displayed. In the example of FIG. 38 described above, a two-screen display button 207C is provided on the floating toolbar as a three-dimensional screen calling means for opening the three-dimensional viewer 260. When the two-screen display button 207C is pressed in a state where two-dimensional display is performed in the edit display field 202 as shown in FIG. 38, a three-dimensional viewer 260 is displayed in a separate window as shown in FIG. The three-dimensional viewer 260 can be dragged and placed at an arbitrary position. You can also change the window size. Furthermore, operations such as changing the posture and angle of the work W displayed on the three-dimensional viewer 260, and rotating the work W may be possible. In these three-dimensional displays, grids and scales are displayed to make it easy to grasp the viewpoint. These grids and scale display can be turned ON / OFF.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 39, in the state where the three-dimensional display is performed in the edit display field 202, there is no need to open the three-dimensional display screen, so the two-screen display button 207C of the floating toolbar for calling the three-dimensional viewer 260 is grayed out. Therefore, it cannot be selected, and erroneous operation is prevented. However, when it is desired to display the two-dimensional display on a separate screen, a separate two-dimensional viewer field can be displayed. Note that these displays are merely examples, and it goes without saying that the layout, size, positional relationship, and the like of each column can be arbitrarily changed. For example, each field including the setting field may be displayed in a separate window. As described above, the edit display field 202, the three-dimensional viewer 260, and the like can be used as the processing image display unit 83 that displays the three-dimensional shape image of the processing target surface on the display unit 82.
(3D shape data input means 3b)

  On the other hand, an example in which three-dimensional shape data that prescribes the shape of a work is created in advance using a three-dimensional CAD or the like and is input as a data file is shown in FIGS. In this method, two-dimensional print pattern information is pasted on three-dimensional shape data input from the outside. First, the character string “ABCDEFGHIJKLM” is input to the character input field 204b from the screen of FIG. 49, and when ZMAP is selected from the profile specification field 205 which is the three-dimensional shape data input means 3b on the screen of FIG. 50, the shape selection field is displayed. Instead, a ZMAP file name input field 292 is displayed. Here, the ZMAP file is one of three-dimensional shape data files, and has a file format having one Z coordinate information in the height direction for each XY coordinate. When a “reference” button 293 provided on the right side of the ZMAP file name input field 292 is pressed, a file selection screen 294 shown in FIG. 51 is displayed, from which a ZMAP file that defines a work shape to be printed is selected. It is assumed that the ZMAP file has been created in advance. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 52, ZMAP (dolphin.M3D in this example) is designated in the ZMAP file name input field 292. In this state, the edit display column 202 displays a state where the character string “ABCDEFGHIJKLM” is pasted on the three-dimensional shape data defined by the ZMAP file.

  Further, when the display switching button (3D) 207 provided at the left end of the floating toolbar is pressed from this state, the edit display field 202 is switched from the two-dimensional display to the three-dimensional display as shown in FIG. The three-dimensional shape can be confirmed three-dimensionally. As shown in this figure, the state where the character string “ABCDEFGHIJKLM” is pasted at a specified position on the three-dimensional shape data included in the ZMAP file is displayed three-dimensionally. Thereby, the printing state on the printing surface of the workpiece can be confirmed two-dimensionally and three-dimensionally in the machining image display unit.

  Furthermore, at the stage where ZMAP is specified, the check box in the “ZMAP display” column 207D provided at the right end of the floating toolbar is switched to be selectable (see FIG. 52). When the check box in the “ZMAP display” field 207D is turned on in the state of FIG. 53, the three-dimensional shape defined by the ZMAP file is displayed on the three-dimensionally displayed print target surface in the edit display field 202 as shown in FIG. The data is displayed overlaid. As a result, not only the print target surface but also the entire shape of the work can be displayed in a three-dimensional manner, so that the user can visually confirm the entire print image.

  When a character string, which is a print pattern, is pasted on ZMAP that defines the shape of a workpiece, as shown in FIGS. 53 and 54, the print pattern is orthogonally projected onto a three-dimensional print target surface, and the unidirectional ( In this example, the print pattern is correctly reproduced when the print target surface is viewed from the upper surface. That is, even if the character string “ABCDEFGHIJKLM” is displayed in the edit display field 202 in FIG. 49 from the two-dimensional display to the three-dimensional shape (FIGS. 53 and 54), the plan view is as shown in FIG. Does not change. Here, the plane information (XY coordinates) of the print pattern is used as it is, and the height information (Z coordinate) at the XY coordinate position of ZMAP corresponding to the XY coordinates of the print pattern is added as the three-dimensional information of the print pattern. ing. In this method, only the height information is referred to the ZMAP, and the plane information is used as it is, so that data processing when converting a two-dimensional print pattern to three dimensions is easy, and an advantage that the speed can be increased with a light load can be obtained. It is done. Especially when the shape of the workpiece is complicated, this method is advantageous in terms of processing capacity and speed. Further, in applications where the printing result is viewed from one direction, there is an advantage that an accurate shape can be reproduced. For example, even when a symbol such as a barcode is printed on a curved surface, by setting the reading direction accurately, it is possible to eliminate the possibility of a reading error due to a change in the narrow width at the end of the barcode. Similarly, in OCR, character distortion can be reduced, and high-precision printing with a high reading rate can be realized.

  On the other hand, in the conversion method to the three-dimensional laser processing data using the basic figure described above, a printing pattern is pasted on a developed view in which the basic figure is developed in a planar shape. That is, the two-dimensional display of the print pattern in the edit display field 202 changes as shown in FIGS. In this case, it is suitable when the viewing direction is not determined in one direction, and for example, when a character string such as a product manufacturing date or a serial number is printed, it is possible to perform easy-to-read printing.

As described above, the designation of the basic figure by the basic figure designation means 3a and the designation of the ZMAP file by the three-dimensional shape data input means 3b can be switched in the profile designation column 205. It functions as a switching means between the means 3a and the three-dimensional shape data input means 3b.
(Create ZMAP data)

  Next, a procedure for creating ZMAP data from a general-purpose three-dimensional shape data file created in advance will be described. As a means for creating a three-dimensional shape data file, a 3D-CAD program, a 3D-CG program, or the like can be used. Data formats created and saved by these 3D shape data creation programs include general-purpose formats such as DXF, IGES, STEP, STL, and GKS, and specific applications such as DWG, DWF, CDR, and AI. There are special formats. In the present embodiment, an STL (Stereo Lithography) file format is used. STL is data in which all surfaces are constructed with a triangular plane, and has the advantage of being easy to handle. Therefore, STL data that defines the shape of the workpiece is created in advance by a 3D-CAD program or the like. The laser processing data setting program may have a three-dimensional shape data creation function such as STL.

  The STL data created in this way is read into a laser processing data setting program. When “Create ZMAP” is selected from the edit menu of the program, a ZMAP creation screen 300 shown in FIG. 55 is displayed. The ZMAP creation screen 300 is provided with a viewer screen 301 for displaying three-dimensional shape data three-dimensionally in the left column, and an adjustment column 302 for adjusting the posture of the three-dimensional shape data displayed on the viewer screen 301 in the right column. Yes. When “Open STL file” is selected from the file menu on this screen, an STL file selection dialog box is opened. An STL that specifies the shape of a desired workpiece by designating the storage location of the created STL file. Select a file. FIG. 56 shows a ZMAP creation screen 300 in a state where the STL file is opened. In this state, the “STL display” button 303 provided on the right column is pressed, indicating that the STL file is displayed on the viewer screen 301. In this example, the initial position of the three-dimensional shape data on the viewer screen 301 with the STL file opened is set such that the vertex of the three-dimensional shape data is located at the origin. Note that the initial position may be arbitrarily set.

  Next, the STL file is manipulated to determine the posture to be transformed into ZMAP. Here, the coordinates and rotation angle of the three-dimensional shape data defined in the STL file are adjusted in the adjustment field 302 provided in the right field of FIG. For example, when the coordinate adjustment field 304 is moved by −60 mm in the X coordinate direction, the three-dimensional shape data displayed on the viewer screen 301 is translated as shown in FIG. Similarly, the three-dimensional shape data can be vertically moved in the height direction as shown in FIG. 59 (Z coordinate 10 mm) and FIG. 60 (Z coordinate −10 mm) by adjusting in the Z coordinate direction. As shown in FIG. 61, the Y coordinate direction (Y coordinate 50 mm) can also be adjusted. The designation of these coordinate positions can be performed by directly inputting a numerical value from the numerical value input field of the coordinate adjustment field 304 or by pressing an arrow button 305 provided on the right side. The arrow button 305 adjusts the XY coordinates with the button 305 a arranged in a cross shape, and adjusts the Z coordinate with the up and down arrow buttons 305 b provided on the right side of the Z coordinate adjustment field 304 below. As a result, the user can visually move the three-dimensional shape data.

  Furthermore, the three-dimensional shape data displayed on the viewer screen 301 can be rotated by specifying the rotation angle from the rotation angle adjustment field 306. The rotation angle adjustment field 306 includes an X rotation field, a Y rotation field, and a Z rotation field, and designates the rotation angle with a numerical value or a slider. FIG. 62 shows an example of X rotation, FIG. 63 shows an example of Y rotation, and FIG. 64 shows an example of Z rotation.

  In addition, a printable area can be displayed on the viewer screen 301. By turning on the check boxes in the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction in the print area display field 307 provided in the adjustment field 302, the boundary surface KM in each direction of the printable area can be displayed. FIG. 65 shows an example of displaying the boundary surface KM in the X direction, FIG. 66 in the Y direction, and FIG. 67 in the Z direction. A plurality of these boundary surfaces KM can be displayed simultaneously. Thereby, the user can adjust while visually recognizing whether or not the three-dimensional shape data is appropriately arranged in the printable area.

  In the ZMAP creation screen 300, the viewpoint can be changed by rotating or scrolling the screen, and the ZMAP creation screen 300 is operated by a scroll bar. By pressing the “rotate / scroll” button 308, the function of the scroll bar can be switched between the rotation of the three-dimensional shape data and the screen scroll.

  Note that the ZMAP creation screen 300 may have a simple deformation function of the STL file. For example, it is possible to change the enlargement / reduction ratio of the STL file, trimming, or the like.

  When the posture of the three-dimensional shape data is determined in this way, it is converted into ZMAP. 58, when a “ZMAP display” button 310 provided in the right column of the ZMAP creation screen 300 is pressed, a confirmation dialog box such as “Convert to ZMAP? Are you sure?” Is displayed. When “OK” is pressed, conversion from the STL file to the ZMAP file is executed, and ZMAP data is generated as shown in FIG. Since the ZMAP file has only one point of height information, the data below the XY coordinate plane of the three-dimensional shape data displayed on the viewer screen 301 is cut, and only the upper half surface is formed. Since the laser processing apparatus cannot irradiate the back side of the workpiece with laser light, it is sufficient to use data for only one side of the workpiece, that is, only the upper half.

