Electric heating – Metal heating – By arc
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-20
2001-12-18
Heinrich, Samuel M. (Department: 1725)
Electric heating
Metal heating
By arc
C219S121790
Reexamination Certificate
active
06331691
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a laser marking device which utilizes an x-y axis guiding system. Wear compensating bearings are utilized with the x-y axis guiding apparatus to provide the required precision for a laser marking device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Laser marking devices are useful to mark serial numbers, trademarks, logos, etc. These markings are made on a variety of workpieces or products including those made from anodized or painted metal, quartz or ceramics.
Laser marking devices are commonly utilized to create small and precise marks. Since the marks created by laser marking devices are generally small in size, the system for guiding the laser must be very precise to create a legible mark. Galvo systems are commonly utilized to achieve the required precision guiding in laser marking devices. The galvo guiding systems currently used in the art are very expensive to manufacture and, therefore, laser marking devices utilizing such guiding systems are very expensive.
What is needed in the art is a laser marking device which has a precision guiding apparatus and which is less expensive to manufacture than the currently available guiding systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to improve upon the currently available laser marking devices, wherein it is desired to provide a laser marking apparatus which can precisely guide a marking laser beam and is less expensive than the currently available guiding systems.
The present invention provides a laser marking device which utilizes an x-y axis guiding system to position the marking laser beam along the desired marking path. To achieve the desired precision, wear compensating bearings are utilized in conjunction with the x-y axis guiding system. X-y axis guiding systems are much more cost effective than the galvo guiding systems currently utilized. The wear compensating bearings utilized in conjunction with the x-y axis guiding system utilize tension elements to reduce the inherent gaps between the bearing and the guide created as the bearing wears, while maintaining operative relationship between the guide and the guided part. Such system maintains the center line of the bearing colinear with the center line of shaft about which the bearing surrounds utilizing an application of a radially inward directed compressive force or load.
The invention, in one form thereof, comprises a laser marking apparatus for marking the workpiece, wherein the laser beam is operable to travel in a coordinate system which includes an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis. The apparatus of this form of the current invention includes a laser source which is operative to produce a laser beam which travels substantially along the z-axis as it exits the laser source. An x-y axis guiding apparatus is utilized to guide the laser beam. The x-y axis guiding apparatus is moveable along the x-axis and the y-axis and such movement of the x-y axis guiding apparatus is operative to move the laser beam. The laser source can be, for example, without limitation, a CO
2
, YAG, or Pulsed Diode laser source.
In one form of the current invention, the x-y axis guiding apparatus includes a first reflective surface which is operably positioned to redirect the laser beam so that it travels substantially along the x-axis. A second reflective surface is operably positioned to redirect the laser beam after the laser beam has been redirected by the first reflective surface. The second reflective surface redirects the laser beam so that it travels substantially along the y-axis. A third reflective surface is utilized to further redirect the laser beam as the laser beam travels substantially along the y-axis. The third reflective surface redirects the laser beam so that it travels substantially along the z-axis.
In one form of the current invention, the second reflective surface is affixed to a first guide component while the third reflective surface is affixed to a second guide component. An x-axis guide shaft and a y-axis guide shaft as well as an x-axis actuator and a y-axis actuator are provided. The x-axis and y-axis actuators can be, for example, ball screws, precision timing belts, or cable drive actuators. The x-axis ball screw and the y-axis ball screw are substantially parallel to the x-axis guide shaft and the y-axis guide shaft, respectively. The first guide component is operably connected to the x-axis guide shaft for movement therealong. The first guide component is additionally operably connected to the x-axis ball screw. Similarly, the second guide component is operably connected to the y-axis guide shaft for movement therealong and is operably connected to the y-axis ball screw. The y-axis guide shaft and the y-axis ball screw are both affixed to the first guide component so that movement of the first guide component moves both the y-axis guide shaft and the y-axis ball screw. The x-axis guide shaft and the y-axis guide shaft can be, for example, polished stainless steel shafts.
A first bearing is positioned between the x-axis guide shaft and the first guide component, while a second bearing is positioned between the y-axis guide shaft and the second guide component. The first bearing and the second bearing are operative to allow relative movement between the x-axis guide shaft and the first guide component and the y-axis guide shaft and second guide component, respectively.
In one form of the current invention, a first drive means is operably connected to the x-axis ball screw and is operative to actuate the x-axis ball screw. Actuation of the x-axis ball screw actuates the first guide component in the x-direction. Similarly, a second drive means is operably connected to the y-axis ball screw. The second drive means is operative to actuate the y-axis ball screw, whereby actuation of the y-axis ball screw actuates the second guide component in the y-direction. The first drive means and second drive means can be, for example, a first stepper motor and a second stepper motor, respectively.
In one form of the current invention, a computational device is communicatively connected to a first stepper motor and a second stepper motor. The computational device is operative to control both the first stepper motor and the second stepper motor and, therefore, to control the markings made by the laser.
In one form of the current invention, a first biasing means is operatively connected to the first bearing and is operative to maintain the first bearing in operative relationship with the x-axis guide shaft while the first bearing maintains its operative relationship with the first guide component. Similarly, a second biasing means is operatively connected to the second bearing and is operative to maintain the second bearing in operative relationship with the y-axis guide shaft while the second bearing maintains its operative relationship with the second guide component. The first and second biasing means can be, for example, an annular spring or any of various known elastic members.
The invention, in another form thereof, comprises a precision guiding apparatus which includes a guide shaft and a guide component. The guide component is operably connected to the guide shaft for movement therealong. A bearing is provided and is operative to allow relative movement between the guide shaft and the guide component. Biasing means surround the bearing always centering the bearing about the guide shaft. The biasing means can be, for example, an annular spring.
The invention, in another form thereof, comprises a laser marking apparatus for marking a workpiece with a laser beam. The laser beam is operable to travel in a coordinate system which includes an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis. A laser source is operative to produce a CO
2
laser beam which travels substantially along the z-axis from the laser source. A first reflective surface is operably positioned to redirect the laser beam so that the laser beam travels substantially along the x-axis after being redirected by the first reflective sur
DePrisco Joseph
Good Brad
Hogeston Kermit
Lahey Brent
Automated Laser Corporation
Heinrich Samuel M.
Knuth Randall J.
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