  If it is desired to print on the back side of the work, as shown in FIG. 62, the three-dimensional shape data is rotated to adjust the posture so that the back side is on the upper side, and in this state is converted to ZMAP. In the example of FIG. 62, conversion to ZMAP is performed with the X rotation angle 180 degrees from the state of FIG. 57, and the ZMAP data shown in FIG. 69 is obtained. In this way, the back side of the workpiece can be printed by rotating the workpiece.

  During the ZMAP display, the “ZMAP display” button 310 is pressed, indicating that the display on the viewer screen 301 is switched to the ZMAP display. As described above, the button for executing the file conversion also has the function of displaying the display contents displayed on the viewer screen 301. If the “STL display” button 301 is pressed during ZMAP display, the ZMAP display returns to the STL before conversion. As a result, it is possible to return to the STL file before conversion, and it is possible to redo, re-set, and re-save the operation.

  After confirming on the viewer screen 301 that the three-dimensional shape data defined by the converted ZMAP correctly represents the machining surface of the workpiece, this ZMAP file is saved. Specifically, “Save as ZMAP” is selected from the file menu, and a desired storage location is named and saved.

By specifying the ZMAP data created in this way as three-dimensional shape data indicating the print surface of the workpiece, the print pattern can be converted into a three-dimensional shape. Next, a procedure for converting a print pattern into a three-dimensional shape based on designated ZMAP data will be described.
(Procedure for converting the print pattern into a three-dimensional shape)

  As shown in FIG. 49, the character string “ABCDEFGHIJKLM” is entered into the character entry field 204b, and ZMAP (dolphin.M3D) is selected from the profile designation field 205 on the screen of FIG. Specify the ZMAP file created in. As a result, the character string “ABCDEFGHIJKLM”, which is a print pattern, is converted into a three-dimensional shape, and the print pattern on the XY plane is displayed in FIG. When the display switching button (3D) 207 is pressed in this state, the edit display field 202 is switched from the two-dimensional display to the three-dimensional display as shown in FIG. 53, and the three-dimensional shape of the print target surface can be confirmed three-dimensionally. As shown in these drawings, the character string is deformed so as to be mapped onto the print target surface so that the print pattern seen from the observation direction (upper surface) is equal to that in FIG.

Further, when the check box in the “ZMAP display” field 207D is turned on, the three-dimensional shape of the work specified by the ZMAP file is displayed in the edit display field 202 as shown in FIG. Overlaid. Similarly, when the ZMAP file of FIG. 69 is selected as the three-dimensional shape data, the print pattern is transformed into a three-dimensional shape as shown in FIG. In this way, the user can perform the setting operation by switching only the printing target surface or the three-dimensional display of the entire shape of the workpiece. From this state, the user adjusts the position where the print pattern is pasted in the three-dimensional shape data.
(3D display when setting the work area)

  When the work area (printing area) is set to a three-dimensional workpiece and the printing area including the workpiece shape is displayed three-dimensionally, the printing area can be printed appropriately on the workpiece as follows. It is configured so that it can be visually observed that it is in a proper position.

  First, for the workpiece, when the laser beam is emitted from the emission position of the marking head of the laser marker, the angle formed by the laser beam and the print target surface is within a predetermined angle range (a predetermined angle range in which it can be determined that printing can be appropriately performed). In some cases, printing is possible, but there is a possibility that the print quality may be deteriorated (when the angle is equal to or less than the predetermined angle), and color classification is performed on the print target surface. Specifically, the angle range in which it can be determined that printing can be appropriately performed is not colored, and printing is possible, but the angle range in which print quality may be degraded is colored red. As a result, it is possible to visually check from the three-dimensional display screen whether the set print area is set to an appropriate range or which part of the print area is red (angle range where print quality may be degraded). Can be determined.

  Also, when looking at the print area set on the workpiece from the laser emission position of the marking head, if the work surface of the workpiece (print area setting area) is located on the back side, it is determined that printing is impossible and the workpiece is set. The print area (print contents) is not displayed on the 3D display screen. As a result, the user can quickly grasp the state (positional relationship, etc.) of the print area set by the user with respect to the workpiece, and can easily correct the position of the print area.

  Also, it is not limited to means for displaying on a three-dimensional display screen, but “an angle range that can provide an optimal printing state” by any method, “a printing defect area” that indicates a printing quality deterioration angle range, “an unprintable area”, etc. A visually observable method can be adopted as appropriate. For example, text on the user interface screen indicating that it corresponds to “angle range that can provide the optimal print state”, “printing failure area”, “printing impossible area”, etc., voice, warning sound, dialog Boxes can also be used. It is also possible to display only one of the items. For example, for a user who only needs to be able to print regardless of print quality, it is sufficient to provide only information on the “non-printable area”.

  In this way, in the 3D printing, printing may be impossible or impossible depending on the shape of the workpiece and the positional relationship between the workpiece and the marking head. A sufficient area may arise. Therefore, a printable area can be calculated based on these factors in advance, and when laser processing data is set in the non-printable area, a warning can be issued to the user to prompt the user to reset it. . Such a calculation can be performed by the calculation unit 80. The processing section 80 adjusts the processing conditions in the processing failure area so that the processing conditions in the processing failure area can be processed, the processing failure area detecting means 80B for detecting the processing failure area where the processing area cannot be irradiated with the laser beam and cannot be processed. Highlight processing means 80I for performing highlight processing for displaying the processing defect area detected by the processing condition adjustment means 80C and the processing defect area detection means 80B in a mode different from the processable area, and processing condition setting When setting the machining pattern in the section 3C, it is possible to detect that the machining is set to be performed in an area including the machining failure area, and to realize functions such as the setting warning means 80J for issuing a warning. it can.

Furthermore, in the above-described example, the angle for distinguishing between “the angle range in which the optimum print state can be provided” and “the print quality degradation angle range” is used, in addition to the configuration in which the default value is used on the device side, An input item may be set on the user interface so that the user can reset the input. Specifically, machining is limited depending on the angle at which the laser beam is applied to the workpiece surface, and machining becomes more difficult as the angle θ between the laser beam and the normal of the printing surface approaches 90 °. As a result, the machining accuracy decreases. The upper limit of θ (the processing limit angle) is called a critical angle, and is normally 60 °. This numerical value can be fixed and can be adjusted by the user.
(Non-printable area)

  In the edit display field 202, an area that cannot be printed due to an angle, a shadow, or the like in the processing target surface is calculated by the processing defect area detecting unit 80B, and is highlighted and displayed by the highlight processing unit 80I. You can also. In the example of FIG. 39, a printing failure area where printing can be performed near the side surface of the cylinder but the printing angle is shallow and printing is poor is shown in red by the highlight processing means 80I. In addition, since it is located on the back side when viewed from the laser irradiation point, it is impossible to physically irradiate the laser beam and printing is impossible, that is, when the work is viewed from directly above the XY plane, The area to be positioned is set as a non-printable area. These defective print areas and non-printable areas are calculated by the defective process area detection means 80B. When the set machining pattern is applied to the unprintable area and printing is impossible, the setting warning means 80J can hide the machining pattern in the edit display field 202 and prompt the user to reset. For example, if the print pattern wraps around the set print target surface, the processing pattern is hidden and printing is possible, but it is out of the angular range (print defective area) where optimum printing is possible Is displayed in red. In this way, instead of simply classifying the printable and impossible types, the print quality degradation is displayed step by step in a plurality of categories such as a print failure area and a non-printable area as a range where optimum printing is not possible. Thus, detailed information can be presented to the user, and more appropriate layout and arrangement can be studied.

  In the example of FIGS. 71 and 72, since a part of the processing pattern is in the non-printable area, the setting warning means 80J hides the barcode as the processing pattern in the edit display column 202. Therefore, the printing position is adjusted by the position adjusting means 3K or the like so that the processed pattern is positioned in the printable area. For example, by adjusting the print start angle in the in-screen layout setting field 208 in the “shape setting” tab 204i in FIG. 71 and changing the default value from −90 ° to −120 °, as shown in FIG. The processing pattern barcode is displayed. In this way, settings such as the print start position and range, the narrow width of the barcode, and the print line (bar) width are adjusted so that printing can be performed correctly. Such adjustment can be automatically performed by the machining condition adjusting means 80C without manual operation. Moreover, ON / OFF of the display / non-display of the processing pattern in the edit display field 202 and its threshold value can be set arbitrarily.

  ON / OFF of the display function of the non-printable area by the highlight processing means 80I is performed from the “Laser Parameter Setting” screen of FIG. On this screen, the display function of the non-printable area can be turned off by turning off the “display” check box in the non-printable area display function setting field. In addition, other laser parameters are set on the “Laser Parameter Setting” screen of FIG. Specifically, the focal position, the effective range in the Z direction, the effective angle (critical angle), and the like can be confirmed and adjusted.

Further, when the processing defect area or the non-processable area is calculated by the processing defect area detection unit 80B, the size and position of the processable area can be specified. Therefore, the setting warning unit 80J can display information such as the coordinate range of the print area and the maximum printable size on the display unit 82. By displaying specific setting examples with numerical values or the like, an environment that can be used as an index when the user performs resetting and is easy to operate is provided.
(Setting warning means 80J)

  The setting warning unit 80J hides the processing pattern on the display unit 82 when a part of the processing pattern is arranged in the non-processable region calculated by the processing defect region detection unit 80B. Conventionally, when performing printing with a laser processing device that can process three-dimensionally, in order to confirm that the settings are inappropriate and printing is not performed correctly, check by actually performing printing, or check the printing conditions. After the setting is completed, the setting data is transferred to the memory of the controller unit of the laser marker, and after the data is expanded, the controller unit confirms whether printing is possible. In setting the printing conditions, the shape (for example, a cylinder, a cone, a sphere, etc.) of the surface to be printed of the work is specified, and the contents to be printed (for example, a character string) are specified. Since the print size (printable area) that can be printed there is determined by parameters that determine the print area, such as the radius of the workpiece shape, it is necessary to set a smaller print content. However, in the past, the user could not know whether printing is possible during the setting of printing conditions, and after selecting the printing target and setting the printing contents, the printing conditions were once transferred to the controller unit for development. After that, error checking could not be done. Since such setting work, data transfer, and expansion operations take some time, it is inconvenient.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the setting warning means 80J realizes a function for notifying the user of whether printing is possible or not during editing of printing conditions. Specific notification methods include a method of displaying the printable size when a print target is selected, a method of displaying the size of the print content at a stage set by the user, and a method of combining and displaying the print target and the print content. , Etc. are available.

  FIG. 74 shows an example in which a printable size is displayed when a print target is selected. In the example of FIG. 74, the workpiece is set in a cylindrical shape, and an area where the incident angle becomes shallower with respect to the laser beam near the cylindrical side surface and the printing is defective (processing defective area) 80B. And is displayed in red by the highlight processing means 80I. At the same time, the printable area is displayed in a frame shape by the setting warning means 80J. The frame-shaped portion indicates the printable size of the cylindrical workpiece, and the user can perform printing within the frame-shaped range. The frame shape is displayed by changing the color, thickness, line type, etc., so that the visibility of the printable area is improved and can be easily distinguished.

  FIG. 75 shows an example in which the size of the print content is displayed at the stage set by the user. In the example of FIG. 75, when the user specifies the size of the print content, the size of the specified print content is displayed in a frame shape. As a result, the currently specified print content size is reflected on the display unit 82 and can be immediately checked, so that the user can quickly check whether printing can be performed properly and can be reset as necessary. In the example of FIG. 75, it can be seen that the print defect area shown in red and the frame shape do not interfere with each other, and it can be confirmed that printing can be performed correctly.

  76 and 77 show an example in which the print content is combined with the print target and displayed in addition to FIG. In this case, the actual print content (in this example, the character string “ABC”) is displayed in a frame shape indicating the print content size in FIG. You can check the status. In the example of FIG. 75, it can be confirmed that the character string ABC arranged in the frame shape does not interfere with the print defect area shown in red. On the other hand, in FIG. 77, since it can be confirmed that the frame shape interferes with the print defect area, the user can reset the character string to be arranged in the printable area.

In addition, when such interference occurs, a message can be explicitly displayed. In the example of FIG. 78, the setting warning unit 80J displays a warning message “Appropriate printing conditions are not set” on the display unit 82 to prompt the user to reset. Further, without being limited to a warning, a specific setting example of resetting may be displayed with a numerical value or the like, and guidance for resetting may be presented. The example of FIG. 79 shows an example in which a guidance message “Please set in the print range of XX” is displayed. Alternatively, the message may be changed to a message such as “Move the print position to the range of XX to XX”, “Please set the character size to XX or less”, or a combination thereof. This presents an index for the user to perform resetting and provides an easy-to-operate environment. Guidance and warning can be used in combination with not only text information but also warning sound and voice guidance. In this way, the setting warning means 80J can warn that a desired printing cannot be performed with the current setting, and can guide an appropriate setting example.
(Machining defect area detection means 80B)

Here, the details of the defective processing area detection means 80B shown in the block diagram of FIG. 13A will be described. For various reasons, such as the shape of the workpiece, the conveyance speed, and the scanning speed of the scanner that scans the laser beam LB, there may be a region where printing is defective. In such a case, conventionally, since there is no means for knowing the processing failure area, if a processing pattern is erroneously set in the processing failure area, a printing failure or a printing error occurs. For this reason, it takes time and effort to inspect and collect printing defects by visual inspection or the like, and it is difficult to reuse a work with defective printing, which has been wasted. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is detected by the user by detecting that the setting for printing in the defective processing area has been made at the setting stage. Alternatively, when printing is actually performed, it is detected that a printing defect has occurred, and the user is notified. In order to realize this, a processing defect area detecting means 80B is provided in the three-dimensional laser processing data setting device. Here, the term “working failure” is used to include a configuration that can detect a non-workable region in addition to a working failure region.
(Processing defect detection method)

  A method in which the processing defect area detecting unit 80B detects the processing defect area will be described with reference to FIG. Consider a case in which a laser beam LB is scanned from above and printed on a substantially rectangular parallelepiped workpiece W as shown in FIG. In this example, the laser beam LB is fixed in the Z-axis (height) direction, and the height from the printing surface to the scanner mirror surface is K. The X and Y axes can be scanned by the first mirror and the second mirror, respectively, and the first mirror and the second mirror are separated by a distance L in the Y axis direction and inclined by θ1 in the X axis direction. ing. In this case, when the beam is condensed at an arbitrary coordinate A (X, Y, Z) via these two scanner mirrors, the following equation (1) is established.

  Here, the vector of the laser beam LB can be expressed by the following equation (2).

  Therefore, the laser beam LB can be expressed by the following equation (3).

  Substituting Equation 1 into Equation 3 yields Equation 4 below.

  Whether or not the arbitrary coordinate point A (X, Y, Z) can be irradiated with the laser beam LB, that is, whether or not it becomes a shadow and becomes a defective working area, the above-described line 4 has an intersection with the work to be printed. It depends on whether or not. Therefore, the processing defect area detection unit 80B can detect the processing defect area by calculating the above equation. In the above example, the workpiece is stationary for the sake of simplicity of explanation. However, when the workpiece is moving, such as when the workpiece is transported on the line, the amount of movement of the workpiece is taken into account at each time. It is possible to calculate a processing defect area at.

Further, the processing failure due to the difference in the scanning speed of the scanner is a problem in processing on the inclined surface because the scanning speed of the Z-axis scanner is mainly slower than that of the X-axis / Y-axis scanner. In this case, the inclination angle is detected from the shape of the workpiece or the shape of the machining pattern on the machining surface, and if the inclination between the X / Y axis and the Z axis is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that the printing is defective. Note that such a printing defect due to the scanning speed of the scanner may be eliminated by adjusting the printing parameters. That is, the reason is that the Z-axis scanner cannot follow the scanning speed of the X / Y-axis scanner. Therefore, the Z-axis scanner can scan the X / Y-axis scanner by reducing the scanning speed of the X / Y-axis scanner. It is possible to follow, and correct machining can be performed. Therefore, by adjusting the processing conditions for reducing the scanning speed of the X / Y-axis scanner during processing in the processing defect area, the processing defect area can be eliminated. As a means for adjusting and resetting the processing conditions, a processing condition adjusting means 80C for adjusting the processing conditions in the processing failure area so as to be processed can be provided in the calculation unit 80 as necessary.
(Processing condition adjusting means 80C)

The machining condition adjusting unit 80C calculates conditions that can be machined from the tilt angle of the tilted machining surface, the ratio of the X / Y-axis component, the Z-axis component, the scanning speed of the Z-axis scanner, the workpiece conveyance speed, and the like. The calculated machining condition adjustment proposal can be displayed on the display unit 82. As a result, the user resets the machining conditions with reference to the instructed adjustment plan. Alternatively, the machining conditions can be automatically reset by the machining condition adjusting means 80C. In this case, since the processing conditions can be automatically reset collectively, the burden on the user can be reduced, and accurate processing can be realized regardless of the processing failure area. Similarly, even when the scanning speed variation of the X-axis / Y-axis scanners becomes a problem and the processing may be hindered, the processing defects can be reduced by adjusting the scanning speed of the high scanning speed to match the scanning speed of the slow scanning speed. Can be resolved.
(Highlight processing)

When the processing failure area detection unit 80B detects the processing failure region as described above, when the workpiece is displayed on the display unit 82, the highlight processing unit 80I distinguishes the processing failure region from the processable region. By displaying separately, it is possible to make the user visually grasp the processing defect area. Highlight processing for displaying such defective processing areas and processable areas in distinction from others is not only coloring with colors, but also patterns such as grayscale, gradation, shadows, and hatching, emphasis, blinking, and grayout. A display form distinguishable from others can be used as appropriate. In addition, in the example of FIG. 71, the processing defect area is colored in red, but on the contrary, a highlight process for coloring the processable area can be adopted. This prompts the user to set a processing pattern within the colored area.
(Display of laser emission direction)

Furthermore, the display of the laser emission direction can also be displayed on the 3D display screen. In the example of FIG. 40, the marking head of the laser marker is displayed as an icon-like image MK in the edit display field 202, and the locus of the laser light LK emitted from the marking head is displayed in a straight line. As a result, the direction of printing can be indicated, so that the relationship with the non-printable area can be easily understood. The marking head image MK can be switched between display and non-display. FIG. 81 shows an example of a setting screen 210 for displaying / hiding the marking head image MK as a setting screen for performing various settings. In this way, display / non-display can be easily switched by turning ON / OFF the check box in the “display laser marker” column. As described above, the marking head image MK functions as the head image display means 84 that three-dimensionally displays the position with the marking head when displaying the three-dimensional image of the processing target surface on the processing image display unit 83.
(Display of coordinate axes)

  Further, by displaying the coordinate axis of the work area, it is possible to easily confirm the coordinate position. In the example of FIG. 40 and the like, the XYZ coordinate axes of the work area are displayed. By displaying these coordinate axes in different colors, the XYZ coordinate axes can be easily distinguished even when the display is rotated. In the example of FIG. 40 and the like, the marking head is positioned on the origin of the XY coordinates so that the Z axis coincides with the locus of the laser beam of the marking head. As a result, the positional relationship of the marking head in the coordinate space can be imaged easily by the user.

Moreover, ON / OFF of the display of a coordinate axis can also be switched. The setting / non-display of the coordinate axes can be easily switched by turning ON / OFF the check box in the “display axis” column from the setting screen of FIG. In this example, the display / non-display of the XYZ coordinate axes is set in a lump, but the display may be individually switched on / off for the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis. In addition to the XYZ coordinate axes, an arbitrary reference line can be displayed. For example, when printing is performed on the side surface of a cylindrical workpiece, a reference line can be displayed on the side surface along the longitudinal direction in order to clarify the reference position. One or a plurality of reference lines can be set at an arbitrary position, and a vector direction, coordinates, and the like are designated.
(Marking head icon)

  The marking head in the figure is displayed in an icon shape imitating the shape of the marking head. The shape and color follow the actual marking head. However, the color on the back side of the marking head is preferably displayed in a color different from that on the front side. In FIG. 41 described above, the back surface of the marking head image MK is white, and is colored in a color different from the gray color on the top surface of the marking head image MK shown in FIG. Accordingly, even if the viewpoint of the 3D display screen is changed and the print surface is rotated to display from the back side, the user can easily grasp that the back side is observed. In the example of FIG. 41, the color is white, but it is needless to say that the color may be different. Further, each display color may be arbitrarily designated and changed by the user. FIG. 82 shows a screen example for changing the color scheme of the 3D display screen. In addition to the color scheme, a display pattern such as a solid line, a broken line, etc., such as a line pattern or a solid hatching pattern, can be changed. FIG. 83 shows an example of a display change screen on the 2D display screen, and FIG. 84 shows an example of a color arrangement change screen on the 2D display screen. From these screens, the user can set a desired color, pattern, display / non-display, and the like.

  Thus, the image of the marking head of the laser marker is displayed together with the processing target surface in a three-dimensional manner, so that the user can visually grasp the positional relationship between the two. For this reason, an image of setting contents can be easily confirmed, and setting errors can be reduced. In this example, the display of the marking head image is also updated in accordance with the movement of the processing surface and the change of the viewpoint. In the example of FIG. 41 and the like, the display magnification such as enlargement / reduction can be changed in 2D display, but the magnification is fixed in 3D display. The items that can be changed are limited in consideration of a user who is unfamiliar with the operation for 3D display. However, it is needless to say that the image of the workpiece can be enlarged / reduced even in 3D display, and the marking head image can be enlarged / reduced accordingly. Note that the size of the marking head image may be fixed regardless of the enlargement / reduction of the workpiece. Since the display of the marking head is intended to confirm the positional relationship, the size of the marking head can be fixed so that the position of the marking head is not lost during the reduced display.

Further, since the above example describes the printing in a state where the workpiece is stationary, in the 3D display, the work area is mainly displayed. However, as will be described later, it is also possible to use a printable laser marker for a moving workpiece, and in such moving printing, it is possible to display 3D in a wider range than the work area for stationary printing. . That is, in the case of moving printing, since the printable area can be substantially widened, the print setting can be easily confirmed by displaying the entire wide printable area in 3D. In particular, when a long workpiece is conveyed in the longitudinal direction, the entire workpiece can be easily grasped by displaying the entire workpiece on a single screen. Needless to say, the entire screen can be displayed by scrolling the screen as necessary.
(Layout of printing blocks)

Furthermore, the laser processing data setting program has a function of adjusting the arrangement of the processing target surface. In the example of FIG. 85, when the “block shape / arrangement” tab 211 in the detailed setting column 204c is selected while the “shape setting” tab 204i constituting the position adjusting means 3K is selected, the coordinates and rotation of the reference position of the print block are selected. Details of corners and block shapes can be specified. Thereby, arrangement | positioning of a process target surface can be changed arbitrarily. As for the details of the block shape, when a cylindrical processing target surface is specified as shown in FIG. 85, the “block shape” column 212 can specify the radius of the cylinder and whether the print surface is the inner surface or the outer surface of the cylinder. .
(Laser processing data setting procedure)

  A procedure for setting the printing condition from the processing condition setting unit 3C and generating the processing pattern by the processing data generation unit 80K using the above laser processing data setting program will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S21 in FIG. 86, a processing pattern is set. Here, a character string is input from the processing condition setting unit 3C, and the type of symbol to be encoded is specified. In the example of FIG. 14, a character string is selected in the processing type designation field 204a, and “012345” is entered as a character string from the character input field 204b. “Barcode” is specified as the type of “CODE”, and “CODE39” is specified as the detailed type of the barcode. Based on the information specified in this way, the calculation unit 80 generates a machining pattern. Here, since a barcode is selected instead of a character string, a barcode is generated and an image of the barcode is displayed in the edit display column 202.

  In this example, the arithmetic unit 80 automatically generates a symbol as a processing pattern based on the character information input from the processing condition setting unit 3C. However, it is also possible to input a symbol directly. For example, it is possible to adopt means such as selecting and inputting image data of already created symbols in the processing condition setting unit, or pasting symbols created by other programs from the processing condition setting unit.

  In step S22, profile information is input from the machining condition setting unit 3C. In the example of FIG. 14, the tab of the print pattern input field 204 is switched from the “basic setting” tab 204h to the “shape setting” tab 204i, and a cylinder is selected as the basic figure from the profile designation field 205 of FIG. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 38, the display of the edit display column 202 is switched from a planar shape to a cylindrical shape. Further, when the display format of the edit display column 202 is switched to 3D display, the three-dimensional shape of the processing target surface can be confirmed three-dimensionally as shown in FIG. The shape can be specified for each character string, that is, for each print block, but the shape may be specified for a plurality of character strings.

  In this manner, the print pattern information is designated in step S21, and the plan view of this machining pattern is displayed in the edit display column 202. Then, in step S22, the profile information is designated and converted into a three-dimensional machining pattern for editing. By confirming in the display column 202, a change in the machining pattern can be visually confirmed. The order of step S21 and step S22 may be interchanged. That is, the print pattern information can be specified after the shape of the surface to be processed is specified first.

  As described above, after the three-dimensional spatial coordinate data is obtained as the processing data, adjustment work is performed as necessary. For example, adjustment of the layout and fine adjustment in the height direction (z direction) can be mentioned. For fine adjustment, means such as slider adjustment and mouse wheel rotation provided on the user interface of the program can be used.

  After the final laser processing data is generated by the above procedure and the setting operation is completed, the obtained laser processing data is transferred from the laser processing data setting program to the controller 1A of the laser processing apparatus shown in FIG. To execute the transfer, a “transfer / read” button 215 provided at the lower left of the screen of the laser processing data setting program is pressed. As a result, the setting data is transferred to the memory in the controller 1A, expanded and changed, and the new printing conditions are reflected.

  The laser processing apparatus performs printing processing based on the laser processing data. Further, test printing may be performed prior to the start of actual processing. Thereby, it can be confirmed in advance whether or not printing of a desired printing pattern can be obtained. Further, the laser processing data can be reset based on the test print result.

In the above example, an example in which one print pattern is designated for one work has been described. However, a plurality of print patterns can be designated for one work by repeating the same procedure. Further, the present invention is not limited to the configuration in which only one workpiece is displayed on one screen of the laser processing data setting program, and a plurality of workpieces can be displayed on one screen and a print pattern can be designated for each workpiece.
(Setting method for moving printing)

Further, the laser processing apparatus can be configured to perform printing not only for a stationary work but also for a moving work by calculating an appropriate condition in the machining data generation unit 80K. As an example, a printing setting method for moving a planar workpiece will be described with reference to FIG. In the two-dimensional moving printing, a moving workpiece is printed on a two-dimensional printing target surface. In the case of such printing, (1) the printing content to be printed is determined, (2) the plane moving processing conditions are set, (3) printing is started, and (4) the XY coordinates of the printing content are further set. In addition, coordinates corresponding to the amount of movement of the workpiece are added. In the example of FIG. 87A, the character string “ABC” is designated as the print content. Further, the processing conditions for plane movement include a moving direction, a moving condition, a printing range, and the like. Hereinafter, the plane moving processing conditions will be sequentially described.
(Direction of movement)

The moving direction of the workpiece is designated as the moving direction which is one of the plane moving machining conditions. In this example, since the workpiece to be printed moves from left to right, this moving direction is designated from the moving machining condition setting unit. FIG. 88 shows a machining line condition setting screen 240 as an example of the moving machining condition setting unit. In this figure, the “movement / printing direction” tab 241 is selected to set the XY movement direction and / or the Z movement direction of the workpiece. In this example, the marking head of the laser processing apparatus is shown in a plan view and a side view, and the direction of the workpiece line and the moving direction are designated for the marking head. By selecting from such visual display examples, the user can easily grasp the mutual positional relationship, and can easily set and reduce setting errors. In the example of FIG. 87, when the printing direction is orthogonal to FIG. 87A with respect to the longitudinal direction of the marking head, the upper or lower direction is selected according to the moving direction of the workpiece. After selection, “ABC”, which is the print content, is displayed side by side in the vertical direction.
(Movement conditions)

The movement condition designates movement at a predetermined speed (open control without feedback) or feedback control by an encoder. Here, it is selected whether the workpiece is moved at a constant speed or controlled by an encoder.
(Print range)

  The printable range is determined by the movable range of the scanner provided corresponding to the X direction and the Y direction, and the maximum printable range is displayed in the edit display column 202 shown in FIGS. This part is set to correspond to this. The user can automatically set a print range by setting a print target character or the like in the edit display field 202.

  When these plane movement processing conditions are designated, the XY coordinate position after the start of printing and the ON / OFF of the laser beam at each coordinate position can be calculated. The XY coordinates can be calculated by adding the workpiece movement amount to the coordinates in the movement direction of the workpiece to the XY coordinates corresponding to the characters of the print contents. In the example of FIG. 87, since the workpiece moves in the X direction, the movement speed of the workpiece is added only for the X coordinate, and the Y coordinate is maintained.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the example in which the plane moves, and three-dimensional moving printing such as a rotating body can also be performed. In this case, as in the above-described plane movement printing, (1) the printing contents to be printed are determined, (2) the processing conditions for rotational movement are set, (3) printing is started, and (4) the printing contents are further determined. A coordinate corresponding to the movement amount of the work is added to the XY coordinate.
(Defocus amount setting)

  The above machining data generation unit 80K generates machining data based on the machining conditions set by the machining condition setting unit 3C so that the basic setting conditions coincide with the three-dimensional machining target surface. However, it is also possible to set the defocus amount so that it does not coincide with the processing target surface.

  In order to intentionally set a specific defocus amount for the print surface, the defocus amount is designated with respect to a basic setting condition in which the print surface is focused. FIG. 89 shows an example of a machining parameter setting screen for performing such setting. In FIG. 89, a defocus setting field 204o for specifying a defocus value is provided in the processing parameter setting field 204n, and the user inputs a desired value. For example, if a positive value is input as the defocus value, the focal position is set at a position away from the laser processing apparatus by a value set from the printing surface. Conversely, if a negative value is input, the focal position is set closer to the laser processing apparatus by a value set further than the printing surface.

  Further, as setting items when setting the machining conditions, machining parameters such as a spot diameter as a defocus amount of the laser beam, a workpiece material, and the like can be set. At this time, by automatically changing other machining conditions in accordance with the change of one designated machining parameter, the user can easily create a condition by changing only a specific set item. In the screen of the laser processing data setting program shown in FIG. 89, a setting column for a working distance, a defocus amount, a spot diameter, and a workpiece to be processed is provided in the lower part of the “detail setting” tab 204j on the right side of the screen. Since the working distance is determined by the laser processing apparatus, it is usually set automatically. The defocus amount designates an offset amount from the focal position (working distance) of the laser beam. The spot diameter is specified as a ratio based on the spot diameter at the focal position. Furthermore, the workpiece to be machined is adjusted to the power density of the laser beam suitable for machining the selected workpiece by selecting the material and machining purpose of the workpiece to be machined from the options 204k. In this example, black printing on iron, black printing on stainless steel, ABS resin, polycarbonate resin, phenolic resin work materials, and processing purposes such as resin welding and surface roughening are listed. Select the radio button according to the purpose.

  These setting items are related to each other. That is, by adjusting the defocus amount, the power density of the laser beam can be adjusted, but the spot diameter also changes at the same time. When the material of the workpiece and the processing purpose are selected, the power density of the laser beam that matches the purpose is selected, so the defocus amount and the spot diameter change. For this reason, when it is desired to adjust the power density of the laser beam while maintaining the spot diameter constant, conventionally, not only the defocus amount is set, but in order to find a combination of processing parameters that does not change the spot diameter, It was necessary to adjust other setting items such as the output value of the laser beam and the scanning speed. This work involves repeated trial and error of adjusting each item value while observing the result of actually scanning the workpiece with laser light and finding the optimum combination of machining parameters, which is extremely complicated and laborious. It takes.

Therefore, a combination of other machining parameter values that should be changed corresponding to one machining parameter is registered in the reference table 5a in advance, and when adjusting one machining parameter, the reference table 5a is referred to, By extracting a combination of other processing parameters to be performed and automatically setting this value, it is possible to change only necessary setting items. Specifically, when any one of the defocus amount, the spot diameter, and the workpiece to be processed is set from the screen of FIG. 89, corresponding values are automatically input to the other setting items. Even if the defocus amount is changed from this state, other processing parameters (for example, laser output and scanning speed) are automatically adjusted so that the spot diameter and the workpiece to be processed are maintained constant. Thereby, since the user can change only a desired item rapidly, it can adjust to a desired process result very easily.
(Continuous change in defocus amount)

  Furthermore, the processing parameters can be continuously changed during laser processing. Thereby, it is possible to process into a processing pattern as shown in FIG. FIG. 90A is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which an inclined surface is formed in the engraving process of the work surface, and FIG. 90B is a plan view in which a handwritten logo is printed on the work surface. Such processing can be realized by setting the defocus amount and spot diameter of the laser beam to be continuously changed. At this time, similarly to the above, the machining data generation unit 80K also continuously adjusts other machining parameters so as to follow the continuous change of the defocus amount and the spot diameter, and only the designated setting items continuously change. To be automatically adjusted. As a result, the setting items that do not need to be changed, such as the processing position and size, are processed so that the previous values are maintained, and processing conditions that change only the setting items desired by the user can be easily set.

  FIG. 91 shows an example of a setting screen for setting such a continuous change in laser processing. In the example of FIG. 91, when the check box in the “perform continuous change” column is turned ON, the screen is switched to the continuous change setting screen. Here, the range where the continuous change is performed is designated by the coordinate position. When the check box of a setting item to be changed is turned ON, a range input field is displayed, and a numerical value can be designated. In the example of FIG. 91, the defocus amount check box is selected, and the defocus amount at the start position and the defocus amount at the end position are designated. The designated defocus amount is automatically set so as to continuously change evenly within the designated range. It is also possible to specify only the start value or the end value, and specify the increment / decrement of change and the rate of change. When the defocus amount is set, the numerical value corresponding to the spot diameter column is also referred to from the reference table 5a and automatically input to the input column. In this way, when any setting item is specified, the corresponding value is automatically input to the other setting items, so the user is not aware of the correlation between the processing parameters of each setting item. It is possible to change to desired processing conditions by setting only necessary items.

  In the example of FIG. 91, “RSS & CC (RSS / composite code)” is selected in the character data designation field 204d, and the composite code is displayed in the edit display field 202 and the three-dimensional viewer 260. In “RSS & CC”, an RSS code or a composite code in which a micro PDF code is added above the RSS code can be set. In this example, “RSS-14 CC-A” is selected as the composite code in the type designation field 204q. In order to facilitate the input of delimiters, other control codes, special character codes, external characters, etc. necessary for inputting additional information in the character input field 204b, a second floating toolbar 296 having these input buttons is provided. It can also be provided. As a result, the user can easily perform a special code input operation.

As described above, the setting items such as the material of the workpiece to be machined, the machining pattern, the finishing state, and the machining time can be easily changed in a short time by freely changing the beam diameter of the laser beam.
(Save / Load settings)

  Furthermore, the processing parameters of the processing conditions once set can be saved as setting data and recalled when necessary. For example, by selecting “Save As” from the File menu and saving the setting information with an arbitrary name, the saved setting data can be recalled when performing the same processing on the same workpiece in the future. As a result, the time and labor required for the setup change can be greatly simplified. Moreover, by registering frequently used settings in advance, even if a beginner can use them, machining conditions can be easily set. Also, by making adjustments based on the setting conditions of registered / stored data, the labor of setting can be greatly saved. As described above, enabling the reuse of the setting information can greatly contribute to labor saving of the setting work.

  As described above, the basic flow of the laser processing data setting method using the laser processing data setting program is as follows. First, using a two-dimensional setting user interface, as a two-dimensional print pattern information, a print character string and a layout are arranged. And then setting 3D information and layout for converting the print pattern into a 3D shape on the 3D setting user interface. This procedure will be described in detail. First, the setting in the two-dimensional setting user interface is performed by specifying the character string to be printed, the barcode, the two-dimensional code, or information specifying the user-defined figure and the size thereof. Input data related to a planar layout such as the inclination and line width for each character. Regarding data input, it is possible to directly input numerical values or to edit directly from an image displayed in a two-dimensional form on the processed image display unit. For example, size adjustment and layout can be adjusted by operating the mouse. These settings can be made in a two-dimensional display.

  Next, information regarding the three-dimensional shape and layout is added to the print pattern set above using the three-dimensional setting user interface. The specification of the three-dimensional shape will be described based on the example of FIGS. 37 and 38 described above. When the character string is designated as “cylindrical” on the “shape setting” tab 204i in FIG. As shown in FIG. 38, the print image is deformed so as to stick to the cylindrical surface, and the shape of the print image viewed from the front, that is, directly above the print target surface, is changed.

  Here, the conversion between the front view and the three-dimensional view can be performed as follows. For example, in the case of a three-dimensional figure that can be developed in a plan view such as a cylinder, it can be considered that a character string of a print pattern set in two dimensions is arranged in the development view. When creating a solid from the developed view, the position where the set character string is arranged on the surface of the solid can be easily calculated by calculation. Also, to create a front view of this three-dimensional shape, create a display diagram when the cylinder where the character string is placed is viewed from the infinity front of the surface to be printed, and from this state other than the character string to be printed Remove information. That is, a front view of a character string to be printed can be created by excluding information related to a three-dimensional workpiece. In addition, the method of pasting such a development view is not limited, and a method of projecting a character string set two-dimensionally on the surface of a three-dimensional figure from an arbitrary direction and a method of approximating mapping on a three-dimensional surface are also used as appropriate. it can.

Further, the layout of the print pattern in which the three-dimensional shape is set is adjusted from the three-dimensional setting user interface. The layout can be adjusted finely by displaying the front view on the two-dimensional display screen while intuitively confirming the three-dimensional positional relationship of the print pattern on the three-dimensional display screen. For example, information such as designation of a coordinate position serving as a reference of a basic figure, inclination of the figure, and a position where a character is arranged from the reference point of the figure is set. With regard to this setting, it is possible to directly edit numerical values on the workpiece image arranged in the work area two-dimensionally and / or three-dimensionally in the machining image display unit. Items that can be set in these settings include, for example, items shown in the list of FIG.
(Processing conditions)

The processing conditions include processing pattern information indicating the content of processing and three-dimensional shape information for deforming the processing pattern into a three-dimensional shape according to the shape of the processing target surface. The processing pattern is a character string, a bar code, a symbol such as a two-dimensional code, or image data such as a logo. In a batch processing mode such as pallet printing, variables such as a manufacturing date and a serial number may be included in the processing pattern. As the variable, in addition to a predetermined value specified at the time of processing, such as a processing date, a value that is incremented according to a processing position, a processing order, or the like such as a serial number is used. By adding such information to the workpiece, three-dimensional printing corresponding to traceability can be realized.
(Tracking function of Z-axis scanner Example 1)

  When a laser beam is scanned three-dimensionally with a laser beam scanning system and printed on a workpiece, the Z-axis scanner can follow the movement of the X-axis and Y-axis scanners by associating the Z-coordinate with the XY coordinates. Can be made. This will be described as Example 1 with reference to FIG. When printing is performed on a triangular pyramid-shaped workpiece shown in FIG. 93 (a), three-dimensional laser processing data can be simply obtained by associating Z coordinates corresponding to XY coordinates as shown in FIG. 93 (b). Can be created. Thus, the Z coordinate is automatically determined by the Z axis scanner in correspondence with the XY coordinates designated by the X axis and Y axis scanners, and desired three-dimensional printing can be performed. In this case, the Z-axis scanner always moves following the movement of the X-axis and Y-axis scanners.

  On the other hand, Z-axis scanners generally tend to have inferior response characteristics due to mechanical and structural differences compared to X- and Y-axis scanners. That is, the response time required for the Z-axis scanner to be actually completed after the operation instruction is given is longer than that of the X- and Y-axis scanners, and the response characteristics are poor. For this reason, if the Z-axis scanner always follows the movement of the XY-axis scanner, a waiting time until the movement speed of the Z-axis scanner is completed occurs, or the response speed of the X / Y-axis scanner decreases. In any case, the time required for printing becomes long. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to perform such control that the tracking function of such a Z-axis scanner is not always turned on, but the tracking function is turned off when the tracking is unnecessary and is turned on only when necessary.

  Specifically, in the example of FIG. 93, as shown in FIG. 94, the trajectory at the time of marking ON is set to follow movement according to the association, while the trajectory at the time of marking OFF is kept at a constant value without changing the Z coordinate. To. As a result, the Z-axis scanner operation can be interrupted while marking is OFF, for example, while printing is interrupted and the XY-axis scanner is moved, so that the original response speed of the XY-axis scanner can be moved, and the overall marking processing time can be reduced. Can be shortened. For example, the determination of the Z coordinate is distinguished by marking ON / OFF. When the marking is ON, the Z coordinate associated with the XY coordinate is output, and when the marking is OFF, the predetermined Z coordinate not related to the XY coordinate is output. The predetermined Z coordinate may be a predetermined coordinate position (for example, a default Z coordinate, a lowest position, a highest position, etc. when the apparatus is activated) in addition to maintaining the Z coordinate at the end of marking in the previous stage. Alternatively, it may be moved to the next marking start position. With this method, the next stage of marking can be started smoothly.

  As a more specific control method of the Z-axis scanner, the case of moving from the current coordinates (Xa, Ya, Za) to the target coordinates (Xb, Yb, Zb) is based on the flowchart of FIG. 95 and FIGS. 96 and 97. I will explain. First, in step S'1 in FIG. 95, it is determined whether laser light emission is ON or OFF. If the laser light emission is ON, the process proceeds to step S'2 and passes through a three-dimensional trajectory having a Z coordinate associated with the XY coordinate. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 96, the XY axis scanner moves from (Xa, Ya) to (Xb, Yb). The Z-axis scanner moves from Za to Zb with the Z coordinate associated with the XY coordinate.

On the other hand, if the laser beam emission is OFF in step S′1, the process proceeds to step S′3 and passes through a trajectory in which the movement time is shortened. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 97, the XY axis scanner moves from (Xa, Ya) to (Xb, Yb). At this time, the Z-axis scanner interrupts the tracking function and moves along the shortest path from Za to the target coordinate Zb. As a result, unnecessary movement of the Z-axis scanner is eliminated as compared with FIG. 96, and only the XY-axis scanner can be moved at a higher speed. Thus, when outputting the Z coordinate related to the X and Y coordinates, the response characteristic of the scanner is improved as a whole by changing the Z coordinate based on the information of the laser beam emission ON / OFF, and the printing time is improved. Can be shortened.
(Example 2)

  In the above, the movement method of the XYZ-axis scanner when the Z coordinate of the laser beam emission ON end position and the next laser beam emission ON start position are the same has been described. However, the Z coordinate of the extraction ON end position and the next extraction ON start position may be different. In the second embodiment, an example of a method for moving each scanner in such a case will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 98A shows a conventional movement pattern (movement along the workpiece surface) for reference, and FIG. 98B shows a movement pattern according to the second embodiment. In both cases, the movement path of the scanner from the previous extraction ON end position A to the next extraction ON start position B is indicated by an arrow on the triangular pyramid-shaped workpiece, The emission ON start position B is the lower end of the right side surface.

  In Example 2, as shown in FIG. 98 (b), the Z coordinate at the laser beam emission ON end position A is maintained, and the X coordinate and Y coordinate positions on the XY plane including the emission ON end position A are set. Then, the workpiece is moved to the right side surface of the workpiece including the next laser beam emission ON start position B. Next, along the right side surface of the workpiece, the X and Z coordinates are moved to the extraction ON start position B. In this example, the movement distance can be shortened compared to the conventional route shown in FIG. In particular, the amount of movement of the Z-axis scanner, which tends to be inferior in response characteristics compared to the X-axis / Y-axis scanner, can be reduced, the scanner can be moved efficiently, and the tact time can be reduced.

In the above example, the X-axis and Y-axis scanners are driven after the X-axis and Y-axis scanners are driven to move the print position. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various patterns can be used for the movement path of the scanner from the emission ON end position A to the emission ON start position B. For example, first, the Z coordinate at the laser beam emission ON end position A is maintained, and only one of the X or Y coordinates is moved on the XY plane, and then the X, Y, and Z coordinates are further moved on the surface of the workpiece. It may be made to reach the emission ON start position B. In the example shown in FIG. 99, first, the Z coordinate and the Y coordinate at the extraction ON end position A are maintained, and only the X axis scanner is moved on the XY plane, and then the X, Y, and Z axis scanners on the right side surface of the workpiece. Is moved to the emission ON start position B. In this method, the scanner to be driven is a two-stage movement for switching from the X-axis scanner to the X, Y, and Z-axis scanner. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 100, a three-stage movement that switches from Y-axis scanner → X-axis scanner → X / Z-axis scanner is adopted. Or it is not restricted to the path | route which passes along on the right side surface of a workpiece | work, As shown in FIG.101 and FIG.102, the path | route which passes along arbitrary surfaces, such as on the left side surface of a workpiece | work, can be utilized. In the example of FIG. 101, the X / Z-axis scanner → X / Y-axis scanner is switched in the order of the X / Y / Z-axis scanner → X-axis scanner in the example of FIG. It is moved to the start position B.
(Example 3)

On the other hand, the movement route may be moved at one time without being divided into a plurality of stages. FIG. 103 shows a moving method of the XYZ axis scanner according to the third embodiment. In this example, based on the X, Y, and Z coordinate positions at the laser beam emission ON end position A and the X, Y, and Z coordinate positions at the next laser beam emission ON start position B, these two coordinates are linear. The movement route to be connected is created, and the movement is performed based on this. With this method, the movement can be completed by one operation of the X, Y, and Z axis scanners, and the printing position can be moved with the minimum number of movements in the shortest distance.
Example 4

  Furthermore, it is not limited to the example in which the printing position is moved along the surface of the workpiece, and the movement path can be determined regardless of the workpiece. In the example of FIG. 104 according to the fourth embodiment, when moving from the laser beam emission ON end position A to the next laser beam emission ON start position B, the next laser beam is emitted from the emission ON end position A to the XY plane. It moves to the X and Y coordinate positions at the emission ON start position B, and then only the Z coordinate is moved to the position of the next laser beam emission ON start position B. That is, as shown in the side view of FIG. 104 (b), it is not moved along the right side surface of the workpiece, but is moved to the Z coordinate of the emission ON start position B on the XY plane including the emission ON end position A. Thereafter, only the Z-axis scanner is driven, which is a two-stage movement of X / Y-axis scanner → Z-axis scanner. With this method, the Z-axis scanner with poor response characteristics is driven separately from the X / Y-axis scanner, so the X / Y-axis scanner can be driven independently regardless of the follow-up function of the Z-axis scanner. Movement can be realized, and the distance by the Z-axis scanner can be minimized. Further, in the example of FIG. 105, conversely to FIG. 104, only the Z-axis scanner is first driven to move the print position from the output ON end position A to the Z coordinate position of the output ON start position B. The Y-axis scanner is driven and moved to the XY coordinate position of the emission ON start position B. FIG. 105A is a perspective view showing the movement path of the printing position, and FIG. 105B is a side view. Even if the movement order is changed in this way, the same effect can be obtained.

  These select an appropriate movement path according to the response characteristics of the scanner to be used, the shape of the workpiece, and the like. Preferably, a high-speed movement can be realized by selecting a path that refrains from using a scanner with poor response performance as much as possible. However, it also depends on the moving distance and workpiece shape. It is also possible to automatically select an optimal movement path from a plurality of movement paths by calculating on the laser processing condition setting apparatus or the laser processing apparatus side.

  Further, the follow-up function of the Z-axis scanner is not limited to the association of the Z coordinates according to the three-dimensional shape of the workpiece as shown in FIG. 93 described above, but can also be used in the correction of optical characteristics as shown in FIG. That is, even when the focal position is corrected by the fθ lens using the Z-axis scanner, the tracking function of the Z-axis scanner can be used by associating the Z coordinates. Even in this case, when the laser beam emission is turned off, the follow-up function is turned off, so that an extra waiting time can be omitted, the response characteristics can be improved, and the time required for printing can be shortened. In this way, the Z-axis trajectory is changed according to the laser beam emission ON / OFF, and the processing time can be shortened by eliminating unnecessary movement in the Z direction especially when the emission is OFF. Can be realized.

  The laser processing apparatus, laser processing condition setting apparatus, laser processing method, laser processing condition setting method, and laser processing condition setting program of the present invention include a three-dimensional surface having a three-dimensional shape such as marking, drilling, trimming, scribing, and surface treatment. It is widely applicable to the setting of a three-dimensional shape in the process of performing laser irradiation. Although an example of a laser marker capable of three-dimensional printing has been described, the present invention can be suitably applied to a laser marker capable of two-dimensional printing.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the laser processing apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a transparent perspective view which shows the arrangement | positioning state of the X * Y-axis scanner in a scanning part. It is a transparent perspective view which shows the arrangement | positioning state of a X * Y * Z-axis scanner. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of the laser excitation part of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the marking head containing the laser beam scanning system of a laser processing apparatus. It is the perspective view which looked at FIG. 5 from the back direction. It is the side view which looked at FIG. 5 from the side. It is explanatory drawing explaining the state from which the focus position of the laser beam of a laser processing apparatus changes in a work position. It is a side view which shows the laser beam scanning system in the case of lengthening a focal distance. It is a side view which shows the laser beam scanning system in the case of shortening a focal distance. It is the front view and sectional drawing which show a Z-axis scanner. It is a block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the laser marker which can be three-dimensionally printed. It is a block diagram which shows a laser processing system. It is a block diagram which shows the other example of a laser processing system. It is a block diagram which shows the further another example of a laser processing system. It is an image figure which shows an example of the user interface screen of a laser processing data setting program. It is an image figure which shows an example of the process block setting means which sets a some printing block. It is an image figure which shows the setting screen at the time of selecting a broken line as a processing machine operation | movement. It is an image figure which shows the setting screen at the time of selecting a clockwise circle and an ellipse as a processing machine operation | movement. It is an image figure which shows the setting screen which switched FIG. 17 to the 3D edit screen, and displayed it on the three-dimensional shape. It is an image figure which shows the selection screen which designates the file name of image data. It is an image figure which shows the setting screen which prints image data. It is an image figure which shows a mode that the layout of a printing block is adjusted. It is an image figure which shows the setting list of a printing block. It is an image figure which shows the several printing block of batch change object. It is an image figure which shows the 3D shape batch change screen of the printing block of FIG. It is an image figure which shows the state which changed the printing block of FIG. 23 to the column shape collectively. It is an image figure which shows the state which displayed the several printing block in two dimensions. It is an image figure which shows the state which displayed the printing block of FIG. 26 in three dimensions. It is an image figure which shows the state which displays a printing block in two dimensions. FIG. 29 is an image diagram illustrating a state in which a print group is set with a mouse from the screen of FIG. 28. FIG. 29 is an image diagram showing a state in which a print group is set from the screen of FIG. 28 by a right click menu. FIG. 29 is an image diagram showing a state in which a print group is set from the screen of FIG. 28. It is an image figure which shows the state which displays the printing block of FIG. 28 in three dimensions. It is an image figure which shows the example which sets a printing group with respect to the printing block in a distant position. It is an image figure which shows the example which sets a printing group with respect to a some workpiece | work. It is an image figure which shows the example which designated the inclined surface as a printing surface. FIG. 36 is an image diagram showing an example in which an inclined surface is designated as a print surface of the print pattern of FIG. 35. It is an image figure which shows the state switched to "3D setting" in FIG. It is an image figure which shows the state which selected the cylinder in FIG. It is an image figure which shows the state which switched the edit display column to the three-dimensional display from FIG. It is the image figure which displayed the 3D display screen from diagonally upward. It is the image figure which displayed the 3D display screen of FIG. 40 from the back side. It is the image figure which moved and displayed the 3D display screen of FIG. 40 to the left. It is the image figure which moved and displayed the 3D display screen of FIG. 40 to the right. It is the image figure which moved and displayed the 3D display screen of FIG. It is the image figure which displayed the 3D display screen of FIG. 40 on XY plane. It is the image figure which displayed the 3D display screen of FIG. 40 on the YZ plane. It is the image figure which displayed the 3D display screen of FIG. 40 on the ZX plane. It is an image figure which shows the state which displayed the three-dimensional image of the process target surface with the three-dimensional viewer. It is an image figure which shows the state which inputs two-dimensional printing pattern information. It is an image figure which shows the state which selected ZMAP from the profile designation | designated column. It is an image figure which shows a ZMAP file selection screen. It is an image figure which shows the state which designated ZMAP in the ZMAP file name input column. FIG. 53 is an image diagram showing a state in which the three-dimensional shape of the print target surface is displayed by switching the edit display field from FIG. 52 to three-dimensional display. FIG. 54 is an image diagram showing a state in which three-dimensional shape data defined by a ZMAP file is superimposed and displayed on a print target surface that is three-dimensionally displayed in the edit display field in FIG. 53. It is an image figure which shows a ZMAP creation screen. FIG. 56 is an image diagram showing a state where the STL file is opened in FIG. 55. FIG. 57 is an image diagram showing a state in which the three-dimensional shape data displayed on the viewer screen in FIG. 56 is moved in the X coordinate direction. It is an image figure which shows the state which changed the viewpoint of the three-dimensional shape data displayed on a viewer screen in FIG. It is an image figure which shows the state which moved three-dimensional shape data to the Z coordinate direction (positive). It is an image figure which shows the state which moved three-dimensional shape data to the Z coordinate direction (negative). It is an image figure which shows the state which moved the three-dimensional shape data to the Y coordinate direction. It is an image figure which shows the state which rotated three-dimensional shape data to the X coordinate direction. It is an image figure which shows the state which rotated three-dimensional shape data to the Y coordinate direction. It is an image figure which shows the state which rotated three-dimensional shape data to the Z coordinate direction. It is an image figure which shows the printable area | region of a X coordinate direction on a viewer screen. It is an image figure which shows the printable area | region of the Y coordinate direction on a viewer screen. It is an image figure which shows the printable area | region of a Z coordinate direction on a viewer screen. FIG. 59 is an image diagram showing a state in which STL data is converted to ZMAP data in the posture of FIG. 58. FIG. 63 is an image diagram showing a state in which STL data is converted into ZMAP data in the posture of FIG. 62. FIG. 70 is an image diagram showing a state in which a print pattern is deformed with the ZMAP data of FIG. 69. It is an image figure which shows the area which cannot be printed in a 3D display screen. FIG. 72 is an image diagram showing a state in which the print start angle is adjusted in FIG. 71. It is an image figure which shows the display setting screen of 3D display screen. It is an image figure which shows the example which displays printable size. It is an image figure which shows the example which displays the size of the printing content designated by the user. It is an image figure which shows the example which displays the printing content and its size. FIG. 76 is an image diagram showing an example in which the print content is in a defective print area in FIG. 76. FIG. 78 is an image diagram showing an example of displaying a warning message in FIG. 77. FIG. 78 is an image view showing an example of displaying a guidance message in FIG. 77. It is a perspective view which shows the method in which a process defect area detection means detects a process defect area. It is an image figure which shows various setting screens. It is an image figure which shows the setting screen which sets the color scheme in a 3D display screen. It is an image figure which shows the setting screen which sets the display in a 2D display screen. It is an image figure which shows the setting screen which sets the color scheme in a 2D display screen. It is an image figure which shows the setting screen which adjusts arrangement | positioning of a process target surface. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which sets a printing condition and produces | generates a process pattern. 87A and 87B are schematic diagrams for explaining condition settings relating to two-dimensional moving printing. FIG. 87A is a perspective view and FIG. 87B is a plan view. It is an image figure which shows the example of a screen which sets a moving direction in a moving process condition setting part. It is an image figure which shows an example of the setting screen of a process parameter. FIG. 90A is a cross-sectional view in which an inclined surface is formed in the engraving process of the workpiece surface, and FIG. 90B is a plan view in which a handwritten logo is printed on the workpiece surface. It is an image figure which shows an example of the setting screen of a defocus setting amount. It is a list which shows the item which can be set to laser processing data. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that Z coordinate is linked | related with XY coordinate with respect to a three-dimensional workpiece | work. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a locus | trajectory changes with the tracking function of a Z-axis scanner. It is a flowchart which determines the locus | trajectory which moves a Z-axis scanner. (Example 1) which is an explanatory view showing a movement path in case laser beam emission is ON. It is explanatory drawing which shows the movement path | route in the case of laser beam emission OFF. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a movement route according to the second embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other movement path | route which concerns on Example 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other movement path | route which concerns on Example 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other movement path | route which concerns on Example 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other movement path | route which concerns on Example 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a movement route according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a movement route according to a fourth embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other movement path | route which concerns on Example 4. FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Laser processing apparatus 1 ... Laser control part; 1A ... Controller; 2 ... Laser output part 3 ... Input part; 3A ... Process surface profile input means; 3B ... Process pattern input means 3C ... Process condition setting part; Setting means; 3J ... Group setting means 3K ... Position adjustment means 3a ... Basic figure designation means; 3b ... Three-dimensional shape data input means 4 ... Control part; 5 ... Memory part; 5A ... Storage part; 5a ... Reference table 6 ... Laser Excitation unit: 7 ... Power source; 8 ... Laser medium; 9 ... Scanning unit 10 ... Laser excitation light source; 11 ... Laser excitation light source condensing unit 12 ... Laser excitation unit casing; 13 ... Optical fiber cable 14 ... Scanner; Scanner; 14b ... Y-axis scanner 14c ... Z-axis scanner; 14d ... Pointer scanner mirror 15 ... Condenser; 16 ... Incoming lens; 18 ... Outgoing lens DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 0 ... Laser oscillation part; 51, 51a, 51b ... Galvano motor 52 ... Scanner drive circuit; 53 ... Beam expander 60 ... Guide light source; 62 ... Half mirror; 64 ... Light source for pointer; 80B ... Machining defect area detection means; 80C ... Machining condition adjustment means 80I ... Highlight processing means; 80J ... Setting warning means; 80K ... Machining data generation section 80L ... Initial position setting means 82 ... Display section;
83 ... Processing image display unit 84 ... Head image display means 150 ... Marking head 180 ... Laser processing data setting device 180K ... Processing data generation unit 190 ... External device 202 ... Editing display field 204 ... Print pattern input field; 204a ... Processing type designation Field; 204b ... Character input field 204c ... Detailed setting field; 204d ... Character data designation field; 204e ... "Print data" tab 204f ... "Size / position"tab; 204g ... "Print condition" tab 204h ... "Basic settings" tab 204i ... "Shape setting" tab 204j ... "Detailed setting"tab; 204k ... Machining parameter setting field 204l ... Machining parameter setting field; 204m ... Defocus setting field 204n ... Machining parameter setting field; 204o ... Defocus setting field 204q ... Type designation field 205 ... Profile designation field 206 ... Shape Selection field 207 ... Display switching button; 207B ... "Display position" change field 207C ... Dual screen display button; 207D ... "ZMAP display" field 208 ... In-screen layout setting field 209 ... Scroll bar 210 ... Display / non-display of marking head image Display setting screen 211 ... "Block shape / arrangement"tab; 211B ... Rotation angle setting field 212 ... "Block shape" field 215 ... "Transfer / read" button 216 ... "Layout" tab 217 ... "Print content" tab 218 ... ""Printingcondition" tab 240 ... Machining line condition setting screen 241 ... "Movement / printing direction" tab 250 ... Group setting field 251 ... "Group setting" field 252 ... Group number designation field 253 ... "Grouping" button 254 ... ""Ungroup" button 256 ... Right click menu 257 ... "Group" menu 260 ... Dimension viewer 270 ... edit mode display field 272 ... edit mode switching button 274 ... "3D shape batch change" button 275 ... 3D shape batch change screen 276 ... batch change shape designation field 277 ... "block shape batch change" field 278 ... Line segment coordinate designation field 292 ... ZMAP file name input field 293 ... "Browse" button 294 ... File selection screen 296 ... Second floating toolbar 300 ... ZMAP creation screen 301 ... Viewer screen 302 ... Adjustment field 303 ... "STL display" Button 304 ... Coordinate adjustment field 305 ... Arrow button; 305a ... Cross arrow button; 305b ... Up / down arrow button 306 ... Rotation angle adjustment field 307 ... Print area display field 308 ... "Rotation / scroll" button 310 ... "ZMAP display" button L, L ', LB, LK ... Laser light; G ... Guide light; P ... Po W, W1 to W3 ... Work; WS ... Work area WM ... Plane showing the surface to be processed; WM '... Correction surface K, K1-K3 ... Frame; MK ... Marking head image BW ... Print block frame; Printing group frames B1 to B9 ... printing block; G1 to G3 ... printing group KM ... boundary surface; KS ... inclined surface; LG ... logo

Claims (11)

A laser processing apparatus capable of processing a processing target surface of a processing target disposed in a work area by irradiating a laser beam and processing it into a desired processing pattern,
A laser oscillation unit for generating laser light;
As a laser beam scanning system for scanning the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillation unit in the work area formed from the XY coordinates,
An entrance lens and an exit lens are provided, and the entrance lens and / or the exit lens are translated in a state where the optical axes of the entrance lens and the exit lens coincide with the optical axis of the laser light emitted from the laser oscillation unit. A Z-axis scanner capable of adjusting the focal length of the laser light by changing the relative distance between the incident lens and the outgoing lens along these optical axes,
An X-axis scanner having a motor for fixing and rotating a first mirror for rotating a laser beam transmitted through the Z-axis scanner in the X-axis direction of the work area, or a Y-axis One of the Y-axis scanners including a motor for rotating the second mirror fixed to the rotation shaft and rotating the second mirror;
The other scanner for scanning the laser beam scanned by the one scanner in the other axial direction of the X axis direction or the Y axis direction of the work area;
A laser beam scanning system comprising:
A laser control unit for controlling the laser oscillation unit and the laser beam scanning system;
A processing condition setting unit for setting a three-dimensional shape and a processing pattern of a processing target surface as a processing condition for processing into a desired processing pattern;
A storage unit for storing a correspondence relationship between the XY coordinate position and the Z coordinate position in relation to the three-dimensional shape of the processing target surface;
With
While the laser control unit turns on the emission of the laser beam , the movement of the one scanner and the other scanner in the XY direction by the rotation of the first mirror and the second mirror causes the Z-axis scanner to XY coordinates instructed by the X-axis and Y-axis scanners based on the correspondence relationship stored in the storage unit by following the movement in the Z direction by the parallel movement of the incident lens and / or the exit lens in the optical axis direction; Move the Z-axis scanner to indicate the corresponding Z coordinate,
On the other hand, the laser control unit is configured to interrupt the tracking of the Z-axis scanner while the laser beam emission is turned off and to move to a predetermined Z coordinate position regardless of the XY coordinate correspondence. A laser processing apparatus characterized by the above. A laser processing apparatus capable of processing a processing target surface of a processing target disposed in a work area by irradiating a laser beam and processing it into a desired processing pattern,
A laser oscillation unit for generating laser light;
As a laser beam scanning system for scanning the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillation unit in the work area formed from the XY coordinates,
An entrance lens and an exit lens are provided, and the entrance lens and / or the exit lens are translated in a state where the optical axes of the entrance lens and the exit lens coincide with the optical axis of the laser light emitted from the laser oscillation unit. A Z-axis scanner capable of adjusting the focal length of the laser light by changing the relative distance between the incident lens and the outgoing lens along these optical axes,
An X-axis scanner having a motor for fixing and rotating a first mirror for rotating a laser beam transmitted through the Z-axis scanner in the X-axis direction of the work area, or a Y-axis One of the Y-axis scanners including a motor for rotating the second mirror fixed to the rotation shaft and rotating the second mirror;
The other scanner for scanning the laser beam scanned by the one scanner in the other axial direction of the X axis direction or the Y axis direction of the work area;
A laser beam scanning system comprising:
A laser control unit for controlling the laser oscillation unit and the laser beam scanning system;
A processing condition setting unit for setting a three-dimensional shape and a processing pattern of a processing target surface as a processing condition for processing into a desired processing pattern;
A storage unit that adjusts the Z coordinate so that the focal position of the laser beam at each XY coordinate position of the work area is constant, and stores the association between the XY coordinate position and the adjusted Z coordinate position;
With
While the laser control unit turns on the emission of the laser beam , the movement of the one scanner and the other scanner in the XY direction by the rotation of the first mirror and the second mirror causes the Z-axis scanner to XY coordinates instructed by the X-axis and Y-axis scanners based on the correspondence relationship stored in the storage unit by following the movement in the Z direction by the parallel movement of the incident lens and / or the exit lens in the optical axis direction; Move the Z-axis scanner to indicate the corresponding Z coordinate,
On the other hand, the laser control unit is configured to interrupt the tracking of the Z-axis scanner while the laser beam emission is turned off and to move to a predetermined Z coordinate position regardless of the XY coordinate correspondence. A laser processing apparatus characterized by the above. The laser processing apparatus according to claim 2,
The laser control unit controls the Z-axis scanner so that the focal position becomes longer as the scanning position of the laser beam approaches the end of the work area, and controls the focus position to be kept substantially constant in the work area. A laser processing apparatus. A laser processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
While the laser control unit turns off the emission of the laser beam, the Z-axis scanner acquires the Z coordinate corresponding to the XY coordinate of the machining start position at which the laser beam emission is resumed next from the storage unit. And moving to the Z coordinate. A laser processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The predetermined Z coordinate position is the default Z coordinate position at the time of starting the laser processing apparatus, maintains the Z coordinate when the laser beam emission is turned off, and then the Z coordinate scheduled to turn on the laser beam emission A laser processing apparatus characterized by being any one of the above. A laser processing apparatus capable of processing a processing target surface of a processing target disposed in a work area by irradiating a laser beam and processing it into a desired processing pattern,
A laser oscillation unit for generating laser light;
As a laser beam scanning system for scanning the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillation unit in the work area formed from the XY coordinates,
An entrance lens and an exit lens are provided, and the entrance lens and / or the exit lens are translated in a state where the optical axes of the entrance lens and the exit lens coincide with the optical axis of the laser light emitted from the laser oscillation unit. A Z-axis scanner capable of adjusting the focal length of the laser light by changing the relative distance between the incident lens and the outgoing lens along these optical axes,
An X-axis scanner having a motor for fixing and rotating a first mirror for rotating a laser beam transmitted through the Z-axis scanner in the X-axis direction of the work area, or a Y-axis One of the Y-axis scanners including a motor for rotating the second mirror fixed to the rotation shaft and rotating the second mirror;
The other scanner for scanning the laser beam scanned by the one scanner in the other axial direction of the X axis direction or the Y axis direction of the work area;
A condensing lens for condensing so as to irradiate the work area with laser light scanned by the Y-axis scanner or the X-axis scanner;
A laser beam scanning system comprising:
A laser control unit for controlling the laser oscillation unit and the laser beam scanning system;
A processing condition setting unit for setting a three-dimensional shape and a processing pattern of a processing target surface as a processing condition for processing into a desired processing pattern;
A storage unit for storing a correspondence relationship between the XY coordinate position and the Z coordinate position in relation to the three-dimensional shape of the processing target surface;
With
While the spot diameter of the laser beam is 50 μm or less and the laser control unit is turning on the emission of the laser beam, the first mirror and the second mirror of the one scanner and the other scanner are rotated . The movement in the XY direction is followed by the movement in the Z direction due to the parallel movement of the incident lens and / or the outgoing lens of the Z-axis scanner in the optical axis direction, and based on the correspondence stored in the storage unit, Move the Z-axis scanner to indicate the Z-coordinate corresponding to the XY coordinates specified by the axis and Y-axis scanner,
On the other hand, the laser control unit is configured to interrupt the tracking of the Z-axis scanner while the laser beam emission is turned off and to move to a predetermined Z coordinate position regardless of the XY coordinate correspondence. A laser processing apparatus characterized by the above. A laser processing apparatus capable of processing a processing target surface of a processing target disposed in a work area by irradiating a laser beam and processing it into a desired processing pattern,
A laser oscillation unit for generating laser light;
As a laser beam scanning system for scanning the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillation unit in the work area formed from the XY coordinates,
An entrance lens and an exit lens are provided, and the entrance lens and / or the exit lens are translated in a state where the optical axes of the entrance lens and the exit lens coincide with the optical axis of the laser light emitted from the laser oscillation unit. A Z-axis scanner capable of adjusting the focal length of the laser light by changing the relative distance between the incident lens and the outgoing lens along these optical axes,
An X-axis scanner having a motor for fixing and rotating a first mirror for rotating a laser beam transmitted through the Z-axis scanner in the X-axis direction of the work area, or a Y-axis One of the Y-axis scanners including a motor for rotating the second mirror fixed to the rotation shaft and rotating the second mirror;
The other scanner for scanning the laser beam scanned by the one scanner in the other axial direction of the X axis direction or the Y axis direction of the work area;
A laser beam scanning system comprising:
A laser control unit for controlling the laser oscillation unit and the laser beam scanning system;
A processing condition setting unit for setting a three-dimensional shape and a processing pattern of a processing target surface as a processing condition for processing into a desired processing pattern;
In accordance with the processing conditions set in the processing condition setting unit, a processing data generation unit that generates laser processing data of the processing target surface,
A processing image display unit capable of two-dimensionally and / or three-dimensionally displaying an image of the laser processing data generated by the processing data generation unit;
With
The processing condition setting unit further includes:
Machining pattern input means for inputting a machining pattern as two-dimensional information;
Machining surface profile input means for inputting profile information indicating the three-dimensional shape of the machining target surface;
With
The laser control unit associates XY coordinates and Z coordinates,
By following the movement in the XY direction by the rotation of the first mirror and the second mirror of the one scanner and the other scanner, by the parallel movement of the incident lens and / or the outgoing lens of the Z-axis scanner in the optical axis direction. The movement in the Z direction is also provided with a follow-up function that moves to indicate the Z coordinate corresponding to the XY coordinate indicated by the X axis and Y axis scanner,
The laser control unit is configured to turn on the tracking function of the Z-axis scanner while the laser beam emission is on, and to turn off the tracking function of the Z-axis scanner while the laser beam emission is off. The laser processing apparatus characterized by these. An entrance lens and an exit lens are provided, and the entrance lens and / or the exit lens are moved in parallel with the optical axis of the laser light coincident with the optical axis of the laser beam, thereby moving the entrance lens and the exit lens between the entrance lens and the exit lens. A Z-axis scanner capable of adjusting the focal length of the laser light by changing the relative distance along these optical axes;
An X-axis comprising a motor for fixing and rotating the first mirror for rotating the laser beam transmitted through the Z-axis scanner in the X-axis direction of the work area formed from the XY coordinates. Either a scanner or a Y-axis scanner having a motor for rotating the second mirror fixed to the rotation axis for scanning in the Y-axis direction;
The other scanner for scanning the laser beam scanned by the one scanner in the other axial direction of the X axis direction or the Y axis direction of the work area;
When a laser beam is irradiated to a processing target surface of a processing target disposed in the work area and processed into a desired processing pattern, the laser processing apparatus including the laser beam scanning system includes A laser processing data setting device for setting processing data based on a desired processing pattern,
A processing condition setting unit for setting a three-dimensional shape and a processing pattern of a processing target surface as a processing condition for processing into a desired processing pattern;
A storage unit that adjusts the Z coordinate so that the focal position of the laser beam at each XY coordinate position of the work area is constant, and stores the association between the XY coordinate position and the adjusted Z coordinate position;
With
While the emission of the laser beam is ON, the incident lens and / or the emission lens of the Z-axis scanner are moved in the X and Y directions by the rotation of the first mirror and the second mirror of one scanner and the other scanner. The movement in the Z direction due to the parallel movement in the optical axis direction is followed, and based on the correspondence stored in the storage unit, the Z coordinate corresponding to the XY coordinates designated by the X-axis and Y-axis scanners is designated. Move the Z-axis scanner like
On the other hand, while the laser beam emission is turned off, the tracking of the Z-axis scanner is interrupted and moved to a predetermined Z-coordinate position regardless of the correspondence relationship of the XY coordinates. Data setting device. As a laser beam scanning system for scanning a laser beam,
An incident lens and an output lens are provided, and the optical axis of the laser beam is aligned with the optical axes of the input lens and the output lens. Z-axis scanner that can adjust the focal length of laser light by changing the distance along these optical axes,
An X-axis comprising a motor for fixing and rotating the first mirror for rotating the laser beam transmitted through the Z-axis scanner in the X-axis direction of the work area formed from the XY coordinates. Scanner,
Using a laser processing apparatus that includes a Y-axis scanner that includes a motor for fixing and rotating a second mirror for scanning in the Y-axis direction and that can be processed into a three-dimensional shape, A laser processing method in which a processing target surface of a processing target disposed in a work area is scanned three-dimensionally with a laser beam and processed into a desired processing pattern,
An XY coordinate and a Z coordinate in the work area are associated in advance, and an X-axis scanner that defines the X coordinate of the laser beam scanning position, and a first mirror and a second mirror of the Y-axis scanner that define the Y coordinate. The Z-axis scanner follows the movement in the XY direction by the rotation of the mirror so that the light of the incident lens and / or the outgoing lens also indicates the Z-coordinate corresponding to the XY-coordinate specified by the X-axis and Y-axis scanner. It has a follow-up function that translates in the axial direction.
A step of turning on the tracking function of the Z-axis scanner while the laser beam is emitted;
Maintaining the predetermined height without operating the tracking function of the Z-axis scanner while the laser beam is not emitted;
A laser processing method comprising: An entrance lens and an exit lens are provided, and the entrance lens and / or the exit lens are moved in parallel with the optical axis of the laser light coincident with the optical axis of the laser beam, thereby moving the entrance lens and the exit lens between the entrance lens and the exit lens. A Z-axis scanner capable of adjusting the focal length of the laser light by changing the relative distance along these optical axes;
An X-axis comprising a motor for fixing and rotating the first mirror for rotating the laser beam transmitted through the Z-axis scanner in the X-axis direction of the work area formed from the XY coordinates. Either a scanner or a Y-axis scanner having a motor for rotating the second mirror fixed to the rotation axis for scanning in the Y-axis direction;
The other scanner for scanning the laser beam scanned by the one scanner in the other axial direction of the X axis direction or the Y axis direction of the work area;
When a laser beam is irradiated to a processing target surface of a processing target disposed in the work area and processed into a desired processing pattern, the laser processing apparatus including the laser beam scanning system includes A laser processing data setting method for setting processing data based on a desired processing pattern,
A step of setting a three-dimensional shape and a processing pattern of a processing target surface as processing conditions for processing into a desired processing pattern;
Associating the correspondence between the XY coordinate position and the Z coordinate position with respect to the three-dimensional shape of the processing target surface;
While the emission of the laser beam is ON, the incident lens and / or emission of the Z-axis scanner is moved in the X and Y directions by the rotation of the first mirror and the second mirror of the one scanner and the other scanner. The Z- axis scanner is configured to follow the movement in the Z direction due to the parallel movement of the lens in the optical axis direction and to indicate the Z coordinate corresponding to the XY coordinates indicated by the X axis and Y axis scanner based on the stored correspondence relationship. While the laser beam emission is turned off, the Z-axis scanner tracking is interrupted and moved to a predetermined Z-coordinate position regardless of the correspondence of the XY coordinates;
A laser processing data setting method comprising: As a laser beam scanning system for scanning a laser beam,
An incident lens and an output lens are provided, and the optical axis of the laser beam is aligned with the optical axes of the input lens and the output lens. Z-axis scanner that can adjust the focal length of laser light by changing the distance along these optical axes,
An X-axis comprising a motor for fixing and rotating the first mirror for rotating the laser beam transmitted through the Z-axis scanner in the X-axis direction of the work area formed from the XY coordinates. Scanner,
Using a laser processing apparatus that includes a Y-axis scanner that includes a motor for fixing and rotating a second mirror for scanning in the Y-axis direction and that can be processed into a three-dimensional shape, A laser processing data setting program that three-dimensionally scans a processing target surface of a processing target disposed in a work area and processes it into a desired processing pattern,
An XY coordinate and a Z coordinate in the work area are associated in advance, and an X-axis scanner that defines the X coordinate of the laser beam scanning position, and a first mirror and a second mirror of the Y-axis scanner that define the Y coordinate. Following the movement in the XY direction by the rotation of the mirror , the movement in the Z direction by the parallel movement of the incident lens and / or the outgoing lens of the Z axis scanner in the optical axis direction is also instructed by the X axis and Y axis scanner. A function of moving to indicate the XY coordinates and the corresponding Z coordinates;
While the laser beam is emitted, the tracking function of the Z-axis scanner is turned on, while the laser beam is not emitted, the tracking function of the Z-axis scanner is not operated and maintained at a predetermined height;
A laser processing data setting program characterized by causing a computer to realize the above.